Helen Marie (Kaufman) Emal, 87, of Friendswood, Texas, passed away Friday, July 4, 2008. She was born November 1, 1920, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to William Kaufman and Josephine (Wiegand) Kaufman.

Helen married Arthur “Jim” Emal in Lubbock, Texas on July 12, 1942.  They lived in Montgomery, Alabama while Jim was serving in WWII and moved back to Beatrice after the war.

Helen spent most of her life in Beatrice, Nebraska, in the same home built after the war, on old farmland that had been in her family. She worked as a beautician in Alabama; and in the kitchen, Goode Shoppe, at the Nebraska State Home in Beatrice where she retired in 1981. She loved her home and yard and spent many happy hours gardening, and watching the birds and squirrels.  She also enjoyed her travels to see her family in Texas.

Helen was close to many friends and family in Beatrice and spent happy times with her nieces, nephews and sisters. She played piano by ear and enjoyed dancing, fishing and card games with her friends. 

She moved to Texas in 2004 to be nearer to her family.  Her family in Texas includes: Diane and Tom; granddaughter, Dana and her husband Robert; great-granddaughters, Sophia and Emily; and granddaughter, Traci and her husband Jeff. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, in 1981; parents; and sisters, Darlene Brandt and Hazel Henrichs.

She is survived by her daughter, Diane Marie Emal Frary and husband Thomas; grandchildren, Dana Ann Opperman and husband Robert, and Traci Jo Frary and husband Jeff Crouch; great-grandchildren, Sophia Josephine Opperman and Emily Marie Opperman; nieces and nephews; and her friends in Beatrice.

The memorial service will be held Monday, July 7, 2008, at 10:00 AM at the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 311 N. Friendswood Drive (FM 518), Friendswood, Texas 77546, (281) 992-7200, www.jeterfuneralhome.com, with Rev. Jonathan E. Petering officiating.

Condolences may be sent to the Emal Family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at jeter@flash.net.

E. Glen Bates, 94, long-time resident of Alvin, Texas, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2008. He was born December 6, 1913, in Alvin, Texas, to A.E. Bates and Mary (Vogelsong) Bates. Glen was a member of the First Presbyterian Church since 1949.

Glen graduated from Alvin High School, in 1932, and continued his education at Port Arthur College pursuing the study of radio. After college Glen established and operated Bates Radio Shop, until he joined the service. He served in the Civil Service Section of the Signal Corp. as a radio-radar technician during World War II, from 1941 to 1945. His training took him from San Antonio, New York, Pennsylvania, California, Arizona; and finally to Puerto Rico for 1 ½ year stay. After returning to Alvin he continued to operate his shop. He married Margaret “Margie” Lafield, on August 30, 1947, and had five children. A couple of years after marrying he closed the shop and opened a grocery and feed store; then he and Margie ran a Humble Service Station for 2 ½ years. With his background in the radio business he then went to work for Offshore Raydist as a Radio Operator, for 18 years, where he obtained his First Class FCC license. His job responsibilities included maintaining land operations while boats offshore did seismographic work for oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. After that he worked for other related businesses including the City of Alvin where he retired.

Over the years and through retirement he raised cattle with all of his children helping with the upkeep and care of the animals. The Brazoria County Extension Agent told him that he had the “best little herd in Brazoria County”. He also took good care of his family. He taught his daughters to drive, riding with them while they learned, and insisted they learn to maintain their vehicles and perform weekly checks. He made sure they knew how to change a flat tire. Glen was a handyman around the house and could fix almost anything; he passed that knowledge on to his children as well. He was an excellent cook and made the best fudge. He enjoyed helping take care of his grandchildren; in recent years, seeing his great-grandchildren just made his day. Glen loved his family and his family loved him. He was a great listener and problem solver; not hesitating to lend a helping hand. He loved to tell stories about places and events that happened during his service in the war; especially about seeing the Statue of Liberty and his time in Puerto Rico.

He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret L. Bates; daughters, Patricia Ann Wigley and husband Larry of Friendswood, Texas, Pamela Louise Bates of Alvin, Texas, Sue Marie Kelso of Alvin, Texas, Peggy Diane Anders of Santa Fe, Texas, and Anna Schnelle; son, W. Leo Bates of Houston, Texas; grandchildren: Christopher Parks, Jamie Wigley, Crystal Chadwick and husband Robert, and Amber Anderson and husband Mark; great-grandchildren: Tucker Chadwick, Tinsley Anderson, and Noah Kelso; and long-time care giver, Donna LaVanda.          

The visitation will be held Friday, July 4, 2008, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 311 N. Friendswood Drive (FM 518), Friendswood, Texas 77546, (281) 992-7200, www.jeterfuneralhome.com.

