Obit of Vance Tahmahkera (t526) - Comanche County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 10 May 2002 Return to Comanche County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/comanche/comanche.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Lawton Constitution May 10, 2002 Vance Tahmahkera CACHE — Funeral for Vance Tahmahkera, 89, Cache, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Pete Coffey Mennonite Brethren Church, Cache, with the Rev. David Allen officiating. Mr. Tahmahkera died Wednesday, May 8, 2002, at his home. Burial with Navy honors will be at Cache Intertribal Cemetery, under direction of Becker Funeral Home. A prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. He was born March 10, 1913, in Cache to Tahmahkera and Werahe Parker (a daughter of Comanche chief Quannah Parker). He was one of the oldest living Comanche Veterans. He married Anna Wockmetooah on June 22, 1934, in Frederick. He graduated from Cache Public Schools and worked at the Kiowa Indian Hospital in various positions. He enlisted in the Navy on Oct. 20, 1942, and was assigned to the 73rd Naval Construction Battalion. His tour of duty included the Pacific Islands. During his military career, he received the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Navy/USC United Commendation Ribbon and several commendation letters. Afterward, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service at Fort Worth, Texas, for 23 years. Upon retirement, he and his wife moved to Cache, where he served as the first housing authority director of the Comanche Tribe. He was involved in Native American cultural events. In November, 2000, he was honored by the Comanche Indian Veterans Association. He was a charter member of Pete Coffey Mennonite Brethren Church. Survivors include his wife, of the home; two grandchildren and their spouses: Marine Staff Sgt. Benny and Bernie Tahmahkera, Yuma, Ariz.; and Cynthia Ann Tahmahkera-Stevens and Dr. Andrew Stevens, Columbia, Mo.; nine great-grandchildren: Joshua, Vance, Linea, Mariana, Nievy and Judd Tahmahkera; and Pierce, Derrick and Parker Ann Stevens; a daughter-in-law, Toni Tahmahkera Seyfarth, Chattanooga; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his son, Benny Tahmahkera; his parents; five brothers; and two sisters. Memorial contributions may be made to Pete Coffey Mennonite Brethren Church, Box 727, Cache 73527. Sympathy cards may be sent to the family at www.beckerfuneral.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Comanche County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/comanche/comanche.html