James Bertrand "Chick" Tschirhart, age 83, of Hondo passed away Saturday, July 7, 2012. Born Feb. 23, 1929, in Hondo, he was the son of Linus B. "Pine" and Ella Brucks Tschirhart. Having attended St. John's School, Chick graduated from Hondo High School in 1947 and Durham's Business College in 1948. He was an auto mechanic, working for several car dealers in Hondo. He married Aurline Rieber in 1952. Together they owned and operated The Ranch Store, supplying TV and appliance sales and service for over 50 years. They also owned and operated ranches in Medina and Bandera counties, working alongside each other almost 60 years. A very active member of St. John's Catholic Church, he participated in Mass as Lector and Eucharistic Minister, and visiting the sick and those in nursing homes weekly. Chick served his community in many ways. He joined the Hondo Volunteer Fire Dept. in 1953 and retired in 1987. He became one of the first ambulance attendants with a Red Cross Certificate after the local service was turned over to the county. In 1979 he became an EMT, an instructor in 1983, and retired in 1993. He was a licensed Reserve Deputy for Medina County from 1978 until the present. A member of Hondo Lions Club since 1967, he was also a member of the Hondo Area Chamber of Commerce. He received many awards for service from EMS, HVFD and Lions Club. He was honored by the chamber as 1980 Citizen of the Year, 1982 Outstanding Citizen, 1999 Agriculture Person and 2012 Cornerstone Award recipient. He was also named the outstanding 1990 Reserve Officer of Medina County Sheriff's Dept. He is preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Elmer Bader; children, Cindy Kriewald and Joseph Tschirhart; and grandson, Justin Kriewald. He is survived by his wife Aurline; sons, John Tschirhart, Bobby Tschirhart and Tony Tschirhart and wife Sandy; daughter, Cathy Vega; son-in-law, Glen Kriewald; grandchildren, Christie Dunavant and husband Justin, Russell Kriewald, Ryan Tschirhart and wife Brandy, Zachary Tschirhart, Haley Tschirhart, Monica Vega and Suzette Lamb; three great-granddaughters; brothers, Donald Tschirhart and wife Marie and Lloyd Tschirhart and wife Anita; and brother-in-law, Albert Thigpen. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with the Rosary recited at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 11, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Interment will be at Hondo Cemetery, St. John's Mausoleum. The family suggests memorials may be made to St. John's Building Fund or the American Cancer Society.