MERCEDES CALMBACH KILES, 95, of Fredericksburg, passed away on May 8, 2012. Mercedes is now reunited with her beloved late husband, James H. Kiles, to whom she was married for 53 years.

Mercedes was preceded in death by her daughter Janice Kiles Buehn; her parents Curt Charles Calmbach and Helen DeLallier Calmbach; her brother Alvin Calmbach; and two sisters, Fern Eckersley and Charmain Tracy.

Mercedes is survived by her three grandchildren: Melisa Hehmann of Montrose, Colorado; Monica Johnson and her husband Brian of Charlottesville, Virginia; and Chad Roberts and his wife, Dana of Denver, Colorado; as well as three great grandchildren: Isabel Johnson, Charles Johnson and Connor Roberts.

Mercedes was born on March 25, 1917 in San Antonio, Texas. She was a graduate of Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Texas. After graduation, she was employed by Kelly Air Force Base for 25 years as a Personnel Administration Specialist. She and her husband, James enjoyed visiting Fredericksburg in the 1950s and they moved full-time to their ranch in the Luckenbach area in the late 1960s. Mercedes and Jim managed their ranch for over 40 years using land conservation techniques that have recently become popular among proponents of organic agriculture. Mercedes loved her friends, her church, and most of all her family. She was an avid reader and enjoyed travelling, gardening, flower arrangements and canning. She and her husband spent many years square dancing and as members of their bowling league during their years in San Antonio.

Over her lifetime Mercedes was an active volunteer for many organizations. She was a 50 year member of the Patrons of Husbandry, having served as State Lecturer for many years. She also was a member of the Leon Valley Grange and served as President of the Leon Valley PTA. Mercedes was a long-time member of Memorial Presbyterian Church where she served as an Elder. She was a member of the Fredericksburg Garden Club, a Life Member of the 100 Club of Gillespie County and a Hill Country Memorial Hospice volunteer for many years. She was also a member of Chapter 2111 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees Association where she served as Secretary for many years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Fredericksburg Theatre Company or to Hill County Memorial Hospice.

A viewing will be held at Schaetter Funeral Home on May 17 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at Memorial Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 18 at 10:00 a.m.