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Robert Ives

J. W. Shults

July 16, 1930 – May 17, 2013

J. W. Shults, age 82, of Gatesville passed away Friday, May 17, 2013. Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013 at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel with Steve Ellison officiating. Burial followed at Restland Cemetery.

J. W. was born on July 16, 1930 in the Friendship Community of Coryell County, TX to the late Tommy and Virgie Powell Shults. He spent his whole life in Gatesville. J. W. married Audrey Howell on April 27, 1963. He was a farmer and rancher that loved to make things grow. Most of all, he loved his family and God and taught many young people in Sunday school. He was a member of Osage Baptist Church. J. W. was an avid horseman, a member of Gatesville Riding Club, the Coryell County Sheriff’s Posse, and was active in the Central Texas Cattleman’s Association since 1952.

He was also preceded in death by his sons, Bobby Shults and Johnny Shults; and sister, Oneta Bates.

J. W. is survived by his wife, Audrey Shults; children, Tommy Shults and wife, Kristen and Jerry Shults and wife, Vicki; grandchildren, Landon Shults and wife Alyssa, Logan Shults, Ryan Shults and wife, Kelley, Brooke Shults, Samantha Fretwell, Scott Shults, and Kellen Shults; great-grandchildren, Braxton Shults, Isabella Mae Shults, and Braxton Jack Shults; and sisters, Tommie Haferkamp and Lois Cathey.

Memorials may be made to Osage Baptist Church, 8300 FM 185, Crawford, TX 76638.

James Donald Creacy

James Donald Creacy, of Fort Worth, died April 27, 2013, at the age of 80.

A memorial service was held May 1, 2013, at the Edge Park United Methodist Church in Fort Worth.

Mr. Creacy was born July 15, 1932, in Pearl to the late Laughton Orville and Mima Keeton Creacy. He graduated from Evant High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He retired from Halliburton after 35 years. He was a member of Tabernacle Lodge 1195 and Edge Park United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Linda; and brother, Durwood Creacy.

Survivors include a son, Mark Creacy; daughter, Terri Faragher; sisters, Glenis Miles and Betty Barnard; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

William Ivan Neel

September 11, 1930 – April 3, 2013

William Ivan Neel, of Apple Valley, CA, formally of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at the age of 82.

Memorial graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Jonesboro Cemetery under the direction of Cole’s Funeral Home, 1113 W. 5th St., McGregor, TX, with the Rev. John Henry Weaver officiating.

Rosalie Collins

February 11, 1945 – April 30, 2013

Rosalie Collins, age 68, of Gatesville, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

Graveside services were held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2013, at Jonesboro Cemetery.

Rosalie was born on February 11, 1945, to the late Curtis and Esther Mount Watson. She attended school in Turnersville, graduating from Turnersville High School. She was a rodeo queen in Gatesville. Rosalie worked most of her life as a CNA. She loved baking, swimming, fishing and boat riding. She was a member of Eastwood Baptist Church. Rosalie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and was loved by all.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Johnnie Collins.

Rosalie is survived by her husband, Raymond Hamilton; daughters, Brenda Keeton and husband, Terry, Barbi Straub and husband, Randy, and Bonnie Lynn Watson; four grandchildren, Brittney Keeton, Curtis Rice, Christopher Rice and Shane Saive; and two great-grandchildren, Bryant and Charlie Rice.

Honorary Pallbearers were Christopher Rice, Curtis Rice, Rodney Rice, Randy Straub, Terry Keeton and Shane Saive.

James Bailey Featherston

February 25, 1929 – April 22, 2013

James Bailey Featherston, age 84, of Greenville, Texas, passed away Monday, April 22, 2013, in Vian, Oklahoma.

Funeral services were at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2013, at Grace Assembly Church, 1408 Waco St., in Gatesville. Burial followed at Restland Cemetery.

Jim was born February 25, 1929, in Gatesville, Texas, to the late James William and Ruby Bell Featherston. He was a preacher for the Lord for more than 60 years at various churches in Greenville, Caddo Mills and Gatesville, Texas, areas.

He was preceded in death by nine of his siblings; and wife of 43 years (mother of James and Deborah), Mary Helen Featherston.

Jim is survived by his wife of 20 years, Faye Mexia Featherston of Greenville, TX; son, James W. Featherston and wife, Jackie of Gatesville, TX; daughter, Deborah J. Conger and husband, Wayne of Vian, OK; stepson, Ricky Mexia of Greenville, TX; stepdaughter, Linda Lilly and husband, Steve of Quinlan, TX; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Juanita Shelton of Hampton, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Martha Ellen Gilbreath

June 13, 1919 – April 22, 2013

Martha Ellen Gilbreath, age 93, of Hewitt, formerly of Gatesville, went to be with her Heavenly Father Monday, April 22, 2013.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2013, at Eastwood Baptist Church in Gatesville with the Rev. Mark Wible officiating. Burial followed at Restland Cemetery.

Martha was born on June 13, 1919, in the Seattle community of Coryell County, now a part of Ft. Hood, to the late Robert and Margaret Ray Wolff. She grew up in Flat and graduated from Flat High School. Martha married Jim Gilbreath on February 17, 1940. She resided in Hamilton for 20 years and Gatesville for 41 years. She and her husband purchased Black’s Grocery in 1968 and she continued to operate it as Sure Save Grocery for several years. Jim preceded her in death on January 28, 1971.

