Ben Echols
Born to Warren Carroll and Elsie Varie Rose Echols on Jan. 20, 1933, in Corpus Christi, Ben attended Del Mar College prior to joining the United States Air Force at the young age of 17. He served in Korea with the 5th Air Force 4th Fighter wing and then was honorably discharged.
Returning to Texas he continued his schooling at Del Mar College where he won many honors and was elected Student Council president. Ben met and married Elizabeth Victoria Butler on March 29, 1956. They had three daughters, Karen Lea Echols Broman, Sharon Denise Echols, Leslie Carol Echols Pedlar and sons-in-law Robert E. Broman and H.D. Pedla; four grandchildren, Marine LCpl. Eric Christopher Broman, Benjamin Nelson Broman, Royal William Broman and Mariah Elizabeth Broman. Ben C. Echols’ greatest love was for the Lord, his wife and children and his wonderful grandchildren. Ben Echols transferred to the University of Texas in Austin where he earned his degree in business management and personal relations. His activities while attending University of Texas included student government and serving as a teaching assistant.
Ben’s professional career spanned more than 30 years that included rising to the position of president for the company United Tile Company, a (commercial/Interior construction builder) in Dallas. His skill as a manager and in public relations is reflective of the skyline of downtown Dallas. He was elected to the National Board position as national southern vice president of CISCA, serving for several years. He and his wife Elizabeth served as co-chairmen for the National Convention for CISCA held in Colorado Springs, Colo. Other community positions included serving as a deacon at Northwest Bible Church in Dallas, Kiwanis, Jaycees, Big Brothers (Dallas), Dallas County Young Life Board, University of Texas Ex.; and at his death he was chapter chaplain for the Sam Johnson Korea War Veterans Chapter North Texas.
Other organizations he was involved in were Sons of Confederate Veterans and Gen Richard Taylor Camp 1308, Shreveport, La. He was selected by Texas Society of Daughters of the American Revolution for his military service to our country on the 50th anniversary of the Korean War at the annual state conference, March 14-16, 2002, and many other organizations. Following his retirement he began teaching in several school districts. Including Royse City Independent Schools, where he loved his students and faculty, mentoring many students.
His greatest joy was serving God, home and country, and his Lord, his family and his grandchildren. His loving wife will sorely miss him. His children, his grandchildren, and his siblings, Shirley Dunlap of California, Nancy Echols Cook, John M. Echols, Denver, Colo., Alice Echols Cutler, Terence Warren Echols and their spouses, and his nephews and nieces cared dearly for, as well as many cousins and friends, nationally as well as locally.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., Jan. 17, at Lake Pointe Church with Pastor Lynn Cypert officiating. Interment was in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Lake Pointe Church, Rockwall, Texas, or Korea War Veterans Memorial at DFW Cemetery to be sent to the Sam Johnson, KWVA chapter or Dallas Seminary Student Fund, Dallas, Texas.
Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Chapel was is charge of arrangements.
Ralph Haught
Ralph Edgar Haught, a 25-year resident of Mesquite, died Jan. 16, 2009, at the age of 70.
He was born May 28, 1938, in Safford, Ariz., to Charles Lewis and Lavada (Sanders) Haught.
Mr. Haught is survived by his wife, Gloria Haught; children Debbie and Eddie Abbott of Carrollton, Gerry and Stephen Hadley of Rockwall, Ralph Haught Jr. of Mesquite and Laura Haught and husband Jeff Dodd of Tawakoni; siblings Mary Migleore of Pharump, Nev., James Haught of Wilson, Okla., and Nita and Andrew Necker of Hico; grandchildren Floyd, Chris, Ashley, Eva, Heather, Michael, Teresa, J.J., Gloria Ann, Will and Abby; great-grandchildren Chandler, Tyner, Cheyenne and Madison.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Charles and Roy and granddaughter Amber.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m., Jan. 20, at Rest Haven Memorial Park with Pastor Alfred Smirl officiating.
Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Raymond Lis
Raymond Lis, a 17-year resident of the Rockwall/ Garland area, died Jan. 17, 2009, at the age of 47.
He was born Aug. 29, 1961, in Fort Hood to Henry and Marga (Haas) Lis. He was a 1980 graduate of Parkland High School in El Paso.
Raymond is survived by brothers Dennis Lis and wife Teri of Rowlett, Michael Lis and wife Martha of Dallas and Tom Lis of Collierville, Tenn.; nieces and nephews Jennifer Lis, Tammy Gossett and husband Bobby, and Lisa Lis, all of Rowlett, Mandy Lis and Justin Lis of Collierville, Matthew Lis and Megan Lis of Dallas; and many loyal and loving friends.
The family received friends for a Night of Remembrance from 6 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 20 at Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rowlett Chapel.
Laura Kelling
Laura Hambleton Kelling of Rockwall died Jan. 19, 2009, on her 60th birthday.
She was born Jan. 19, 1949, in Dallas to Richard Joy and Rosemary (Haskett) Hambleton. Laura graduated from Highland Park High School and attended Texas Tech University. In 1970, she married Larry A. Kelling; they resided in Texas and Louisiana before returning to north Texas and settling in Rockwall.
Laura is survived by her husband; a son, Cameron Kelling; daughters Kathy Aronson and husband Rob and Lesley White and husband Patrick; granddaughters Allison and Sydney; her mother; sisters Holly Myers and husband Don and Heather Thompson and husband Ron; brothers Richard Hambleton and wife Gwynn and Paul R. Hambleton II; a brother-in-law, Jim Council and wife Kelsie; sister-in-law Judee Nyfeler; mother-in-law Lahoma Kelling; 15 nieces and nephews; 15 great-nieces and nephews; and her Leitch family cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father and sisters Sallie H. Dennis and Susan H. Council.
Funeral services are at 10 a.m. today at Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall chapel with Pastor Theodore Boone officiating.
Memorial contributions to a cancer fund would be greatly appreciated.
Nedra Haney
LINDALE — Memorial services for Mrs. Nedra Kay McKeehen Haney, 57, of Royse City will be held at 2 p.m., Jan. 24, in the Trinity Life Baptist Church in Garland under the direction of Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home.
Mrs. Haney died Jan. 17, 2009, in a Tyler hospital.
Daughter of Orbrey and Maxie Crooks McKeehen, she was born Sept. 20, 1951, in Dallas. She was a longtime resident of Royse City. Mrs. Haney had worked for Yellow Freight as a billing clerk and was a member of the Teamsters Local 745 of Dallas and Teamsters Motorcycle Club in Dallas. She was also involved in several children’s charities, including Santa’s Helpers.
Mrs. Haney is survived by her son, Clifford Haney of Royse City; daughter Elizabeth Keeton of Royse City; two sisters, Cheryl Davis of Tyler and Beatrice May of Van; brothers Kenneth McKeehen of Van and James McKeehen of Tyler and four grandchildren, Carson and Dylvan Keeton and Taylor and Christina Haney.
‘Roger’ Maly
Vladimir “Roger” Maly, 62, of Rockwall died Jan. 19, 2009.
He was born Aug. 12, 1946, in Brno, Czech Republic, to Frantisek and Marie Maly. Roger retired from Safeway in Little Rock, Ark., after 28 years and went to work as a journeyman for The Decorators Union in Dallas.
He is survived by his wife, Alena Maly of Rockwall; son Allan Maly of Dallas; a daughter, Nicole Labadot and husband Ryan of New Orleans, La.; a sister, Marie Chamerova and husband Radek of the Czech Republic; and grandson Jake Labadot of New Orleans, La.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents and brother Frantisek Maly.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Jan. 31, at Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Chapel with Chaplain Bob Reeves officiating.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Northeast Texas Chapter, 8330 Meadow Rd, Ste. 218, Dallas, Texas 75231.
