Arnold David Hoelscher of Raymondville died Friday August 28, 2009 in Corpus Christi after a sudden illness. David was born to George W. and Annie Bernsen Hoelscher in Robstown, Texas on March 9, 1937. David was a graduate of Robstown High School and Del Mar College. He served two years in the U.S. Army.

David married Wanda Lea Dippel in 1961 and they moved to the Lasara/Hargill area where they started a farming business, which they operated for 48 years until his death. He served on various agriculture and civic boards, commissions, and committees in the Rio Grande Valley area, the Lasara Independent School District Board from 1970 to 1990 and was a member of the Board of Directors of Valley Telephone Cooperative for 36 years. David was a member of St. Anthony parish in Raymondville where he served many years as Choir Director and maintained close ties to St. Anthony parish in Violet, of which his ancestors were founding members.

David is preceded in death by his brothers Damien Hoelscher and Leonard Hoelscher, and a sister Margie Knight. He is survived by his wife Wanda of Raymondville, son John Hoelscher of Bishop, and daughters Pam Cliburn of Portland, Carol (Mark) Thormaehlen of Wallis, and Leigh (Brian) Coufal of Kingsville, and ten grandchildren. Survivors also include his brothers, Harold (Margaret) Hoelscher, George (Cam) Hoelscher, and Charles (Cecilia) Hoelscher all of Corpus Christi; Gilbert (Pat) Hoelscher of Violet; and sisters Annette O'Brien of Miami, Florida; Joyce (Chuck) Denecour of North Kingstown, Rhode Island; Evelyn (Paul) Fox of Niceville, Florida; and Cathy (Travis) Green of Buda, Texas; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A memorial mass was celebrated at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Raymondville, Texas on Monday, August 31, 2009 at 10:00 am.

Visitation was from noon until 4 pm. Tuesday, September 1, 2009 in Sawyer-George Funeral Home in Corpus Christi, Texas.

A rosary was recited at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Violet on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

A funeral mass was celebrated at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Violet, Texas on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery in Violet.

Active pallbearers were Eric Hoelscher, Gary Hoelscher, Glenn Hoelscher, Greg Hoelscher, Jeff Hoelscher, and Matt Cliburn. Honorary pallbearers were the Board of Valley Telephone Cooperative: Arline Harris of Dilley, J.T. Mayo, Jr. of San Perlita, Margie Pollock of Hargill, James H. Mann of Bigfoot, George Bennack of Raymondville, Charles Fred Hillje of Cotulla, Sidney Spear of Realitos, and Flavio Villarreal of El Sauz.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Anthony Parish Altar Guild, 464 S. 1st Street, Raymondville, Texas 78580.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Sawyer-George Funeral Home, Inc., 12497 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78410, 361-242- 3205.

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