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Feb. 12, 1920 – May 15, 2006
Iris Decker, Sr., 86, of Rockdale died on May 15, 2006 at his home near Rockdale. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 17 at 1:00 pm at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Chapel in Rockdale. Burial will be in the Holland Cemetery in Holland, Texas.
He was born in Sparks, Texas in Bell County on February 12, 1920 to Joe and Emma Kelley Decker. He worked in construction as an ironworker for 45 years. He and Patsy G. Johnson were married on March 14, 1946 in Belton. Patsy preceded him in death in October of last year. Also preceding him in death are a son, Dell Decker, daughter, Kay Decker, daughter-in-law, Phyllis Decker, 3 brothers, Homer, Joe and Allen Decker and 3 sisters, May Gilbert, Velma Atkins, and Thelma Davis.
He is survived by his sons, David Decker and wife, Sally of Holland, Gary Decker of Texas City and Paul Decker of Santa Fe, Texas; daughters, Karen Shafer of Austin and Kim Slough of Abilene; daughter-in-law, Judy Decker of League City; brother James Decker of Haskel and sister Lucy Howeth of Texas City. Eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren also survive him.
He was a WWII US Army veteran and a member of IronWorkers Local #135 of Galveston. Memorials may be made to Scott & White Hospice, 2401 S. 31st, Temple, TX 76508 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15186, Austin, Texas 78761.
July 7, 1927 – May 12, 1006
Elsie Gruetzner of Houston passed away at Memorial Herman Northwest in Houston on May 12, 2006. She was 78 years of age and was formerly of Giddings. Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. John Davis officiating. Burial was in the Giddings City Cemetery.
She was born in Warda to William P. and Hattie (Symmank) Walther on July 7, 1927. Her first husband was Erwin Carl Jatzlau and her second husband was Marvin “Smokey” Gruetzner. Both preceded her in death.
She is survived by her son, Dennis and wife Sherry Jatzlau of Katy, step-daughter, Emma and Husband Billy Matejcek of Giddings; grandchildren, Bill Jatzlau of Orlando, FL, Erik and wife, Angie Jatzlau of Humble, Rhonda and husband James Bilinovich of Spring, Kyle Waugh of Katy, John and wife Sebrina Matejcek of Giddings and Jeremy Matejcek of Giddings; great grandchildren: Kirsten and Brent Greene and Jimmy Bilinovich all of Spring, Baelyn and Garrett Jatzlau of Humble, Conner Waugh of Katy, Macie and Delanie Matejcek of Giddings; siblings: Edna Gruetzner, Elmo Walther and wife Bernice and Bernie and husband Herman Symank all of Houston, Meta Krause of New Orleans, Della Mae and husband Edwin Lerche of Lexington, Elton “Sonky” and wife Betty Walther and Carolyn and husband Nelson Friedrich of Lincoln and Billy and wife Jennifer Walther also of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Louis Gruetzner of Giddings.
July 19, 1939 –May 14, 2006
Paul McNiel, 66, died at his home in Milano on May 14, 2006. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, May 17 at 10:00 am in the Sand Grove Cemetery near Milano, with Rev. Weldon Belew of Rockdale Christian Church officiating.
Paul was born in Milano on July 19, 1939. His parents were Cleber Cullumn and Eunice (Andrews) McNiel. He was a retired supervisor for Oakwood Library LTD, furnishing department, a division of Royal Seating, where he worked for 18 years. His parents, a sister, Dianna Keen and a brother, Larry McNiel, and son-in-law, Jim Shafer, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his sons, Paul McNiel and wife Christina of Lumberton and Cleber Wren McNiel of The Woodlands; his daughter, Lilly Mae McNiel of Dallas; brother, Alvin McNiel of Brenham, sisters, Cindy McNiel Graham and husband Gillis of Milano and Marcy Hubnik of Cameron. Six grandchildren: Greg, Steven, Zach Decker, Stefani Burkholder, Katy and Amy Slough, Joseph and Sara Shafer, Cody and Andy Decker and Janet Pilkey; and great grandchildren: Ashleigh, Austin, Ryan, Jake and Emma Decker and Sinch Pilkey also survive him.
He served in the US Army during Vietnam and was a member of American Legion #0345. He enjoyed fishing, coin collecting, playing lotto and a domino game.
June 13, 1959 – May 12, 1006
Tim Pampell, a 1977 graduate of Giddings High School, passed away at Seton Highland Lakes in Burnet on May 12, 2006. Rev. John Davis and Rev. Robert Tiner conducted funeral services at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings on May 16, 2006. Burial was in the Giddings City Cemetery.
Tim was born on June 13, 1959 in Houston. His parents were Albert and Juanita (Mickey) Pampell. He married Janice DiPetta on April 8, 2000 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings. He worked as a truck driver for Harrison Truck Lines. He was preceded in death by his mother, Juanita and his brother-in-law, Michael DiPetta.
