Melvin Willis “Mel” Bueckman, aged 88, of Port O’Connor, TX, passed away on Saturday, October 29th, 2016. Mel, born July 16, 1928; is survived by a son, Kevin W. Bueckman, a son Lynn A. Bueckman, and was grandfather to Gregory and Timothy Bueckman. Mel was the husband of Loretta M. Bueckman, now deceased.

Mel will be buried at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

Israel “Easy” Morales, age 62, of Seadrift passed away October 28, 2016. He was born February 13, 1954.

Visitation and Rosary were at Artero Memorial Chapels in Port Lavaca. Graveside services were held November 4, 2016 at Seadrift Cemetery.

SEADRIFT – Helen Janet Minatrea went to be with the Lord on October 31, 2016 at the age of 76. She was born February 26, 1940 in Seadrift to the late Thomas and Luthera Milam.

Helen is survived by her children Walter Minatrea, Jr., Thomas ‘Tommy’ (Lisa) Minatrea and Gwyn Minatrea and her husband Van Cormier; 5 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren with one on the way.

In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Walter Minatrea; brother Clifton Curtis Milam and a grandson Michael Minatrea.

Helen loved gardening and had a special passion for flowers. She enjoyed crocheting and had recently made almost 100 hair bows that were sent to South America for donations to missions.

Funeral service was held November 7, 2016 at First Assembly of God Church in Seadrift with Ministers’ Timothy and Beverly Smith officiating. Interment followed at Seadrift Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Jeffrey Volek Jr, Chase Minatrea, Jonathan Callaway, James Debusk, Rodney Guice and Van Cormier.

Condolences and memories can be shared at www.gracechapel70@yahoo.com

Zara Kathleen Fulton

Zara Kathleen (Campbell) Fulton, passed peacefully to the other side of life 30 October 2016. A tough lady, with no fear, she beat breast and lung cancer, but lost a prolonged, valiant fight to the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease. She was born to Beatrice (Johnson) and William David Campbell in Claremore, Oklahoma 26 April 1940. The family later moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where she grew up, attending Stillwater schools all 12 years, graduating in 1958.

That summer, she met her future husband, Charles Floyd Fulton, on a sort of blind date arranged by her through a friend. Quickly becoming best of friends, their dating led to their marriage 24 November 1959 while both were attending Oklahoma State University. Always involved in sports, she was a high school cheerleader, and member of the Oklahoma State women’s basketball, field hockey and swim and dive teams. Also, as avid water skier, she declined an invite to join the renowned Cypress Gardens Ski Troupe.

Giving up college, she because a full time house wife, raising kids, and being an exemplary, common sense, down to earth, Army Officers wife. As such, she was a very successful mentor to many younger wives through 20 plus years.

With the kids in school, she launched a very successful real estate career in Texas, Illinois, and Missouri. Later, she worked for Tracker Marine, becoming their unquestioned parts expert at their Nitro Bass Boat plant.

After her military travels, she was also the fun loving, backbone of their family campground, which they built themselves, sweat, blisters, etc. A lover of animals, she had ducks, geese, sheep, goats, and pigs, all spoiled pets. In addition to their camper’s enjoyment, folks came from miles around to see, pet and enjoy. Interesting to note that a few had never seen or touched a live pig!

Throughout her working years, she enjoyed camping, boating and fishing at every chance. After her retirement and sale of their campground, she enjoyed their travels in their small motorhome and then 5th wheel trailer. She (they) fell in love with Port O Connor, Texas, a small end of road, laid back town of inshore and offshore fishing renown. They quickly took a yearly RV spot, spending part of summers and winters, catching small and big fish, both inshore and offshore. Her favorites were sheepshead and red snapper. Belatedly, they designed and built their barnominum, which housed their boat, RV and living quarters. It was about this time that the dreaded Alzheimer’s had advanced to the point of preventing her from being actively involved in the fishing, etc.

Of course, she thoroughly enjoyed the grandkids and later great-grandkids, doing all the grandparent things etc. In addition, to their being able to be campground participants, although not good at riding the giant pet pig, they were able to free roam about the 40 acre homestead, doing all the kid stuff and plus, with her direct involvement, instigation, etc.

