Mark Vaclavik – July 6, 1960 to July 22, 2026 (66)
YOAKUM: Mark Allen Vaclavik, age 66, passed away July 22, 2026. He was born July 6, 1960 in Yoakum to Edwin and Ardyce Douglass Vaclavik.
He worked at Stanley’s during his high school years. After graduation he went to Stanley’s in Hallettsville where he was assistant manager at a young age. He pursued salesmen’s positions then was a co-owner of V&V Discount Liquor and 4×4’s of South Texas Yamaha. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a loving husband, dad, gramps, son and brother to his family.
Survivors: mother, Ardyce Vaclavik; wife of 43 years, Mary Vaclavik; daughter, Mallory DeBord (Kaleb); son, Mitchell Vaclavik (Kaci); grandchildren, Kallyn Vaclavik and Kade Vaclavik; sister, Sharon Vaclavik.
Preceded in death by his father, Edwin Vaclavik.
Rosary and a funeral Mass were held July 27, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Matthew Huehlefeld officiating. Burial St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Mitchell Vaclavik, Kaleb DeBord, Bryan Vaclavik, Patrick Vaclavik, Adolph Chumchal, Brian Lauer, Wade Lauer and Hunter Lauer. Honorary pallbearers: Hayne Hermes, Dick Shindler, Paul Shindler, John Vaclavik and David Vaclavik.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Patricia Jean (Huwe) Pargmann – Sept 13 to o
Patricia Jean (Huwe) Pargmann, 69, of Yorktown, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2026, in Victoria, Texas.
Patricia was born on September 13, 1956, in Newark, New York, to the late James F. “Jim” Huwe and Marcella Simons Huwe.
Patricia lived a life defined by love, determination, and hard work. She embraced every chapter of her life with courage and pride, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.
She began her career as a waitress, where her warm smile and kind spirit brightened the days of those she served. She later became a talented cosmetologist, working at JCPenney and SmartStyle, helping others feel beautiful and confident. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Patricia proved her strength and determination when she pursued a career as a correctional officer after being told she couldn’t do it. She excelled in the profession and retired after many years of dedicated service, demonstrating the perseverance that defined her life.
While Patricia’s professional accomplishments were many, her greatest joy came from her family. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a proud grandmother, and a cherished great-grandmother. She was also a loyal and caring friend, always ready to offer a helping hand, a listening ear, or words of encouragement.
One of Patricia’s favorite places was Rockport, Texas. She treasured the summers spent along the coast, making lasting memories with family, enjoying the peaceful beauty of the water, and appreciating life’s simple pleasures. Those moments brought her immense happiness and remained close to her heart.
Patricia’s life was a beautiful example of strength, resilience, kindness, and unconditional love. She taught those around her the value of perseverance and the importance of putting family first. Her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched and the precious memories she created.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James “Jim” Huwe and Marcella Simons Huwe, and her brother, Michael Stamper.
She is survived by her loving husband, Royce Pargmann; her children, Amber (Manuel) DeLeon of Skidmore, Texas, Heather (David) Jenkins of Victoria, Texas, Ashley Thomas (Anna Hines) of Conroe, Texas, and Aaron “AJ” (Ali) Pargmann of Mason City, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Randy Huwe, Jim (Belinda) Huwe, Donnie (Jeanette) Huwe, Ronald (Connie) Huwe, James (Virginia) Clever, and Karen Prescott; her sister-in-law, Joni Huwe; and her special friend and sister by heart, Lori Newmann, whose lifelong friendship was a treasured blessing.
Patricia will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.
Adela Martinez “”Wella”” Sixtos (Martinez) Obituary
Adela M. “Wella” (Martinez) Sixtos was called by our Lord on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the age of 82.
She was born to the late Maria Corpus Cavazos and raised by her late Stepfather, Esmeregildo Vela. She married Demetrio Sixtos Sr. in 1958 and shared 68 years together.
Adela is survived by her husband; children, Frank (Minnie) Sixtos, Janie (Robert) Pena, Gloria (Ken) Gunstanson, Melissa Riedel, Michael Alvarez, and Letty Lee; grandchildren, Denise, Trey, Joy, Jonathan, Paula, Daisy, Chris, Sarah, Roy, Melissa F., Crystal, Kelsey, and Brandon; sister, Simona Alamiz.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Demetrio Sixtos Jr; son-in-law, Monnie Riedel; sister, Juanita Vargas; brothers, Ray Cavazos, Gilbert Alvarez, and Herman Cavazos.
She is buried at the Yorktown Community Cemetery.
Larry Henze – July 15, 1942 to Aug 18, 2026 (84)
Larry Henze, 84, of Yorktown went to see his Heavenly Father Tuesday, August 18, 2026. He was born July 15, 1942, in Yorktown to Norris and Bernice Schulz Henze. He was baptized into the faith November 15, 1942, at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Larry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He married the love of his life, Elaine Schoenherr, on February 3, 1963, and together they raised three daughters.
Larry attended DeVry University in Chicago before enlisting in the Navy, where he proudly served aboard the U.S.S. Vance for three years.
Larry loved spending quality time with his family. He cherished fishing with his late wife, Elaine, in Port Aransas, snacking on olives while watching the Cowboys with his daughters when they were young, and taking his granddaughters out to feed his cows.
