Previous Services

Gather: 10:00 a.m.

Chapel: 10:30 a.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 11:30 a.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

11/8/1947 – 3/1/2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rudi E. Kingma on March 1, 2025, at the age of 77.  He was born on November 8, 1947, in Gross Zimmern, Germany to Ernest Halford Bent and Dorothea (Reitzel) Kingma. 

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ingeborg, daughter Carola, husband Dean Lowe and granddaughter Sabrina, daughter Cynthia, husband Carlos Perez and daughter Megan, sister Marianne Kingma, nieces Sabine and Michelle, sister Erika Ruppert, niece Christiane, sister Judy (Bent), husband Derik Karson, niece Heather, nephew Jason. Sister-in-law Ingrid Cortes, niece Donna and nephew Torrey. Along with many more loving family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Dorothea, his beloved mother-in-law Maria Vlasman, sister Evelyn Bent, and his favorite Aunt, Grace Dixon. 

Rudi grew up in Germany and then moved to New York with his mother. He joined the US Army as a young man and went on to serve 25 years in the US and Germany. He was a proud soldier, Combat Engineer, and Vietnam veteran serving with distinction and earning accommodations throughout his military career. After retiring from the military Rudi continued to work but most enjoyed spending time with his family and doting on his granddaughters. He was a wonderful father who cared for his family.

Rudi will be laid to rest with military honors at Houston National Cemetery on 

March 20, 2025, alongside his brothers in arms. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his honor to:

-Camp Hope

-Mission K9 Rescue

-or a charity of your choice

Visitation: 12:30 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 2:00 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Harty Clifton Van, Jr., 89 of Sulphur, LA and Friendswood, TX passed away on March 11, 2025 from Chronic Kidney Disease. Harty was born to Harty Clifton Van and Winnie Lou (Hoffpauir) Van in Sulphur, LA on September 25, 1935. He grew up in Sulphur graduating from Sulphur High School in 1953. Harty attended Louisiana State University on scholarship graduating in 1958 with a BS in Geology. He was a member of the social fraternity Delta Sigma Phi. After graduating, and being commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the U. S. Army, MOS 92A Supply Management Officer and later MOS 81A Petrolem Management Officer.  Harty then served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1979. His service took him and his wife Mary Evelyn (Newby) Van to France from 1958 to 1961 where he served on the US Army Petroleum Distribution Command Pipeline from St. Nazaire, France to Zweibrucken, Germany. He was stationed at Chalons Sur Marne, Terminal District on the pipeline and then at Ft. Hood, TX from 1961 to 1964. He served on the Post QM staff as the Commissary, Ration Breakdown, Bakery, and Central Meat Cutting facilities OIC.,  supporting 44,000 troops, then Germany from 1964 to 1966 serving as a petroleum staff officer with the 2nd. QM Gp. at Coffey Barracks in Ludwigsburg, Germany. He was in charge of petroleum products supply at Stuttgart, Augsburg, Ulm, Munich, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg supply points and 7th Army training areas at Grafenwohr, and Hohenfels, Germany when his tour was curtailed by one year and he went to Vietnam serving from 1966 to 1967 with the lst Logistical Command on the General Staff of MG Charles Eifler. He was a daily logistical status briefing officer. Additional duties included sponsoring the in country arrival of both the 199th Infantry Brigade from Ft. Lewis, Washington and the Queens Cobra Regiment from Bangkok, Thailand. Also, he served as the liaison officer to the 109th QM Aerial Delivery Co. and 623rd QM Depot and Aerial Supply Co. out of Cam Rahn Bay. Vietnam.  Harty returned to the states and was a guest instructor at the U. S. Army Armor School at Ft. Knox, Ky from 1967 to 1970.  He was an instructor for the Senior and Junior Officer Preventive Maintenance Courses.  He returned again to Vietnam serving as an advisor to the RVN Army in 1970 to 1971. Stationed in Nha Trang, he was Senior QM Advisor on MACV Team 11 and his support area included Buon Ma Thuot, Dalat, Phan Thiet, Ninh Hoa and Cam Rahn Bay. Next he was assigned to the lst Infantry Training Brigade at Ft. Jackson, SC where he served as lst Battalion Executive Officer and later as Director of Services for Ft. Jackson from 1971 to 1974. He then went to Rolla, Mo where he attended Graduate School at the University of Missouri – Rolla (formerly Missouri School of Mines). He graduated with a MS in Petroleum Engineering in 1975. He was a member of the Petroleum Honor Fraternity Pi Epsilon Tau. In addition, Harty served as the acting Professor of Military Science and Technology during the summer of 1975 while the University’s PMS&T and key staff were away holding ROTC Summer Camp. Harty was also a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College having completed his work by correspondence. His final Army assignment was at the U. S. Army Quartermaster School  Petroleum and Field Services Dept. at Ft. Lee, Va. where he was a Lieutenant Colonel and Director of the Dept. in 1979. Harty was awarded a Bronze Star Medal w/oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/oak leaf cluster, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal w/2 stars, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/cluster, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/star, Presidential Unit Meritorious Service Medal, w/oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, QM Badge, 4 Over Seas Combat Service Bars, RVNAFHMFC, RVNGCUCW/P, National Defense Service Medal w/star, expert marksman qualification Medal with carbine, rifle, pistol and other lesser service awards over his 21 and one half years of service.   

