STARBUCK FUNERAL HOME

Leonard (Len) Norris Boden, born August 14, 1934, the only son of O.B. Boden and Lois Boden, passed away Monday, August 26th 2024. Len was an Air Force veteran, radio announcer and after being honorably discharged continued his career as a DJ in different states and all across Texas, most notably WBAP in the DFW metropolis. He decided to continue his education and attended TCJC, ASU and 3 seminaries. Ultimately his creative side led him to become a potter and he traveled extensively across the country selling his creations. Years later he discovered a love of leather and boot making. After a five-year apprenticeship under James Leddy he struck out on his own and in 1981 opened his custom...

Wayne L. Smith, 84, of Abilene passed away Saturday August 10, 2024. Memorial services will be held Tuesday August 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., at Beltway Park Church South Campus Chapel followed by a burial in Merkel, TX. Visitation will take place Monday August 12, 2024, from 6p.m.-8 p.m at Starbucks Funeral Home in Merkel. Wayne L. Smith was born May 11, 1940 in Ranger, TX to Robert Carlton (R.C.) and Ollie (Powell) Smith. He was the oldest of 2 sons. Being raised in Cisco, Tx he graduated from Cisco High School in 1958. Wayne moved to Abilene the summer of 1958 to work for Furr's grocery store. He met Nelda Janelle Farmer at Calvary Baptist Church and they were married there on...

David Eugene Riney was surrounded by loved ones as he journeyed to his Heavenly home on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at the age of 80. He was born in Merkel to David Leroy Riney and Bernie Opal Dean Riney on April 21, 1944. David grew up on his family's farm in Mulberry Canyon. He graduated from Merkel High School in 1962. While in school, he met Donna Rutledge who became his best friend and loving wife. They were married at the Merkel Church of Christ on July 10, 1964. David was a loving and devoted husband, daddy, son, brother, and grandfather "Babo" and friend, who will be greatly missed. He established strong bonds with many of his extended family members. He proudly shared his family...

Eugene Danielski,81, of Merkel, TX, passed away on July 30, 2024 in Merkel, TX. Eugene was born in Manhattan, New York to Eugene Francis Danielski and Julia Witkowski Danielski on December 1, 1942. He went to school in New York City and graduated from the Aviation High School. He married Gloria Potvin Danielski on April 20, 1974. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1980. He was a veteran of the Vietnam war. During his Air Force career he earned Air Medal w/2 OLC, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal w/1 Silver Cluster, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award w/4 OLC, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of...

Robert "Bob" Eugene Wyman, 83, passed away on July 17th after a brief stay in Hendrick Hospital. Born in Michigan, Bob was a hardworking man who was self-motivated from a young age. After a move to Wisconsin, Bob began working for Colonial Bakery before opening his own gyms and earning an invite to compete in the Mr. Wisconsin in the '60's. Having a passion and love for animals, he turned to Dog Training. He started his teaching in Florida, before moving to the Abilene/Hawley area where he settled and established "Complete Dog Training". Bob's training extended from potty training to training Drug Dogs for Law Enforcement in the Texas and New Mexico regions. He will be remembered as a well...

Bette Flo "Bubbles" Smith Scroggins Bette "Bubbles" Scroggins completed her earthly journey on July 7, 2024. Bette was born September 25, 1939 to Allene Burleson and Franklin Jefferson "F.J." Smith. She married L.M. "Sam" Scroggins on February 21, 1959. Bette is predeceased by both parents, husband Sam (1/24/2003), and grandson Dustin Mark Hebert (12/3/2021). Survivors include her chosen daughter Judy Chambers Hale and Judy's extended family, her beloved dog Pierre, son Stuart Scroggins and his children Lukas and Emma, daughter Stephanie Hebert and her son Hunter and son in law Riaz. Graveside services will be held at Rosehill Cemetery, Merkel, Texas, July 25, 2024 10:00 AM.

Christina Marie Kuper, 44 years old, of Hawley, passed away on June 25th, 2024, in Abilene. Christina was born in Fort Wayne Indiana to Anita Mickleburgh on October 5th, 1979. She went to school in Monroeville Indiana. She graduated from Heritage High School. She married Benjamin Kuper on December 9th, 2006, in Monroeville Indiana. She was a housewife for many happy years. She was the owner of the Hawley sharing box which started in January of 2017 and will continue to run for many years to come in honor of Christina. Christina Kuper is survived by her spouse Benjamin Kuper, her daughters Tiffany Lash, Elizabeth Bleeke, her sisters Michelle Baird, Melissa Burger, her brothers Scott...

