Payne Co OK - Obit Index forFebruary, 2003 for the Stillwater News Press, http://www.stwnewspress.com/ ****************************************************** Thanks to http://www.stwnewspress.com/ for permission to upload their obits to the USGenWeb Archives. Copyright, http://www.stwnewspress.com/ http://files.usgwarchives.net/ok/payne/obits/newspress/jan03.txt ****************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/payne/payne1.html ****************************************************** Stillwater News Press: http://www.stwnewspress.com/ ****************************************************** Feb. 1 Leroy Collyar Leroy Collyar, 73, of Stillwater, died at his home Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003. Graveside services will be Monday at 10:30 a.m., at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Pastor Norman Richmond officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Chapel Funeral Home. Visitation at the funeral home will be Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Collyar was born Nov. 18, 1929, in Shamrock to Ed and Millie (Zimmerman) Collyar. He attended Cushing Public Schools and the family later moved to Midland, Texas, where he graduated from high school. After his education he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War as a medic. While in Korea he received three bronze stars for gallantry. Upon his honorable discharge from the service he returned to Midland where he was a Linotype operator at the Midland Reporter. The family moved to Stillwater in 1968 where he was employed at OSU as an offset duplicating machine operator, retiring in 1992. In 1954, he married Betty Ledlow in Midland. A second marriage was to Dottie Tyler on Aug. 10. 1973, in Bentonville, Ark. He greatly enjoyed golfing, fishing and playing pitch. Collyar was a member of the Baptist faith, and a member of Moose Lodge No. 2089. He was predeceased by one brother, Norville Styron. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Steven L. Collyar and his wife, Dana, of Edmond; daughters Dorothy Scarbrough and her husband, Terry, of Stillwater and Sheri Chamberlain of Georgia; grandchildren, Tyler and Jennifer Scarbrough of Stillwater, Jessica and Kevin Collyar of Edmond, Tiffany Brooks, Joe Michael Vines and Tommie Chamberlain, all of Georgia and Amanda Blair of Dallas; one sister, May Buttery of Nevada, Mo. Memorials may be made to Judith Karman Hospice, 915 S. Main, Stillwater 74074. Amy E. Hayes Longtime Cushing resident Amy E. Hayes, 75, died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003, at Cushing Regional Hospital. Services, with Pastor Lonnie Lee presiding, will be Monday at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church. Pianist Kristi Hickman will provide the prelude and postlude and will accompany soloist Ralph Hickman as he sings "Amazing Grace" and "It Is Well With My Soul." Interment will follow in the Carney Cemetery. Davis Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. She was born in Myrtle, Mo., on March 23, 1927, to Charlie and Della (Wilson) Williams. She was reared and educated in the Missouri area. Her family came to Oklahoma in the early 1930s and moved to Cushing from Perkins in 1949. She married Ray L. Hayes on May 17, 1946, in Cushing and the couple lived in Cushing since. He died Nov. 22, 1989. She worked as a nurse's aid at the Cushing Hospital for more than 15 years before she retired. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church and was a very talented seamstress. She enjoyed painting, cooking and canning for her family and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by one grandson, Tyler Hayes Flint, and a sister, Marie Blevins. Survivors include two children, Ron Hayes and his wife, Earlene, of Norman and Connie Cooper and her husband, Dave, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three sisters, Nora McDonald and her husband, Don, of Clearwater, Fla., Dora Pulliam of Oklahoma City and Norma Endicott of Cushing; one brother, Cecil Williams of Stroud; three grandchildren, Trishayne Flint, Brayden Kahre and Abram Hayes Dunaway; three great-grandchildren, Shelby Rae Flint, Tarryn Alexa Kahre and Kale Hayes Kahre; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Condolences may be e-mailed the family at . ****************************************************** Feb. 02 Donald Seamans Donald William Seamans, 74, of Stillwater, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, in Stillwater Medical Center. Services will be Monday at 2:30 p.m. in the First Christian Church. Dr. William S. Inglish, Dr. Kyle Maxwell, the Rev. Don Gibson and the Rev. Rick Hendricks will officiate. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma City. Strode Funeral Home is directing the services. He was born March 9, 1928, in Kansas City, Kan., to Archie William and Grace Leland (Fleming) Seamans. He married JoAnn Crose June 20, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo. Seamans attended schools in Villa Park, Ill., and graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kan. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Phillips University and his master's of divinity from Phillips Graduate Seminary. He did doctoral studies at Oklahoma State University in higher education student personnel. He had ministerial standing with the Christian Church "Disciples of Christ" since 1953 and has been a church school teacher at First Christian Church for many years. He was in higher education at Phillips University and at OSU for 26 years. He retired in 1993. He was a member of the First Christian Disciples of Christ and Phi Delta Kappa. He served as a member of the Sheltered Workshop Board, the OSU Credit Union Board and served on the board of the Oklahoma Christian Home in Edmond and the board at his church. He was an elder at First Christian Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Donald Kyle Seamans. He is survived by his wife; one son, Kevin Lee Seamans of Stillwater; one sister, Doris Marie Fox and her husband Gordon B. Fox Jr., of Tonganoxie, Kan.; two nephews, three nieces; and numerous great-nephews and great-nieces. Memorials can be made to the First Christian Church, 411 W. Mathews, Stillwater, OK 74075 or Phillips Graduate Seminary, 901 N. Mingo Road, Tulsa, OK 74116. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at . Bonnie Munday Cushing native Bonnie Munday, 81, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, in Cushing Regional Hospital. At her request, no services will be held at this time. She was born May 10, 1921, to Luther Heavner and Lou (Walker) Heavner in Cushing. She attended Round Grove Country School and graduated from Cushing High School. She married Clarence Eugene "Bud" Munday Aug. 9, 1938. He preceded her in death July 30, 2000. She was a member of the First Christian Church. She is survived by two sons, Michael E. Monday and his wife, Anita, of North Richland Hills, Texas, and Danny Munday and his wife, Nancy, of Marrow Bone, Ken.; grandchildren, Michele Munday, Michael Blake Munday and his wife, Heather, Karst Munday, Cody Munday and Scout Munday; four great-grandchildren, Michael, Matthew, Dylan and Madison; one sister, Elsie L. Swiggart; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Memorial contributions and flowers can be sent to the First Christian Church in Cushing in her name. Beverly MacArthur Former Stillwater resident Beverly Ann MacArthur, 65, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, after a battle with breast cancer. Services will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. Grace United Methodist Church. She was born Feb. 28, 1937, to Jesse Merle and Ora Hannah (Blumer) Overholt in Stillwater. She was a graduate of Stillwater High School and remained active in class activities. She attended Oklahoma State University prior to marriage. She was married to Robert J. MacArthur for 33 years. She was a consummate hostess and delighted in taking care of her family and friends. She enjoyed all sports, especially those involving her boys and the Chicago Cubs. Get-a-ways to Arizona to watch baseball and relax in the sun were a couple of her favorite pastimes. