Luis Morin Garza Jr. 72 passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on the morning of July 27, 2021. Luis was born on October 17, 1948 at his family home in Colorado City, Tx to Santana (Morin) and Luis T. Garza Sr. Luis was the youngest of six children and the only son. He and his sisters were all taught the importance of family and the value of hard work. Luis started his ginning career at the early age of 15. When he was 19 he met the love of his life Belen Garza in...

Carlton "Ray" King, 62 from Trent, Texas left this earth Monday July 26,2021. Ray was born August 28, 1958 at the Saddler Clinic in Merkel, TX to Everett Carlton and Genevieve (Cox) King. Ray graduated from Merkel High School class of 1976. Ray joined the Merkel Volunteer Fire Department in 1975 which started a dedicated lifelong career. He was a certified firefighter, EMT and was currently the Fire Chief of Trent Volunteer Fire Department. He was a charter member of Merkel...

Jack JimmyDell Isaacs, 30 of Merkel passed away Sunday, July 25, 2021.  He was born July 31, 1990 in San Bernardino, California to James and Debra Isaacs. Jack was a 2008 graduate of Trent High School.  Him and Autumn Isaacs spent 8 years together and had married on June 6, 2020. Jack enjoyed drinking with friends and hanging out at bars.  He enjoyed his job and was a hard worker.  He was a great brother, friend, and husband.  Jack had a special relationship with...

Janet (Thomas) Deen, age 79, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, July 19, 2021 at her residence in Merkel. She was born on June 24, 1942 in Rotan, TX to A.W. Thomas and Vera Mae (Dawkins) Thomas. Janet was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and grandmother. She was very friendly and never met a stranger. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Merkel and was a devout Christian. Janet was a hairdresser for over 35 years and also worked part-time as a Municipal City Judge...

Billye Sandra Patterson Townsend of Merkel, TX age 84 died July 19, 2021 at her home. She was the daughter of Virgil Patterson and Reta Akin Patterson. Her sister Bertha was her forever mentor and dearest friend. Sandra taught school at Holding Institute, A Methodist mission school, Trent, Winters, and Merkel. After retirement she kept very busy with her true love, that of running her farm and ranches south of Merkel with her son Gene William. Gene has a son Gene, Jr. and a daughter Alisha....

Antonio (Tony) Biera of Merkel, passed away on Jul 16, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Merkel, TX on April 20, 1951, to Leonardo and Ester Martinez Biera. Tony attended Merkel Schools and graduated from Merkel High School in 1969. Tony proudly served our country in the US Army. He worked for C.G. Conn, Lockheed Martin (General Dynamics), Packaging of Abilene, as well as other various jobs before going to work for TDCJ. He retired from Middleton Prison as a...

Vonceil Rust Robertson passed away comfortably and peacefully on July 15, 2021. She was born December 2, 1933 to parents C.B. Rust and Helen Kail Rust of the Hodges Community in Jones County. She was married to William Truett Robertson of Merkel in 1953 and they had two sons. Vonceil was preceded in death by her husband in 1994. She is survived by two sons, Rust Robertson and Jim Robertson and wife Cindy all of Abilene; two brothers Gary Rust of Hodges, and C.B. Rust and wife Lily of...

Betty Jane Shields age 82 passed away on July 10, 2021.  Betty was born on June 10, 1959 to Lester and Marie Arnold in Leaday, Texas.  Family then moved to Coleman, Texas where she met her husband and they started their life together on September 19, 1959. They raised one child together,  Keith born Oct. 5, 1960 and settled in Merkel, Texas to watch him grow up. Betty’s hobbies included crocheting afghans which were the most beautiful ones ever made. Her most...

Ruben “Platano” Duran, 74, of Merkel passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 4, 2021 at Hendrick Hospice Care surrounded by his family. He was born November 20, 1947 in Merkel to Joe Duran, Sr. and Encarnacion Calderon Duran. Ruben attended Merkel schools and enlisted in the U.S. Army and fought during the Vietnam War. He was an active member of the VFW. Ruben Loved to dance, listen to music, being outdoors and spending time with his friends and family. He never...

James Douglas “Doug” Guynes, 66, of Merkel passed away and was greeted by his Savior in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 4, 2021. Doug was born on September 19, 1954 to James and Cora Bernell (Cox) Guynes in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. After graduating from Sidney High School in 1972 Doug attended and played basketball for Fort Worth Christian and Dallas Christian Before returning to Abilene. He attended Abilene Christian College and graduated in 1975 with his...