John Thomas Birden

John Thomas Birden, age 79, of Kermit passed away Friday, March 7, 2008 at Kermit Health Care Center.  He was born Friday, September 21, 1928 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Orville and Goldie (Edgman) Birden.  He was a member of Masonic Lodge #1258 and a member of Kermit Downtown Lions Club.   Mr. Birden was also an Honorary Kermit Volunteer Fireman. In his spare time he enjoyed talking to everyone, and had a great love for fishing.

Those left behind to mourn his loss include one son: O. E. “Jack” Birden of Kermit, TX; two daughters:  Judy Nevill and husband Randy of Lufkin, TX, Jeanie McCalib and husband Bill of Wink, TX; seven grandchildren:  Jason Nevill, Justin Nevill, Laci Birden, Jarrid Birden, Cody Birden, Jennifer McCalib, and Chris McCalib; two great-grandchildren:  Joseph and Connor.

He was preceded in death by his his loving wife Alma (Hall) Birden and his parents: Orville and Goldie Birden.

Services will be held 2:00 pm Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at Family Services Funeral Chapel with Brother Bill Campbell officiating.  Interment will follow at Kermit Cemetery.  Pallbearers include: Jason Nevill, Justin Nevill, Jarrid Birden, Cody Birden, Chris McCalib, and Alan Dunlap.  Honorary Pallbearers include: Kermit Volunteer Fire Department.  Services are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.

Salvador C. Longoria, age 82, of Monahans passed away Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Odessa Regional Medical Center.  He was born Saturday, June 6, 1925 in Zaragosa, Coahuila, MX, to Jose and Maria (Castro) Longoria.  He was a member of St. John Catholic Church.

Those left behind to mourn his death include his wife: Herlina (Valdez) Longoria of Zaragosa, MX; two sons: Luis Longoria and wife Rosa Araceli of Kermit, TX, and Jose Salvador Longoria and wife Elvia Selena of Acuna, MX; one daughter: Maria Herlida Lopez and husband Ervey of Zaragosa, MX; two brothers: Javier Longoria of Texas City, TX, and Jose Longoria of Hobbs, NM; four sisters: Julieta of Texas City, TX, Amalia of Baytown TX, Catalina of Texas City, TX and Odila of Uvada, TX; seven grandchildren: Eduardo Longoria of Kermit, TX, Elsa Janette of Kermit, TX,  Elvia Alejandra Longoria of MX, Miruslaba Longoria of MX, Juan Salvador of MX, Ervey Isaac Lopez of MX, and Denali Lopez of MX.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jose Isaac and Maria (Castro) Longoria.

Funeral services will be at Zaragosa, Mexico directed by Funerales Socorro. Arrangements in Kermit were entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.

Lorene Hill

Bessie Lorene Hill, age 95, of Kermit passed away Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Monahans Managed Care Center.  She was born Monday, March 3, 1913 in Adel, Pushmataha County, OK to James Ed Beck and May (Brewer) Beck.  She married Forrest Albert Hill June 6, 1934 in McAlestar, OK.  They enjoyed almost forty-seven happy years together until separated by his death March 1, 1981.  She was a member of the Church of Christ and a regular Dairy Queen customer.

Those left to hold her memory close to their hearts include three daughters:  Barbara Hobson and husband Danny of Midland, TX, Sandra Crockett of Valley View,  TX, and Gail Kapka and husband Don of Kermit; eight grandchildren:  Jerilyn Miller, Mikel Hill, Jeff Hill, Karen Goodson, Curtis Hobson, Lori Snider, Cory Crockett, and Carrie Andes; eight great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

She was welcomed in Heaven by her parents:  James and May Beck, her husband:  Forrest Hill; son:  Jerry Hill, and a grandson:  Ross Crockett.

Funeral services are set for 10:00 am Wednesday, March  19, 2008 at Family Services Funeral Chapel with Bro. Bryan McGonagill officiating.  Pallbearers will be her grandsons.  Interment will follow at Kermit Cemetery.  Services are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.

Lisa JoAnn Partain, age 40, of Kermit passed away Sunday, March 16, 2008 at her residence.  She was born Wednesday, February 7, 1968 in Gary, IN. In her free time she enjoyed camping, fishing, boating, mudding and riding Harleys. She also spent time antiquing.

Those left to mourn her loss include her mother: Betty Jo (Banks) Partain of Kermit, TX; three sons: Rocky Robertson of Odessa, TX, Christopher Robertson of Kermit, TX, and Shane Robertson of Kermit, TX; two brothers: Lee Partain of Kermit, TX; Bobby Partain of Gary, IN; two sisters: Lela Johnson and husband Billy of Kermit, TX, and Nova Towner and husband Gordon of Benton, KY; four grandchildren: Zoderick Robertson, Alana Preston, Lucas Preston, Trinity Preston and a set of twins on the way.

