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June 24, 1924 – March 6, 2007
Durward Emery passed away March 6, 2007. The eldest of three boys, he was born June 24, 1924 in Mercedes, Texas to the late Carl and Margaret Huff Emery. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Helen Redding Emery of McDade, Texas; daughter Glynda Emery Wilkins of Brevard, NC; daughter Carol Emery Hartley and husband Marvin of Portland, OR; son Richard L. Emery and wife Donna of San Antonio; granddaughter, Sadie Emery Alexander and husband Chris of San Antonio; grandson Jeremy Bowers of Portland, OR; and grandson Daniel Emery and wife Keely of Bakersfield, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Emery held degrees from Texas A&I University and from the University of Houston. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he was employed as a process engineer by Pan American Oil, Sinclair Rubber, and the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA). He retired from Alcoa in 1984 after 31 years of service in various locations including Rockdale, East Saint Louis, IL; Point Comfort, TX; Australia and Palestine, TX. Although his vocation was engineering, he grew up farming and ranching and never lost his love for the land.
His church home is the Knobbs Springs Baptist Church, where his “can do” attitude made him an active leader in the church. He was the Chairman of the Board of Deacons and served as the church moderator. Recognized as a biblical scholar, he enjoyed teaching weekly bible classes. Mr. Emery was known for his faith, intellect, quick wit, quiet capabilities, and ready laugh. He was a man who loved his family and was first to lend a hand to all in times of need.
Services were held on March 12 at the Knobbs Springs Baptist church with the Reverend Geary McManus officiating. Pallbearers included deacons and leaders of Knobbs Springs Baptist Church: David Atwood, Cleyon Davis, Ray Edwards, Wayne Marecle, Jimmy Miller and Curtiss Waggoner.
September 22, 1988 – March 8, 2007
Lee was born on September 22, 1988 in Rockdale. His parents are Peter Lee Gonzales, Sr. and Angela Kocian. Lee worked as a veterinarian’s assistant with Taylor Veterinary Clinic. He was preceded in death by his special friend, Tom Underwood.
Survivors are his mother, Angela Kocian of Taylor, father, Peter Lee Gonzales, Sr. of Taylor, step mother, Kimberly Gonzales of Taylor; brothers: Christian Stoll of Taylor, Ethan Thomas Gonzales of Taylor, Andy Garza of Taylor and Angel Garza of Taylor; sister, Kandace Kocian of Taylor; grandparents: Jerome and Carolyn Kocian and Irene Rodriguez of Rockdale; step grandparents: John and Gloria Torres of Taylor and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins.
May 20, 1923 – March 7, 2007
Sherwood Graves, 83, died on March 7, 2007 at his home in Rockdale. The funeral service was March 10, 2007 at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Rockdale with burial in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Rockdale. Rev. David Gunnella and rev. Roy N. Fikac officiated. Serving as pallbearers were Christopher Newton, Justin Clayton, Wayne Rawson, Tim Cornstubble, Dennis Rantz and David Ezell. Honorary pallbearers were Michael Stevens, Rudy Martinez and Ross Scott.
Mr. Graves was born on May 20, 1923 in Hammond, Missouri to Samuel A. “Pete” and Nell Graves. He was the owner and operator of heavy equipment contracting. He married Mary McCarter on January 14, 1966 in Hocomb, MO. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alene Sizemore Graves in 1962, his parents and 2 sisters, Neva Heriford and Betty Turner.
He is survived by his wife, Mary of Rockdale, daughters, Charlotte Welch and husband Fred of Saymore, MO and Pat A. Clayton of Rockdale; step children: Ronald Newton of St. Joe, AR, Cathy E. Moon and husband Larry of Milano and Kenneth D. Newton and wife Karen of South Haven MN; brother, Harold Graves and wife Darlene of Phoenix, AZ. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
June 10, 1931 - March 5, 2007
Ladis Matous, 75, of Rockdale, died on March 5, 2007 in the Richards Memorial Hospital. The funeral was held in the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cyclone, Texas on March 8, 2007. Burial was in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Fr. Walter Matus officiated. Serving as pallbearers were Mike Korenek, Charles Alford, Billy Moreland, Trent Wages, Tom Fisher, and Earl Whitmore.
Mr. Matous was born in Seaton, Bell County, on June 10, 1931 to William and Henreitte Matous. He and Lara Mae Girnelt were married on May 14, 1955 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cyclone. He retired from Texas Power and Light after 38 years. His parents, brother, Bill and sister, Helen Sanderford preceded him in death.
