System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!
Hershel Fowler 1923 - 2002
Hershel Fowler, 78, of Big Lake, died on Thursday, June 27, 2002 at the Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. Services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 1, 2002, at the Bethel Baptist Church in Big Lake. Burial followed in the Barnhart Cemetery with services under the direction of Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home of McCamey. Mr. Fowler was born on November 6, 1923 in Eufaula, Oklahoma. He was a retired pumper and worked for the National Parks Service. He was a W. W. II Army Air Corp. Veteran. He married Marie Turner on November 10, 1947. He was a longtime Big Lake resident, and a member of the Bethel Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Marie Fowler of Big Lake; five children, Melvin Fowler of Denver, Colorado, Donna Moore and husband John of Iraan, Milton Fowler and wife Mary of Christoval, Debby Kneupper and husband Terry of McCamey, Denise Cuellar and husband Ruben of Farmington, New Mexico; three brothers, Bill Fowler of Big Lake, Ernie Fowler of Bunch, Oklahoma, and Harry Fowler of Exeter, Missouri; a sister, Stella Davidson of Wichita Falls, Texas; 10 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Eleanor Maurine Werst 1915-2002
Eleanor Maurine (Bradford) Werst, was born July 20, 1915 at the family farm in Nolan Valley, Texas. She died August 31, 2002 at 3:35 p.m. in Big Lake. She was 87. Maurine married James Lee "Mike" Werst, Jr., in 1932. She and Mike lived in several towns as a young married couple while he worked for various newspapers. They moved to Big Lake in the Spring of 1948 and joined other young couples as town builders. An energetic and out-going woman, Maurine knew no strangers. She was a true Trail Blazer. In addition to her society column for The Big Lake Wildcat, she wrote a very humorous, often puzzling column of observations of local life. She and Mike, along with other couples, were moving forces in the local Presbyterian Church, Stiles Dance Club, and Big Lake Golf Association of which they were charter members. Maurine was the last surviving charter member of Reagan Garden Club and counted its members as among her very best friends. She was never shy about prodding local participation for community improvements. She also worked as a volunteer in local politics as an election judge for many years. A big part of Maurine's life revolved around the Garden Club. She campaigned to pull together resources for the downtown park to replace the rubble of the old Big Lake Hotel. She continued to enjoy her flowers and vegetable gardens in her later years. Maurine was an avid and passionate bridge player. Social activities would not be complete without mention of Maurine's dedication to become a Life Master at Duplicate Bridge, a goal she achieved in the early 1990's. One of Maurine's frequent sayings was that she thought of life as a grand and glorious adventure. She certainly had many. Maurine was preceded in death by her son. Michael Lee Werst in 1943 and by her daughter Eleanor Beth Werst McMillan in 1988. Survivors include her husband of nearly 70 years, J.L. "Mike" Werst, Jr., sons John Werst of Austin and David Werst of Big Lake; and a sister, Mrs. Fay Noble of Houston. She also had six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 3, 2002 at First Baptist Church in Big Lake. Rev. J.B. Bitner, Jr. and Rev. Roger Sidener will officiate. Funeral arrangements were by Johnson's Funeral Home.
Maurine Werst (eulogy)
This Eulogy was co-written by John Werst and David Werst and was delivered at Funeral Services Tuesday in honor or Maurine Werst. It is being re-printed here for those unable to attend the services. Eleanor Maurine (Bradford) Werst, was born July 20, 1915 at the family farm in Nolan Valley, Texas. She died August 31, 2002 at 3:35 p.m. in Big Lake. She was 87. Maurine married James Lee "Mike" Werst, Jr., on Christmas Day 1932 when they were both 17 years old. She and Mike lived in several towns as a young married couple while he worked for various newspapers. They moved to Big Lake in the Spring of 1948 and joined other young couples as town builders. An energetic and out-going woman, Maurine knew no strangers. She was a true Trail Blazer. In addition to her society column for The Big Lake Wildcat, she wrote a very humorous.......often puzzling .........column of observations of local life. I say often puzzling because she tended to be writing about one subject and in mid sentence sometimes out of the blue popped another thought and she added that in mid sentence. We all should have been able to follow the train of thought and it was our fault if we didn't. Bill Schneemann and Maurine had running battles trying to decide what she was talking about. She and Mike, along with other couples, were moving forces in the local Presbyterian Church, Stiles dance club, and Big Lake Golf Association of which they were charter members. Maurine was the last surviving charter member of Reagan Garden Club and counted its members as among her very best friends. I said earlier, she knew no strangers. She would mightily embarrass her relatives with some of her exploits. The first time Ramona met Maurine was when Ramona was the driver for the ladies in the Garden Club taking them to Ballinger. Her introduction to Maurine and Louise Matthews in the same car-at the same time-is a lasting impression. She also recognized no boundaries. The best example I knew was when she was taking daughter-in-law Susan Werst on a tour of the Governor's mansion in Austin. In mid tour, she moves the velvet rope barricades and takes off upstairs to the Governor's private quarters to visit with the governor's wife, Mrs. Preston Smith. She and Mrs. Smith had a nice visit and it didn't bother Maurine a bit that Susie was mightily embarrassed. She was never shy about prodding local participation for community improvements and members of the Commissioner's Court dreaded her visits to try and improve various parts of Big Lake. A big part of Maurine's life revolved around the Garden Club. She campaigned to pull together resources for the downtown park to replace the rubble of the old Big Lake Hotel. She continued to enjoy her flowers and vegetable gardens in her later years. Maurine was an avid and passionate bridge player. Social activities would not be complete without mention of Maurine's dedication to become a Life Master at Duplicate Bridge, a goal she achieved in the early 1990's. My earliest memories of life at home were of women sitting around the bridge table in those old cat-eye glasses smoking cigarettes and playing bridge.....Iva Loftin, Melva Daugherty, Bain Andrews, Joyce Poage, Uncle Olie, Lola Lusby, Mrs. Joe Johnson, and many others. One of Maurine's frequent sayings was that she thought of life as a grand and glorious adventure. She certainly had many. She was one of the town's true "Characters". Maurine was preceded in death by her son, Michael Lee Werst in 1943 and by her daughter Eleanor Beth Werst McMillan in 1988. Survivors include her husband of nearly 70 years, J.L. "Mike" Werst, Jr., sons John Werst & wife Susan of Austin and David Werst & wife Ramona of Big Lake; and a sister, Mrs. Fay Noble of Houston. She also had six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She also had a host of friends and acquaintances here in Big Lake and other areas high and low that will remember her in a variety of ways. Her life was a grand and glorious adventure!