The graveside service will be held Saturday, July 5, 2008, at 10:00 AM at the Confederate Cemetery in Alvin, Texas, with Rev. Ray Harper officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Alvin, 302 S. Johnson Street, Alvin, Texas, (281) 585-3406.

Condolences may be sent to the Bates Family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at jeter@flash.net.

Clothilde Marie “Chloe” (Thienel) Boeckel, age 90, of Friendswood, Texas, loving mother and grandmother, went to be with the Lord Friday, June 20, 2008. She was born May 24, 1918, in Mt. Vernon, New York, to Alois Thienel and Stella (Aylward) Thienel.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Boeckel; and son, Byron James Boeckel, in May of 2007.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, June (Foster) Boeckel; grandchildren: Kim Brennan and husband Mike, Debbie Boeckel, and Jacquie and John Trim; great-grandchildren: Megan Brennan and Jaxon Trim; and other beloved family and friends.

Arrangements are under the care of the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas 77546, (281) 992-7200, www.jeterfuneralhome.com.

Condolences may be sent to the Boeckel Family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at jeter@flash.net.

Margree “Margie” (Bethel) Ripoll, age 81, of Friendswood, Texas, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2008. She was born February 4, 1927 in Bogalusa, Louisiana to Sonny P. Bethel and Estelle Rushing Bethel. Margie was an active member of the Treasure Island Grandmothers Club of Galveston, chapter 900, and the Grandmothers Club of Friendswood. She was also a member of the National Federation of Grandmothers Clubs of America. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Peter Ripoll Jr., in August of 1996.

She is survived by her eldest son, Louis K. Ripoll and wife Patricia of Friendswood, Texas; son, Martin Anthony Ripoll and wife Gloria of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Ora “Pudden” Ripoll Haselden of Garland, Texas; nine grandchildren: Danny Christoffel, Tina Ripoll Gates, Catherine Ripoll Bland, Christopher Martin, Jason Clifford, Justin Alan and Andrea Michelle Ripoll; 11 great-grandchildren: Ashley Nicole, Ty Christopher, Will Joseph, Ryan David and Reese Seely Ripoll, Jonathan Devin and Louis Anthony Sirna, Alec Michael and Allie Catherine Bland, and Andrew Thomas and Eleanor Dyanne Dodge; and one great-great-grandchild, Rayne Monroe Ripoll.

Serving as pallbearers are Christopher Ripoll, Justin Ripoll, Robbie Bland and Jason Ripoll.

The visitation will be held Friday, June 20, 2008 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with the Vigil service to begin at 7:00 PM at the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 311 N. Friendswood Drive (FM 518), Friendswood, Texas 77546, (281) 992-7200, www.jeterfuneralhome.com, with the Rev. Benny Thadathilkunnel, M.S. officiating.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 2:00 PM at the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Benny Thadathilkunnel, M.S. officiating. Entombment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 2506 65th Street, Galveston, Texas 77551, with Brother Robert Belliveau, M.S. officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Odyssey Hospice, #9 Professional Park, Webster, Texas 77598. Donation envelopes will be available at the services.

Condolences may be sent to the Ripoll Family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at jeter@flash.net.

Reginald Lynn “Reg” Brown, age 64, of Pearland, Texas, passed away Monday, June 16, 2008, in Pearland, Texas. He was born November 15, 1943 in Russellville, Arkansas. Reg adored his family; he was a loving son and brother, and a devoted grandfather and uncle.

Reg earned a Bachelor of Science in Church Music, with pipe organ and voice concentration, and a minor in religious education from McMurry College in Abilene, Texas. Reg received his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Kansas. For 43 years Reg was a minister of music serving the congregations of First United Methodist Church Hobbs, New Mexico; First Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas; First Christian Church of Amarillo, Texas and Clear Lake Presbyterian Church of Houston, Texas. Reg was an extremely gifted, people-oriented, and spirit-filled Christian. He was blessed with exceptional skills in the areas of traditional and contemporary music.

Reg was a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, American Guild of Organists, Choristers Guild, The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, and served on several boards and committees of these organizations. He was a mentor, leader, teacher, and motivator to hundreds of children, youth, and adult church musicians throughout his career. Reg was an exceptional organist who brought all of his musical skills into use with the tonal colors of the organ. He established an enviable professional reputation as an energetic and musically-gifted servant of the Lord. His skills, coupled with his deep religious convictions and warm personality, enabled him to teach, minister to, and work effectively with people of all ages and musical interests.  

He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Sue (Redmond) Brown.

He is survived by his father, Reginald Earl Brown of Denton, Texas; son, Kirk Hamilton Brown of Manhattan, Kansas; son, Chad Redmond Brown and his wife Sandra McCann and grandson Rowan Lynn McCann Brown of Topeka, Kansas; grandson, Kansas Sky Fiori Brown and his mother Alex Fiori and her husband Mark Willingham of Lawrence, Kansas; sister, Rosemary Clements and her husband Jim Clements of Amarillo, Texas; nieces, Courtney and Tiffany Clements of Dallas, Texas.