Harty then started work as a Petroleum Engineer with Amoco Production Company GOM Offshore Division in New Orleans in 1979. While working for Amoco he served on the Minerals Management Services Gulf of Mexico Regional Technical Working Group for many years representing the Petroleum Industry and Amoco. He was also twice chairman for Clean Gulf Associates (CGA)  (a non profit oil spill response organization for the offshore production industry in the Gulf of Mexico). He was CGA’s guest speaker at the Desk and Derrick Clubs of Metairie (1988) and Baton Rouge (1989), LA. He also served on the Executive Committee of the Offshore Operators Committee for many years. He completed his work with Amoco in 1998 and retired as Manager Environment, Health and Safety, Amoco GOM Offshore Business Unit. He was a lifetime member and member of the Legion of Merit of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). 

Over the years Harty was an avid sportsman especially enjoying frogging. On his departure from Ft. Knox they declared Rana Catesbeiana (bull frogs) an endangered species after his many years of successful frogging at Ft. Knox. He also enjoyed hunting, and especially fishing. He fished many years in his beloved Ranger Bass Boats in Petroleum sponsored tournaments at Toledo Bend and local lakes. A close second on his favorite retirement activities was cruising with his beloved wife Evelyn where they celebrated their 66 plus anniversaries. Never bashful about grilling a steak or enjoying good food prepared by others, Harty & Evelyn enjoyed their retirement. Many a pleasant week was spent at their condo at Orange Beach, Al. where they relaxed with family and friends. Harty was a 60 year plus member of Masonic Lodge AF&AM 1125 in Killeen, TX.  He was a long time member of the LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation earning his purple blazer for his financial support of LSU Athletics. After retiring from the U. S. Army, he was always in Tiger Stadium on Saturday nights watching his beloved Tigers play football through the bad years, good years and their National Championships. He also closely followed the Tiger Baseball Program and enjoyed their many National Championships.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter Cheryl Irby of Friendswood, TX, son Mark Van of Houston, TX, 3 grandchildren, Jennifer McBride, Megan Adams, Mark Van, Jr. and 4 great grandchildren, Kaitlin and Colton McBride, Cooper Adams, and Brittany Van.

Arrangements are being handled by Veterans Funeral Services, 10567 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038. Viewing and services are on March 20, 2025. Visitation is at 12:30 pm. Departure for Houston National Cemetery is at 1:45 pm with military burial service at 2:00 pm. He will be buried with his wife in the Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas.

The family would like to express their deepest thanks to Dr. Robert Taylor and his staff of Ochsner Health, Slidell, LA. for their expertise, kindness and compassion given to both Harty and Evelyn during their 40 plus years of health care.  Also to Dr. Efrain Soto of Park Lakes Family Medicine, Friendswood, Tx and a very special thanks to Dr. Abdul Abdelatif and his wonderful staff of CLS Health for his care. 

Family suggests memorials in his name be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Tunnels to Towers. www.stjudeorg or www.donationsupport@tunnel2towers.org 

Chapel: 12:30 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 1:45 p.m. (In Procession)

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane #1 @ 10:00 a.m. (Not before 9:45 a.m.)

