Frankston Area Obituaries — 1999-Present

Here are the obituaries posted for the current month from information provided courtesy of local and area funeral homes and published on their websites or those submitted by families. If an obituary is overlooked and it is desired that it be posted, please inform us at frankstondepotlibrary@gmail.com . Families may request changes or additions, if required. If you have an obituary for a person who has connections with someone or some family in the Frankston-Poynor-LaRue or Lake Palestine area that you want posted to this month or to the archives, and is not currently posted, please let us know at frankstondepotlibrary@gmail.com . Obituaries selected or submitted should follow a format which is essentially consistent with other obituaries posted here or by funeral homes and follow standard grammatical style. Through arrangements with funeral homes and/or the families, we will publish pictures with current obituaries. We will add pictures to archived obituaries from the print version of The Citizen newspaper prior to September 2019 when available. Pictures with archived obituaries posted after that will be added in cooperation with funeral homes or on requests from families.  As was the tradition of the Citizen newspaper, obituaries are published at no charge.

(Obituaries listed chronologically by date of death or funeral service.)

Michael Lynn Bruno

On Tuesday Aug, 3, 2021, Michael Lynn Bruno, loving Father and Grandfather (Paw Paw), passed away in Houston at the age of 77.

Michael was born in Magnolia, Texas on April 2, 1944 to Louis and Elma Bruno. He graduated from Frankston High School in 1962 and subsequently enlisted in the United States Air Force. He graduated from The University of Houston with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1972. He worked for most of his career in the pipeline industry.

It is impossible to describe the man that Michael was in one brief paragraph. A fervent believer, there is not a single part of his life that he did not credit to God’s favor. He was a devoted father to his children. He glowed with pride describing each of them. He spent as much time as possible with them and even ventured as far as GPS stalking them when they were apart.

Michael also adored all of his grandchildren, driving near and far to see them in school activities and reporting to everyone all of their talents. He also was an avid food lover, cooking for his family, a particular joy, but also scouting out the best local restaurants.

At any given moment you would catch him listening to talk radio with the volume at an uncomfortably loud level. He was a dedicated friend, always available to help do for those that he cared about. He loved fiercely and deeply and made an impact on all those that he encountered.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Louis, and his mother, Elma, siblings Doris, Bonard, Marie, and Wayne, and grandchildren Cade and Lilly.

He is survived by his four children, Michael, Monica, Patti, and Katy; grandchildren Phillip, Camryn, Cael, Madison, Garrett, Layne, Layla, James, Weston, Seraphina, and Luna, and his sisters Joyce and Kathy.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday Aug. 14, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Frankston, 408 E Garner Street.

A viewing will be held beginning at 10 a.m.

Seth Gaskin

A funeral service for Seth Gaskin is scheduled at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Frankston. He will be laid to rest at the Corine Cemetery in Jacksonville. Autry Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Seth passed away on Aug. 6, 2021. He was born in Tyler on Dec. 13, 2004 to Charles and Monica (Decker) Gaskin.

He enjoyed playing football, theater, power lifting, and many outdoor activities. He was active in the First Baptist Church of Frankston youth group. Seth was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Jacksonville. He was loved dearly by all that knew him. He adored his family, friends, and his “Frankston Tribe” of teachers and mentors. Seth accepted the Lord as his savior when he was eight years old. He will be deeply missed by all until the day we reunite in glory.

Left to cherish Seth’s memory are his parents, Charles and Monica Gaskin; his brothers, Caleb and Joshua Gaskin; his grandparents, Charles and Josie Gaskin of Arkansas, Ron and Holly Decker of Jacksonville; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Seth’s family asks for donations to County Roads Rescue or to Calvary Baptist Church's Playground Fund, 122 West Tena Street, Jacksonville, TX 75766.

Mary Ann Maze

A funeral service for Mary Ann Maze of LaRue, is scheduled at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021 at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. She will be laid to rest at Poynor Cemetery.

Mary was born on Jan. 6, 1952 in Leslie County, Kentucky and passed away on Aug. 7, 2021 in Tyler.

Mary was a nurse for over 20 years. She always had a caring heart and a loving personality. Her family was her world. She had many interests and talents, including making flower arrangements and spending time outside taking care of her yard and animals. Christmas was always her favorite time of the year because it allowed her to have all of her family together at one time.

She was preceded in death by parents, Richard and Sarah (Profitt) Clark; son, Harold Duane Maze Jr.; grandson, Brandon Sean Owens; granddaughter, Meagan Maze; and brothers, John and Rick Clark.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband of 51 years, Harold Maze Sr. of LaRue; daughter Tammie Havelka and husband Ray of Bland, Missouri, son Jammie Maze and wife Rashonda of Brownsboro, daughter-in-law, Laura Maze of Murchison and daughter Melissa Owens and husband Chad of LaRue. Her siblings are Eugene Clark, Richard Clark and Donna Brown, all of Ohio. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Brittany, Tristan, Tyler, Caleigh, Courtney, Sarah, Emily, Aiden, Payton, Caitlin and Olivia; great-grandchildren Jordan, Braelyn, Maylah and Milynne; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Brittany, Courtney, Sarah, Emily, Caleigh, Payton, Caitlin and Olivia with honorary pallbearers Tristan, Tyler and Aiden.

