May, 2011: First National Bank, Port Lavaca, Texas is proud to be recognized as a 5-Star Superior Bank by BauerFinancial, Inc., Coral Gables, Florida, the nation’s premier bank rating firm. Earning this highest 5-Star rating for strength and stability, Mr. W.H. Bauer (no relation to BauerFinancial), president, and the entire team at First National Bank have proven their commitment to their customers.

To earn BauerFinancial’s 5-Star Superior rating, First National Bank must excel in areas of capital adequacy, delinquent loan levels and profitability to name just a few. The fact that it has done so for 89 consecutive quarters puts First National Bank in an even more elite group of “Sustained Superiority Banks”. Only 3% of the nation’s banks can claim this distinction.

First National Bank was established in 1957 and has been serving the banking needs of its neighbors and friends for 54 years. It currently operates through three conveniently located offices in Port Lavaca, Port O’Connor and Seadrift and can also be found on the internet at www.fnbportlavaca.com .

According to Karen L. Dorway, president of the research firm, “Community banks, like First National Bank, tend to know their customers, the local business community, when to grant a loan…and when not to grant one. What many people don’t realize is that community banks actually have better balance sheets than their larger counterparts. Their capital ratios and non-performing asset ratios are typically much more impressive than larger institutions. These are not the banks that threaten our economic well-being. On the contrary, they are the lifeblood of it.”

First National Bank: “The Bank that’s Good as Gold®”

BauerFinanical, Coral Gables, Florida, the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution pays BauerFinancial to rate it, nor can any choose to be excluded. Consumers may obtain star-ratings by visiting www.bauerfinancial.com .

Seadrift- George W. Carter, 48, of Seadrift passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2011. He was born in Port Lavaca on May 12, 1963 to the late Richard T. Carter and the late Ruth Earley Carter Wittenbert. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Seadrift.

George was a very loving person who never met a stranger. He loved the outdoors and fishing, and for years worked as a deckhand on his step-father’s commercial fishing boat. George was an honorary member of the Seadrift Volunteer Fire Department. Each year at Christmas he would dress as Santa and ride around town on a trailer and hand out candy canes to children. Doing this meant a lot to George; he loved seeing the smiling faces and loved being around the people in the community. George will be sadly missed by his loving family and his many friends.

George is survived by his step-father, Floyd G. Wittnebert of Seadrift; sisters, Helen Ariel (Gene) Robinson of Edna and Carolyn A. (Timothy) Millspaw of Seadrift; and brother, Richard P. (Debbie) Carter of Seadrift. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and a large extended family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Janice G. Howlet and Deborah R. Martin.

Funeral services were held Saturday, May 21 at First Baptist Church with Brother Dennis Whittnebert and Pastor Montie Martin officiating. Burial followed at Seadrift Cemetery.

Pallbearers were brothers-in-law Gene Robinson, Timothy Millspaw Sr.; and nephews, Jamie Carter, Darrel Blevins, Peter DeForest Sr., Timothy Millspaw Jr., Casey Carter, George Ureste, Logan Robinson, and Sterlon Alpin.

Honorary pallbearers were Joe Beaver, Eduardo Bribiesca, Brandon Aplin, Odis Lambright, Neil Crumley, Carl Odell, and members of S.A.V.E.S.

Seadrift- Randall Nathan Maddux, 57, of Seadrift passed away May 16, 2011. He was born August 10, 1953 in Port Lavaca to the late William “Bill” Hamblen and Pearl “Teny” Lena Mullins Maddux. He was an electrical engineer and retired from Dow Chemical Company and Bradley’s Motor Inc.

He is survived by his daughter, Lacey Rose Maddux and Steven Vasquez, Gillian Vasquez, Gavin Vasquez and grandson, Ayden Maddux; daughter, Mallory Paige Maddux Galloway and husband, Joey Galloway and granddaughter, Braylyn Galloway; daughter, Taylar Brooke Maddux; son, Remington Randall Maddux; brother, Terry Wade Maddux and wife, Sheralyn Maddux; and sister-in-law, Joy Maddux.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Karen Jane Johnson; and brother, William Wayne Maddux.

