August 6, 1958 – February 20, 2018

Mike Arch passed away on February 20, 2018. He was born on August 6, 1958 in Wiesbaden, Germany and traveled many places as the son of an Air Force active duty member before landing in San Antonio, TX when he was 12. He is survived by his wife Stephanie, parents Charles and Jutta Arch, brother Tom Arch, son Matthew Leonard Arch, daughter Chelsea Ann and her fiancé Jacob Briody, Mother-in-law Rita Recker, Sister-in-law Rani Janelle Zapata and her husband Frank Zapata and nephews Christopher Arch and Chad Arch and their families.

How do you sum up a man’s life? There are many people who touch our lives in this world and on rare occasions comes one that touches our hearts. Mike touched our hearts. Now the answer becomes simple – we just add up what he left behind. Parents he cared about, loved, and showered with kindness; Parents proud to call him son. A wife he loved and cherished above all else; a wife that will continue to love him for the rest of her days. Kids he loved and adored and raised to know the value of respect and kindness; Kids that will live up to the legacy he leaves behind. A brother he loved and knew he could always count on. Treasured friends he would greet with hugs and share stories and laughter with, especially at the many parties he hosted where friends and family became one. Friends that will miss him dearly and continue to support his family. Co-workers and business associates with whom he made lasting relationships; Colleagues that respected him and will forever value those relationships. He loved his many dogs over the course of his lifetime; especially his chocolate lab Buddy. He was a simple man of principle who felt at ease with the world around him especially the outdoors where he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a man of faith, God played a huge role in his life and he felt closest to Him in the quiet moments in the woods where the solitude often heard his prayers. He will be missed and always in our hearts.

A rosary will be held at St. Francis of Assisi on Saturday, March 3 at 10:00 am followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 am. A reception and time to visit with the family and celebrate Mike’s life will follow in St. Francis’ JP II Room on the second floor of the San Damiano Building immediately following this funeral Mass. The burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the San Antonio Humane Society or another animal rescue charity of their choice. Mike’s family is most grateful for the loving care, compassion, and comfort provided by Dr. Kimberly Heller, Dr. Robert Schnitzler and by the ICU intensivists, nurses and support staff at the Methodist Hospital.

January 9, 1923 – January 21, 2018

Lester Carl (Les) Jung of San Antonio, Texas, entered eternal rest, on January 21, 2018 at the age of 95. Les was born on January 9, 1923 in Malcolm, NE to George and Caroline (Heil) Jung. He is preceded in death by his parents, wives Phyllis Ann (Baumgart) and Nell Ruth (Kostohryz). He is survived by Jeff (Sally) Jung in San Antonio, TX; Sue McClain in Monticello, Il., Steven Jung in NYC, Greg (Teresa) Jung in Duluth, Minnesota, Pam (Greg) Jack in Omaha, Roger Jung in San Antonio, and Bill (Lisa) Jung in Wylie, Texas. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren whom he loved dearly.

Lester graduated from Omaha Tech High School. During WWII, Les served in the U.S. Army Air Corp as a B-17 Pilot with the 15th Air Force, 463rd Bomb Group in Foggia, Italy. He completed 50 missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the European Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars. After the war, he worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. before retiring.

A Memorial Service will be held on February 3, 2018 at Concordia Lutheran Church, 16801 Huebner, San Antonio, TX. Visitation at 10:00 am Memorial Service at 11:00 am A reception will follow. Funeral services and interment will be held on February 17, 2018 at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery at 5701 Center St. Omaha, NE. Visitation will be at 10:00 am. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am. Interment will be at 12 noon. A reception will follow. The family wishes to graciously thank the staffs at Autumn Grove Memory Care and Heart to Heart Hospice for their love and care for Les. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church or Alzheimer’s Disease Research in his name.

September 20, 1943 – January 11, 2018

Nick Martinez passed away at his home on January 11, 2018, after battling Parkinson’s Disease for the past eleven years. A San Antonio native, he was born on September 20, 1943.

As a young man, Nick graduated from Edison High School and attended San Antonio College. He went on to have a life-time career in the sales industry. He retired as a Farmers Insurance Agent after over twenty years of service.

Nick was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. As a member of the Knights of Columbus he achieved the rank of fourth degree. He was a fifteen-year member of an ACTS Small Christian Community with St. Luke’s Catholic Church. He served in the US Army Reserves. He was also a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club.

In Nick’s later years he established membership in the Sons of the Republic of Texas as a descendant of Gregorio Esparza, the only defender of the Alamo who was buried and not cremated.

Nick is survived by his wife, Irene, who he married November 26, 1993; daughter, Laura Martinez Costello and her husband, James, and grandson, Samuel James and son, Nicholas A. Martinez III and his wife, Elizabeth and grandson, Brandon Nicholas; his sister, Mary Anne Meyer and her husband, Roland; brothers, Arthur Martinez and his wife Rosa, and Daniel Martinez and wife, Rosie; as well as aunts, an uncle and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and his beloved dog, Shyla, who stayed by his side throughout his entire illness.

