Waco Memorial Funeral Home, Cemetery & Cremations

03/28/2026

"Can we plan a funeral service with cremation?" Yes.

Cremation gives you flexibility with timing and format, but you can still have a traditional service if that feels right for your family. Some families hold a service with the body present before cremation, while others prefer a memorial after cremation with the urn present. Both are meaningful. We help you plan what honors your loved one best.

03/24/2026

Including children in funeral and memorial rituals can help them process death and loss in a supportive environment. Inviting them to participate, even in small ways, helps them feel connected and provides a sense of closure.

You might encourage children to draw a picture or write a note to place in a casket or at a memorial service. This simple act can give them a meaningful way to express their feelings and say goodbye. We're here to help you find thoughtful ways to include children and teens that feel right for your family.

03/23/2026

Cora Jayne Kimble

Cora Jayne Kimble, of Waco, born May 11, 1970, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her husband and friends she loved so much, Friday, March 20, 2026.

Cora always said that she didn't want a room full of long faces and people crying; she wanted a room full of people who remembered her for the person she was, as she kept to the motto, "Live, Laugh, and Love".

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Waco Memorial Funeral Home.

Cora was born in Tucson, AZ, and resided in the Waco, TX area for the remainder of her life, where she became well known and loved by many. Her caring, stubborn, and at times sarcastic personality, combined with her humor and natural ability to connect with people, made her the problem solver she was.

Cora was a Property Manager and Realtor. Her true passion was being a volunteer for 15 years at the H.O.T. Fair and Rodeo, where she was on various committees, such as the South 40 Expo, Livestock Greeter Committee, and with the Kid Zone Committee, where she played her favorite role as a rodeo clown for the outside Mutton Bustin' event.

Cora's greatest joy was her grandbabies, and to them she was known as "Coco". She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved fiercely and without reservation. She is survived by her husband of 10 years, Joey Kimble; her son, Shayne Nardell; her daughter, Brooke Burgess; her son, Justin Goldsmith; and her grandchildren, Leonardo, Alurianna, Gerald, Brooklyn, and Robert. She is also survived by her brother, Mike Houston; brother, John Houston; and many extended family members, friends, and loved ones who will forever carry her memory.

View Cora Jayne Kimble's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/23/2026

Jeremy Clayton Rainer

Jeremy Clayton Rainer was born on August 25, 1977, in Waco, Texas, and passed away on March 22, 2026, after an unexpected battle with brain cancer. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend whose life was marked by love, perseverance, and kindness.

Jeremy shared 28 years of marriage with his wife, Jeri Rainer, whom he met in high school and married in 1997. He is survived by his wife; daughters, Daisy Lynn Littleton and son-in-law, Colton Littleton and Crystal Hope Rainer; along with his siblings, extended family, and many loved ones.

Known for his intelligence, affection, and love of animals, Jeremy enjoyed music, comedy, and caring for his home - especially his meticulously kept front lawn. He spent 24 years building a successful career with Auto-Chlor Systems in Waco, rising from route work to branch manager, a journey that transformed his family's life and created lasting bonds with colleagues he considered family.

Jeremy will be remembered for his warmth, dedication to his family, strong work ethic, and the simple joys he cherished each day. His life was celebrated and honored by those who knew and loved him.

View Jeremy Clayton Rainer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/21/2026

When you notice something wonderful about someone, tell them. Your words today could stay with them for years. Grief isolates people even when they're surrounded by others, and a genuine compliment or shared memory brings unexpected comfort.

Offer a kind word or simply be present without trying to fix anything. Someone in your life needs to hear something good about themselves today.

03/20/2026

We’re proud to support such a great organization!

Thank you to to all of our Silver Sponsorships! The HOTDSN Walk is made successful by the generosity of sponsors like you! Don't miss out on all the fun! There's still time to register to join us on Saturday, March 21st. Get your tickets here -

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/12th-annual-heart-of-texas-down-syndrome-walk

03/20/2026

Loraine Fredaline Rahenkamp

Loraine Fredaline Rahenkamp (Howk) born on September 4, 1932, in Liberal, Kansas, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2026, in Red Oak, Texas. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose life was a testament to family, generosity, and community.

Loraine spent her early years attending schools in Kansas. In 1968, she moved to Waco, Texas, where she would establish deep roots. She and her husband, Donald Rawley Rahenkamp, opened Don's Bang-Aid Body Shop in Robinson in 1979—a business they lovingly operated until its closure in 1996, shortly before Don's passing.

A woman of profound kindness and charity, Loraine was all about family. She spent her days caring for her loved ones and extending a helping hand to others in need. Formerly, she was a member of Calvary Assembly of God Church, where her faith and commitment to community further underscored her gracious spirit.

After Don's death, Loraine remained in Waco for six years before relocating to be closer to her children and grandchildren, cherishing every moment of her extended family’s presence. She is survived by her daughters, Donnita Herbert and her husband, Chip, and Bonnie Steward; and her son, Kelly Rahenkamp, and his wife, Kellie. Her legacy continues through her treasured grandchildren, Nick, Bobby Jr. and his wife Amanda, Lori and her husband Juan, Amber, Taylor and her husband Andrew, and Alicia and her fiancé Michael. Loraine was also blessed with beloved great-grandchildren: Apollo, Neptune, Gnaius, Isco, Isabella, Summer, and Copelynn, who brought immense joy to her later years.

