Mary Ruth Sheldon Valerius 1938-2025

Mary Ruth Valerius

February 25, 1938 – March 19, 2025

Mary Ruth Sheldon Valerius died on March 19, 2025 in Houston Texas, after a short battle with cancer.

She attended Lamar High School and continued her education at The University of Texas at Austin where she became an active member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority.

She married Robert Valerius in 1959 and lived in several cities before settling in Corpus Christi for 44 years raising a family. Once her children began school, she earned a B.S degree in Nutrition at Texas A&I in Kingsville (now Texas A&M) traveling about 40 miles each way every day. She says she could not have done it without the support of her loving husband. After working for a short time as a dietitian, she began working with Robert at his new oil and gas business. Mary Ruth loved traveling with close friends and entertaining them and family at their vacation home on the Blanco River in Wimberley Texas. She loved sewing, music, cooking and hosted many dinner parties with close friends. In 2006 she and Robert moved to Houston and joined Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. She became involved with the food ministry and had the honor of being asked to become an elder. Mary Ruth was an active member of P.E.O. in both Corpus Christi and Houston.

Mary Ruth is preceded in death by her father John Francis Sheldon, her mother Lillian Augspurger Sheldon, her sister Barbara Sheldon McKeown, and her brother, John Augspurger Sheldon. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Robert David Valerius and their three married children, David Valerius (wife Sarah), Kathy Valerius Rice (husband Mark) and Karen Valerius Shannon (husband Chris) and six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services (pchas.org)

Memorial Service Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77024, with a reception to follow at the church.

 

Arthur Elden Smith 1937-2019

 

Arthur Smith 1937-2019

 

Arthur "Art" Elden Smith Jr. passed away on March 28, 2019 with his loving family by his side. He headed home after a full, successful, and blessed life. He was born on January 17, 1937 and spent his youth hunting and fishing around the bayous of Houston, Texas. A lifelong student and educator, Art taught for 38 years in San Antonio and Houston followed by 13 years of substitute teaching. He relished his free time in the outdoors, enjoying nature. A devoted and caring husband, he met the love of his life, Martha, in high school. They shared 58 delightful years of marriage. Art is preceded in death by his mother, Grace Smith, and his father, Arthur Smith, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Martha Smith; son, Art Smith (Valerie); daughter, Cindy Berman (Bobby); sister, Sally Webb (Buster); grandchildren, Sam Berman, August Smith, Adam Berman, Matthew Berman, Olivia Smith, Brian Berman, and numerous well-loved nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Aransas County (HFHAC), P.O. Box 2375, Fulton, Texas 78358 or to a charity of your choice.

DIANA RIEDEL MELANSON 1938-2024

 

Diana Riedel Melanson

October 14, 1938 - May 4, 2024

 

Diana Riedel Melanson passed away May 4, 2024, at the age of 85. She was born in Houston, Texas on October 14, 1938 to the late Arthur J. and Florence B. Riedel. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband.

In 1960, Diana married J. Robert Melanson and moved to El Campo, Texas. Diana and Bob were married for 52 years.

While living in El Campo Diana taught many children piano lessons and played the organ for Christ Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Church. Diana and Bob became a member of First Baptist Church of El Campo where she was an active member until 2021 when she moved to Fulshear to live with her son. She enjoyed spending time in the Texas Hill country at her country home in Wimberley. She enjoyed spending time out on Lake L.B.J. in Kingsland. She had a passion for her yard and spent countless hours tending to her many flower beds, and took pride as her flowers bloomed each season, especially her favorite flower the Texas Bluebonnet. She loved her many dogs, especially Annie.

Diana was very active in her community. She was involved in many clubs and organizations, The Sunshine Ladies, The Sesame Club, and the Garden Club were just a few.

She was a director at Commercial State Bank for many years until the bank was sold in 2010.

Diana's favorite things were spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved going to long lunches with her best girlfriends to solve all the world's problems.

Diana is survived by her son David Riedel Melanson and fiancé Denise Robbins of Fulshear, daughter Julie Melanson Fuechec and husband Jeff of El Campo, granddaughters Molly Melanson Mobley and husband Cody, Taylor Fuechec Kresta and husband Clay, grandsons Grant Riedel Fuechec and Mason Joseph Fuechec. Great Grandchildren Rhett and Rhylee Mobley. The family would also like to include Alesha Barrios, a special caregiver of Diana's for her unwavering love, support, and care during the six years that she was with her.

Thank you to Home Instead of Victoria, Angels Home Care and Vantage Hospice for everything they did to help during the course of her Alzheimer's illness.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Triska Funeral Home from 5pm-7pm. Funeral Services will be at the First Baptist Church of El Campo Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 10:00am.

Pallbearers are Grant Fuechec, Mason Fuechec, Junior Garcia, Clay Kresta, Cody Mobley and Clay Wilkins. Honorary pallbearer is Rhett Mobley.

