COLLEGEPORT OBITUARIES
Former Collegeport Residents Buried in Other Cemeteries
 

BLACKWELL

Fawn Adams Blackwell, 85, of Bay City, passed from this life on Saturday, January 12, 2002.

She was born June 27, 1916 in Ganado, Texas to John Henry Adams and Rachael Ruth Weynedt Adams.

A lifelong resident of Matagorda County, she lived for many years at Collegeport, and resided in Bay City since 1980.

She was a member of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Bay City.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jean and the Rev. Samuel R. Starks of Bay City, Dean and Faye Blackwell of Chandler, Texas; daughter-in-law, Willene Blackwell of Bay City; brothers, Lloyd Adams and wife Irene of Angleton, Texas and Noel Adams and wife Hollice of Alvin, Texas; sister, Selina Williams and Ellen Linscomb of West Columbia, Texas and Blanche Lonis and Sybil Carr of Alvin, Texas; sisters-in-law, Allie Adams and Annie Adams of Alvin, Irwon Jenson of Palacios, Texas, Geneva Jenson of Sugar Land, Texas and Betty Blackwell of Bay City; grandchildren, Robin Benton and husband, James of Flower Mound, Texas, Kristi Allison and husband Gene of Naples, Fla., Shannon Blackwell of Chandler, Texas, Greg Starks and wife Michele of Austin, Regena Dumas and husband John of Arlington, Texas; and by her great-grandchildren, Jonathan Starks, Matthew Starks, Andrew Dumas, Bailey Benton and Brice Benton; her special friends, Ann Reynolds and Nikki Barker; and by numerous nieces and nephews and a great host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wade Blackwell; her son, Neil Blackwell; her brothers, Van and Burt Adams; by her parents, John and Rachael Adams; and by her great granddaughter, Jennifer Starks.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Bay City with the Rev. Sam Starks and the Rev. Greg Starks officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Pallbearers will be Shannon Blackwell, Greg Starks, John Dumas, Kenneth McKissick, George Agnew and James Starks. Honorary pallbearers are Don Steele and Wyatt Ashcraft.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

She was loved and will be missed by all who knew her. The family offers a very special thanks to all of her care givers and staff at the Legacy. Your dedication to fulfilling her needs has been outstanding. May the blessings of the Lord be with each of you. A00011A2002JA15

THE DAILY TRIBUNE, Tuesday, January 15, 2002
 

Thomas Bryant Clark

Thomas Bryant Clark, born Oct. 1, 1912 in Collegeport, [Matagorda County] TX, died at his home in Santa Ana, CA on June 15, 2006. He came to Santa Ana in 1926 with his parents and two younger brothers. As a graduate of Santa Ana H. S., Santa Ana College, and then USC in 1933, Tom began working for Inland Transportation Corp in 1935, a local agricultural carrier in Orange, CA, as asst. manager and an officer of the company. In 1958 he began his own practice as a management consultant to motor carriers, which he continued until 1997. He was a member of both the state and national trade associations for the industry. Tom served as a member of several boards: YMCA, Elks Lodge, elder of First Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana, Orange County Orchid Society and various other organizations. He served as District Governor of Lions Clubs International and President and founding member of Southern California Lions Eye Institute. The extent of his work in Lions Clubs for 68 years led him to be known as "the grand old man of Lions." Beloved by his family, Tom was married to Barbara for 57 years until she died in 1990. He is survived by his children, Richard (Santa Ana) and Ruth Ann (Richmond, CA), seven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. A celebration of Tom's life will be held at Ebell Society, 625 N. French St., Santa Ana, 92701, on Sat., June 24 at 11:00 a.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Southern California Lions Eye Institute, P. O. Box 1679, Costa Mesa, CA 92628

Orange County Register, Orange County, California, June 22, 2006
 

Henry Collins

PALACIOS -- Henry Collins, 68, of Palacios, died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002.

He was born Feb. 22, 1934, in Collegeport, to Cynthis Collins and Andy Campbell. He was a retired diesel mechanic for Alcoa and Dow Chemical Companies.

Survivors: son, Henry Collins, III of Houston; brothers, Harry Collins and Rev. Myron Campbell, both of Houston, Andy Campbell, III. of Los Angeles, Calif., Carrol Campbell of Charlotte, N.C. and Ernest Campbell of Paramount, Calif.

