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Thomas Peter Linn- May 2, 1940 to June 30, 2025 (85)

YOAKUM: Thomas Peter Linn, age 85, passed away Monday, June 30, 2025. He was born May 2, 1940 in Crawford County, Pennsylvania to Peter and Blanche Brady Linn.

He worked in Law enforcement for 27 years and the last years as chief of the Yoakum Police Department. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the Yoakum American Legion.  He enjoyed animals and was a gun enthusiast.

Survivors: sons, Tommy Linn, Jr (Dana) and Ricky Linn (Nellie); grandchildren, Ethan Linn (Jessica), Kerry Linn (Makenzi), Jacob Linn (Bethanie), Kaleb Linn and Emersen Linn along with one great-grandchild, Granger Thomas Linn.

Preceded in death by: parents; wife, Emily Garcia Linn and eight siblings.

A private funeral service will be held. Burial at Yoakum Restland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to Pet Adoptions of Cuero or National Kidney Foundation.

Christine Kathryn Lilley – April 13, 1952 to June 8, 2025 (73)

YOAKUM: Christine Kathryn Lilley, age 73, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025. She was born April 13, 1952 in Callicoon, New York to Alfred and Louise Berner.

She was a homemaker. She loved animals, enjoyed playing bingo and gardening. She was a member of the Gardening Club and attended Austin Street Baptist Church. The greatest legacy she leaves is her love- She was the love of Lenny’s life.

Survivors: husband, Lynden Lilley; son, Jeremy Lilley (Rosanna); sisters, Marguerite Schlott and Lizzy Evans; grandchildren, Kavari, Xyler and Kyzen.

Preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Alfred Berner Jr.

Celebration of Life 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home with Pastor Elvis Whaley officiating.

Sounds of Summer Strikes a Chord in Yoakum

By Staff Writer
June 30, 2025

YOAKUM, TX — The town of Yoakum is turning up the volume and serving up summer fun with a brand-new community event that’s sure to hit all the right notes. Get ready for 🎶Sounds of Summer🎶, a free, family-friendly music series lighting up Thursday nights in July at the beloved Yoakum Railroad Park from 6 to 9 p.m.

This toe-tapping, tastebud-tempting series kicks off Thursday, July 10, and promises three weeks of live music, savory BBQ, and plenty of small-town charm.

🎤 The Lineup:

  • Thursday, July 10Black Cat Choir rocks the stage while POPS BBQ keeps the grill sizzling.
  • Thursday, July 17 – Get ready to groove with Tainted Heart.
  • Thursday, July 24 – Close out the series with Bobby Orr & J-Rocks, plus mouthwatering eats from Fullthrottlebbq.

With free admission, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, kick back, and enjoy a relaxed evening under the Texas sky. Refreshments including soda and water will be available for purchase courtesy of the Yoakum Area Chamber of Commerce.

Whether you’re a die-hard local or just passing through, Sounds of Summer is Yoakum’s invitation to savor the season with music, community, and a whole lot of BBQ.

So go ahead—save the dates, rally the crew, and soak in the sounds of summer, Yoakum-style.

Merta Withrow – February 1, 1945 to June 27, 2025 (80)

YOAKUM: Merta Withrow, age 80, passed away Friday, June 27, 2025. She was born February 1, 1945 to Floyd and Martha Wallace Brown.

She worked for Tandy Brand Accessories for 38 years. She enjoyed working, animals, fishing and spending time at her Croc.

Survivors: husband of 21 years, Mike Withrow; daughters, Jo Ann Gary (Rene’), Linda Grubb and Robin Keathley; grandchildren, Chris Pospisil, Brandon Hagemeyer (Kayla), Troy Rosales, Gavin Gary, Cindy Sutton (Jeff), Charley Rosales (Angel) and Matt Hagemeyer along with 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Arthur Brown (Margie).

Preceded in death by: parents; former husband, Charles Whitfield; daughter, Dusty Wenske; son-in-law, Wayne Grubb and three sisters.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of South Texas.

