Matagorda County Obituaries
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Penny Kiesler Galko

Penny Kiesler Galko, was born July 12, 1952, in Woodland, California. She was the 2nd of five children, born to Thomas Carl and Betty Joyce Kiesler.

Penny graduated from Alief High School in 1970 and attended Blinn Jr. College.  An adventurous and inquisitive spirit led her to Matagorda, where she spent 12 years working in the Seafood Industry.

She was a hard worker; industrious and determined, and even stubborn, which often led to her getting her way.

On October 8, 1987, Penny married Joe Galko. They built a happy and contented life in Matagorda. Penny loved the history of the home they owned. She loved her garden, the many “critters” she cared for over the years, and the beach.

She loved God, her family and friends, and we loved her. Penny will be missed, though we know she is in her Heavenly home, with God and her father, Thomas.

Penny is survived by her husband, Joe Galko; her mother, Betty Kiesler; and her siblings, Tom Kiesler and wife Sandy, Becky Vest, Judy Regil, Kandy Myers and husband Jerry; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

We will gather to celebrate her life in Christ Episcopal Church, Matagorda, Texas on Wednesday the 16th day of April, 2014 at 10:30 a.m., Father Hoss Gwin, Celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to Houston Hospice-El Campo, or to the charity of your choice.

- “Be Still & Know That I Am.”

Bay City Tribune, April 16, 2014
 

Marylyn Gallimore

Marylyn Gallimore, 77, of Cameron and formerly of Bay City, died Thursday, November 14, in a Cameron nursing center. Graveside services will be 1:00 pm Friday at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.

Mrs. Gallimore was born September 22, 1936 in Bay City to Charles Allen and Willie Lee (Parker) Ray. She married Joe Eugene Plant and he preceded her in death 11 years after their marriage. She later married Kenneth G. Gallimore and he preceded her in death after 36 years of marriage. A brother, Charles A. Ray and a sister, Wynona Gartner also preceded her in death. She is survived by:

Son Joe Eugene Plant, Jr. of Shertz
Daughter Rae Beth Summers of Cameron
Step sons Kelly Gallimore of Austin
Tim Burgess of Houston
Brett Burgess of Houston
Step daughters Kim Stayt of Dallas
Jackie Wedgeworth of Nederland
Debbie Burgess of Nederland
Numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren

Memorials may be made to Odyssey Hospice or the charity of donor’s choice in Mrs. Gallimore’s name.

www.mflfuneral.com

Anita G. Garcia
(October 30, 1918 - February 3, 2014)

Anita G. Garcia, 95, of Bay City passed away February 3, 2014. She was born October 30, 1918 in Palestine, Texas to Agapito and Amada Arcola Garcia.

Anita is survived by her daughters Janie Medina of Pearland and Amanda Garcia and Robert Zepeda; sons Jose DeLeon, Jr. and Lupe, Jesse Garcia and Baronica , Noe Garcia and Sally. Sister Amada Mercido. Brothers Jesse Garcia, Jason Garcia and Pete Garcia, 17 grand children, 34 great-grand children and 4 great-great grand children. She was preceded in death by her husband Guadalupe Garcia and her parents.

The family will receive visitors from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at the funeral home. The funeral service will be Wednesday, February 5 at 10:00 a.m. at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with Rev. Candido Gonzales officiating. Pallbearers will be Tony Medina, Jon Medina, Robert Zepeda, Rudy Lara, Kevin Schroder and Felipe Valdez.

www.taylorbros.net                 Photo courtesy of Betty Crosby

Guadalupe R. Garcia

Funeral services for Guadalupe R. Garcia, 66, of Bay City will be held 1 p. m. Tuesday at Emmanuel Baptist Church with the Rev. Candido Gonzales officiating. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery, Bay City.

Mr. Garcia was born Feb. 4, 1922, in Palestine, Texas, to Jacinto and Maria Rodriguez de Garcia and died Jan. 15, 1989, at Matagorda General Hospital.

