Caller-Times Interactive: Paid Obituaries

ALANIZ
Corpus Christi, Texas - Jovita J. Alaniz, 67, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at a Corpus Christi hospital. She was born February 15, 1932 in Gregory, Texas to Emilio and Virginia Jimenez.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Moses Alaniz; sisters, Dolores Lerma and Juanita Ancira and her brother, Antonio Jimenez.
She is survived by five sons: Jessie (Mary) Alaniz, Adrian (Julina) Alaniz, Robert (Hermina) Alaniz, Moses Alaniz, all of Corpus Christi and Salvador (Leticia) Alaniz of Robstown; two daughters, Laura Medina and Sylvia (Rafael Jr.) Torres, all of Corpus Christi; her brother, Jessie Jimenez of Aransas Pass; four sisters: Martha Alaniz of Austin, Guadalupe Morales of Aransas Pass, Agapita Canales of Corpus Christi and Benita Villanueva of Aransas Pass; 23 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rosary will be recited Wednesday, February 17, 1999 at 7:00 P.M. at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be celebrated Thursday, February 18, 1999 at 4:00 P.M. at St. Mary's Star By The Sea Catholic Church, Aransas Pass with Father Emilio Jimenez as celebrant. Burial will follow at Gregory Cemetery.

BARKER
Aransas Pass, Texas - Ida Corene "Pug" Barker, 80, an Aransas Pass resident since 1962, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 1999. She was born October 6, 1918 in Gause, Texas to Jackson and Viola Reese. She was a self employed seamtress and a past member of Rebekah Lodge.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Robert Barker, Sr. in 1990.
She is survived by: her step son, Charles Robert Barker, Jr and his wife, Maxine of Aransas Pass; her step daughter, Edith Caraway and her husband, Ron of Fulton; five step grandchildren and six great step grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Special visitation will be conducted Wednesday, February 17, 1999 at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home, Aransas Pass from 11:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. Graveside services will be conducted Thursday, February 18, 1999 at 11:00 A.M. at Gause Cemetery, Gause, Texas with Reverend Jim Smith officiating.

BOWEN
Gussie Bowen, 85, of Corpus Christi, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 1999, in a Corpus Christi hospital. She was born November 8, 1913, in Yoakum, Texas to Charles A. and Minnie Waskow Knox. She was a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Houston for 20 years, and moved to Corpus Christi in 1966 where she was a registered nurse for Spohn Hospital until her retirement in 1982. She was a member of Jackson Woods Presbyterian Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter No. 540 in Robstown and the Winnebago International Travelers. She was a sweet and gifted storyteller.
She is survived by her daughter, Deborah (Mike) Hostetler of San Antonio; one sister, Alberta K. Jones of Corpus Christi; one grandson, J. Michael Hostetler of San Antonio.
Visitation will be from Noon until 9 P.M. with the family present from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M. Wednesday in Sawyer-George Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 P.M. Thursday, February 18, 1999, in Jackson Woods Presbyterian Church with Reverend John Blacklock, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery in Alice.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Hostetler, J. Michael Hostetler, Glynn Jones, J.K. Taylor, Jim Fergus, Rich Soule and Bill Carter.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make contributions to Jackson Woods Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.

CANTU, JR.
Juan Cantu, Jr. died February 13, 1999. He was 17.
He is survived by his parents Juan F. Cantu and Sylvia Cantu both of Taft; three brothers Pedro, Patrick and George Cantu, all of Taft; two sisters Sofia and Maria Cantu, both of Taft; eight uncles; five aunts and many cousins.
Rosary will be recited Wednesday, February 17, 1999 at Colonial Funeral Home at 7:30 p.m. Mass will be celebrated Thursday, February 18, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church. Burial will follow at Taft Memorial Park Cemetery.