Nick’s brother, Danny, remembered his oldest brother, Nick, as the one who always made sure he had gifts under the Christmas tree when he was little. As the eldest son, he led the family in caring for their mother even as her health deteriorated.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 18 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

ROSARY
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2018
6:30 pm
PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

MASS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018
10:00 am
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH
4201 DE ZAVALA RD., SAN ANTONIO, TX 78249

Entombment will follow in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

February 16, 1933 – December 29, 2017

Evelyn Louise Ebrom Dreitner, age 84, entered the nearer presence of her Lord Friday, December 29, in San Antonio. She was born February 16, 1933 in San Antonio. Her parents, Edward and Mary; brothers, Herman and Charles; husband, Victor; and son-in-law, Thomas Upton predeceased her.

As a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Evelyn loved her family. Her favorite moments were when the family gathered for holidays and special events; even celebrating one final Christmas with all of her loving family at her bedside. Evelyn was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in San Antonio. Evelyn was a talented musician. She was the first female allowed to play the organ at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for the Liederkranz. She continued her musical passion by giving her gifts to God every day as the organist at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Port Lavaca, where she lived for over 45 years. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining in Port Lavaca; she ensured the parish priests would get a homecooked meal every week. She helped educate and strengthen children in the Catholic faith and prayers by teaching Catechism for many years.

Survivors include her sister, Sister John Martin Ebrom; her five children, Mary Jane Upton, Victor Dreitner (Stacy), Caroline Mowen (Curt), Cindy Epley (Gregg), and Anthony Dreitner (Kathy); eight grandsons Christopher Mowen (Kristyn), T.J. Upton (Marriah), Corey Mowen, Keith Epley, Brian Epley, Nathaniel Nguyen, Blake and Grayson Dreitner; two great-grandsons, Ryver and Beckett Mowen and numerous other relatives and friends.

The Rosary will be held at Porter Loring Mortuary North (San Antonio) on Wednesday, January 10 at 7 p.m. Evelyn’s funeral mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (San Antonio) on Thursday, January 11 at 10 a.m. Late Thursday afternoon, Evelyn will be laid to rest next to her husband at St. Mary’s Cemetery in High Hill, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (http://sfasat.org/newonlinegivingplatform/) or directly to St. Francis of Assisi Mobile Loaves and Fishes (http://sfasat.org/MLF/donate.htm). Evelyn’s family is most grateful for the loving care, compassion, and comfort provided by Dr. Neela Patel and by the nurses and staff at Kindred Hospice on Blanco Rd.

June 8, 1942-December 21, 2017

Robert was called from this life on December 21, 2017, at his home in San Antonio. He was born on June 8, 1942 to Claudine Wilma Howard Weyel and Robert Edward Weyel, Sr., in San Antonio, Texas. He married Peggy Ann James in 1969.

He graduated from Central Catholic High School and attended San Antonio College. He worked for Martin Bauml Plumbing Company, then was accepted into the apprenticeship program of Plumbers and Pipefitter UA Local 142 and worked as a pipefitter-welder for 33 years. Robert was employed by Todd-Ford and A.J. Monier and other mechanical contractors. For them he worked on San Antonio area projects in the 1970s through the 1990s including at Kelly AFB and Lackland AFB, UTSA, USAA, City of San Antonio, and most of the hospitals in our area.

In retirement he enjoyed keeping records of birds for his own enjoyment and for Cornell University’s Laboratory of Ornithology; trying out old and new fishing gear around Rockport, Port Aransas, and Corpus Christi; sharing his Dutch oven cooking skills with his wife and friends; being in the outdoors; and walking and traveling with his dog, Patty, from Animal Defense League.

The Mass of the Resurrection was held on December 28 at 11 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Interment followed at San Fernando Cemetery #2.

August 6, 1945 — November 29, 2017

Maria Elena Rodriguez Gorham, 72, went to be with her Lord on November 29, 2017. Maria was born to Socorro and Benjamin Rodriguez in San Antonio Texas on August 6, 1945. She graduated from Fox Tech High School in 1963. She was awarded a scholarship to Michigan University and eventually completed her BA and Masters of Social Work at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX in 1963. She married Charles H. Gorham on January 14, 1972, and they remained married until her passing.

Throughout her life, Maria made it her mission to help others, and the contributions she made will never be forgotten. Maria is survived by her husband: Charles H. Gorham; daughter: Marisol Corbitt; and son: Charles H. Gorham Jr.

Visitation will be held at Funeraria del Angel Roy Akers, 515 N. Main Ave on Monday, December 18, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., with the Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. On Tuesday, December 19, 2017 the Mass of Resurrection will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church 2623 Perez St., with Interment to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

September 23, 1924 — December 12, 2017

Lucille Maggio Ochoa, a resident of The Woodlands, Texas died on December 12, 2017. She was born in Beaumont, Texas on September 23, 1924, the eldest child of the late Annie and Mike Maggio.

She resided in San Antonio, Texas until 2006 when she became a resident of Windsor Lakes.

