Reuben “Andy” Guerra

July 28, 1949 – December 2, 2023

Reuben (Andy) was born in Laredo, Texas to Reuben and Beatrice Weaver Guerra on July 28, 1949. He went to school in Hebbronville, Texas. He married Cynthia V. Ramos on August 4, 1973 in Kingsville, Texas. Reuben served his country during the Vietnam War as an electronic specialist and captain guider on the USS Lexington air craft ship. After serving honorably in the U.S. Navy, he attended the University of Texas in Austin. He continued his electronics specialty with Xerox Corporation and managed offices in both Corpus Christi and San Antonio for numerous years. Reuben (Andy) is preceded in death by Reuben Guerra (father), Beatrice Weaver Guerra (mother), Nelda Cora Lull (Thomas E. Lull) and Olga Deanna Wood (Richard G. Wood). Reuben is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cynthia V. Guerra, children: Edward Andrew, David Alan (Alecia), Michael Aaron (Nicole), Alexa Marie. Eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Also, his sister Catherine Rose Aiton (Travis Micheal Aiton) and nieces and nephews. A visitation for Reuben will be held Monday, January 8, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249 followed by a funeral mass which will celebrated on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 12:00 PM. A committal service will follow on Monday, January 8, 2024 from 1:30 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209 with military honors.

Lorraine Steubing Griffin

1930 – September 6, 2023

Lorraine was raised on a farm in West Bexar and Medina counties—without modern conveniences! She was baptized on January 17, 1931 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Castroville, Texas; she received her first communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas. Her mother passed March 26, 1936, when Lorraine was only five years old, and she continued to live on the farm with her father and sister Madelyn, who was 7 ½ years her elder and stepped halfway into the role of her mom. Her father, who read the entire Bible several times, continued her Catholic education, though he himself was Lutheran. Lorraine enjoyed her summers with her grandparents at Rio Medina, where
she spent lots of time swimming in the Medina River in the shade of Cypress trees. Lorraine attended the Maverick School in Medina County, a traditional two-room schoolhouse of the time. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio when she was 15 and joined the work force, with her first job being in a real estate office for 5 years before entering Federal Service in Government Contracting at various local Air Force installations for approximately 41 years. While she was working, she attended San Antonio College and Southwest Texas State University. Lorraine said it was a long and rewarding journey from a two-room schoolhouse to the job that she held at the time of her retirement. Lorraine received many awards for her outstanding work during her time in federal service and retired in 1990, then went back for 13 months, until Rick told her she needed to retire so they could travel before they got too old. Lorraine felt very blessed to have such a large attendance at her retirement ceremony, where she received many gifts. She was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award and medal, accompanied with a congratulatory letter from President George H.W. Bush. Lorraine also received a United States flag that was flown over the Congressional building. After retirement, she volunteered with the National Association of Federal Retired Employees (NARFE) Chapter 1320 for 18 years, bringing her total time on the Air Force Bases to 59 years! For her service, she earned the NARFE Award for District Volunteer of the Year.

The year she retired, Lorraine felt she had the opportunity to repay Madelyn for the growing up years, when her sister played the role of a mother as well as her big sister. Madelyn had colon cancer for five years before she passed and Lorraine was able to spend time by her side, caring for her and being the sister Madelyn needed during that time. Lorraine never had children, but she did enjoy spending time with her nephew Tommy, and later his three children, Kirk, Jennifer, and Jeff. She would have one of the children with her almost every weekend and they enjoyed many journeys to the coast. After she and Rick married, her step-grandson lived with them during part of his senior year of high school, his first year of college, and weekends and summers for several years thereafter.

In fact, traveling brought great joy to Lorraine’s life and she had many opportunities to travel in her home country and to travel abroad, though she traveled only in the United States after the events of 9-11. Her journeys include travel to Italy, Greece and the British Isles, an Alaskan Cruise, and to the Great Northwest and Canada; also to many annual Navy Squadron Reunions held in the United States.

Lorraine was an ardent community member and volunteer. Her diversity of activities includes being President of the La Villita Chapter of the America Business Women’s Association, a charter member of the San Antonio Purchasing Management Association, and memberships with the Altrusa Club of San Antonio and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Salvation Army, and numerous church organizations. Lorraine was deeply religious and spiritual and read the Bible twice, including the foot notes. Her church activities include serving as an administrator for Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes at St. Gregory Catholic Church, being a Founder of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, an officer in the Women’s Council, serving as chairperson for the first St. Francis cookbook “Seasoned with Love,” membership in the Society of the Rosary (including making baby bibs and rosaries), membership in the Renew Bible Study group for 15 years, volunteering with Mobile Loaves and Fishes from inception until her health failed, and four years of membership on Hank and Flo Tripp’s Silver Stars team, where she and Rick helped prepare and serve meals and provide the evening’s entertainment one evening a month for four years. Fond memories have to include Lorraine’s cracker cookies; they were always a favorite at the St. Francis October Festival and would always disappear first, due largely to the fact that members and visitors alike would come to get those cookies before they even got their food! Lorraine lived a full life, surrounded by a wealth of family and friends that loved and greatly admired her. Throughout her life, people would tell Lorraine how much they enjoyed her smile, sense of humor, and twinkling blue eyes (which she got from her mischievous grandfather). Of course, the sense of humor sometimes got her into trouble! She leaves behind her a legacy of love and boundless beautiful memories.

