STARBUCK FUNERAL HOME

Our beloved Dad, Vernon Farmer, 87, of Hawley was called home into the loving arms of his Savior on Thursday, January 19, 2023 in his bed, in the home he built. A celebration of his life was held on Sunday January 22, 2023. Our Dad was born in Wayne County, Illinois to Robert Leo and Beulah Farmer on November 22, 1935. After completing his education he proudly served his country in the United States Army, he met the love of his life Billie Joyce Logsdon and they were married in 1961. He retired from LTV Steel in 1985 and moved to Texas. He was a member of Caps United Methodist Church. Family was the most important thing to our Dad. He was a devoted family man who enjoyed wood working,...

Robert "Bob" Lee Roys, 90, of Tye passed away peacefully in the evening hours of Thursday, January 5, 2023. He was born in Caldwell, Texas to Robert Earl and Annie (Gonzalas) Roys on September 26, 1932. Bob served his country honorably for 20 years in the United States Air Force before his retirement in 1972. After his active service he was employed by several organizations in janitorial positions. Bob is survived by his wife Billie Roys of Tye; children Gerald Knight and wife Sondra of Oklahoma, Travis Roys of Washington, Burt Roys of Kentucky, Aaron Sheppard and wife Novia of Plano, Gary McKillip and wife Elaina of Winter, and Lori Parker and husband Matt of Oklahoma; sister Betty...

Annie Viola Massey, 86, of Merkel, TX passed away on January 5, 2023 in Abilene, TX. She was born August 29, 1936 to W.O. and Elmida (Hunter) Henderson in Matador, TX. Annie enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. You could find her in the kitchen cooking. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo with her family. She would always say, "I love all my kids" all the time. Annie is preceded in death by her parents, husbands: Earnest Goodman and Bill Williams: sisters: Ruth Goodman, Mary Jowers, Connie Murphy, brothers: Gary Collier and Carl Collier, son-in-law: Terry Boyd, great grandsons: Michael Newberry and Chance Gonzales. Annie is survived by...

Randall Joe Dudley was born on June 10,1950 to Quannah and Lillian "Boots" Dudley at the Sadler Clinic in Merkel. Joe was the youngest of four children. Joe gave his life to the Lord as a boy at Calvary Baptist Church in Merkel. He graduated from Merkel High School in 1968, where he was an outstanding football player. He was also known to be an excellent livestock showman and won many accolades during his livestock show career. Joe attended Cisco Junior College where he was on the rodeo team as a bareback rider. After his time at Cisco, he farmed, ranched, and spent the majority of his career as a tool pusher in the oil field. In the fall of 1970, Joe married Yvonne Allison. They had...

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father and grandfather, Frank Duran, on December 4, 2022 in Abilene, Texas after a sudden illness. He was blessed to live a full and active life to the age of 95. Frank was born on June 4, 1927 in Merkel, Texas to Juan and Concepcion Duran. He married Cynthia Biera in January 1950 and was a father to 3 daughters Susan, Rosemary, and Roberta. Frank was a hard worker and generous provider. He always made sure his girls and grandchildren were safe and taken care of. He was dedicated to his faith as a member of Our Mother Of Mercy Catholic Church in Merkel. Throughout his life he sang in the choir and assisted in many ways with the...

Bridget Elaine Rodriguez, 50, of Abilene, Texas, went to be with her Heavenly Father Monday, October 24, 2022. She was born January 7, 1972 in Merkel, Texas to parents Sesario Acu?a and Carlotta Castillo. Bridget graduated from Merkel High School in 1990 and went to cosmetology school afterwards. She became a licensed cosmetologist which allowed her to work in various salons in Abilene, Texas. She was married to Andrew Rodriguez for 23 years and they had 3 children: Jacob, Zachry and Miranda. She worked for several years as a licensed cosmetologist before switching careers into child care and early childhood education. She always longed to be a teacher and enjoyed serving her community that...

Malvin Dokey, 93, of Hawley passed away Thursday, October 20, 2022. He was born on February 23, 1929 to Malvin and Della (Green) Dokey in Gordon, Texas. Melvin spent much of his life in the oil field. He loved camping, music, dancing, going to flea markets, being around people, and could talk to anyone. Above everything his family mattered most. Melvin is survived by his children Jimmy and wife Jan of Hawley, Lisa Dokey and Partner Donna Knapp of Hawley, and Michael Dokey and partner Tina Wellmaker of Merkel; sisters Ida James and Ada Teubner; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, along with numerous other family members. He was preceded in...