Visitation will be 9 p.m. tonight at the Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home chapel.

Services will be 1 p.m. at West Palacios Church of God of Prophecy, the Rev. Roosevelt Ellis and Elder Eric Young, officiating. Burial will be at Palacios Cemetery. Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home, Bay City.

THE VICTORIA ADVOCATE. March 1, 2002
 

Dorothy Maxine Corporon

Dorothy Maxine Corporon, 91, of Collegeport, TX died January 10, 2004 at Wesleyan Nursing Home in Georgetown, TX. She was born August 11, 1912 in Baraboo, WI to the late Alonzo and Anna Schubring Crane. Mrs. Corporon was a resident of Collegeport most of her life, before moving to Georgetown in Oct. of 2001, and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport where she was the church pianist for some 75 years.

Survivors include: daughter and son-in-law: Joy and Robert Keszler of Georgetown; 4 sons and daughters-in-law: Eugene and Vadis Corporon of Kingsland, Roy and Pam Corporon of Cuero, Weldon and Carolyn Corporon of Seguin, TX, and Russell and Janice Corporon of Palacios; niece: Judy Lewis and her husband Dick of Baraboo, WI; 15 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband R. L. Corporon and two brothers, Alvin and Herb Crane.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 13, 2004, at the Palacios Funeral Home with Revs. Janell and Andy Blair officiating. Interment will follow at the Palacios Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. The family will receive friends at the Palacios Funeral Home Monday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport. Arrangements with Palacios Funeral Home [Matagorda County, Texas]. (361) 972-2012.

The Victoria Advocate, January 12, 2004
 

Minnie L. Keeler Corse

The shade of sorrow was drawn across our community Monday and all mourn the passing of one of our most prominent figures. No person can live in a community twenty-two years and all that time be an important figure in every civic work and not be missed and mourned. Minnie L. Keeler was born in Montpelier, Vt., March 2, 1862. Seth W. Corse was born in the northern part of the same state close to the Canadian border. Time passed and they met, loved and were married October 15, 1885. For some twenty years, they made their home in Montpelier and finally removed to Collegeport where they have since resided. For forty-seven years, Minnie and Seth have together walked the paths of life. Roses richly laden with the perfume of joy and happiness have been plucked along the path. Thorns have pricked at times as a reminder that life is not all pleasure, but the path widened, flowers grew more abundantly, the perfume of the joy and peace that comes with the fading years was theirs in an abundant measure and so this day when Seth Corse has come to the parting of the way, he may truly say that in the possession of this woman and his life with her God has been lavish in His blessings. All I can say after a friendship lasting all these years is a prayer that God will receive into His loving care the soul of Minnie and that He will watch over and hold close and enrich the soul of Seth who is left to finish the journey.

This union was blessed with four children, but two of them passed away early in life. The two daughters living are Mrs. Charles E. Duller (Lena) of Blessing and Mrs. Major Lincoln Putman (Pearl) of the U. S. army stationed at Manila, P. I. Ever since coming to this community, Mrs. Corse has been an active participant in every civic movement. She was a charter member of the Woman's Club and served several terms as president. Past president of the County Federation of Women's Clubs, delegate to the district conventions and delegate of the state conventions. She was one of the women who organized the club library and was faithful in her interest in that work until her last day. She was also active in church and Sunday School work. Several years ago, President Coolidge appointed her postmaster of the local office and as such has given us splendid postal service. Always a leader in these efforts, she was ever ready to advise with her associates and act as the majority deemed best for the community.

With the passing of Minnie L. Corse, this community has lost a dependable leader, so no wonder that we all mourn. The funeral service was held in Blessing at the home of Mrs. Charles Duller, with Reverend Ray of Palacios reading the service. The only music was the singing of her favorite song Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar." This was at her request. Something like forty autos brought friends from all portions of the county and they came with hearts filled with sorrow and sympathy. Interment was in the Palacios cemetery. Requiscat in peace.

"Such souls

Whose sudden visitations daze the world,

Vanish like lightning, but they leave behind

A voice that in the distance far away

Wakens the slumbering ages."

--Sir H. Taylor.

Ellis

Jerry Ellis, 57, of Houston died August 31, 2002 at Methodist Hospital in Houston.

He was born September 20, 1944 in Brownwood, TX to William L. and Rosalie Mae Nelson Ellis.

