Obituaries

Dusty Ray Keith, age 22, of Idalou, passed away Saturday, March 19, 2011, at Carillon House in Lubbock.

Celebration of life services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 24, 2011, at the First Baptist Church of Idalou, Texas with Steve Bigham officiating. Interment will be at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, at Floydada Cemetery under the direction of Moore-Rose Funeral Home of Floydada.

Dusty Ray Keith was born on October 12, 1988, in Lubbock to David Keith and Tonya (West) Bentley. He was a lifelong resident of Idalou and was a student at Idalou High School attending in Lorenzo-EPEC.

To know Dusty was to love him. He was a hugger who would give everyone a hug and tell them he loved them. He truly was a gifted, talented man. He had a knack for finding change wherever he went, and for stealing girlfriends from his friends. Dusty would even communicate with friends and family by using sign language. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and loved him.

Dusty was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Billy and Jimmie West; his maternal great-grandmother, Irene King and his paternal great-grandparents, Charlie and Viola Keith of Matador.

Dusty is survived by his mother, Tonya Bentley, and step-father, Doran Lindsey Sr., both of Idalou; his father, David Bryan Keith, his paternal grandparents, Dave and Tommye Keith, all of Dickens, Texas; two sisters, Jessi Lettunich of Goldsmith and Jonni Keith; a brother, Tanner Keith; two step-brothers, Doran Lindsey, Jr. and Toby Lindsey, all of Idalou; aunts and uncles, Ricky and Vivian West, and Tye Keith, all of Dickens; Bobby and Stella West, and Mike and Jamie Keith, all of Lubbock; six cousins, Laura West, of Dickens, and Alexa West, Torrie West, Beaux West, Taylor Keith, and Grayson Keith, all of Lubbock; his two nephews, Nicholas Lettunich and Levi Lettunich of Goldsmith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to East Plains Education Co-Op, P.O. Box 520, Lorenzo, Texas 79343 or to VistaCare Hospice of Lubbock, 1717 Norfolk Ave, Lubbock, Texas 79416.

Robert William Synek, 72, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2011.
Memorial services were held March 5, in the chapel of Fredericksburg Funeral Home. Arrangements were under the direction of Fredericksburg Funeral Home.

Bob Synek is survived by his wife, Judi Synek of Fredericksburg; three children: Mark Synek and wife Angie of Houston, Christopher Synek & wife Kristi of Houston, Susan Nix & husband Randy of Comfort; five grandchildren; two sisters: Lillian Fuller & husband Woody of Plano, Laurie Breuning & husband Phil of Eustis, FL & sister-in-law, Eva Synek of upstate New York.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be to Hill Country Memorial Hospice (c/o Fredericksburg Funeral Home, PO Box 2883, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 or the charity of one’s choice.

Gregory Reed Belk, 53, passed away February 28, 2011, after losing his battle to cancer.
A memorial celebrating his life was held at his home on March 6.

Belk was born July 9, 1957, in Phoenix, Arizona. His family moved to El Cajon, CA., in 1963. He graduated from Santana High School in 1975, and served in the Air Force for three years. He worked at Hardy Irrigation where he met and married his wife, Donna, of thirty years. He was an Operations Manager at JW Flooring in San Diego, after which he worked at Pepper Oil Co.

He was a giant of a man, standing 6’4, with a heart of a teddy bear. He cherished his family, enjoyed cooking, booche’ ball, Frisbee, golf, western movies, his pets and anything outdoors. He would graciously help anyone in need.

He is preceded in death by his step-dad, John Nelson; his father, Harold Belk; and a brother, Harold Anthony Belk.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Belk, and a son, Kevin Belk, both of Santee, CA; his daughter, Amy Gay and husband, Bill, and five precious grandchildren, Kameli, Malia, Buddy, Zachary and McKenna, all of Yuma, AZ; his mother Gloria Nelson; sister, Jeannie Molder and husband, John, all of Clarendon; his brother, Mike McKinney of Lakeside, CA; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Donations can be made at Donley County State in honor of Gregory Belk to help cover medical and burial expenses.

Mary Ann Koetting-Robinson, 76, died March 20, 2011.

Rosary was said Monday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Groom. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Tuesday in the church, with the Fr. Arokia Raj Samala, officiating.

Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Groom. Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mrs. Koetting-Robinson was born March 7, 1935, to Paul and Agnes Sestak in Eugene, Mo., one of four children. After attending Eugene High School and the University of Columbia in Columbia, Mo., she moved to Texas, where she married Marvin Koetting and they had 11 children.

