Obits: The Kingfisher Times & Free Press, January, 2003, Kingfisher County, OK Copyright 2003: The Kingfisher Times & Free Press This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Claudia: moonglow4th@yahoo.com Thanks to http://www.kingfisherpress.net/ for permission to upload their obits. Return to Kingfisher County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/kingfisher/kingfisher.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== Wednesday, January 1, 2003 {{Photo}} Katie Cleo Major: M260 Katie Cleo Major, 94, of Kingfisher died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at Country Wood Manor in Kingfisher. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Kingfisher with Rev. Darryl Owen officiating. Burial followed in the Kingfisher Cemetery. She was born Jan. 26, 1908, in Altona to Clide and Katie Hudson. She resided in the Altona, Loyal and Kingfisher area most of her life. She married Owen O. Major on Dec. 3, 1932. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kingfisher, the Order of the Eastern Star for 53 years and the Loyal Home Demonstration Club. Survivors include one son, Owen H. Major and wife Louann of Kingfisher; one daughter, Shirley Fritzler and husband Dale of Two Buttes, Colo.; two brothers, Al Hudson and wife Nell of Kingfisher and Max Hudson and wife Evelyn of Shawnee; three sisters, Virginia Girdley of Ada, Joy Smith of Soquel, Calif, and Catherine Taylor of Poteau; one brother-in-law, Gilbert Major and wife Mary of Kingfisher; one sister-in-law, Erma Polsley of Littleton, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, and 11 great- great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and five brothers. ---------- Mildred Jean Sturgeon: S362 Mildred Jean "Midge" Sturgeon, 73, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at St. Mary's Regional Hospital in Enid. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Terry Bunch officiating. Burial followed at Cimarron Valley Cemetery, under direction of Cordry-Gritz Funeral Home of Hennessey. She was born Jan. 15, 1929, in Wandall to Homer and Mary Kathryn Murphy Craddock. She married jack Sturgeon in Hennessey of May 5, 1948. She graduated from Hennessey High School in 1947. She was a farm wife and homemaker. In 1973, she was employed for the Rodman Company, she worked at the Lacy Store until it closed in 1991, the Fairview Sale Barn until 2001 and most recently was employed at the Dollar General Store in Hennessey. She servced as queen of the Hennessey Whisker Club in 1947. She and her family were involved in some aspect of the horse industry all her life. She was a volunteer at Dover Elementary School for 11 years and was a member of the First Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband jack; two daughters, Cathy Howard and Nora Sturgeon; one son, Tom Sturgeon and wife Shelly, all of Hennessey, and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters. ---------- James E. Elling: E452 James E. Elling, 56, of Cashion died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City. A graveside service was held Monday at Cashion Cemetery with Rev. Jerry Sullaway officiating. Burial was under direction of Smith Funeral Home in Guthrie. He was born Aug. 15, 1946, in Guthrie to LaRoay and Ruth Elling. ********** Sunday, January 5, 2002 Ronald Coy Jackson: J250 Ronald Coy Jackson, 57, or Cordell, formerly of Watonga, died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002. Funeral services were set for 10 a.m. Saturday, at the First Assembly of God Church in Watonga, with Rev. David Wiggins officiating. Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery in Watonga, under direction of Wilkinson Mortuary of Watonga. He was born Aug. 8, 1945, at Watonga to Cecil and Helen Collier Jackson. He attended Watonga schools. He joined the U.S. Army in 1963, and was discharged in 1966. He was employed as a service technician, salesman, tool pusher and truck driver. His hobbies were hunting and fishing. Survivors include two sons, Ronald David Jackson of Maypearl, Texas, and Nick Alan Jackson of Kansas; one daughter, Kay Jackson of Lonewolf; one brother, Doug Jackson of Watonga; one sister, Phyllis Smith of Okarche, and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. ---------- Patrick Adam Thomas: T520 Patrick Adam Thomas, 54, of Guthrie died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at Enid. A graveside service was held Friday in the Kingfisher Cemetery, under direction of Abernathy Funeral Home of Crescent. He was born Dec. 14, 1948, in California to George and Edna Hunt Thomas. He married Frances Stout on April 13, 1994, in Guthrie. Survivors include his wife, Frances of the home; four daughters, Kenna Davis of Oklahoma City, Trisha Thomas of Kingfisher, and Geneva Thomas and Michelle Thomas, both of California; one son, Patrick Thomas Jr. of California; two brothers, Bill Thomas of Lawton and