Mr. Ellis was a resident of Houston the past year and a former longtime resident of Bay City and Collegeport. He was a member of the Collegeport Presbyterian Church.

On November 16, 1962 he joined the U.S. Navy, and on December 4, 1964 he received an honorable discharge so he could donate one of his kidneys to his brother Gilbert.

Survivors include: wife, Dollee Collier Ellis of Houston; mother, Rosalie Ellis of Bay City; daughter and son-in-law, Leisa and Jack McLeod of League City; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Ritchie Ellis of Houston and Dee and Dawn Ellis of Texas City; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Tommy and Pat Ellis of Palacios, and Jesse and Rebekah McLeod; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, W. L. Ellis, and his brother, Gilbert Ellis.

Graveside funeral service was held Monday, September 2, 2002, at the Palacios Cemetery with the Rev. Andy Blair officiating.

Arrangements were with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. A00014B2002SP04

The Bay City Tribune, Wednesday, Sep 04, 2002
 

Rosalie Mae Nelson Ellis

Oct. 22, 1917 - March 13, 2006

Rosalie Mae Nelson Ellis was born at the Nelson home on October 22, 1917 to Roy and Carrie Belle Nelson.

She died March 13, 2006 in Bay City. She graduated from Collegeport High School in 1935 and from Southwest Texas State Teacher's College in 1940.

Rosalie taught a total of 25 years in Richards, Bay City, and Palacios Schools. She married W. L. Ellis on October 5, 1947 and was a lifelong member of Matagorda County.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two sons Gilbert Ellis and Jerry Ellis.

Survivors include: two sons and three daughters-in-law, Jesse and Carolyn Ellis of Collegeport, Tommy and Pat Ellis of Palacios; and Dollee Ellis of Bacliff, Texas; one sister, Ethel Williams of Bay City; 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, two great, great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church in Palacios with the Revs. Andy and Janell Blair officiating. Interment will follow at the Palacios Cemetery.

Pallbearers include Thomas Holsworth, Mason Holsworth, Russell Corporon, Buddy Lenz, G. W. Franzen and Fred Law.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.taylorbros.net.

Arrangements are with Palacios Funeral Home. 361-972-2012

Bay City Tribune, Published March 15, 2006
 

Original Settler Of Collegeport Dies In Houston
(From Bay City News)

An original settler of Collegeport, John B. Heisey, 89, died in Houston last week.

The son of Dutch farmers, he was reared in Pennsylvania during the Civil War era. As a young man he pushed west and settled in Frankfort, Kansas, where he later married, farmed, and ran a general store.

When the town of Collegeport, across the bay from Palacios, was founded in 1909, the Heiseys came to Texas. They farmed in Collegeport until Mr. Heisey’s health began to fail. In 1936 they went to Houston.

He was the oldest member of the West University Methodist Church in Houston. When the new West University church was built in 1939, Mr. Heisey turned the first spade of dirt at ground-breaking ceremonies.

Burial was held in the Woodland Garden of Memories in Houston. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Sara Luella Heisey, and one son, Merrill L. Heisey, both of Houston; one sister, Mrs. Martha Kierking of Topeka, Kansas, and one brother, Solomon B. Heisey of Frankfort.

The Palacios Beacon, June 26, 1947
 

Frank A. King

Frank Alva King, a resident of Matagorda County for more than 40 years, and well known cattleman, died at his home near Collegeport, Sunday morning.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Matchett-Newman Funeral Home in Bay City with Rev. George F. Gillespie, of Palacios, officiating. Burial was at Cedarvale Cemetery and a large crowd was in attendance. Mr. King was born July 10, 1875, and died October 10, 1943, age 68 years, 3 months.

He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Frances Barton, West Columbia; three sons, F. H. King, U. S. Navy, Abel and Fred King, Collegeport; two brothers, Bob King, Houston, and Bowie King, Pasadena; two sisters, Mrs. Marion Countess and Mrs. Frank Wooley, Freeport, and three grandchildren.

The Palacios Beacon, Thursday, October 14, 1943

HATTIE KUNDINGER

Kundinger, 79, Dies Saturday

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon for Mrs. Hattie May Kundinger, 79, of Collegeport, who passed away in the Nightingale Hospital in El Campo on Saturday.

She was born October 18, 1884, in Iowa and had been a resident of Collegeport since 1909. She was a retired postmistress of the Collegeport Post Office and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of that city.

