Obituaries 2026
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Gordon McDowell GrubbsJuly 7, 1940 — January 13, 2026
Gordon McDowell Grubbs was born the second son of David Marion Grubbs and Evelyn Gray Grubbs on July 7, 1940, in Caracas, Venezuela. He passed away peacefully in the early hours of January 13, 2026, after a sharp decline due to vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. He is now reunited with his beloved wife of 60 years, Clare Kollenberg Grubbs, whom we also lost to Alzheimer’s disease in 2023.
Gordon spent his childhood in Texas, and attended the New Mexico Military Institute, Highland Park High School, and The Choate School in Connecticut. In 1958, he began his college years at Rice University, where, at the beginning of his sophomore year, he met Clare in her freshman year.
Gordon graduated in May 1962, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics. He and Clare married in August of that year, and when she graduated in 1963, she was carrying their first child, Ann. Their other children, Mary, Ellen, and Michael, arrived in rapid succession, while Gordon worked to become a credentialed actuary, which was his lifetime career.
Gordon’s work moved the family from Houston to Dallas, Pennsylvania, Austin, and Lufkin. In 1986, they landed in Plano, where Gordon and Clare spent 25 years building a support system of friends and neighbors who stay in touch to this day. They spent their retirement years in Whitney, Texas — traveling, birdwatching, relocating errant squirrels, and opening their home to friends and family for relaxing getaways far from the big city.
In 2015, they received Clare’s Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis and returned to Plano to be closer to family, friends, and medical care. As Clare’s disease progressed, Gordon was her care partner, helping her, protecting her, and loving her without fail. When she needed higher levels of care, he stayed with her, unflaggingly by her side until she found her peace. We are grateful they are now at peace together.
Gordon was a dedicated husband. He loved talking and laughing with his children and grandchildren. He was generous, curious, smart, and ridiculously silly. His musical talent led him to compose songs on piano and guitar, teach himself to play the banjo, and harmonize in Plano’s barbershop group, Men of Note. He read voraciously — mostly the great classics and Pulitzer Prize winners — and he never met a Sudoku he wouldn’t try to solve.
Gordon’s family will miss his sense of humor, support, and love: children Ann Meeks and husband, Kent; Mary Gerush and husband, Jon; Ellen Haster; and Michael Grubbs and wife, Kelli. His grandchildren and great grandchildren will feel his influence throughout their lives: Kevin Meeks; Kelsey Forsberg, husband, Phillip, and children, Kent, Miles, and Kaelyn; Jason Meeks, wife, Whitney, and children, Ethan, Collin, and Maggie; Kristen Ortolani, husband, Mitchel, and children, Levi and Callie; Allison Gerush and fiancée, Nick Riccione; Christopher Haster; Taylor Haster; Carey Turbeville and husband, Christian; James Grubbs, wife, Lyndi, and daughters, Leah and Lainey; Jonathan Grubbs and partner, Emily Joslin; Nicholas Grubbs; David Grubbs; Claire Wimberly; Hannah Wimberly-Salchak and husband, Andy; and Emma Wimberly.
There will be a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 16, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano, Texas.
Gordon will be laid to rest at the Allen Family Funeral Options Memory Wall, Plano, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association in Gordon and Clare’s honor at: https://events.alz.org/fundraiser/marygerush/honoring-their-love
Shaun WilliamsApril 24, 1979 — February 12, 2026
Shaun Wiliams, 46, Plano, Texas passed away on February 12, 2026, surrounded by family. He was born April 24, 1979, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was the youngest son of Frank and Linda Wiliams.
Shaun was a graduate of Exeter West Greenwich High School in Rhode Island and graduated from Auburn University, in Alabama, with a degree in Criminal Justice. When in college he was a deputy with the Lee County Sheriff’s office. After graduation he became a cadet in Dekalb County in Georgia. He then went on to a career in the IT Commissions development industry, for 20 years.
Shuan was a loving and caring Man of Faith, who would do anything to help others. He enjoyed volunteering at church whether it was ushering, teaching Faith Formation classes or Catechism.
He enjoyed spending time with his family travelling, attending sporting events and concerts. Shaun was a dedicated Martial Artist who taught Jeet Kune do. He was also a passionate sports fan who loved his Dallas Cowboys and Auburn Tigers, War Eagle!
Shaun is survived by his loving wife, Kelly Wiliams, and children Brendan and Amber Williams; parents Frank and Linda Williams; sister and brother in-law Teri and Michael Laiter; brother Chad Williams; sister and brother in-law Heidi and Brian Bernard; nieces and nephews Cristian Laiter; Morgan and Casey Santilli, (God-daughter)Alexis Williams, Riley and Reese Bernard; in-laws Robert and Linda Graham, brother and sister in-law Eric and Danielle Graham; additional nieces and nephews Declan Graham and Evelynn Graham.
