J.D. Dorman

PALESTINE — Funeral services for James Douglas Dorman, 88, of Palestine were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Herrington/Land of Memory Chapel in Palestine.

Burial was in Oakwood City Cemetery.

He died Wednesday, Oct. 17 in Richardson.

Mr. Dorman was born in Nineveh on April 3, 1926 to J.D. Dorman Sr. and Norman Dickey Dorman.

He was raised in Oakwood. After graduation he attended and played football at Allen Academy in Bryan, and Lon Morris College in Jacksonville.

During World War II while working at Humble Oil in Baytown, he met and married Eugenia Glenn Edwards. They operated businesses in Baytown and Beaumont before moving to Palestine in 1963.

In Palestine, Mr. Dorman established several restaurants, including The Burger Ranch (now Chip’s Burger Village) and Little Mexico.

Mr. Dorman was predeceased by his wife, Eugenia Dorman; a grandson Steven Edwards; his parents, and two brothers, George Dorman and Cecil Dorman.

He was a long time member of The First Church of Christ Scientist in Boston, Mass., and the local Christian Science branch church.

Mr. Dorman is survived by his sister, Norma Jean Rhoden of Baytown; four children, George Edwards and wife Nancy of Spring, Becky Wolfe and husband Chip, Julia Coleman and Laura Eyman, all of Palestine; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren;

Pallbearers were Chip Wolfe, David Wolfe, Daniel Wolfe, Yancey Edwards, Clayton Coleman and Troy Ansley.

Donations may be made to The Leaves, Inc., 1230 West Spring Valley Road, Richardson, TX 75080.

Mike Jones

Funeral services for Mike Jones, 46, of Frankston were held at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville, with Rev. Ron Ivey officiating.

Burial was held at Earle’s Chapel Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Mr. Jones died Wednesday, Oct. 27 at his residence.

He was born May 25, 1958 in Hillsboro. He was a self-employed carpenter.

Mr. Jones was preceded in death by his father, Jesse James Jones; his mother, Letha Wyatt; a brother, James Kelly Jones; a niece, Jessica Jones; and a brother-in-law, Roy Lee Bruce.

Survivors include a son, Jason Jones of Berryville; step father, C.W. Wyatt of Jacksonville; a brother, Jerry Dale Jones of Jacksonville; sisters, Shirley Chandler of Rusk, Sarah Kirtley Bruce of Maydelle, Lois Wofford of Flint and Linda Sides of Jacksonville; special friend, Janet Stahl of Berryville and several nieces and nephews.

John W. McNeill

COLLEGE STATION — Memorial services for John W. McNeill, 58, of College Station were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at the Memorial Funeral Chapel in College Station.

Private graveside services were held at 9:30 at the College Station Memorial Cemetery.

Dr. McNeill died Oct. 24 at his home in College Station.

He was born in Happy, Texas on Oct. 1, 1946. A native of the Texas Panhandle, John, and his wife, Judy, raised their family in Canyon and later moved to College Station in 1990.

He was known throughout Texas and the nation as a pioneer and leader in the field of animal science. In his 28 years with Texas A&M University, he devoted his life to helping others, as a teacher, Extension specialist, administrator, leader, mentor and friend.

Through the years, his devotion to the Texas animal agriculture industry has earned him numerous awards and accolades. In 2004, the annual Texas Beef Cattle Short Course was dedicated to Dr. McNeill, and he was also awarded honorary membership in the Texas A&M Saddle and Sirloin Club.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Judy Hicks McNeill; a daughter and son-in-law, Mary Jon and Craig Huffhines of Kansas City, Mo., a daughter, Kay McNeill of Modesto, Calif; and a son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Shalene McNeill of Pleasanton; four grandchildren, Seth, Cole, and Miles Huffhines and Kate McNeill, and his parents, Wayne of Geneva McNeill of Happy; three sisters, Camille Rhodes, Countess Hodges and Ann Lee Collier and their families; and parents-in-law, J.C. and Reba Hicks of Frankston.

Many family members and friends from Frankston joined Mr. and Mrs. Hicks for the funeral Wednesday morning, Oct. 27, in College Station.

Roger McDonald of Frankston served as an honorary pallbearer.

Known for his love of the many students he came in contact with, a memorial scholarship fund has been established in his honor. Memorials can be sent to the John W McNeill Scholarship Fund, Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science, 2471 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-2471, with checks paid to the Texas A&M Foundation.

Myron E. Melton

SHREVEPORT, LA. — Funeral services for Myron E. Melton of Shreveport, La., 79, were held at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, in the chapel of Osborn Funeral Home with Tony Nations of First United Methodist Church officiating.

Interment with full Masonic graveside rites followed at Forest Park Cemetery, St. Vincent Ave.

Mr. Melton was a native of Ore City, Tex. and a resident of Shreveport, La. for 60 years.

He was a member of Lakeview United Methodist Church, a member of Sunset Masonic Lodge No. 438, El Karubah Shrine Temple. He retired from Berg Mechanical after 42 years of service.

