Obituaries

Lifelong Cuero resident, Maria F. DeLeon went to be with her Lord and Savior, May 5, 2017. Mary was an amazing woman who worked hard all her life. She worked at the Coca Cola plant until they closed, the Doll House and for the past 10 years cleaning homes. Mary loved her family, her three boys brought a smile to her face and her grandkids were the sparkle of her eye. Mary’s faith inspired all who knew her. She truly had a heart of gold.

She is survived by her husband, George DeLeon; sons, Desmond (Jane) DeLeon, Mark DeLeon and Manny (Taylor) DeLeon; her mother, Fedincia Barron; sister, Sandy Scroggins; brothers, Mateo Barron, Vidal Barron and John Castillo all of Cuero and six grandchildren,.

She was preceded in death by her father; stepfather; and grandparents.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, May 13 at 10 a.m. at the Outreach for the Souls fellowship hall.

Mary Louise Garcia-Diaz, 57, of Cuero passed away Thursday, May 4, 2017. She was born Feb. 17, 1960 in Meyersville to Pedro and Eloisa Guajardo Garcia. Mary was a devoted mother and wife who loved her family. She enjoyed being outdoors and gardening.

She is survived by her husband, Amando T. Diaz; daughters, Naomi Morales of Victoria and Hopey Garcia Heron of Houston; sons, Martin Garcia of El Paso, Danny Garcia of Laredo, Michael Garcia and Gary Garcia both of Cuero; sisters Susie Garcia of Cuero; brothers, John Garcia, Lupe Garcia and David Garcia of Cuero; grandchildren, Maximus and Auron Garcia of El Paso, Kayla, Layla and Jacob Garcia of Laredo; Ayvree Garcia, Neveah Sanchez, Mi Cielo Arzate Garcia of Cuero, Estan Rios, Rainley Rios of Victoria, Julian and Julia Garcia of Cuero.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Adam Garcia.

Jeannette “Jeanie” Blackwell Duderstadt, 101, of Cuero passed away Friday, May 5, 2017. She was born Jan. 7, 1916 in Cuero to the late W.A. “Will” and Alma Reiffert Blackwell. She married Richard A. Miller in 1936. She later married Lemuel “Lem” Duderstadt on Nov. 2, 1946 in Cuero. Jeanie was a lifelong member of Grace Episcopal Church. She was proud of her Texas and ranching heritage, being from a pioneer family.

 She is survived by her daughters, Marjorie Jean Lassmann and Mary Sue “Susie” Sparks (David); son, Sid Duderstadt; daughter-in-law, Linda Miller; grandchildren, Robert (Sandy) Lassmann, Gena (Gary) Davis, Richard (Melissa) Miller, Bill (Erika) Miller, Wade (Teena) Sparks, Clint (Maria) Sparks; great-grandchildren, William Hogan Miller, Amber Miller, Ashleigh Miller, Renae Miller, Christopher Lassmann, Cameron Davis, Stephen Sparks, Sarah Sparks, Robert Sparks, Wesley Miller and Emma Miller.

Samuel Villa, Sr., 61, of Cuero passed away Sunday, April 30, 2017. He was born June 8, 1955 in Rosenberg to Manuel and Josephine Ortiz Villa, Sr. Sammy married Irene Barron on Nov. 26, 1975 in Cuero. He was an accomplished carpenter, great neighbor and loyal friend.

He is survived by his loving wife, Irene; sons, Samuel Villa, Jr. (Rebecca) of Gonzales and John Michael Villa of Austin; grandchildren, Alexander Villa, Samantha Villa and Nicholas Villa of Gonzales; brothers, Eugene Villa Sr. (Pat) of Granger, WA and Manuel Villa, Jr. (Erma) of Cuero; sisters, Gloria Carmona of Cuero, Alice Hernandez of Garland, Arlene Maldonado of Cuero, Dora Rodela of Gonzales, Dolly Sierra of Brenham, Sylvia Flores of Victoria, Joanne DeLeon of Cuero, Nancy Herrera of Victoria, Linda Villa -Leyva of Victoria and Irene Kendrick of Victoria.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, David Villa, Sr.

Edmund John “Johnnie” Friedel Jr, age 73, passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2017.

He was born Sept. 30, 1943 in Yoakum to Edmund and Anna Mae Ward Friedel.

