RITCHEA-GONZALES FUNERAL HOME

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Hermelinda Valdez, 84, loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021 following a short illness. She had been employed in the food industry. She loved to sing and dance and tell jokes that made people laugh. Hermelinda was preceded in death by her sons, Eddie Benavidez, Jaime Benavidez, and Daniel Benavidez, her daughter, Sandra Benavidez. She is survived by her loving family, her son, Felipe (Diana) Benavidez of San Antonio, her daughter, Mary Alice (Emilio) Martinez of Edroy, her brother, Salvador Gonzalez, and her sister, Margarita Gonzalez, both of Matamoros Tamaulipas, Mexico, 11 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren. A rosary will be recited at 7 PM Friday, May 14, 2021, at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 AM Saturday, May 15, 2021, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Edroy with Father Isaias Estepa as celebrant. Internment will follow in the Edroy Cemetery in Edroy. 

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Maria Valdaso, 92, passed away peacefully in her home June 22, 2022. She was born on July 31, 1929. She was a lifelong resident of Odem. She is preceded in death by her parents, Clemente and Tomasita Hernandez, her husband, Jose Valdaso, and her son, Pedro Valdaso. She is survived by her daughter, Elvira Moreno, four grandsons, Pedro Valdaso Jr (Ida), Mathew Moreno II (Ruby), Mark Moreno (Naomi), Max Moreno (Ashley), seven great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. A rosary will be recited with a funeral mass to follow at 9:30AM Friday, June 24, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Odem, TX. Interment will follow at Lamas Memorial Park in Taft, Texas.

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Humberto C. Vasquez, "Beto", 82, passed away on Thursday, March 24, 2022, after a short illness at Christus Spohn Hospital Shoreline, Corpus Christi, Texas. He worked with numerous companies as a laborer, helper, sandblaster, and storekeeper. He enjoyed going out to eat and going riding around. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elvira C. Villarreal; father, Manuel R. Vasquez; step-father, Tomas Villarreal; brothers, Guadalupe "Tony" Vasquez from Kentucky and Valentin Vasquez from Sinton, Tx. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He loved his family and friends and will be dearly missed. A viewing and rosary will be held on April 9, 2022, at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home Chapel from 3 PM to 9 PM. The rosary will be at 7 PM.

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Ruth Frances Vanecek Valenta, 86, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 in Corpus Christi,Texas. Ruth was born on June 5,1930 in Granger, Texas and married Adolph Valenta on October 12, 1949 in Sinton,Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Adolph Joseph Valenta, her father, Peter Paul Vanecek and her mother, Albina Marek Vanecek. She retired after working for San Patricio County for 30 years, where she served as secretary to the county judge. She was a skilled seamstress who sewed many of her own clothes. She will be remembered for making beautiful quilts that are treasured by her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed fishing with her family and loved pan-fried catfish. She enjoyed cooking and eating the doves her sons hunted. She will also be remembered as a sweet, gentle and kind person who was loved by her many nieces and nephews. She is survived by her loving family, her children, Gary and Nancy Valenta of Sinton, Tx, Patrick and Vicki Valenta of Converse, Tx, Dan and Jeanne Valenta of Burleson, Tx, Laurie Valenta and Janelle Valenta DeHart of Corpus Christi, Tx, her grandchildren, Casey and Venus Valenta of San Antonio, Tx, Camille Valenta and Jason Galbreath of Corpus Christi, Tx, Kathryn Valenta and Travis White of San Antonio, Tx, Nicholas and Marie Valenta of Houston, Tx, Chase Valenta of Lewisville, Tx, Dustin Valenta of Frisco, Tx. McKenzie DeHart of Rockport, Tx and Liberty DeHart of Round Rock, Tx, her great grandchildren, Ezra and June White, Sway Galbreath, Yazzy Vela, Liam and Logan Valenta, her siblings, Estelle Havelka of Sinton, Tx, Peter & Margaret Vanecek of Bryan, Tx and Marilyn Chevalier of College Station, Tx. Visitation was from 2:00PM to 9:00PM with a holy rosary being recited at 7:00PM Friday, May 26, 2017 at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home. Funeral mass was celebrated at 10:00AM Saturday, May 27, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Paul Rajareegam as celebrant. Interment followed at the Palms Memorial Gardens.

 

Treva Lavel Vickers of Anderson, Texas passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas where she resided for the past two years. Treva was born October 2, 1928 in Electra, Texas to Leland and Julia Lane and grew up in Burkburnett, Texas. After graduating from high school, she moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where she met her husband Warren T. "Buddy" Vickers.Buddy and Treva married November 10, 1946 and had four children. They lived in south Texas farming and ranching until they moved to Anderson in 2004 where they continued ranching. Treva was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 69 years, Buddy Vickers, a son, Bub Warren Vickers, grandson, Robert Mitchell "Buc" Vickers, three sisters and one brother. Survivors include a son, Bob Vickers and wife Amy of Mason, daughter Judy Segers and husband Jim of Anderson and daughter Cherry Ethridge and husband Neal of Goliad, 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Visitation was held Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 12 PM to 1 PM at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home. Graveside services following immediately at Sinton Cemetery. A celebration of life was held at 2 PM at the First United Methodist Church.