He was retired from Bay City Gas Co. and was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Anita Garcia of Bay City; three sons, Joe DeLeon of Bay City, Jesse Garcia of Houston and Noe Garcia of Navasota; two daughters, Maria Juanita (Janie) Medina and Amada Luz (Amanda) Garcia, both of Bay City; five brothers, Alberto and Manuel Garcia of Laredo, Valentine Garcia of Hammond, Ind., and Esteban and Daniel Garcia of Monterrey, Mexico; three sisters, Lupe G. Gonzalez of Monterrey, Mexico, Hortencia G. Juarez of Harlingen and Genoveva G. Hinojosa of Kingsville; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers include Mark DeLeon, Joe DeLeon III, Tony Medina, Luis Alvarado, Noe Escobedo and Bob Rivera.

Services are under the direction of Dick R. Elkins, Bay City Funeral Home.

Daily Tribune, January 16, 1989
 

Jesus Garcia, Sr.
(January 23, 1922 - March 24, 2014)

Jesus Garcia, Sr., 92, passed away March 24, 2014 in Bay City, TX. He was born January 23, 1922 in Palestine, TX to the late Agapito and Amada Arzola Garcia.

He was preceded in death by his parents,; sisters Rosa Rodriguez, Anita Garcia, Tomasa Corona and Carmen Garcia; brothers Samuel Garcia and Bernardo Garcia.

Jesus is survived by his wife Soila A. Garcia; sister Rosa Diaz of California; brothers Pete Garcia of Blessing, TX and Jacinto Garcia of California; daughter Esther Gomez and husband Joe of Bay City, TX; sons Jesus Garcia, Jr. and wife Theresa of Bay City, TX, Josue (Joe) Garcia of Wharton, TX and Saul Garcia and wife Sylvia also of Bay City; 18 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

He loved his family, grandchildren, gardening and the Lord.

There will be a prayer service Wednesday, March 26 at 6:00pm at the funeral home. The funeral service will be Thursday, March 27 at 10:00am at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with the Rev. Saul Garcia officiating. Pallbearers will be Adam Gomez, Brian Garcia, Joshua Garcia, Trystan Gonzalez, Kyle Espinosa and Jesse Robles. Honorary pallbearers are Saul Robles, Bruce Pursewell, Mike Condit and Pete Lara.

Bay City Tribune, March 30, 2014                Photo courtesy of Betty Crosby

Samuel Garcia lll
(July 10, 1964 - July 3, 2014)

Samuel Garcia lll, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2014. Samuel was born July 10, 1964 in Bay City, Texas to Samuel Garcia, Jr. and Josie Lopez Garcia. Samuel is survived by his family , daughter Joell Garcia; son Samuel Garcia the fourth; father Samuel Garcia, Jr.; Sister, Rosemary Kinman & husband Craig; brothers, Javier Garcia, George Garcia & wife Dolores, Roel Garcia & wife Julie, and Raymond Garcia & wife Sarah; He is preceded in death by his mother Josie Garcia. Celebration of Life Services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 7, 2014 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with Rev. Janie Robles officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00P.M. with a Prayer Service at 3:00P.M. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.taylorbros.net

Taylor Bros. Funeral Home                  Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Lorenzo Vega Gonzales

Lorenzo Vega Gonzales, Jr.

Funeral services for Lorenzo Vega Gonzales, Jr. 43 of Van Vleck will be held at 1:30 pm Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1999 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with Father Edward Boren officiating.  Burial followed at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.  Rosary will be at 7 pm Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

Mr. Gonzales died October 30, 1999 at his residence.  He was born June 16, 1956 in Lamark, Tex. to Lorenzo and Mary Gonzales.

He is survived by: his children, Fernando, Amanda, Brenda, Jamie, and Robert Gonzales of Bay City; parents: Lorenzo and Mary Gonzales; brothers, Lupe Gonzales, Domingo Gonzales, sisters, Gloria Rudolph, and Lora Huerta.

Pallbearers will include Ruben Canales, Ernest Canales, Alex Huerta, Joe Daniel Sanchez, Fred Sanchez, and Augustine Alameda.