CHAPA
Mr. Chapa, 65, a longtime rancher near Alice, Texas, was called to be with the Lord on February 13, 1999. He was born on May 13, 1933 in Laredo, was a graduate of Martin High School in 1951 and later attended Texas A&M University in Brian, Texas. He was a veteran of the United States Army where he served in Korea and Japan; and was honorably discharged in 1955. Mr. Chapa was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the U.N. Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal during his enlistment.
He later worked as a Geologist for several oil companies with assignments in the United States, "British Honduras," South Africa, Venezuela and Canada. Mr. Chapa was a parishioner of the St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Orange Grove, Texas and an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Chapa will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.
He is survived by his parents, Valeriano (Eduviges) Chapa; his brother, Edmundo (Margarita) Chapa of Garland, Texas; his sisters, Elsa (William) Jackson of Corpus Christi, Texas and Sylvia (Eduardo) Hernandez of Port Aransas, Texas; also numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A rosary was recited Tuesday evening February 16, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, Texas. Visiting hours were held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday February 17, 1999 at 1:40 p.m. from Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, Texas, to Christ the King Catholic Church for Holy Mass at 2:00 p.m.
Interment will follow at the family plot in the Catholic Cemetery, Laredo, Texas.

COYLE
Ellen Coyle, 67, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away February 13, 1999 after a battle with cancer. She was born in Chicago, Illinois and reared in Indiana. After completing business college in South Bend, Indiana, Ellen went to visit a friend living in Panama.
She remained in Panama, marrying the late Edward Coyle of the Canal Zone. While in the Canal Zone, she was active for eight years with the Girl Scouts and served in many different positions, among her favorite as leader of Cadet Troop 77. Ellen was one of 28 women that were given jungle survival training by the Air Force and used her skills with the troop when they camped at her home in Santa Clara, Republic of Panama.
Living for 25 years in Panama and the Canal Zone, Ellen and her late husband, Eddie Coyle of Balboa, came to live in Austin, Texas for 17 years before his death. She moved to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1993.
Ellen was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and active in the Art Guild of Corpus Christi and the YMCA.
She is survived by daughters, Valerie (Tom) Anderson of Corpus Christi, Sheila (Charles) Moss of Austin, Suzanne (Keith) Miller of Willow Park, Barbara Coyle of Ft. Worth and son Thomas (Susan) Coyle of San Antonio; and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday February 18, 1999 at St. Pius X Catholic Church.
Graveside Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday February 19, 1999 at Capital Park Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice of your choice or the American Cancer Society.

CRAFT
Mary Simpson craft, passed away Tuesday evening after a short illness. Mrs. Craft was born near Atlanta, Georgia in 1909, the youngest of nine children. She grew up in Hapeville, Georgia near Chandler Field, now the Atlanta Airport. Some of the fondest memories of her youth were of the barnstormers in their open cockpit airplanes. In 1941, Mrs. Craft moved to Corpus Christi when her husband, James A. Craft (d 1991), a civilian employee of the Navy, was transferred here. In almost 60 years of living in Texas, Mrs. Craft never lost her Georgia accent and was always sure to tell those she met that she was from Hapeville. Mrs. Craft retired from the County Clerk's office in the old Nueces county court house in 1965. She was a member of the Daughters of the Nile and the First Baptist Church.
She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Austin P. Kelley of Atlanta, Georgia; a son, Robert M. Craft of Houston, Texas; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Mrs. Crafts final years were made much more happy by the warm friendship of Alton Gaddie.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 18, 1999 at Cage-Mills Downtown Chapel.
Interment will be held in Atlanta, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church.

CROCKER
JoAnne R. "Mama-Jo" Crocker passed away on February 16, 1999. She was born in Nashville, Tennessee April 26, 1931. She was married on January 12, 1950 to John Allen Crocker.
She is survived by her loving husband, John Crocker of Corpus Christi; two children, Belinda Crocker Lopez and Johnny Crocker, both of Corpus Christi; two grandchildren, Dawn Crocker Dierlam of Kansas and Josh Lopez of Colorado; two great-grandchildren, Matthew Dierlam and Shelby Dierlam.
She was a mother to many children, and was loved by all. She was a faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ who will dearly be missed by her family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 1999 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home. Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, February 18, 1999 at 11:00 a.m. at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial may be given in JoAnne's name to Corpus Christi Area Teachers Credit Union, 2000 S.P.I.D., Corpus Christi, Texas 78416, c/o Belinda Crocker Lopez.