Loraine was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Walter Howk and Bonnie Bell Deshazo Howk; her husband, Donald Rawley Rahenkamp; as well as her siblings and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on March 26, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Waco Memorial Funeral Home. A time of fellowship and sharing of memories will follow from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the same location, offering family and friends an opportunity to celebrate Loraine’s life together. Burial will take place at Waco Memorial Park.

View Loriane Rahenkamp's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/20/2026

We invite our community to explore HeartLight Center's Facing the Mourning 4-Week Support Group. This program was designed to implement evidence-based practices that have been effective in reducing the symptoms that accompany grief. To learn more and register for the upcoming 4-week virtual support group, please visit (Type )’s website at https://heartlightcenter.org/events/ftm-virtual-april2026/

03/18/2026

Have you considered what decisions you'd face if someone close to you died?

When someone dies, families face phone calls that need to happen right away and decisions that simply can't wait. Most people have never navigated this process before, which adds confusion to an already overwhelming time.

Figuring out what documents you need (we'll help gather them) or wondering whether the funeral home handles death certificates (we do) aren't questions you or your family may naturally know the answers to.

That's exactly why we're here to guide you and your family through every step, handling the logistics so you can focus on what matters most during those difficult first days.

You won’t have to figure this out alone, because we’ll be there to help you navigate it all.

03/17/2026

Samantha Margi Lugo-Principe (Riggins)

Samantha Margi (Riggins) Lugo-Principe, age 54, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026, at The University Medical Center of El Paso.

A devoted mother, sister, aunt, and friend, Samantha’s life was defined by her unwavering dedication to those she loved. She found her greatest joy in the simple pleasures of life: a profound love for music, singing, and dancing, and a deep appreciation for nature and gardening. She also cherished traveling to new destinations and creating memories in the kitchen through her passion for cooking.

Her children will forever cherish her as their most loyal supporter. Samantha never missed a moment—from cheering at games and track meets to attending concerts and assisting with fundraisers. She believed no milestone was too small to celebrate and was a constant, loving presence in every chapter of their lives. She leaves behind a legacy of faith and affection, famously concluding every phone call or goodbye with her signature blessing: "I love you, and God bless you."

Samantha was preceded in death by her father, Cedro Riggins Jr., her sister, Jeannette Fernandez, and nephews, Avery Cruz Fernandez and Adam Rudy Riggins.

Her memory will be kept alive by her son, Jonathan Mendez; her daughter, Zamyra Lugo-Principe; and her mother, Guadalupe Garcia, and stepfather, Faustino Hernandez. Her brothers also survive her: Cedro Riggins III and wife Debbie, Tony Fernandez, and Vincent Fernandez and wife Nicole; her sister, Melissa Ortiz; numerous beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; and her precious "fuzzy companions," Zoey and Gizmo.

A visitation to celebrate Samantha’s life will be held at 1:00 pm. and service at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, March 25th, at Waco Memorial Funeral Home.

View Samatha Margie Lugo-Principe (Riggins)'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/16/2026

Juan Adrian Gonzalez

Juan Adrian Gonzalez, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the age of 78. He was born on August 12, 1947, in McAllen, Texas, to Mariano Gonzalez and Manuela Rivera.

Juan’s greatest joy in life was his family—especially his grandchildren, who were the light of his world. His deep love for his wife, Marina Guerrero De Gonzalez, was evident to all who knew them. Together, they shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and memories, including many years working side by side at Piccadilly, where Juan proudly served as head chef.

He was a man who found happiness in life’s simple pleasures—sitting in his backyard listening to the oldies, watching westerns, and enjoying Godzilla movies with his grandson Jayden. Known for his resourcefulness, Juan could fix just about anything with a little super glue. He loved family barbecues, playing his guitar, and dancing with those he loved most.

Juan was preceded in death by his parents, Mariano and Manuela Gonzalez; his brothers, Eddy and Joe Gonzalez; his sister, Antia; and his brother-in-law, Luis Gutierrez.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Marina Guerrero De Gonzalez; his sister, Alicia Gonzalez; his son, Adrian Gonzalez; his daughter and son-in-law, Susana and Matthew Strother; and his cherished grandchildren—Romeo Robert Gonzalez, Alexandria Irene Serrano, Jayden Ray Gonzalez, Madilyne Alyene Strother, Judy Rose Marina Strother, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service celebrating Juan’s life will be held at Waco Memorial Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Cary Killough officiating.

Juan will be remembered for his warmth, humor, and unwavering love for his family—a man whose legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

View Juan A. Gonzalez's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/15/2026

"Can we place personal items in the casket?" Yes, and it can be a beautiful way to add meaning.

Families often place letters, photos, rosaries, books, or hobby items that mattered most, and we’ve seen grandchildren’s notes tucked inside along with golf clubs carried by loved ones who never missed a round. These personal touches are welcome, and they often bring peace to the family. If you’re wondering about something specific, ask us and we’ll guide you.