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob; and two siblings, Jess Overholt and Gene Overholt Wilson. She is survived by two sons, J. MacArthur and Matt MacArthur; her daughter-in- law, Amy; and her two grandchildren, Madelyn and Hayden. Viewing will be held at Vondel Smith Mortuary Sunday at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donation be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation's Breast Cancer Research. ****************************************************** Feb. 03, 2003 Lawrence Williams Lawrence Lee Williams, 80, died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, in Stillwater Medical Center. Services, with Pastor Joe Wilmoth presiding, will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Strode Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. He was born Jan. 1, 1923, in Pocahontas, Ark., to James Edward and Nora Leba (Buckley) Williams. He grew up in Perkins and lived in Payne County all his life. He attended the Assembly of God Church. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one brother, Tom Williams; one sister, Katy McKnight; a nephew, Roy Parsons Jr.; and a great-niece, Bethany Emerson. He is survived by a sister, June Colleen Parsons of Stillwater; two nieces, Carey Darby of Stillwater and Belinda Jackson of Purcell; two nephews, Bill Tom Williams of Stillwater and Tom Emerson of Tulsa; an aunt, Hazel Price of Madera, Calif. Also, two great-nieces, six great-nephews and a number of cousins and friends. Condolences may be e-mailed the family at strodefh@aol.com ****************************************************** Feb. 04, 2003 Evelyn Arthurs Pawnee resident Evelyn Etna Arthurs, 72, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003. Services, with Father Ken Armstrong officiating, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Eshelman Memorial Chapel in Pawnee. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery in Pawnee. Poteet Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. She was born in Vinita July 11, 1930, to William L. and Willa Lucille (Testermann) Patty. She married Dr. Melvin Ross Arthurs Jan. 23, 1970, in Cushing. He died Dec. 24, 1998. She attended Vinita public schools and graduated with the class of 1947. In 1946, she was chosen Miss Vinita and was also the Vinita Rodeo Queen. She was a cosmetologist in her younger life. She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Renee Cather, her husband Jason and their children Jestin and Ali all of Pawnee; three sons, Melvin Ross Arthur, his wife Brandi and their daughter Zoe, all of Enid and Carl and William Hughes of Disney; a brother, Billy Don Patty, his wife Ruth Marie and their children of St. Louis, Mo; a nephew, Richard Beverly Patty, his wife Blanche and their children of St. Louis, Mo.; three stepsons, Mike Arthurs of Pawnee, Steve Arthurs and Roger Arthurs of Kingfisher; a step-daughter, Debbie Sanders and her husband Mike of Pawnee; and a number of grandchildren, other relatives and many friends. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beverly MacArthur Former Stillwater resident Beverly Ann MacArthur, 65, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, after a battle with breast cancer. Services were Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. She was born Feb. 28, 1937, to Jesse Merle and Ora Hannah (Blumer) Overholt in Stillwater. She was a graduate of Stillwater High School and remained active in class activities. She attended Oklahoma State University prior to marriage. She was married to Robert J. MacArthur for 33 years. She was a consummate hostess and delighted in taking care of her family and friends. She enjoyed all sports, especially those involving her boys and the Chicago Cubs. Get-a-ways to Arizona to watch baseball and relax in the sun were a couple of her favorite pastimes. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob; and two siblings, Jess Overholt and Gene Overholt Wilson. She is survived by two sons, J. MacArthur and Matt MacArthur; her daughter-in- law, Amy; brothers, Darrell Overholt and Richard Overholt, both of Stillwater and Bill Overholt of Springfield, Mo.; sister, Leona Rogers of Shawnee; and her two grandchildren, Madelyn and Hayden. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donation be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation's Breast Cancer Research. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henrietta Purtha Henrietta Mae Purtha, 92, Hugo, formerly of Perry, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, in Choctaw Memorial Hospital in Hugo. The family has requested no services. Inurnment will be in Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry under direction of Brown-Dugger Funeral Home. Purtha was the daughter of Charles and Louisa Ann (Eldred) Atwood. She was born March 10, 1910, in Bradley, Ill. A resident of Oklahoma for more than 30 years, she also had lived in Antlers. She worked as a nurse aide and was a lesson leader in her church. She was a deeply religious woman who wrote poems of faith and devotion. She also was a loving wife and mother who was sadly preceded in death by her husband, Leo Purtha; two sons, Neil and Jack; and her devoted daughter, Elsye Cacy. Survivors are three granddaughters, Jeanne Donovan, Loretta Purtha and Mary Ann Purtha; three grandsons, David Johnson, Robert Atwood and John Atwood; four great-grandchildren, Erin and Corrie Donovan, Brendan Johnson and Amanda Free; a sister-in-law, Irene Atwood; and a niece, Julie Dorris. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Jenkins Mary Susan Jenkins lost her lengthy and courageous battle with cancer Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, in her home in Woodlands, Texas. The family received friends Jan. 31 in the Green Lawn Memorial Funeral Home in Woodlands. A memorial service was held at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 1 in Grace Christian Fellowship, located at 405 Rayford Road in Spring, Texas. Jenkins was born in Marquette, Mich., Jan. 3, 1950. She grew up in Stillwater and moved to Missoula, Mont., while in the 11th grade. She later graduated from Missoula Sentinel High School. Afterwards, she attended Montana State University and received a bachelor of science degree in nursing. She is preceded in death by her parents, Adolph M. and Mary Helen Stebler. Jenkins is survived by her husband, Gary T. Jenkins; daughter, Wendy E. Jenkins; sister, Judith A. Denton; and two brothers, Timothy L. Stebler and Andrew M. Stebler of Stillwater. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William Hamlin Jr. William E. Hamlin Jr., 81, of Mesa, Ariz., passed away Jan. 31, 2003. Services will be held graveside at Fairlawn Cemetery, Stillwater at 2 p.m. Thursday. Bill and his wife, Vivian, attended Stillwater High School and moved to Arizona in 1960 from Midwest City. He is survived by his wife, Vivian; four sons, Fred, Ed, Dave and Steve; three daughters-in-law; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Arrangements entrusted to Strode Funeral Home in Stillwater. ****************************************************** Feb. 04, 2003 Earl Murray Earl Allen Murray, 66, Stillwater, died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, in his home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Hillcrest Baptist Church. Pastor Larry Eslinger will officiate. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Strode Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Murray was born March 3, 1936, to Oral and Lillie (Marsh) Murray in Tryon. He grew up in Ripley and graduated from Ripley High School in 1956. He then went to work for the C.R. Anthony Company in Cushing. He married Lois Jones Dec. 23, 1956. The couple was married for 25 years, and then the union ended in divorce. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and did his basic training in Fort Carson, Colo., and was stationed in Augusta, Ga. and Fort Mammouth, N.J., until his honorable discharge Feb. 13, 1959. Upon returning home, he went to work for Bealls Department Store in Brownsville, Texas, where he was employed for a short time. Murray then returned to Cushing where he went to work for M & M Oil Well Service Company and Midland Refinery until 1970. In 1971, he became owner and operator of a registered Holstein dairy operation until 1981. He received numerous awards and recognition for his accomplishments connected with the dairy operation. Murray married Reveena Speir in 1983 in Fort Smith, Ark. This union also ended in divorce in 1987. In 1998, he met Diana Hover who has been his constant companion for the last five years. Murray was recently employed by the Stillwater NewsPress. Throughout his life, he enjoyed farming, showing Holstein cattle with his family, drag racing and hunting. He excelled in sports and was known by many for his excellent athletic abilities. He enjoyed basketball and was an official referee for the sport. He was a member of the Mehan Union Church, Oklahoma Referee Association, Oklahoma Holstein Breeders Association, Holstein Friesian Association and the Elks Lodge. He served on the board for the Dairy Association, was a member of the school board in Ripley and a board member of the Farmers Home Administration. Murray is predeceased by his father. He is survived by his mother of Stillwater; one son, Oral Allen Murray of Stillwater; two daughters, Rhonda Murray Johnson and her husband Lynn of Stillwater and Terri Murray Watkins and her husband Ray of Stillwater; five grandchildren, Carrie Davis of Norman, Lindsey Pineda of Oklahoma City, Ashley Pineda of Stillwater; and Brady and Brandy Watkins of Stillwater; two great grandchildren, Jaden Renollett of Stillwater and Aaliyah Bowen of Oklahoma City; one brother, Orvel Murray and his wife Helen of Bethany; two sisters, Jean Croy of Stillwater and Barbara Caldwell and her husband Johnny of Ponca City; and several nieces and nephews. Murray is also survived by his companion, Diana Hover, of the home and her two daughters, Loni DuHart and Toni Beyl, both of Stillwater. Pallbearers will be Dennis Vasser, Fred Eberhart, Raymond Grimm, Melvin Watkins, Leonard Wells and Kirby Glasscock. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Simma, Leon Silkwood, Tom Wiggs, Carl Davis and Jerry Potts. Memorials may be made to Judith Karman Hospice, P.O. Box 818, Stillwater, OK 74076 or the American Cancer Society, c/o Karen Ward, 106 E. Marie, Stillwater, OK 74074. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estelle Gary Estelle Rose Domres Gary, 85, Stillwater, died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, in the St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Blessed Sacrament Church, Syracuse, N.Y. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Welter-Price Funeral Home in Syracuse and Strode Funeral Home in Stillwater. Gary was born Sept. 13, 1917, in Syracuse, N.Y., to Paul B. and Elizabeth (Sullivan) Domres. She attended St. Joseph's School of Nursing and graduated in 1938. She was a registered nurse for St. Joseph's Hospital and Memorial Hospital for 10 years. She was later employed with the Continental Can Company as a nurse. She retired in 1960. She married Howard C. Gary, who preceded her in death in 1984. She is survived by her son, Charles P. Gary, Dallas, Texas; and daughter, Cynthia A. Conway, Stillwater; three grandchildren; one great grandchild; and sister Alice Rinefierd, Liverpool, N.Y. Memorials may be made to the Blessed Sacrament Church Renovation Fund, 3127 James St., Syracuse, NY 13206. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art 'Pete' Childers Cushing resident Art "Pete" Childers, 74, died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, in Resthaven Nursing Home in Cushing. Graveside services, with Rev. James Lame officiating, were Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Highland Cemetery in Oilton. Davis Funeral Home directed the arrangements. He was born in Oilton June 25, 1928, to Arch and Dora Anne (King) Childers. He married Helen Benge Aug. 12, 1955, in Cushing. She died Dec. 24, 1997. He lived in Stillwater for 25 years while he was employed by Oklahoma State University as a print setter. After he retired, the couple moved to Cushing. He was a member of the Baptist Church in Oilton. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by three brothers, Jack, Bob and Russell Childers. Survivors include one brother, Ellis Childers of Stevenson, Wash.; several nieces and nephews, including Carol Bundy and her husband Charles of Centralia, Ill., and Jerry Childers and his wife Carol of Cushing; and other relatives and friends. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ruth Phillips Funeral services for Ruth M. Phillips, 87, of Ripley, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Palmer Funeral Home Chapel in Cushing. Rev. Robert Keith will preside. Interment will be held in Clovis, Calif. Funeral services will be under the direction of the Palmer Funeral Home of Cushing. Born April 1, 1915, in Alicia, Ark., to Robert and Lula (Crisp) Coggins, she was raised in Alicia. She married Joseph Warren Phillips Nov. 25, 1934. She traveled throughout the United States working crops. She settled in Clovis in 1955 and lived there until she moved to Cushing in 1998. Phillips was a homemaker and loved canning, John Wayne movies, cooking and sewing. Her favorite hobby was raising her children. Phillips was preceded in death by her parents, husband; sons, William and Gerald Phillips; sister, Maggie Fears; brothers, Harvey, George, Andy and Jeff Coggins; grandchildren, Betty Ann Skinner, Joseph Warren Phillips, Etta May Childs and Ronnie W. Shipman. Survivors include four sons, Bobby Joe Phillips of Clovis, S. Dee and Sue Phillips of Bolivar, Mo., LeeRoy and Arba Phillips of Clovis and Ronald Wayne and Debbie Phillips of Ripley; eight daughters, Collen and Marvin Skinner of Cushing, Louise and Donald Rodgers of Agra, Marilyn and Ray Norris of Marionville, Mo., Jewell and Bill Russell of Newman, Calif., Kathy and Dillard Andrews of Clovis, Wanda and Joe Mata of Fresno, Calif., Bonnie and Lonnie Childs of Springfield, Mo. and Patricia and Larry Splarer of Fresno; 50 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are daughters-in-law, Barbara Phillips and Evelyn Phillips and brother-in-law, Kenneth and wife Dixie Phillips. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lt. Col. Joe Jarvis Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Joe H. Jarvis of Niceville, Fla., died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003. A memorial service was held today at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home in Niceville. Interment, with full military honors, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Heritage Gardens Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. He was a Vietnam veteran. As a navigator, he flew MAC aircraft, including the C- 141 and C5A. He was also an assistant professor in the math department at the Air Force Academy. In addition to his wife, Gail, he is survived by a daughter, Joleigh Jarvis; a son, Garret Jarvis; a brother, Richard B. Jarvis of Stillwater; and a sister, Judy Jarvis-Bodani of Oxnard, Calif ****************************************************** Feb. 06, 2003 Jimmie Baker Jimmie Baker, a graduate of Oklahoma State University, died in California after suffering a recent stroke Baker was a Hollywood producer and director. The Muskogee native graduated from Oklahoma A&M College in 1947. During college, he was a dance band leader, drum major and disc jockey. About a year after graduation, he headed to California and worked his way up from the mail room at ABC Radio to becoming an assistant producer at a national network radio show. He joined ABC television in 1950 and went on to win five Emmy Awards and 12 Emmy nominations. He was a member of the OSU Alumni Association Hall of Fame, the College of Education Hall of Fame, received the Henry G. Bennett Award and was in the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. His fund-raising activities for emotionally disturbed children and for the Hollywood Motion Picture and Television Museum, of which he was a co-founder, resulted in millions of private dollars for those programs. He helped OSU with fund raising and was chairman of the OSU Foundation's endowment campaign for the arts. He returned to Oklahoma often to produce the annual Abused Children of Oklahoma fund-raising spectaculars, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame television production and the OSU Alumni Association Hall of Fame recognition programs. He also produced a show in Gallagher-Iba Arena when OSU celebrated its centennial in 1990. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lawrence Wood Stillwater resident Lawrence Edward Wood, 81, formerly a resident of Midwest City and Marion, Ohio, died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003. Services, with Mike Snider and Steve Chisholm officiating, will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the Ridgecrest Church of Christ. Interment will follow at Sunny Lane Cemetery in Del City. Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, 8805 Northeast 23rd in Del City, is directing the arrangements. He was born in Shamrock, Texas, Oct. 16, 1921, to Nellie Dorman and James D. Wood. He married Allene Bailey in Van Buren, Ark., Feb. 8, 1953. He was a member of the Church of Christ and a retired trucker. He was predeceased by his parents, three brothers and three sisters. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Billy Wood and his wife, Geralee of Philadelphia, Pa., and Donald Wood and his wife Stephanie of Denver, Colo.; a daughter, Karen Strande and her husband Cecil of Stillwater; and seven grandchildren. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earl Murray Earl Allen Murray, 66, Stillwater, died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, in his home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Hillcrest Baptist Church. Pastor Larry Eslinger will officiate. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Strode Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Murray was born March 3, 1936, to Oral and Lillie (Marsh) Murray in Tryon. He grew up in Ripley and graduated from Ripley High School in 1956. He then went to work for the C.R. Anthony Company in Cushing. He married Lois Jones Dec. 23, 1956. The couple was married for 25 years, and then the union ended in divorce. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and did his basic training in Fort Carson, Colo., and was stationed in Augusta, Ga. and Fort Mammouth, N.J., until his honorable discharge Feb. 13, 1959. Upon returning home, he went to work for Bealls Department Store in Brownsville, Texas, where he was employed for a short time. Murray then returned to Cushing where he went to work for M & M Oil Well Service Company and Midland Refinery until 1970. In 1971, he became owner and operator of a registered Holstein dairy operation until 1981. He received numerous awards and recognition for his accomplishments connected with the dairy operation. Murray married Reveena Speir in 1983 in Fort Smith, Ark. This union also ended in divorce in 1986. In 1987, he married Kitty Davis. This union later ended in divorce. In 1998, he met Diana Hover who has been his constant companion for the last five years. Murray was recently employed by the Stillwater NewsPress. Throughout his life, he enjoyed farming, showing Holstein cattle with his family, drag racing and hunting. He excelled in sports and was known by many for his excellent athletic abilities. He enjoyed basketball and was an official referee for the sport. He was a member of the Mehan Union Church, Oklahoma Referee Association, Oklahoma Holstein Breeders Association, Holstein Friesian Association and the Elks Lodge. He served on the board for the Dairy Association, was a member of the school board in Ripley and a board member of the Farmers Home Administration. Murray is predeceased by his father. He is survived by his mother of Stillwater; one son, Oral Allen Murray of Stillwater; two daughters, Rhonda Murray Johnson and her husband Lynn of Stillwater and Terri Murray Watkins and her husband Ray of Stillwater; five grandchildren, Carrie Davis of Norman, Lindsey Pineda of Oklahoma City, Ashley Pineda of Stillwater; and Brady and Brandy Watkins of Stillwater; two great grandchildren, Jaden Renollett of Stillwater and Aaliyah Bowen of Oklahoma City; one brother, Orvel Murray and his wife Helen of Bethany; two sisters, Jean Croy of Stillwater and Barbara Caldwell and her husband Johnny of Ponca City; and several nieces and nephews. Murray is also survived by his companion, Diana Hover, of the home and her two daughters, Loni DuHart and Toni Beyl, both of Stillwater. Pallbearers will be Dennis Vasser, Fred Eberhart, Raymond Grimm, Melvin Watkins, Leonard Wells and Kirby Glasscock. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Simma, Leon Silkwood, Tom Wiggs, Carl Davis and Jerry Potts. Memorials may be made to Judith Karman Hospice, P.O. Box 818, Stillwater, OK 74076 or the American Cancer Society, c/o Karen Ward, 106 E. Marie, Stillwater, OK 74074. ****************************************************** Feb. 07, 2003 Barbara McFarlin Barbara Ann McFarlin, 60, of Agra, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003, in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Oklahoma City. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Church of the Firstborn in Parkland. Interment will follow at the Parkland Cemetery. Brother Jerry Wittman will preside. Funeral services will be under the direction of the Palmer Funeral Home of Cushing. Born March 22, 1942, in Santa Barbara, Calif., to Buster and Hazel (Meyer) Miller. Hazel was later married to Buck Seymour who was a very good father to the four children. McFarlin was married to Clarence C. McFarlin Feb. 7, 1978. She was a homemaker and a member of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn. She was also a veteran serving in the U.S. Army. She was a giving person and would give you her last penny. She was preceded in death by her parents and by a grandmother, Essie Meyer. Survivors include; husband Clarence of the home; one son, Cecil McFarlin and wife Misty of Tryon; three daughters, Mariesa Greenfield and husband Paul of Tryon, Janet Potter and husband Danny of Agra and Wilma Porter and husband Terry of Dewitt, Ark.; two brothers, Jerry Miller and wife Jessie of Stroud and Bill Miller and wife Peggy of Depew; one sister, Judy Murfin and husband Jerry of Stroud; 14 grandchildren and numerous other relatives, brethren and friends ****************************************************** Feb. 08, 2003 Carl Edward Smith Long-time Noble County resident Carl Edward Smith, 99, died Thursday, February 6, 2003 at Perry Memorial Hospital. A family visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Brown-Dugger Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church. Rev. Ben Mirtz will officiate. Interment will be in the Sumner Cemetery under direction of Brown-Dugger Funeral Home. He was the son of Peter J. and Margaret (Ritthaler) Smith. He was born December 23, 1903 in Noble County. He completed sixth grade at Pioneer rural school. On February 11, 1929, he and the former Bertha L. Sloan were married in Stillwater. The Smiths made their home at 1206 Holly Street in Perry from 1946 until 1995. His wife preceded him in death on December 10, 2002. He had been a construction worker, carpenter, oil field worker and farmer before retiring. