May 17, 1968 – April 7, 2023

Born on May 17, 1968, in Clovis, NM, Bradley S. Phillips passed away on April 7, 2023, at the age of 54, peacefully where he currently resides in San Antonio, TX. Brad is survived by his wife of 30 years, Melissa Phillips, son, Justin Phillips, fiancé Sarah Flannigan, and daughter, Hayleigh Phillips.

He is also loved and survived by his parents, Howard and Penny Phillips, sister, Melissa G. Phillips and her children Sarah, Aaron, Austin and Kyleigh. Along with father-in-law, Norbert Moya, Cynthia & William Martin, Steven & Alissa Moya, their children Alessandro and Stefano Moya, and several loving aunts, uncles and cousins, including Amanda Moore.

He is preceded in death by grandparents Carl Gail Moore, Thelda Poor, Donnie Poor, and mother-in-law Rose Marie Moya.

Loved and supported by all who knew him, Brad fought a strong and fearless battle against brain cancer for 2 ½ years. Brad, adored by all who knew him, was always the life of the party, always ready for dessert or an old fashion. Though he will be sincerely and gravely missed, the family takes peace in knowing they have Brad watching over them.

The family would like to say a special thank you to all his care team over the last few years. Especially, Dr. Christopher Bogaev, the oncology team at MD Anderson in Houston, Hope Hospice, and The Estates of Shavano.

If you prefer, in lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to American Cancer Society to help and support the funding of research into finding the cure for cancer. Please see the link below for donations:

https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=honormemorialbutton&giftType=hon&_ga=2.94158109.1654842571.1680891635-540052508.1680891634

September 10, 1926 – March 15, 2023

Margaret Louise (Hess) Ruebsamen, 96, of Pensacola, FL., passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

A small-town girl who saw the world.  Margaret Louise Hess (Ruebsamen) was born in Des Moines, Iowa on September 10, 1926. She grew up in Watseka, Illinois and attended Illinois State Normal for a short while before marriage.

She met Darrel Dean Ruebsamen, a midshipman in the Navy wartime V-12 program at the school. She and Darrel married in Miami, Florida in 1945. They remained together until his death in 2010.

A military spouse for 30 years she travelled to and lived in many places. In the U.S. she lived in Nebraska, Florida, Virginia, South Carolina, California, and New Hampshire. Overseas she lived in Bremerhaven, Germany in the early 1950’s; Manila in the Philippines in the early 1960s and Yokohama, Japan in the early to mid-1970s. They made their retirement home in San Antonio, Texas.

While living in Germany in the 1950s she was able to visit England and several Western European countries. In the Philippines in the early 1960s she was also able to visit Japan and Hong Kong. Later, while living in Japan she visited several Asian countries including South Vietnam just before the fall of that country. In retirement she and Darrel socialized with the military retired community in San Antonio and traveled extensively. They visited with families and friends, attended Ruebsamen and Hess family reunions, Navy ship and school reunions. They traveled to Canada, Germany, Chile and throughout Europe.

Margaret and Darrel had four children, Jennifer (deceased), David (Emily) of Woodbridge, VA; Carol (Ron) of Pensacola; and Patricia (Mike) of Denham Springs, LA. She was blessed with 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. In death she was preceded by her parents (her mother Kathryn and her father Raymond and his second wife, Camilla), her sister (Lois Irene), brother (Eugene) as well as two half-sisters (Jane and Elizabeth).

She completed her bachelors in education in Virginia at Old Dominion College, graduating a week before her son David graduated from high school. She taught in the Department of Defense school in Yokohama, Japan. In retirement in San Antonio, she was highly active in her Catholic church. She even persuaded her Protestant husband to volunteer there for decades. She worked for a time with the San Antonio Convention Bureau.

