Herbert Frank Dirksen, 89, Uvalde, Texas, passed away March 23, 2013, at home, surrounded by his family, amid prayer and song.

He was born Feb 23, 1924, in Cassella, to Clarence and Philomena Homan Dirksen. He married Mary Catherine Fischer on June 17, 1950, and she survives.

Also surviving are children, Irene (Randy) Light of College Station, their children, Julie (Edward) Boytim, Susan (Chris) Farmer and David (April) Light; Kathy (Ray) Bendele of Kingsville, their children, Clint (Stacey) Bendele, Melissa (Bill) Wyman, Katie (Matt) Hughes, Jacob (Lindsey) Bendele; Ann Catron of San Antonio, her children, Gretchen Catron, Heather Catron, Amanda Catron; Jane (Ronnie) Collins of Uvalde, their children Brad (Brittany) Dimmitt, Nathan (Lori) Dimmitt, Benjamin Dimmitt; Marge (Doug) Dunlap of San Antonio, their children, Dirk (Christina) Dunlap, Zach Dunlap, Lela Dunlap; Joan (Hermes) Koop of Naples, Fla., their children, Andree Koop, Hans Koop, Nico Koop, Anneke Koop; Linda Dirksen of Orlando, Fla.; Beth Andres of Uvalde, her children, Seth Andres, Isaac Andres, Adam Andres; and Ken (Barby) Dirksen of Uvalde, their children, Matt Dirksen, Will Dirksen; 23 great-grandchildren; and brothers and sisters, Rita Evers of Burkettsville, Alma Schmitmeyer of St. Henry, Esther Winner of Anna, Joan Poeppelman of Yorkshire, Louis Dirksen of Portland, Ind., Dennis Dirksen of Maria Stein and Ruth Evers of St. Henry.

He was preceded in death by children, James Dirksen and Mary Dirksen; grandson, Michael Catron; and a sister, Helen Wenning of Maria Stein.

He was a dairy farmer in Mercer County for 19 years. He began on a family farm with his father. He and Mary moved to Uvalde in August 1969, where he farmed for 27 years in Frio Town. He was active in the community and served as president of the National Farmers Organization, president of the Farm Bureau, charter member of the Uvalde Knippa Co-op, charter member of Frio Foods and Winter Garden Growers, along with many other agricultural organizations.

He had a strong Christian faith and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde. He sang for many years in the church and community choir, taught religious education and served as an extraordinary Eucharistic minister. He was a member of the Downtown Men's Bible Study and Dr. Shudde's Bible Study.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He served as grand knight of the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree Council and is an honorary life member. He was district deputy of the Knights of Columbus for two terms. He started four Knights of Columbus Councils in Brackettville, Carrizo Springs, Crystal City and La Pryor which earned him the Don Quixote Award. He served as faithful navigator of the Knights of Columbus 4th degree Owen Lewis Assembly. He was willing to share his faith with all.

Pallbearers were Clint Bendele, Jacob Bendele, Matt Dirksen, Will Dirksen, David Light and Hans Koop. Honorary pallbearers were Brad Dimmitt, Nathan Dimmit, Ben Dimmitt, Dirk Dunlap, Zach Dunlap, Andree Koop, Nico Koop, Seth Andres and Isaac Andres.

Altar servers were Adam Andres, Sam Eddy, Matthew Sagemuehl and Isak Reyes.

A vigil service was today.

A Mass of Resurrection is 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Uvalde, Texas. A reception celebrating his life will be held after the Mass at the home of Jane and Ronnie Collins.

Memorials can be made to St. Charles Senior Living Community.