William “Bill” G. Noak, 90, of Round Top, passed away on Aug. 23, 2022, at Dell Seton Hospital in Austin. The fifth of six children, William was born in Round Top on Feb. 22, 1932, the son of the late Willie Noak and Irene (Giese) Noak. Bill was raised in a hard-working farming family, raised by loving parents that served their community, country and church. Their greatest legacy was the values by which they lived and passed to their children. Bill was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and also confirmed there in March 27, 1947 in Round Top. Bill’s love for baseball, especially the New York Yankees, began as early as he could remember. His loyal devotion as a Yankee fan was evident to everyone he met. In his adult years, he was rarely ever seen without the famous navy blue baseball cap with the embroidered NY logo letters up front and center! It became Bill’s trademark! Bill’s childhood dream was to see Yankee Stadium and watch a homeYankees game in person. After he started working at Shell Oil Company, he booked a flight to New York City and his lifelong dream came true! Bill told this story to many, with such pride! Bill was a good student and graduated from Round Top-Carmine High School. He had dreams of continuing his education, and he made that dream come true also. William’s first trip to college was on the back of a flatbed milk truck! He received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Lutheran College in 1954. His major was Biology and he was a pitcher for the TLU Bulldogs baseball team. Bill was voted King of The Court, (equivalent of Homecoming King) and remained good friends with many of his college classmates up until his passing. Bill cherished his college years and experiences, including the summers when he earned money to pay for college. Bill and another Round Top buddy with a car, decided to drive up to the North West to work on farms harvesting crops or on cattle farms. Summer of 1951, he was in Lewiston, Idaho at a cattle auction standing by the help wanted area and Walter Faerber asked Bill if he knew how to drive a truck in harvest? He replied, “Yes” and his 71year relationship with this family began! He would haul 200 bushels of crop on each load and according to Wally Dahmen and his Grandpa, Walter Faerber said, “He was the best truck driver we ever had. In all these years, we have never had better.” Bill bucked hay bales and chased cattle with us in Orofino, Idaho, for Walter’s son, Dan Dahmen, and on their farm in Uniontown, Washington where they raised cattle, grew wheat, barley and dry peas. Wally was 9 years old when he met Bill and remembers the two Texas songs he taught him. All of Wally’s kids and grandkids sing those songs often, in honor of Bill, known as “The man from Texas”! Dan Dahmen always said, “Bill was the hardest working man he had ever worked alongside.” And Dan’s wife was aYankee fan and Bill would play baseball with her kids out in the pasture, even though Wally loved the Dodgers, so they had many conversations about which team was better. Wally said Bill was loved by his whole family. Wally wishes he could have attended his Celebration of Life Memorial but “has a short time to plant the seeds in the ground but Bill would forgive him, as he was as much a farmer as he is.”

Beverly Ann (Moore) Boehm, 84, of La Grange, passed away on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. Beverly was born in Goose Creek on Nov. 19, 1937, the daughter of the late Beverly Ward Moore and late Mavis A. (Welch) Moore Slaughter. Beverly graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown. On Oct. 21, 1967, Beverly married Roland Albert Boehm at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Highland. They raised one son, Douglas Roland Boehm. Beverly enjoyed being surrounded by her family, especially during the holiday season. She loved cooking, baking, plants and giving gifts to those around her. Her heart was to always give to those in need, and she faithfully supported her church and several charities. She enjoyed traveling around the world and gambling with her husband, Roland. Beverly was full of love and a joy to be around. Beverly enjoyed working for the Texas Parks and Wildlife at Monument Hill State Park in La Grange, where she spent 13 plus years, until her retirement. She is survived by her husband, Roland Albert Boehm of La Grange; son, Douglas Roland Boehm of La Grange; granddaughters: Shaylee Boehm-Stoll and husband, Tyler of Camdenton, M.O.; Chelsea Hernandez and husband, Jay of Valparaiso, Fla.; Brittany Boehm of Giddings and great-granddaughter, Abigail Hernandez. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Leon Moore. Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremation, 208 W. Pearl, La Grange, at which time the Family will receive friends. A Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 539 E. Pearl St., La Grange, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Burial will follow at St Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, 610 N. Pecan St., Moulton, TX 77975 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter at 240 Svoboda Land, La Grange, TX 78945. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.

