Carmelo Ortega Cano, 30, passed away Thursday, August 16, 2019.  He was born September 17, 1988 to J. Carmen and Guillermina Ortega.  Carmelo graduated from Merkel High School in 2008.  He enjoyed playing basketball, riding his bike around town, dancing, music, and playing with his nieces and nephews. Carmelo is survived by his parents Carmen and Guillermina of Merkel; three sisters Silvia and Angel Jimenez, Martha Luisa and Jaime Rene Diaz, and Claudia Nelly and Joel...

Joy Dean Heatly McElmurray passed peacefully from her earthly home to her Heavenly home Thursday morning, August 15, 2019. Joy was born November 2, 1925 in Crawford, Texas to Aubrey and Johnnie Heatly.  She was the third of fourteen children Joy’s fondest, early childhood days were living in Novice, Texas where she attended school through the 8th grade.  Life-long friends were made during this time. The family moved to Trent where she found her skill for basketball. She was...

Socorro Rosas, 83, of Abilene passed away on Friday afternoon, August 9, 2019.  She was born Socorro Acuna on December 23, 1935, to Jose Zacharias Acuna and Rafaela Garcia Acuna in Trent, Texas.  She married Lamberto (Beto) Rosas on July 17, 1950 and they were together until his death on May 14, 2014. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00PM on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at Starbuck Funeral Home.  A prayer service and the Rosary will follow the visitation.  Mass of...

Manzell “Red” Shafer, 97, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 9, 2019.  He was born on the family farm near Hamlin, Texas, October 1, 1921.  After Red served nearly three years on active duty during WWII, he and his family moved to Trent, Texas where he lived until moving to Wisteria Place Assisted Living in Abilene in early 2018. During his long life he had many careers.  He delivered ice to rural areas before they had electricity, ran a feed store, farmed,...

Jean Rose (Copeland) Blue passed away peacefully at home on August 6, 2019. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 12, 2019 at 10:00AM at The First United Methodist Church in Merkel, Texas. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 11, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00PM at Starbuck Funeral Home in Merkel, Texas. Jean was born August 20, 1939 in Coleman, Texas to Carris Copeland and Isabelle (Bentley) Copeland. Jean has made Coleman, Odessa, Abilene, and Merkel home during her lifetime. Montgomery...

Carl Giles, 80, of Merkel passed away peacefully Monday, July 29, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.  Carl was born in Knifley, Kentucky on December 13, 1938 to Charlie and Nancy Clyde (May) Giles.  He married the love of his life, Marilyn Liles Giles on November 17, 1961 in Merkel.  He served honorably in the United States Air Force. Carl enjoyed spending time with his family camping and fishing.  He was a member of JayCee’s of Merkel, Key City Channel Masters...

Bertram Hansford Mayes was born in Columbia, Missouri on April 14, 1940. He died in Merkel, Texas on July 16, 2019. He was the third of four children born to Bessie Hansford and Austin Carroll “Slim” Mayes. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Mary Edgar, his brother John Mayes, his wife Tillie, stepdaughter Susan Shaw, stepson Warren Shaw, and nephew Tim Mayes.             Bert went to work at the age of 15,...

Earlene Brown Middleton, 86, passed away Sunday, July 14, 2019 surrounded by her family.  She was born November 11, 1932 to Earl and Vera (Baker) Brown in Seminole, Texas. She is survived by her children David Middleton of League City, Fred Middleton of Merkel and Trina Newton of Brownwood; and siblings Don Brown of Snyder, Joan Spencer of Ruidoso, New Mexico and Barbara Strube of Scroggins. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Jimmie Middleton, her parents, and...

Michelle Lee Egbert, 50, of Abilene passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2019 surrounded by her loving family.  She was born May 29, 1969 to Mark and Charlene (Martin) Helzer in Alamosa, Colorado. Michelle was a graduate of the class of 1987 at Abilene High School.  She married Rodney Egbert on March 25, 1990 in Abilene and they enjoyed 29 years of marriage.  She worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield, WTU Credit Union and as a homemaker. Michelle had a lively, cheerful, and humorous...

Shirley Ann Brooks White, 62, of Abilene passed away Monday, June 10, 2019 at her home. She was born April 11, 1957 Joe Rawlin Brooks and Geneva (Johnson) Brooks in Baird, Callahan County, Texas. Shirley is survived by her sons James Davis and wife Tamara of Sweetwater, William Jessie Brooks and wife Casey Wade Brooks, and Jacob White of Merkel; grandchildren William and JP Davis, Emberley, Devon, Jessie, and Kendra Brooks, Lilly, Aiden, and Riley White; great grandchildren Jax, Faith,...