Sandia, Texas - Robert Stanley, 80 years old passed away June 25, 2019 at his residence. He was a volunteer fireman  for the Sandia Fire Department for 17 years in Sandia, Texas. He was also a retired police officer. A  gravesite service will be conducted on Friday, June 28, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Sandia Cemetery in Sandia, Texas. Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Homes, Inc. entrusted with arrangements. ​

​San Diego- Martin A. Valdez, Jr. born on January 18, 1960 passed away at the age of 59 on Monday, June 17, 2019 in a Corpus Christi hospital after a long illness.  He worked for Weatherford for many years as a Truck Driver.  He loved to Bar-B-Que with his family and was an avid Dallas Cowboy and New York Yankees fan.  Martin loved his dog named Negra who was constantly with him.  He is preceded in death by his father Martin G. Valdez, Survivors include his three sons, Martin "Marty" A. Valdez, Odessa Texas, Andrew M. Valdez, Alice, Texas, and Bryan Alexander Valdez, Rio Grande, Texas, His mother, Ernestina "Tina" Valdez, San Diego, Texas, two brothers, Bruno E. Valdez and Norberto Enrique Valdez both of San Diego, Texas, two sisters, Cynthia Hinojosa, San Diego, Texas and Margie B. (Joe) Nieto, Boerne, Texas, numerous nieces and nephews.  Visitation will begin on Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home in San Diego with a Rosary to be recited the same evening at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 21, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church.  Burial will follow at the San Diego Cemetery #2.  Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Homes, Inc. in charge of arrangements.

San Diego, Texas - Pedro Morales, Jr. 92 years of age passed away Sunday, May 5, 2019 in an Alice Nursing Home after a short illness. He was a United States Army veteran having served in WWII. He was a retired truck driver. Pedro was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pedro Morales, Sr. and Magdalena Jones Morales, his wife, Barbarita Morales, two brothers, Catarino and Roberto Morales and one sister. He is survived by his son, Pedro (Belinda) Morales, III, one grandson,  Jacob (Crystal Gonzalez) Morales, one granddaughter, Justine E. (Javier) Perez, two great-grandchildren, Jayla and Jaelle Perez  all of San Diego, Texas. A Memorial Service will be conducted on Monday, June 17, 2019 at Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home in San Diego with a Rosary to be recited at  7 p.m. that same evening. All services will conclude that evening. Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Homes, Inc. entrusted with arrangements. ​

Berta Barrera Guerra, 91 years of age has left us to join our Lord and Savior on May 25, 2019. She passed away at the Paloma Nursing Home in San Diego, Texas surrounded by her three children. Berta was born August 7, 1927 in Hebbronville, Texas to Santiago Barrera Sr. and Tomasita Salinas Barrera. They lived in Conception, Texas until the early death of her mother. Bertita was only six years old when her paternal relatives took the responsibility of raising her. As she grew older Berta moved to San Diego at an early age to start working. She took residence with the Sepulveda family. Her first job was working for a local hardware store. At that time, is when she met the love of her life, Donaciano Guerra, Jr. They married and had five children, Emma Marie Guerra, Donaciano Guerra  III, Josie Guerra, Gilberto Guerra and Anna Lisa Guerra. Throughout the years she befriended Asuncion Guerra. Together they became very involved in politics and civic activities. Helping people apply for social services, "They were social workers at heart". She proudly proclaimed to be part of the" PARTIDO VIEJO" during the George B. Parr era. A democrat until the end of her life never missing an opportunity to participate in her civic duty by voting in every single election. Her humble home was always a place of refuge to many. She loved having people over on a daily basis. Once she was accused of conspiracy to commit fraud by holding political meetings in her home, she was later exonerated. Throughout the years she held several positions in Duval County and served as Municipal Judge, Truancy officer for the City of San Diego. Her last place of employment was working for a Home Health Agency as a patient Advocate where she excelled in her position. 

She is preceded in death by her parents Santiago Barrera Sr. and Tomasa Salinas Barrera, her husband Donaciano Guerra Jr. , one son Gilberto Guerra, one daughter Emma Marie Guerra, five sisters Josefa Mendoza, Maria Luisa Arriola and Infant sister Belia Barrera, Horencia Saenz, Francisca Chapa. Survivors include her son Donaciano " Donnie" (Patricia) Guerra III, two daughters Josie Guerra (Henry Tiblier Jr.), Anna Lisa Barrera-Guerra (Hector Pena) all of San Diego, three brothers Jose (Marie) Barrera of Premont, Santiago ( Marie Allie) Barrera of San Diego, Jorge Barrera of Laredo, one brother in law Arnoldo Mendoza of Corpus Christi, one sister Edna (Guadalupe) Garza of Corpus Christi, two grandchildren JoAnn Guerra of San Francisco, Donaciano "Donnie" (Ruby) Guerra IV of Kerrville, two step grandsons Homer (Arely) Almaraz, James A. Almaraz, five great-grandchildren Donaciano "Donnie" Guerra V, Kasandra Consuelo (Manny) Martinez-Arias, David Gilbert Guerra, Santiago Guerra and Saia Guerra, two great-great-grandchildren, Nicolas Almaraz, Manuel Martinez-Arias, numerous nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers: Saia Sena-Guerra, Santiago Sena-Guerra, Kasandra Martinez-Arias and David Guerra.  Active pallbearers:  Michael Garza, Sergio Daniel Guerra, Andy Barrera, Arnoldo Lopez, Luis Daniel Barrera and Oscar Villarreal. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 beginning at 4 p.m. at Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home in San Diego with a Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. that evening. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 10 a.m. at  St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church and burial will follow at the San Diego Cemetery. Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Homes entrusted with the arrangements.

