OBITUARIES
Miguel Tomas Garza

Miguel Tomas Garza
April 23, 1998 – June 11, 2016
SANGER – Miguel Tomas Garza, 18, passed away on June 11, 2016 in Sanger, TX.
A celebration of Miguel’s life was at 6 p.m. June 17 at the Sanger High School auditorium. Miguel’s great-aunt, Shirley Wright presided over the service.
Miguel Tomas Garza was born April 23, 1998 in Denton to Eric and Rena Lois (Wilhelm) Garza.
He would have been a senior with the class of 2017 at Sanger High School. He played the position of defensive lineman on the Sanger Indian football team. Miguel loved football and loved his coaches and teammates.
In addition to the Sanger Indians, he loved the Philadelphia Eagles and especially enjoyed razzing his brother Seth when they beat the Dallas Cowboys. He was a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates and #22 Andrew McCutchen. He recently attended a ball game while the Texas Rangers were playing the Pirates and he was all decked out in his Pirates gear. He was a member of the Asbury Methodist Church in Denton.
Miguel was a blissful 18-year-old who touched many lives and was always positive and happy. He enjoyed life and time with his friends and could often be found dancing around the kitchen with two of his best friends, Tanner Cason and Braven Smith.
He became fast friends with foreign exchange student Ava who was attending school in Sanger from Holland. Miguel found his soulmate and kindred spirit in Gabby Devore. They were inseparable. They ran every morning at 6 a.m. and then went to get blueberry donuts. He and his grandpa, Tommy, were thick as thieves and was the light of Tommy’s life.
He is survived by his parents, Eric and Rena, Sanger; sister, Jessica Caleigh Garza, Sanger; brother, Seth Andrew Garza, Denton; Grandparents, Tommy Dale and Billie Lois Wilhelm, and Mary and Joe Garza all of Sanger; nieces, Grace Bell Garza and Delilah Garza, and nephew, Noah Gilbert.
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DeAnn Coker Burrus • Coker Funeral Home
403 Pecan Street, Sanger, Texas 76266
940-458-3311 | www.cokerfuneralhome.com
OBITUARIES
Dean Allen Shaffer

June 24, 1962 – May 18, 2025
BOWIE – Dean Allen Shaffer, 62, was escorted to the gates of heaven May 18, 2025 at 12:34 a.m. in the arms of his loving wife Christal Shaffer after complications of pneumonia
A celebration of life for Dean was held at 11 a.m. on May 31 at the First Baptist Church in Alvord followed by a meal for the family.
Dean was born June 24, 1962, in Lander, WY. While quiet and soft spoken, he had a mighty love for the Lord, his wife of 38 years and his family. Dean was an incredibly hard worker, but all who knew Dean also knew how generous he was. He enjoyed cooking outside, hosting get-togethers at their home, having a drink and listening to good music as well as spending time with his bees.
He is preceded in death by his mother-in-law, “Memom” Linda Stevens and loving sister-in-law, Terri Shaffer and sister-in-law, Linda Shaffer.
Dean is survived by his wife, Christal Shaffer; children, Justin Shaffer and wife Kayla, Miles Shaffer, and Ainsley Hernandez and husband Josue; his children in Christ, Chris Lovell, and Andrew Stevens and wife Sutton; grandchildren, Kayden Shaffer and fiancé Nathan Mac, Colton Shaffer and wife Payton, Jaid, Remi, Briggs, Watts, Hutch, Justice and Maverick; great-grandchild, Colter; his parents, James Oliver Shaffer and Alice Bethine; siblings, Randy Shaffer, Cheryl Shaffer and partner Mike Hoffman, Mike Shaffer and wife Kim, Cathey Tewes and husband Andy; numerous other nieces, nephews and family members.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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OBITUARIES
Betty Sue Bynum

April 3, 1929 – May 20, 2025
BOWIE – Betty Sue Bynum, 96, passed away on May 20, 2025 in Nocona, TX.
Betty was born on April 3, 1929 in Thornton to Thomas Everett and Eva May Stiff Hardaway. She attended elementary school in Van Alstyne and attended high school in Calvert. She graduated from Teachers College High School and continued on to North Texas State Teacher’s College graduating with a bachelor of arts, library science degree at age 20. In 1977, she continued her education obtaining a master of education degree at University of North Texas.
While attending college, Betty met her future husband, Floyd Arthur Bynum. Betty wanted to work and live on her own for a year before getting married, so they had a long distance courtship while she taught school for a year in Canyon, Texas. They decided they were meant for each other and married on Aug. 5, 1950 in McKinney.
After starting their family in 1951, Betty and Floyd moved to Bowie where Floyd was industrial arts teacher at Bowie High School. Betty was a stay-at-home mom for few years. In 1960, she restarted her teaching career, teaching sixth grade for many years, eventually moving to high school where she was librarian until her retirement in 1988. She was a lifetime member of TSTA and a member of TLA.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Alma Lou Perkins and husband, Floyd A. Bynum.
Betty is survived by her three daughters, Nancy Headley, (Douglas), Jean Richards (John) and Patricia Johnson (Craig), grandchildren, Heather Morse, Alicia Hutchison, Jennifer Holloman, Justin Richards, Steven Johnson and Brian Johnson; seven great grandchildren and two nieces, Suzanne Scott and Dianne Herr.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, TX.
Paid publication
OBITUARIES
Pedro Leon Olvera

May 19, 1976 – May 11, 2025
NOCONA – Pedro Leon Olvera, 48, died on May 11, 2025.
There was a rosary at 6 p.m. on May 18 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona. A funeral service was at noon on May 19 at St. Jospeh’s Catholic Church in Nocona.
He was born on May 19, 1976 in Celya, Mexico Guanajuato to Juan Olvera and Felixa Leon. Olvera was a part of a big family and hard-worker all of his life. He worked mostly in agriculture as a rancher. He loved working on cars in his spare time, especially with his son. He married Blanca Torres in 1995 in Celya, Mexico Guanajuato.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Rosa and Juana Gomez; and nephew, Juan Gomez Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Blanca Olvera; Nocona; son, Pedro Jr. Olvera, Nocona; daughter, Mariana Hampton, Gainesville; sisters, Yolanda, Nocona and Margarita, Mexico; brothers, Juan, Luis, Santiago and Francisco, all of Mexico; a grandson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
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