Georgia Mae Hobbs

Georgia Mae Hobbs, 76, passed away of cancer peacefully in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and A.L. Reeves, in Spring, TX, on Thursday, August 21, 2008. 

Born on July 21, 1932, Mrs. Hobbs was a long-time resident of Lake Dallas, where she was retired from Waste Management.  She was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies’ Auxiliary.  Her passions included working crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with her children and extended family. 

Her husband, Barkley Wayne Hobbs and one grandson, Jeremy Hale, preceded her in death.  Another daughter and son-in-law, Evelyn and Henry Whitaker of Rhome, TX; one son, Tommy Ratliff of Spring, TX; and one grandson, Michael Ratliff of Lewisville, TX, also survive her.

Charles Lee Saling

Charles Lee Saling, 83, passed away Monday, August 25, 2008, at Longmeadow Healthcare Center in Justin, Texas.  He was born on April 29, 1925 to Lee and Iva (Jackson) Saling in Denton County.  He enlisted in the US Marine Corp in May 1943, serving with the 2nd Marines, 2nd Division in the Pacific Theater and was honorably discharged in Dec. 1945.

He married Joyce Frady on December 20, 1947 in the Little Chapel-in-the-Woods in Denton.  He managed the family farm near Celina, TX.  In 1949, he was employed by Denton Public Schools and retired from the school district serving as Director of the Service Center in 1983.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Denton; a member and Past Master of Stanfield Lodge #217, A.F and A.M.; member of the York Rite Bodies, Moslah Temple of Scottish Rite Bodies, and Hella Temple of the Shrine.  He was also a member and Past Patron of Denton Chapter #259, O.E.S of Denton.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, August 28, 2008 in the Chapel of Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust, Denton, with Rev. Cliff Feeler officiating.  The family will be at the funeral home for visitation from 1 - 2 p.m. on Thursday prior to the service.  Burial will follow in Belew Cemetery in Aubrey, Texas.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce of Denton; one son, Wesley Lynn Saling and wife, Keri of Justin; grandchildren, Charles Wesley “Chuck” Saling and wife, Carissa of Denton, Jeremy Lynn Saling of Justin, and Jacqueline Leigh Saling of Marshall; and a host of friends and loved ones.

The family suggests casual wear (no jackets, suits, etc) for your comfort, unless you prefer otherwise. 

Memorials may be made to Ann’s Haven Hospice VNA, 501 S. Carroll Blvd., Ste. 201, Denton, TX 76201.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mulkey-Mason, Jack Schmitz & Son Funeral Home. 

On-line condolences may be left at www.mulkeymason.com.

Wanda Ree Hachtel

Wanda Ree Hachtel, 83, of Slidell, passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2008 in Denton. Wanda was born on October 6, 1924 in Era, Texas to Arthur and Anna Lee Durham Anderson.  She married Melvin Lee Hachtel on September 29, 1945 in Gainesville, Texas and was married 25 years upon his death on September 10, 1970. 

Wanda worked at Slidell ISD and retired from Texas Women’s University as an executive housekeeper.  She was a member of the Slidell Baptist Church.

Survived by her three daughters, Joan Johnson of Krum, Kay Riley and husband, Ronnie of Krum and Martha McCasland and husband, Berl of Slidell; son, Dan Hachtel of Greenwood; five grandchildren, Daniel McCasland of Slidell, Roy McCasland and wife, Melissa of Saint Jo, Kyle Johnson and wife, Shari of Denton, Destin Hachtel and Chris Riley; two great-grandsons, Chase Johnson and Colt McCasland; brother, Rickard Anderson and wife, Martha; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service is scheduled 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at the First Baptist Church of Slidell with Reverend Bobby Cates officiating.   Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery following the service. 