She was preceded in death by her father: Elmer Andrew Partain, one brother: Wesley Partain and one nephew: J.P. Hartman.

Graveside services are set for 2:00 pm Thursday, March 20, 2008 at the Kermit Cemetery with Brother Steve Long officiating.  Services are entrusted to Family Service Funeral Parlor.

Juanita Ruiz Valenzuela

Juanita Ruiz Valenzuela, age 85, of Kermit passed away Monday, March 31, 2008 at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa.  She was born Wednesday, December 27, 1922 in Palomas, Mexico to the late Ignacio and Eulalia (Marquez) Ruiz. She married Juan Valenzuela on October 12, 1941 in Palomas, No.1, Mexico.  He then preceded her in death on February 6, 2007.

Juanita was a mom of many talents.  She could sew and cook.  Juanita was also known to get her hands dirty in the garden.  Her children thought she could do everything but her love was her family. 

Those left to cherish her memory are her two sons:  Ramon Valenzuela and wife Manuela of Kermit and Reynaldo Valenzuela and wife Lilia of Odessa; three daughters:  Elpidia Valenzuela of Odessa, Maria Morales, and Susana Morales and husband Jesus, all of Kermit; four brothers:  Rosalio Ruiz of New Mexico, Ignacio Ruiz and wife Olga of Eunice, NM, Ramon Ruiz and wife Nieves of Artesia, NM, and Domingo Ruiz of Lamesa, TX; thirty-four grandchildren and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.

Juanita was preceded in death by her husband Juan Valenzuela; her parents: Ignacio and Eulalia Ruiz , two brothers: Filomeno and Jose Ruiz and one sister Epimenia Ruiz.

Funeral Services will be 2 pm, Thursday, April 3, 2008 at Family Services Funeral Chapel.  Officiated by:  Rafael Hernandez.  Interment will follow at Kermit Cemetery.  Pallbearers will include:  Jose Enrique Escarcega, Ramon Valenzuela, Reynaldo Valenzuela Jr., Mariano Valenzuela, Gerardo Valenzuela, Ignacio Valenzuela, Jimmy Morales and Arturo Morales.  Honorary Pallbearers will include:  Anastacio Morales Jr., Sammy Morales, Isabel Valenzuela, Ruben Valenzuela and Manuel Maldondo.  Arrangements are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor of Kermit.

Clayton Ray Akins, infant son of Michael and Melissa (Sapien) Akins was born and passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2008 at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. 

Clayton is survived by his parents:  Michael and Melissa (Sapien) Akins of Kermit; his grandparents:  Timothy and Aide Sapien of Kermit, Jimmy Akins of Bandera, and Sue Lankford of Lubbock;  great-grandparents:  Moises and Hermelinda Leyva of Kermit; uncle:  Timothy Sapien and wife Crystal of Andrews; aunts:  Brittany Akins of Bandera and Denise Sapien of Kermit;  great-aunt and uncles:  Candy and Clay Mitchell of Kermit, Juan and Becky Leyva of Kermit, and Moises and Rosa Leyva of Kermit; cousins:  Julian Sapien, Matthew Leyva, Mark Leyva, Monika Leyva, and Malachi Leyva.

Services will be held 2:00 pm  Friday, April 11, 2008 at Family Services Funeral Chapel with Jonathan Castilla officiating.  Interment will follow at Kermit Cemetery.  Pallbearer will be Timothy Sapien III.  Honorary Pallbearers will include:  Jimmy Akins, Moises Leyva Jr., Juan Leyva, Timothy Sapien II, and Moises Leyva Sr.  Arrangements were entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor of Kermit.

Cindy Lou Granado, age 49, of Jal, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Winkler County Memorial Hospital.  She was born Thursday, June 26, 1958 in Okemah, OK to John B. and Nellie M. (Crawford) Ricketts.  Cindy married Albert Granado on April 21, 1984 and they resided in Jal, NM.  Cindy was a lover of music.  She had a special fondness for the blues and adored listening to her daughter sing at various competitions.   Her children found her to be a supportive mother of all their adventures and found her to be quite competitive when it came to debate.  Cindy was also a sports fan.  She enjoyed playing golf and was an Oklahoma Sooners fan.

Those left behind to mourn her loss include her husband:  Albert Granado of Jal, NM; three daughters: Christy Morales and husband Jerry of Hobbs, NM., Stevie Granado of Jal, NM., and Sarah Granado of Jal, NM.; two brothers:  Toby Ricketts and wife Pony of Moore, OK., Eddie Ricketts of Shawnee, OK.;  three sisters:  Kathy Gwaltney of Anchorage, AK., Wanda Butler and husband L.C. of Shawnee, OK., Carloyn Gregory and husband Joe of Tulsa, OK.; and four grandchildren:  Erica Broughton, Emily Broughton, Adrian Morales, and Ariana Morales all of Hobbs, NM.