Dennis Thomas of Guthrie, and 15 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Tara Thomas. ----- Jim Dale Drye: D600 Jim Dale Drye, 73, of Crescent died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003. Funeral services were set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Crescent. He was born Feb. 21, 1929, at Crescent to Wallace and Dovie Drye. He married Marymarie Scott on Jan. 2, 1949. Survivors include his wife, Marymarie; four daughters, Angela Majka of Yukon, Debra Hermanson of Edmond, and Patricia Coker and Paula Yearby, both of Guthrie; two sisters, Nellie Mildred Pharris of Golden, Colo., and Ila Fay Broyles of Crescent; one brother, Victor Drye of Crescent; 12 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. ---------- Shelia Dian Johnson: J525 Shelia Dian Johnson, 51, of Crescent died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002, in Oklahoma City. Funeral services were held Friday at the First Baptist Church in Crescent with Rev. Gerald Biswell officiating. Burial followed in teh Oakland- Knowles Cemetery, under direction of Abernathy Funeral Home of Crescent. She was born Dec. 13, 1951, in Oklahoma City to Carl Wayne and Anna Mary Travis Dickerson. Survivors include her father; two daughters, Misti Stover of Crescent and Raina Johnson of Oklahoma City; one son, Justin Johnson of Crescent; two brothers, Dean Dickerson of Crescent and Don Dickerson of Ponca City, and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother. ---------- Richard Wallace Sain: S500 Richard Wallace Sain, 80, of Kingfisher died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003, at Kingfisher Regional Hospital. Funeral services were set for 1 p.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Kingfisher with Rev. Darryl Owen officiating. Burial will follow in Kingfisher Cemetery. He was born Oct. 30, 1922, in Kingfisher to Jay and Helen Sain. He married Margie Long on Oct. 19, 1946, in Purcell. He was a graduate of Kingfisher High School and served in the Coast Guard for four years. He was a veteran of WWII. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, American Legion Post, Cattleman's Association, VFW and Elks Ledge 2416. Survivors include four daughters, Sheila Nail and husband Gary and Cindy Brooks and husband Mike, both of Kingfisher, Marcelia Wolf of Tyler, Texas, and Terri Strabo of Alguana Niguel, Calif.; one son, Clay Sain of Kingfisher; one brother, John Sain of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Jeanette Sain of Corsicana, Texas, and Frances Little of Kingfisher; seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister. ---------- Seth Matthew Kester: K236 Seth Matthew Kester, infant son of Kevin and Angela Gulikers Kester, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, in Oklahoma City. A graveside service was held Monday, Dec. 30, in Kingfisher Cemetery, under direction of Beggerley-South Funeral Home of Oklahoma City. He was born Dec. 24, 2002, at Integris Baptist Medical Center. Survivors include his parents; one brother, Caleb William Kester, and one sister, Olivia Nicole Kester. ---------- Minnie Opal Alexander: A425 Minnie Opal Alexander, 89, of Loyal died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002, at Cimarron Nursing Center in Kingfisher. Funeral services were held Thursday in the Peace United Church of Christ in Loyal with Rev. Leon Seaton officiating. Burial followed in Forest Home Cemetery. She was born Nov. 2, 1913, in Savoy, Texas, to Walter and Dora Rubarts. She married Andrew T. Alexander on Oct. 6, 1935, in Durant. They moved to Loyal in 1986. She was employed as a cook. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Farmington, N.M. Survivors nclude one daughter, Alice Wahling of Loyal; three sons, Scott of Loyal, Roy of Grand Junction, Colo., and Walter of Casper, Wyo.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and two great-great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, one son, two brothers, one sister and one grandson. ---------- Norma Louvella Schwartz: S632 Norma Louvella "Dolly" Schwartz, age 74, passed away Jan. 2, 2002, in Kingfisher, OK. She was born March 15, 1928, to Jacob and Esther C. Goodman in Pond Creek, OK. Dolly married William H. "Bill" Schwartz on June 15, 1946, in Hennessey, OK. Dolly and Bill raised their four children in Hennessey and Crescent before making their last move to Kingfisher in 1964. Her loves were her family, her pet birds and fish. Life's free spirit and the metaphysical were her interests. She enjoyed years of volunteering with the Shaffenberg Center and music programs, as well as at local nursing homes. She is survived by son Mike and wife Tally of Yukon, OK; son Patrick and wife Shirley of Yukon, OK; daughter Paula Oxner of Madison Heights, VA; daughter Ruthie and husband Gary Rahmlow of Kansas City, MO; brother Elmer Goodman of Enid, OK; sister Betty Lou Hignite of Enid, OK; sister Patsey Etta Carpenter of Clearwater, KS; seven grandchildren, Tatia, Lynda, Colby, J.C., Megan, Savannah and Galen, and three great-grandchildren, Tanner, Cheyenne and McKay. She is preceded in death by her husband W.H. "Bill" Schwartz; her parents; one sister, and six brothers. The family will be receiving those who wish to honor Dolly's memory on Jan. 4th from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. at her home, 215 W. Overstreet Ave. in Kingfisher. ********** Wednesday, January 8, 2003 Gilman Sylvester Dunlap: D541 Gilman Sylvester Dunlap, 64, of Wellington, Kan., formerly of Kingfisher, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003, at his home. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Day Funeral Home Chapel in Wellington with Pastors Marlon Schiffman and Rick Wood officiating. A graveside service, with full military honors, was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Kingfisher Cemetery. He was born Oct. 15, 1938, in Pindall, Ark., to Samuel Arthur and Dora Mildred McCombs Dunlap. He married Charlotte S. Reynolds on Oct. 4, 1963, in Harrison, Ark. He was a retired construction worker. Survivors include his wife, Charlotte of the home; two daughters, Cynthia Dunlap-Tajchman and husband Dale of Marion, Kan., and Shannon Dunlap-Wilt and husband Roger of Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; three stepsons, Rick Tatman and wife Angel of Topeka, Kan., Rusty Tatum and wife Donna of Dallas, Texas, and Ronnie Tatman of Berryville, Ark.; three sisters, Leota Johnson and husband Shad of Enid, Imogene Haskins and husband Ray of Enid and Millie Richardson and husband Gene of Berryville; one stepsister, Sylvia Beverage of Pottsville, Ark.; 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Albert Goldsmith. ---------- Emma Rose Zelnicek: Z452 Emma Rose Zelnicek, 93, of Hennessey died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, at Hennessey Care Center. Reading of the Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, at the church with Rev. Mark Mason officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, under direction of Cordry-Gritz Funeral Home of Hennessey. She was born Oct. 12, 1909, on a farm east of Bison to John and Mary Fuksa Gabriel. She married Louis H. Zelnicek in Bison on Nov. 24, 1931. They lived north of Hennessey. She was a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church and St. Joseph's Altar Society. Survivors include one son, Eugene T. Zelnicek Sr. and wife Paula; one daughter, Emma Koehn and husband Harry, all of Hennessey; four grandchildren; two setp- grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and one sister. ---------- Dorothy Day Clark: C462 Dorothy Day Clark, 90, of Duncan, mother of Kingfisher resident Cy Clark, died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, at Duncan Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel in Duncan with Randy Southerland officiating. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens at Duncan. She was born Feb. 10, 1912, at Nocona, Texas, to Frank and Winnie Mae Cole Aubrey. She married Clyde B. Clark on Jan. 26, 1937, at Lyons, Kan. He preceded her in death on Jan. 25, 1997. She was formerly of Kingfisher and was a homemaker and worked as a clerk at a local drug store. She was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church. Survivors include one son, Cy Clark and wife Cindy of Kingfisher; three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, one half-brother, Weldon Aubrey, and one half-sister, Helen Niblett. ********** Sunday, January 12, 2003 Marie D. Lietzke Pringle: P652 Word has been received of the death of Marie D. Lietzke Pringle, 78, of Sugar Land, Texas, formerly of Kingfisher. She died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. A memorial service was held Sunday, Dec. 22, in the Settegast-Kopf Chapel in Sugar Land. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, in Kingfisher Cemetery. She was born Dec. 31, 1924, in Kingfisher to Fredrich and Frieda Lietzke. Survivors include one daughter, Kandee McGill and husband Terry of Sugar Land; one son, Steve Pringle and wife Liz of Sugar Land; one sister, Stella Johnson and husband J.H. of Espanola, New Mexico; her twin brother, Milton Lietzke and wife Norlyn of Oklahoma City, and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, Irma Barlow, Mona Roskie, Lottie Lietzke and Ruth Burts, and three brothers, Ted, Fritz and Bud Lietzke. ---------- Minnie Irene Johnston: J523 Minnie Irene Johnston, 91, of Warrensburg, Mo., formerly of Crescent, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, in Warrensburg. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Scott Johnston officiating. Burial followed in the Crescent Cemetery, under direction of Abernathy Funeral Home of Crescent. She was born May 4, 1911, in Logan County to Martin and Bessie May Kuver Williams. She married Garland Johnston in 1929. He preceded her in death on Oct. 4, 1969. Survivors include three daughters, Della Hennes of Warrensburg, Lorene Vaughan of New Orleans, La., and LaDonna Page of Edmond; three sons, Frank Johnston of Abilene, Texas, LeRoy Johnston of El Paso, Texas, and Larry Johnston of Crescent; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. ---------- C.L. 'Pete' Rivers: R162 Word has been received of the death of C.L. "Pete" Rivers of Napa, Calif., brother-in-law of Kingfisher resident Gladys Rivers. he died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, at Claffey and Rota Funeral Home with Rev. Erwin Bollinger, Pastor Emeritus of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. He was born Dec. 13, 1916, in Geary. He married his wife, Marie, on Jan. 31, 1946, in San Francisco, Calif. He graduated from Kingfisher High School in 1936. He attended Oklahoma A&M College on an athletic scholarship. He completed his bachelor of science degree in 1941. He later earned a master's degree in education. In the fall of 1940, he played professional football in the old American League in New York City for the Long Island Indians. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. He was employed as a teacher and coach in Kingfisher. In 1950, he was hired by the Napa Unified School District, where he taught and coached until his retirement in the spring of 1981. He was inducted into the Kingfisher High School of Fame, Jim Thorpe Hall of Fame, Oklahoma A&M Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame and the Napa High School Hall of Fame. He was selected as the half-back of the 1930's Oklahoma Team of the Decade. He was a member of the Napa Valley Branch No. 65 Sons in Retirement and the Napa Valley Retired Teachers Association. Survivors include his wife, Marie; two sons, Ray Rivers of Texas and Don Rivers and wife Caryn of Middletown, Calif.; one sister, Faye Morris; two sisters-in-law, Gladys Rivers of Kingfisher and Laura Rivers of Oklahoma City, and three grandchildren. ---------- Caleb William Kester: K236 Caleb William Kester, infant son of Kevin and Angela Kester of Yukon, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2003, in Oklahoma City. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Kingfisher Cemetery with Pastor Ervin Donaldson officiating. He was born Dec. 24, 2002, at Oklahoma City. Survivors include his parents; one sister, Olivia Nichole Kester, and grandparents, Mary Carolyn Kester and Irene and Leo Gulikers. He was preceded in death by one brother, Seth Matthew. ---------- DeLores A. Bates: B320 Funeral services for DeLores A. Bates, 83, of Enid were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, at Ladusau-Evans Chapel with Rev. Gary Hendrickson officiating. Burial followed in Memorial Park Cemetery, under direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. She was born Aug. 16, 1919, in Okarche to William C. and Hattie Maass WoJahn and passed away Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002, at St. Mary's Health Center. She attended St. John's Lutheran Church School in Okarche through the fifth grade. The family moved to North Enid in 1930. She attended North Enid School through the ninth grade, graduating from Enid High School Class of 1937. She assisted her parents in their cafe. Then during World War II worked at Cessna Aircraft in Wichita, Kan. She later worked at Enid Army Airfield. They moved to Los Angeles, Calif., in October of 1945, and worked for Security National Bank of Los Angeles. She married Dr. Howard I. Bates on May 29, 1947, in Grace Lutheran Church of Los Angeles, Calif. They lived in Brownwood, Texas then moved to Enid where she worked at Sears Roebuck & Company for seven years. She later assisted her husband in his office. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and of the American Legion Auxiliary. Survivors are her brother, Harold WoJahn and wife Mary of Cape Canaveral, Fla.; nieces, Deanne Thorp and husband Otho of Helena, Okla., Judy Guinn of Melbourne, Fla., and Patricia Plank and husband Larry of Winter Park, Fla.; nephew, William WoJahn and wife Christy of Rockledge, Fla.; sister-in-law, Marjorie Brown of Bethany, Okla.; brother-in-law, Charles Bates and wife Ann of Edmond, Okla.; and many great-nieces and nephews. Her husband, parents and one brother preceded her in death. Memorials may be made through the funeral home to Trinity Lutheran Church. Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home P.O. Box 3501 Enid, OK 73702 ********** Wednesday, January 15, 2003 Blanche Mildred Kite: K300 Blanche Mildred Kite, 96, of Crescent died Friday, Jan., 10, 2003, in Crescent. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, in the First Christian Church in Crescent with Pastor Keith Gordon officiating. Burial will follow in Crescent Cemetery, under direction of Abernathy Funeral Home in Crescent. She was born May 31, 1906, in Ness County, Kan. to Elmer and Minnie Long Swank. She married John Kite in 1981 in Crescent. He preceded her in death. She was a graduate of Crescent High School. She attended Teachers College in Edmond and then taught in a one room school house. She lived in California several years before returning to Crescent in 1971. She was employed as a nurse until she retired at the age of 75. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Crescent. Survivors include one daughter, Norma June Mills Bewley of Kalispell, Mont.; one sister, Carrie Swank Perkins of Crescent; five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, Clyd Mills and John Kite, two sisters, Viola Kuver and Lena Bradley, and two brothers, Clarence Swank and Gerald Swank. ---------- Henry Keele: K400 Henry Keele, 76, of Crescent died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003, at the Crescent Nursing Center. Funeral services was set for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Abernathy Funeral Home Chapel in Crescent with Rev. Roger Pitt officiating. Burial will follow in Crescent Cemetery, under direction of Abernathy Funeral Home of Crescent. He was born April 21, 1926, in Crescent to George R. and Rosa Poarch Keele. He married Lauretta Gardner on Dec. 21, 1951, in Perry. He was a 1948 graduate of Crescent High School. He was a WWII veteran serving in the Navy. He owned a service station in Crescent for over 20 years. He was a member of the Territorial Model A Club, the American Legion of Crescent and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include his twin daughters, Vicki Keele Nealis and husband Robert of Crescent and Nicki Keele of Crescent and Tulsa; two sisters-in-law, Beulah Hewitt of Crescent and Flo Keele of Sweetwater, Tenn.; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Logan and Virginia Gray of Buckeye, Ariz., and two grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife. ********** Sunday, January 19, 2003 Elma Cordelia Choate: C300 Elma Cordelia Choate, 64, longtime resident of the Lacy community, died Wednesday,Jan. 15, 2003, at Hennessey Care Center. Funeral services were set for 2 p.m. Saturday at 132 Bible Church with Pastor L.D. Choate officiating. Burial will follow in Hennessey Cemetery, under direction of Cordry-Gritz Funeral Home of Hennessey. She was born Sept. 22, 1938, in Buffalo to Alfred and Bessie Kimbrough Ashlock. She married Donald R. Choate on Oct. 28, 1957, in Laverne. She attended school in Buffalo. Survivors include one son, Justin Choate and wife Debra of Hennessey; two sisters, Barbara Yound of Tyrone and Georgia McNabb of Sublette, Kan.; two brothers, Dean Ashlock of Hennessey and Dennis Asklock of Yukon, and two granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her paretns, one grandson, three brothers and two sisters. ---------- {{Photo}} Helen Marie Hanner: H560 Word has been received of the death of Helen Marie Hanner, 74, of Oklahoma City. She died Tuesday, Jan. 7, in Oklahoma City. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 11, in the Brown-Dugger Funeral Home Chapel in Perry with Rev. Buddy Hunt officiating. Burial followed at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry. She was born April 25, 1928, in Blackwell to John and Minnie Soulek Curran. She married Max Henry Johnson on Dec. 31, 1947, in Stillwater. He preceded her in death death on May 2, 1980. She married Floyd Ray Haner on April 21, 1984, in Kingfisher. He preceded her in death on Nov. 28, 1996. She attended Stillwater High School. She was employed as a computer peripherals inspector for Seagate Corporation in Oklahoma City until retiring in 1997. She was affiliated with the Church of Christ and a member of the Elks Lodge in Kingfisher. Survivors include two sons, Max L. Johnson of Wichita, Kan., and David L. Johnson of Oklahoma City; three daughters, Charmi A. Arguello of Oklahoma City; Stephanie A. Choate of Hennessey and Carol L. Beecher of Kingfisher; one brother, John Curran of Hennessey; three sisters, Rose Hamblin of Durant, and Shirley Hodge and Janice Emmons, both of Perry; 12 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by both husbands, and her parents. ---------- Rita Fern Busby: B210 Rita Fern Busby, 73, of Hennessey, formerly of the Blackwell-Braman area, died Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003, in Blackwell. Funeral services were held Friday at Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with Rev. David Lyons officiating. Burial followed in Braman Cemetery, under direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home of Blackwell. She was born Aug. 19, 1929, in Blackwell to Aubrey Owen and Lela Fern Vaughn Shurtz. She married Delmer Eugene Busby on June 14, 1947. She was a 1947 graduate of Braman High School. She was employed as a secretary for Pool Well Service until she retired in 1991. She was a member of