She moved to Azalea Trace continuing care facility in Pensacola, Florida soon after her husband passed to be nearer to her children and lived there for 12 years. She loved bridge, dominos, Mexican Train, reading, sewing, quilting, and socializing. She was known to her family and friends as a meticulous dresser and housekeeper. She also never missed a chance to dote on her children and grandchildren.

A private family service will be held for her in Pensacola with a burial beside her husband in Giltner, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 9945 Hillview Drive, Pensacola, FL 32514.

August 14, 1948-March 8, 2023

Bruce E. Tschoepe passed suddenly into the arms of Our Lord on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 in a skiing accident in his beloved Angel Fire, New Mexico. Bruce was born in San Antonio on August 14, 1948 to Edward A. Tschoepe and Marian Seng Tschoepe. He attended St. Anthony Grade School, Central Catholic High School, and Texas A&M University. He majored in architecture, and that became his life career. Bruce designed churches, including St. Francis of Assisi’s original sanctuary (now Henke Hall), dormitories, custom homes, retail centers, and a gamut of other buildings. He retired from architecture in 2011 and has been traveling the world since then. His most recent adventure took him to Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand. He loved seeing new places, playing golf, hiking everywhere, hunting on his ranch, playing his guitar, and building things. He was the consummate fix-it guy, never afraid to tackle a project. He served on several school boards and parish councils and was a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus. He had a true servant spirit.

He will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind-hearted, gentle, honest, Christian man. He lit up the room with his sincere smile and genuine concern for all. As a friend said, he was an angel of kindness and joy. He touched many lives in a beautiful way.

Bruce met his lifelong soulmate Janis Anderson in 1965, and they married in 1974. They had 48 wonderful years of married life, supporting each other in every endeavor. They traveled extensively, built Habitat for Humanity homes, spent summers in their home in Angel Fire, served on church retreat teams, and loved playing dominoes together.

Bruce is survived by his wife Janis, his sisters Pat (Chris) Maguire, Anne (Gary) Wright, Jeanne (Don) Albrecht, and Janet (Greg) Arnold, his brothers Steve (Mary) Tschoepe and Edward (Brie) Tschoepe, and his brothers-in-law Kenneth Anderson and Theodore Anderson. In addition to numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, he had many wonderful cousins.

Services will be on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 8500 Cross Mountain Trail in San Antonio. Rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. There will be a reception after Mass in the Parish Hall, followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery, 11624 Culebra Road. Arrangements are with Porter Loring North (www.porterloring.com).

Bruce was passionate about his Marianist high school education. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Bruce’s honor to Central Catholic High School, Class of 1966 Scholarship Fund, 1403 N. St. Mary’s, SAT 78215. If you prefer to make your memorial gift online, please go to www.cchs-satx.org/give/ and designate Class of 1966 Scholarship Fund.

February 13, 1949-January 12, 2023

Peter Cecic passed away surrounded by family on January 12, 2023.

Born on February 13, 1949 to Mary Raich and John Cecic, Peter grew up in Nyack, NY near the Hudson River, where he often went fishing with his father.

He also loved to play outside with his sister Karen and their cousins, pretending to be a cowboy or Davy Crocket. It was during this time when he took a trip to the dentist’s office that he told his mother that he would someday be a dentist.

During Peter’s time at Bergenfield High School in New Jersey, he discovered a love for music, singing with the choir and learning to play the guitar. He also spent a lot of his time caring for orchids in the greenhouse near his house to save money for college. After graduating from high school, Peter attended Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Staying true to his boyhood plans, he continued on to New Jersey Dental School. Peter entered active duty as a Dental Corps officer in the United States Army in 1974. Over the next 10 years, he completed his residency in Endodontics, performed case studies and published papers about root canal therapy, earned a Master’s from George Washington University, and became a board-certified Endodontist.

When stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Peter met another young dentist, Jeannette Fumagali. After seeing her from across the hospital cafeteria, he asked her if she wanted to join his colleagues at their table. They married in June 1984 and had three beautiful girls.

