Alma “Marie” Ponton went home to be with the Lord on February 6, 2011.  Marie was born to Arthur and Alma Schoenig in San Antonio, Texas on May 9, 1928.  She grew up in Boerne, Texas where she attended Boerne High School.  Marie moved to Houston in the mid 1940’s where she attended Draughn’s Business College and took accounting courses.  It was at this time she met Robert “Bob” Ponton whom she married in 1949.

Marie stayed home & raised her two children, Robert and Eileen, who were the joys of her life.  She enjoyed singing and sang in numerous church choirs.  During her children’s adolescence she would sing at funeral homes on a part time basis.   After they became older, she worked in accounting positions for different companies, the last one being UPS.

In the late 1990’s, Marie lost her eyesight – but this did not slow her down.  She continued to lead an active life and her belief in Jesus Christ was very important to her.  She became one of All Saint’s Episcopal Church’s most dedicated prayer warriors.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband in 1991.  She is survived by her son, Robert Earl Ponton II and daughter, Kathryn Eileen Ponton.  A graveside service will be held at 2:00pm, Thursday, February 9th, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, 77023.

Brenda J. Dotson entered into eternal rest on February 2, 2012. Born March 15, 1941 in Muskegon, Michigan and was a resident of  Pasadena, Texas for 35 years. For many years, Brenda enjoyed playing the piano for loved ones and the church. She found relaxation by fishing and being a creative crafter, Brenda  had a variety of interest, which included  spending time with  family and preparing for family gatherings; she also enjoyed socializing and playing cards with friends.

Brenda is preceded in death by her parents Margaret and Cleo, husband Dan and son Jake. She is survived by her loving brother Lonnie and his wife Mary, her children Terri, Tami, Julie and her husband Tracy, her grandchildren Jennifer, Jeremy, Stephanie, Courtney, Chris, Caitlin, Cassidy, Sarah, Kayla, and her 6 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5pm – 8pm, Tuesday February 7^th at Niday – Fairmont  Funeral Home, 6777 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena, Texas 77505. The Funeral Service will be celebrated at 10am Wednesday February 8^th also at Niday – Fairmont Funeral Home. Interment will be at 1pm at Fort Sam Houston VA National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038.

Lon Dwight Hays, born October 11, 1971, lost his battle with cancer January 31, 2012, and has left this life to begin another. He leaves behind his mother, Linda and his dearest friend, Sean, along with his grandmother, aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins.

His love for the outdoors was only exceeded by his love for children. We will miss Lon, but know we will see him again.

A Memorial Service honoring Lon’s life will be held at 5:00pm Saturday, February 4, 2012, at Niday Funeral Home.

Carol Jo Davidson Wach, 68, of Houston, Texas entered into eternal rest with her family by her side on January 31, 2012. She was born on March 2, 1943 in Houston, Texas. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, who loved to travel, read, do puzzles, go camping, and share good times with friends. Carol was very kind and giving. She had a huge heart. Her family was the most important thing in her life. She spent every possible moment with her grandchildren. Carol was a fighter who battled cancer for three and a half years. She went to St. Christopher’s Catholic School and Mount Carmel High School. She attended Sacred Heart Dominican College and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Carol is preceded in death by her parents Mary Sellers Davidson and Clarence Davidson. She is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, Richard Wach; her daughter, Tracy Yarbrough and grandson Jeremy Yarbrough; her son Ronald Wach, and wife Robin and grandchildren Andrew Wach, and Julia Wach; and sister Patricia Hickey.

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm until 8:00pm Friday, February 3rd, at Niday Funeral Home, where a vigil and rosary will begin at 7:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00pm Saturday, February 4th, at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church. A reception will follow at the Bella Vita clubhouse.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial contributions in Carol’s name to the Lung Cancer Alliance at www.lungcanceralliance.org.

James “Paul” Scroggins won his battle with cancer and went home to be with Jesus on January 28, 2012. He was born on June 14, 1943 in Brighton, Colorado to Matt and Niva Scroggins.

