JOE M. BEDOLLA
Mass of Christian Burial for Joe M. Bedolla, age 82, of
Sherman, Texas was scheduled for 10:00 AM on Friday, January 2, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Muenster. Burial was in Sacred Heart Cemetery. A Rosary and Vigil was held at 6:00 Pm on Thursday, January 1, 2026 at Scott Funeral Home in Muenster. Services were officiated by Rev. Kyle Walterscheid and Deacon Gary Endres and directed by Scott Funeral Home of Muenster. Mr. Bedolla died on December 26, 2025 at 3:24 PM at the Carrus Hospital and Rehabilitation Facility in
Sherman, Texas. Born on July 7, 1943 in
Harlingen, Texas, Mr. Bedolla was one of five children of Teodoll and Josephina Meza Bedolla. For the last 45 years of his life and marriage, Joe was a resident of
Sherman, Texas and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Joe was born and raised in the valley at Lyford, Texas. After graduating from Lyford High School in 1962, he moved to the East Texas area. He then attended East Texas State University majoring in Chemistry and Biology. After receiving his B.S. degree, he moved to Corpus Christi, Texas. After two years of teaching high school level science, he was ready for a change. After moving to Sherman, he worked for T.I. where he was trained to be an assistant manager. While living in Sherman, he met four nursing students from Muenster that lived in the same apartment complex as he did. They became good friends and in time, one would become his wife, Dianne Gehrig. Joe moved to Dallas and assumed a manager job with Woolworth Department Store. During that time, he asked and married Dianne Gehrig. On July 31, 1971, Joe and Dianne were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Muenster. They soon moved to Weatherford, Oklahoma so that Joe could start Pharmacy School. Being in a small town, jobs were hard to find. He worked on cattle and horse ranches where he branded cattle and worked with cutting horses, which he never knew much about riding. Farm work and oil field work suited him best, especially since he had a hard time staying on the cutting horses and only got paid $5.00 for an eight-hour day. When he questioned why only $5, he was told that was all he was worth minus his meal. Good thing he was going to be a pharmacist, he thought. After three years, he completed school and received his Pharmacy degree. Joe worked for Skillern's Drug Store in Mesquite, Texas and after four years, Joe and Dianne decided to make one last back to Sherman. After 11 years of marriage, they were blessed with the birth of their only child, a girl that they named Amber Lavette Bedolla. As members of St. Mary's Church and school, Joe did volunteer work at the school and participated in school functions. Working in the school cafeteria was his favorite, the students always enjoyed seeing Joe at the school cafeteria because they knew it was going to be "Bedolla Burger" day. Joe was always happy and tried to live life to the fullest. He never met a stranger; he treated all with kindness and respect. His smiles and laugh were contagious. He would help anyone, anytime. He went on multiple mission trips over the years to help others, some were in Bolivia, Mexico, and Costa Rica. He always stayed busy, he would drive around town or anywhere in the area, he loved to see the growth around him. He stayed up with the news, he loved to read, and loved to eat, always ready to try out new restaurants. The neighborhood kids would come over to the house to see if, as they would say, "Can Joe come out to play?" The neighborhood snow cone stand stayed especially busy when Joe was around. He would say he talked to God when he went out walking, at a sporting event, when he was in school, driving around, or just sitting outdoors enjoying a peaceful moment. "God is everywhere and will listen to you anytime", he would tell us. Joe had a way of making everyone feel special and important, whether by his joyful smile, his laugh, or just listening to them. He touched the lives of everyone who knew him. He found joy in doing for others no matter the task. His love will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace. He is survived by his wife: Dianne (Gehrig) Bedolla of Sherman; daughter: Amber L. Bedolla of Austin; sister: Olga McDowell of San Antonio; brothers: Jesus and wife Victoria Bedolla of San Antonio, and Manuel Bedolla of Sherman; 2 nephews, 4 nieces, and 14 great nieces and nephews; and many extended family and friends. Joe was preceded in death by his parents: Teodoll and Josephina Meza Bedolla; and brother: Robert Bedolla.
Published by The Herald Democrat from Jan. 20 to Jan. 24, 2026.