Helen Hicks Faulkner

Helen Hicks Faulkner, born the only child of Jesse Crawford Hicks and Orene Anderson Hicks on September 23, 1942, passed from this life to the next on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

Helen was a 1960 graduate of Sunset High School, Dallas, TX. Her degrees include: 1964 Bachelor of Education University of Texas at Austin, 1979 Diploma in Nursing, St. Thomas Hospital School of Nursing, Akron, Ohio; 1980 Bachelor of Nursing, TWU Denton, TX. Helen’s passion was found in nursing and she was honored to care for her patients. She worked at Flow Memorial Hospital, Parkland General and at Presbyterian Hospital in Denton. In 2006, Helen was named as one of the outstanding nurses for Presbyterian Hospital in Denton.

She met Staley Faulkner at UT Austin. They were married June 8, 1963, at Kessler Park Methodist Church Dallas, TX. They have three children and seven grandchildren: Gwyn Faulkner Varozza (husband, Mike) of Austin, TX, Staley Faulkner, Jr. (wife, Monica) of Round Rock, TX, and Caryn Faulkner Stamper (husband, Bob) of Friendswood, TX. Grandchildren are Preston, Kyle and Staley Varozza, Anthony and Savanna Faulkner, Caley and Conner Stamper.

Thank you to all of our family and friends who provided their love, prayers and support throughout this journey. Courage, Strength, Grace, Patience…BELIEVE

Visitation will be Friday, August 29, 2008 from 6 - 8 p.m. at DeBerry Funeral Directors. Her ashes will be interred in private services in the Faulkner family plot at Rosemont Cemetery in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Memorials may be made to The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P O Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 ( www.mdanderson.org) or The University of Texas at Austin, General Scholarship Fund, P O Box 142563, Austin, TX 78714 ( www.texasexes.org).

Charles E. “Chuck” Hart

Charles E. “Chuck” Hart, 74, of Denton, (formerly of Eudora, KS) passed away Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at Denton Regional Medical Center.  Mr. Hart was born September 26, 1933 in Indianola, IA to Charles Joseph and Nina Putney Hart.  He married Erma Johnson Snow on November 11, 1990 in Denton.  She survives of the home.

Mr. Hart was an independent truck driver, and owned Hart Trucking from 1994 until his death.  He had also formerly been a farmer, carpenter and had worked for the University of Kansas and Kmart Distribution Center.  Mr. Hart also served in the U.S. Army.

Other survivors include five daughters, Corrine Hart of Indianola, IA, Cheryl A. Hunsigner and husband, George of Lawrence, KS, Phyllis Hart of Eudora, KS, Patty Haller and husband, Jim of Lawrence, KS and Kellie Villarreal and husband, Max of Sanger, TX; two sons, Joe Hart and wife, Karen of Olathe, KS and Doug Hart and wife, Jennifer of Pilot Point, TX; stepdaughter, Karen Bunney of Garfield, AR; stepson, Dewayne Lee and wife, Donna of Denton, TX; one sister, Ruby Hart of Indianola, IA; thirteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren.

The family will greet friends from 7 – 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary-Eudora Chapel, 1003 John L. Williams Drive, Eudora, KS 66025.

Funeral services for will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, August 28, 2008 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary – Eudora Chapel.  Military graveside services will follow at Hesper Cemetery, south of Eudora.

Memorial donations may be sent in his name to the American Heart Association, and send in care of the mortuary.

Evelyn Marie Scott Smith

Evelyn Marie Scott Smith, 82, of Denton, passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at Denton Regional Medical Center. Her husband, Alfred Smith, preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Kimble and her husband, Dale of Denton; her son, Tim Smith and his wife, Judy of Port Neches, Texas; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 2 p.m. at the Chapel at Good Samaritan - Denton Village, 2500 Hinkle Drive, Denton, Texas.

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Andrew Purcell

Pilot Point – Thomas “Tommy” Andrew Purcell, 52, of Pilot Point, passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2008. He was born on May 13, 1956 in Borger, TX to Henry Elbert and Hazel Winona (Caldwell) Purcell. He was a longtime custodian for the Pilot Point Independent School District.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Pilot Point with Stephen Cotten officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Huff/Slay Funeral Home. Graveside committal service will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2008 at 2 p.m.