Lucille married the late Captain Eddie H. Ochoa in Beaumont in 1961 during Hurricane Carla after which she began her married life in San Antonio.

She became active in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Texas State Firefighter’s Association and served as local, state and international president. She held the title of President Emeritus of the organization.

Lucille was a founding member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in The Woods of Shavano and served as president of the Silver Stars.
Lucille had a successful career in real estate until retiring in 2000. Upon moving to The Woodlands, she became active in the Windsor Lake’s Homeowners Association and the Montgomery County Republican Women’s Club.

Survivors include her brother; Carlos Maggio and his wife Dorothy of Kingwood, Texas, sisters; Genevieve Catanzaro and Marie Maggio of Beaumont, Texas, Pearl Maggio of The Woodlands, stepson; Ed Ochoa and wife Nina of Katy, Texas, nephew Louis Catanzaro and wife Reen of Houston, Texas, step grandsons; Eric and Mick Ochoa, sister-in- law Connie Valdez of San Antonio, Texas and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Lucille had an outstanding personality; she was a generous person and a friend to everyone.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 15, 2017 at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home from 4-7pm with a Christian Vigil at 5 pm. Funeral services will take place on Monday, December 18, 2017, at Mission Park North, 3401 Cherry Ridge St., San Antonio, Texas. Visitation will be from 10 am to 1 pm in San Antonio with funeral Mass starting at 1 pm.

Lucille’s final resting place will be beside her husband in San Jose Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

Lydia V. Contreras was called home to be with our Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at the age of 90.  She is reunited in Heaven with her loving husband Joe A. Contreras, Sr. Lydia is loved and will be greatly missed by her children: Daughters, Yolanda Nierman and husband Dennis and Cerise Perez and husband Ruben; Sons, Joe A. Contreras Jr. and wife Cecelia, and Hector Contreras and wife Pamela. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren as well as 2 sisters and 1 brother.

She is always in our hearts.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on Monday, November 27, 2017 at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 6:30 pm followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 7:00 pm. On Tuesday, November 28, 2017 family and friends will gather at Castillo Mission Funeral Home at 7:00 am. A funeral procession will depart the funeral home at 8:00 am for a 9:00 am graveside service at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

January 14, 1953 – October 7, 2017

Thom Alvarez went to be with our Lord on October 7, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer. Thom was born on January 14, 1953 to Thomas and Maria Alvarez. Thom was preceded in death by his grandparents Damiana and Nieves Alvarez, Severa and Encarnacion Quinones, John Kerr and Harold Young, father in law. Thom is survived by his wife Deborah, daughters Stacie and Stephanie, parents Thomas and Maria Alvarez, brother John Alvarez (Norma) and sister Lydia Alvarez and Amelia Young, mother in law. He is also survived by his nephew John Alvarez (Ana) and nieces Sarah and Alyssa Alvarez, great nieces Isabella and Elizabeth Alvarez and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Thom enjoyed spending time with his family, watching classic westerns and Star Trek. Thom also had a love of music and cooking. Thom fought cancer with strength, determination and grace never allowing the disease to get the best of him. The family would like to thank the following for their care of Thom during his illness: Dr. Drengler and the START Center staff, Dr. Roque Diaz-Wong, Kidney Disease Center and the staff at Methodist Transplant Hospital.

Funeral Mass will take place October 28, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where Thom was a founding member. Interment follows at St. Joseph Society Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in his honor to The American Cancer Society or St. Francis Catholic Church.

March 24, 1922 – October 21, 2017

Bob, also known as “Colonel” to many of his friends, was born in 1922 in Jacksonville, Florida, to Joseph ”J. B.” and Geraldine Wilson.  His family moved to a farm in Trenton, Florida when he was a young child, and he grew up there. In October 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and went on active duty in February 1943. After attending Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant. During World War II, he served as a bombardier on a B-29 crew based first in India and China, and then in the Mariana Islands during the airwar with Japan. His missions included flying “The Hump,” crossing the eastern end of the Himalayas. During the war, Bob also conducted a long-distance courtship of Ruby through his letters, and they married as soon as he returned to the United States. Bob remained in the military, serving 28 years in the Air Force and achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel. He served mainly with the Strategic Air Command plus tours as the base adjutant at Wheelus AFB in Libya and as a military adviser to the Republic of China (Taiwanese) Air Force. While serving, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.

When Bob retired from the Air Force in 1970, he and Ruby moved to the home they had built in Shavano Park, Texas. He had a 16-year second career at Ingram Manufacturing before fully retiring. Bob and Ruby were among the original parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and were founding members of the Church’s senior group, the Silver Stars. Last year, they moved to Austin to be closer to their daughters.

Bob is survived by his wife Ruby; they celebrated their 71^st wedding anniversary last December. He is also survived by their two daughters, Claudia Anderson and Charlotte Wilson and their husbands; two grandchildren Robert Anderson and Judith Jones; four great-grandchildren; and three brothers, Roy, Joe, and Milam of Trenton, Florida.

A Mass will be held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, October 25 here at St. Francis. A reception with a potluck meal will follow in Henke Hall.