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Dr. Robert Berry, 76, of Lubbock, died peacefully at home on Jan. 30, 2007. Funeral services were held Feb. 2, 2007, in Shepherd King Lutheran Church with Reverend Jerry Kaskela officiating. Burial services followed in Acton Cemetery, under the direction of Rix Funeral Directors.
Mr. Berry was born on July 21, 1930 in Granbury, Texas on the family farm. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1951 and later served in the US Army. Following his military service, he served as the Dickens County Extension Agent. He graduated with his PhD from the University of Wisconsin in 1963 and returned to Texas.
He retired in 1986 after a 33-year career as a plant pathologist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service in Lubbock. He was a recognized expert, teacher and researcher in many fields of plant disease.
Mr. Berry was married to Rosalie Annie Kopp on January 8, 1955.
He was a nationally known rabbit breeder and show judge. He and Rosalie managed the rabbit show for the Panhandle South Plains Fair for 42 years. He was an active member of Shepherd King Lutheran Church, Broadway Festivals Board, Committee of Churches, Youth Corps Board, and the Lubbock Lions Club.
Mr. Berry was a devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather. He was known to many for the depth of his friendship, his knowledge of plants and rabbits, his love of music, and his sense of humor.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hixie and Arthur Lee Berry, a sister Joyce Nix, and a brother Harold Wayne Berry.
Bob is survived by his wife Rosalie, a son Kenneth Berry and his wife D’Ann of Amarillo and their children Spencer, Dalton, and Kendra; a son John Berry and wife Amy of Lubbock and their son James Edward; a son James and his wife Courtney of Sebastian, Florida and their son Gardner. Bob was the eldest of nine children and is also survived by his brothers Jack, Bill, and Jim, and sisters Dorothy Lewis, Jane Johnston, and Renee Dudensing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shepherd King Lutheran Church, 2122 – 18th St., Lubbock, TX 79401 or a favorite charity.
Rix Funeral Home
Mr. Akard
William H. Akard, 90, of Hico died Jan. 31 in Hamilton surrounded by his family. Funeral services were held Feb. 3 at Rutledge Jones Funeral Home in Hico with Father Stanley Sullivan of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church officiating. Burial with military services followed in Hico at Country Oaks Cemetery.
He was born Sept. 20, 1916 in Yseletta, the son of W.H. Akard and Hazel Chrisman Akard.
He attended North Texas Agricultural College in Arlington, a branch of Texas A&M, for two years. He later graduated in 1940 from Texas A&M University with a BA in Agriculture and was commissioned a Reserve 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. He worked at Hormel Meat Packing Company in Austin, Minn. And in Dallas.
He was called into service on Nov. 21, 1941 and assigned in World War II to the 37th Division, 145th Infantry Regiment “C” Company.
During his five years of service, he achieved the following ranks, 2nd Lt., 1st. Lt., Captain, Major and was honorably discharged.
Mr. Akard rejoined the Army Reserves and received an order to take command of a battalion of reserves, however, due to service connected disability, he was relieved of the assignment.
At the end of his tour of duty he was awarded the following honors: Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Philippine Liberageion Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon, American Defense Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon and Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.
On Jan. 31, 1946 he was married to Mary Louise Dolkos. Over the years the couple had many happy times together. The friends they made had a large and lasting impact on their lives together and their children and grandchildren were the pride and joy of the couple’s lives together.
At the age of 86, Mr. Akard wrote and published a book entitled “My Five Years in World War II.”
He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Nancy Akard and Hazel Daniel and a brother, Charles Akard.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou; a son, James Akard and wife Becky; daughter, Eloise O’Bannon and husband Mike of Crowley; grandsons, William Olin Akard, William Christopher Akard and LCPL James O’Bannon; a sister, Mary Louise Scott of Bossier City, La.; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Pallbearers were William Olin Akard, William Christopher Akard, LCPL James O’Bannon and Brian Ogle. Honorary pallbearers were W.E. Boyd, Vernon Turner, Walter Grice, Harold Marks and other members of the “C” Company.