He is survived by two brothers, Cloyce Lee Purcell and wife, Sharon of Pilot Point and Royce Gene Purcell and wife, Jean of Borger. He is also survived by two nephews, Chad Purcell and wife, Racheal of Heath and Brian Purcell and wife, Nikki of Barry; and one niece, Misty Allison and husband, Kerry of Alvord; and nine great nieces and nephews, Makayla Jordan Purcell, Christian Abigail Shelton, Colton Chance Purcell, Alexander Lee Shelton, Garrett Chance Purcell, Alexis Lee Purcell, Josephine Kay Purcell, James Dean Allison, and Shawnie Allison.

Memorial donations may be made to Pilot Point Special Olympics, c/o Pilot Point Independent School District, 829 S. Harrison St., Pilot Point, TX 76258.

To light a candle in memory of Tommy, please visit www.familyowned.net .

Martha Prescher Hacker

Funeral services for Martha Prescher Hacker, 82, of Gainesville, will be conducted at 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 27, 2008, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Valley View, Texas, officiated by the Rev. Monsignor Charles B. King. Interment will follow at Valley View Cemetery. Martha Hacker passed away on Monday, August 25, 2008, at the Renaissance Care Center in Gainesville.

She was born July 28, 1926, in Scotland, Texas, daughter of Joseph and Anna Streng Prescher. She was an avid quilter and traveler and was a retired employee of the Denton State School.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Frank and Robin Hacker, Alfred and Barbara Hacker and Herbie and Jan Hacker, all of Valley View; daughter and son-in-law, Lela and Don Garner of Lewisville; and daughters Linda Geiger of Gainesville and Lesa Hacker of Denton. Also eleven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sisters, Angeline Steedham of Richardson, and Christiana Sicking of Hampton, AR.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Alphonse, Frank, Paul, Peter, John, Jacob, Joseph Jr., Felix and Leo Prescher; and by her sisters, Elizabeth Krahl, Agatha Mayes and Lucy Oehler.

Pallbearers are Michael, Glen and Anthony Hacker; J.D. Luttmer; James Geiger and Michael Garner.

The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at the Geo. J. Carroll and Son Funeral Home Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Research, or to Home Hospice of Cooke County, Box 936, Gainesville, TX 76241-0936.

Elaine Ann Gershon

Elaine Ann Gershon, age 44, daughter of Jim and Rose Bezdek and mother of Trey and Chris Gershon, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, 2008 at Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, Texas.  She was born on September 23rd, 1963 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Elaine was a graduate of Denton High School, North Central Texas College and attended the University of North Texas. She was a Registered Nurse, having served in various nursing capacities and administrative positions over the years.

Elaine was an exceptional person. She was an accomplished flutist and pianist. She loved to reach out and help others in need. Her faith and her nursing career enabled her to do that. She was a model daughter and mother. Her two boys were the loves of her life, and she was there for them to the end.

She had many friends, including a very special group of twelve schoolmates who continued a unique relationship, like no other, since 1982. The girls will serve as pallbearers at her funeral: Sheila Adlof, Holly Caley, Kiz Costin, Lori Cotto, Julie Evans, Gayla Ford, Missy Harrison, Lisa Hitch, Jill Hurlbut, Pam Malhotra, Robbi Simmons and Daina Weiler.

Survivors include her parents and her sons; her sister, Jana and husband, Scott Larsen, and niece, Jordan Larsen of Plano; brothers, Steven Bezdek of Austin and Paul Bezdek of Denton; and many extended relatives and special friends.

Visitation will be on Wednesday evening, August 27, 2008 from 7 - 9 p.m., at Mulkey Mason Jack Schmitz & Son Funeral Home, 705 North Locust Street in Denton. A funeral service will held on Thursday morning, August 28, 2008 at 10 a.m., at Saint Mark Catholic Church at 2800 Pennsylvania Ave, in Denton, with Rev. Tim Thompson, officiating.

Memorials may be made to the American Institute for Cancer Research,

1759 R. Street NW, P.O. Box 97167, Washington DC, 20090-7167.

On line condolences at www.mulkeymason.com .