Obituaries
Local Obituaries for Cleveland, Dayton, Coldspring & Surrounding Communities
Taft Joseph Merka
August 23, 2025
Taft Joseph Merka, 84, a devoted husband, father and friend entered eternal rest on August 23, 2025. Born on June 15, 1941, he lived a life full of faith, generosity and love for his family.
He was known for his dedication to the church, and his ability to make everyone laugh. He is survived by his loving family and friends who will...
James Vernon Lilley
August 23, 2025
Please check back for Vernon's obit.
Service information is as follows: A visitation will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025 from 5pm-7pm at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Cleveland. Vernon's funeral will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 10am at Evergreen Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Cleveland. Texas.
Frances Risner
August 23, 2025
Frances Elaine Risner was born in Houston, Texas on December 12, 1946 to parents, Nolan Chastain and Johnie Mae Selph Chastain. She passed away in Coldspring, Texas on August 23, 2025 at the age of 78 years.
Frances was a loving and devoted person who always put other’s needs before her own needs. She cared about people and also cared for...
Merle Katherine Dabney
August 23, 2025
Merle Katherine Watson Dabney passed peacefully on August 23, 2025. She was 102 years old.
Born May 12, 1923, to Joseph Bartley Watson and Minnie Ola Maxey Watson, she lived in Corrigan, Texas, with her siblings, all preceding her in death. Brother JB Watson and wife Eileen; sister Marie Watson; sister Charlie Faye Watson Strong and husband Rudy; brother William Ronnie...
Billy J. Lewis
August 23, 2025
Billy J. Lewis was born May 25, 1926 in Limestone County, Texas to parents, John Wesley Lewis and Bessie Rowan Lewis. He passed away August 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Texas at the age of 99 years.
Billy proudly served our country in the US Navy during WWII. He worked for Tennessee Oil and Gas as a heavy equipment operator. Billy had...
Bonnie Ruth Smith
August 22, 2025
Bonnie Ruth McAdams Smith was born in Ben Wheeler, Texas, on January 12, 1929, to John and Ila McAdams. She was fifth oldest in a large family of twelve children. Bonnie graduated from Shepherd High School in 1947, the first in her family to graduate. After graduating, she moved to Houston and worked for Dun & Bradstreet. Later that year,...
Arthur Braden Buckels
August 20, 2025
Arthur Buckles (Buck), age 94, of Old River, Texas entered the gates of Heaven on August 20, 2025.
He was born February 24, 1931 in Houston, to parents, Hobart and Lalla Buckles.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jonell Clemens Buckels of Old River, two children, daughter Gwen Christopherson and husband Gary of Old River and son Paul and...
Cynthia Louise Evans
August 20, 2025
Cynthia Louise Pace-Evans was born July 31, 1954 in Shreveport, Louisiana to parents, Earl Jack Merritt and Doris Laverne Lewis Merritt. She passed away August 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas at the age of 71.
Cynthia retired after many years working in the Radiology field. Her greatest joy in life was for her family. She treasured all the memories of spending...
Janet Lynn Hopkins
August 18, 2025
It is with love and remembrance that we share the passing of Janet Lynn Hurlbut Hopkins, who was called to her heavenly home on August 18, 2025, at the age of 65. She was born on March 8, 1960, in Houston, Texas, to her parents D.C. and Virginia Ellington Hurlbut.
She was raised on Tarkington Prairie in Cleveland, Texas, and graduated...
Lon Paul Hobbs
August 18, 2025
Obituary for Lon Paul Hobbs January 24, 1942 – August 18, 2025
Lon Paul Hobbs, 83, of Liberty, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025, in Humble, Texas. He was born on January 24, 1942, in Odessa, Texas, to the late Paul Malloy Hobbs and Willie Victoria Cathey.
Lon lived a life full of devotion—to his family, his faith, and the...
Robert Wayne Johns
August 18, 2025
Obituary for Robert (Bobby) Wayne Johns
Robert (Bobby) Wayne Johns, 69, of Dayton, Texas, passed away on August 18, 2025. He was born on June 7, 1956, to parents David Johns and Helen Stoker.