Rutledge Jones Funeral Home
Mrs. Holleyman
Ruth Holleyman, 87, of Longview died Jan. 31 in Longview. Funeral services were held Feb. 5, 2007 at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home with Reverend Scott Schulick officiating. A second service was held on Feb. 6 at the First Baptist Church in Hamilton with burial to follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
She was born Oct. 29, 1919 in Hubbard, the daughter to Rufe and Neta Iona Barnes Holland. She was a beautician.
Mrs. Holleyman was a member of the Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview, Sobol Baptist Church in Sobol, Okla. and First Baptist Church in Hamilton. She also was a member of the Internantional Brangus Breeders Association.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll Holleyman, daughter, Carolyn Birchfield; her parents; brothers, Charles, Paul and Arch Holland; sisters, Bea Kelton, Pearl Boyett, Grace Parker, Christine Whitling and nephews, Shannon Whitling and Harvey Holland.
Survivors include her daughters, Atrelle Mize of Longview and Linda Minske and husband Larry of Eagle, Wis.; grandchildren, Carroll Mize and wife Gladys of Hallsville, Neta Addy and husband Wayne of Longview, Danny Mize of Mesquite, Katherine Graham and husband Jerry of Denton, Renee Martin and husband Mike of Plano, Jeff Birchfield and wife Kayley of Pflugerville, Londra Denruite of Palmyers, Wis., Lorrie Czupowski of Eagle, Wis.; great-grandchildren, Christopher Denruite, Mitchell Denurite, Kaylee Kowaleski, Adam Czupowski, Annie Czupowski, Leslie Mize, Katy Mize, Grayson Martin, Josh Martin, Haylee Graham, Robbie Graham, Jaci Birchfield, Kaci Birchfield and Steven Birchfield.
Pallbearers were Carroll Mize, Danny Mize, Jeff Birchfield, Wayne Addy, Mike Martin, Jerry Graham and David Boner.
Rader Funeral Home
Mr. Blakley
James Milton (Jim) Blakley, affectionately referred to as Mutt, 82, died Feb. 3, 2007. Funeral services will be held Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Hico.
Mr. Blakely was born Jan. 9, 1925, the fourth of six children, to Jesse Elmer and Emmaline Elizabeth Porterfield Blakely of Fairy.
A graduate of Fairy High School in 1941, he entered the United States Army at the age of 17. Serving his country during World War II, Mr. Blakely was assigned to the 17th Signal Operations Battalion, Co. B. During the WWII D-day invasion, he landed at Omaha Beach with the 1st Army in Europe. He returned in July 1945 from the European Theater after serving his country faithfully.
He was married to Mary Jane Barrow on June 1, 1947. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1952. As a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent in the Texas public school system, Mr. Blakely devoted his career to educating and encouraging youth.
He was a dedicated and hard-working husband and father of five children and held various “extra” jobs in the summers ranging from teaching swimming lessons and running local swimming pools to rough-necking in the oil fields. After a rewarding career in education, the couple retired to Hico in 1983.
Mr. Blakley was raised in the Church of Christ of Fairy and joined the First Methodist Church of Hico in 1947. He served on numerous church committees throughout the years. He also sang in the church choir and the Hico Community Choir.
During his retirement, Mr. Blakley served the Hico community as Alderman on the Hico City Council and major of Hico. He was also a member of the Fairy Masonic Lodge #751 for the past 24 years and the Hamilton Rockhouse Lodge #417 for the past 14 years. He was awarded the Golden Trowel Arard in 1995.
