Alfred Bryan Richers

Bryan Richers

Graveside services for Bryan Richers, 55, of Bay City will be held 10 am Monday at Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck.

Mr. Richers was born April 15, 1932, in Bay City to Alfred Charles and Frances Opal Taylor Richers and died Dec. 31, 1987, at Veteran Hospital, Houston.

A lifelong resident of Bay City, he was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of the Baptist church.

Survivors include three brothers, Charles G. Richers and Victor E. Richers, both of Bay City, and John Wesley Richers of Kilgore, Texas.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Bay City.

Daily Tribune, January 3, 1988             Obituary courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Homer W. Schurtz          Becky S. Schurtz

Homer W. Schurtz

Peacefully and with dignity, Homer W. Schurtz, 74, of Sweeny passed away Sunday evening, April 28, 2002 at Kindred Hospital in Houston.

To those who knew him, he was known as a “Miracle Man� for his battle for life against all odds.

Homer was born July 9, 1927 in Bloomington, TX to the late Carl F. and Elfie Louise Riemenschnieder Schurtz.

Homer graduated from Markham High School and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He and his first wife Becky Smith Schurtz resided in Bay City for many years with their daughter Kathy. He was very active in the Bay City Girls’ Softball Association and numerous other volunteer services. He was a member of and past Commander of VFW Post 2438. He then moved to Sweeny in 1982, and was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Homer served as board member of the Sweeny Community Hospital for 13 years, 9 years as president, and was currently serving in that capacity. Homer was honored as the Distinguished Trustee of 2001 by Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, and received a special citation from Rick Perry, Governor of the State of Texas.

Mr. Schurtz and his wife Peggy were honored as Mr/Mrs Sweeny for 1998 by the Sweeny Chamber of Commerce for their service to the community. He served on the board of Old Ocean Federal Credit Union, First United Methodist Church, West Brazos Cares, and Sealy Auto Parts. He retired from Phillips Petroleum Company in Old Ocean in 1985 after 37 years of service.

Those who loved him dearly, respected him, and will miss his quite gentle ways including his wife of 11 years, and friend for 52 years, Peggy Mills Smith Schurtz of Sweeny and formerly of Houston; daughter and son-in-law: Kathy and Bill Lacey and granddaughter Rebecca Ann Lacey and granddaughter Rebecca Ann Lacey who knew him as “Grandpal�, all of Sealy, formerly of Bay City; step children: Janice Smith Celaya and children Courtney and Taylor of San Antonio; Jerrold B. Smith, wife Nancy, and daughters Tracy and Lauren of Houston, Robert D. Smith and wife Kimberly of Dalton, GA; sister, Betty Bradley and husband David of Markham; brothers: Carl Schurtz and wife Margaret of Tres-Palacios, James Schurtz and wife Georgia of Markham, and Robert Schurtz and wife Mary of Midfield; numerous nieces and nephews. Others are his special brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Jerry and Betty Smith of Troup, TX; extended family members are Garland and Frances Thames of Stafford and their children, who considered him as their grandfather, Jeffrey and wife Shannon and Stafford and Kevin and his wife Susan of Chicago, IL He was preceded in death by his first wife of 31 years, Beck Smith Schurtz, second
wife of 8 years, Jean Adkins Schurtz, and sister Elfie Mae Schurtz.

Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2002 at the First United Methodist Church in Sweeny with Rev. Alex Lupo officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Van Vleck. Pallbearers will be his nephews: Douglas Smith, Michael, Patrick, and Robert Schurtz, Jr., Tim Jackson, and Chris Janek. Honorary bearers will be present and former board members of Sweeny Community Hospital, H.A. Turk, Dr. David Barr, as well as the nursing staff and Pink Ladies of the hospital and Albert Hoffman.

The family wishes to especially thank Dr. Michel Rodriguez-Bigos and his staff, nurses and support staff of Purple 5 floor and everyone at Diagnostic Imaging “D� who gave Homer such tender loving care and considered his as family during his extended stay and treatment at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston. They also thank the Monday Morning Methodists Group and everyone else for their continuous prayers, love, and support.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City. A00014B2002MY01

The Bay City Tribune, Wednesday, May 01, 2002
 

Jim Sindel          Bessie Sindel

Jim Sindel

Funeral services for Jim Sindel, 81, of Van Vleck will be held 2 pm Wednesday at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Sheppard officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck.