Funeral services were held Sunday at 3 p.m. from the First Presbyterian Church with interment in the Palacios Cemetery with Rev. Richard stone officiating.

Survivors include one sister, Mrs. Jack Wolf of Coldy, Kansas; one step-sister, Mrs. J. E. Wood of Woodsboro, Texas, one nephew, Wilbur Moore and one niece, Mrs. Burr D. DeWald.

Pallbearers were Dean Merck, R. L. Corporon, Gustave Franzen, Gerry Wells, Thomas Holsworth, Billy Halfen, Verner Bowers and Robb Wells.

The Daily Tribune, May 25, 1964

Lois Blake Keller Maher, 98, formerly of Sweeny, passed away February 6, 2009. She was born November 28, 1910 in Collegeport, TX to the late Roy E. Coffin and Alma McSparran Coffin. Lois was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sweeny and was the organist there for many years.

Her husbands, Ludwin Keller & Johnny Maher, and daughter Sue Keller all preceded her in death. Survivors include: sons & their wives Kerry & Earline Keller of Port Lavaca, and Rex & Exa Mae Keller of Sweeny; cousin Jean Barrow & husband Mac of Alvin; grandsons Craig, Lane, Keith & Brad Keller; 9 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held 11:00 AM Monday, February 9, 2009 at Hawley Cemetery in Blessing with Rev. Sherry Crenshaw officiating.

Bay City Tribune, February 4, 2009
 

Elve Merck Martin

Graveside services for Elve Merck Martin, 90, of Houston are scheduled for 10 a. m. Friday at the Hawley Cemetery in Blessing with Dean Merck officiating.

Mrs. Martin was born Feb. 26, 1903 in Oklahoma Territory and died Nov. 2, 1993 at Treemont Health Care Center in Houston.

Residing in Houston most of her life, she devoted her time and energy to family, friends, the Houston PTA and the Broadmoor Christian Church.

Survivors include a son, Jerry K. Martin of Nashua, N. H.; eight grandchildren, Stephen Craig Martin of Corpus Christi, Gary Keith Martin of Fremont, Calif., M. Jack Martin III of Austin, Marla Martin Garcia of Clear Lake, Jennifer and Jamie Martin of Pearland, Lee Martin Pavach of Ann Arbor, Mich., Steven Kincaid Martin of Barringotn, R. I. and nine great-grandchildren, Rory and Lydia Pavach, Katherine and Amanda Martin, Nicholas Martin, Maclean Martin, Erin Garcia and Elissa and Conner Martin and by a brother, Dean Merck of Collegeport.

Pallbearers are her grandsons, Lt. USN Stephen Craig, M. Jack Martin III and Gene Garcia and her nephews, Dean Merck Jr., John M. Merck, Patrick W. Mahurin Sr. and Patrick W. Mahurin Jr.

She was preceded in death by her husband M. Jack Martin in 1965 and by a son, M. Jack Martin Jr. in 1986.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City.

Daily Tribune, November 4, 1993
 

Dean Eanes Merck

Dean Eanes Merck, 89, of Collegeport, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 1997 at the Palacios Bay Nursing and Rehab Center, Palacios, TX. He was born July 20, 1907 in Independence, Okla. to Baulser V. Merck and Sadie Moore Merck. He came to Collegeport, with his parents, two brothers and five sisters in September 1909. He attended school in Collegeport, was an active athlete, and enjoyed playing baseball. It was not uncommon to hear “Home Run, Deanie Boy!” when he played on the Palacios baseball team. He enjoyed flying and piloted his own airplane, until he was not able to renew his pilot’s license due to heart trouble. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport where he was an Elder and Sunday School Teacher. As Chairman of the Building Committee, he directed the construction of the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall. He was recognized by his church for his 40 years of active service on the Session. He was also chairman of the Mopac House Foundation and an active member of the Collegeport Volunteer Fire Department, which was organized around his dining room table. He began his farming career farming cotton and later began farming rice in 1938. He enjoyed farming and was named Matagorda County’s 1976 Rice Farmer of the Year by the Bay City Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Matagorda County Historical Commission and served as a Director of the Matagorda County Museum. He was a member of the Matagorda County Historical Society. At the 1992 Heritage Day Celebration, Dean E. Merck was presented a plaque, dedicated to an Outstanding 20^th Century Pioneer, by the Matagorda County Historical Society. He was also a member of the Hawley Cemetery Association in Blessing. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy F. Merck, a son and daughter-in-law, Dean F. and Nelda Merck of League City, by his grandsons, Mark Merck and his wife Cathy, Russell Merck and his wife Hayes, and Galen Merck. He is also survived by his great grandchildren, Danyelle Merck and Matthew Merck and by a host of family and friends. Funeral services will be held 2 p. m. Saturday, January 25, at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dave Gallaher officiating. Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery, in Blessing. Pallbearers will be Mark Merck, Russell Merck, Galen Merck, G. W. Franzen, Derril Franzen and Wesley Franzen. Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, Bay City, TX.