He is preceded in death by a son-in-law, Frank Henderson of Sweeny; a sister, Irene Bankston of Temple and two brothers, Billy D. Blakley of Conroe and Cecil (Red) Blakley of Hamilton)
Survivors include his wife of Hico; his son, Jimmy Barrow Blakley and wife Connie of Paris; a daughter, Nancy Blakley Henderson of Sweeny; sons, Grady Milton Blakley and wife Tish of Spring, Jesse Mark Blakley and wife Cindy of Missouri City and David Michael Blakley and wife Kendra of Red Oak; 13 grandchildren, Katherine Michelle Arceneaux and husband Brian of St. Francisville, La., Scott Henderson and wife Dee of Sweeny; Becky Bonaventura and husband Rick of Cypress, Michael Blakley of Greenville, Lori Stinebaugh and husband Jimmy of Newberg, Ore., Tiffany Blakley of Greenville, Sara Cosser and husband Ryan of Bryan, Jesse Blakley of Lubbock, John David Blakley of Austin, Joshua Blakley of San Antonio, Caleb Blakley of Waco, Jacob and Benjamin Blakley of Red Oak; fourteen great-grandchildren, Colette Arceneaux, Matthew Henderson, Kaleb Burt, Kylah Henderson, Stephen Arceneaux, Elaina Bonaventura, Dylan Arceneaux, Riley Bonaventura, Mavrick Henderson, Emily Bonaventura, Noah Grady Bonaventura, Charlie Henderson, Sarah Stinebaugh and Aiden Cosser; a sister, Ada Mae Oglesby of Kingsland; a brother, Tommy Joe Blakley of Birmingham, Ala and sisters-in-law, Donna Blakley of Hamilton and Karen Blakley of Conroe.
Pallbearers will be his eight grandsons and honorary pallbearers are his fellow Masonic Lodge Masons.
Rutledge Jones
Mr. Schrank
Funeral services for Leonard Oscar Schrank were held 11 p.m. Feb. 6, at St. John Lutheran Church in Hamilton with burial following in Oakwood Cemetery. Pastor Russell Nebhut officiated.
On Nov. 4, 1925, Mr. Schrank came into this world, the child of Herbert B. Schrank and Hattie (Moerbe) Schrank of Aleman.
The Schrank family owned a farm and each member of the family had many jobs to do. Mr. Schrank remembered the days of pulling a cotton sack through the fields. As he said, “you would make one circle and then weigh the sack and dump the cotton into the trailer.” It was hard work, but the family did it together. When it was time to harvest the corn, all the family did their part, walking the rows and picking each ear from the stalk. Mr. Schrank took his turn milking the five cows the family owned and then turning the separator to remove the cream. It is interesting that the cream was delivered once a week to the train station and shipped to Kansas for use in other products.
Each week Herbert and Hattie took the family to church and when Mr. Schrank was old enough he started school in the two room school house in Aleman. When he was thirteen years old, he had completed his time of confirmation instruction from his grandfather and he stood before the Lord’s altar and confessed his faith in Jesus as his Savior! Pastor Moerbe chose Psalm 86:11 as his confirmation verse: “Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.” These are words which were near to Mr. Schrank’s heart and they became the foundation of his life.
When Mr. Schrank was 19, he left home for the Maritime Marines. He attended maritime school in St. Petersburg, Florida, and when his schooling was completed he was sent to Charleston, S.C. to join the crew of a hospital ship. It was on his first voyage across the Atlantic that word came that the war in Europe had ended. During this trip, he went to England and France. He commented that the harbors were so full of sunken ships that the ship he was on could barely make it into the harbor. By the time he returned from Europe, the war with Japan had ended.
He was then sent to Houston to work on a ship which was taking grain to Yugoslavia. There was a delay because the ship being used to transport grain had returned from Europe full of 500 and 1000 lb. bombs. They watched as each was unloaded, never realizing the danger present if just one bomb was mishandled.
