Obituaries for week of January 5, 2012

Mary Lou Griffin

1929-2011

HERMLEIGH -- Mary Lou Griffin, age 82, passed away peacefully, Thursday night, December 29, 2011, at Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland, surrounded by her family. Mary Lou was born in Buena Vista on February 24, 1929 to Earl Hunter Holloway and Everna Hazel Simmons. She attended Buena Vista schools and was valedictorian of her senior class. She graduated from Sul Ross University in Alpine with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. She married Wayne Griffin on January 21, 1949, in Alpine. He preceded her in death on June 7, 1999. She taught in Eldorado, Rankin, Brady, Colorado City, and Snyder public schools. She was a member of the Hermleigh Church of Christ.

She is survived by her son, Bill Griffin and wife Teresa of Midland; daughter, Lou Ann McJimsey, of Midland; grandchildren, Adrienne McJimsey of Midland, Chase and Brynn McJimsey of Westbrook, Nick and Rene Griffin of McKinney; great-granddaughter, Paige McJimsey of Westbrook; sisters, Verna Bickley of Ruidoso, New Mexico, Lois and husband, John Mullen of Glendale, Arizona; sister-in-law, Francis and husband, Carroll Commons of Joshua; sister-in-law, Tommie Holloway of Odessa; and various nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her special friend, Ed Armstrong of Pecos, who was a lifelong friend.

Also preceding her in death are her parents; sisters, Mildred Reinertsen and Iris McNabb; and brothers, Jack and Allen Holloway.

Services were held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, January 1, 2012, at the Kiker-Seale Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Litbus, Learning in Transit, Inc., 1700 Holloway in Midland.

Mary Redwine

1922-2011

COLORADO CITY – Mrs. Mary Redwine of Colorado City passed away December 30, 2011. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 8, 2012 in the Kiker-Seale Chapel.

Mary was born February 12, 1922, in Magill, Nevada, to Nickalous and Anna Crnkovich Sankovich. She married A. G. Redwine on June 12, 1943 in Conway, South Carolina. He preceded her in death on May 19, 1983.

Many will remember the years Mary spent operating Colorado Floral. Late in life, her talents ventured into painting and crafts. She also became an avid seamstress for her grandchildren and for the public. She was a member of the 22nd & Austin Streets Church of Christ.

She is survived by her four children, Mick Redwine of Grand Prairie, Terry Redwine and wife, Carolyn, Gayla Proctor and husband, Roger and Gary Redwine and wife, Shelia, all of Colorado City; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She is also preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Sharon Montgomery Redwine.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Julie Clevenger

1947-2011

COLORADO CITY -- Mrs. Julie Clevenger, age 64, died Friday night, December 30, 2011, in a local hospital. Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. Sunday in the Colorado City Cemetery with Rev. Jackie Brem officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Kiker-Seale Funeral Home.

Mrs. Clevenger was born May 7, 1947, in Colorado City to Cecil and Gladys Coburn Fox. She married Don Clevenger on March 16, 1992 in Big Spring. He preceded her in death on December 23, 2008. She was a homemaker.

She is survived by a son, John and his wife, Angelina Gonsalves of Lake Jackson; her mother, Gladys Stevenson of Colorado City; a sister, Machelle Mayer of Colorado City; and two grandchildren.

She is also preceded in death by a sister, Linda Mason and two brothers, Larry and Jesse Fox.

Donna Jean Dowty

1931-2012

COLORADO CITY – Donna Jean Dowty, age 80, died Monday, January 2, 2012, in Mitchell County Hospital. A funeral service will be held Friday, January 6, at First Assembly of God in Colorado City at 10 a.m. with Rev. Mike Foster officiating. Interment will follow in Colorado City Cemetery. The family will hold visitation on Thursday, January 5, at First Assembly of God from 6 to 8 p.m. Arrangements under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home in Sweetwater.

Donna was born February 2, 1931, in Chester Nebraska. She had lived in Colorado City since 1980. She worked as a waitress for several years and was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Colorado City. Donna was a loving mother, grandmother and friend and was light-hearted and enjoyed laughter as she cherished family and friends. Hearts were always warmed by her presence and cheery smile. She loved to work, stay busy serving others and always watching to see their pleasure. She was never a lady without problems, yet in her good health and times of illness, she faithfully remained a very sweet, special caring person.

She is survived by three daughters, Teresa Williamson and husband, Dennis, of Colorado City, Faith Stansell of Dunn, Marlene Cansler and husband, Sam, of Colorado City; four sons, Steve Vanderslice and wife, Joanna, of Bellview, Nebraska, Don Vanerslice and wife, Carrie of Frisco, Ray Vanderslice and Chris Vanderslice, both of Colorado City; a brother, Willard Rieke of Chester, Nebraska; a sister, Velma Kephart of Washington; 22 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Irvin and Edith Rieke and a brother, Loren Rieke.

Wylie Erwin "Brick" Welter

1911 –2012

HOUSTON -- Wylie Erwin "Brick" Welter died January 1, 2012, in Houston, at age 100.

Brick was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Grace Pauline Young Welter on March 7, 1996, and by his grandson, David Scott Welter, on March 23, 2003.

He is survived by his son, Don E. Welter and wife Sue, and granddaughter, Erica; and by his daughter, Sue Ann and husband, Gary Nichols, and granddaughter, Erin.

Brick was the third child of Gustov and Katherine Welter, born on April 13, 1911 in Augusta, Kansas. His red hair led to his life-long nickname, Brick, and his family fondly called him "Little Brick", following his brother. Brick and Grace met in Augusta in 1938 and were married there on June 9, 1940.

Brick’s career in the oil industry led him to Magnolia, Arkansas, and Delhi, Louisiana, before moving to Sweetwater, in 1954. From there, he and his family came to Colorado City, in 1957, where he retired from Sun Oil Company in 1976.

The Welters stayed in Colorado City in retirement, until Brick moved to Houston in 2005 to be near family. He became a resident of the Clarewood House Retirement Community, and found there a very caring environment of new friends.

The Welters were dedicated members of the First United Methodist Church, 333 Chestnut Street, Colorado City, and a celebration of Brick’s life will be held there on Friday, January 6, 2012, at 10:00 am. Visitation will be Thursday, January 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Kiker-Seale Funeral Home, 338 Locust Street in Colorado City.

In lieu of flowers, the family believes that Brick would be most appreciative of remembrances made to the First United Methodist Church, 333 Chestnut Street, Colorado City, TX 79512; or to Clarewood House, 7400 Clarewood Drive, Houston, TX 77036.