John Charles Brady, 84, of Merkel, died peacefully at his home on October 2, 2022. John was born October 23, 1937 in Waterloo, Iowa to O.E. and Agnes Brady. After graduation from high school, John enlisted into the US Air Force. He was stationed at Dyess AFB where he met and married the love of his life, Jocille Thompson. They recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. John and Jocille raised their 4 children in Merkel, Texas, where he was the local mailman until his retirement after 31 years of service. After retirement, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was a prison minister. John was very active in all of the children's activates, and because of his dedication he was...

Sharon Dudley Conlin of Abilene, TX passed away Saturday, October 1, 2022, at the age of 74. Sharon was born on November 7, 1947, to Quannah and Lillian "Boots" Dudley in Merkel, TX. Sharon was a Merkel Badger Head Cheerleader and graduate of Merkel High School in 1965. She married John F. Conlin Jr. of Odessa, TX on April 20th, 1974. They were married for 36 years until John passed away in 2011. Sharon worked nights at Permian Basin Community Center for many years, so she could be home during the day to care for her three sons. She also worked at American Lenders towards the end of her career. Sharon loved her family and her pets more than anything. She loved to get holiday cards and to...

Ethel M. (Ford) Putman, 77, passed away Sunday, September, 18, 2022 in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Ethel was born and raised in and around Merkel, TX, where she also went to school. On May 3, 1963, Ethel Marie Ford married Donald "Don" Putman from Abilene. They were married for 54 years until Don's death on September 8, 2017. During 54 years of marriage, she travelled the country and world as a Military Wife, was a homemaker, a Cub Scout Den Mother, a volunteer for military related organizations, worked a few jobs, and was a Grandmother. She also liked doing arts and crafts. Survivors include her son Hobbs Putman and wife Sherry and grandchildren Garrett and Kayleigh of Wesley Chapel, FL...

Earmer Asher "E.A." Chaney Jr, 88 years old, passed away September 11, 2022 in Abilene, Texas. He was born on July 15, 1934 in Reagan County to Earmer and Gladys Chaney. E.A. was drafted into the Army in 1957 and served his country until 1964. He owned the Chaney Arena in San Angelo, Texas. E.A. started riding horses in parades and rodeos when he was 8 years old and continued his rodeo career until the age of 55. He spent the majority of his life teaching cowboys and cowgirls how to ride steers, bulls and bareback horses. His favorite bull he owned was "Danny". He continued caring for his cows and dogs throughout his life and those interests kept him and Hazel occupied. E.A. served as a...

Bobby Wayne Barbee, 76, of Lake Worth passed away at his home August 24, 2022. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00PM Friday September 2, 2022 at Starbuck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Starbuck Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Starbuck Funeral Home, 1022 North 2nd Street, Merkel, Texas 79536.

Roy Wetsel, died August 16, 2022 in Abilene, Texas. There will not be any visitation or funeral services per Roy Wetsel's wishes. All of this will be handled by Starbuck Funeral Home in Merkel, Texas. Roy was born December 22, 1935, in Winters, Texas to Alver Roy Wetsel and Julia Amanda Hardgree, also known as Mom Judy. He was raised in Winters, Texas and graduated from high school in Colorado City, Texas. Roy served one term in the Marines. After the duty in the Marines, he graduated from barber school. Roy and his father had a barber shop together, later he was one of the owners of the River Oaks Barber Shop, then was in partnership with his half brother Andy Wetsel of the Family Hair...

Arthur George Stout was born on October 7, 1927, in Merkel Texas to parents Raymond George Stout and Essie Mae Bond-Stout. He passed from this life into the arms of Jesus Christ on May 15, 2022, at the age of ninety-four. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Bettye Arlene Fortune-Stout, his son Darrell (Buddy) Stout, and sister Laverl Stout-Dokey. Arthur is survived by his two daughters, Sharron Stout-Butler of Abilene, and Shallan Stout-Vercell of Montgomery TX. Four grandchildren, Joshua and wife Lynzee Vercell of Willis, TX., Jamie Vercell of Montgomery, TX., Heather Stout-McMillan and husband Edwin, of Broomfield, Colorado., Dara Stout-Davis and husband Corey of Clyde TX....