Daily Tribune, January 24, 1997
 

DEAN F. MERCK

Mr. Dean F. Merck, 68, passed away in a local hospital, Saturday, September 22, 2001.

A resident of League City, he was raised in Collegeport, Texas, a small farming community outside of Bay City.

Dean was a graduate of The University of Houston and worked for the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation as a Civil Engineer.

Survivors include: wife, Nelda Merck of League City; mother, Dorothy Merck of Bay City; sons and their wives, Mark and Cathy Merck of Collegeport, Russ and Hayes Merck of Cromwell, CT, Galen Merck of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Danyelle and Matthew Merck.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 24, 2001 in the Jack Rowe Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2001 in Friendswood "Friends" Church with interment to be held at 2 p.m. in the Hawley Cemetery, Bay City [Blessing]. A00011A2001SP25

THE DAILY TRIBUNE, Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Final Rites Today For John M. Merck, Sr., 57

Funeral services for John Merck, Sr., who died suddenly Tuesday noon, July 8, at his home in Collegeport, will be held at 10 a. m. Thursday, July 10 at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City, conducted by Rev. A. T. Dyal.

Interment will be in the Hawley Cemetery.

Palacios Beacon, July 10, 1958
 

Frances Owen Savage

Born August 8, 1910
Died January 16, 2006 at the age of 95

Frances was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to Harley and Linnette Halfen. She grew up as one of seven children in Texas and went to high school in San Antonio, where she met the love of her life, Francis Irving Savage. They married May 28, 1930 in San Antonio, boarded a train for Collegeport, Texas and began their life together. A few years later, they moved to Bay City where they raised their two sons and saw their family grow to include seven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren. They were an integral part of St. Mark's Episcopal Church and served their Lord in many ways. During their life together, both were involved in raising cattle, growing rice, and in many civic activities. Frances was a member of the Chautauqua Club, the Study Club, Book Review, Garden Club and the Bay City Art League. She volunteered countless hours as a member of the Matagorda General Hospital Pink Ladies Auxiliary.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Francis: her parents, Harley and Linnette Mae Halfen; her sisters, Erma Pennell, Jane Johnson, and Vera Mae Bradley; and brothers Jack Halfen and Billy Halfen. She is survived by one sister, Mary Ann Jackson of Pearland.

Frances will be lovingly remembered by her family:
Her children:
Harley Stewart Savage and wife, Jane of Bay City
Francis Irving Savage, Jr. and wife, Diane of Wimberly

Her grandchildren:
Suzanne and Bruce Grover
Debra Ann & David Shield
Diana and Buzzy Romine
Stewart and Tami Savage
Kirby and Kerry Savage, all of Bay City
Francis Savage III and Jennifer Savage of Ft. Worth
Gardner and Joy Savage of Dallas

Her great grandchildren:
Jim and Allison Grover
Paul and Christy Grover
Michael and Kim Romine
Jennie and Keith Meyer
John Romine
Matthew and Katie Murray
Joshua Shield
Emily Shield
Scott Savage
Sarah Savage
Stew Savage
Chris Savage
Anna Savage
Amanda Savage
Katie Savage
Lauren Savage

Her great great grandchildren: Luke Meyer, Karsyn Murray, and Kolbe Murray.

Funeral services will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Bay City at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 20, 2006.

Pallbearers will be her great grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be her great granddaughters. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Memorial Fund at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 2200 Avenue E., Bay City, TX 77414.

Arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, Bay City, TX (979) 245-4613.

Bay City Tribune, January 18, 2006

JAMES WILLIAM SHUEY
 

James William Shuey

James William Shuey died Monday evening at about eight o'clock at the home of his sister, Mrs. Della Braden.

"Uncle Will," as he was known to all his friends, had been confined to his bed for about two months due to a heart attack.