The memorial service celebrating Reg's life will be held Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Friendswood United Methodist Church, 110 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, Texas 77546, with Rev. Stephen Oglesbee and Rev. Tim Galligan officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Drive (FM 518), Friendswood, Texas 77546, (281) 992-7200, www.jeterfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends have requested contribution gifts be made to the Reginald L. Brown Memorial Music Fund, Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, 1511 El Dorado Blvd., Houston, Texas 77062. Envelopes will be available at the service.

Condolences may be sent to the Brown Family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at jeter@flash.net.

Condolences may be sent to the Bebermeyer Family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at jeter@flash.net.

Norma Jean (Burt) Cline, age 80, of Marina Del Rey, California, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2008. She was born September 27, 1927 in Louisville, Kentucky to Louis E. Burt and Cora Alean (Cook) Burt.

She was preceded in death by her four brothers: Louis Everett Jr., William Eldred, Charles Raymond, and Patrick Lee.

She is survived by her loving husband, Earl Walter Cline; sons: Thomas Louis Cline and wife Lisa, Stephan Paul Cline and Scarlett, and Douglas Earl Cline and wife Mari; sisters: Mary Louise Burt, RSM (Religious Sister of Mercy order of Nuns) and Mary Corinne Burt, RSM; brothers: Joseph Edward, James Leo and Robert Earl; grandchildren: Nicole, Allen, Sophia, Kristen and Austin.

The memorial service will be held Monday, June 23, 2008 at 3:00 PM at the First Lutheran Church in Venice, California. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Drive (FM 518), Friendswood, Texas 77546, (281) 992-7200, www.jeterfuneralhome.com.

Condolences may be sent to the Cline Family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at jeter@flash.net.

Calma Arlene (Berglund) Belanger, age 88, of Friendswood, Texas, passed away Monday, June 9, 2008. She was born May 31, 1920 in Spooner, Minnesota to John M. Berglund and Ingebord (Johansson) Berglund. Calma was a first-generation American. Her parents came from Sweden to the United States through Ellis Island. Her father arrived first to establish a home before sending for her mother; her two sisters, Elsa and Waldeen; and brother, Edwin. After arriving, they settled in Minnesota, on a farm, and two more girls were born, Astrid Maria and Calma Arlene. Calma married Francis Belanger and they eventually settled in Houston, Texas. She was of the Lutheran faith. Calma was proud of her heritage and her family was the light of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband and her son, Wayne.

She is survived by her daughters, Arlene Heft and Kathy Brady; sister, Mary Lilley; grandsons, Mark Heft and wife Heather, and Steve Brady; great-grandchildren: Syrus, Preston and Maya; son-in-law, Jon Peterson; and best buddy, Suki Brady.

The Memorial Service will be held Thursday, June 12, 2008, at 10:00 AM at the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 311 N. Friendswood Drive (FM 518), Friendswood, Texas 77546, (281) 992-7200, www.jeterfuneralhome.com, with Rev. Ed Denzler officiating. A private burial will follow at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the Belanger Family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at jeter@flash.net.

Donald Randolph Murray, 40, 36-year resident of Alvin, Texas, passed away Sunday, June  1, 2008. He was born September 13, 1967 in Texas City, Texas to Paul Fletcher Murray and Nancy (Buerkel) Murray. Donald was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Alvin.

Donald graduated from Alvin High School in 1986. He served in the US Navy aboard the USS Nimitz and the USS Roosevelt. He received his Bachelors degree, in Maritime Administration, from Texas A & M University. He was an Eagle Scout, avid hunter and fisher and taught hunter education. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Fletcher Murray and brother, Paul Eric Murray.

He is survived by his mother, Nancy B. Murray of Alvin, Texas; brothers, John E. Murray and wife Debra of Mansfield, Texas; and niece and nephew, Kaylee Nichole and Corey Fletcher of Mansfield, Texas.           

Serving as Pallbearers are Eddie Martinez, Ray Corn, Ray Dean Van Ness, Donovan Underwood, George Wyatt and Mike Skelton. Honorary Pallbearers include Duane Barham, James Stowe and Earl Williams.

The visitation will be held Wednesday, June 4, 2008, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home Chapel followed by the Funeral Service at 7:00 PM at 311 N. Friendswood Drive (FM 518), Friendswood, Texas 77546, (281) 992-7200, www.jeterfuneralhome.com, with Rev. Linda Snow officiating. A private interment will be held at Oak Park Cemetery in Alvin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in memory of Donald Murray, to the First United Methodist Church of Alvin, 611 West South Street, Alvin, Texas 77511, (281) 331-3482.

Condolences may be sent to the Murray Family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at jeter@flash.net.