Funeral services were held May 20 at First Baptist Church, Seadrift, Pastor Joe Dufner and Dennis Wittnebert officiating. Interment followed at Seadrift Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Jim Williams Jr., Mark Goodman, David Maddux, Bradley Weaver, John Sanders, Dennis Wittnebert Jr., David Gaskamp and Jesse Hubbell.

Honorary pallbearers were Union Carbide/Dow Friends, William “Shucks” Maddux Jr., and his Weekend Golf Buddies.

Seadrift- There is rejoicing in Heaven because Walter Minatrea is home at last with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Walter E. Minatrea, Sr., 73, went to be with the Lord on May 13, 2011. He was born on July 24, 1937 in Ennis to the late Walter L. and Emma Baker Minatrea.
He married the love of his life, Helen Milam, on December 21, 1957.

Walter never met a stranger and was loved by many. Family was very important to him and he was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved to go fishing with his children and grandchildren, and he loved to garden.

He was a member and a deacon of Seadrift First Assembly of God.

Walter is survived by his wife of 53 years, Helen Milam Minatrea of Seadrift; daughter, Gwyn H. DeForest and husband, Tommie of Seadrift; sons, Walter E. Minatrea Jr. of Seadrift and Tommy M. Minatrea and wife, Lisa, of Telferner; sister, Narita Merridth of Bay City; twin brother, Jonny Minatrea of Houston; grandchildren, Jeffrey Volek, Jacqueline Volek, Melissa Minatrea, Chase Minatrea, and Brittney Minatrea; and great-grandchildren, Annabelle, Alexis and Addison.

In addition to his parents, Walter was preceded in death by his sisters, Peggy Keaton and Barbara Howell; and grandson, Michael Minatrea.

Funeral services were held May 16 at Seadrift First Assembly of God with Tim Smith officiating. Burial followed at Seadrift Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Walter E. Minatrea Jr., Tommy Minatrea, Jeffrey Volek, Chase Minatrea, Jonathan Callaway, and Tommie DeForest.

Honorary pallbearers were his twin brother, Jonny Minatrea, W.T. Hartman and Dale Gohlke.

Memorial donations may be made in Walter’s memory to the Seadrift First Assembly of God.

This week our Pastor, Brother Marcos Gohlke announced his retirement as Pastor of Port O’Connor First Baptist Church, effective June 30, 2011. Brother Marcos and Sue came out of retirement to pastor the Church through some very difficult times in the life of the Church and now are returning to retirement. For almost four years, Marcos and Sue have been dedicated leaders of the Church, under God’s directions. The Church will miss the inspiration given by Marcos’ Bible teachings and sermons and the musical talents of both Sue and Marcos. May God continue to bless them in this much deserved retirement.

Sam Craig and his Eagle Wings Camp boys will be arriving in Port O’Connor next week. The boys are beginning a week of camp at Port O’Connor as they have done for the past eight years. The Church welcomes the boys on Friday, June 3 and they will be staying in the Fellowship Hall. On Saturday, the boys will go fishing, followed by a swimming party at Kenneth and Grady Jean Clark’s pool. They will enjoy hamburgers, pool side, and a lot of fun. On Saturday evening, the group will have a fish fry at the church. Sam Craig and the boys will be in charge of the Sunday morning 11:00 a.m. service, singing and giving personal testimonies. After a big send off luncheon Sunday, the group will be off to their camp on the Medina River for seven days.

The “Big Apple Adventure” Vacation Bible School begins on Monday, June 13. Candice Stryker has lined up a great staff of teachers and workers for this exciting school. All children from PreK to sixth grade are invited to attend. VBS begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at noon each day, Monday through Thursday. Thursday, June 16, is “Hot Dog Day” and the children will be treated to all the hot dogs they can eat. Wow! Thursday evening, June 16, at 6:00 p.m., is Graduation Time. All children and their parents and grandparents are invited to attend and experience what the children did during VBS. Refreshments will be served.

On Monday, June 20, the children in grades 3 through 6 will be off to Summer Camp in Palacios. The children will enjoy four days of fun, food, fellowship, games and Bible study. The group will return June 23. Call the church if you need more information.

See you in church Sunday!