Larry is survived by his daughters Sue (Louie) Boldt, Jill (Shane) Turner, Penny (Kevin) Hill, grandchildren Haley Turner, Natalie (Travis) Thamm, Brooke Turner, and great-granddaughter Elainnore Thamm. He is also survived by his brothers Dennis Henze and Glen (Judy) Henze.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Elaine Henze.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 22, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.
Cuero Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Child Sexual Assault Case, More Than Three Years After Arrest
A Cuero man first arrested in early 2024 has now been sentenced to a decade in prison, concluding a long‑running child sexual assault case that moved through years of investigation, victim‑centered consultation, and pretrial preparation.
Ruben Morales, 70, entered a guilty plea in DeWitt County District Court on Monday, August 18, the same day his trial was scheduled to begin. His plea resulted in a 10‑year prison sentence for aggravated sexual assault of a child — a first‑degree felony under Texas law.
According to reporting by the Victoria Advocate, District Attorney d the plea agreement was shaped directly by the victim and the victim’s family, whose input guided the final outcome.
Cromeens told the Advocate, “No resolution can undo the harm done to the victim. After careful consideration, and in discussion with the victim and the victim’s family — whose input and approval guided this decision — a plea agreement was reached resulting in a ten‑year prison sentence.”
Aggravated sexual assault of a child carries a statutory punishment range of 5 to 99 years or life in Texas. Morales’ 10‑year sentence reflects a negotiated plea rather than a maximum penalty.
Because the offense is classified as a restricted parole crime, Morales must serve at least half of his sentence — five years — before becoming eligible for parole review, with no credit for good conduct time. He will also be subject to lifetime sex offender registration upon release.
Morales’ case is one of several child sexual assault prosecutions in DeWitt County in recent years. In 2020, a Cuero man received a 35‑year sentence for a similar offense, and another resident was sentenced to 66 years for continuous sexual assault of a child.
Cuero, a small community of just over 8,000 residents, has seen cases like this ripple through local institutions — from law enforcement to advocacy centers to the families affected. Cromeens said the priority throughout the Morales case was ensuring the victim’s voice was heard and respected.
The 24th Judicial District Attorney’s Office reiterated its commitment to protecting children across DeWitt, Calhoun, and Goliad counties, emphasizing that collaborative work between investigators, forensic interviewers, and victim advocates remains essential in achieving justice.
DeWitt County Republicans Kick Off November Push With High‑Energy Meeting and Legislative Insight From State Leaders
Cuero Online News | Aug 23, 2026
The DeWitt County Republican Party gathered this past week for a momentum‑building meeting ahead of the November midterms, drawing an impressive lineup of state officials, regional directors, judicial candidates, and campaign representatives. The event underscored both the party’s organizational strength and its focus on keeping local voters informed as election season intensifies.
Their presence signaled the importance of DeWitt County in the upcoming election cycle and highlighted the party’s commitment to connecting voters directly with decision‑makers.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came when Rep. Louderback presented the DeWitt County Republican Party with a gavel from the 89th Texas Legislature, a symbolic gesture recognizing the county’s engagement and support.
Louderback also briefed attendees on developments inside his committee meetings as preparations begin for the next legislative session. He discussed ongoing work related to public safety, border security, and rural priorities — themes consistent with his recent public remarks about law enforcement and immigration policy.
His update reinforced a message he has emphasized across the district: he listens to his constituents, and their concerns directly shape the work he brings to Austin. Recent reporting shows Louderback actively engaging with local communities, providing legislative updates, and ensuring rural voices remain central in state policy discussions.
Nordheim ISD Earns Strong Ratings in State Accountability and Student Achievement
Nordheim, Texas — Nordheim ISD continues to demonstrate steady academic growth and strong overall performance, according to recently released state accountability data and school ranking metrics. The district, which serves 111 students across a single PK–12 campus, earned an overall B rating with a score of 84 out of 100 for the 2023–24 school year, reflecting solid academic progress and readiness indicators.
The Texas Education Agency’s accountability overview highlights how well students are learning at each grade level and how effectively the district prepares them for success after graduation. Nordheim ISD’s results show that students are meeting expectations and improving year over year.
A deeper look at the district’s Student Achievement category reveals a notable upward trend. Over a three‑year period, Nordheim ISD’s achievement score increased from 77 in 2023–24 to 83 in 2024–25, and then to 88 in 2025–26. The rating, marked as a B, reflects student performance on STAAR assessments, graduation outcomes, and post‑secondary readiness measures.
In addition to state accountability data, Nordheim School also received recognition from Niche, earning an overall B+ rating and ranking as the #1 Best Public High School in DeWitt County. With a student‑teacher ratio of 7:1 and a total enrollment of approximately 116–126 students, the campus benefits from small class sizes and individualized attention. Niche reports that roughly 47% of students meet or exceed proficiency in math and 52% in reading, placing Nordheim above many rural schools of similar size.
As the sole campus in Nordheim ISD, the school plays a central role in the community, offering a close‑knit learning environment while continuing to show measurable academic improvement. The district’s rising achievement scores and consistent B‑level ratings underscore its commitment to student growth, college and career readiness, and high‑quality instruction.
Nordheim ISD’s performance reflects a rural district that continues to invest in its students, demonstrating that small schools can deliver strong outcomes and maintain competitive rankings within the region.