the Free Methodist Church in Enid. Survivors include one daughter, Linda Kay Rackliff and husband Scott of Gladewater, Texas; three sons, Donald Gene Busby of Oklahoma City, Ronald Dean Busby and wife Teri of Enid and Russell Lee Busby and wife Josie of Ponca City; two sisters, Mary Cheney and husband Kenneth of Perry and Zetta Blay and husband Will of Blackwell; 10 grandchildren, and 11 great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. ---------- Curtis E. Judkins: J325 Curtis E. Judkins, 62, of Hennessey died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003, at his home. Funeral services were set for 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Hennessey with David Jones officating. Burial will follow at Hayward Cemetery, under direction of Cordy-Gritz Funeral Home of Hennessey. He was born Sept. 28, 1940, in Meridian to Onan Gifford and Hazel Evelyn Neidy Judkins. He married Earleen Avery of Dec. 7, 1967, in Enid. He was employed in the oilfiled as a pusher for URC Drilling, before opening Judkins Truck and Auto Repair in Hennessey in 1985. Survivors include his wife, Earleen of the home; two daughters, Yvonne Raines of Flippin, Ark., and Rochelle Brinkman of Hennessey; one son, Eugene "Gene" Judkins of Fayetteville, Ark.; two brothers, Max Judkins of Vacaville, Calif., and Alan Judkins of Oklahoma City; three sisters, Lorrayne Bell and Anne Bucher, both of Tucumcari, N.M., and Jean Akin of Illinois, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, one sister and one son. ********** Wednesday, January 22, 2003 {{Photo}} Edna Hoffman Bowman: B550 Edna Amanda Hoffman Bowman, 95, was born on the family farm Dec. 5, 1907, in Kingfisher, OK to Adolph G. and Josephine S. Hoffman. She died in Kingfisher on Jan. 19, 2003. She was extremely proud that she was born the year of Oklahoma statehood. There is no way to measure the contributions Edna made to Kingfisher and to the state of Oklahoma, which she dearly loved. Edna attended Union Hall, a one-room rural school and graduated from Kingfisher High School in 1924. In 1990, she was inducted to the Kingfisher Hall of Fame. Edna attended Oklahoma City University until 1926 and continued her education at the University of Oklahoma and Columbia University in new York where she received English bachelor and masters degrees, respectfully. She received an honorary Doctor of Human Letters from OCU in 1978. From 1928-1940, she taught English, speech and German and was a school sponsor at Newkirk Schools. She was a member and active alumna of Alpha Chi Omega serving as educational director at OU in 1934-35. In 1945, she was State Chairman. She married George Lynn Bowman, attorney, OU Regent and Oklahoma State Senator, on July 25, 1940, and resided in the Bowman House, built in 1889, and inhabited by the Bowman family since 1910. George was an early director for the Oklahoma Historical Society. After his death in 1957, she was named to serve on the board. Edna was a lifetime member and was on teh baord 33 years (1957-1990), the longest term of any Historical Society board member. Edna served offices in the American Revolutionary Bicentennial Authority of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Bicentennial, Kingfisher County Historical Society, Oklahoma Ohoyohoma Club (an organization for wives of Oklahoma legislators), American Red Cross camp and hospital service council. She was a founder of the Chisholm Trail Museum. She was a member of P.E.O., Kingfisher Chapter Y, serving in all offices. In 1962-53, she was P.E.O. state president. She served three decades or more on the board of directors of the Oklahoma Heritage Association. In 1970, she was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Kingfisher. Edna is survived by two nieces, maxine Robberts Fisher, Irvine, CA and Georgia Garrett Vaughn, Oklahoma City, OK.; and Aline Garrett, wife of a deceased nephew, Richard William Garrett. She has many great and great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two sisters, Ethel Victorial Hoffman Robberts and Elba Josephine Hoffman Garrett, and her nephew, Richard William Garrett. Contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Kingfisher, the Edna Hoffman Bowman Endowed Music Scholarship at Oklahoma City University, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Heritage Association, and/or the Oklahoma Historical Society. Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Kingfisher on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Kingfisher Cemetery. ---------- Carl Ben Abercrombie: A162 Carl Ben Abercrombie, 78, of Crescent, died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, at Ghthrie. Funeral services were held Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Crescent with Rev. Gerald Biswell officiating. Burial followed at Mound Valley Cemetery in Thomas, under direction of Abernathy Funeral Home of Crescent. He was born April 28, 1924, in Thomas to Harvey and May Abercrombie. He was a 1942 graduate of Thomas High School. He served in the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor. He played in the U.S. Navy band for three years. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor of music education degree. He then achieved his master's degree at West Texas State University. He taught for 35 years at various levels of education, from college though grade school. He served as president of the Colorado Bandmasters' Assocation. Surivvors include is wife, Willa Mae; one son, Roger Abercrombie; one daughter, Janet Fisher and husband William; one sister, Glenda Eisenhour, and three granddaughters. He was preceded in his death by his parents, and two sisters, Mrs. Ossie Conklin and Ethyl Christensen. --------- Wesley Wilson: W425 Wesley Wilson, 84, of Hennessey died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003. Funeral services were held Monday at the First Baptist Church in Hennessey with Revs. Terry Bunch, Alfaro Orozco and Danny Marney officiating. Burial followed at Parvin Cemetery, under direction of Cordry-Gritz Funeral Home of Hennessey. He was born June 24, 1918, southeast of Okeene to Albert and Alda Wilson. He married Mary Ellen White on Sept. 18, 1939. He graduated from Homestead High School. In January 1955, they moved to a farm west of Hennessey where they farmed until moving into Hennessey into 1976. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hennessey, where he served as a deacon. Survivors include his wife, Mary of the home; three sons, Jim Wilson and wife Julia of Hennessey, Jerry Wilson and wife Norma of Vermillion, S.D., and Paul Wilson and wife Wendy of Eugene, Ore.; one daughter, Ruth Craig and husband Mike of Shawnee; two sisters, Florene Bunch and husband Virgil and Leola Boyd, all of Okeene; nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Gerald and Harold. --------- Olive Mary Gammon: G550 Olive Mary Gammon, 88, of Hennessey, died Monday, Jan. 20, 2003 at Hennessey Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Christian Church in Dover with Rev. David Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Hennessey Cemetery, under direction of Cordry-Gritz Funeral Home of Hennessey. She was born Dec. 19, 1914, in jet to McClellan and Nettie Dunsworth Brown. She married Lloyd E. Gammon in Cherokee on July 16, 1933. They moved to a farm east of Dover in August 1943. They farmed and operated a dairy. Surviviors include her husband, Lloyd of the home; three sons, Lloyd Derrell Gammon and wife Yvonne of Oklahoma City, Dennis Ray Gammon and wife Joyce of Bethany and Ronald L. Gammon and wife Jacquie of Yukon; two sisters, Lola Dixon of Cherokee and Evelyn Stovall of Livingston, mont.; 13 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, one sister and two grandchildren. ********** Sunday, January 26, 2003 Mary Lucille Parker: P626 Mary Lucille "Lucy" Parker, 67, of Hennesse died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003. A memorial service was held Friday at the 132 Bible Church in Lacey. She was born May 24, 1935, to James and Mary Wolfe. She married Robert Parker on Aug. 23, 1960. Survivors include two sons, Tommy and Jeffrey; six daughters, Debora and John Osmus, Clara and Dwane Kuehl, Connie Parker, Carla and Tony Briix and Lahonda and Scott Mewherter, all of Hennessey, and Robin and Victor Choate of Enid; foru sisters, Mae, Maude, Myrtle and Martha; two brothers, James and Aubrey; 12 grandchildren, and six great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, four brothers, one sister and two grandsons. ---------- Herbert Henry Grassmann: G625 Herbert Henry Grassmann, 88, of Marshall died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003, in Guthrie. Funeral services were set for 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Marshall with Rev. Dean Roy Miller officiating. Burial will follow in South Marshall Lions Cemetery. He was born March 31, 1914, in Marshall to Henry and Maria Roetter Grassmann. He married Almeda Cunningham on April 1, 1934, in Garber. He was a farmer. Survivors include his wife, Almeda of the home; two sons, Russell Grassmann of Edmond and Don Grassman of Oklahoma City; one brother, Fred Grassmann of Moore; three sisters, Elsie Seafeldt of Marshall, Louise Moore of Edmond and Malinda Payne of Muskogee; four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in deathy by his parents, four brothers, John, Bill, Ed and Walt Grassmann, and five sisters, Liddy Young, Emma Dedrick, Rosina Cassidy, Minnie Jones and Ida O'Neal. *********** Wednesday, January 29, 2003 Sharyn Kaye Lambert: L516 Sharyn Kaye Lambert, 66, of Kingfisher died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, OK. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kingfisher with Rev. Price Oswalt and Rev. Edward Weisenburger officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Trinity Cemetery, under direction of Sanders Funeral Service. She was born June 11, 1936, in Perry, OK., to Worth and Agnes Roberts. She graduated from Perry High School in 1954 and received her diploma in nursing from Mercy School of Nursing in 1 957. She married James Lambert on Aug. 15, 1957. She began her nursing career at the old Mercy Hospital. She then moved to Griffith Memorial Hospital in Norman, Altus Oklahoma Hospital, then to Madera County Hospital in Madera, Calif. She returned to Oklahoma and worked for Pawhuska, Perry, Fairfax and Kingfisher hispitals. She retired from nursing as the director of Second Shamrock Nursing Home in 1992. She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Survivors include her husband, Mr. James Lambert of the home; one sone, Mrs. James Worth Lambert of Kigfisher; one daughter, Mrs. Bonnye Mueggenborg of Okarche; one sister, Vaynne Cowell of Stillwater; four grandchildren, Kirstin, Beau, Sarah and William Mueggenborg, and two step-grandchildren, Ethan Snow and Jared Snow. She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, two sisters and two brothers. Memorials may be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for liver research. ---------- Margaret Clara Gruntmeir Ludwig: L320 Margaret Clara Gruntmeir Ludwig, 81, of Kingfisher died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at Sts. Peter and paul Catholic Church in Kingfisher with Rev. Price Oswalt officiating. She was born Jan. 4, 1922, in Kingfisher to Joseph A. and Mary Luis Gruntmeir. She married Julius Henry Ludwig on Nov. 10, 1943, and they resided in Okarche. To this union three children were born. Julius preceded her in death in 1950. Margaret worked approximately 46 years at Kingfisher Office Supply until sudden illness foreced her retirement in July 2002. Margaret was strong, energetic, wise and committed to family and friends. She listened with insight, laughed with enthusiasm, radiated peace, savored experiences and memories and celebrated the seasons. She lived life exuberantly and fully and let go contentedly and courageously. Thank you Margaret for teaching all of us to appreciate the "flowers" in life. Survivors include one daughter, Karen Ludwig Cashion and her husband Charles L. Cashion of Oklahoma City; two sons, Allen J. Ludwig and his wife Linda Ludwig and Jim E. Ludwig, all of Kingfisher; five sisters, Frieda Iskra of Greenwood, Miss., Beatrice Jech of Kingfisher, Rita Lindsey of San Marcos, Texas, Marie Pulte of Ardmore and Philomena Schaefer of Okarche; four grandchildren, Charles L. Cashion Jr. of Washington, D.C., Christopher Ludwig Cashion and his wife Tana Kole Cashion of Houston, Texas, Dustan E. Ludwig of Oklahoma City and Julian J. Ludwig of Kingfisher, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Julius H. Ludwig, parents, Joseph and Mary Gruntmeir, two brothers, Herman Gruntmeir and Frank Gruntmeir and one sister, Josephine Wiedey. Special thanks to her daughter-in-law, Linda Ludwig, and her wonderful caregivers, Tanya Gianey and Viktoria Stork. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Russell-Murray Hospiece of El Reno, Meals-on-Wheels or a charity of your choice. ---------- Leon A. Manning: M552 Leon A. Manning, 58, of Fairview died Friday, Jan. 24, 2003, in Jacksonville, Fla. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church in Hennessey with Rev. Terry Bunch officiating. Burial will follow at Hennessey Cemetery, under direction of Cordry-Gritz Funeral Home of Hennessey. He was born April 23, 1944, in Ventura, Calif. to Lenard and Emily Manning. He married Janette Arnold on Nov. 1, 1979, in Tulsa. He was a member of Berean Baptist Church of Tulsa. Survivors include hsi wife, Janette of the home; two sons, Rick Hudson and wife Melissa of Wilburton and Jason Manning of Fairview; one daughter, Jennifer Kennedy and husband Joe of Skiatook, and one grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents. ---------- Rosalie Ehrlich Schneider: S536 Rosalie Ehrlich Schneider, 83, of Loyal died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Okeene Seventh Day Adventist Church with Rev. Henry Reid officiating. Burial will follow in the East Cooper Cemeter in Loyal under direction of Wilkinson Mortuary of Okeene. She was born Dec. 14, 1919, at Hitchcock to Jke and Rachel Ehrlich. She married Monroe Schneider on Dec. 24, 1937. They resided on a farm near Loyal. She was a member of the East Cooper SDA Church and later the Okeene SDA Church. She played the piano and the organ and was the choir director for many years in both churches. Survivors include her husband, Monroe; one son, Larry Schneider and wife Nancy of Chicago, Ill.; one daughter-in-law, Harolene Schneider of Oklahoma City; one brother, Melvin Ehrlich and wife Marie of Seminole; four grandchildren, and two great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Don Schneider. **********