February 2022

Members of the Fruitvale and Canton powerlifting teams made the trip to Mabank Feb. 17 to compete in the annual Mabank Panther Invitational.

Funeral services for Dorothy Jean Brunson, 91, of Canton, were held Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton.

Services for Gerald C. Heddins, 82, of Fruitvale, were held Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at Main Street Baptist Church, with Bro. David Crain, Ramey Heddins, Pastor Frank Webster, and Dr. Bruce Smilie officiating.

The field of local playoff competitors was cut in half last week as both Canton and Martins Mill earned bi-district round wins, while Edgewood and Grand Saline suffered narrow setbacks. CANTON EAGLES The Canton Eagles made their way to Rains High School on Monday night, clashing with the Sunnyvale Raiders in the bi-district round for the third time in four seasons.

Graveside services for Mr. James Gaskey, 91, of Quinlan, were held Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at Woodside Cemetery with Bro. Garvin Pulley officiating, under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home, Grand Saline.

The possibility of at least one Van Zandt County basketball program reaching the State Tournament in San Antonio was kept alive and well last week with both Edgewood and Martins Mill rolling on with two playoff victories each.

The Van Lady Vandals made their way to Driller Stadium in Kilgore on Tuesday night, clashing with the Lady Dogs in an early season test. Van would make it look easy in the contest, plating eight runs in the third inning and nine more runs in the fourth inning on their way to an 18-4 rout of Kilgore.

On Feb. 20, 2022, Oleta Faye Curtis Abbott, widow of Clifford Abbott, passed away at the age of 94.

James (Jim) Milton Owens passed on Feb. 11, 2022, in Tyler. Formerly a resident of Rio Dell, California, and Grants Pass, Oregon, before making his home in Ben Wheeler, Texas, where he lived for 42 years. Jim was born on Feb. 19, 1951, to Bonnie Damm and Joseph Owens. Jim loved to spend time with his family, ride his Harley, loved God, would lend a hand to anyone in need, and especially enjoyed therapy. Jim was preceded by his mother, Bonnie Damm, his father, Joseph Owens, his sister Juanita Wickens, and brother Joseph Owens Jr.