Funeral Services will be held 10:00 am, Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at Family Services Funeral Chapel in Kermit, TX., officiated by Brother Mike May.  Additional visitation will be held at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Okemah, OK on Thursday and Friday, April 17 and 18, 2008.  Graveside services will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, April 19, 2008 at Sand Creek Cemetery officiated by Carol Walker.  Pallbearers will be: Keith Ricketts, Danny King, Jerry Brady, John Curry, Ronald Barnes, and Shannon Rhoades.  Honorary Pallbearers will be:  Toby Ricketts, Eddie Ricketts, and L.C. Butler.   Services were entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor and Park Brothers Funeral Home.

Melvina L. Cronk, age 94, of Kermit passed away Monday, April 14, 2008 at her residence.  She was born Wednesday, August 27, 1913 in Cedar Creek Township, Wexford Co., Michigan to Arthur Ellwood and Irene (Pichette) Bean.  She married Thomas James Cronk Sr. in 1934 in Illinois.  They enjoyed almost sixty happy years together until separated by his death on February 16, 1994.

Those left to hold her memory close to their hearts include two sons:  Arthur Cronk and wife Marguerite of Lubbock, TX, and Tommy J. Cronk Jr. and wife Carolyn of Odessa, TX; one daughter:  Faye Steward of Kermit, TX; nine grandchildren:  Arthur Kim Cronk, Vanessa Barnett and husband David, Pamela Copeland and husband Mark, Kristy Shirley and husband Troy, Billy Cronk and wife Christina, Rick Cronk and wife Sara, Lisa Crossland and husband Archie, Pattie Drury and husband Abe, and Eric Butler and wife Angi; nineteen great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas James Cronk Sr; her parents:  Arthur and Irene Bean; and her grandson: Adam K. Butler.

Graveside services are set for 1:00 pm Thursday, April 17, 2008 at Kermit Cemetery.  Honorary Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.  Services are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.

Florence “Rose” Rosamarie Rivera

She is survived by her son:  John Jessy Rivera Jr. of Kermit; her mother:  Florence Gower; five brothers:  Ernest Copeland Jr. of Austin, John Copeland of Austin, Juan Montero of Austin , Apario Montero of Austin, and Hermenegildo Ramos Jr. of Kermit;  one grandmother:  Mary Herebia of Austin.  

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 2:00 pm at Belvue Baptist Church in Kermit.

Doris Gail “Miss Gail” Wilson, age 68, of Kermit died Saturday April 26, 2008 at Hospice House of Odessa.   She was born Saturday, June 10, 1939 in Kermit to M.A. Hendricks and Lessie Elva (Ward) Hendricks.  She was a homemaker.

Gail was a talented lady who loved to work with her hands.  She liked to paint and build things.  She loved animals.  She also enjoyed sports, everything from watching NASCAR (especially Jeff Gordon) to the Dallas Cowboys.  She liked to play shuffleboard and shoot pool.  She was a member of the American Legion Post  #4339.  She was Baptist.

Those left to cherish her memory are one son:   Marty Logsdon of Kermit and one brother:   Reverend F.W. “Dub” Hendricks of San Marcos, TX. 

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 pm Tuesday April 29, 2008 at Family Services Funeral Parlor in Kermit with Brother Dudley Mullins officiating.   Pallbearers will be Gary Ward, Jim Ward, Jack Ward, Jr. Dan Ward, Pete Pilkington, Joe Mitchell, and James McKenzie.  Honorary pallbearer will be her brother:  Rev. F.W. “Dub” Hendricks.  Interment will follow at Kermit Cemetery.  Services are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.

Oma Florene White age 90, a long time resident of Kermit passed away Sunday, April 27, 2008, at her residence.  She was born Wednesday, November 28, 1917 in Brown County, Texas to Robert and Maggie (Kennedy) Willett.

Mrs. White moved to Kermit in 1943.  She enjoyed spending time camping, fishing and writing in her journal.   She found great delight in the company of her grandchildren.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are four sons: Lonnie White and wife Barbara of Wink; Ivan White and wife Elizabeth of Burnet; Elmer Dean White and wife Diane of Kermit; and Michael Keith White and wife LaFonda of Kermit; one step-daughter: Frances Ashley of Irving; one brother: Robert Willett of Kerrville; three sisters: Gearldine Underwood of Rising Star; Wanda Tolar of Cisco; and Nelda Nelson of Odessa; five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband: Elmer L. White, five brothers and two sisters.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 2p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at Family Services Funeral Chapel in Kermit with the Rev. Scott Seymore officiating. Pallbearers will be her family.  Interment will follow at Kermit Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Family Service Funeral Parlor.

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