 

Warren T. "Buddy'' Vickers passed away peacefully Friday, September 4, 2015. Buddy served three years in World War II overseas as a scout in the infantry reaching the rank of Staff Sargeant with honors by the end of the war. After returning from the war he met the love of his life Treva Lane, they married in November 1946. They would have celebrated 69 years of marriage this year. He was a country man at heart and spent his life doing what he loved most, farming and ranching. Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Ruby Vickers and Hugh Vickers,Sr., two brothers, Roy Vickers and Hugh Vickers, Jr., a sister, Dellave "Sissy" Brittain and one grandson, Buck Vickers. Survivors include his wife,Treva and four children, Bub Vickers, Bob Vickers and wife Amy, Judy Segers and husband Jim, Cherry Ethridge and husband Neal, 11 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 11AM  Monday, September 7, 2015 at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home with Rev.Tom Stockton officiating. Interment followed at Sinton Cemetery with military honors.

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Anna Maria Fuentes Villanueva, 51, loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away Thursday, August 19, 2021 with her daughters by her side until her last breath after a short illness. Anna was a very proud grandmother. She was a very outgoing and strong willed and loved the Dallas Cowboys. She enjoyed dancing, listening to Tejano music, making jokes and would have done anything for anyone. She is survived by her loving family, her daughters, Alexis "Lexy" (Karim) Mickens of New Braunfels, and Allainey "Laney" (Aaron) Morin of Calallen, her grandchildren, Mason Morin, Avery Mickens, Leighton Morin, Maddyn Morin, Luka Mickens and Omari Mickens, her sisters, Angelita Ramos of Mathis, Adelita Branch of Killeen and Alice Fuentes of Corpus Christi, her brothers, Albert Fuentes and Antonio Fuentes of Dallas, Alfredo Fuentes and Armando Fuentes of Sinton, Alvino Fuentes of Rockport and Juanito Mata Torres of Mathis, numerous other relatives and friends. A rosary will be recited at 7 PM Friday, September 3, 2021 at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 AM Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Yul Ibay as celebrant. The family requests that masks be worn.

 

Guadalupe Villarreal, Jr., 61, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. He was born in Mathis, Texas on March 6, 1957 to Guadalupe and Angelita Villarreal. He had been employed as a salesman for Plainsman Tires. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Roger Villarreal, his sister, Rosa Lopez and his wife, Dominga Villarreal. He is survived by his loving family, his sons, Ronnie Villarreal and Lupe Villarreal, III of Odem, his daughter, Kimberly Villarreal of Odem, his companion, Yvette Mejia of Odem, his brothers, Jerry Villarreal and Javier Villarreal of Odem and Ruben Villarreal of Portland, five grandchildren, Justin Ryan Villarreal, Rosie Soliz, Eliana Villarreal, McKayla Villarreal, and Iris Villarreal, one great grandson, Sabastian Agulian. A rosary was recited at 7 PM Friday, June 15, 2018 at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home. Funeral mass was celebrated at 11 AM Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Odem, Interment followed at Edroy Cemetery in Edroy.

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Ricardo Villarreal, 75, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 3, 2022. He was born on April 19, 1946, in Sinton, Texas to Abraham and Cristela Villarreal. He had been employed for Texas Wilbert Vault for 26 years and 10 years for Ortiz Security. He enjoyed participating in his favorite hobbies, Crossroads of Texas Living History Association in Victoria, Texas, Texas Pioneer Muzzleloader of Corpus Christi, and volunteering at Presidio-La Bahia in Goliad, Texas and horseback riding. He is preceded in death by his parents, Abraham and Cristela Villarreal, Sr., his daughter, Ronny Jo Villarreal Hunt, his brothers, Savas Villarreal and Abraham Villarreal, Jr. He is survived by his loving family, his wife Petra Villarreal, his daughter, Molly (Jesse) Ortiz, sons, Israel (Christine) Villarreal, Eric Villarreal, Joseph Villarreal, Daniel Villarreal, Jose Villarreal, Juan (Anna) Villarreal, Willy (Veronica) Villarreal, Eric Jordan Villarreal, Ricky Villarreal and Henry (Stephanie) Villarreal, grandchildren, Joshua Richard (Stephanie) Ortiz, Marissa (Chris) Ortiz-Ceballos, Justin Ortiz, Lorenzo Villarreal, Cecilia Villarreal, Madeline (Maddy) Hunt, Juhvana Villarreal, Roman Villarreal, Marcos Villarreal, Luciano Villarreal, Anthony Villarreal, Jacob Villarreal, Benjamin Villarreal, Aracelie Villarreal, Zack Villarreal, Ava Villarreal, Kenneth Villarreal and Kaimen Villarreal, great grandchildren, Mindy Ceballos, Addison Ceballos and Judson Ortiz, his brother, Juan Jose (Elva) Villarreal, numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, from 2 PM to 9 PM at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church in Odem with Pastor Harold officiating. Pallbearers will be Joshua Ortiz, Justin Ortiz, Lorenzo Villarreal, Benjamin Villarreal, Andy Hunt and Savas Villarreal, Jr., honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Villarreal and Judson Villarreal. Services will conclude at the church. The family requests that masks be worn at the visitation and at the church.