He was owner of Friedel Water Well Drilling and a rancher.

Survivors: wife,Marjorie Long Friedel of Hochheim; daughter, Lisa Friedel Dube (Ray) of New Braunfels; sons, Clayton Friedel (Kelly), John Friedel and Kenneth Friedel (Margaret) all of Hochheim; grandchildren, Keith Friedel, Lauren Dube Hinkle, Amber Grabel, Megan Waddell, Matt Friedel, Harlan Friedel, Reagan Friedel, Mason Friedel and Kaleb Friedel: great-grandchildren, Brennan, Emilie, Caden; sisters, Barbara Tiller (Joe) of Lake Jackson and Rose Mraz (Roger) of Yoakum.

Preceded in death by: parents; sister, Olga Mae Zinke.

Rosary will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2 at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home.

Teodoro Sanchez, 74, of Cuero passed away Saturday, April 29, 2017. He was born Jan. 19, 1943 to Angel and Juanita Castro Sanchez in Mexico. Working as a ranch hand was his passion.

He is survived by his sister, Reyna Sanchez of Mexico; nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 5, at 1 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home with Services to begin at 2 p.m. Interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery.

You may sign the guest book or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com.

Freund Funeral Home, 361-275-2343.

Joan “JoAnn” Wilken Gawlik, 79, of Vacaville, California formerly of Cuero, passed away April, 22, 2017. She was born July 24, 1937 to the late Henry H. and Francis M. Trame Wilken in Bartelso, IL. JoAnn married Walter “Butch” Gawlick on Oct. 27, 1962 in Bartelso, Illinois.

She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Sload (Robert), Theresa Hollaway (David) and Barbara Hughes (Paul); grandchildren, Jonathan, Eva and Paul Sload, Geoff (Bridgett) Striedel, Catherine Striedel, Caroline and Craig Hughes; great-grandson, Brody Striedel; sisters, Pat Toennies, Barb Harshaw, Donna Book, Mary Kay Winkeler and Susie Diehl; brothers, Bill Wilken and David Wilken.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brothers Rob Wilken and Charlie Wilken.

Trula Mae Stolleis Kuester, 91, of Cuero passed away Saturday, April 29, 2017. She was born Oct. 27, 1925 in DeWitt County to Henry and Bertha Heider Stolleis. Trula married Roy Lee Kuester on July 21, 1943 in Arneckeville. She was an member of the V.F. W. Ladies Auxiliary, WELCA and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Trula was an animal lover, especially dogs.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Kuester Gonzales of Cuero; son, Roy Allan Kuester of Victoria; sister-in-law, Delores Frers of Cuero; grandchildren, Karlissa Chandler (Chad) of Victoria, Shana Kremling (Frank) of Rockport and Shane Gonzales (Mandi) of Harlingen and five great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers, Oswald Stolleis, Arnold Stolleis, Erwin “Sam” Stolleis and Wilbert “Bill” Stolleis.

Cleo Paul Wendel, 85, of Cuero passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2017. He was born June 20, 1931 in Meyersville to the late Paul and Elfie Diebel Wendel. Cleo married the love of his life, Josephine Vrazel, on September 16, 1950 in Meyersville. Daddy went to be with Jesus and he can see now! He loved God, his family and friends, history and our country. He treasured a good conversation on any subject with anyone. He was an avid reader, reading hundreds of books especially the Bible narrated by Alexander Scorbey. The “Cuero Mens Prayer Meeting” has always held a special place in his heart. Cleo created four large books filled with his and Mama’s memories. His faithful secretary Lena Leist assisted him every step of the way. Cleo was a small rancher and a carpenter. 

Daddy we love you and will miss you but we are so very happy for you!

Brenda Price Barnes passed into eternal rest on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the age of 53. She was born March 8, 1964 in Yoakum, Texas to Jasper and Jessie Price Middleton.

Brenda is survived by her husband, Kevin Barnes, sons Brice Price and Trent Hopkins, step-sons Brandon O. Barnes, Broderick D. Barnes, and Bryson Barnes; step-daughter Briannia Barnes; brothers, Kerry Middleton and Jeremiah Miller; sisters Gloriadel Jones and Sheri Richardson; and three grandchildren.

Brenda is preceded in death by her brother Bruce Middleton and her sister Gwendolyn Middleton.