Honorary pallbearers are Fernando Gonzales and Robert Gonzales.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

The Daily Tribune, November 3, 1999               Photo & obituary courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Santiago Javier Gonzalez
1 May 1952 – 13 June 2014

PALACIOS - Santiago "Jim" Javier Gonzalez, 62 went to his Heavenly Father on Friday June 13, 2014. He was preceded in death by his father Frank Gonzalez and his mother Janie Aparicio Gonzalez, both of Palacios Texas. Jim is survived by his loving wife Evelyn Gonzalez of Cedar Park, Texas. Three children, Santiago Roman Gonzalez of Cedar Park, Krystian Danielle Meinke (Robert) of Victoria, and Xavier St. James Gonzalez (Amanda) of Round Rock, three grandchildren Roman Gonzalez, Seferin Meinke and Evelyn Meinke and three siblings John, Frank and Anna Gonzalez.

Jim was born May 1, 1952 in Old Gulf, Texas and graduated from Bay City High School in 1970. He attended Sam Houston State University and graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor's Degree in World History and Spanish. He immediately began teaching at Victoria High School where he taught Spanish and World History until 1980. In 1980 he began teaching Spanish at Crain Junior High School until 1993. After his tenure at Crain he taught various subjects, including Anger Management, at the Stevenson Correctional Unit in Cuero, Texas where his classes routinely had the lowest recidivism rates in the state of Texas, a statistic that he was immensely proud of. In his spare time, he taught Spanish to the Cadets at the Victoria Police Academy and assisted California and Texas Prison Systems in Nahautl language interpretations. In 2007 he and his family moved to Cedar Park where the taught Spanish at Stony Point High School in Round Rock until his retirement in 2013.

He literally taught thousands of students of all ages and backgrounds, including teenagers, young adults, law enforcement personnel and the convicted. A natural born philosopher, Jim's passion for education and accepting nature made a positive impact and enlightened the hearts of many individuals. His playful and sometimes mischievous behavior brought about countless laughs and smiles. Jim was one-of-a-kind and a true Renaissance man. He had a constant hunger for knowledge and was a perpetual student of the world speaking Spanish, German, Latin, French, Nahautl and Mandarin. His grand sense of humor and renown tamales won't be replaced in this world, and will be greatly missed.

A Visitation will be held at Beck Funeral Home located at 1700 E. Whitestone Blvd in Cedar Park on Wednesday June 18 at 5:00 with the Rosary beginning at 7:00. Funeral services will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church located at 9500 Neenah Ave in Austin on Thursday June 19 at 10:00 a.m.

Arrangements under the direction of Beck Funeral Home, 1700 E. Whitestone, Cedar Park, Texas, 78613 (512) 259-1610. On-line guest registry at www.beckchapels.com.

Published in the Victoria Advocate on June 17, 2014
 

Harris Graeber & Lois H. Graeber - Roselawn Memorial Park - Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Lois Helen Crosson Graeber

Funeral services for Lois Helen Crosson Graeber, 54, of Bay City will be held 2 pm Monday at First Pentecostal Church with the Rev. Marvin J. Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck.  Mrs. Graeber was born Jan. 9, 1930 in Dale, Texas, and Died on May 11, 1984, at Matagorda General Hospital.

Survivors include: husband, Harris Graeber of Bay City; mother Carrie B. Crosson of Bay City; sons, Harris Graeber II of Scotland, Anthony Graeber of Waco, Timothy Graeber of Bay City and Jonathan Graeber of Bay City; sisters, Fonda Mae Kosteinik of Old Ocean, Ida D. Brumley of Bay City, Ollie Fojtik of Matagorda, Willene Blackwell of Bay City and Ruby Sargent of Bay City; brothers, George F. Crosson of Sweeny, Lonnie C. Crosson of Sweeny, Alfred M. Crosson of Old Ocean, the Rev. Oliver Joe Crosson of McAllen and Tommy L. Crosson of Amarillo; and two grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Michael Fojtik, Bryan Graeber, Danny Crosson, Ronnie Marech, Roy Don Crosson and A. J. Brumley.

Honorary pallbearers are Gerald Crosson, Lynn Crosson, David Pesak, and Roy Eugene Crosson. Arrangement with Taylor Brothers Funeral.