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joy Darlene "Dolly" Schauf Houghton, aged 82, of Big Spring, TX. On June 13, 2024, in Abilene, TX, Darlene peacefully departed this world, finding eternal rest and opening her eyes to the glory of heaven. Born in Wichita, KS, in 1941, Darlene experienced a rich tapestry of life, moving frequently with her family and attending many schools. Despite these changes, her resilient spirit and warm heart shone brightly. She found her soulmate, Donald Ray Houghton, in Wichita, KS, and they were united in marriage on September 6, 1958, in Goodland, KS. Their love story blossomed in Amarillo, TX, where Don worked as a mechanic for Ryder Truck...

LeRoy Lynn Goodgion, 76, of Tye, Texas, passed away on May 24, 2024 at his home in Tye. LeRoy was born in Floydada, Texas to Hazel Virginia "Galloway" Goodgion and Howard Edward Goodgion. He attended Abilene High School and joined the Navy where he served in Vietnam. After returning home, he met and married Mari Luanne "Donaldson" Goodgion in Abilene, Texas on June 13, 1969. Luanne was the love of his life and they remained together until her passing on April 21, 2016. LeRoy and Luanne lived their entire lives in Tye and were preceded in death by 6 generations of Tye ancestors. LeRoy owned and operated Goodgion Electric for over 30 years where he employed both his son-in-law and grandson....

On April 15th, 2024, Loyce 'Gayle' Baker passed peacefully from this life surrounded by her family. Gayle was born October 2, 1936, to Ross and Golda (Shults) Givens in Frederick, Oklahoma. She graduated from Manitou High School in Manitou, Oklahoma and obtained a teaching degree from Abilene Christian University. She married Hugh Baker on March 8th, 1963, in Merkel, Texas. Hugh and Gayle raised three children in Merkel: Loyce, Lyle, and Lanae. She was a proud mom and a doting grandma and great-grandma. Gayle taught business and typewriting for 30 years at Merkel High School. She was a passionate disciple of Jesus Christ and continually spread joy and encouragement to everyone she...

Elvira Acu?a Biera, 93, of Merkel, Texas, passed from this Earth on April 1, 2024, in Abilene, TX. Elvira was born in a boxcar in Pyote, Texas, to Jose Acu?a and Rafaela Garcia on July 19, 1930. At the time of her birth, her father was a railroad employee. She attended Trent schools until the 6th grade. She married Juan C. Biera in Abilene, Texas, on March 5, 1946. Despite her limited educational background, she instilled the importance of schooling in her children. All 10 of them have graduated from Merkel High School, with several pursuing further degrees in higher education. The majority of her schooling came from hands-on experience. She faced adversity early in life, losing her mother...

Hollis Burl McCoy, 91, of Merkel passed away on March 18, 2024 in Abilene. Burl was born in Stith, Texas to Hollis and Velma McCoy on February 22, 1933. He graduated from Merkel High School, then earned a Bachelors and Masters from Abilene Christian College. He married Georgia Jan Gibson on August 11, 1958 in Bakersfield, California. Burl invested in young people as a teacher, coach and mentor for 38 years at both the high school and university levels. He had a gift and passion for singing, which he used as a song-leader for gospel meetings across the country, as well as for his home church beginning at age 15. He, his wife and three children formed The McCoy Family Singers and were annual...

Thomas Gerald Jones, age 87 of Abilene, TX went to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 11, 2024 at Lindale Memory Care Center in Abilene. Tom was born in Trent, Texas in a small farmhouse on August 7, 1936 to D.H. and Mary Katherine Tittle Jones. He went to school at Trent and was a proud "GORILLA". After high school, he graduated from McMurry University. He married Linda Sue Kelley of Clyde on March 21, 1981 at his newly built home in Merkel, TX. He worked for the Dept of Transportation, appliance sales, and other sales jobs. His favorite job was recruiting kids to attend TSTI in Sweetwater. He also farmed and raised cattle on the family farm in Trent. He was a proud...

Brayden Patrick Shockley, 30, of Merkel Texas, passed away on February 20, 2024, in Abilene Texas. Brayden was born in Abilene Texas to David Shockley and Debbie Williams-Ingram on January 24th, 1994. He grew up in Merkel and graduated from Merkel High School in 2012. He married Cassi Shockley on September 29th, 2018, in Merkel Texas. He worked as a service advisor for Caliber Collison. Brayden was a motorcycle enthusiast, volunteer fireman, a darn good cook, a family man, and a guy who bounced back from more of life's nonsense than anyone should be exposed to. He leaves behind a wife and children that he loved immensely as well as his parents, his friends that he called family and his...

