Obituaries

Edna Paz

Edna Paz

Apr 15, 2026

Eduarda "Edna" Rios Paz, 79, of Abilene, Texas, passed away peacefully in her home on April 15, 2026. A visitation and rosary service will be on Monday, April 20, 2026 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street. Service will be on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent Catholic...

Jarrell Lynne Edwards

Jarrell Lynne Edwards

Apr 12, 2026

Jarrell Lynne Edwards, 87, of Abilene, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2026, surrounded by family and love.

Born in Big Spring, Texas, on April 26, 1938, to Jack and Elfreda Edwards. His family moved to Olton in 1944, where his lifelong love of learning and adventure began to take shape. He attended Abilene Christian University, where he ran track...

Leslie Scott Rich

Leslie Scott Rich

Apr 1, 2026

On April 1, 2026, heaven welcomed Leslie Scott Rich, 66, as he walked through the pearly gates. No longer shackled by the chains of disease, Leslie is finally free of his physical limitations. Funeral services celebrating his life will be on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the Oldham Lane Church of Christ, 5049 Oldham Lane. Burial will...

Doris Loraine (Herrmann) Oltmann

Doris Loraine (Herrmann) Oltmann

Mar 28, 2026

Doris Loraine Oltmann, 80, of Abilene, Texas, passed away on March 28, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 24, 1946, in Litchfield, Illinois, and grew up on her family farm near Raymond, Illinois.

She graduated from Lincolnwood High School in Raymond and attended Eastern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University. She met her future husband, Philip...

Bill Hilliard

Bill Hilliard

Mar 28, 2026

William Hilliard, 90, of Abilene, passed peacefully on Saturday, March 28, 2026. A visitation with the family will be on Thursday, April 2, 2026 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street. A family graveside service will be on Friday, April 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pendergress Cemetery near Sidney, Texas.

Bill was born July...

Dr. Silas Edwin "Ed" George

Dr. Silas Edwin "Ed" George

Mar 25, 2026

Dr. Silas Edwin George died March 25, 2026, in Schertz, Texas, at age 89.

He was born Sept. 22, 1936, in Fort Stockton, TX. He attended Cisco Junior College before earning a B.S.Ed. degree in music (1961) and an M.Ed in school administration (1963) from Abilene Christian University and a doctorate in music education (1983) from the University of North Texas....

Dale McFadden

Dale McFadden

Mar 23, 2026

Alton "Dale" McFadden, 73, of Abilene, was called to his eternal home on Monday, March 23, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, resilience, and deep connection to his family, friends, and community. A memorial service will be on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Dale was born on...

Bessie Jo Peden

Bessie Jo Peden

Mar 6, 2026

Bessie “Jo” Cherry was born on July 29, 1923 in Granada, Colorado to Richard and Elizabeth Cain Cherry. She was the youngest of six children. She died on March 6, 2026 at the age of 102.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings: Virgie Kerns, Olivia Crowder, Frank Cherry, Delma Cherry, Thelma Bennett and several nieces and...

Marilyn Camille Randolph Prather

Marilyn Camille Randolph Prather

Mar 4, 2026

Marilyn Camille Prather, daughter of Cosette Martin Randolph and Harrison Calhoun Randolph of Bandana, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, March 4th, 2026.

Marilyn was born on May 25, 1943, in Paducah, Kentucky. She graduated from Ballard Memorial High School before continuing her education at Freed-Hardeman College, where she earned her Associate Degree. She later received her Bachelor of Science degree from Abilene...

Asuncion Cruz

Asuncion Cruz

Mar 3, 2026

Asunción Cruz, beloved mother, grandmother, and matriarch, was called home to be with the Lord on March 3, 2026. Funeral mass will be on Monday, March 9, 2026 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 826 Cottonwood, at 10:00 a.m., with burial to follow across the street at the Abilene City Cemetery. A visitation and rosary service will be on...

Virginia Merle Bennett Gilbert

Virginia Merle Bennett Gilbert

Mar 1, 2026

Virginia Merle Bennett Gilbert, loving mother, wife, grandmother and compassionate nurse and caregiver, died March 1st, 2026, in Abilene. She was 95.

Services honoring her life are scheduled for Friday, March 6th, at 1pm, at Aldersgate Abilene Methodist Church sanctuary, 1741 Sayles Blvd., under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street, with burial to follow at Elmwood Memorial Park.

Born...

Cynthia Diane Ice

Cynthia Diane Ice

Feb 25, 2026

Cynthia Diane Ice drew her final breath and passed from death to life on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026. She lived boldly and faithfully for Jesus this side of Heaven, and now enjoys the reality of “then we shall see face to face.” Cynthia was born in Lubbock, Texas on December 19th, 1962 to Tommy Gene Bowen and Betty Jean Bowen....

Alberto Hernandez Banda

Alberto Hernandez Banda

Feb 23, 2026

Alberto "Albert" Hernandez Banda, 57, of Abilene, passed away in San Antonio on Monday, February 23, 2026. A visitation and rosary service will be on Friday, February 27, 2026 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 7323 Butternut Street. Funeral service will be on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of...

Joanna Craig Fortson

Joanna Craig Fortson

Feb 20, 2026

Joanna Craig Fortson, 54, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on February 20, 2026. She will be laid to rest privately with her family, though all family and friends are invited to a celebration of Joanna’s life in a few weeks. Time and date are to be announced.

Joanna is preceded in death by her father, Byron Craig. She...

Eddie Alfred Robert McCorkle

Eddie Alfred Robert McCorkle

Feb 19, 2026

Eddie Alfred Robert McCorkle was born March 15, 1942 in Stamford, Texas. Ed passed peacefully in his home February 19, 2026 at the age of 83.

Ed retired from Industrial Electric in 2022 after 50 years as shop foreman. He went on to retire in 2024 from Carlsbad (Texas) Church of Christ where he preached for 43 years. Ed also served...

Judith "Judy" Anne Miller Daniels

Judith "Judy" Anne Miller Daniels

Feb 19, 2026

Judith Anne Miller Daniels, lovingly known as Judy, was born on July 25, 1943, in Abilene, Texas, to James Womack and Robbie Nell Miller. She passed away peacefully at her home on February 19, 2026.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, at The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander Street. A visitation...

Byron Penrod

Byron Penrod

Feb 18, 2026

Bryon Penrod passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the age of 88. He was born on January 5, 1938, in Wichita Falls to James Clyde and Florence Wiles Penrod. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1956 and NMMI in 1958. Byron, his father, and two sisters all graduated from Baylor. He enlisted in the army serving at...

Janet Lucille Hooper

Janet Lucille Hooper

Feb 17, 2026

Janet Lucille Hooper, 87, of Clyde, passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.  Graveside service will be on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Scott Eugene Mitchell

Scott Eugene Mitchell

Feb 12, 2026

Scott Eugene Mitchell, 90, of Colorado Springs, Colorado passed away peacefully on February 12th, 2026 surrounded by his family.

Born in Lawrence, Kansas February 12, 1936, to Owen and Maude Mitchell. Scott graduated with his Bachelor’s ‘60 and Master’s in Biblical Studies ‘67 at Abilene Christian University.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Mason; children, and their spouses:...

Trevlyn H. Kelley

Trevlyn H. Kelley

Feb 12, 2026

Trevlyn H. Kelley, 91, beloved son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, granddad, and Gan Gan, was called to his eternal resting place on February 12, 2026. He entered this world on September 3, 1934, in Colorado City, TX, born to Marcus and Agnes Kelley. He is survived by his spouse Wanda Kelley; daughters Treva Broderick, Laurie Bailey, and Karra Kelley; sons-in-law...