Obituaries

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.

James Warren Horrell was born November 26, 1928, in Ennis, Texas, and passed from this life to his eternal home on December 11th, 2025, at the age of 97. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Mable M. Horrell, brother, John Edgar Horrell, and sister, Jeanette White. Along life’s journey, James admits that his most important achievement was marrying Mazie (Jane) O’Rear. Together, they owned numerous dry-cleaning businesses in Dallas, Garland, Houston, and San Antonio. James was also named Executive Director of the Texas and Laundry and Dry-cleaning Association.

Wallace Max Duren of Benton, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. He was born Jan. 26, 1930, to Luther and Paralee Duren. He grew up in the Malta, TX community and graduated from New Boston High School in 1948. Following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he married the love of his life, Lena Catherine Reed.

Dr. James Wayne Novak, DDS, 73, passed away December 3, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born and raised in Ennis, Texas and grew up in a close-knit and supportive Czech community. Those roots remained an important part of his identity throughout his life, even as he later made Dallas his home with his cherished wife Lynda.