A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and man of unwavering faith, Bobby lived in Dayton for the past 31 years, having previously called North Shore, Cleveland, and Shepherd home....
Louise Carolyn Psencik Lyrock
August 18, 2025
Louise Carolyn Psencik Lyrock September 12, 1939 – August 18, 2025
Louise Carolyn Psencik Lyrock, age 85, of Dayton, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025.
Born on September 12, 1939, at her family’s home in Dayton, Louise was the daughter of Miloslav Psencik and Martha Lesikar. Remarkably, she spent her entire life on the very same property where she was...
Rufus Gerald Lum
August 18, 2025
Rufus Gerald Lum was born in Macedonia, Texas on July 5, 1945 to parents, William Erastus Lum and Myrtle Corrine Cole Lum. Gerald passed away August 18, 2025 at his residence at the age of 80 years. He worked as a tool grinder for many years and loved his family dearly.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, William Erastus...
William (Bill) Bryan Ericson, Sr.
August 16, 2025
William Bryan Ericson, Sr. (Bill) passed away peacefully on August 16, 2025 surrounded by his children Bryan and Cindi Ericson. He was born on December 12, 1944 in Coffeyville, Kansas to parents Marvin and Elizabeth Ericson of Corpus Christi, Texas.
Bill grew up in Corpus Christi where he enjoyed fishing and boating across Corpus Christi Bay, which was just outside the...
Toy Willard Lay
August 16, 2025
Obituary for Toy Willard Lay
Toy Willard Lay, 80, of Dayton, Texas, passed away on August 16, 2025. He was born on May 19, 1945, in Goose Creek, Texas, to parents Emmitt and Dorothy Lay.
A proud graduate of South Houston High School, Toy met the love of his life, Frances, during those early years. Their high school romance grew into a...
Norman Brian Bobo
August 14, 2025
Norman Brian Bobo passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025, at the age of 62. He was born on January 14, 1963, in Atlanta, Texas, to Richard and Mary Bobo. Brian was a beloved son, brother, father, uncle, and grandfather who touched the lives of all who knew him with his kindness, strength, and unwavering faith.
Brian was known for his...
Henry Charles Odom
August 13, 2025
Obituary for Henry Charles Odom
Henry Charles Odom, 49, of Dayton, Texas, passed away on August 13, 2025.
Henry was born on January 12, 1976, in Pasadena, Texas, to Coy Frank Odom and Geneva Brooks. He moved to Dayton as a young man and had called it home for the past 30 years. A graduate of Dayton High School, Class of 1996,...
Rhonda Ann Usher
August 13, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rhonda Ann Usher, lovingly known as “Mimi,” on August 13, 2025, surrounded by her adoring family after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 53 years old.
Born on February 17, 1972, in Houston, Texas, to Morris and Odessa Garrett, Rhonda grew up alongside her brothers, Joe and Eddie, creating...
Kyle David Somers
August 13, 2025
Kyle David Somers was born in Houston, Texas on August 10, 1973 to parents, Clyde Lee Somers and Beverly Ann Rucker Somers. He passed away in Shepherd, Texas on August 13, 2025 at the age of 52 years. Kyle worked as a painter in the construction industry and was a hard worker. Above all, Kyle loved his family and cherished...
Tracy LaBuff
August 11, 2025
Tracy Kent LaBuff, 67, of Ames, Texas, passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on August 11, 2025. He was born on September 17, 1957, in Baytown, Texas, to parents L.V. Shelton LaBuff and Peggy Joyce Littlefield.
Tracy was raised in Mont Belvieu and Tarkington, where he attended Tarkington High School. Over the years, he lived in several...
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At Pace-Stancil Funeral Home and Cemetery, we believe that your loved one's life deserves to be celebrated and honored in a unique way that tells their story. That's why we go above and beyond to deliver excellence at each of our locations in Dayton, Coldspring, and Cleveland, Texas. Our compassionate team is dedicated to crafting funeral services that honors their individuality. We understand the importance of trust during this difficult time, which is why we take pride in being a locally owned funeral home that reinvests in your community. You can rely on us to provide the highest level of care for your family, friends, and guests.