Paul and his twin sister Paulette were the youngest of eleven children, nine boys and two girls. He grew up in Northern California, where he attended high school at West Coast Bible College. Following high school, Paul joined “Nancy Harmon and the Victory Voices.” He traveled the world for thirteen years singing gospel music with them. He led and directed choirs in both California and Washington. His love for music was undeniable. While traveling with the “Victory Voices,” Paul met the love of his life, Geneva, and was married August 14, 1976. Shortly after getting married, Paul and Geneva moved to Longview, Washington where they began their lives together. He worked at Saint John’s Medical Center for sixteen years and loved his job. His daughter Sarah was born in 1986 and his world changed forever. She was the joy of his life and he never failed to let her know. Paul and his family moved to Houston  in 1996 to be closer to his wife’s family. While in Houston, Paul managed self-storage facilities and fell in love with the country of Romania, where his daughter served as a missionary.

Paul was an amazing husband, father, brother and friend. His smile was contagious and he never met a stranger. He was always whistling a gospel tune everywhere he went. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy lives on in the countless lives that he has touched. He has left his mark on our hearts.

Left to cherish Paul’s memory are; his loving wife of 35 years, Geneva; daughter, Sarah; mother-in-law, Alta; twin sister, Paulette and husband Robert; sister, Dorothy and husband Fred; brothers, Roland and wife Janet, Norman and wife Billie, Waymon and Noble and wife Shirley; countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Welcoming Paul in heaven are; his son, Matthew; father, Matt; mother, Niva; father-in-law, Carl; brother-in-law, Ronald; brothers, D.C.; M.C.; James; and Donald; countless other friends and family.

A memorial service celebrating Paul’s life will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, February 4th, 2012 at Niday Funeral Home, 12440 Beamer Road, Houston 77089.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be deeply appreciated for expenses incurred during Paul’s illness. Contributions can be sent to: P.O. Box 75246 Houston, Texas 77234.

Juanell Spretz, 83, formerly of Galena Park, passed away in Houston Feb 1, 2012 after a brief illness.  Retired from Harris County Precinct 2. Juanell was preceded in death by her parents Lee and Lula Dickey, sisters Lurlene, Louise, Joyce, Betty Jo,  and Connie,  brothers L J and Lee.  Also husband M.C. Spretz, son Steve Spretz, son-in-law Rollie Perry, and grandson John Spretz.

Juanell is survived by daughters Carol Perry (Rollie), Linda Liescheski (Danny), sons Donald (Paula) and David (Sharon) and daughter-in-law Carol (Steve), along with 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.  Also brothers Jim Dickey (Inez) and Billy Dickey (Trina) along with a host of other family members and friends.

Family will receive friends and relatives Friday February 3 from 5-8 pm at Niday Funeral Home, 6777 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena, TX.  A Celebration of Life will be held at Niday on Saturday February 4 at 1pm with Ches Poston officiating.  Graveside service will follow at San Jacinto Memorial Park, I-10 East and Beltway 8.

Kimberly Ann Marett passed from this life on Sunday January 29, 2012.

Born on August 21, 1981 in Brenham, Texas , Kim had been a resident of Coldspring, Waller, and De Leon Texas. Kim was known by her infectious smile and outgoing personality, she never met a stranger.

Preceded in death by her grandfather Harley Karl and her grandmother Beverly Ann Marett. Survivors include her grandfather Sammy Marett of Tempson, her grandmother Helen Karl of Houston her father Gary Marett Sr. and his wife Evelyn of Goodrich, her mother Laure Alcala and her husband Tracy of Santa Fe; brothers Gary Jr. and wife Jennifer of Santa Fe; Shane and his wife Holly of Tarkington, Cody with Amber Dean of Santa Fe; nephews Dakota, Blake, Tripp and Wyatt; nieces Mattie Rose, Brooke, and Mackenzie, and many uncles, aunts, cousins and friends that she had welcomed into her life.

She will be missed by all!

Betty Jean Rozier McNair, 70, entered into eternal life at home in Houston, Texas on February 1, 2012.  She was born April 2, 1941, in Savannah, Georgia to Purdom Rozier and Clyde Kersey Rozier.  Betty traveled around the country, while last residing in Darien, Georgia, before settling in Houston, Texas with oldest daughter, Cynthia Cody, husband & sons.

She worked at Fred’s Department Store in Darien until retiring in 2010. Betty was a member of the Cowboy Church in Darien, Georgia and Gulf Meadows Church in Houston, Texas, where she supported many outreach organizations and ministries.  Her love was expressed through the joy of gardening, cooking, reading, traveling and coastal living.