GIBSON
Hunter Matthew Gibson, infant son of Steven D. and Sharon J. Gibson received his wings and became an angel on Sunday, February 14, 1999 in a local hospital.
He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Savannah M. Gibson, Skye L. Gibson both of Corpus Christi, Texas, Derek D. Gibson of Grandfalls, Texas, Jason L. Gibson and Wendy R. Gibson both of Houston, Texas; maternal grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. James C. Walker of Corpus Christi, Texas; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Windel M. Gibson of Grandfalls, Texas; paternal great-grandfather, Jim Taylor of Manohans, Texas; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday February 16, 1999 at Seaside Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 1999 in the Seaside Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park.

HOUCK
Luther Levi Houck, 83, of Corpus Christi, passed away Monday, February 15, 1999, in a local hospital. He was born September 19, 1915, in Henryetta, Oklahoma to Luther Edward and Edna McConnell Houck. As a young man he participated in rodeos as a roper and a bullrider. He played on a semi-pro basketball team with the Creek Indians in Oklahoma. He was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936 and 1937, and worked as a stone mason in Okmulgee State Park. Many of the buildings he built are still standing. He married Bertie Rae Cunningham on June 5, 1937. Mr. Houck designed and built two homes, doing all of the work himself. He loved livestock, and raised registered Hereford cattle in Papalote from 1960 to 1984. He retired from Champlin Refinery after 35 years of service, and was a member of Gateway Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Oscar and Jasper Houck, one sister, Mae Earls and a grandson, Dennis Boudreau.
He is survived by his wife of over 61 years, Bertie Rae Houck of Corpus Christi; three daughters: Velma Jo (John) Kreis of Papalote, Carolyn (Larry) Boudreau of Corpus Christi, and Ava Kay (Ernie) Hurst of Dallas; one sister, Allie (Earl) McMannis of Odem; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from Noon until 9 P.M. with the family present from 5 P.M. until 8 P.M. Tuesday in Sawyer-George Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 A.M. Wednesday, February 17, 1999 in Sawyer-George Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lee Bevly, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Skidmore.

JOCK
Arthur B. Jock, 74, passed away Monday, February 15, 1999 in a local hospital.
He was born to Ernest and Wyllian S. Jock on July 28, 1924 in Littleton, New Hampshire. He served in the United States Navy during W.W.II. Once he completed his military service he went to work for A.R.A.D.M.A.C. in Corpus Christi, Texas. He retired in 1979. Arthur's favorite pastime was gardening. He was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather who will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gloria Jock of Corpus Christi, Texas; his children Patrick Jock of Huntsville, Texas, Laurie and Steve Comparato of Conroe, Texas, Christopher and Cindy Jock, Theresa and Bob Oglesby all of Houston, Texas; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, John and Pamela Smith; and a sister Pauline Jock all of Mt. Vernon, Indiana; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 1999 with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. that evening in the Seaside Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 1999 at St. Pius X Catholic Church.
Entombment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park.

PENA
Rebecca Davila Pena, 78, of Corpus Christi, passed away Sunday, February 14, 1999.
Mrs. Pena was the last survivor of 12 children; she was a very loving mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eluterio Pena; one daughter, Maria Roque Garcia and grandson, Luis Moncivais, III.
Survivors include her children: Luis (Vicky) Moncivais of Driscoll, Texas, Gloria (Ralph) Lewis of Kingwood, Texas, Juan Jose Molina, Diana (Alfonso) Ramirez, Rose (Mike) Yocum, Jake (Marta) Valdez, Rebecca Pena (Vernon) Miller, Juan Martin Garcia and Maria Roque Moncivais all of Corpus Christi; 16 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
The family will be receiving friends on Wednesday, February 17, 1999 from 1:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. at Memorial Funeral Services, Holly Chapel with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. that evening.
Funeral procession will depart at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday from Memorial Funeral Services, Holly Chapel.
Rites of christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, February 18, 1999 at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.
Interment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Eduardo Moncivais, Eduardo Torres, Jr., Monte Lewis, Alfonso Ramirez, Jr., Jacob Valdez and Vernon Lee Miller III, Honorary Pallbearers will be Juan Martin Garcia, Johnny Moncivais and Michael Yocum, Jr.