He was a native of Nebraska, and came to Texas in 1909 to make his home.

Deceased is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Della Braden of Blessing, and Mrs. Nelson of Collegeport; a brother in Oklahoma; a niece, Mrs. A. R. Matthes, and a nephew, Paul Braden.

Funeral services were held in the Taylor Bros funeral home in Palacios, Tuesday evening at four o'clock with Rev. Gillespie officiating. The active pallbearers were Robert Thorp, Tick Pierce, Albert White, Paul Wheeler, B. B. and Brownie Rhodes.

Among those attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Vawter and Tom Hale of Bay City, Mrs. Hugh Thompson of El Campo, Mrs. Harry Cowger of Clemville, Misses Bernice and Jack Williams of Markham.              Blessing Correspondent

James William Shuey, was born near Nebraska City, Neb., Jan 7, 1873, and passed away at the home of his sister, Mrs. Della Braden, in Blessing, Texas, Oct. 12, 1936, aged 63 years, 9 months and 5 days.

Mr. Shuey moved with his parents to Kansas in 1878. He came to Texas in 1909 and continued to make this state his home, and was well and favorably known in the Blessing and Collegeport communities. Besides the sister, Mrs. Braden, where he made his home for some time, he is survived by one other sister, Mrs. Roy Nelson, of Collegeport, one brother, S. P. Shuey, of Booker, Tex. He had been in failing health for some time and confined to his bed for the past two months.

Funeral services were held at the Palacios Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon conducted by Rev. G. F. Gillespie, assisted by M. A. Travis, of Alamo, Texas, an old friend of the family. Burial was made in the Palacios Cemetery under the direction of the Palacios Funeral Home.--Palacios Beacon.

It is hard at a time like this to express our feelings and our thoughts in writing. Anything said or written would not be sufficient to fill the place of a person so beloved by all his relatives and friends, and so we can only try in our own inadequate way to express our sympathies to those so bereaved at this great loss.

Will Shuey was "Uncle Will" to everyone, young or old. When the occasion demanded, he was just as young as the youngest or just as old and severe as the hoariest. In his long illness he was always cheerful, ready to joke and laugh with any of his bedside visitors, and though the last days of his life were spent indoors, he made the most of it. He set an enviable example for those of us who perhaps fear illness, and though a poor consolation, we are all thankful that his passing was so very painless.

The memory of a man such as this is not easily erased from the minds of those who knew him so well, and we always will be able to recall the days when he was just old "Uncle will," ready for anything and a real, "sure 'nuff" friend.--Blessing School Paper.

The Matagorda County Tribune, Thursday, October 29, 1936
 

THOMPSON

Daisy Bullington Thompson, 89, of Markham, passed away at her home on Wednesday, March 15, 2000.

She was born Oct. 16, 1910, in Madison County, Texas to the late David L. & Minnie M. Bullington.

She was a longtime resident of Matagorda County, residing in Collegeport and Markham.

She was a member of the Baptist Church and a member of the Markham Senior Citizens Center.

She is survived by: daughter, Pat Whitmire of Markham; sister and brother-in-law, Minnie "Tootsie" and Frank Gayle of Markham; grandchildren, Bob Thompson, Sammy Thompson, Teddy Joe Whitmire II, and Tami Jo Whitmire; and 10 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2000 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joe Ramsey officiating.

Private Internment will be held at Hawley Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

THE DAILY TRIBUNE, Friday, 17 Mar 2000
 

WELLS

Mamie Wells, 86, of Collegeport, died March 1, 2000 at The Legacy. She was born June 29, 1913 in Collegeport to the late Gustav Albert and Ellen Agusta Bladlund Franzen.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport and a lifelong resident of Collegeport.

Survivors include: two daughters-in-law, Mary Louise Tannner of Waco, and Lynda and Buddy Lenz of Collegeport; son and daughter-in-law, Gerald and Bettye Wells of Alleyton, Texas;. sister, Dorothy Merck of Collegeport; brothers, Alex Franzen of Collegeport, James Franzen and wife Ann of Pear River, La.; sister-in-law, Ida Mae Franzen of Collegeport; grandchildren, Steve and Debbie Fitzpatrick, Alan Fritzpatrick, Meloni and J. B. Cason, Traylor and Gena Lenz and Garrett Lenz; great-grandchildren, Alan, Eric, Erin and Katie Fitzpatrick, Jason Fitzpatrick and Cooper Cason; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Wells was preceded in death by: her husband Gerald F. "Jerry" Wells, Sr.; brothers, Arnold, Clifford, Gus, and Carl Franzen; and sister Ellen Franzen Bryan.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, March 3, 2000 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev's Andy and Jannel Blair and Dave Gallaher officiating. Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport.