Betty is survived by her three daughters, Cynthia Cody of Houston, Texas, Katherine Newcomb and Regina Donlin of Waynesville, North Carolina. She was blessed with 9 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 5 sisters, 3 brothers and surrounded by a host of family and friends.

Relatives and friends are welcome to attend the celebration of Betty’s life that will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, February 18th, at the Cowboy Church, 1288 Cox Rd. SW, Townsend, GA 31331.

In lieu of usual remembrances memorial contributions may be made in Betty’s name to the Cowboy Church.

Dorothy Kainer Duport entered into eternal rest on January 30, 2012. Born November 14, 1931, in High Hill, Texas. Dorothy lived in Houston and was an active and beloved member of St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Community, Catholic Daughters Society of America, Red Hat Society, and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.  She retired from Memorial Hermann Southeast hospital after 26 years of devoted service.  She was a resilient and strong woman, a breast cancer survivor and fighter until the end. Dorothy always made time for family gatherings and loved to socialize with friends. Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents Wilhelmina and Adolph Kainer; brothers Benno, Ewald, Herbert, Arthur, Alex and sister Lydia Fenn.  She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 51 years Paul Duport Sr., brothers:  Adolph Jr. (Sonny) and wife Wanda, Alvin; Sister Rosalie Lobpries; son Paul Jr. and wife Sheryl; daughters Claire Speck and husband Michael, Janice McGowen and husband Nick, Kay Carlin and husband Adam; and 11 grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6:00pm-7:30pm Thursday, February 2, at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 11011 Hall Rd., Houston 77089, with a vigil and rosary to follow.  The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:30pm Friday, February 3, also held at St. Luke’s.  Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery.  A gathering of friends and family will be held in the church social hall following the burial.

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Mark Kevin Oldag, age 50 at 5:34 a.m. January 29^th, 2012. After a brave and valiant 4 ½ year battle with cancer, Mark was surround by his loved ones when the angels came to carry him home.

Mark was born in Richmond, Texas, November 3, 1961.  He grew up in Rosenberg with his parents and two older brothers. During his childhood he enjoyed taking road trips and family vacations, hunting, fishing, and camping out in Orchard, Texas.  After attending Lamar Consolidated High School, Mark met the love of his life, best friend and companion of 26 years, Kathleen Rogers Oldag.  Throughout their lives together, Mark and Kathleen were faced with many trials and tribulations. They stood together when problems arose and overcame every obstacle together.

Mark had an adventurous spirit, and in 1989 moved his family to Maui, Hawaii.  Always valuing his Texas upbringing he was able to incorporate the pride of Texas with the Aloha from Hawaii. In Maui he was able to create a safe environment to raise his most precious accomplishments- his two children, Megan Nichelle Oldag, and Kevin Michael Oldag.   During his life,   Mark never knew a stranger, and this caring and giving attribute was exemplified through his affiliation, as a 32^nd Degree Mason, with the Maui Masonic Lodge.  Always caring for others he earned his HAM Radio Certification and used this hobby to become part of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, and a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  During natural disasters Mark provided broadcasts of weather updates and developing news.

In June of 2011, Mark was able to fulfill a lifetime dream and travel with his family through Canada, California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington. The highlight of his trip was Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park’s, where his daughter and grandson met him. Mark’s road trip ended in Texas where his wishes were to live out the rest of his life surrounded by friends and family.

Mark is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen Oldag,  his children Megan Oldag and Kevin Oldag, his grandson Austin Janak, his mother, Tillie Joyce Oldag, his brothers, Benjamin Joseph Oldag, Jr. and family and Deryl Patrick Oldag and family, his Step-Mother Sophie Oldag, along with a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. Mark is preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Franklin Oldag, Sr.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up The Mark Oldag Memorial Scholarship Fund (a college fund for his son) at Amegy Bank, PO Box 454, Needville, Texas 77461.

Please come celebrate Mark’s life with his family at his memorial on Saturday, February 4^th, 2012 at 3:00pm. The service will be held at Mark’s favorite barbeque restaurant, The Swinging Door, 3818 FM359 Richmond, Texas 77406.