A life well lived.   It is with profound sadness that I would like to announce the passing of Viola Agnes Bludau Patten on Friday, 21 March 2025.  She was just three days shy of her 97th birthday. She was a beloved wife, devoted mother of three children, grandmother and great grandmother.  Born in Moulton, Texas 1928 proceeded in death by her husband of 65 years Ernold Patten.  Her family was her greatest treasure.  She loved trips with them, dining out with them, and enjoyed all the holidays.  Her wit and charm never failed her no matter what the circumstances were she faced.   A quiet prayer for mom:  a loving nature, a heart of gold ,the very best mother of this world could hold ,never selfish ,always kind, there  are memories you left behind, a silent thought, a quiet prayer, for a special mother in God‘s care.  

In lieu of flowers please send to the Alzheimer’s organization of your choice. 

Thank you all. 

Gather: 12:30 p.m.

Chapel: 1:00 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 2:00 p.m. (In Procession)

Gaylene Annette Kerr Banister, 78, passed away from renal failure on Saturday March 15, 2025 at her home in Cypress, Texas. She was born on August 4, 1946 in Erie, Pennsylvania to Roger and Lois Kerr and grew up in Summit Township, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Ft. LaBeouf High School in 1964. During high school, Gaylene spent a summer in the Netherlands as a foreign-exchange student and was proud of herself for being a small town girl who was able to travel overseas. Gaylene married James L. Banister in 1965 after a chance meeting at the local McDonalds. In 1966 she and their infant son, Jimmy, were able to travel to and live with James in Okinawa where he was stationed with the Navy during the Vietnam War. The couple returned to the States in 1968 and a daughter, Heather, was born in 1970.

Gaylene and her family moved to Midland, Texas in 1979 where she became a computer programmer and later, a desktop publisher working for Randall’s grocery chain and Mitsubishi-Caterpillar designing fliers and manuals. Gaylene had many hobbies and talents. She was a consummate foodie who loved to cook and try new recipes and create her own dishes. She was talented at sewing, cross-stitch and knitting. She was especially passionate about genealogy and learning about family history.

Gaylene was preceded in death by her parents, Roger and Lois Kerr and her husband of 43 years, James L. Banister, Sr., her granddaughter Carolyn Banister and her great-grandson Luis Leal. Gaylene is survived by her son James. L. Banister, Jr. (wife Leslie), her daughter Heather (husband John), her brother Wayne (wife Chris), four grandchildren (Leslea Rosa (wife Ilia), Laura Caban, Robert Banister & Alyssandra Burgess) and many great-grandchildren.

A service to honor Gaylene’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 12:30 pm at Veteran’s Funeral Services, located at 10567 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. She will be buried next to her beloved husband James in the Houston National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the American Kidney Fund, or your local SPCA. 

Gather: 10:30 a.m.

Chapel: 12:00 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 1:00 p.m. (In Procession)

Gather: 9:30 a.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 11:30 a.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Dick Nichols (79) passed away peacefully on March 19, 2025, in Houston, Texas with his wife and children at his side. He was born Richard Arden Nichols on May 19, 1945, in Minneapolis, MN to John D. Nichols and Rosabelle Margaret Gross Nichols. He grew up in Breckenridge, TX along with his younger sisters Barbara and Sharon. He developed a work ethic early in life, delivering newspapers door to door on his bicycle. He met his future wife Noel Fry in elementary school, and they later became high school sweethearts.   

Dick proudly served in the Vietnam War, and upon his honorable discharge, he married Noel Fry on February 1, 1969, at Palmer Methodist Church in Palmer, TX. He graduated from the University of Texas and began his long career as a CPA. Dick and Noel lived in Dallas until his career path brought them to Houston. They welcomed their first child Patrick in 1974, followed by daughter Kristen in 1978. 

Dick will be remembered as a man who had tremendous love for his family, a golf enthusiast, and a lover of sports and of cars. Intellectually curious, he was an avid reader and always eager to discuss the latest issue or subject matter he had read about. He was patient, meticulous, and detail oriented.   

