Maria "Mercy" DePew

Our sunshine, also known as Mercy and Lola.

A ray of sunshine has been added to the skies as we celebrate the life of Maria Bisnar DePew, who unexpectedly passed away on June 13, 2023, in Lampasas, Texas.  She was born on July 24, 1935, to Querica Cea and Primo Arisala Bisnar, in the province of Laguna, Philippines, and raised in the Central Luzon region of Angeles City, Philippines.  Maria was the eleventh child of twelve children.  Their family survived the Japanese bombing and village takeover in WWII, with her father being the leader of the area guerrillas, succumbing to his death in 1943.

While attending University in Manila, she first met Kenneth Wayne DePew, USAF, in 1956, falling in love to marry him in Manila in 1959, and had close to 60 years of marriage until his death in 2019.  She became a United States citizen in 1960.  They lived in the Philippines, Germany, and many states of the U.S. before settling in Abilene, Texas for several years, in 1970.  Maria is survived by her children, Eileen McCoy, Shirley Roland (Steven), Grace Russell (William), Roy DePew (Jennifer), Velvet Ogle (Susan), Kenneth DePew (Sandra), and Craig Chesser; grandchildren, Sharon Swabb (Kyle), Leonidas William Swabb, Christopher Tillner (Megan), Corey Tillner (Savannah), Amber Roland (Haley), Autumn Roland (Chase), Caleb Studebaker (Sara), Katerina Cannon (Chandler), Natalia Thompson (Jack), Joseph Russell (Audrey), Jake DePew, Levi DePew (Dezera), Dylan DePew, Jarrod Chesser (Amanda), Dr. Brianna Chesser, Kenneth Riley DePew, Matthew Roberts (Taryn), and Heather Stover (Travis); and great-grandchildren, Caleb Studebaker, Evan Studebaker, Isabel Studebaker, Jacob Russell, John Chesser, Colton Chesser, Madyx Chesser, Leighton Roberts, Lawsyn Roberts, Halston Stover, and Hayes Stover, who will continue her legacy; brother, Primo Cea Bisnar, who resides in the Philippines; along with several nieces, nephews, and their children, who live across the globe.  Maria is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and ten siblings.  She spoke of Ken often and missed him dearly.

She and Kenneth were among the original founders of the Filipino-American Society of Abilene where she held many positions, as well as President, retiring from the Society in 2018.  She worked for Texas Instruments as a Quality Control Supervisor while also raising her children, attending their school events and athletic competitions.  She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for the girls' troops while living in the Philippines and the United States.

Maria lived life appreciating all the beauty in it.  She was a strong Christian, being a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church for the years she lived in Abilene, and recently, a member of New Covenant Church in Lampasas.  She was always grateful for how blessed she was.  She enjoyed singing, dancing, gardening, fishing, bowling, visiting botanical gardens with friends and family, cooking Filipino foods, skillfully playing mahjong and Yahtzee and loved large family get togethers.  She learned to expertly sew while she was young and taught her daughters the joy of sewing.  Known to truly be everyone's sunshine in personality and disposition, Maria will be dearly missed by all who knew her.  She spent her time through the years with her children and their families, doing activities and having many celebrations.  She always showed her love in her special ways, and we will always be reminded of her when we see the good in life.  Maria will forever be the sunshine in our lives and be dearly missed.  She was a beautiful soul inside and out.

Pallbearers will be Roy DePew, Kenneth DePew, Caleb Studebaker, Jarrod Chesser, Joseph Russell, and Kenneth Riley DePew.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel, 201 E 3rd St, in Lampasas at 9:30 a.m., followed by the funeral services at 10:30 a.m.

Private interment and service for Maria will be at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery Pavilion, 11463 SH 195, in Killeen, with her husband, Kenneth, at 1:00 p.m.

The Celebration of Life lunch will be held at New Covenant Church, 1604 Central Texas Expressway, in Lampasas at 2:30 p.m.