Steven Michael Matthews 1949-2002
Steven Michael Matthews, born June 2, 1949, died suddenly August 30, 2002, in Puson, Korea. He was a long time resident of Texas, residing in Montgomery Village, Maryland for the past thirteen years. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a caring son and genuine friend. He is survived by the love of his life, wife, Elaine Barron Matthews; son Jason Matthews; daughter Sarah Matthews, both of Austin; parents James and Louise Matthews of Big Lake, Texas; brothers, Randy Matthews of Stanton, Texas; Barry Matthews and family of Big Lake, Jimmy Matthews and wife Linda and family also of Big Lake, Texas; mother-in-law, Lucy Barron; sister-in-laws Marisa Guillen, Jeanette Barron and families all of Austin; brother-in-law Ricky Barron and family of Fort Worth, Texas. He adored and cherished his family, friends and colleagues. Steve loved spending his spare time camping, cooking, golfing and attending large gatherings with relatives, friends and colleagues. He touched many lives and will be remembered for his loving, compassionate and unselfish ways. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1977. Steve was a past Vice President of American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Board of Accreditation Registration and Certification. Steve was a self-employed engineering consultant. Prior to his present position he was Project Manager for the United State Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Chief Inspector and Director of Regulatory Division for the State of Texas. He was dedicated to his job and was well respected by his colleagues. Rosary will be recited at Angel Funeral Home at 7:30 p.m. Friday, September 6, 2002. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2002 at St. Julia Catholic Church with Monsignor Lonnie Reyes as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery.
Beatrice Franklin 1929-2002
Beatrice Franklin, 73, passed away on August 30, 2002 in Big Lake, Texas. Mrs. Franklin was born on June 24, 1929 at Brackettville, Texas. She is a member of the Bethel Baptist Church of Big Lake and she is a retired housekeeper. Services will be held on September 7, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bethel Baptist Church in Big Lake with Pastor Buddy Helms officiating. Burial will be at Glenrest Cemetery under the direction of Starks Funeral Home of San Angelo. Survivors include her husband, Robert Franklin, one son Jerry Franklin of Brackettville, Texas and one daughter, Nellie Goodloe of Big Lake. Five grandchildren and three great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.
Marion Lulla Mitchell Miller 1911-2002
Marion Lulla Mitchell Miller, 90, passed away August 30th in Kearney, Nebraska. She was a longtime resident of Midland-Odessa, residing in Midland for the past thirty years. Born in Rusk, Texas September 15th, 1911, she was the second of seven children born to James William Mitchell and Nora Sullivan Mitchell. She attended Texas State Teachers College for Women, graduating in 1934 with a BA in Education. In the fall of 1936, she accepted a position teaching Home Economics at Odessa High School. She would remain in the Midland-Odessa area for the rest of her life. In 1946, she married Herbert Exever Miller, an employee of Phillips Petroleum Company. She is survived by two sons, Rodney E. Miller of Kearney, Nebraska and Gary Miller of Dumfries, Virginia; a stepdaughter, Rosemary Browning of Odessa; a stepson, Herbert E. Miller, Jr. of Midland; a brother, Lloyd Mitchell of Trent, Texas; a sister, Velma McNair of Wills Point, Texas; ten grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Ellis Funeral Home in Midland, Texas Saturday, September 7th, at 11 a.m., with Reverend Robert L. Bratcher of Mission Darado Baptist Church officiating and with a viewing prior to that on Friday, September 6th, from 4-6 p.m. Interment followed at Ector County Cemetery in Odessa. Arrangements were under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. The family requests that memorials be sent to Good Samaritan Hospice, P. O. Box 990, Kearney, Nebraska 68848.
George Owen Ridgeway 1919-2002
George Owen Ridgeway, 83, passed away August 25, 2002 at his residence in Del Rio, Texas. He is preceded in death by his wife, Loretta Bernice Ridgeway. He served several years in the U. S. Navy. While in the Navy, he served on three different ships: the USS Loisville, USS Breberton, USS Dehaven. Mr. Ridgeway was awarded the American Defense Star and the Asiatic Pacific Stars, American Area and Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He is survived by the following: his wife, Antonia Ridgeway of Del Rio, Texas; stepdaughters, Elynor Webb of Big Lake, Texas, Mariellen Bonner of LaJolla, CA., and Pam Taylor of Massillon, Ohio; and grandchildren, Cheryl Neill, Jeanine Tarvin, Roger Neill, Cliff MIller all of Big Lake, Susan Bonner of LaJolla, CA, and Ty Taylor of Massillon, Ohio. Local funeral arrangements were under the direction of Del Rio Funeral Home.