In the early 90s, the Army assigned Peter to Fort Sam Houston. Peter and his family loved San Antonio so much that they decided to stay when he retired as a Colonel in 1997.

After retirement, Peter purchased an Endodontic practice and continued to perform root canals and save teeth over the next 18 years.

Peter’s focus always centered on providing for his family. In addition to his generosity towards friends and family, Peter volunteered often at the St. Vincent de Paul pantry. When he wasn’t working, he liked to watch old movies with his girls, experience nature and travel to natural wonders, read books or articles about his latest interests, and stay active with golfing, bowling, swimming, and walks. He was also an avid rock and fossil collector.

Peter will be remembered for his hard-working dedication, unmatched generosity, and his fervent energy.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannette; three daughters, Caitlin, Lindsay, and Anna; a son-in-law and granddaughter, Eddie and Elena Park; a sister, Karen Borges; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. The family will receive guests before the Funeral Mass, starting at 9:30 AM.

Funeral Mass
10:00 AM
St Peter Prince of The
Apostles Catholic Church
111 Barilla Pl
San Antonio, TX 78209

Interment
11:30 AM
Fort Sam Houston Memorial Cemetary
Shelter 3
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209

Reception
12:00 PM
Fort Sam Houston Golf Club
1050 Harry Wurzbach Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209

July 18, 1929-January 6, 2023

Dr. Anthony “Tony” Thomas Mendicino Jr., age 93, passed away on January 6, 2023 in San Antonio. He was born to Rose Katherine Reich and Anthony Thomas Mendicino, Sr. on July 18, 1929 in San Antonio, Texas.

Dr. Mendicino graduated from Central Catholic High School and St. Mary’s University. While attending St. Mary’s, he was a co-founding member of Tau Delta Sigma fraternity and was elected Student Council president. His fraternity brothers became life-long friends. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Ellington AFB, he met his future wife. They married after he was honorably discharged. Dr. Mendicino graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri before completing an internship in Carson City, Michigan. He returned to San Antonio with his growing family and started a career as a practicing physician that lasted nearly four decades. He is remembered by patients and staff for being a skilled and caring provider who treated everyone with the utmost respect.

Dr. Mendicino was thoroughly devoted to his family. He ensured that his children had excellent educational opportunities. He coached his daughters’ CYO softball teams, took his son to early weekday Masses when he was an altar server, and drove the entire family of seven to his wife’s parents’ farm in Michigan annually for vacation. In later years, the cross-country trips were supplanted by more localized treks to Six Flags, AstroWorld, the Battleship Texas, Rockport, and Monterrey, Mexico. One summer vacation was comprised of a series of day trips to local points of interest including the Alamo, the Spanish Governor’s Palace, various missions, and Aquarena Springs. The strength of the family bonds forged by these shared experiences cannot be overstated.

He will always be remembered for his kindness and generosity, as well as his wonderful sense of humor. Anthony loved life and will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant daughter, Lenore Anne. Dr. Mendicino is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joan Mendicino; children Anthony T. Mendicino III (Nancy), Madeleine Matlock (Jeff Brymer), Jeanette Jackson (John Andrew), Marlene Sumner (Keith), Joan Frances Wanek (Timothy); thirteen grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at noon on Monday, January 23 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas.

October 16, 1924-November 25, 2022

Eileen H. Cross, 98, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on November 25, 2022, at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, with her loving family by her side.

She was born in Minonk, the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Tyrrell. Her parents preceded her in death. She lived in Kankakee for 40 years then moved to the San Bernardino and Cherry Valley area of California for 55 years.

Eileen worked several jobs over the years and retired from working for San Bernardino County in California. She was praised for her work wherever she was employed.

Eileen loved sports. She played basketball in high school, golfed until her late 80s, and was a huge Los Angeles Lakers fan.

Surviving are her children, Gary (Dene) Wasetis, Carol (Richard) Morales, James (Abby) Wasetis and Dr. Jeff (Marty) Wasetis; brothers, James (Judy) Tyrrell and Edward (Janet) Tyrrell; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews and their children.