She was a Groom resident for more than fifty-five years. She was a homemaker and babysitter for many years, caring for many of the children around town while she raised her children.

She then went to work at the Groom Memorial Hospital in the accounting department, before taking a similar position with Celanese Chemicals near Pampa. She retired from that job after nineteen years in 1999.

A special occasion in her life came in 1986, when she received a kidney transplant, giving her a new chance at life.

She married Keith Robinson in 2002, and together they made their home in Groom for the final years of her life.

Throughout the many years of raising her children and the struggles of health, her life was a constant example of her undying faith in God and she lovingly gave of herself to all who crossed her path.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Paul and Ralph Sestak; a grandson, Logan Koetting; and a daughter-in-law, Diane Koetting.

Survivors include her husband; six sons, Paul Koetting and wife Mary of Ferris, Henry Koetting and wife Margie of Liberal, Kan., Mike Koetting and wife DeNise of Amarillo, Mark Koetting and wife Carla of Groom, Neil Koetting and wife Cheryl of Lelia Lake, and Richard Koetting and wife Camille of Pueblo West, Colo.; five daughters, Mary Carol Falconer of Brownwood, Kay Ledbetter and husband Randy of Amarillo, Jean Noggler and husband John of Adrian, Jane Meyer and husband Richard of Vega, and Kathleen Barkley and husband Keith of Groom; a sister, Cyrilla Galbreath of Columbia, Mo.; three sister-in-laws, Elizabeth Sestak of Rolla, Mo., Bonnie Sestak of Panama Beach, Fla., and Jean Stewart of Pampa; 16 grandsons, Paul Ryan Koetting and wife Tamara, Ambrose Gallardo and wife Maria, Jeremy Noble and wife Sarah, Cody Wilson and wife Jessica, Joshua Ledbetter, Seth Koetting, Brayden Bennett, Clay Koetting, Justin Noggler and wife Jenna, Wade Meyer, Chance Barkley, Thane Barkley, Chad Barkley, Kyler Barkley, Malachi Villegas and Zachary Koetting; 16 granddaughters, Marissa Koetting, Katrina Koetting, Tamara Petrosky and husband Dale, Carol Wilson, Cady Wilson, Kaycee Ledbetter, Brittney Conway and husband Justin, Shandy Koetting, Jessica Bezner and husband Trey, Jendi Noggler, Janae Noggler, Keely Artho and husband Kyle, Staci Britten and husband Clay, Lindsay Meyer, Halle Barkley and Katherine Koetting; and eight great-grandchildren, Addie Koetting, Ember Koetting, Hunter Noble, Madison Rhea, Ryder Rhea, Tanner Wilson, Kelsey Artho and Dawson Britten.

In remembrance, memorials may be directed to the Groom Ambulance Service and the National Kidney Foundation.

Gayle E. Finch, 70, died Wednesday, March 9, 2011, in Las Cruces, NM.  Funeral services were held Saturday, March 12, at Cuba Av Church of Christ in Alamogordo, NM with Al Maxey, officiating.  Interment was held Monday, March 14, at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon, TX. 
Arrangements were under the direction for Alamogordo Funeral Home.

Gayle was born on Saturday, July 27, 1940, in Tacoma, WA.  She was a Registered Nurse for the County of Santa Barbara.  She liked to write novels and enjoyed decorating the house.
She is survived by her husband, Richard F. Finch of the family home; one son and three daughters.

Should friends desire, contributions may be made to the Cuba Ave. Church of Christ Food Pantry.

 

Waymand “Wally” Moore, 52, died Monday, March 7, 2011, in Clarendon. Graveside services were held Saturday, March 12, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Elder Roy Williams and Elder Harry Williams, officiating.  Interment was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. 

Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Wally was born August 30, 1958, in Nacogdoches.  He married Lynn Weatherton on June 26, 2010, in Clarendon. 

He had been a resident before moving to Clarendon four years ago.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.  He was a member of the St. Stephens Baptist Church in Clarendon.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

Survivors include his wife, Lynn Moore of Clarendon; two sons, Augaise Moore and Jesse Strong of Amarillo; a daughter, Kandy Taylor of Amarillo; two nieces he raised as daughters, Lynzee Bryley and Kia Bryley of Clarendon; a brother, Alvin Nelson of Albuquerque, NM; two grandchildren, Amber & Bobby Strong; and numerous family and friends.