Scott Smyth passed away on Sept. 7, 2022, in Schulenburg.

It was a dark and rainy night in Uvalde County, West Texas. Great! Rain is very welcome in West Texas, EXCEPT when a baby is to be born in a home with only dirt roads leading in and out. There was a muddy dash to the small hospital in Uvalde, and thus began the life of Betty Ann born to Victor F. and Erna Dornbusch Niemeyer, on Nov. 10, 1936. Betty was the first child, with a sister, Carolyn (Mrs. Bob Reagan) and a brother, Victor John Niemeyer born later. Betty was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Knippa, Texas, by Rev. G. Langner.

Verlene was born July 20, 1937 to Elton and Glinnie Tramp at Prairie Valley in Fayette County. She was baptized Oct. 3, 1937 and confirmed Sept. 10, 1950 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Prairie Valley. As a young girl, she helped on the family farm, and as she got older, worked as a waitress at the old downtown Bon Ton Restaurant and later at the Draft Board office. She married Milton Noak at St. Peter Lutheran Church on Oct. 5, 1957. They settled in La Grange and joined St. Paul Lutheran Church. She was a devoted homemaker, sewing her own clothes as well as those of her daughters, and kept a spotless house. After her daughters were older, she went back to work as a bookkeeper, and in later years as a seamstress. She lived her entire life in Fayette County. Milton preceded her in death

Robert Lee “Bob” Field, Sr., 88, of La Grange, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Bob was born in Anniston, Ala. on Sept. 14, 1933, the son of Robert Lee Field and Lucille (Perkins) Field. On June 14, 1955, Bob married the love of his life, Rae Robson Cupples in Shreveport, LA. They were married 58 years until her death on Nov. 27, 2013. They raised two children, a son, and a daughter. Together Bob and Rae lived a joyful life, of which animals and philanthropy played an important role. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he continued his love of flying, having been a pilot since his teenage years. He was honorably discharged in 1963 with the rank of Captain but remained in the Air Force Reserves. He continued to fly often, owning his own plane, and maintaining his private pilot’s license into his 80s.

Visitation for Gus Sommer, Jr. is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Fayette Memorial Funeral Chapel in La Grange. A private graveside service is scheduled for the family with interment at the Black Jack Cemetery. Gus Fritz Sommer, Jr. passed away on Sept. 14, 2022 at his residence in Muldoon at the age of 90. He was born on Dec. 8, 1931 in Fayette County to Gus Sommer, Sr. and Erna “Loessin” Sommer. He married Ruth “Hoehne” Sommer in 1956 at the Swiss Alp Lutheran Church, and they later had three sons. Gus enjoyed being outdoors. He particularly liked being in his garden, pulling weeds and planting flowers. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Josephine Jane Hilsher Pflughaupt died peacefully in her sleep on Sept. 1, 2022. Josephine was born on March 13, 1925, to Czech parents Chas andAlbina Halamicek Hilsher at the family home in Roznov. She was the sixth of eight children. Josephine graduated from Fayetteville High School where she met her future husband, Leander Pflughaupt. She loved school and graduated second in her class. Right after high school, Josephine married Leander on July 5, 1942 in Houston, where they made their lifetime home. Josephine was preceded in death by her husband of more than 70 years, Leander, her son Larry, her parents, her sisters, Elenora Lange and Gladys Havemann, and her brothers Alfred, Charles, John, and Harold.

Funeral Services for Gerald Lee Beaver are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Round Top with interment to follow at the Florida Chapel Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Fayette Memorial Funeral Home in La Grange.

Donald (Donnie) Eugene Pritchard, 76, of Flatonia, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Schulenberg. He was born on June 2, 1946 in Gonzales to Sydney “Bud” Pritchard and Effie Cowey Pritchard. On June 1, 1996, he was united in marriage to Patty Robbins at Cistern Hall in Cistern.