Dick was a devoted family man. He always had time to play a game of catch, even after a long day at work. He coached little league and softball teams. On weekends, he would smell of freshly cut grass, from meticulously mowing and fertilizing his lawn, or from playing rounds on the golf course. His patient nature was evident from his meticulously gluing shingles one by one on a custom dollhouse for his daughter to his many hours holding a fishing pole. He holds the record for the largest bass caught at the family hunting camp. A detail-oriented man, he loved numbers, whether it was managing financial statements, or collecting baseball cards and coins with his children and grandchildren. Dick was a huge sports fan, watching everything from professional bowling to high school football games. His favorite sporting events to watch, however, were those of his children and grandchildren; and when his health no longer allowed him to attend in person, he followed via apps and webcams. 

A lifelong CPA, Dick found lasting friendships in his colleagues. He enjoyed engaging with and befriending anyone from the janitor to the CEO.  He retired as Controller for Gulf Coast Auto dealership in Angleton. There, he supervised a group of ladies who fondly referred to themselves as “Dick’s Chicks.” An apt finish to his career, this job married his love for accounting and finance with his love for cars.  

Dick was preceded in death by his mother Rosabelle Margaret “Peggy” Nichols and his father John D. Nichols. Those left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory are his sister Barbara Nichols of Breckenridge, Texas, sister Sharon Pendleton (Rick) of Breckenridge, Texas, his wife of 56 years Noel Nichols of Houston, Texas, his son Patrick Nichols (Claire) of Reno, Nevada, his daughter Kristen McDaniel (Steve) of Houston, Texas, and his five grandchildren Ryan Nichols, William McDaniel, Celeste Nichols, Tristan Nichols, and Kiera Nichols.   

A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, between 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. at the Veterans Funeral Services funeral home at 10567 Veterans Memorial Drive in Houston, Texas. Military Honors will be presented immediately following at the Houston National Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, or the Graeme McDaniel Foundation. 

Gather: 12:00 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 2:00 p.m. (In Procession)

Visitation: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Chapel: 10:00 a.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 11:00 a.m. (In Procession)

Violet Frances Lawrence, age 85, went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 29, 2025. She was born October 2, 1939 in Whitehouse, Texas to Starley and Mable Burns. She married Marvin Fischer on October 26, 1957 who preceded her in death in 1980.

She was a loving mother and a great friend. She was a Christian and remained steadfast in her faith. She was an outgoing person who did many things in her life. She had a cleaning business for a while after she retired from Amoco where she worked for many years. She loved fried catfish and shrimp and whenever we went out to eat that is what she always ordered. She also had a love for golf and football.

One of her favorite bible verses was Psalm 23:4 “ Yeah, though I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

She is survived by two daughters Colleen Wisniske and Melinda Beck, a Son Kerry Fischer and two Son-in-Laws Albin Wisniske and Ronnie Beck, two sisters Norma Berry and Nelda Wright. She is also survived by three grandsons Brandon and Christopher Wisniske, and Nathan Fischer and two granddaughters Chelsea Royall and Meagan Fischer. Two Great Granddaughters Lillian and Kirra Wisniske and a Great Grandson David Wisniske.

She is preceded in death by her parents Starley and Mable Burns, husbands Marvin Fischer, James Stokes and Donald Lawrence and daughter Denise Chase.

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane #1 @ 12:30 p.m. (Not before 12:15 p.m.)

Visitation: 10:30 a.m.

Chapel: 12:00 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 1:00 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Military Honors: 2:30 p.m.

Visitation: 3:00 p.m.

Chapel: 4:30 p.m.

   - Service Concludes Here

Military Honors Presented By:

Houston Honor Guard

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane #2 @ 9:45 a.m. (Not before 9:30 a.m.)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Navy

Houston Honor Guard

Miramar National Cemetery

5795 Nobel Dr.

San Diego, CA 92122

Meet in Lane #2 @ 10:15 a.m. (Not before 9:45 a.m.)

Visitation: 10:30 a.m.

Chapel: 12:00 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 12:45 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane #2 @ 2:15 p.m. (Not before 2:00 p.m.)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Champion Forest Baptist Church - Champion Campus

15555 Stuebner Airline Rd

Houston, Texas 77069

Visitation:  11:00 a.m.

Service: 11:30 a.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 1:15 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Air Force

Houston Honor Guard