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Benjamin Eber Voorhees IV (63), went up to be with the lord on November 22, 2021 after a long illness. Ben was a retired banker and salesman. He loved spending time with his family and friends listening to music and barbecuing. Ben knew no stranger as he made friends with everyone. Ben loved all things outdoors including hunting, fishing, sports, and of course drinking a cold Coors Light. Ben always welcomed old and new friends into his home and was always the life of the party. He was never too shy to sing a song or dance and claim that every country song that would come on was sang by Clint Black. He was a man among men and touched the lives of many people. Ben is survived by his wife of 36 years, Rosario and their children, Justin Voorhees (Olivia) of Odem, Texas, Rhonda Voorhees (Jeff) of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Eron Voorhees (Brooke) of Odem, Texas, seven grandchildren, Azleigh, Benji, Hudson, Riggs, Ryder, Alex, Ben, and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Ben was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin Voorhees III and Manuela Voorhees, his son Benjamin Voorhees V, and his sister Noelia Voorhees. A celebration of life will be held on December 11, 2021 at his home, 4727 CR 2221, Odem, Texas 78370 at 2PM.

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Manuela Gonzalez Voorhees went to be with our Lord in Heaven on August 23, 2021. She passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family. Manuela was born on September 4, 1928 in Odem, Texas to Raul Morin Gonzalez and Librada Lugo. Manuela married Benjamin Eber Voorhees, III on June 27, 1954. Together they had three children, Noelia Elena, Benjamin Eber IV and Blain Eldon Voorhees. Manuela is preceded in death by her parents, Raul and Librada, her husband Benjamin III, her daughter Noelia and Grandson Benjamin V. Manuela was an LVN for many years where she dedicated a big part of her life to helping others. After retiring from nursing she went to work for Sinton ISD. Manuela enjoyed listening to music, crafting and sitting on her front porch. Survivors include Benjamin IV (Rosario) of Odem, Texas, Blain (Yvonne) of Katy, Texas, siblings, Jesusa (Jerry) Brown of Albany, Indiana, Joe Jose Gonzalez of Odem, Texas, Diana (Jack) Hendrix of Corpus Christi, Texas, Yolanda Harrison of Odem, Texas, Hector Gonzalez of Odem, Texas, also Bonnie Lou Voorhees, 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Services are pending for a later date.

 

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Harold L. Walker, 92, passed away May 5, 2016 in Corpus Christi,Texas. He was born on September 21, 1923 in Cleburne, Texas. He proudly served as a Corporal in the 6th Marine Division during War World II on the Pacific front. He worked for Central Power & Light and retired in 1987. He was an avid golfer and also enjoyed woodworking. He will always be remembered for his devotion to God and his family. He was a member of Travis Baptist Church in Corpus Christi. Harold is preceded in death by his beloved wife Roberta (Berdie) Walker of 63 years, his parents, Eddie and Lucille Walker, brothers, Eddie, Jr. and Garland Walker, sister Karen Hamilton and son-in-law Jim Lukehart Jr. He is survived by his daughters; Francine Lukehart of Waskom, Texas, Jeanne (Vic) Spacek of Victoria, Texas and Sharon (John) Cobb of Aransas Pass, Texas, his sister, Patricia O'Malia of Cleburne, Texas, six grandchildren, thirteen great- grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, two nieces, one nephew and several great-nieces and nephews. The family thanks the nurses, the CNA's and the staff at Mirador Plaza who took such wonderful care of our beloved Harold. There were a handful that were extremely special to him and us and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The funeral service was held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home at 120 S.McCall in Sinton,Texas with interment at Sinton Cemetery. There will be no formal visitation but he was available for viewing from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 and from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2016. In lieu of flowers.donations can be made to Driscoll Children's Hospital,3533 S.Alameda,Corpus Christi,Texas 78411 or at www.driscollchildrens.org.

