JEANICE ZINSMEYER, 1929-2024

Jeanice Elsie Poerner Zinsmeyer, 95, passed away peacefully at her home in D'Hanis on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

Born on April 29, 1929, in Hondo to Herman and Elsie Lutz Poerner, Jeanice and her older sister grew up on their ranch near D'Hanis.

After graduating from Hondo High School, she attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville, where she received a degree in Education in 1949. That same year, Jeanice began her career at D'Hanis Independent School District, teaching English at both high school and junior high levels. While teaching, Jeanice obtained a Master of Education degree, an Educational Diagnostician certificate, and became the first Title I and Special Education teacher in the school district's history. Over her tenure, she also taught junior high-level reading & English language arts, remedial reading, and kindergarten. Her dedication to the school and her students extended to roles like coaching girls' basketball and softball, overseeing the first hardback issue of "The Cowboy" yearbook, and sponsoring the all-girl Drum and Bugle Corps for 17 years. She was also instrumental in establishing D'Hanis ISD within Texas UIL Academic Competition and served as a coach for many years.

Jeanice instilled values of honesty, respect and tradition across many generations of students and took great joy in seeing them excel in life. In 1995, she retired after 38 years of admirable teaching service but remained as active as ever in her community. In addition to conducting Cluster V testing in both D'Hanis and Sabinal, she was a member of the Holy Cross Altar Society, Texas Association of Retired Teachers, Castro Colonies Heritage Association, Medina Regional Hospital Auxiliary, the restoration of St. Anthony's School, and several bridge clubs. But above all, Jeanice bestowed a lifetime of love upon her family, friends, and community.

Jeanice is preceded in death by her parents; husband Jacob Lionel "Jack" Zinsmeyer (married 1950) and husband Robert A. "Bob" Dube (married 2003); daughter Bette Zane Fasano; an infant daughter; son Charles "Chuck" Zinsmeyer; and sister Inell K. "Nellie" Weynand (Myles).

Left to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy are her sons, Johnny Zinsmeyer (Shirley) and Tony Zinsmeyer; daughter, Laura "Laurie" Santos (David); son-in-law, John Fasano; daughter-in-law, Tara "Missy" Zinsmeyer; 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 25, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church, D'Hanis, with the recitation of the Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday, July 26, will be from 10 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church, with interment following at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Michael Zinsmeyer, Darren Zinsmeyer, Jarrett Zinsmeyer, Jason Fasano, Rocco Fasano, Allen Clary, Michael Morris, Jackson Zinsmeyer, Ryan Santos, and Travis Zinsmeyer.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Cross Cemeteries, D'Hanis Lions Club, or the charity of your choice.