Mr. Sindel was born June 28, 1908, in Fort Bend County, Texas, and died Feb. 26, 1990, at Matagorda General Hospital.

A resident of Matagorda County since 1940 and a former resident of East Bernard, he was a retired operator from the Port of Houston grain elevators.  He was a member of the S.P.J.S.T. Lodge and the Lutheran church.

Survivors include his wife, Bessie Fojtik Sindel of Van Vleck; a daughter and son-in-law, Dorothy and Jimmie Smallwood of Bay City; a sister, Angeline Sabrsula of Needville; a brother, John Sindel of Angleton; and four grandchildren, Sonya Smallwood, Dwayne Smallwood, Ramona Smallwood and Dennis Ellis.

Pallbearers include Dennis Ellis, Dwayne Smallwood, Bob Kilpatrick, Todd Kjergaard, Greg Branton and Eddie Biezenski.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Daniel Smallwood.

Arrangements are with Taylor Funeral Home, Bay City.

Daily Tribune, February 1990            Courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Emmitt J. Smith          Almer Smith

Almer F. Smith

BAY CITY [Matagorda County, Texas]- Almer Floyd Smith, 85, of Bay City, died Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003.

She was born Feb. 23, 1918, in Linden, to the late James C. and Ada Mauldin Floyd. She was a member of Bay City Baptist Church.

Survivors: daughters, Glenda Matura and Helen Lewis, both of Bay City, and Nadine Bowman of Matagorda; sons, Horace Ray Smith of Sweeney and Harold Smith of Canyon Lake; sister, Louise Lewis of Magnolia, Ark.; 13 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by: husband, Emmett Jefferson Smith; five sisters; and one brother.

Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bay City Baptist Church, the Rev. Lee Watson officiating.

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

The Victoria Advocate, October 28, 2003
 

James Arthur Smith, Sr.           Bessie Smith

Bessie Nettles Smith

Funeral services for Bessie Nettles Smith, 95, of Bay City will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2000 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Micheal Zimmerman officiating.

Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.

Mrs. Smith died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000 in Lake Jackson. She was born March 9, 1904 in McGregor, McLennon County, Tex. to Delano "Jeff" Nettles and Sarah Elizabeth Kennemer Nettles.

She moved to Hawkinsville, Tex. with her family in 1911. She worked for the telephone company in Bay City as a young woman, where she met and married James Arthur "Jim" Smith in 1924.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Bay City.

She was a beloved wife, devoted mother and caring servant to her family and friends. Bessie will long be remembered for the beautiful flower gardens in her yard on Nichols Street that were enjoyed by family, friends, and the entire community over the past 50 years.

Survivors include: daughters and sons-in-law, Gloria and Dan Arledge of Grove, OK and Lake Jackson, Anita Senkyrik of Cedar Lane, Jayne and Bill Kelly of Sweeny and Jean Ann and Talmadge Tatum of Wadsworth; sister Effie Nettles Drake of Clovis, CA; sister-in-law Nancy Jane Smith of the Woodlands; 13 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and cousins.

She was preceded in death by: her husband of 75 years, James A. Smith, Sr.; and by a son, James "Little Jimmy" Smith, Jr.

Pallbearers will include her grandsons.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

THE DAILY TRIBUNE, Tuesday, 11 Jan 2000
 

James Arthur Smith, Jr.

James Arthur Smith, Jr.

James Arthur Smith, Jr., 46, of Bay City, died Dec. 5.  Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim A. Smith, Sr.; four sisters, Mrs. Gloria Harvey of Bay City, Mrs. Anita Senkyrik and Mrs. Jayne Kelly of Cedar Lane and Mrs. Jean Ann Tatum of Wadsworth.  Funeral services are set for Dec. 7, at 10 am with Rev. W. D. Baker officiating Interment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck with Clayton and Wayne Harvey, Jerome and Mark Senkyrik, W. E. and Craig Kelly, Talmadge and Jim Tatum serving as pallbearers.  Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Bay City. 

Daily Tribune, December 6?, 1977               Courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Grady Tharp           Bessie Lee Tharp

Grady Tharp

Grady Tharp, 86, of Bay City passed away Oct. 27, 2002 at the Specialty Hospital in Houston following a long illness. Grady was born in Turnersville, Texas on November 16, 1915.

He was a graduate of the University of Houston and worked as a pharmacist in Bay City for many years.

He was preceded in death by his wife Bessie, a daughter, Mary Alice Eichelberger, and a brother, W. D. Tharp.

