Dolores ‘Josephine’ Whitley, 78, of Abilene, passed away Friday, May 26, 2017 surrounded with the love of her family and friends.Funeral service was held on May 29, 2017, at Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed at Elmwood Memorial Park.

She was born on September 19, 1938 in Port O’Connor, Texas. She met the love of her life, Ray Whitley, while playing softball. They were married on December 18, 1954 in Port Lavaca, Texas. At the age of 19, she traveled to Japan to be with her husband while he was stationed in the Air Force. During that time in Japan, Dolores and Ray gave birth to their oldest child Cynthia. They moved to Abilene in July 1977 from Kansas City after Ray retired from the Air Force.

Dolores liked to go watch the Cooper Cougars play football on Friday nights, being an active season ticket holder for 40 years. She also liked to watch the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys. On her free time, she enjoyed going shopping, taking care of her grandkids and spending time with her sisters.

She is survived by her husband, Ray Whitley of Abilene; daughters, Cynthia Ann Baker and Bruce of Abilene and Kimberly Sue Braden and husband Jimmy of Abilene; brothers, William Anthony Ragusin and wife Margaret of Port O’Connor, TX, Joseph Robert Ragusin of Mesquite, TX, Samuel Ragusin of Port O’Connor, TX, Raymond Charles Ragusin and Sharon of Matthews, NC and Richard Lee Ragusin and wife Ofelia of Port Lavaca, TX; sisters, Sylvia Elizabeth Ragusin of Port O’Connor, TX, Mary Helen Holland and husband Frankie of San Antonio, TX, Catherine Ann LeFrances and husband Donald of Everett, WA and Irene Rose Silguero and husband Ildefonso of Charlotte, NC; two granddaughters, Courtney Renee Baker of Abilene and Amber Nicole Coonrod and Corbin of Abilene; and one grandson, Ashton Andrew Braden of Abilene.
Dolores is preceded in death by her loving movther, Elvira Ramos Ragusin of Port O’Connor, TX.

Honorary pallbearers included Jimmy Braden, Ashton Braden, William Ragusin, Joseph Ragusin, Samuel Ragusin, Raymond Ragusin and Richard Ragusin.

The family would like to thank Dr. Melvnk and the Texas Oncology of Abilene, along with Hospice of the Big Country.

Seadrift – Glenna Jean (Benedict) Statler passed away on June 2, 2017. She was born January 27,1953 in Omaha, NE.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Bernice Anna Marie Benedict; and father, Francis Albert Benedict.

She is survived by her bestfriend and partner of 13 years, Kenneth Marek; her brothers, Harold Lavern Benedict and Dale Richard Benedict; her 3 children, Tomas Bruce Benedict, Angela Sue Benedict, and John Economopoulos; and 6 grandchildren, Amanda Rae Bush, Alexis Danielle Benedict, Autum Starr Benedict, Arianne Jade Benedict, Austin Tomas Benedict, and Lily Ann Benedict.

Thanks to Hospice of South Texas for all their equipment and care.

Christopher Marcus Ragusin
October 5, 1976 – June 25, 2006

It’s been 11 years since God called you home, but to us who love you it seems like yesterday. Our lives have never been the same, but we don’t judge because God knows why. We will go on with our daily lives because that is what you would want us to do, but we wish you would be here with us – to follow our values and beliefs, but also to see you smile, laugh and have fun. We miss you and love you. Until we see each other again in heaven – the broken chain will join together again.
Love from Mom, Dad, Braeden & the rest of the Ragusin family & friends.

In Memory of Jeannette Lynn Castro
August 9, 1986 – June 25, 2006
Thinking of you always. Family & Friends

Activities at Port O’Connor Library on Thursdays from 2 – 4 p.m.

• June 22: Come play games! (Bring your Pokemon deck or just join in another game)
• June 29: Origami & Coloring
• July 20: STEAM craft
• July 27: Puzzles
• August 3: Movie marathon?
• August 10: Movie marathon?
*****Each week*****
*Book Swap* Bring a couple of books to trade with others!
*Bring Your Own Device* Use the wi-fi at the library!

Summer Reading Challenge (For All Ages!) Let’s read the classics!

If 10 or more people will read The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, we will have a movie marathon at the Port O’Connor Library to watch the recent live-action version and the Disney classic animated version or The Jungle Book 2.

If 10 or more people will read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, we will have a movie marathon at the library to watch the recent versions starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.

When you finish reading one, just tell Ms. Shirley Gordon, our local librarian. She has copies of each book at the front desk. The movies marathons are tentatively scheduled for late-July /early August, pending challenge participation.

4-H’ers at the bowling alley

Intercoastal 4-H club members enjoyed celebrating their year of accomplishments by meeting up at the bowling alley on the evening of Thursday, June 1. Club members, along with some of their friends and families, had a fantastic time as they shared a potluck meal and played several games of bowling.

A Fun & Busy Year!

Club members participated in various activities through the year. They raised, showed, sold, processed, and delivered poultry and livestock (rabbits and goats) in the summer and fall. Throughout the year, they volunteered by cleaning up our community, collecting food for the local food pantry, and lending helping hands as needed around town. In the spring, some members gained more sewing and photography skills while others learned more about local wildlife. Club members really enjoyed creating and launching their “Stomp Rockets” when County Extension Agent Eric Taylor came to a meeting.

What’s next?

This summer, 4-H members take a break from club activities and focus on individual projects. Some will create and submit record books about their projects, which can lead to County and/or District awards for junior and intermediate members and even State awards and scholarships for senior members. They may go on a Record book trip to Splashway or attend a County or District Leadership lab. Club members raising turkeys are already taking care of them and will continue to do so until the Calhoun County Fair in October (17th-21st). They may attend a poultry clinic, livestock tag-in or progress show to prepare for raising their animals. Other members will further grow their skills in other areas by attending a camp, taking lessons, or just practicing at home and around town. Then in the fall, we start meeting again!