 

 

 

Ana Gardescu Villasana

 

Ana Gardescu Villasana 

1938 - 2024

 

Ana Villasana, 85, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2024.

 

Faith and her daily walk with the Lord were most important to her. Ana remained involved with the Catholic Church by serving as secretary to a Bishop and Priest and helping St. Basil's Byzantine Rite Catholic Church establish itself in northern Harris County, Texas.

 

Second in importance was her family. Ana met her husband while a student at the University of Texas and went on ro have 9 children. She was preceded in death by her husband and two sons. Ana is survived by her 7 children, 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, along with nephews, nieces, and other family members whom she loved and cherished.

 

A daughter of the General for the Romanian Army during World War I, genealoqy was Ana's passion and it brought her tremendous pride and joy to document her family’s ancestry.

 

An accomplished woman, Ana fluently spoke Spanish and French, played

the piano, and sang melodiously in Soprano. She played the electric bass ukelele for the Strummers and was involved with many charitable      organizations.

 

Ana will be remembered for her kindheartedness, her love of mystery movies, her positive outlook on life, her wit, and the groan inducing jokes          she told. She leaves behind a life for which, in her final words, she had*no regrets' and promised that she would “wait to greet you".  

 

MORRIS HOLLAND 1938-2022

 

MORRIS KYGER HOLLAND JULY 1938 – JANUARY 2022 (Source: FastPeopleSearch).  . 

 

No Obituary was found.

John Morriss Goldman 1937-2015

 

John Morriss Goldman

December 11, 1937-June 22, 2015

 

John Morriss Goldman, Age 78, passed away in Marshall, Texas on June 22, 2015. A Celebration of his life will be held at a later date in the fall. His cremated remains will be buried at a place of his choice.

 

Midterm classmate January 1956, no photo available

JOHN M. VANCE 1937-2016

 

John Milton Vance (MIDTERM)    

October 5, 1937 – November 4, 2016

John Milton Vance went to be with the Lord on November 4, 2016 at the age of 79. Born in Houston, Texas on October 5, 1937 to the late Helen Heisig Vance and Andrew Milton Vance. John married Louise Jane Briers Vance and they were happily married for over 33 years.

John was a very loving husband, father, and friend. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, playing tennis, and dancing. John was an avid sailor for many years and enjoyed racing sail boats at AYC. He was kind, honest, and a loyal friend. He was a devout Christian and a member of Emmaus Catholic Parish in Lakeway, TX. John had a harmonious and quite disposition. He loved sharing ideas and addressing complex problems. John was an excellent engineer and teacher. Those who got to know John grew to love and admire him for his principles and deeds. He was a blessing to others and will be greatly missed.

John is predeceased by his parents, Helen Ruth Heisig Vance and Andrew Milton Vance, and grandson, Brian Locher. John is survived by his wife Louise Jane Vance; children, Linda Stites, Valerie Locher and husband Scott Locher, John Vance Jr. and wife Samantha Vance, and David Vance and wife Jessica Vance; grandchildren, Justin Smith and Lindsay Stites, Lauren Locher, Evan and Preston Vance, and Elijah and Joshua Vance; great-grandchildren, Raven and Gavin Smith; numerous nieces and nephews; great nieces and great nephews; and a host of friends and colleagues.

John was a Mechanical Engineer receiving his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Vance developed rotordynamics laboratories at the University of Florida and Texas A&M University, where he conducted experimental testing and analytical research on rotordynamics for 39 years. He specialized in Rotordynamics of Turbomachinery, Vibration Dampening Seals and Bearings, Vibration Measurement and Analysis, Industrial Compressors, Turbochargers, Energy Storage Flywheels, and Wind Turbines. While teaching, he held twelve summer appointments at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, USARTL (Helicopter Propulsion Lab, Ft. Eustis), Southwest Research Institute, Shell Development Co., and the UT Center for Electromechanics. He was an inventor on several patents relating to rotating machinery, and vibration reduction. He was an ASME Fellow, and a registered professional engineer in the State of Texas. He also held positions at Armco Steel, Texaco Research, and Traycor, Inc., and consulted on government and industry projects. During his time at Texas A&M, he wrote the book Rotordynamics of Turbomachinery and co-authored the book Machinery Vibration and Rotordynamics. He also published more than 90 technical articles and reports. John received many awards and honors including Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, ME-TAMU, Halliburton Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Turbomachinery Symposium Advisory Committee for TAMU, and Admiral in the Texas Navy, commissioned by Governor Mark White. Since his retirement from Texas A&M, he continued consulting and teaching short courses.

A service for John will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at Emmaus Catholic Parish at 1718 Lohmans Crossing in Lakeway, Texas 78734. The Rosary will begin at 9:00 AM followed by a viewing, visitation and sharing memories of John. Mass will begin at 11:00 AM followed by a social gathering at noon in the Church Parish Hall. A private burial service will be held on a later date.

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services