Mary Lou Siebert

Mary Lou Siebert, 96, a direct descendant of early Eastland County settlers and, early Texas settlers, passed away July 24, 2015. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 1, 2015 at Eastland First United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm, with Vaughn Baker officiating. Pall Bearers will be Bill Hoffman, Keith Watkins, Donald Hughes, Ken Lyerla, Charlie Moon, and Alan Barron. Interment will follow in the Eastland Cemetery. Visitation with family will be before the services in the sanctuary. Funeral arrangements are through Edwards/Bakker Funeral Home of Eastland.

The only child of Mr. and Mrs. J.V. Harbin was born on May 4, 1919, on her parent’s farm, four miles south of Eastland, near Flatwood, and was named after each of her grandmothers. Her birthplace is within a mile of where her father was born in 1884. She attended Flatwood School before transferring to the Eastland Schools while in elementary and graduated from Eastland High School in 1937.

Her courtship with Wendell T. Siebert, that had begun when the couple were in high school, continued thru college; she a Home Economics major at Texas State College for Women in Denton and he an Education/Physical Education major and track athlete at The University of Texas. Long distance relationships were somewhat of a challenge during the 1930’s but they kept up with each other through Western Union Telegrams, frequent letters, and occasional trips to Eastland; she traveling by train, usually changing at the train depot in Fort Worth and he often hitch hiking. Also, she frequently read of his track accomplishments in the sports section of the Fort Worth Telegram and sometimes was in attendance at track meets. They were married in Eastland June 23, 1941 before moving to Miami Beach, Florida where he entered Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation the couple returned to Texas where he was Director of Physical Training of Cadets at Army Air Corp bases in Texas. In 1946 the couple returned to their hometown of Eastland, raised a family, where they remained the rest of their lives.

Mary Lou was a lifelong member of Eastland’s First United Methodist Church, was baptized there in her youth and was the oldest active member until the decline of her health. She taught in the children’s department for twenty-five years, as well as an adult class in later years and served on various committees, including the Administrative Board and SPRC. She was also actively involved with CBS- Community Bible Study, a member of Las Leales, Civic League and Garden, and involved in the planning and preparation of the Eastland All Class Reunion, beginning with the first one in 1957.

Shortly after Wendell’s death in 1974, she began working with Special Education programs at Wendell T. Siebert Elementary School that was named in his memory. She retired 20 years later and continued her busy life by joining a quilting club and delivering Meals on Wheels.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wendell, daughter in law, Becky, in 2001, and oldest granddaughter, Becca, in 2003. She is survived by son Mike Siebert and wife Sharon of Eastland, daughter, Shelly Montgomery and husband Burt of Lubbock, four granddaughters; Von, Julie, Jill, Katy, their spouses, 5 great grandchildren, a very special care giver, Beverly Thomas, and exceptional Hospice Nurse, Amanda Evans.

Memorials in her name can be sent to Eastland First United Methodist Church, 215 Mulberry, Eastland, Texas 76448 or Eastland Meals on Wheels, 110 North Ostrom Avenue, Eastland, Texas 76448.