A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 7, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, if desired, contributions may be made to North Texas Food Bank @ https://give.ntfb.org/site/DonationValerie Dimarco McGuire
August 10, 1949 — January 24, 2026
Valerie Dimarco McGuire, born August 10, 1949, passed peacefully on January 24, 2026, surrounded by love. A cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend.
Valerie’s greatest joy was caring for those she loved. While she worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative in her early career, her true passion was homemaking. She created a household filled with warmth, laughter, and the comforting aroma of homemade macaroni. Her home was always open, her table always full, and every gathering made special by her generous spirit and her famous collection of table linens. She delighted in hosting, celebrating, and making others feel welcome.
She spent her life surrounded by love, she was a devoted daughter to Merk and Dorothy DiMarco, a playful sister to Suzanne Bense and Steven DiMarco, a soulmate of 59 wonderful years to her husband David McGuire, a caring mother to her son Peter and his wife Kirsten, and a joyful grandmother to Dorothy “Dottie” McGuire. She gave herself wholeheartedly to her family, building a home rich in love, tradition, and connection. Valerie was also a loyal friend, her gift for maintaining relationships was impressive, with many friendships lasting more than 50 years and those friends turning into honorary family. She nurtured these bonds with care and genuine devotion.
A fighter with a passion for life, Valerie faced her final days with courage and was surrounded by family until her last breath. Her family takes comfort in knowing upon her passing, she was embraced and reunited with her mother, father, and her brother.
Valerie’s legacy lives on through the family and friends who will forever carry her love, laughter, and recipes in their hearts.
The family will receive friends for a visitation from 6-8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Allen Family Funeral Options.
There will be a Mass celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 30, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Plano, Texas. The Mass will be livestreamed at the following link:https://youtube.com/live/sNM6l_t_h88?feature=shareMichael J. Kruep
December 18, 1947 — January 16, 2026
Michael J. Kruep was born on December 18, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Edward H. Kruep and Rose (Huber) Kruep. He was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on Friday, January 16, 2026.
Michael graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He distinguished himself early in his profession by passing the CPA exam on his first attempt. This is a rare distinction to pass all four sections in an initial sitting. He retired in 2012 after a successful career in accounting for multiple media corporations. Michael also served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
It all started with a picnic which led him to his soulmate, Cece. She was the center of his world and his beloved wife for nearly 50 years. Michael loved watching their grandchildren grow together. He enjoyed Star Trek, BBQ, LEGO sets, gadgets and gizmos (especially Apple products), chocolate, and Donald Duck. He was a clever man who never missed saying a good dad joke.
Michael is survived by his wife Cecilia E. Kruep; son Nicholas Kruep, his wife Sarah, and their children Kaitlyn, Madelyn, and Gage; daughter Elizabeth Stober, her husband Brandon, and their children Nathan, Landon and Morgan; daughter Stephanie Davies, her husband Trevor, and their children Emma, Jacob, and Wyatt. He was proceeded in death by siblings Timothy T., Clifford E., Janet M., Kenneth E., and nephew Doug Kruep.
There will be a Funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano, Texas.
There will be a reception immediately following the Mass.
Michael will be laid to rest at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Columbarium.Frederick Charles Hondowicz
March 19, 1941 — January 8, 2026
Fred Hondowicz was born in South Orange, New Jersey to Peter and Ann Hondowicz. He was raised in Elizabeth and Avenel, graduating from Woodbridge High School and Rutgers University.
After graduating college, Fred served as an officer in the United States Air Force, principally in Libya and Dover, Delaware. Upon his Honorable Discharge with the rank of Captain, he was employed as a senior project manager in information systems with J.C. Penney for 38 years, starting in New York City and then in Plano, Texas after the company relocated their headquarters there in 1988.
Fred was happily married to his late wife, Joan for 52 years and raised his two sons, David and Brian in Edison, New Jersey. After retiring from J.C. Penney with Joan, they traveled extensively, both domestically and abroad, including trips to New Zealand, Australia, China, Italy, Canada, and Spain.
As a son, a brother, a husband, a father, grandfather, uncle and friend, Fred strove to live every moment with dignity and respect for everyone who crossed his path. Taking great comfort in his Catholic faith, he endured the loss of family and friends with grace and continually strove to help those less fortunate than himself. His example was an inspiration to all who had the honor of knowing him, most especially his sons, his daughter-in-laws, Rebecca (of Silver Spring, Maryland) and Audrey (of Redmond, Washington) and his grandson, Matthew (of Redmond, Washington).
Fred received the Last Rites and the Holy Eucharist the day before passing into our Lord’s hands.
In addition to his sons, grandson and daughter-in-laws, Fred is survived by his sister-in-law, Linda, his nephews Douglas Luden and Darren Kucab and his niece Jacqueline.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 11 a.m. in the church.
The Memorial Mass was livestreamed at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/5lcI1flacR8?feature=share
In lieu of flowers, donations are invited to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, ℅ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church, Plano, TX.