Mary Simmons

May 24, 1931 – December 17, 2023

Mary Catherine (Schmidt) Simmons, age 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 17, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on May 24, 1931 to Ella Brieden and George Schmidt in Devine, Texas. Mary, a lifelong Catholic, grew up on their family farm near Devine, Texas, sharing many of the joys and chores of farm life with her family. She attended Devine High School and was very active in band, student council, and loved athletics her whole life. She moved to the big city of San Antonio to attend Incarnate Word Nursing School, graduating as an R.N. and becoming a surgical nurse at Santa Rosa Hospital. Mary met the love of her life, 1st Sergeant Talmadge (Tal) Simmons of Central Florida, on a blind date to a USO dance where they began their love of dancing together. They married and made their home in north San Antonio.

They were very involved in raising their five children. Mary spent time both as a working mom and a stay-at-home mom. From scouting, athletics, FFA, to choir and many other activities, she supported her kids in every way she could. For 35 years, at their home on 3 acres in Shavano Park, she enjoyed gardening along with canning and preserving the fruits of their large garden and orchard. She loved bowling, Altar Society, and assisted as a volunteer school nurse at St. Gregory Catholic Elementary School. Along with Tal, she had such good times entertaining family and friends, and hosted more BBQs than you could count along with volleyball, horseshoes, and having musical jam sessions. One of her favorite things in life was being with extended family whether it be at the family farm in Devine, various Texas towns, and at Lake Wales and Tampa, Florida. She also dearly loved outings with friends from Handy Andy where her husband worked for 33 years.

As her children grew up she returned to nursing as an R.N. at several nursing homes. She was very dedicated and much needed in providing care and compassion to her patients. After this she worked for Baptist Health Systems training other nurses. She also adored spending much time with her grandchildren whether at home or spending time watching them in their activities. After Tal passed away, she enjoyed traveling with her sister, Sr. Sylvia, AKA the N&N sisters (nurse/nun). Mary attended many church activities and became a Eucharistic Minister at St. Francis of Assisi, ministering both at Masses and in Ministry to the Homebound bringing Holy Communion to those who were no longer able to come to Mass. She was a woman of prayer in many ways including saying the daily Rosary. The Lord was her greatest consolation.

Mary Schmidt Simmons was a phenomenon in being happy and able to live on her own with help from her dedicated children until the age of 92. She was a blessing to everyone she knew! In her last days on Earth, she continually remarked on how much she desired to be in Heaven with the Lord and her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Joseph, George, Julius, Francis, Patricia (Sr. Sylvia), Kenneth (Kenny); her beloved husband of 51 years, Talmadge (Tal) Simmons, her son, Richard and her daughter-in-law Lorie Simmons. Mary is survived by her children, Dennis Simmons (Terry), Ernie Simmons (Angela), Jim Simmons, Don Simmons (Holly), Beth Shepherd (Casey); and 9 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members.

We would like this to be a celebration of Mary’s life. Please wear bright colors to the services. The family will receive visitors beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024 at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

November 28, 1962 – December 2, 2023

Norman Howard Bahr passed away peacefully on December 2, 2023. Howard is survived by his wife, Stephanie Bahr; children, Jennifer Bagley (Allen), Norman Thomas Bahr, and Sharon Bahr; 3 grandchildren, Rose Marlene Bagley, George Adrian Bagley, and Patrick Howard Bagley. He is also survived by his parents, Norman Robert and Patrica Bahr and his brother David Bahr (Trudy).

A private family celebration of his life will be held at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 DeZavala Rd. on December 5, 2023 with a reception after in Henke Hall. Interment will be held at a later date in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to either any organization at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church or any cancer research of your choice.

February 1944 – July 2023 

John “Jack”R. Verhagen, a native of Kaukauna, WI and a longtime resident of Madison, WI and San Antonio, TX., passed away peacefully on July 23, 2023, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lorraine Porter Verhagen, son Jeffery Verhagen and daughter-in-law Susan, and two (2) children Nate and Claire Verhagen and daughter Sarah Porter and son-in-law Manny and two (2) children Lauren Porter-Stidham (husband Dylan) and Nico Porter.

Jack left his parent’s farm in Kaukauna to attend the University of Wisconsin -Madison where he obtained both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Jack spent almost 30 years working in federal corrections with the U.S Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Probation System. He started his career as a state probation officer in Appleton, WI. Jack completed his last 15 years as the Chief Probation Officer for the Federal Court, Western-WI in Madison where he retired in 1999. Jack was also a trainer and social work officer in the U.S. Army Reserves, served on active duty during Vietnam and Desert Storm, and retired as a LT. Colonel with over 22 years of military service.

Jack was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic parish and was active in church ministries as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector Commentator and was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Jack was a longtime member of St Francis Silver Stars and served one year as their President. He was a member of the American Correctional Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Federal Probation Officers Association. He worked as a volunteer usher with the Majestic Theater and worked over five years as a ride-along domestic abuse counselor once a month with the San Antonio Police Department.

Jack was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. “We never lose our loved ones. They accompany us; they don’t disappear from our lives. We are merely in different rooms”. – Paula Coelho

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.