During his years in the Maritime Marines, Mr. Schrank also traveled to Italy and saw Mt. Vesuvius and many sights of the ancient world. When he returned to the United States, he left the Maritime Marines and joined the Unites States Army. He was inducted in San Antonio and went to Missouri for this basic training. The Army chose to train Mr. Schrank in Morse Code and he was sent to New Jersey. During his time there, he saw many of our nation’s landmarks including the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. When his schooling in Morse Code was completed, Mr. Schrank was stationed in Tokyo, Japan. In 1947, Mr. Schrank was discharged from the Army and returned to Hamilton County to take up farming.
It was shortly after his return home that he met Gertrude Heptner when he was walking on the square in Hamilton. Mr. Schrank asked her out and before long they were dating on a regular basis. On April 17 1949, they were united in marriage. For almost 58 years the two of them met every challenge and opportunity together. They were blessed with three daughters; Patricia, Kathryn, and Sharon. Their three daughters would be the first ones to tell you what a great dad they had, and the sacrifices both he and his wife made for their future. All three girls were sent to college and all three became school teachers.
When Mr. Schrank retired from farming, he and Mrs. Schrank made the decision to move into the town. After much debate, the decision was made to build a new home just behind St. John Lutheran Church. They enjoyed their new home and the location made it very easy to attend church functions. In hindsight, it was the right choice for the difficulties of the years to come.
In 1992, Mr. Schrank was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He knew the days ahead would be difficult ones and yet he faced each challenge with dignity and great faith. It was their faith in God and their love for each other which gave Mr. Schrank and his wife the strength to face each challenge as the Parkinson’s worsened. As each challenge came, they faced them together and, with the support of their family, they loved each other to the very end of his life.
On Saturday evening Mr. Schrank’s struggle in this life came to an end. The Lord Jesus came to receive him home.
Mr. Schrank was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Patricia Vise and husband Billy, Kathryn Coleman and husband, Dickie; and Sharon Roderick and husband, Joe; seven grandchildren: Joy (Vise) Williams and husband, Carl; Chris Vise; Shane Coleman and wife, Kristie; Justin Coleman; Jessica (Roderick) Deerinwater and husband, Amos; Natalea Roderick; and Rylea Roderick; four great-grandchildren, Reagan Williams; Kelsie Williams; Aaron Coleman; and Seth Deerinwater; his brother Wilburn and wife, Lynda as well as numerous other relatives and friends.
Mr. Schrank’s parting word to you who are his family were these, and I quote: “I want to tell you Gertie and the rest of the family that I love you very much.” What greater legacy can a man have than to love his family and to be loved by them.
Pallbearers were: Shane Coleman, Justin Coleman, Chris Vise, Carl Williams, Amos Deerinwater, and Ken Garrick. Honorary Pallbearers: Martin Schrank, Steve Schneider, Gary Schoen and Rev. Raymond Reich.
Riley Funeral Home
Mr. Wadekin
Wesley Ernest Wadekin, 69, of Arlington and formerly of Shive, died Feb. 1, 2007 in an Arlington Hospital. Funeral Services were Feb. 4 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Shive with Pastor Peter K Anderson Officiating. Burial followed in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.
Mr. Wadekin was born Nov. 5, 1937 in Hamilton, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Theodore and Vena Zettler Wadekin.
He married to Beverly Nichols in Arlington on June 4 1966.
Mr. Wadekin was a farmer and rancher in the Shive area for many years and also worked for American Can Company in Arlington where he retired. He was very proud to have served his country in the United States Army.
Mr. Wadekin was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Shive.
Mr. Wadekin was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Theodore Wadekin in 1989.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly Wadekin of Arlington; a daughter, Rhonda Kolanek of Arlington; two grandchildren, Kurtis and Logan Kolanek and his mother, Vena Wadekin of Hamilton.
Serving as Active Pallbearers were Garry Nichter, Luther Nichter, Alton Gromatzky, Verner Gromatzky, Luis Regalado and Louis Donahoo. Honorary Pallbearers were William Bubert, Lee Nichols, Wayne Kohler, Jason Young, Marion Striegler, Alan Watson and Mark Harris.
Riley Funeral Home