Eddie Glenn Sandusky, age 87, of Merkel, Texas, passed away on February 15, 2024 in Abilene, Texas. He was born in Mulberry Canyon south of Merkel to Ed and Alwyne (Harris) Sandusky on October 29, 1936. He graduated from Merkel High School in 1955. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Merkel. He married Barbara Terrill on November 25, 1959 in De Leon, Texas. In his younger years he participated in stock shows and rodeos. His business ventures included farming, ranching, working at a feedlot, selling ag products, club calves, and finding the best deals. His delight was in his grandkids. He spent time in Sunday school, the sale barn, Ed's Feed and Seed Store, the domino hall, and...

Roland Steve Pack, 77, of Conway County, Arkansas passed away February 5, 2024 at his home doing what he loved to do the most, hunting. Roland was born June 4,1946 near Hico, Texas to Hazel May Huxford and Lester Wayne Pack. As a young child his family moved throughout Texas and New Mexico for work. Later they settled in Merkel, Texas where he completed his schooling. In 1965, he met Becki Gladden at the Texaco station where he was working. A friendship started then a romance and marriage on June 10, 1967. Roland and Becki had two children Chad and Jill. Soon after his marriage Roland started working for Taylor Electric as a lineman and in 1978, he accepted a job in Bayfield Colorado...

Paula DeAnne Skidmore, 80, passed on January 23, 2024 at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, TX. Paula was born April 16, 1943, in Merkel Texas to Dick and Beryl Skidmore. Paula was a long-time resident of Odessa where she retired from Medical Center Hospital in 2008. Paula was a talented artist and enjoyed painting on china, ceramics and oil painting. Paula was a great friend to many. Paula loved to watch wildlife and go on safari on the farm she lived on in Merkel. Paula was loved by all her family. She is survived by her daughter, Mylinda and husband Benny Williams, daughter Shelley and husband Zeke Tijerina. Paula was known as Nanny to grandsons: JT Edmiaston and Eziquiel Tijerina Jr,...

Pearl, age 96, of Trent made her journey to heaven to rejoin her passed family members on the morning of December 26, 2023. She was born in Mulberry Canyon to William C. Matthews and Eula Pearl Dowdy on January 10, 1927. Pearl graduated from Trent High School but attended several other schools including IXL, Merkel, White Flat, Sweetwater, Gail Business College, Hardin-Simmons University and TSTC. Pearl had fond memories of her school friends and enjoyed reminiscing of those days and the time her team got to compete in the state basketball tournament. Pearl worked as a phone operator in Trent, as a secretary for South Junior High and as a stenographer for Texaco in Wichita Falls. She...

Christopher Lance Adkins, 42, of Merkel, TX, formally of Sweetwater, TX, passed away July 1, 2023 and Hendrick Hospice Care after a life long illness. Chris was born September 22, 1980 in East Liverpool, Ohio to Trina Adkins and Lance Fielder. Chris was known to be a funny and resilient guy by his family. He was also known as a fighter since the day he was born, and he fought hard till the very end. Chris loved music, games, and family, but most of all he loved his children. His contagious laugh and sarcasm will be missed by many. Chris is survived by his mother, Trina Gentry of Merkel, TX; one son: Braxton Adkins; two daughters: Braelyn and Brazley Adkins all of Merkel. Three brothers:...

Robert "Bob" Gilchrist, 81, of Merkel, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, April 20, 2023 in Merkel, TX. Bob was born November 19, 1941, in Raleigh, NC to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde H. Gilchrist. He went to school in Cary, NC. Bob joined the Army shortly after and that brought him to Abilene, TX. He met the love of his life Veta. They eloped to Mexico on February 1, 1962 and they began their life together. For 61 years they never left each other's side. Through and thick and thin, they were truly each other's best friend. Bob was a husband, a Daddy. His grandkids call him Bob, Honey, Grandad, Pops, and Pop-Pop. He worked for Wes-Tex Drilling as a tool pusher for 20 years. After...

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Vicky Dianne Cobb. She is missed greatly by her daughter Mandy & grandchildren Chelsa, Taylor, Emma, John, and Gus (who all lovingly referred to her as "Geegee.") She passed away the afternoon of April 3, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at Hendrick Hospice Care in Abilene. Vicky was born on February 26, 1956, in Lubbock. She was the fourth of five children born to Mary (Burt) Dillon and Tex Cobb. She grew up traveling around the southern United States due to her father's work in the ministry. Along the way, she has touched many lives and gained many friendships. She leaves a loving family, including three brothers and a sister, Darrow,...