​San Diego- Ruben Rene Smithwick Sr. 80 years of age passed away Thursday, May 23, 2019 after a long illness surrounded by his loving family.  Ruben was a United States Army Veteran serving in the Korean Conflict.  He retired as a plant operator for Reynolds Metal Co. after 34 years.  After his retirement he enjoyed farming and ranching.  He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.  Ruben is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Elodia L. Smithwick, one brother Roy Louis Smithwick, one sister-in-law, Raquel P. Smithwick, one sister Delpha Garcia and one great-grandson Uriah Martinez. Survivors include, his wife of 58 years , Maria Albesa Smithwick, San Diego, Texas, two sons, Ruben Rene "Sonny" (Debbie) Smithwick, Jr., Orange Grove, Texas, and Steven Noah (Angelica) Smithwick, San Diego, Texas, three daughters, Sandra (Hector Mario) Bazan, Loma Linda , Texas, Sally Smithwick, San Diego, Texas, and Sarah (Roel Chapa) Smithwick, Alice, Texas, one brother, Charles (Cota) Smithwick, Jr. Corpus Christi, Texas, one sister, Sally (Henry) Messer, Sugarland, Texas, 16 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.  Visitation will begin on Sunday, May 26, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home in San Diego, with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00p.m. the same evening.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, May 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church.  Burial will follow at the San Diego Cemetery.    

San Diego, Texas: Javier Soliz 57 years of age passed away on May 14, 2019 in a San Antonio Hospital. Javier worked in the Oilfield Industry for many years. He was a great handyman and loved his animals. Javier loved his family dearly and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.  He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Francisco and Leocadia Soliz, maternal grandparents Juan and Dolores Jimenez, his father Benny Soliz.  Survivors include: His wife of 32 years Eusebia A. Soliz of Austin, one son Juan R. (Victoria) Soliz of Alice, his mother Cristela Webb of San Benito, five brothers Adrian (Laura) Soliz and Santiago Soliz of San Benito, Juan R. (Gracie) Soliz of San Diego, Patricio (Alma) Soliz of Boerne, Benny (Nelda) Soliz  of Falfurrias, five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. 
Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019 at Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home in San Diego with a Prayer Service recited at 7 p.m. that same evening. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 10 a m. at Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home with Burial of cremains to follow at the San Diego Cemetery. Pastor George Franco will officiate the services. Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Homes entrusted with the arrangements. 

San Diego, Texas - Santos S. Briones, 93 years old passed Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at her daughter's residence in San Antonio after a long illness. She was homemaker. Santos was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend who will be sadly missed by who knew her. She is preceded in death by her parents, Federico and Celestina Perez Sauceda, her 1st husband, Ascencio Briones, Sr., her 2nd husband, Francisco Garza, Sr., one son, Jesus Carrenza, two son-in-laws, Rogelio Lichtenberger and Roel Garza, five brothers, Lazaro, Juan, Antonio, Claudio and Andres Sauceda , four sisters, Isabel Garza, Natividad Sauceda, San Juanita Covarrubias and Micaela Aguero. She is survived by her four sons, Joe (Etta Kay) Briones of Corpus Christi, Ascencio Briones, Jr. of San Diego, Frank (Pricilla)Garza, Jr. of Los Angeles, CA. and Pete (Rosario) De Luna of Mission, Texas, three daughters, Josie (Arnoldo) Cantu of San Antonio, Lydia (Martin Sanchez)Lichtenberger of San Diego and Janie Garza of Kingsville, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Visitation will begin on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home with a Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. that evening. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church in San Diego. Burial will follow at the San Diego Cemetery. Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Homes, Inc. entrusted with arrangements. 

​McAllen, Texas: Jesusita Martina Briones Salinas, went to be with the Lord at the age of 74, on Wednesday April 24, 2019 in Edinburg, Texas. She was born on October 18, 1944 to the late Vitalio and Leonor Briones in San Diego, Texas. She is preceded in death by her brothers Armando Briones, Ricardo Briones, Alfonso T. Briones, and brother in law Erasmo Valdez. She is survived by her husband of 48 years Julio N. Salinas, and her children, Julissa (Victor) Gamez, Julio N. (Desi) Salinas Jr., Jessica (Daniel) Valadez and Javier Salinas, her siblings, Vitalio Briones Jr., Ana B. Valdez and Ernesto Briones, six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Jesusita worked as a volunteer at United ISD in Laredo, Texas for 6 years in which she developed a Reading Program for children with reading difficulties. After that she worked as a Teacher Aide for 19 years. Her passion for decorating was demonstrated when she decorated the entire gym for the graduating 5th grade class for many years. Visitation and viewing will be held on Friday, April 26, 2019 at 4 p.m. with a Rosary recited at 7 p.m .that same evening at Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home in San Diego. Funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Francis De Paula Catholic Church and burial will follow at the San Diego Cemetery No.2. Mauro P. Garcia entrusted with the arrangements.