Gene Eldridge was born February 21st, 1974 in Baytown, Texas. He passed from this life on August 28th, 2021 after an arduous battle with COVID.

Martin Wampler, II, 78, of Midway, Texas passed away August 25, 2021 in Houston, Texas following a short illness. A funeral service honoring his life was held 2 p.m., Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas. Martin Wampler was born May 31, 1943 in Indiana to Martin Edward, Sr. & Ruby (Willess) Wampler. He was employed by Continental Airlines for thirty-nine years as an accomplished pilot. He had also been a rancher for the past twenty years. Martin enjoyed playing golf in his spare time. He had lived in Midway since 1999, coming from Houston, Texas.Martin was preceded in death by both of his parents. He is survived by wife, Beatrice (Ortiz) Wampler of Midway; sons, Josh Bradford, Martin Wampler, III and Matthew Wampler and daughter, Wendy. Arrangements were in the care of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.

Graveside services for David Vincin Wilson, 85, of Hearne and formerly of Centerville will be held 2 p.m., Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at New Salem Cemetery. Rev. Bobby W. Burleson will officiate the service. There will be no public visitation.David Vincin Wilson was born November 16, 1935 in Gause, Texas to Thurman & Esther (Payne) Wilson. He worked for the electric company as a tree trimmer for over thirty years in the Dallas area. He and his late wife, Girthel were married June 19, 1972, and Dave always commented that marrying her was one of the best decisions he had ever made. They lived in Duncanville and Fairfield before making their home in Centerville. He also retired from the Centerville School District. Dave and Girthel enjoyed traveling to Branson, Missouri, also visiting Hot Springs Arkansas and the Tennessee Smokey Mountains. David passed away August 29, 2021 in Bryan, Texas. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; wife, Girthel Wilson; son, Scott Wilson; step-son, Kenneth Burleson Jr; brother, Bobby Joe Wilson & sister, Mary Gladys Kornegay Surviving family members include son, Mark Wilson of Calvert; step-daughter Debbie LaSalle (A.C.) of Madisonville; brother, Cecil Wilson (Barbara) of Burleson; brothers-in-law, David Wells (Carolyn) and Fred Wells (Mary) all of Centerville, grandsons, Justin Wilson (Andrea) of Calvert and Chad Wilson of Calvert; Shane Hassler of Iola; granddaughter, Crystal Callaham (Dave) of Madisonville and great-grandchildren, Keaton, Tyler, Dalton, Trey (Meagan), Delaney and Dillon. Arrangements are under the direction of Walters Funeral Home, Centerville, Texas.

Jerald Lynn Brown, 79, passed away August 23, 2021, in Madisonville, Texas. He was born on December 17, 1941. Jerald graduated from Iola High School and lived most of his life in Bedias and Iola. He was married to the love of his life, Cindia, for 52 years. They raised 3 children and worked in ministry at Bedias Baptist Church for 37 years. During their time there, they ministered to countless people, led many to the Lord, and consistently showed Christ’s love through all of the activities and ministries of the church. Jerald and Cindia made a great team--Jerald preaching and Cindia playing the piano. Jerald dearly loved the congregation God entrusted to him as well as anyone in the community. He got involved in all areas of their life and truly embodied what it means to serve and love as Christ did. He spent many hours of his ministry doing the little things for people-- installing sewer systems, repairing air conditioners, taking people to doctor’s appointments, and praying over those who were sick.

Percy McGee Willson passed away peacefully on August 28, 2021 at the age of 87 in Bryan, Texas following a brief illness. Percy was the youngest of six children, born on November 22, 1933 to Clarence and Ella (Perry) Willson. He was raised on the family farm near Brookesmith (Brown County), Texas. He graduated from Brookesmith High School in 1952.Percy worked in the grain industry for over 35 years, predominantly in the Texas Panhandle region. He spent most of those years with Friona Industries as manager of the Black Grain Company. He had fond memories

The Madisonville Elementary students of the month (back row, from left) Tyce Langley, Jewel Lovell (first grade), Mason White, Peyton Pope (second grade), (front row, from left) Nate Kidder, Noah Black (pre-K), Jayde Allen and Shivin Patel (kindergarten). COURTESY PHOTO

The North Zulch volleyball team split a pair of non-district matchups with a loss to Allen Academy in Bryan Aug. 31 and a road win over Buffalo Friday. The Lady Bulldogs battled Grapeland at home Tuesday and will open district in Normangee Friday.

Madisonville High School Cheerleaders of the Week (from left) Gabby Bracewell, Caymen Forrest and Asia Jordan pose together following the Mustangs’ varsity football matchup against Liberty at MHS Friday. COURTESY PHOTO

As our students return to the classroom, and with COVID-19 cases on the rise, my office has received numerous calls from parents requesting that the STAAR test not be used as a factor when determining academic promotion. During the 2020-2021 school year, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) worked with the Legislature to reduce the high-level nature of the test, instead opting to use the STAAR as a diagnostic tool to determine student’s academic standing. I am hopeful TEA will follow the same course of action in order to fairly assess the work of Texas students without punishing them for circumstances out of their control.