Gina Beth Dvorak – January 8, 1966 to June 25, 2025 (59)

HALLETTSVILLE: Gina Beth Dvorak, age 59, passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2025. She was born January 8, 1966 in Hallettsville to Herschel and Linda Moore Schulte.

She worked for the Lavaca County Sheriff’s office in the communications department for 26 years and the last several years as the communications supervisor. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, traveling and going to the beach.

Survivors: parents, Herschel and Linda Schulte; husband, Keith Dvorak; daughters, Karis Dvorak and Kori Cooper (Jimmy); sons, Kale Furrh (Chelsie) and Kodi (Emily) Dvorak; grandchildren, Calli Furrh, Audrey Dvorak and Emerson Cooper; sister, Rhonda Janak (Timmy).

Celebration of Life at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025 at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home with Pastor Joy Richards officiating.

Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of South Texas.

Sister Serena Etzler- July 9, 1938 to June 22, 2025(86)

VICTORIA — With grace and deep devotion, Sister Serena Etzler, age 86, passed into eternal rest on June 22, 2025. Born in Hallettsville, Texas, she was the youngest child of Theodore and Agnes (Christ) Etzler and the cherished sister to five siblings.

Answering the call to religious life, Sister Serena entered Nazareth Convent in Victoria, becoming a Postulant in 1957 and professing her first vows on August 6, 1959. She earned her BA in education with a minor in history from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio and was certified in physical education—a testament to her love of learning and service.

Her decades-long ministry blossomed through gentle labor, teaching, and faith-filled creativity. From her early days working in the convent laundry to 16 years at St. Ludmila Academy in Shiner, and 25 years shaping young minds at Nazareth Academy in Victoria, she touched countless lives. Later, she served at the Convent Gift Shop, offering handmade rosaries, baby blankets, bracelets, and other crafts that reflected her prayerful spirit and hands of grace.

Always generous with her time, Sister Serena found joy in the simple pleasures—cards, dominoes, and gathering with her Sisters for community. Even in her later years, her spirit remained vibrant; just days before her passing, she joined her beloved community for a movie afternoon.

Preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and several dear nieces, she is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Hilbert and Joline Etzler, as well as a wide circle of nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss her faithful presence and kind heart.

A Rosary and Visitation will be held Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., followed by a Wake and Sharing of Memories at 6:30 p.m., both at Incarnate Word Convent in Victoria. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with Bishop Brendan Cahill presiding and Reverend Albert Yankey serving as Master of Ceremonies. She will be laid to rest at Catholic Cemetery #3.

Pallbearers include Benedict Dworsky, Eugene Dworsky, Dennis Dworsky, William Etzler, Kevin Dworsky, and Kevin Patek.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Incarnate Word Convent of Victoria, Hospice of South Texas, or a charity of your choice. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com

Faith, Justice, and the Politics of Conscience: The Tug-of-War Within

By Pat Trevino
June 29, 2025

There’s a battle that often plays out quietly inside our hearts. It’s the tension between loyalty and conviction, between going along with what our political party promotes—and pausing to ask if it reflects God’s heart. For many, the “Big Beautiful Bill” may feel like a victory: economic boosts, national security, bold reforms. But Scripture beckons us to look deeper.

What does God’s justice look like? And are we living it out in how we vote, speak, and advocate? Deep down, most of us want to live in a way that honors what’s right, just, and good. But doing the right thing isn’t always simple—especially when our convictions collide with our loyalties. We find ourselves caught between conscience and party lines, between what feels politically strategic and what tugs at our moral center.

The “Big Beautiful Bill” is a perfect example. On the surface, it’s packaged with promises: tax relief, strong borders, economic strength. It aligns with many conservative values, and for loyal Republicans, supporting it might feel like the obvious choice. But when we sit quietly with Scripture—when we hear the voices of the poor, the sick, the foreigner—we might start to wonder: Just because it’s politically right, does that mean it’s biblically right?

