April 5, 2024

With a somber heart, we announce the passing of one of the world's finest men, Reverend Charles Sumners III. His wife, Robin, his brothers Thomas and Robert, their wives, Paula and Tina, and his son Charles IV were in constant vigil after he returned home from the hospital. He was visited by many other family and friends, from new babies to people of all ages—he was dearly loved, and he loved dearly.

The Rev. Charlie Sumners ordained to the Episcopal Church Diaconate by Bishop Scott Field Bailey in 1967 and served as an assistant at St. Patrick’s in Washington, D.C. from 1967 to 1970, and then at St. John’s in Bethesda, Maryland, until 1972. He joined the staff at St. Luke’s in Atlanta in 1972 and served there until 1978. While there, he served as a Liturgical Missioner, introducing the ‘Folk Mass’ style of worship to parishes throughout the South. In 1978 he joined the staff at St. Bartholomew’s in New York City and stayed until 1982. While there, he created the Episcopal Television Network, which existed until 1984.

He moved back to Texas and became the Rector of St. Philip’s in Beeville in 1983 and retired in 2000. He began a series of short-term ‘permanent supply’ assignments in Texas and Colorado. Rev. Sumners was Priest in Charge of Grace Church in Cuero, Texas, from 2014 to 2017. Most recently, he presided over worship services at St. Peter’s in Lago Vista, Texas.

While maintaining a base in parish ministry for more than 50 years, he has been able to specialize in music, media, and communications. Rev. Sumners was a pilot since college, and he was active in the Civil Air Patrol. He was the originator of the Kerrville Folk Festival’s Folk Mass and has 50 years of perfect attendance as the leader of Sunday Mass on Chapel Hill.

He was a faithful servant of God, humanitarian, musician, and tech-savvy world-traveler. He witnessed many walks of life and supported Civil Rights movements, even putting himself at risk while providing support through the D.C. riots. He served in the Peace Corp in Nepal. He officiated countless weddings, funerals, and baptisms. He was loving husband and father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. There aren't enough words to express what a remarkable human being Charlie was.

In Lago Vista, he cared about the people he met in this lovely city. He supported the Episcopal Church, St. Peter’s, and created a Labyrinth where people could walk, think, meditate, and stand in the center looking at the setting of this lovely spot.

Charlie loved music, often using his guitar for bring joyful singing, encouraging new music for St. Peter’s collaborating with the amazing ability of Nancy Moore. Members read stories from the Bible, sharing with children and adults. He was happy bringing music to the worship service to share with others.

He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Robin Sumners, and children Charlie Sumners IV, David Woods (Denise), Jenny Pitkin (Will), and Mimi Doherty (Braden) and brothers Robert Sumners (Tina) and Thomas Sumners (Paula). He is preceded in death by son Tom Sumners and Drew Woods.

A funeral service and celebration of life was held on March 23 at the chapel of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, which Rev. Charlie attended in his youth. Those wishing to express their condolences may leave a memory at http://www.Dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lakeway-tx/Charles-sumners-11695288

April 5, 2024

Harvey Elwood Gann, 103, of Lago Vista, Texas, passed on March 25, 2024. He was born November 28, 1920 in Detroit, Michigan to the late William Aldridge Gann and Mattie Beatrice Gann. Harvey’s family moved to Del Valle, Texas when he was a toddler. His father worked as a blacksmith on the land that would later become Bergstrom Air Force Base. He graduated from Austin High School and then began driving a dump truck to help build the Bergstrom Air Force Base when WWII began.

He was drafted into the Army Air Corp and served from 1942 – 1945. He was a gunner on a B24 Bomber. During a mission, his plane sustained heavy damage from ME 109s. Harvey was the only crew member to escape the burning plane. He was captured by the Germans and was a POW for 15 months, escaping 3 times, captured and on the 4th escape he made his way through Russia to freedom, just as the war ended. He wrote a book, “Escape I Must,” recounting his WWII experience, which he sold at the Fredericksburg Trade Days for many years, touching many lives.

After the war ended, he returned to Austin and met Evelyn Sims and worked as a house painter. They married and had two daughters and have been married 77 years, living in Lago Vista on Lake Travis in the home they built together. He was approached while on a painting job to become a police officer. He served for 38 years before retiring from the Austin Police Department, rising to the rank of Major. He served most of his career in Vice and Narcotics. He served as the Texas Narcotics Officer Association President, and was a member of the Lago Vista Lions Club and the Austin Saengerrunde.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Sims Gann; daughters, Deborah Ledesma (Richard Ledesma) of Lago Vista, Texas; Sandra Allen (Dale Allen) of Lacey, Washington; and grandchildren, Joshua Allen (Ellen Lnenicka) and Susannah Allen Lozen (Bobby Lozen) of Loveland, Colorado; Rebecca Allen Rojas (Daniel Rojas) of Lacey, Washington; and Benjamin Allen (Aileen Dean) of Spokane, Washington. Their 15 great grandchildren are their pride and joy, along with many other relatives and friends.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the 100 Club of Central Texas.