Mr. Melton was preceded in death by his mother, Emmie Overall Melton; his father, Early Melton; sisters, Zelda Vinck, Georgie Earlene Epps; and step brothers, Oren Melton and Ira Melton.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie O. Melton; a sister, Edith Chasteen; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was a brother-in-law of Betty Simmons of Frankston.

Pallbearers were Joey Fitzgerald, Fred Epps, J.A. Ginnings, Bob Eason, Johnny Simmons and Mark Rolandt.

Honorary pallbearer was Sonny Melton.

The family requests that memorials be made to Lakeview United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.

Gary M. Bowers

Memorial services for Gary M. Bowers, 58, of Frankston were held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19, in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Rev. Ron Ivey officiating.

Mr. Bowers died Sunday, Nov. 14, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born in Jacksonville on Aug. 24, 1946.

Mr. Bowers was a self employed paint contractor and served in the U.S. Navy for four years.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Tracy Dewayne and Michelle Bowers of Frankston, Michael Dean and Connie Bowers of Dallas; a daughter and son-in-law, Kelly Renea and Sandy Yester of Berryville; step-daughters, Misty Yarbrough of Jacksonville and Courtnee Reagan of Frankston; brothers, Ron Bowers of Hideaway Lake and Gilbert Bowers of Lake Jacksonville; sisters, Mary Lou Hamilton of Jacksonville and Ruth Lynch of Tyler; eight grandchildren, Samantha Dietrich, Maggie Mae Bowers, Haiden McCoy Bowers, Dakota Grimes, Kaylee Reagan, Maycee Parks, Amber and Brandy, all of Frankston; several nieces and nephews.

Eunice Pyron

Graveside services for Eunice Vera Pyron, 86, of Frankston, formerly of Odessa, were held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at Garden Oaks Memorial Park in Berryville, with Pastor James Farmer officiating. Arrangements were under direction of Thompson Funeral Home of Frankston.

Mrs. Pyron died Saturday, Nov. 13, in Frankston.

She was born March 29, 1918, in Midlothian.

Mrs. Pyron was a homemaker and member of Assembly of God.

She was preceded in death by her husband, O.B. Pyron.

Survivors include sons, Rick Pyron of Odessa and Charles Pyron of Austin; a daughter, Doris Jackson of Flint; one brother, four sisters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Karren Elaine Raichle

Services for Karren Elaine Raichle, 61, of Berryville, were held Thursday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m. at Parkview Memorial Chapel in Manteca, Calif. Arrangements were under direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home, Tyler.

Mrs. Raichle died Wednesday, Nov. 10, in a Tyler hospital.

She was born in Tyler. Mrs. Raichle was a homemaker and member of First Christian Church.

She was preceded in death by her father, George Frain, and a son, Kenny Raichle.

Survivors include her husband, Michael A. Raichle Sr. of Berryville; daughters and sons-in-law, Lesia and Stan Ward of Flint, Denise and Jerry Osborn of Durham, Calif.; a daughter, Debbie Botto of Fresno, Calif.; sons and daughters-in-law, Darren and Amber Raichle of Gardnerville, Nev., Michael and Tammy Raichle Jr. of Tulsa, Okla.; a son, Tom Raichle of Manteca, Calif.; mother, Helen Frain of Valley Springs, Calif.; sisters, Cleo Caswell of Ashland, Ore., Donna Michel of Los Angeles, Calif, and Sylvia Silveria of Valley Springs, Calif.; and 15 grandchildren.

If desired memorials may be made to American Cancer Society.

Ora Dell Snow

HOUSTON — Graveside services for Ora Dell Snow, 93, were held Saturday, Nov. 13, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.

Visitation began at 8 a.m. Saturday morning at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home followed by the graveside service.

Mrs. Snow, wife of the late Robert Snow, was born April 5, 1911 in Anderson County to Rufus R. and Sarah E. Cook.

She lived in Frankston for a number of years, and later lived in Beaumont, Houston and Longview.

Mrs. Snow died Thursday, Nov. 11, in LaPorte.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Essie Slaughter, Eva Christopher; and brothers, Harvey, Herman and Otis Cook.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Durward ‘Shorty’ Dingler

LARUE — Funeral services for Durward “Shorty” Dingler, 85, of LaRue were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, at Leagueville Baptist Church with the Revs. Bill Watson and Tom Bragdon officiating.

Burial was in Leagueville Cemetery under direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home, Athens.

Mr. Dingler died Friday, Nov. 19, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born Nov. 4, 1919 in Henderson County to Tobe and Johnnie Reynolds Dingler.

Mr. Dingler was a retired Henderson County rancher and a member of Leagueville Baptist Church and Woodmen of the World. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the 43rd Armored Tank Division, known as the “Fightin’ Hellcats.”

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian, in 1985.

Survivors include his sons, Durward Dingler Jr., George Dingler Sr.; a brother, Reynolds Dingler of Dryden; seven grandchildren and 12-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were grandsons, Jeff Dingler, George Dingler, Daniel Dingler, Wesley Dingler, Andy Wood, Brian Jackson and Todd Wright.