In a culture that often rewards partisanship over principle, we’re faced with a difficult but essential question: Are we choosing what’s comfortable for our party, or what’s faithful to God? As followers of Christ, we’re called to wrestle with that tension, not ignore it.

You decide, here are the facts:

What Is the “Big Beautiful Bill”?

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is a sweeping Republican-backed legislative package championed by President Donald Trump. It recently passed a key procedural vote in the Senate and is expected to be finalized by July 4. Here are the major components:

  • Tax Cuts:
    • Makes permanent many of Trump’s earlier tax breaks.
    • Adds new provisions like no taxes on tips and increases the standard deduction and child tax credit.
  • Spending Cuts:
    • $267 billion cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over 10 years.
    • Major reductions to Medicaid, with new work requirements that could affect millions.
  • Border & Security Funding:
    • $350 billion allocated to national security, including mass deportation efforts and border wall construction.
  • Healthcare & Rural Hospitals:
    • Creates a $25 billion rural hospital fund to offset some Medicaid cuts.
  • Energy Policy:
    • Rolls back many green energy tax credits from the Biden era.
  • Debt Ceiling & Budget:
    • Raises the debt ceiling while adding trillions to the national debt, according to nonpartisan analysts.

How Does It Compare to Biblical Principles?

Let’s look at some key biblical values and how they might relate to this bill:

1. Justice for the Poor and Vulnerable

“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”

— Proverbs 29:7
  • Analysis: The bill’s deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs disproportionately affect the poor, elderly, and disabled. This raises concerns when viewed through the lens of biblical justice, which consistently calls for protecting society’s most vulnerable.

2. Wise Stewardship and Debt

The borrower is slave to the lender.” — Proverbs 22:7

  • Analysis: The bill is projected to add trillions to the national debt. While the Bible doesn’t prohibit debt, it warns against excessive borrowing and calls for fiscal responsibility.

3. Welcoming the Stranger

“Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.” — Deuteronomy 27:19 

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself.” — Leviticus 19:34
  • Analysis: The bill’s emphasis on mass deportations and border fortification conflict with biblical teachings on compassion toward immigrants and refugees.

4. Fair Wages and Economic Justice

“Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy.” — Deuteronomy 24:14

  • Analysis: While tax relief for tipped workers may help some, critics argue the bill favors the wealthy and corporations, potentially widening economic inequality.

 


Final Thoughts

The “Big Beautiful Bill” is a bold and controversial package. Supporters argue it strengthens national security and promotes economic growth. Critics—including some Republicans—say it sacrifices the well-being of the poor and future generations for political gain.

From a biblical perspective, the bill raises serious ethical questions about justice, compassion, and stewardship. Biblical justice is deeply concerned with how society treats the least powerful—immigrants, orphans, widows, and the poor. Whether one supports or opposes it, the Bible challenges us to ask: Are we loving our neighbor, caring for the least among us, and acting with wisdom and humility?

Averta “Betty” White – February 26, 1961 to June 14, 2025 (64)

VICTORIA – Averta “Betty” White passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the age of 64. She was born February 26, 1961 in Cuero, Texas to the late John and Ramona Rodriguez. She was a hard worker and a devoted Christian. She was a loving a wife, mother, grandmother, and dedicated to her family.

Averta is survived by her husband Ronnie W. White, Sr., her sons Ronnie White, Jr, Dominic White, and Jeremaine W.; her daughters Dominique White and Angel White; her brothers Martin Rodriguez and John Rodriguez; and her sister Margie Rodriguez (Pompa). She is also survived by her 13 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.

In addition to her parents, Averta is preceded in death by her brother Joe Rodriguez, and her sisters Angie Rodriguez (Amador) and, Viola Rodriguez (Lugo).

A visitation for family and friends was held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a church service at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Cuero, TX. Interment to follow at Guadalupe Cemetery, Mission Valley.