Funeral Services are currently pending under the direction of Starbuck Funeral Home.

Thursday, May 6, 2021, Reverend Ronnie Dell Freeman entered the Gates of Heaven. Ronnie was born in Trent, Texas, December 27, 1936, to Opal and Odell Freeman. He wed his grade-school sweetheart Betty Marie Payne on January 21, 1956. They were married for 65 years. Ronnie is survived by his wife Betty, his three children: Rebecca Sharp, Robbie Shugart, and Danny Freeman, along with their spouses: Roy Sharp, Steve Shugart, and Debbie Freeman. He also leaves behind six grandchildren and...

Donna Lou Rutledge Riney, 77, of Merkel, Texas was surrounded by family as she went to her Heavenly home on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. She was born in Merkel to Daniel Tillman "Pete" Rutledge and Sarah Velma Baker Rutledge. Donna grew up in Merkel and attended Merkel schools where she was involved in band and was a twirler. In home economics, she gained a love of sewing, which she used for the rest of her life as she created clothes for herself and family. She graduated from Merkel...

Melba Jean Payne, 82, passed away Saturday, May 1, 2021 at her home in Clyde, Texas with her son Troy Lee Payne and Daughter-in-law Melissa Hollis. Melba was born on April 16, 1939. She worked for Dairy Queen in Merkel, Texas for 17 years and home health care for 20 years. She was a hard worker and was always helping others. She loved to laugh Joke and making other people happy. She left behind her dog names Daisy. She loved to watch The Young And The Restless, Hallmark Channel, Criminal...

Services to celebrate the life of Melba Shugart Doan, 95, will be Friday, April 23, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Pioneer Memorial United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at White Church Cemetery directed by Starbuck Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday, April 22, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Melba was born December 7, 1925 in Blair, Texas to Lester and Ada (Berry) Shugart and passed from this earth on April 20, 2021. Melba attended Merkel schools. She married...

Patsy Ruth Cox O’Kelly was born March 5, 1926 in Merkel, Texas to Ruth Pike Cox and Denzel Cox. Patsy passed away in the morning hours of Monday April 19, 2021. She is preceded in death by her parents, her Husband James Othell O’Kelly, her daughter Melinda O’Kelly Simpson, her sister Joyce Ferguson, and her brothers Dave Cox and Nowlin “Corky” Cox. Patsy is survived by her son, Owen O’Kelly(wife Kay), Son In Law Ted Simpson, and 5 grandchildren: Melissa Simpson Jones, Chris...

Marilyn Fae Liles Giles, 84, of Merkel passed away April, 15, 2021 at her home. She was born July 10, 1936 to LP and Mary Lucreasy Patterson Liles in Merkel. She graduated from Merkel High School in 1954, and was a life-long resident of Merkel. Marilyn married the love of her life, Carl Giles, on November 17, 1961, and enjoyed over 57 years of marriage before his death in 2019. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; sister Meldene Liles; and husband Carl Giles. Marilyn is survived by...