She was fortunate to have been visibly involved in the kids Texas fishing adventures, both in and offshore fishing, and trapping blue crabs, to include their getting the not nice pincher treatment, all to her immense enjoyment.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Ruth Campbell Erbar, and one brother, David B. Campbell.

She is survived by her husband Charles, of 57 years of marriage, (minus 2 for Vietnam tours), Sons, Charles G., of Tulsa, OK, and Robert S. Fulton, of Mayflower, AR, and an estranged daughter, Zara E. Tirrell. Granddaughters, Jessica Fulton Squirrel, Farrell Fulton Wilson, Lexi Fulton, and Trey Koen, along with five great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Needless to say she, with her strength, quick wit and smiles, will be sorely missed but will live forever in our hearts as a devoted, fun loving lady and mother, who brought joy to all!

She desired to have no services. A guestbook is available online at www.ReserFuneralHome.com.

What a delight it was for us to host the ladies of Project Hope. I believe these ladies, who have struggled with life-controlling issues, left the Chapel with a renewed sense of confidence that they were going to make the changes necessary this time! The Chapel family provided a great fellowship meal for all of us, which provided additional time for us to get to know them and build stronger bonds with them that result in additional prayers for them. I am sure we will be welcoming them back!

Our men’s group built a 12-foot tall cross and planted it in front of our Hallettsville church. It was great to have our men take an idea and implement it. What a blessing for us to witness Pastor Jr and some of his congregation as some wept for joy as they saw their cross stand on their church property. It said to them many things, including that others were praying and believing for them as they work to build a new church.

We have been called upon to be away for some of the services at the Chapel recently and so appreciate the ministry of Pastor Jesse and Pastor James, who have filled this pulpit for us. It is always great to have help and it is wonderful for us for we have Great Helpers!

It is always a great joy to be a part of the Annual Community Thanksgiving Service, which was hosted this year at First Baptist. It is refreshing when the community of faith gets together to praise the Lord, much like the first Pilgrims did in 1621.

Our ladies have been meeting to create different items to be given away to some needy people in this community. Since I am not directly involved in it, I do not know exactly what all the sewing machines and craft items are being used for, but I know it is to show the love of Christ to someone during these holidays. I do know that the ladies will be meeting on December 2 to decorate the Chapel and on December 8 for a cookie exchange.

The Chapel will be hosting an All-Church Fellowship on Sunday, November 20, where we will all come together at 6:00 p.m. and enjoy a fish fry. I am sure most do not have a fish fry for Thanksgiving dinner, so we feel it will be great to have one just to get together and say “Thanks!” Everyone is invited!

Our annual Christmas Party will be on Sunday evening, December 18, and Christmas Caroling will be on December 21. These are special events and everyone is invited to be a part of them!

The Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goals include helping lost humanity find Christ! We are an extremely blessed people and believe in saying “thanks” by being what the Lord has created us to be. One will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel and all are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

Se nos ha llegado el tiempo donde recordamos el día de dar gracias. Es muy poco las veces en que realmente le damos gracias a Dios por lo que El hace. Nuestro Dios nos ha dado muchas razones para darle gracias. Él nos dio la vida y nos protege a todo momento. Nos ha dado su hijo Jesucristo como salvador y su Espíritu Santo como quía.

En estos tiempos es importante reconocer que sin la misericordia de nuestro Dios, sería imposible vivir una vida llena de amor y paz. No digo que todo es simple amor, sino que con Dios las cosas se hacen posibles en vez de faltar en nuestra vida. Cada día que vivimos es un día de bendición. Cada día que tenemos de vernos y gozarnos es bendición. Esperamos que en todo podamos darle gracias a nuestro Dios.

Este ano esta para cambiar y necesitamos tener nuestro corazón y vida en Cristo. La Navidad también vendrá pronto y muchos cambios vendrán en el año nuevo. Lo que es constante es el amor and poder que tenemos en el Señor Jesucristo. Espero que tengan un Día de Dar Gracias lleno de bendiciones y la Navidad también con gozo y alegría en que Dios mando su hijo para darnos una vida nueva.

Que Dios los bendiga y les llene de bendiciones. La biblia nos dice en Filipenses 4:13 Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece. Feliz Día de dar Gracias, Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año Nuevo.

Pastor Jesse C. Alderete, Fisherman’s Chapel 361-482-9485