Obituaries

Leonard Francis Marusak, known affectionately as “Papa,” passed away peacefully at home on June 27, 2024, at the age of 85 in Denton, Texas. One of 13 children, he was born in Ennis, Texas on October 4, 1938 to Joseph and Agnes (Zmolik) Marusak. Leonard graduated from St. John’s Catholic School in Ennis, Texas, and furthered his education at the University of Dallas and the University of North Texas. In 1965 he married his college sweetheart, Denice Eubank, and moved to Ranger, Texas not long thereafter. Ranger is where they lived and raised their family until they moved to Robson Ranch Denton in 2006.

Gerald Wayne Doherty entered the gates of Heaven in the early morning hours of June 5, 2024. He was greeted by his Heavenly Father surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Ennis, Texas on March 14, 1945, to Elmer and Mildred Walker Doherty. He grew up in Ennis and graduated from Ennis High School in 1963. He then attended Navarro College where he met the love of his life, Nita Warren. They married in June 1965 and shortly thereafter he joined the Army National Guard from 1965-1971. He completed basic training in Fort Ord California before he became an APC driver. At the time of his death, he was a 63-year member of Tabernacle Baptist Church of Ennis where he loved to serve. He also loved the fellowship he had with his senior men’s Sunday School class. He was also a member of Shriners and a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge 369 of Ennis.

Lee Roy Vrzalik, beloved husband of Helen Rutherford Vrzalik, passed from this life on June 5, 2024. He was born on a snowy day, February 18, 1942, to Charlie F. and Julie Vinkler Vrzalik in Ennis, Texas. Lee Roy attend school at St. John Elementary and Ennis High School. It was his honor to serve the United States in the Navy aboard the USS Yorktown from August 1960-August 1964.

CJ Gossett, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, loyal friend to all who knew him, and longtime resident of Ennis, Texas, passed away at the age of 94 on May 31, 2024 at Beacon Crest Senior Living in Holladay, Utah.

Robert Houston “Bob” Donnell (67) of Ennis, TX passed away peacefully at his home on May 9, 2024. Bob was born on November 4, 1956, to parents James Kenneth “Jimmy” Donnell and Bartine Merryman Donnell of Ennis, Texas. Bob was raised and spent much of his adult life in Ennis. At the age of 17, Bob joined the Navy where he served his country for 2 years. After completing his service, he went to work for the Railroad where he worked in several different roles over the course of a 30-year career with Southern Pacific, GNO and Kansas City Southern. Bob met and married wife Marilyn Donnell in 2003. Bob loved sports. He loved watching his Cowboys, the Fightin’ Texas Aggies, and perhaps most of all his Ennis Lions. Later in life he was resigned to listening to Ennis High School Football games, but he’d still yell at terrible officiating over the radio. He never met a stranger if it came down to talking sports or politics, and if you wanted to argue about either then that was even better.

Julia (Judy) Marie Southall passed away on May 6,2024 after a long illness. She was 84. Julia, nicknamed Judy, was born on October 28, 1939 in Ft Worth, TX to mother Billie Marie (Allgaier) Davis of Ft Worth and James Columbus (JC) Davis, of Parker County. She had a younger brother, Jimmy Charles. The children participated with their riding club in the Stock Show and rodeo parade every year. Judy and her young family, including children Bill and Barbara Kay, lived in Denver for a few years, but returned home for good in 1973. New beginnings brought new love and a bonus daughter named Barbara Gail when she married Robert C Southall in 1974. She moved to Ennis in 2004.

Billy Jack “Jackie” Wilhoite, 78, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, April 21, 2024.

Randy Mack Lewis entered the gates of Heaven in the early morning hours of April 27, 2024 surrounded by his loving family, greeted by both his Heavenly Father, and Earthly Father J.L. Lewis. He was born in Waxahachie, Texas on February 20, 1955 to J.L. (Jelly) and Laura Gay Lewis. Randy attended Ennis ISD schools and graduated from Ennis High School in 1973. He was a member of the football and baseball teams, and continued his academic and baseball careers at Tyler Junior College and East Texas Baptist University.

Laura Jean Snell Isom, 93, joined the choir of angels on April 22 , 2024. Death has no hold on her for she is triumphantly rejoicing in the arms of her Lord and Savior. She has been reunited with her husband, Buck (George Wade Isom) and son, Michael Dee along with her parents, Nell (Ridley) and Tom Snell, brother, Tommy, and sister, Ola Nell Jennings.