He is survived by his wife, Janice of Paige, father, Albert of Giddings , brother, Kenny of Giddings, 2 sisters, Becky Stone and Terry and Robert Matejcek of Giddings, parents-in-law, Margaret and Angelo DiPetta of Iselin, NJ.
Nov. 8, 1934 – May 14, 2006
George L. Smith of Lexington passed away on May 14, 2006. He was 71. Funeral Services will be at Phillips & Luckey Chapel in Giddings on Wednesday, May 17 at 10:00. Burial will be in the Germania Cemetery near Lexington. Pallbearers are Doug Skolaut, Duane Smith, Gary Clopton, Jimmie Clopton, Wesley Hobbs, Darvin Drosche, Glen Faust and Billy Buetow.
He was born in Lexington on November 8, 1934 to Edward and Idella Surrett Smith. He and Sandra Wagner were married on December 21, 1959. He was a law enforcement officer. He was preceded in death by Laurynn Lands, Bradley Smith; great grandchild, Cody Lane Slot and brother-in-law, John Kubena.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra of Lexington, sons, George L. Smith, Jr. and wife Glenda of Caldwell, Kenny Smith and wife Janice of Lexington, and Paul Smith and wife Darlene of Lincoln; daughters, Lynn Lands-Hall and husband Bobby Hall of College Station and Kay Holmes and husband Tody of College Station; grandchildren: Tamora, John David, and Jacklynn Lands of Deer Park; Morgan and Miranda Smith of Caldwell, Trevor Smith of Pflugerville, Kelcey and Cassie Brewer-Smith of Lexington and Madison Holmes of College Station; step grandchildren: Amanda and Joshua Aduddell of Lexington and Craig Iselt and Chase Kimey of Lincoln; brothers: James and Lorine Smith of Lexington, Edward and Sophie Smith of Splendora, and Harold and Ruby Smith of Lexington; sisters: Marie and Elmer Peterson of California, Lois Kubena of Dime Box, Faye and Chuck Bachmann of Austin; sister-in-law, Dorothy and Jack Burnham of Bastrop.
Sept. 21, 1956 – May 10, 2006
David Allen Winkler of Giddings, died at Providence Hospital in Waco on May 10, 2006. Funeral services were conducted by Father Karel Fink at St. Paul Catholic Church. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
He was born on September 21, 1956 in Smithville to Herman and Antonia Elias Winkler. He was an electrical system operator for Blue Bonnet Electric. He was married to Debbie Wheeler on February 8, 1986. His father, Herman and his grandparents, Henry and Agnes Winkler and Anton and Sophie Elias preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie of Giddings; mother and step father, Tonie and CJ Embesi of Fayetteville, Mother-in-law, Minnie Wheeler of Waco; siblings: Harvey and Nancy Winkler of Huntsville, Linda Winkler of Smithville, Bernice and Edgar Hoehne of Poplarville MS, Barry Winkler of Channelview and Larry and Toni Winkler of Smithville; nieces and nephews: Tammy Winkler of Huntsville, Shane and Lauren Winkler of Bellville, Kristen and Kevin Rhudy of Hattisburg, MS, Amanda Hoehne of Hattisburg, Becky Hoehne of Poplarville MS, Brittani Winkler of Smithville and Westly, Lauren and Whitney Wheeler all of Waco; Grandmother-in-law, Gladys Veracruz of Lott.
July 26, 1919 – April 26, 2006
Loree Pricer Taylor of Tanglewood passed away on April 26, 2006 at the age of 86 in the home of her daughter in Rockdale. She was born in Tanglewood on July 26, 1919 to Joseph Lee and Hallie Alena Pricer. She grew up on a farm in Tanglewood and attended Tanglewood and Lexington schools. On December 26, 1936, she married William Jefferson (Jeff) Taylor. Following her marriage she and her husband moved to Houston. They returned to Tanglewood with the launch of Alcoa in 1952. Loree and Jeff built their home and raised their three daughters in Tanglewood. Loree was an active member of the community and of the Tanglewood Baptist Church where she served as adult Sunday School teacher for over 55 years. For over 50 years she was a member of the Eastern Star, Lexington Chapter. She was an avid gardener and at age 67, she began working at the Country Greenhouse in Lexington doing what she loved most. She retired after 15 years at the age of 82.
She is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law: Jeanie and Wayne Betchan of Rockdale, Diane and Roy Simpson of Tanglewood and Susie and Ronnie Woelfel of Lexington. Eighteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren also survive her. She is preceded in death by husband, Jeff Taylor, parents, two brothers, and one sister.
Funeral services were held on April 30, 2006 at the Tanglewood Baptist Church with interment in Hugh Wilson Cemetery. Elmo Wilhite and Brother Tim Ramsey officiated.