Daily Tribune May 1984          Obituary courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Ernest L. Grebe & Frances V. Grebe - Roselawn Memorial Park - Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Ernest Leonard Grebe

Mr. Ernest Leonard Grebe, Houston Texas passed away Tuesday, January 27, 1970 in Brenham, Texas. He is survived by his wife Frances Vest Grebe of Houston; one daughter, Mrs. Bruce Sims, Hurst, Texas; two sons, Ernest L. Grebe, II, Long Beach California and Herbert W. Grebe, Houston, Texas; one sister Mrs. Helen Sloan, Houston, Texas; two brothers, Dr. A. A. Grebe, San Antonio and Oscar Grebe, El Paso, Texas, and 6 grandchildren.  Funeral services will be held Thursday 10 am from Earthman South West Chapel in Bellaire.  Grave site services Roselawn Memorial Park 2 pm Thursday. Rev. Art Jones will officiate. Services under the direction of Earthman Inc. Funeral Directors.

Daily Tribune, January 28, 1970         Obituary courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Leo Joseph Grein
November 23, 1935 – May 20, 2014

Leo J. Grein, 78, husband of Frances Mircovich Grein, passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Born November 23, 1935 in Seguin, TX, Leo was the son of the late Leo George and Mary Dietermann Grein. He earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas and was employed with Hoechst-Celanese for over 36 years. Leo was a member of Knights of Columbus, Leadership Spartanburg, and delivered for Mobile Meals for 15 years. He enjoyed traveling and running, and ran marathons in New York City, San Francisco, Rome, London, Paris, Madrid, and Prague. Leo was a member and Eucharistic Minister at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.

In addition to his wife; Leo is survived by three sons, Stephen Joseph Grein of Plano, Texas, Mark Christopher Grein of Prague, Czech Republic, and Matthew Edward Grein of Boston, Massachusetts; one daughter, Anne Claire Nutt of Spartanburg, South Carolina; and five grandchildren, Laurel Elyse, Caroline, and Vaughn Grein, Ryan Michael and Mason Lee Trotter.

A prayer service was held Friday, May 23, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., at Dunbar Funeral Home, conducted by Deacon Bob Mahaffey. The family received friends at Dunbar Funeral Home following the prayer service, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass was held Saturday, May 24, 2014, at 1 p.m., at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, officiated by the Reverend Timothy M. Gahan.

A reception followed in the Parish Center.

In remembrance of Leo, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Building Fund, 161 N. Dean Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; or Mobile Meals, P O Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.JMDunbar.com.

JM Dunbar Funeral Home, Spartanburg, SC

Bay City Tribune, May 28, 2014
 

Charles Luis Griffith

Funeral services for Charles “Chuck” Luis Griffith, 49, of Sargent, Texas, will be Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at 2 p.m., at Calvary Church in Sargent, Texas with the Rev. Ben Kerns, officiating.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Green’s Mortuary, 979-245-3489.

Bay City Tribune, April 16, 2014
 

James Harold Grisham
April 1, 1933-June 6, 2014

James “Jimmy” Harold Grisham, went to meet his creator on June 6, 2014.

Jimmy was born to Eaton and Gertrude Grisham, April 1, 1933, in Bay City Texas, and was a lifelong citizen of Matagorda County, with roots back to Stephan F. Austin and Isaac Van Dorn, the first Sheriff of Matagorda County.

Jimmy graduated from Van Vleck High School in 1950, following time studying at Wharton County Junior College, he proudly served in the Army during the Korean War. After two years in the Army, he attended Texas A&M University and graduated in 1958. He came back home to ranch with his father. In 1959 he married Nancy Boden, his wife of 54 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Edward Orin “Chub” Grisham.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughter, Melissa Lish (Mark) of Midlothian Texas; son, Mark (Yolanda) of Bay City, Texas; and son, Mike (Denise) of Van Vleck, Texas. He had five grandchildren that were the light of his life, Courtney, Stephanie and Monica Lish, and Faith and Cole Grisham. His brother, Richard Grisham; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, also survive him.