He is survived by: a daughter, Norma Lee Middaugh of LaPorte, Texas, a sister, Lorene Turner of California, grandchildren, Lisa Snyder, Laura Shelby, William Troy Crabtree, Zachary and Taylor Eichelberger, great grandchildren, Christopher and Trent Paul, Amber Lee and Jordan Andrew Shelby, and great-great grandchild Christopher Paul, Jr.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Bay City with the Rev. Eric Klimpel Officiating.

Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Bay City.

Services are under the direction of Bay City Funeral Home. A00011B2002OT30

The Bay City Tribune, October 30, 2002
 

Philip "Phil" Wilson          Dorothea "Dot" Wilson

Philip T. “Phil” Wilson

Funeral services for Philip T. “Phil” Wilson, 77, were held at 2 pm Wednesday, April 28, 1999 First Presbyterian Church Rev Sam Steele officiating. Interment followed at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Van Vleck. 

Philip T. “Phil” Wilson, well-known businessman of Bay City, died April 25, 1999 at Matagorda General Hospital.

Mr. Wilson was born December 29, 1921 in Olivia, Texas to the late Servin T. and Emma Wilson Swenson.

He was a member, Elder and Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church. He was also owner and operator of Wilson Outdoor Equipment and Wilson Lock and Key Service.

He was a resident of Bay City since 1945. A veteran of WWII, he served in the U. S. Army.  He also was a 30-year member of the Bay City Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as Vice President and President.

Mr. Wilson was a 12-year member of the Bay City Diamond Squares Danced Club, the last four of which he was the President.

He also was past-President of the Golden Coast Council of Square Dance Clubs. 

Mr. Wilson was a Life Member of the Bay City Lions Club with 37 years perfect attendance, and was the club’s Secretary for 28 years before stepping down in 1997.

He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, which is the highest and most distinguished award in Lionism.

Survivors include: wife Adele Gerhard Wilson of Bay City; daughters and sons-in-law Pam and Gene Klepec of Bay City, Tricha and Chris Steinmann of Van Vleck, and Phyllis and Mark Adkins of Sargent; son and daughter-in-law Dave and Anita Wilson of Bridge City, Texas; sister Ethel Abraham of Palacios; brother Ralph T. Swenson of Haughton, La; brother-in-law G. G. “Bub” Lawson of Palacios; step sons Ralph Mutchler of Alvin, Allen Mutchler of Alvin, Allen Mutchler of Sugarland Glenn Mutchler of Cuero, and Gary Mutchler of Alvin; 13 grandchildren; eight step grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by his first wife Dorothea on March 13, 1997.

Pallbearers included Tom Quick, Ottmar Schimek, Frank Walker, Bill Huebner, Jim Ottinger, Dennis Abraham, Allen Mutchler and Ralph Mutchler. 

Honorary pallbearers included members of the Bay City Lions Club, Bay Volunteer Fire Department, and Diamond Square Dance Club. Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City.

The Daily Tribune, April 29, 1999           Obituary courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 

Ward C. Wymack

 

Dorothy May Wymack
March 04, 1926 - April 28, 2019

Dorothy May Clayton Wymack was born March 4, 1926 and she joined the angel choir April 28, 2019. She was born in Hagansport, Franklin County, Texas to John Jepsey and Effie Mae Henry Clayton. She was 1 of 8 children born to the family.

She married Ward Cleveland (Judge) Wymack August 5, 1946 in Franklin County, Texas, and to this union 4 sons were born. Dorothy worked at, and retired from McAllister Junior High with many fond memories. She loved to attend church, quilt and help in her son’s garden. She worked with her family on their farm for most of her life, canning the harvest, picking cotton, and helping tend the growing brood of grandkids. Every holiday was spent together with family, sharing in cooking, cleaning, good times and family love.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son Charley Dean; sisters Etter Mae and Lillian Ruth; brothers Alfred George (AG), William John (WJ), and Oscar Melvin, and 2 granddaughters. She is survived by sons Johnnie Wayne, William George and Tommy Ward Wymack; sister Joy Clayton Murphree; brother James E. Clayton (Joyce); granddaughters Tammye, Kasey, Karen, Jeanine and Dena; 13 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends and relatives Friday, May 3, 2019 beginning at 9:00am at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10:00am. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Wesley Clayton, Glenn Clayton, Steven Clayton, Thomas Wayne Murphree, Jr., Scott Whitten and Douglas Mellen.

Bay City Tribune, Wednesday, May 1, 2019