Obituaries

Libbie Ann (Blazek) Veselka, age 76, of West, passed away Saturday afternoon, March 14, 2026 at her residence.

Vivian Mae Conner Gilmore, 89 of Sulphur Springs passed away on February 12th, 2026 in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Vivian was born on November 6th, 1936, in Sulphur Springs to Henry Kelly Conner and Mandy May Regan Conner. She grew up in Sulphur Springs, Texas and graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1955.

Randolph William Childress went to meet his Lord on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. He was born April 3, 1951 in Waxahachie, Texas, to Freddie Lou Coulston and Robert Roy Childress whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Terry Allred; two daughters and two sons: Pansey Layne, Clayton Rand, Russell Emmett and Monique Ravonne; three grandchildren: Jerry Ramon, Windy Amber Ramon and Meagan Ariel Ramon; four great grandchildren, and a brother Dennis Ray Childress.

Eugene Charles Dolezal, passed away on February 10, 2026. He was born on, October 9, 1942, the son of Charles and Ida (Cinek} Dolezal. He was born in the city of West and graduated from West High School. He attended Draughon’s Business College majoring in Enginering Drawing. When he finished colllege he went to work for Bunning Brass and Bronze, later being the manager. In 1974 he started a business of his own, Gene’s Home Repair, till he retired in 2012.

Carmen Sanborn Osterheld, 96, passed away peacefully at home in Ennis, Texas, on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, creativity, service, and sacrificial love. Carmen was born on Oct. 6, 1929, in Chicago, Ill., to Francis “Rip” Sanborn and Bess Sanborn. She grew up on Long Island, N.Y., where her childhood was shaped by adventure, learning, and the beauty of the shoreline. Some of her most treasured early memories were spent fishing and clamming with her father aboard his boat, “The Ripper”, enjoying seaside campfires with hot pots of clams, sharing “Mickeys” (potatoes baked in the fire), and cooking the day’s catch together. The family’s coastal cabin in Maine reflected those years, lovingly adorned with maritime treasures her father gathered from seaboard voyages, including giant lobster claws that proudly hung on the walls.

Jerry Wayne Yarbrough, age 77, went home to be with the Lord on February 1, 2026. Jerry was born on September 24, 1948, in Ennis, Texas, to James Wesley Yarbrough and Vida Mae (Lowrance) Yarbrough. He was raised in Ennis and graduated from Ennis High School in 1967. On November 4, 1977, he married Helen Dlabaj, and together they made their home in Alma & Ennis, where they built a life filled with family, friendship, and love.

Born Elizabeth Dee Willis on Thursday, October 18, 1934 in Dallas, Texas and then after a little over 91 years, was called home to see Jesus this past Wednesday, January 28, 2026 in Harlingen, Texas. Betty is reunited in heaven with: Paul and Eura Willis (parents), Virginia Sue “Sue” (sister), and Kenneth Wayne Hackney (her husband of almost 50 years). It seemed like she would have outlived all of us – but is survived by: her siblings Magaret Ann “Marna” (sister); William Paul “Bill” Willis Jr (brother); five children, Deanna (husband Tim, children Tiffany and Sam), Ken (children Kenna and Bo), Richard (wife Kelly, children Elise and Preston), Carl (wife Denise, children Julie and Haylee), and Dawn (husband Marcos, children Travis and Alyssa); six great grandchildren and numerous wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews.

Barbara E. Norvell 85, passed away January 22, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Barbara was born on December 10, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland to William F. and Margaret (Cole) Wirth. Barbara grew up in Baltimore and graduated from Mergenthaler High School in 1958. She moved to Ennis, TX in 1981, moved to South Carolina in 1989 and back to Ennis in 2013. She was a member of Anthony Drive Baptist Church She is survived by her children Cheryl English, her son David Myers and his wife Corinne, her son Scott Myers and his wife Sandy, 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 1 sister Terri Wirth Reidal.

On January 9, 2026, Jim Jackson went to be with Jesus. While we are saddened by his passing, we rejoice knowing he is no longer in pain and is in Heaven. He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Mary Deane Jackson; his mother, Ollie Dean Jackson; and his father, Wesley Pearson Jackson.

Gerald David Macalik, 82, of Wellington, TX passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026.