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Dolores Nan Weber, 78, died Thursday, October 7th, at her home in Portland, TX. Nan was born June 8, 1943 in Corpus Christi to Donald Joseph and Mary Dolores Welder Lunde. She enjoyed a long career in the medical profession and retired from the Spohn Health Care System in 2003. Nan raised her three children in Houston and Portland, TX, where she resided until her death. She was preceded in death by her oldest son, John Richard Weber. Survivors include a daughter, Jennifer Lynn Turner (Tom) of Florida; a son, Jason Michael Weber (Sue) of Portland; two siblings - Donald Welder Lunde (Madeline) of Richmond, TX, and Lizabeth Lunde of Corpus Christi. Her two grandchildren are James Flynn Turner V (Hannah) and Kaylee Ann Turner, both of Florida. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 11,v2021 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rosary will be recited Monday, October 11, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home in Sinton. Graveside burial is set for 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Skidmore.

 

Dorothy "Dot" Ann Willis, 91, was called home to our Father on Thursday, May 4, 2017. Dot lived and died close to her family, friends and faith. Dot was born in Omaha, Nebraska to William and Iliff Marie Maring. Dot married Sol Willis and had three children, Sol, Dottie  and Christa Jane, two grandchildren, Christa and Tucker, six great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. Dot was a devout Catholic and loved her parish family at Sacred Heart Church in Sinton. Dot was active in the church until health prevented her from being active. She was a member of Legion of Mary which she loved dearly. Dot loved her horses and dogs and always found room for stray animals. Dot is preceded in death by her husband, Sol, her parents and baby brother. A rosary was prayed on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 1:30 P.M. at Sacred Heart Church followed by a Funeral Mass at 2:00 P.M. with Father Paul Rajareegam as celebrant.

​Ruth Ida Wilson, 86, passed away on Friday, January 25, 2019. She had been employed at the Sinton high school cafeteria until her retirement and she was a member of Zion Fair Baptist Church. She is survived by her son, McKinley Wilson of Victoria, her daughters, Marilyn Peterson of Lubbock, Linda Wilson and Lillian Coward of North Carolina and Peggy Scales of Dallas, her brother, Leroy Terrell of Dallas, her sister, Mary Roberson of Dallas, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Visitation was held from 1 PM to 7 PM  Friday, February 1, 2019 at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at 11 AM Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Zion Fair Baptist Church with Rev.Alton Coleman officiating. Interment was held at Heavens Acre Cemetery.

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William A. Wyckoff, 70, passed away after a house fire. He was married to Sara Alvarez Wyckoff for the past 47 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley Mason Wyckoff and Margaret Virginia Nickerson Wyckoff both of Michigan. His interment will be beside his parents at Fairplains Cemetery. Surviving relative is Steven Scott of Michigan. William graduated from Greenville High School in 1973. He enjoyed much of everything having to do with old cars as he had many of them.

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Serafina M. "Sara" Alvarez Wyckoff, 72, passed away on March 18, 2021, along with her husband, William Wyckoff of 47 years of marriage, after a house fire. Sara was born on August 19, 1948 in Calallen, was preceded in death by her father, Santiago Alvarez of Edinburg and her mother, Francisca M. Alvarez of Odem. Also preceding her in death are her three brothers, Pete M. Alvarez, August S. Alvarez and Santiago M. Alvarez. Surviving are her sisters, Lucinda "Lucy" A. Gonzales of Corpus Christi and Mary Alvarez of Odem. Also surviving is her niece, Christine M. Avalos and her son, Jacob, also her nephews, Christopher P. Avalos of Oklahoma and Patrick and James Ray Alvarez. Sara was a 1968 graduate of Odem High School. She enjoyed gardening and feeding the hummingbirds around her yard. She also had a soft heart for her cats, Otto,Soxs, Marme and Fluffy along with any stray kittens that showed up in her yard. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2021 from 5 PM to 6 PM with a rosary being recited at 7 PM that same evening at Ritchea- Gonzales Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements will be privately held the following day.

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Victor Z. Ybarra, 73, passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020. Victor was born on September 20, 1947, in Sinton, Texas to Guadalupe R. and Sara Z. Ybarra. He had been employed in the pipeline industry. He is survived by his sons, Douk Ybarra and Juan Sepeda of Sinton, his daughter, Veronica Ybarra of Texas City, his brother, Joe Ybarra of Three Rivers, his sisters, Berta Ybarra, Mae Rodriguez and Olivia Ybarra of Sinton, and several grandchildren. No services will be held.

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San Juanita "Janie" Zapata, 53, passed away on Monday, October 12, 2020. She had been employed as a host at IHOP. She is survived by her loving family, her husband, Manrique Zapata of Odem, her daughter, Marina Elena Zapata of Odem, and several nieces, nephews, and friends. A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2020, at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. A rosary will also be recited at 7:00 PM on Saturday, October 31, 2020, at  Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home.