Obituaries

Sammy Edington

Jan 28, 2025

Sammy Dorse Edington of Abilene went to be with the Lord and Savior on January 28, 2025. Sammy was born on July 19, 1938, to Everett Edington and Goldia Klutz Edington in Burkett, Texas.

He attended Burkett schools and graduated as valedictorian from Burkett High School in 1956.

Even though Sammy was always a farmer at...

Ana Martinez

Feb 15, 2025

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Ana María Martínez, age 56, who returned to her eternal home on February 15, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Ana was born on March 6, 1968, in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, to the late Arcadio González Saucedo and Mariana Espinoza Saucedo.

Ana was united in marriage to the love of...

Louise Whalen

Feb 13, 2025

Helen Louise Whalen, 93, passed away in Abilene, Texas, on February 13, 2025. She was born in Rising Star, Texas, to Baird and Susie Placker on February 11, 1932, the youngest of seven children. She was raised in a Christian home, which instilled a love for those around her and a deep commitment to God.

She grew up on a...

Jack Dieken

Feb 10, 2025

After 89 years, Jack Dieken finally got to meet the father he never knew but patterned his long law enforcement career after.

Dieken, the longest-serving sheriff in Taylor County history -- and an Abilene police officer for 26 years before that -- died Feb. 10, five months after suffering several life-threatening embolisms.

A celebration of the career lawman's life will...

Danny Daniels

Feb 9, 2025

Danny Ralph Daniels, 78, went to be with the Lord on February 09, 2025. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Friday, February 14, 2025 at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 south. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 15, 2025 in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be in the Terry County Memorial...

Wilburn "Sam" Harvey

Feb 8, 2025

Wilburn C. "Sam" Harvey, a devoted educator, coach, and beloved family man, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on February 8, 2025, in Abilene. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South. His Funeral service will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Bethel Assembly,...

Rolf Murray

Feb 6, 2025

Rolf Charles Murray, a dedicated veteran, devoted husband, and respected member of his community, passed away on February 6, 2025, at the age of 91. A visitation will be 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Thursday, February 13, 2025, in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Funeral Services will be 12:00 PM, Friday, February 14, 2025, at Southside...

Somboon Keeragool

Feb 5, 2025

Captain Somboon Keeragool, Royal Thai Navy Retired, was born in Thailand on September 27, 1945. He was the eldest son of Tawil and Saward, and big brother to his 6 siblings brothers Sombat, Sommart, Somporl, Sompoat, Somkiet, and sister Tussany. After his secondary school graduation, Somboon continued his education at the Royal Thai Navy Military School. He served in the...

Marshon Davis

Feb 3, 2025

Guadalupe Diaz

Feb 3, 2025

Guadalupe B. Diaz Jr., 80, of Abilene, Texas, passed after an illness on February 3, 2025. Born on August 18, 1944, in Beeville, Texas. He was an affectionate, dedicated and hardworking husband and family man, who always put the needs of others before his own.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Elida Diaz, daughters, Lisa...

James Ralph Landers

Jan 31, 2025

James Ralph Landers, 70, of Abilene, passed away on January 31st, 2025. Services with military honors will be under the direction of and at Elmwood Funeral Home. Visitation will be Saturday, February 8th, at 1pm, memorial service at 2pm, and interment immediately following in Elmwood Memorial Park. Brother Bob Cheatham will be officiating. He passed at Hendricks Hospital from cardiac...

Raul Jaramillo

Jan 31, 2025

Raul Ben Jaramillo

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Raul Ben Jaramillo, a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, who departed from this world on January 31, 2025, at the age of 56. Born on March 7, 1968, in San Antonio, Texas, Raul was a proud resident of Abilene, Texas, where he spent his...

Ruben Cantu

Jan 28, 2025

Ruben Cantu, 64, passed away on January 28, 2024, in Abilene, Texas. He was born on January 21, 1961, in Freer, Texas, to his loving parents, Estanislado and Maria Cantu.

Ruben grew up in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School. That same year, he met the love of his life, Teresa, and the two married on October 18, 1985, building...

Jackie Franks

Jan 28, 2025

Jackie Miller Franks, 86, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 28, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. A celebration of Jackie's life will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025. There will be a visitation at 9:30 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 Hwy 277 South, Abilene,...

Claudia Martin

Jan 26, 2025

Jimmy Blackley

Jan 26, 2025

With heavy hearts yet unwavering faith, we announce that Jimmy Allen Blackley has joined his Heavenly Father. Though we grieve his passing, we rejoice in knowing he has taken hold of the eternal life promised to him through his faith in Jesus Christ. 

Jimmy, or Jim as he was known to many, was born in Tiffin, Ohio on January 15, 1943....

Janet Cate

Jan 21, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Janet F. Cate, beloved mother, devoted grandmother, and cherished friend, who left this world peacefully on January 21, 2025, at the age of 83. Born on June 17, 1941, in Amarillo, Texas, Janet's vibrant spirit and boundless compassion touched everyone she encountered throughout her life.

Janet dedicated...

Ronald Ross

Jan 21, 2025

Ronald Edward Ross, 75, took his final breaths peacefully on January 21, 2025, in Abilene, Texas, while listening on repeat to the hymn “Something About The Name Jesus.” A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 31, 2025,...

Katherine Cole

Jan 18, 2025

Katherine Ann Cole, 93, of Abilene, Texas, peacefully passed away on January 18, 2025, after a short illness. Born on September 26, 1931, in Bath, Maine, she lived a full life, making memories in places like Lexington Park, Maryland, and Elizabethton, Tennessee, before settling in Abilene.

Katherine was a proud graduate of Morse High School and cherished her family...

Jeannie Riley

Jan 18, 2025

 Jeannie Kay Riley, 77, of Abilene, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on January 18, 2025, surrounded by her three loving daughters, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Funeral services will take place at 2:00 PM on...