Jo Ann Smith, loving mom and Granny, of Abilene, Texas passed away on Friday, May 13, 2022, at the age of 86. Visitation will be Monday, May 16, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Starbucks Funeral Home in Merkel, Texas. Services will be Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Starbucks Funeral Home Chapel followed by burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel, Texas. Jo Ann was born on May 2, 1936 in Sylvester, Texas to Tom and Marguerite Watson. She was the 4th of eight children. Jo Ann held several jobs through the years - Southern Gardens, Timex and Crown Cork & Seal. While at Crown she was named Employee of the Year. She retired from Crown in 2000 after 22 years. Jo Ann loved to do...

Shirley Sue (Byrd) Jones, age 86, passed from this life on April 4, 2022 in Weatherford, TX. She was born on January 16, 1936 in Merkel, TX to Alvin Judson (Shorty) Byrd and Sarah Rena (Hassey) Byrd. Shirley was amazing wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She was married to Harlan R. Jones for 52 years until his death in 2005. She was a beauty operator and a homemaker. Shirley loved bluebonnets and roses. She will be missed dearly. Those left to cherish her memory include her three sons: Harlan R. Jones Jr. of Fort Worth, TX, Mickey L. Jones and wife Linda of Sanger, TX and Stephen M. Jones of Weatherford, TX; one brother: Teddy Byrd and wife Merry of Buffalo Gap, TX ; one sister: Joan...

Joseph Real Fortin passed from this life on March 12, 2022. He was born on July 15, 1941 in Lewiston, ME to Albert and Imelda (Fontaine) Fortin. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm, on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the Jaycee Barn, located at 307 W. 4th in Sweetwater, TX.

Wanda Hendricks, 81, passed away Thursday, February 24, 2022 at Songbird Lodge, Brownwood, Texas. Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel, Texas with Jackie Reynolds officiating, directed by Starbuck Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Starbuck Funeral Home. Wanda Jane "Hester" Hendricks was born September 8, 1940 in Jones County, Texas to Jessie Vernon "J.V." and Tessie Vera Wade Hester. She attended Merkel High School. Wanda married David Camuel "D.C." Hendricks on May 25, 1957 in Merkel. She worked for the Merkel Drug Store before becoming a housewife. She enjoyed golfing and spending time with...

Viola "Coot" Saunders Harris, was born on May 2, 1932. She was born in a log cabin in the township of Silver Creek (now Morganton, NC). Viola was the third of nine children to James Russell and Ethel Clark Saunders. Viola attended Salem Schools and helped her grandmother in the school lunch room when needed. She had some interesting jobs throughout her life such as sewing up the seam in the back of stockings at the Hosiery Mill, putting the rope in soaps for Estee Lauder, working at Aileen Inc. in Abilene, TX and her favorite, working in the school lunch room at the school in Merkel and making it taste wonderful! Viola met her love Leon Berton Harris through his best friend and they were...

Viola "Coot" Saunders Harris, was born on May 2, 1932. She was born in a log cabin in the township of Silver Creek (now Morganton, NC). Viola was the third of nine children to James Russell and Ethel Clark Saunders. Viola attended Salem Schools and helped her grandmother in the school lunch room when needed. She had some interesting jobs throughout her life such as sewing up the seam in the back of stockings at the Hosiery Mill, putting the rope in soaps for Estee Lauder, working at Aileen Inc. in Abilene, TX and her favorite, working in the school lunch room at the school in Merkel and making it taste wonderful! Viola met her love Leon Berton Harris through his best friend and they were...

Mary Lonelle McElmurray Teaff (Nana), 90, peacefully left her earthly home into the arms of Jesus on February 1, 2022, with her loving family at her bedside. Lonelle was born on January 4, 1932, at White Flat to Alonzo and Elsie McElmurray. She graduated from Trent High School. She married Andy Merle Beasley on January 15, 1949. He passed away on June 25, 1954. After his death, she worked at West Texas Utility where she met the love of her life, Glenn Teaff. They were married on February 7, 1958. The center of Lonelle's life was God, her family, her friends and her community. With the heart of Jesus she touched countless lives throughout her community, serving others, and she was loved by...