Joe Smith

A funeral service for Joe Smith of LaRue, is scheduled for 2 p.m. at LaRue Baptist Church, Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. Olin Boles will officiate. He will be laid to rest at LaRue Cemetery in LaRue. Autry Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will begin one hour before the service from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m at LaRue Baptist Church.

Joe passed away at his home on Aug. 16, 2021. He was born in Tyler on Oct. 26, 1976, to Terry Guinn Smith and Twyla Kim (Costlow) Smith.

Joe was a gentle soul who loved the Lord and his family. He loved his animals, especially his dogs, who he called his kids. His favorite pasttime was fishing and camping. He did both frequently and had enjoyed both all his life.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; Farris and Charlene Smith and Joe and Melba Costlow.

Left to cherish Joe’s memory are his parents, his sisters, Jana Canady and husband Jason of LaRue and Jessica Lee Smith of Jacksonville.

Pallbearers will be William Hiser, Jason Canady, Jacob Boss, Savannah Canady, Richard Harris, and Mander Clark.

Virginia Nadine Tindel Fisher

Virginia Nadine Tindel Fisher was born on Aug. 4, 1927 in New York, Texas, the youngest child born to Pascal Eugene Tindel and Maggie Buie Tindel. She passed from this life on Aug. 22, 2021 in Tyler.

Virginia attended LaPoynor School and was graduated in December of 1944. Her working career was spent in the aerospace and defense industries. With General Dynamics in San Diego, California, she served as the external auditor for all vendors in North America. She then began working for Bell Helicopter in the Metroplex. Bell Helicopter sent her to Tehran, Iran where she spent seven years before returning to Fort Worth to finish her career there.

Virginia moved to Athens in 1992 following her retirement. She loved music, history, current events, and her church, the First Presbyterian Church of Athens.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents and three siblings, Mildred, Henry Milton and Hubert. Virginia had two sons, Dennis Winn Fisher, who predeceased her, and Fred Allen Fisher.

She is survived by her grandson Clayton James Fisher and wife Wendi, great granddaughters Keely Roberts, Hunter-Nikol Aschmutat and husband James, great grandsons Caeden and Gavin, all of Corpus Christi. In addition, she is survived by her niece Martha Nichols and husband Eric of Longview; nephew Paul String of Athens, as well as a multitude of friends made throughout her lifetime.

A memorial of life service was scheduled at the First Presbyterian Church in Athens, Texas on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 at 11 a.m.

It was Virginia’s wish that contributions be made to the Virginia Nadine Fisher Memorial Music Fund at First Presbyterian Church, Athens.

Jesse Kennon

Graveside services for Jesse Kennon, 74, of LaRue, are scheduled for 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 at Mankin Cemetery in Trinidad with Pastor Donald Thomas officiating. Interment will be under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

Mr. Kennon passed away Aug. 24, 2021 in LaRue.

Jesse Lee Kennon was born Jan. 16, 1947 in Jacksonville, the son of Luther William Kennon and Edith Mozelle (Davidson) Kennon. He founded Kennon Septic Systems more than 40 years ago and installed thousands of septic systems throughout the East Texas area during his time as owner. Jesse was a member of the United States Team Roping Championships and was an avid team roper, even winning a truck in 2000 for his skills.

During his free time, he enjoyed playing 42, shuffleboard and most recently learning to dance. Jesse had two outstanding characteristics that everyone who knew him admired: his sense of humor and his honor. He enjoyed cracking jokes, giving people a hard time and laughing but was also a man of his word, trustworthy and never afraid to say ‘I love you’. Jesse loved his family dearly and would do anything for them. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara Kennon and brother, Charles Kennon.

Survivors include wife, Linda Kennon of LaRue; children, Adam Kennon and wife Cheryl of Neches, Rhonda Barker and husband Eric of Rusk, Donnette Mitcham and husband Benjamin of LaRue, Allen Kennon of Buffalo; bonus children, Ruth Wright of Konawa, Okla., Mike Parker of Dutch Harbor, Alaska; siblings, Garry Kennon and wife Sheila of Waxahachie, Larry Kennon and wife Vicki of Farmersville, James Kennon and wife Teresa of Kaufman, Matt Kennon and wife Geraldine of Prairieville; grandchildren, Diana Smith and husband James Michael, Jesseca Wilson and husband Clifford, Eric D. Barker and wife Brooke, Dalton Barker and wife Carlie, Brandon Jester, Justin Kennon, Blake Kennon; bonus grandchildren, Sabrina Martinez, Ashley Carriero, Kyndra Shaw, Quinnton Parker, Kaidon Parker, Karson Parker as well as numerous great grandchildren, extended relatives and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Adam Kennon, Eric W. Barker, Eric D. Barker, James Michael Smith, Clifford Wilson, Brandon Jester and Adam Case Tidwell.

Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Dalton Barker.

(Obituaries posted contain information posted by funeral homes and/or families. Families may request changes or additions, if appropriate or required.)