Jimmy’s true love was the land under his feet and God. He served them both well as a Deacon of the Cedar Lane Baptist Church and over thirty years on the Soil & Water Conservation Board.

Visitation was held Sunday, June 8, 2014, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City, Texas.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, June 9, 2014, at Cedar Lane Baptist Church in Cedar Lane, Texas, with Pastor Mike Patterson officiating.

Interment followed at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck. Pallbearers were Cole Grisham, Tom Hudgins, Raymond Brooker, Joe Johnson, Jimmy Sansing, and Jesse Rodriquez.

Honorary Pallbearers were Jimmy Simmons, Rick O’Neal, Sr., Don Ross, Tom Barrington, Jack Matthews and James Williams.

The family would like to thank Simona Brumley, Nancy Daily and Veronica Galvan for their care.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be to Cedar Lane Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, Houston Hospice, or the Matagorda County Texas A&M Former Students Association Scholarship Fund.

Bay City Tribune, June 11, 2014                          Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Merritt B. Guess & Ena P. Guess - Roselawn Memorial Park - Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

M. B. Guess

Funeral services for M. B. Guess, 89, of Bay City will be held 11 am Saturday at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Duncan officiating.  Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Van Vleck.

Mr. Guess was born Feb. 28, 1900, in Oakwood, Texas, to Eugene and Mattie Eliza McMichael Guess and died Oct. 10, 1989, at Four Seasons Nursing Home, San Antonio.

A resident of Bay City since 1937, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Gonzales and the Presbyterian church.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Carl Zettner of San Antonio; a brother, Paul E. Guess of Oakwood; and two grandchildren, Steven and Sherly Zettner, both of San Antonio.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Bay City. 

Daily Tribune, October, 1989         Obituary courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Ron F. Guffey, Jr. - Roselawn Memorial Park - Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Ronald F. Guffey Jr.

EDNA - Services for Ronald Floyd Guffey Jr., 32, of Edna and formerly of Bay City [Matagorda County, Texas], who died Wednesday, will be 2 p.m. today at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home chapel, the Rev. Frank Drenner III officiating.

Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck. Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, Bay City, 979-245-4613.

The Victoria Advocate, November 1, 2003
 

Dreyden S. Guia - Roselawn Memorial Park - Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

Dreyden Saviogn Guia

Infant Dreyden Saviogn Guia, 2 1/2 month old son of Anthony and Kellie Crowley Guia, died February 10, 2002 at Matagorda General Hospital. He was born December 3, 2001 in Bay City.

Survivors include: parents; sister, Kahliya Michelle Guia; brother, Anthony Guia, Jr.; paternal grandparents, Pedro and Juanita Guia, Sr.; paternal grandmother, Patricia Ryman; and maternal grandfather, Kent Crowley all of Bay City.

We will always love you and cherish the time that we were able to spend with you. God bless you and may you rest in peace.

Graveside funeral service was held Friday, February 22, 2002, at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Van Vleck with the Rev. Robert Rodriquez officiating.

Arrangements were with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. A00014B2002FB24

THE BAY CITY TRIBUNE, Sunday, February 24, 2002
 

Federico M. Guzman

Federico Medrano Guzman Sr.

Funeral services for Federico Medrano Guzman Sr., 76, of Bay City will be held at 19 am Friday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with the Rev. Ed Mundwiller officiating.  Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck.  Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck.  A rosary will be said at 8 pm today in Taylor Brothers Funeral Home Chapel. 

Mr. Guzman was born Sept. 17, 1910, in Matamoros, Mexico, to Antonio and Marcela Guzman Medrano Guzman and died Dec. 17, 1986 at Matagorda General Hospital. He was a member of the Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Lucille Guzman of Bay City; three daughters, Lucille Kopecky and Hope Barrera, both of Bay City, and Lydia Pena of Port Lavaca; five sons, Fred Guzman Jr., Tony Guzman, Joe Guzman and Ricardo Guzman, all of Bay City, and Danny Rodriquez of San Benito; 21 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Arrangements under the direction of Taylor Brothers Funeral Home. 

The Daily Tribune, December 18?, 1986                        Photo and obituary courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

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