Obituaries
Local Obituaries for Cleveland, Dayton, Coldspring & Surrounding Communities
Pamela "PJ" Jeanette Lechler
August 23, 2025
Pamela Jeanette Lechler was born on October 23, 1970, in Dayton, Texas, to JP and Barbara Thornton. To everyone who loved her, she was simply "PJ."
PJ had a heart bigger than Texas and a love for her children that truly knew no bounds. She was fiercely proud of her three kids, and through every season of life—childhood, adulthood, and everything...
Billy Joe Duff
September 7, 2025
Obituary for Billy Joe Duff
Billy Joe Duff, 79, of Liberty, Texas, passed away on September 7, 2025. He was born on May 11, 1946, to Joe Elton Duff and Mildred Burch.
A lifelong resident of Liberty County, Billy was known for his strong work ethic, generous heart, and unwavering faith. In 1976, he founded Billy Duff Seafood, a local seafood market...
James Leard Conner
September 7, 2025
James Leard Conner of Dayton TX, passed away on September 7, 2025 after a brief illness. He was 85.
Born on January 11, 1940 in Liberty, Texas to William Ardist "Bill" Conner and Edna Goodrum Conner, Leard grew up in Dayton farming rice and working cattle with his father and brother. He graduated from Dayton High School's Class of 1958 where he...
Dennis Earl Hooper
September 4, 2025
Dennis Earl Hooper was born July 22, 1949 in Houston, Texas to parents, L.D. Hooper and Eula Jackson Hooper. He passed away on September 4, 2025 in Sugarland, Texas at the age of 76 years. Dennis proudly served our country in the US Army and was a truck driver for many years. Dennis will be greatly missed by everyone that...
Frank Craig Malone Jr.
September 3, 2025
Frank Craig Malone Jr. was born April 26, 1963 in Chillicothe, Ohio to parents, Frank Craig Malone Sr. and Lois Jean Webb Malone. He passed away September 3, 2025 in Point Blank, Texas at the age of 62 years.
Frank graduated from South Point High School in 1981 and then he proudly served our country in the US Army for three...
Alfred Gonzales Espinosa Jr.
September 2, 2025
Obituary for Alfred Gonzales Espinosa, Jr.
Alfred Gonzales Espinosa, Jr., of Dayton, Texas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on September 2, 2025, in Humble, Texas. He was 70 years old.
Born on January 5, 1955, in Houston, Texas, Alfred was the beloved son of Alfredo Espinosa and Alberta Ryan. He grew up in Houston and attended M.B. Smiley High...
Edward Dewey Townsend, III
August 28, 2025
Edward Dewey Townsend III, aka “Eddie” was born on September 14th, 1969, in Indianapolis, Indiana and left us way to soon on August 28th, 2025. Eddie was doing the thing he loved most in life; being with his family, assisting, participating in and watching Christopher race.
Eddie grew up in La Porte, Texas and graduated high school in Indiana while living...
Claudia Jean King
August 27, 2025
Claudia Jean King was born in Cleveland, Texas, on July 7, 1945, to parents Claude Rodger Welch and Sarah Elva Sweeten Welch. She passed away on August 27, 2025, in Conroe, Texas, at the age of 80.
Claudia was born and raised in Cleveland, Texas, before moving to Texas City with her parents, who owned a gas station in Dickinson. She...
Stuart Shannon Jowell
August 26, 2025
Stuart Shannon Jowell January 31, 1956 – August 26, 2025
Stuart Shannon Jowell, 69, passed away on August 26, 2025. Born on January 31, 1956, in Odessa, Texas, Stuart was the beloved son of the late Mel and Joy Corley Jowell.
A devoted member of Grace Community Baptist Church, Stuart lived his life anchored in faith. He loved Jesus deeply and embodied...
Sylvia Ann Kinney
August 26, 2025
Sylvia Ann Kinney January 21, 1935 – August 26, 2025
Sylvia Ann Kinney, 90, of Liberty, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025, in Liberty. Born on January 21, 1935, in Houston, Texas, to Allen and Thelma Corser, Sylvia was a lifelong resident of Liberty and a beacon of generosity, faith, and fierce loyalty to all who knew her.
Sylvia was...
Joyce Laverne Duke
August 25, 2025
Joyce Laverne Duke Johnson was born on July 25, 1933 in Splendora Texas and passed away on August 25, 2025 in New Caney Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents Oscar Duke and Mable Barrow Duke, Sisters Jessie M Duke, Francis D Cochran. Brother Walter E Duke, and her son David W. Oakley. She is survived by her grandson...
Lavora June Moehle
August 25, 2025
Lavora June Moehle was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 9, 1951 to parents, Rayford Presley Owens and Dorothy May Hoy Owens. She entered Heaven’s Gates, surrounded by her loving family, on August 25, 2025 at the age of 74 years.
June came from a large and loving family, and she enjoyed the time she had raising her son and providing...
William Cole Woodruff
August 23, 2025
Specialist William Cole Woodruff
William Cole Woodruff, known simply as “Coco” to everyone who loved him, was born on July 6, 2004, in The Woodlands, Texas, to Joseph Earl Woodruff and Anna Renne Faulkner Woodruff. He passed away unexpectedly and far too soon on August 23, 2025.
Cole was a proud lifelong resident of Coldspring, Texas. From a young age, he had...
Norma Darlene Bice
August 23, 2025
Norma Darlene Bice, 74, of Kenefick, Texas, passed away on August 23, 2025, in Beaumont, Texas, after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer.
Darlene was born on December 25, 1950, in Fort Worth, Texas, to James T. Pike and Norma Melveda Pike. She spent her early years in Baytown and Pasadena, where she attended elementary and junior high school,...
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
James Vernon Lilley, age 92 of Cleveland, Texas, began his heavenly journey on August 23, 2025, peacefully at his home in San Jacinto County.
Vernon was born October 21, 1932, the son of Laura Elizabeth Everett Lilley and James Robert “Pete” Lilley.
He graduated from Coldspring High School in 1950 and went on to serve our nation in the U.S. Army from...
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...
Tommy Lee Sheppeard
August 22, 2025
Tommy Lee Sheppeard was born in Eupora, Mississippi on January 11, 1948 to parents, Luther Martin Sheppeard and Addie Lee Weeks Sheppeard. He passed away on August 22, 2025 at the age of 77 years.
Tommy proudly served our country in the US Army. He was a asbestos worker for Local #22 for many years. Tommy’s greatest love was for his...
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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.