PEREZ
Maria G. Perez, 78, of Corpus Christi, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 1999.
She was preceded in death by her husband Isidro Perez; one son, Adancito Lamas; parents, Francisco and Marcela Gutierrez.
She is survived by five daughters, Paulina Sosa, Catalina Lamas and Hortencia Garza all of Brownsville, Maria Minerva Hernandez of Miami, Florida and Maria De Los Angeles (Javier Sr.) Morin of Corpus Christi; two sisters, Guadalupe Serna; her twin, and Monica Gutierrez both of Matamoros, Mexico; one brother, Venancio Gutierrez of Nuevo Laredo, Texas; Ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews from Brownsville.
The family will be receiving friends on Wednesday, February 17, 1999 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Services, Crosstown Chapel with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. that evening.
Funeral procession will depart at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday from Memorial Funeral Services, Crosstown Chapel.
Rites of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 1999 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery

RAMON
Corpus Christi - Susan M. Ramon, 60, passed away suddenly on Monday, February 15, 1999 at her residence. Mrs. Ramon was born in Glasgow, Scotland but had lived for the last 15 years of her life in the Odem/Corpus Christi, Texas. She was employed by the Robstown Independent School District in the Special Education Department.
Survivors: two sons, William Travis (Susan) Watson of Mesa, Arizona, Robert (Laura) Espinosa of Martinez, California; one daughter, Ramona Linda Margaret Ramon of Corpus Christi, Texas; two step-sons, Ray (Regina) Ramon of Lewisville, Texas, Robert (Vangie) Ramon of Corpus Christi, Texas; two step-daughters, Belia (Omar) Farias, Sandi (Ernest) Cantu all of Corpus Christi, Texas; 10 grandchildren; one sister, Marlene Decozar of London, England.
Visitations will be held from 1 P.M. to 9 P.M., Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at Ramon Funeral Home Chapel. On Wednesday, February 17, 1999 visitations will be held from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M., with an Evening Prayer Service at 7 P.M. at Ramon Funeral Home Chapel.

RUSCH
MATHIS, TEXAS - Ruben Henry Rusch, 78, passed away Monday, February 15, 1999. He was born in Guadalupe County, Texas on March 26, 1920 and has lived in Mathis since 1961. He retired from the U.S. Navy, Military and Civil Service, and served in WWII and Korea.
He is survived by his loving companion, Clarine Kossaeth of Marion, Texas; one son, Dennis Rusch of Anchorage, Alaska; one brother, Henry Rusch of Cibolo, Texas; two grandchildren, Erin and Erich Rusch of Anchorage, Alaska.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, February 18 at Dobie Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 19, 1999 at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

SMITH
Aurora S. Smith, 76, passed away Monday, February 15, 1999.
She is preceded in death by her parents Raymond Sanchez and Pauline Becerra; her sons, Gilbert Juarez and Ruben Smith; her brother, Juan Sanchez; and her sister, Laura Sanchez.
She is survived by her husband James Raymond Smith, Jr. of Corpus Christi; her children, Florence Cisneros, Raymond Gates, David Smith, Rudolph Smith, Mary Ann Bazan, Steven Smith, Tomas Smith, Martin Smith, and Pauline Moya. Her survivors include 26 grandchildren and 23 great-granchildren.
Visitation is scheduled at 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 17, 1999 at Angelus Funeral Home Chapel with a Prayer Service that same evening.
The funeral service is scheduled at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 18, 1999 at Sinai Evangelistic Worship Center, 3512 S. Staples with interment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Services under the direction of David Barrera, Jr. Funeral Director

TURNER
Myrtle Emma Turner, 80, passed away Monday, February 15, 1999 in a local nursing home.
Myrtle was a bookkeeper with (Kaffie) Dresser Industries and retired in 1987. She was a member of The Eastern Star and was a member of Yorktown Baptist Church. She was a special person who will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her sister Aurora Pearl (Roy) Fox of Corpus Christi, Texas; two brothers, John J. (Hazelann) Turner of Kerrville, Texas; Eugene H. (Judy) Turner of Corpus Christi, Texas; sister-in-law, Mrs. Henry (Earlene) Turner of Corpus Christi, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at Seaside Funeral Home. Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 1999 at Seaside Memorial Park.

The preceding information is provided by area funeral homes.
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