Preceding her in death were her husbands, Victor Wasetis and Russell Cross; a son, Robert Wasetis; sisters, Rita Ortman and Mary Beth Deselm; and brother, Thomas Tyrrell.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff at “The Etta” senior citizens care facility in San Antonio, which had been her home for the last two years.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, January 28 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas.

November 19, 1924-November 29, 2022

Maria “Mitzi” Rowland, age 98, passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. Mitzi was born in Burghausen, Germany on November 19, 1924 to Rosina Schröger and Ludwig Mannheimer. Her father was Jewish, leaving her to be raised by her German grandparents. She was given her grandfather’s surname which protected her until near the end of WWII. During the war, she was employed as a stenographer in a hotel that was adjacent to Hitler’s Eagles Nest. She inevitably had to go into hiding when her Jewish lineage was discovered by members of the German Secret Service. Surviving in hiding, she met and eventually married an American soldier, Roy A. Rowland, while he was liberating Germany. They came to America in 1947 where they raised their three children. After spending several years living around the world with the military, Roy and Mitzi settled in San Antonio, Texas.

Mitzi was always known as Oma to her eight grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. She loved each one of them unconditionally. At all times, she knew everything going on in each one of their lives. They confided in her, and she never passed judgment. She was their rock. Even though it was hard to talk to her for a second without her bragging about one of them, she was able to keep their deepest secrets.

Within the past few years, she discovered for the first time that her Jewish father survived the Holocaust. Although she never met her father, she was able to meet her half-brother for the first time in 2022 when she was 97 years old.

She was known for her passionate love of the Alps, Bavaria, Edelweiss, hot coffee, red lipstick, knitting, painting, gardening, Geraniums, but most of all, visiting. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Roy A. Rowland. She is survived by her half-brother, Renato Manheimmer, her three children Peter (Norma) Rowland, Algie “Shawn” (Jo) Rowland, Diana (Douglas) Krauskopf, her eight grandchildren, Barbara (Brian) Haymon, Sherry (Carlos) Barrera, Kristi (Barclay) Anthony, Steven (Dawn) Krauskopf, Teya (Martin) Miller, Mitzi Rowland, Hans (Jessica) Rowland, Brooke Robledo, eighteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

SERVICES

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH

4201 DE ZAVALA RD.

ROSARY – 12:30 PM

MEMORIAL MASS – 1:00 PM

RECEPTION IN HENKE HALL AFTER MASS

A private interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

July 2, 1942-November 27, 2022

On Sunday, November 27, 2022, Joanne Thompson passed into eternal rest. Joanne was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from St. John’s University with her BBA in Management, where she met the love of her life, Ken. After marrying Ken in 1965, she moved to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, arriving in San Antonio in 1980. She worked at USAA for more than twenty years, beginning in 1983 as a telephone pipeline operator, retiring in 2004 as Senior Vice President of Policy Service in the Property & Casualty Company. During her time at USAA, Joanne also served on the Advisory Board for Neighborworks, the Air Force Village Foundation Board, the Board of the USAA Federal Credit Union (three as Chairperson), and President of the USAA General Agency Board of Directors. Her life was a model of serving others. Prior to her time at USAA, she was a devoted wife, stay-at-home mother, and friend. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Girl Scouts, and was always “class mom” for her children growing up. In later years, she and Ken served the community as a Marriage Sponsor Couple at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, she was a Eucharistic Minister, and an active volunteer at the Shelter run by San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries.

While her professional accomplishments were many, her husband, children, and grandchildren were the center of her world. She was the most amazing wife, mother, and grandma.

Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Ken, her parents, Charles and Mary O’Neill, her brother, Tim O’Neill, and many friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Kristen Williams (Keith), son, Kyle Thompson (Amy); sister, Mary Ellen Leegan (Joe); grandchildren: Kathryn Williams, Kenneth Logan Williams, Reagan Thompson, and Cole Thompson; and many nieces and nephews. In addition, she leaves behind a vast number of friends, including her best friend, Linda Nichols (Darrell).

In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to donate to the St. Francis of Assisi Mobile Loaves & Fishes, an organization caring for San Antonio’s homeless and hungry.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 8, 2022, from 6-7 PM in Henke Hall, followed by Vigil and Rosary beginning at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, December 9, 2022, beginning at 11:30 AM in St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

December 12, 1927-November 18, 2022

Maria Guadalupe Alvarez, known as Lupe to all who love her, passed away on November 18, 2022, after a short illness. She was born in Blue Island, IL, to Benito Lopez and Cenobia Garcia. One of many siblings, including half-brothers Lino, Fr. Angel, Bonnie, and siblings Martin, Leonard, Sabina, Joe, Robert, and Mary; she is survived by her sister, Petra Velasquez.

Lupe was the beloved wife of the late Gregory Alvarez, and mother to Bárbara, Gregory, Sofía (David Nootbaar), Victor, Claudia, and René. She is the grandmother to Lisa (Michael Holwey), Laura, Lindsay; Javier, Diego; Elena, Manuel; and Mónica.

She was devoted to her Catholic faith, attended Mass daily when she could, and nurtured the faith in her husband and children.

Lupe enjoyed a good cup of coffee and vanilla ice cream, liked to sew and crochet, and enjoyed visiting with friends by phone or in person.

We will miss her always.

The funeral Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on November 23 at St. Albert the Great Church in Burbank, IL. Her final resting place is St. Casimir Cemetery in Chicago, IL.

November 5, 1947-November 15, 2022

Gary Anthony Schmidt entered the gates of heaven peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at the age of 75.

Gary was born and raised in San Antonio and grew up attending St. Ann’s Catholic School and Central Catholic High School. After graduating in 1966, Gary was stationed in Panama where he served four years in the U.S. Air Force. Upon honorable discharge, he returned home and began work as a second-generation letter carrier. Like his father, Gary, too, proudly retired from the U.S. Postal Service after a dedicated 35 years of employment in 2002.

Aside from his career, “Big G,” as he was affectionately called in those days, was best known for his pastime playing the drums for the Rough Riders Band throughout country dancehalls in the region. Gary instilled a legacy of music and showmanship in his six children who have continued this passion for the arts as musicians and dancers, proving that “it truly runs in the blood!”

Gary was also an avid hunter, life-long learner, adored his pets, and treasured holidays and birthdays. Greatest of all Gary enjoyed the good company of his friends and big family, who will continue to pass down his unique and charming traditions.

He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Katherine Schmidt, and his cherished Pomeranian companion, Petie. Gary is survived by his devoted and beloved wife of 50 years, Elizabeth Stein Schmidt; his “chickens” (children) – Cindy Laskowski and husband John, Cody Schmidt and wife Kris, Kevin Schmidt, Kelley Schmidt, Kimberly Kelsey and husband Tyler, Katy Segler and husband Patrick; Grandchildren – Katelyn and Kaylee Schmidt, Drake Sharples, Annabelle and Caroline Kelsey; Brother – Glenn Schmidt and wife Rudi; Sister-in-Law- Linda Stein; and numerous nephews and nieces.

While Gary and his witty one-liners will be missed “biiiiig time”, his love of music is something that will most be remembered each time a great country shuffle is heard. “Oolalou, Chato!”

Visitations for the public will be held Tuesday, November 29 from 6-8 pm at Mission Park Funeral Chapels Cherry Ridge – 3401 Cherry Ridge Dr, San Antonio, TX 78230. A funeral Mass will take place at 11:30 am on Wednesday, November 30 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church – 4201 De Zavala Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249. Interment will be held immediately following services at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery – 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Humane Society in Gary’s honor at https://sahumane.org/.