Martha was selfless in every respect; she loved her family, friends, and her Lord and Savior above all else. She taught Sunday school for over 50 years. She delivered Meals on Wheels until she was 85 years old. She also had a nursing home ministry for over 40 years. Martha loved to sing, play the piano, read the Bible, write poetry, sew and quilt.

She was also preceded in death by her infant son, Ronald Ned Gilbreath; parents, Bob and Maggie Wolff; son-in-law, Hugh W. Davis; brothers, Ernest, Roy, Johnnie, Doyle and Cotton Wolff; and sisters, Jessie McKamie, Gussie Fuller, Mae Clinard, Rhoda Brown and Gladys Matthews.

Martha is survived by her daughters, Jimmie Davis of Hewitt and Jeanie Johnson and husband, Tom of Hewitt; sister, Violetta Whitson and husband, Robert of Georgetown; sisters-in-law, Martha Sue Gilbreath and Jane Rainer and husband, Tom “Connie”; grandchildren, Lisa Davis of Lewisville, Blake Davis and wife, Jenny of Justin, Cole Davis and wife, Patty of Rhome, Jordan Johnson and wife, Tiffany of Waco, and Jalayne Rinewalt and husband, Jeff of Hewitt; great-grandchildren, Makynzie, Sydney and Ethan Davis of Rhome and Kyndal and Jonah Rinewalt of Hewitt; many nieces and nephews; and a multitude of friends.

Memorials may be made to Eastwood Baptist Church, 2518 E. Main St., Gatesville, TX 76528.

Lois Thompson Fulton

August 24, 1920 – April 21, 2013

The stars in Heaven are shining more brightly than ever before. Lois Fulton, the most wonderful person our family has ever known, joined the angels Sunday, April 21, 2013.

Funeral services were at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at OakCrest Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Reed officiating and music performed by Ron Fritz. Burial followed at Restland Cemetery in Gatesville.

Lois was born near Gatesville on August 24, 1920. She was one of thirteen children and grew up to be a beautiful woman, one that was mischievous and one that had a twinkle in her eye. She loved to dance and was a good dancer. She was born to Emma Lee and Ben Williams and in her early years married Shuler Kinnard. She had a son, Gary Don, who was the apple of her eye even though he had many health problems and died at a very young age. Lois was a strong woman even when her heart was breaking.

She married Odie Thompson in 1952 and became a mother to his three children, Kenneth, Martha and James. She was a giving person and not afraid to work. She didn’t have a college education, but many important things are not learned from books. Relatives called her “Aunt Lois, their favorite aunt.” She baked the most wonderful strawberry and carrot cakes. Friends and relatives liked to be in her kitchen. No matter what time of the day or night, no one left her home hungry. She would see to that. Lois lost her husband, Odie, in 1968. We remember how she tried to hide the pain and fear. Lois had faith even through the darkest times.

Lois married Eric Fulton and lived a good life with him in Rosebud. His children, Donnie, Ricky, Linda and their spouses and family, became her family too. She learned to drive in that small town in her dream car, an El Camino. Lois believed in herself.

Survivors include, Gaye Butler and husband, Roger; granddaughter, Laura Bearden and husband, Kevin; son, James Thompson and wife, LuCretia; granddaughter, Stephanie Bailey; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the 3rd floor St. Catherine Activity Fund, 300 W. Hwy. 6, Waco, TX 76712 or to the American Heart Association.

Eric Randall Hensler

Eric Randall Hensler, 45, passed away in his sleep April 10, 2013.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Paul T. and Frankie Hensler; and father, Paul F. Hensler.

Eric is survived by his daughter, Raya Hensler; mother and stepfather, Anita and Boyd Martin; cousin, Carol Spiars and family; stepsisters, Michelle Gibson, Anette Sullivan and Gayla Baechtold and their respective families; and step-aunt, Gayle Rambin and family.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. today (Saturday), April 27, 2013, in the chapel of Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Dr., Spring, Tx 77379.

A celebration of life will be held following the memorial service.

Darla Jean Ayers

12-1-1959

4-20-2013

Darla Jean Ayers, 53, of Gatesville, passed away at her home, Saturday, April 20, 2013.

Services were at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 25, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Dr., with Pastor Matthew Canion officiating. Burial followed at McGregor Cemetery.

Darla was born on December 1, 1959, in Waco, to Clayton and Jean Hueske. She graduated from University High School in 1978. After graduation, she worked as a receptionist for many years. In the past 15 years, she held multiple positions at the Gatesville Independent School District which allowed her to spend more time with her children, whom she loved dearly. Darla was a giver, never a taker, she would give anything she had to anyone, and she never met a stranger. You could always count on her to be there rain or shine. She gave many hours of her time volunteering for different events throughout the community, especially Special Olympics. Darla loved being outdoors, camping at the lake, cookouts with friends and family, doing yard work and playing with her grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her father, Clayton; her aunt, Leona; and brother, William Sr.

She is survived by her mother, Jean; sister, Lesa Gage and husband, Bob; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Hueske; father-in-law, Gene Ayers; her children, Michael Olson, Douglas Ayers, Darla “Sissy” Ayers, Cody Ayers and wife, Amanda, and Cory Ayers; her precious grandchildren, Paigeryn and Sutton Ayers; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations and memorials may be made to the Special Olympics of Texas, at First National Bank Of Evant, 3411 E. Main St., Gatesville, TX 76528.