Surviving family includes his wife, Lara of Rockdale, sons, Wesley Matous and wife Karen of Temple, Wayne Matous of College Station, Wendell Matous of Rockdale and Warren Matous and wife Laura of Rockdale; daughters: Carol Worley and husband Jason of Rockdale and Chery Moore and husband Geoffrey of Spring; brothers: Frank, Ed and Gene Matous all of Temple; sisters: Henrietta Everett of Temple and Norma Alford of Temple. Eight grandchildren also survive: Jessica Matous and Jarod Matous of Austin, Jamie Matous of Round Rock, Kyle Matous and Allison Matous of Temple, Shayna Spencer Matous of College Station, Michael Gomez of Taylor and Makenies Worley of Rockdale.
Mr. Matous served in the US Navy as a 2nd Class Petty Officer on USS Kankakee in the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department, VFW Post 6525 and the Knights of Columbus #7014 in Rockdale. Memorials may be made to the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 585, Rockdale, TX 76567.
November 10, 1930 – March 7, 2007
Mr. Ewaldt, “Al” Knobloch, Sr., 76, of Paige died on March 7, 2007 at Seton Medical Center in Austin. The funeral was held Saturday, March 10, 2007 at St. John’s Lutheran church in Paige with Rev. Lee Eschberger and Rev. A.M. Hannemann officiating. Burial was in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.
Mr. Knobloch was born on November 10, 1930 in Manheim to Henry and Adelheid Knobloch. He and Juanita Daniels were married in 1953 in Bonnie Dune, NC. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving in Korea. He worked as a machinist for the U.S. Government. His parents preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Juanita of Paige, son, Ewaldt, Jr. and Gina Knobloch and daughter, Renee’ Richardson, all of Paige; 5 grandchildren: Delbert Richardson of Kerrville, Michelle Whitfield and fiancé Luke Martink, Christi and Brian Ivy, David and Pam Richardson all of Paige, and Christopher and Crystal Knobloch of Lawton, OK. Nine great grandchildren also survive.
Memorials may be made to the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery Fund.
March 31, 1921 - March 5, 2007
Frank Ponzio, Sr, 85, of Thorndale died on March 5, 2007 in Richards Memorial Hospital in Rockdale. A funeral mass was held on March 9, 2007 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylor with Father Lonnie Urban officiating. Burial was in Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.
Mr. Ponzio was born on March 31, 1921 in Brooklyn, NY to Bernard and Gilorna DeMajo Ponzio. He retired after 20 years as a bus driver with Bee Line Bus Co. of Rockville Center, Long Island. He and Sophie Iannotti were married on April 4, 1943 in Westbury, Long Island. Sophie and his parents preceded him in death.
He is survived by 3 sons: Benny Ponzio of Westbury, NY, Frank Ponzio and wife Bridget of Orlando, FL and Robert Ponzio and wife Joan of Santa Fe, TX; 2 daughters: JoAnne Fleming and husband Norris of Thorndale and Jean Dickmann of Palestine, TX; grandchildren: Benny and Shannon Ponzio, Cynthia Buscemi, Lisa Baker, Laura Fursa, Josephine Ponzio, Michelle Deary, Sean and Danielle Dickman, Crystal Jackson, and Ryan Ponzio; great grandchildren: Ben Ponzio, Jr., Arron, Randall and Jordon Schramu, Hannah and Samuel Baker, Aidan Buscemi, Mathew, Meghan and Natalie Deary, Zackary Dickmann, Christopher and Elizabeth Fursa, Joe, Jr, Krystal and Dominick Ponzio and Peyton and Kayla Jackson; sister, Emma Lamonica of Rockville Center, NY.
He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the US Air Force.
September 30, 1946 – March 9, 2007
Stephen Taylor, 60, of Dime Box passed away on Friday, March 9, 2007 in Giddings. At his request, no services were held.
Steve was born in Fort Worth on September 30, 1946 to O’Neal and Edna Ewing Taylor. He was in the wholesale interior design business in Houston. From 1971 to 1994, he worked at Ellouise Abbott Showroom for Decorators, the last 10 years as the owner of the business. His parents preceded him in death.
He is survived by his partner, Jim Heathman of Dime Box; brother, George and Cheryl Taylor; nephew, Andrew O’Neal Taylor and niece, Marian Cheryl Taylor, all of Houston.
Steve was a director of the Lehman Foundation, a director of the Lee County Heritage Society and a director of the Lehman Animal Shelter Advisory Board. Memorials to these organizations would be greatly appreciated.