Pallbearers will be Steve and Alan Fitzpatrick, Traylor and Garrett Lenz, J. B. Cason and G. W. Franzen. Honorary pallbearers will be Session Members of Collegeport First Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

THE DAILY TRIBUNE, Thursday, 02 Mar 2000
 

WILKINSON

Robert Jay "Bob" Wilkinson, 84, of Bay City died September 22, 2000 at the Gulf Coast Medical Center in Wharton, Texas. Mr. Wilkinson was born September 9, 1916 in Collegeport, Texas to the late Walter William and Helen Lenora Gossett Wilkinson. He graduated from Bay City High School, where he delivered the salutatory address for the class of 1934. In 1938, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in journalism. Mr. Wilkinson was elected to SIGMA DELTA CHI, a national honorary and professional journalism fraternity. He worked on The Daily Texan, the university newspaper, writing the first story about the UT tower illuminated in orange following football victories.

Mr. Wilkinson played in local dance orchestras, the Bay City Municipal Band, and was a member of the Longhorn Band at The University of Texas.

In 1938 he became sports editor and a news reporter for The Daily Tribune. On December 28, 1939 he married Luceile Huebner, daughter of Lillian Hurst and Marion Taylor Huebner, in the Presbyterian Church of Bay City. On January 1, 1940, he became the editor of The Herald a weekly Bay City newspaper.

With the development of WWII, Mr. Wilkinson joined the United States Navy in 1943 and while stationed at the Corpus Christi Naval Training Center, he was the editor of The Beam, the base newspaper. He left to serve in the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Lind, with the third and fifth fleets, and at the war's end he was present at the Japanese surrender ceremony aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. Following, he served aboard the destroyer U.S.S. English, as part of the occupation force in Japanese waters.

He received his honorable discharge from the Navy in February 1946, and in June of that year published the first issue of the Bay City News. Eleven years later, he sold the Bay City News to devote full time to the oil business with his father.

The Business of W. W. Wilkinson and Sons was dissolved following his father's death in 1968, and Wilkinson became an independent oil operator and lease broker. His son, Robert J. "Bobby" Wilkinson joined him in 1977, becoming the third generation of Wilkinsons in the oil business.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, a founding member of the Bay City Country Club and Matagorda County Texas Exes, the Petroleum Club of Houston, and several professional and civic organizations.

Survivors include wife, Luceile; son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Peggy Wilkinson all of Bay City; daughter and son-in-law, Martha and Clayton Lake of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandchildren, Malynn Ashcraft of Broken Arrow, Okla., Clay Lake of Las Vegas, Nev., Chris Wilkinson and Mindy Wilkinson both of Bay City; great grandchildren, Morgan Reber, Maurice "Buddy" Ashcraft III and Sarah Ashcraft all of Broken Bow, Okla., aunt, Jean Gossett of Salesville, Ohio; brother-in-law, Raleigh Huebner of Bay City; sister-in-law Jean Huebner of Bay City; nephews, Jack Wilkinson, Jr. of Houston, Kent Cummins of Elgin, Texas, Doug and Bill Huebner of Bay City; nieces, Helen Fitch of Corpus Christi, Carol Ann Bascom of Tucson, Ariz., Marion Lester of Fort Worth, Janet Considine of Midland, and Jean Richardson of Bay City.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Cummins of Bay City; brothers, John Paul Wilkinson of Midland and W. W. Wilkinson, Jr. of Bay City; brothers-in-law, Robert Huebner of Palacios and M. T. Huebner of Bay City.

Funeral Services were at 3 p.m. Monday September 25, 2000, at the First Presbyterian Church in Bay City with the Rev. Allen Anderson officiating. Internment followed at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Van Vleck. Pallbearers were Chris Wilkinson, Clay Lake II, Clay Lake, Jack Wilkinson, Darrell Hertel and Jack Conner. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements were with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. A00011A2000SP26

THE DAILY TRIBUNE, Tuesday, September 26, 2000
 

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