Honorary pallbearers included Hugh Reynolds, Jack Reynolds, A.B. Roberts, Luther C. Hudson and Carter Monk.

Jeanette Kennedy

RUSK — Funeral services for Jeanette Kennedy, 74, of Rusk were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, at First Church on the Hill in Rusk with the Revs. Jan Pate, R.S. Dyess, Davy Hobson and Earl Socia officiating.

Burial was in the Shady Grove Cemetery under the direction of Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home in Rusk.

Mrs. Kennedy died Thursday, Nov. 18, in Tyler.

She was born Dec. 18, 1929 in Mexia.

Mrs. Kennedy was a resident of Rusk most of her life. She was a charter member of First Church on the Hill in Rusk. She was a dairy farmer and a housewife.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Elsie Kimbrell; a son, Kelly Kennedy; a grandson, Nickalaus Kennedy; a brother, Vernon Kimbrell; and a sister, Nell Rogers.

Mrs. Kennedy is survived by her husband of 56 years, William Kennedy of Rusk; a daughter and son-in-law, Janey and David Roach of Maydelle; four sons and two daughters-in-law, Terry and Susan Kennedy of Slocum, Randal Kennedy, Dennis and Pam Kennedy and Joe Kennedy, all of Rusk; a brother, Herbert Kimbrell of Frankston; three sisters and brother-in-law, Imogene and Darwin Robinson of Rusk, Jewel Spence of Royce City and Rita Wiggins of Rusk; 18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pallbearers were Randal Kennedy Jr., Justin Kennedy, Cody Roach, Timothy Kennedy, Ricky Kennedy, Dustin Kennedy, Jeremy Kennedy, Paul Kennedy, Jacob Arnold, Noel Kennedy and Ryan Kennedy.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas in Tyler or a charity of choice.

David Charles Kunkel

Memorial services for David Charles Kunkel, 55, of Frankston will be held at a later date in California.

Thompson Funeral Home of Jacksonville is in charge of local arrangements.

Mr. Kunkel died Thursday, Nov. 17 in a Palestine nursing home.

He was born May 24, 1949 in Grand Prairie.

Mr. Kunkel was an overland truck driver.

Survivors include a special friend, Margaret Tomasso of Frankston; a son, Mark Kunkel of Reno, Nev.; daughters, Jennifer Vo and husband James, and Tara Manly and husband Bo, all of Los Angeles, Calif., and Melissa Kunkel of Reno, Nev.; a brother, Dennis Kunkel; four grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Dora Saxon McDonald

PASADENA — Funeral services for Dora Saxon McDonald, 90, of Pasadena were held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at Pasadena Funeral Chapel with Pastor Jim Palmer of New Hope Community Church officiating.

Mrs. McDonald died Monday, Oct. 18, in a Pasadena hospital.

She was born March 14, 1914 in Murchison to Sid and Minnie Saxon.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Reagan; a daughter, Wanda Rains; six brothers and two sisters.

Survivors include her sister, Lena Haney; a daughter, Vivian Gilley and husband Mickey; a son, Larry McDonald and wife Brenda; a son-in-law, James Rains; four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, five great-great- grandchildren; and special extended family members, Danny, Brenda and Reese Wagner.

She was an aunt of Vaudine Dansby of Frankston.

Margaret Strange

LARUE — Funeral services for Margaret A. Strange, 59, of LaRue were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, at Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church of Athens with Pastors Charles Wigley and Arnold Walker and Brother Billy Rasco officiating.

Burial was in Beck’s Chapel Cemetery under direction of Eubank Funeral Home in Canton.

Mrs. Strange died Thursday, Nov. 18 in Tyler.

She was born Oct. 26, 1945 in Ennis to James Lee and Marion Louise Penn Glaspy.

She attended school in Austin and Red River County. Mrs. Strange was a member of Canton Bluegrass Assn., which recently honored her with a lifetime pass. She was a lifelong member of Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church, where she served as secretary for many years. She was a member of the Girl Scouts, Frankston Riding Club, East Texas Horse Show Assn., Youth Sports Assn. of LaRue, Youth Warrior and Missionettes at the church where she attended.

Survivors include her husband, Bobby Joe Strange of LaRue; sons, James “Jim” Strange of LaRue and William “Will” Strange of Millersburg, Mo.; daughters, Marilyn Tarrant of Wills Point, Lydia Thomas of Ben Wheeler, Christy Strange of Kerens and Whitney Strange of LaRue; her mother, Marion Louise Glaspy of Athens; brothers, R.L. “Skip” Glaspy of Athens, Jim Glaspy of May; sisters, Carolotta Wilson and Loretta Moon, both of Athens; and 15 grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Will Strange, Jim Strange, Cary Tarrant, Ed Strange, Darrell Strange and Johnny Thomas.

Honorary pallbearers were Robert Frisbee and R.L. “Skip” Glaspy.

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