This signal box at the intersection of Lohman Ford and Boggy Ford was designed and painted by local artist Sam Montag, with a little help from her daughters.

May 3, 2023
by Anne Ochoa

The Art in Public Places program of Keep Lago Vista Beautiful continues to spread joy, showcasing a few more bright friends at the intersection of Boggy Ford and Lohman Ford Road. Hummingbirds, bunting and bluebonnets, cacti and flowers now adorn the signal box courtesy of local artist Sam Montag.

Mrs. Montag, formerly of Los Angeles County, moved to Lago Vista in 2021. She says “My Grandmother was a landscape painter from Mexico City. She would come visit us frequently in the states and would bring her art supplies with her every time. As a very young child and into my teens, I sat at her side, watching her create countless sceneries of the ranches, woods, and tropical fruit still lifes. I like to credit her with my early training in painting. Throughout high school, I enrolled in art classes, experimenting with various mediums. It really wasn’t until my college years, when I came under the apprenticeship of Ed Warren, the creator of very successful art studios located all over Los Angeles County, that I really learned drawing and various techniques from a professional. He also taught me how to teach others and employed me to instruct kids, teens and adults how to draw and use a variety of mediums. I taught art on and off through the years, and hope to start my own instructional art program. I enjoy painting animals, succulents and flowers.”

This is another project of KLVB’s Art in Public Places program. More art to follow! You too can be a part of the excitement at KLVB. The club meets on the second Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. in the Lago Vista Library meeting room. All are welcome, and we love our first timers! Check out our Facebook page, visit https://keeplagovistabeautiful.com or call President Denise Sellers at 512-467-4582 for more information.

February 3, 2023

Winna Beth Worth Kiker was born on November 8, 1932 in Hayti, Missouri. Beth was the youngest of four children born to John William and Thelma Maude Worth. She is preceded in death by her husband Ray; both parents and sisters Mozella Massey and Wanda Sechrist; and brother Joe Worth.
 
Beth graduated from Austin High School and attended Southwestern University in Georgetown,Texas starting at the age of 16 years. This is where she met Ray who she married in 1951. They were together for 65 wonderful years. They lived in Houston before moving to Lago Vista in 1977.
 
Beth loved Lago Vista. She had many friends from Houston that also moved to Lago Vista. Over the years she made many new and lasting friendships. She was very involved in the Lago Vista Women’s Golf Association. She played in many tournaments all over Texas, even having 2 holes in one. She loved cards and played with a group that enjoyed bridge.
 
Beth is survived by daughter Debbie Hirl and her five children: Kasey Hirl and wife Kasey Cobb and son Greggory; Kari Ruiz and her partner Jackson Le Compte, sons Brody, Hayden and Baylor; Kiley Harper and husband Mikah; Matthew Hirl and Kamryn Hirl. Also 3 nieces, Jean Mangum, Judy Cruise and Reba Bailey; and nephew Robert Carter.
 
Donations may be made to MD Anderson in Beth’s memory.

November 10, 2022

Joy Bleil, 83, of Lago Vista, Texas, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away October 15, 2022. She was born Patricia Joy Zeigler in 1939, to the late Mary Helbling Zeigler and Edwin Zeigler in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. She was an only child and was adored by her parents. She graduated from Emory University in Atlanta with a BA in education and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

Joy decided quickly that she was looking for adventure in the skies and became a stewardess for Delta Airlines, a decision that would bring her more fun and experiences than she could imagine. As a flight attendant in the 1960s could not be wed, she secretly married her devoted husband, Clements Bleil, May 4, 1963, and they lived together in Chicago. After being fired from her job when Delta learned she was married, Joy fought to get her job back, and after a year was re-instated as a flight attendant. She helped to pave a more secure path for women in the aviation industry. Soon after, Joy became international news as a flight she was working on was hijacked to Cuba. The criminal took her captive and held the gun to her head. Her quick thinking helped to keep everyone safe on board. After traveling across the world to many countries, Joy retired from the air to raise a family and become a homemaker in Houston, where she lived for 27 years. Her favorite location, however, was Lago Vista, Texas where she lived for the past 30 years. Joy is survived by her husband, Clee, daughter Leslie Cornett (Oliver Middleton) and grandchildren Mary Kate, Harrison and Charlotte Cornett all of Houston, Texas.

Joy gave back to her community in many capacities, ranging from volunteering as the “girl scout cookie lady”, President of the Hunterwood Garden Club, and a long-standing commitment to the Lago Vista Women’s Association as the designer and publisher of their directory. Joy loved to create personalized cards to make her friends and family feel special. Designing the Christmas card each year was one of her most treasured creative endeavors. Joy enjoyed nothing more than spending time at her home on Lake Travis with a cup of coffee, enjoying the deer and bluebonnets.

Friends are invited to gather with the family for a celebration of life and memorial service on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at Grace Fellowship Church, located at 19615 Boggy Ford Road, Lago Vista Texas at 11:00 am. A reception will follow immediately after at the Terrace at Highland Lakes, 20552 Highland Lake Drive, Lago Vista, Texas