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where he served on the church council, sang in the choir, had been a lay minister and taught Sunday school for more than 30 years. In addition to his wife, his parents, three brothers and four sisters preceded him in death. Survivors include one son, Eugene E. Smith and his wife, Marcie, Perry; one daughter, Darlene R. Roads and her husband, Jack, Perry; seven grandsons, Randy A. Smith, Malin, Ore., W. Craig Smith and his wife, Becky, all of Carson City, Nev., John G. Morrill III and his wife, Lisa, Morrison, James R. Morrill and his wife, Kelli, Lee's Summit, Mo., W.E. "Butch" Mason, Redding, Calif., Wayne Roads and his wife, Gabriele, Cheyenne, Wyo. and T. Allen Roads and his wife, Kelly, Oklahoma City; six granddaughters, Vicki L. Smith, Camas, Wash., D. Loretta St. Clair and her husband, Kraig, Lebanon, Mo., Sue Wheeler and her husband, Wilson, and Carol McIntosh, all of Redding, Calif., Judy Weed and her husband, Brad, Yukon, and Sandra A. "Susie" Giurlani and her husband, Roy, Carson City, Nev.; 24 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; two great-great-great- grandsons; one brother, William A. Smith and his wife, Esther, Perry; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Arthur (Ethella) Smith, Perry; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund or the American Heart Association. Caroline Moore Former Cushing resident Caroline Harriet Moore, 87, died Friday, Feb. 7, 2003 in Tulsa. Graveside services will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Fairlawn Cemetery in Cushing. Davis Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. She was born in Cushing on Jan. 29, 1916, to James T. and Addie Thorne Shotwell. She was reared and educated in Cushing and graduated from Cushing High School. She married Eldreth Dan Moore in February 1936. He died in December 1990. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and enjoyed sewing, cooking and taking care of her family and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by two brothers and one sister. Survivors include her daughter, Carrel Moss of Broken Arrow; one brother, Clarence C. Shotwell of Eufaula; two granddaughters, Marguerite Michelle Miller and Kristina Michelle Moss, both of Broken Arrow; one sister-in-law, Edith Moore of Cushing; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Condolences may be e-mailed the family at . ****************************************************** Feb. 09, 2003 No Obituaries on this day ****************************************************** Feb. 10, 2003 No Obituaries on this day ****************************************************** Feb. 11, 2003 Samuel Norris Glencoe resident Samuel Reubal Norris, 77, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, in Stillwater. Memorial services, with Rev. Bob Copeland officiating, were Sunday at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Pawnee. Poteet Funeral Home of Pawnee was in charge of arrangements. He was born in Mathiston, Miss., May 22, 1925, to Marshall and Lona Mae (Quinn) Norris. He married Mary McNease Dearman Sept. 7, 1978. He moved to Glencoe from Fort Collins, Colo., five months ago. He served in the Army during World War II in central Europe and received several honors. He was a prisoner of war. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and just outdoor life in general. He was a member of the Baptist Church. In addition to his wife of the home, he is survived by four step-sons, Talsie Dearman of Hattisburg, Miss., Ted Dearman of Clinton, Miss., Toxie Dearman of Glencoe and David Dearman of Dallas; and a number of other relatives and many friends. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lottie Jane Lacy Lottie Jane Lacy, 86, of Yale, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, in the Pawnee Hospital. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Lawson Cemetery, north of Yale. Rev. Lonnie McKenzie will preside. Services are under the direction of the Yale-Palmer Funeral Chapel. Born Feb. 19, 1916, in Gainesville, Mo., to James and Ruth Ella (Strong) Robison, she moved to Oklahoma as a child with her family in a cover wagon. She attended school in Council Valley. She married Alvin Loyal Lacy in 1935. She lived in the Yale area all of her life and worked as a cook at many of the Yale cafes. She attended the Fountain of Life Church in Ripley. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, Jim Edgar and Silas; four sisters, Mae, Mary, Sarah and Cynthia; and one grandson, Kent Allen Lacy. Survivors include three sons, Larry Lacy and wife Joan of Ripley, Jerry Lacy and wife Alice of Yale and Terry Lacy and wife Jeni of Yale; one brother, Paul Robison of Yale; nine grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one great great grandson. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inez Christy (Hindes) Barnes Inez Christy (Hindes) Barnes, 83, of Perkins, died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, in her home in Perkins. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Perkins First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Jim Shepherd will officiate. Interment will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens, with services under the direction of Strode Funeral Home. Barnes was born Oct. 5, 1919, in Chickasha, to Ernest and Inez (Alkire) Hindes. She and Elmo G. Barnes were married in Toledo, Ohio, Aug. 26, 1942. She lived in Chickasha, Marlow, Pauls Valley and Duncan, graduating from Duncan High School. She attended Oklahoma College for Women and Oklahoma A&M College. After receiving her bachelor of science degree in secretarial training, she was secretary to the treasurer of Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company in Duncan until her marriage in 1942. She was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church, where she taught Bible school, Sunday school and was active in the Weslyn Service Guild and later United Methodist Women. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority at Oklahoma A&M, an honorary lifetime member of the Mutual Improvement Club, a charter member of The American Legion Auxiliary 211, Stillwater Art Guild, Family and Community Education Cimarron Valley Group, Oklahoma Hereford Auxiliary, Oklahoma Cattlewomen, Oklahoma Cowbelles and served on the Thomas Wilhite Library Board for many years. She was secretary treasurer for the Perkins School system for 23 years, retiring in 1981. Barnes was predeceased by her husband Dec. 26, 2002; her parents, one daughter, Karen Jill; and two brothers, Ernest A. Hindes of Duncan and Max R. Hindes of Oklahoma City. Survivors include one daughter, Ellen Ledru Wortham and her husband Tom of Perkins and Edmond; one son, Kent Christy Barnes and his wife Diana of Hulbert; and six grandchildren, K.C. and Hallie Mae Barnes, Paige, Piper, Tobi and Travis Dickson and Bryan Wortham. Pallbearers will be Bobby Paul Evans, Adam Grant, Dan Hubbard, Jim Kirby, Phil Manke and Ephraim Wall. Memorial contributions may be made to the Perkins First United Methodist Church at 1005 E. Kirk, Perkins, OK 74059 if so desired or the charity of your choice. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dorothy Mae Rodgers Dorothy Mae Rodgers, 86, of Chandler, died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, in the Stroud Hospital. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of the Firstborn in Chandler. Interment followed at the Chandler Cemetery. Brother Tom Wright presided. Services were under the direction of Palmer Funeral Home of Cushing. She was born Jan. 7, 1917, in Tryon, to Alvin and Jenny (Saltzman) Dillman. She married Herman Hurst Dec. 24, 1936. He preceded her in death along with her parents and brothers, Raymond and Truman. She married Raymond Rodgers in 1954 and they moved to Agra and lived there until moving to Chandler in 1978. She operated the Lincoln County Tag Agency for many years before retiring. She loved to attend her church, The Chandler Church of the Firstborn. Survivors include, husband Raymond of the home; sons, Don Hurst of Mustang, Jack Hurst of Las Vegas, Nev.; daughters, Myrna Bean of Chandler and Sharon Brixey of Mustang; eight grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren; and many brethren and friends. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- George McGuire George Leroy McGuire, 77, died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, in Grace Living Center. Services, with Pastor Wayne Sanmann and Vernon Langley officiating, will be Thursday at 2 p.m. in Southside Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Clarkson Cemetery in Coyle. Strode Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. He was born near Goodnight May 1, 1925, to Vernie Dale and Elizabeth (Weims) McGuire. He married Pauline Ruth Slavens May 9, 1946, in Winfield, Kan. She died Jan. 3, 1972. He attended schools in the country. The last school he attended was Elm Grove. He completed the fourth grade. He left home at the age of 15 and came to Stillwater to work. He spent one year working in California and returned to Stillwater when he was 18 to go into the Army. He worked for the sanitation department for the City of Stillwater for 33 years. For seven years he also drove a taxi at night for the Going brothers. He accepted the Lord in March of 1954. He was a Baptist In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by one brother. He is survived by one son, Alfred McGuire of Cameron, Texas; four daughters, Mary Cupp of Cameron, Linda Spoon of Tryon, Nancy Brown of Eau Claire, Wis. and Hartzell of Stillwater; two brothers, Max and Wilford McGuire of Stillwater; two sisters, Gladys Henson of Glenpool and Hazel Bunney of Oklahoma City; 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and a close friend and companion, Grace Todd of Warner. Condolences may be e-mailed the family at strodefh@aol.com ****************************************************** Feb. 12, 2003 Alice M. Longmore Alice Marie Longmore, 83, of Idaho Falls, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. Memorial services were held Monday in Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home, 825, E. 17th in Idaho Falls, with the Rev. Michael Kennedy of Trinity United Methodist Church officiating. She was born Feb. 19, 1919, at Willcox, Ariz., to Harry Edward and Alice Weisbeck Lundquist. She spent her early years and was educated in Tucson, Ariz., and graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson. She has resided in Idaho Falls since the 1940's and taught English at Idaho Falls High School and Skyline High School. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. She was active in Order of Eastern Star, where she served as worthy matron. She was also active in the Senior Citizens Center and the Eagles Auxiliary. Her hobbies and interests included bridge, bingo, reading, traveling and watching all kinds of sports. She loved her family and being with them. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Wallace, Emmett E. and Harry Lundquist and a sister, Hazel Treu. She is survived by one son, Morley "Bruce" Longmore and his wife, Mary of Grass Valley, Calif.; one daughter, Nancy Horn and her husband, Jim of Stillwater; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Maybelle Yeomans of Cortez, Colo., and Beryl Bynum of St. George, Utah; a brother, Clarence George Lundquist of Tucson; two sisters-in-law, Donna Lundquist of Tucson and Vera Lundquist of Willcox. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in her name be made to Idaho Falls Senior Citizens, Eagles Auxiliary No. 576 or Order of Eastern Star, Henrietta Chapter No. 21. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenneth Grant Kenneth H. Grant, 93, Morrison, formerly of Shawnee, died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003, in a Stillwater nursing home. Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday in Walker Funeral Service Chapel. Interment will be at Resthaven Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Walker Funeral Service of Shawnee. Grant was born April 21, 1909, in Perry, to William H. and Josephine (Herbert) Grant. He was a truck driver for the Georgia Pacific Paper Co. He was a World War II veteran serving in the South Pacific in the U.S. Army. He married Bertha Reece Feb. 22, 1961, in California. He lived in Modesto, Calif., for 25 years, in Shawnee since 1976 and lived in Morrison for four years. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Bea, three sisters and two brothers. Grant is survived by three brothers, Myron and Ruth Grant, Morrison, Murry and Frieda Grant, Tucson, Ariz., Raymond Grant, Burbank; three sisters, Katherine Dormire, Morrison, Roberta Whitlow, Morrison, Lorene and Leroy Hardy, Liberal, Mo.; and a number of nieces and nephews. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- George McGuire George Leroy McGuire, 77, died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, in Grace Living Center. Services, with Pastor Wayne Sanmann and Vernon Langley officiating, will be Thursday at 2 p.m. in Southside Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Clarkson Cemetery in Coyle. Strode Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. He was born near Goodnight May 1, 1925, to Vernie Dale and Elizabeth (Weims) McGuire. He married Pauline Ruth Slavens May 9, 1946, in Winfield, Kan. She died Jan. 3, 1972. He attended schools in the country. The last school he attended was Elm Grove. He completed the fourth grade. He left home at the age of 15 and came to Stillwater to work. He spent one year working in California and returned to Stillwater when he was 18. He worked for the sanitation department for the City of Stillwater for 33 years. For seven years he also drove a taxi at night for the Going brothers. He accepted the Lord in March of 1954. He was a Baptist In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by one brother. He is survived by one son, Alfred McGuire of Cameron, Texas; four daughters, Mary Cupp of Cameron, Linda Spoon of Tryon, Nancy Brown of Eau Claire, Wis. and Anita Hartzell of Stillwater; two brothers, Max and Wilford McGuire of Stillwater; two sisters, Gladys Henson of Glenpool and Hazel Bunney of Oklahoma City; 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and a close friend and companion, Grace Todd of Warner. Condolences may be e-mailed the family at strodefh@aol.com ****************************************************** Feb. 13, 2003 Larry Stafford Larry Don Stafford Sr. was born July 21, 1943, in Ft. Smith, Ark., and died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003, in Springfield, Mo. A roast, celebrating Stafford's life, will be at 7 p.m. Monday in Meditations, 1205 N. Country Club. His family would like everyone to join them as they share in his favorite finger foods and memories. He was the pastor at Southside Baptist Church in Stillwater from 1980 to 1997. He served in the ministry from 1969 until his retirement in 1997. He was in the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1968. He attended Central State University where he received a master's degree in sociology. He was married to Jeanie Thompson Nov. 9, 1963, in Ft. Smith. They moved to Stillwater in the spring of 1980. He is survived by his wife; three children, Laura Arnold, L. Don Stafford Jr. and Shelli and husband Steve Meyers, all of Stillwater; four grandchildren, Dallas and Tanner Arnold, Stillwater, Tommy Johnson, Oklahoma City and Brodie Meyers, Stillwater; numerous brother and sisters-in-law, nephews and friends. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ann Ellen Kliesen Ann Ellen Kliesen died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003. Rosary service was at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Ninde Garden Chapel in Tulsa. Mass was at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Church of St. Mary. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Ninde Funeral Directors Garden Chapel in Tulsa is directing the arrangements. She was born in Orlando May 18, 1914, to Clarence L. and Vyolet Wehr. She moved to Tulsa from Stillwater in 1954. She was a loving mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and a retired nurse. All who knew her will miss her very much. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years Claud; a daughter, Patricia Rose Kliesen; two grandsons, Robert Eason and Dewayne Powell; her parents; one sister, Dorothy B. Wehr and two brothers, Clair and Nele Wehr. Survivors include two daughters, Dorothy Lucille Walters of Broken Arrow and Georgia Joan Pegorsch of Squaw Valley, Calif.; one son, Kenneth L. Kliesen of Beggs; two brothers, Carl Wehr of Stillwater and Lynn Wehr of Colton, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. ****************************************************** Feb. 14, 2003 Ty Garrett Dorsey Ty Garrett Dorsey, 1, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003. Services will be Saturday at 4 p.m. in Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Jack Byas will officiate. Interment will be private. He was born in Stillwater Medical Center Jan. 29, 2002, to Garry L. and Karen E. Dorsey. He was predeceased by a sister, Sabra Dorsey and his paternal grandmother, Shirley Clark. He is survived by his parents; one sister, Echo Dorsey of Ada; and his maternal grandparents, Tom and Carol Coburn of Richmond, Va. Memorials may be made to The Ty Dorsey Memorial at Oklahoma Children's Health Foundation, P.O. Box 20896, Oklahoma City, OK 73156. Condolences may be e-mailed the family at strodefh@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Sloan Perkins resident Thomas A. Sloan, 75, died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in Rainbow Nursing Home in Bristow. Services, with Pastor Cody Freeman officiating, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tulsa. Strode Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. He was born Nov. 1, 1927, in England, Ark., to Daniel Vernon and Rosie Ellen (Tanner) Sloan. He married Ellen Mae Krisell May 1, 1948, in Benton, Ark. He attended England schools and graduated from England High School. After graduation, he entered the Navy and served as a boatswain's mate. He deployed to the South Pacific. After returning from the service, he farmed for several years in England. He then worked as an electric lineman for Public Service Company of Oklahoma and retired in 1986 after 32 years of service. He was a member of the Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was also a charter member of the Elks Lodge in Sand Springs. He was predeceased by his parents and one granddaughter Molly Kay Sloan. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Tommy D. Sloan of Tulsa and Jimmy C. Sloan and his wife Bonita or Perkins; six grandchildren, Jenny R. Sloan of Morrison, Brenda Mendinghall and her husband Branden of Stillwater, Lindsey Hope Sloan of Stillwater, Amanda Sloan of Tulsa, and Brad and Kirstine Heldreth of Perkins; three great-grandchildren, Daniel Johnston of Morrison, Branden Mendinghall of Stillwater and James Camp of Tulsa; one brother, Tony Sloan and his wife Lorene of England; and two sisters, Mary Harrison of Benton and Elsie Brand of Jacksonville, Ark. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Oklahoma Chapter, 6465 South Yale, Suite 206, Tulsa, OK 74136. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luella Hennis Luella Marie (Heskett) Hennis, 90, Stillwater, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003, in Stillwater Medical Center. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday in the Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Allen Mitchell will officiate. Interment will be in the Glencoe Cemetery Association Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Strode Funeral Home. Hennis was born May 24, 1912, in Allenreed, Texas, to John David and Ollie Belle (Snowden) Heskett. She was married to Guy Hennis Jan. 24, 1931, in Enid. He died Nov. 19, 1968. After her birth, her family moved to Santa Rosa, N.M., and then to Raden for a time before moving to Hillsdale. She attended school at Nine Mile Corner near Hillsdale. She was a cook for the school lunch program in Hillsdale and also worked some in Glencoe. While living in Hillsdale, she was able to establish a summer camp program called Good Kids Club. During World War II she volunteered at the Red Cross. She then moved to Glencoe in 1949 and to Stillwater in 1954. She loved cooking for the children and grandchildren, working in the garden and sewing. She made and sold Memorial Day wreaths for many years in the Stillwater area. She also enjoyed camping and fishing. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is a member of the Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, four brothers and five sisters. Hennis is survived by her son, Gary and wife Erna Hennis, Stillwater; daughter, Lavenia and husband Randall Hutchinson, Stillwater; five grandchildren, Steven Sumpter and wife Jan, Stillwater, Stewart Sumpter, Stillwater, Janeene Sumpter, Stillwater, Wayne Hennis, Beaver, Ark., and Becky Chilleni, Stillwater; eight great-grandchildren; and one brother, Less Heskett, Oklahoma City. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at strodefh@aol.com ****************************************************** Feb. 15, 2003 Neva M. Reed Private family services were held Friday for Neva M. Reed, 89, who died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003, at Stillwater Medical Center. The Rev. James Cotten, pastor of First Christian Church of Del City, officiated. Fairlawn Cemetery services were under the direction of Strode Funeral Home. Reed was born June 12, 1913, in Tipton to Jessie Earl and Ruth L. Melott Newsom. The family moved to Drumright in 1917 where her father was employed by the Gypsy Oil Co., during the oil boom era. She attended Washington School and Drumright High School and later business college. She moved to Houston in 1940 where she was office manager for the Pacific Mutual Insurance Co., and during World War II was office manager of a shipyard in Houston. In 1948, she married William C. Reed, an official of the National Pipefitters Union. They traveled extensively over the nation, helping organize and administer local chapters. In 1959, she established a Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio in Houston which she operated for 20 years. Her husband died in 1976 and she moved to Stillwater in 1983 to help take care of her mother, who died in 1987. She was also predeceased by her parents and two brothers, Coy L. and Roy R. Newsom. Survivors include one brother, D. Earl Newsom of Stillwater; a sister, Mrs. William R. (Bernice) Newsom of Oklahoma City; two stepsons, Tom and Virgil Reed of Houston; and many nieces and nephews. ****************************************************** Feb. 16, 2003 Yale William Sadler Yale William Sadler, 81, of Stillwater, died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003, in Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. Services will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Strode Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Stanley M. Warfield Jr. will officiate. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends at the Strode Hospitality Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Strode Funeral Home is directing the services. Sadler was born in Mountain View Nov. 22, 1921, to Arthur M. and Adelaide (Kissner) Sadler. He married Mary Lou (McVicker) Sadler Oct. 25, 1947. She preceded him in death July 21, 1989. Sadler attended school and graduated from Mountain View High School. After high school he attended college at Southwestern Oklahoma State University for his bachelor's degree. He served in World War II from 1942 to 1946. He then attended Oklahoma State University and received his Master's of Science Administration. After receiving his master's, he went on to teach business and driver's education at Butler High School for two years. He then taught at Balko High School and served as principal for 17 years. He and his family moved to Stillwater in 1972, where he worked for the employment agency for nine years. He loved going to garage sales, fishing and enjoyed his dogs and cats. He was a member of the First Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by one son, James (Jim) Edward Sadler of Seminole; one daughter, Susan Polozzi and her husband, John, of Lynchburg, Vir.; one grandchild, Beau Courtney of Bentonville, Ark.; one brother, Gale A. Sadler of Lawton; and one sister, Minnie Davis of Carnegie. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at . Mickey Joe Cypert Mickey Joe Cypert, 59, Carney, died Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, in Oklahoma City. Services will be Monday at 2 p.m. in the First Christian Church in Perkins. Interment will follow at Perkins Cemetery in Perkins. The Revs. Leonne Worcester and Joe Merrell will officiate. Strode Funeral Home is directing the services. Cypert was born in Granite March 23, 1943, to Edgar William and Claudia (Ledbetter) Cypert. He married Rosemary Schieffer Aug. 19, 1966, in Moore. Cypert, also known as "Butch" to his family and close friends, grew up in Granite. After graduating from Granite High School in 1961, he joined the U.S. Army in Clinton. He served in Korea in 1962-1963 and was stationed at Fort Sill and Fort Carson in Colorado. He served his country for three years and was honorably discharged Dec. 14, 1964, at the rank of Sgt. First Class. After marrying his wife, the couple moved to Moore. He worked for National Life and Accident Insurance Co. and retired in 1974 due to his health. While working for the company, he worked his way up to staff manager. After his retirement, the family moved to the Tryon, Perkins, Carney area. He loved being involved in his children's lives and enjoyed watching his son play ball. He served as a deacon in the Perkins First Christian Church and when he was feeling up to it, was diligent about visiting the sick and helping with the sacraments. His friends were important to him and he enjoyed working in his shop. His greatest loves were his family and church. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was baptized in the Church of Christ in Granite and was a member of the First Christian Church of Perkins. He was predeceased by his parents; one son, David; and one sister, Karen. He is survived by his wife of the home; one daughter, Dawnita Skalovsky of Edmond; one grandchild, Kathryn Solomon of Bartlesville; one brother, Jack Cypert of Warr Acres; and five sisters, Ruth Duesman of Sterling, Judy Barfield of Owasso, Connie Heiden of Meeker, Donna Sue Schumann of Newcastle and Debbie Chapman of Lawton. Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association, Oklahoma Affiliate, 3545 Northwest 58th #400C, Oklahoma City, OK 73112; Kidney Foundation of Oklahoma, 3617 Northwest 58th #101, Oklahoma City, OK 73118; Leukemia Society of America, Oklahoma Chapter, 3022 Northwest Expressway #216, Oklahoma City, OK 73112; American Cancer Society c/o Karen Ward, 106 E. Marie, Stillwater, OK 74074; Disabled American Veterans c/o Strode Funeral Home, P.O. Box 487, Stillwater, OK 74076; or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at . Laura Woody Laura Woody, 70, long-time Billings resident, died Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, in St. Mary's Hospital in Enid. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in the Billings Union Cemetery under direction of Dugger Funeral Home of Billings. Pastor Russell Betz will officiate. She was born April 14, 1932, in Newkirk to Clyde Cecil Pickett Sr. and the former Minnie Clearcie Baine. She attended Lamont schools. On May 8, 1948, she and John Edward Woody were married in the Methodist Church in Enid. She was a housewife and mother. She was also a past noble grand of the Rebekah Lodge and was affiliated with the Methodist Church before becoming a member of the Antelope Valley Church of the Brethren of Billings. Her husband, John; parents; three sisters, Juanita Osborn, Maxine Rarrick and Darling Pitts; and one son, Clyde Woody, preceded her in death. Survivors are three daughters, Sue Williams and Regina Sharp and her husband, Kirt, of Billings and Tina Franklin Woody of Houston, Texas; one brother, Clyde Cecil Pickett Jr., Denver, Colo.; two sisters, Peggy Stewart and Roxy Kautz, both of Denver; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Billings Ambulance Service ****************************************************** Feb. 17, 2003 Virgil Elbe Pittser Virgil Elbe Pittser, 79, Cushing, died Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003, at his home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Palmer Funeral Home Chapel in Cushing. Brother Eddie Pittser will preside. Interment will follow in Parkland Cemetery in Parkland under the direction of Palmer Funeral Home of Cushing. Visitation will be today from noon to 8 p.m. The casket will be closed at the service. Pittser was born June 8, 1923, in Parkland to Elmer Floyd and Eva Gertrude (Potter) Pittser. He received his early education in Parkland and moved to Tulsa at the age of 8 and continued his education. At the age of 8 he worked at the Mohawk Golf Course in Tulsa as a caddy. He worked in San Francisco at the shipyards as a welder during World War II. He was a plumber and pipe fitter and was a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local No. 205 in Tulsa. He was a member of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn. He was predeceased by his parents; five brothers, Ted, Newell, Floyd, Emmitt and Russell; and one infant sister. Survivors include one son, David Pittser and his wife Laura of Owasso; one daughter, Sonya Percell and her husband Eddie of Cushing; one step-son, Bradley Don Adams of Cushing; one sister, Jerry Jackson of Tulsa; and five grandchildren, Shanna, Jessica, Chelsea, Samuel and Davee. Pallbearers will be Tom Pittser, Eldon Pittser, Don Pittser, Kenny Pittser, Bill Burton and Don Stockton. ****************************************************** Feb. 18, 2003 Leona Mae Craft Leona Mae Craft, 100, died Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, in Stillwater Medical Center. Services, with Rev. C. B. Jarvis presiding, will be Thursday at 2 p.m. in Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery. Strode Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. She was born in Craig, Mo., Oct. 20, 1902, to Walter Burr and Nancy Jane (Asher) Triplett. She married William Martin Craft in Guthrie Dec. 30, 1923. He died Feb. 7, 1964. She attended Stillwater schools and graduated from high school in 1920. After marriage, the couple lived on a dairy farm in Stillwater. Her hobbies included sewing and gardening. She loved to cook and take care of her family. She was a Methodist. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by one son, Martin Lee Craft; four brothers, Bill Triplett, Chester (Chet) Triplett, Harvey (Hub) Triplett and Melvin (Wart) Triplett; five sisters, Carrie VanArsdell, Nellie Kirts, Della Fanning, Leta Littlefield and Janie Walsh; and two grandsons, Dale Standefer and Mark Randall Jarvis. She is survived by four daughters, Ruth Pauline Craft of the home, Glenna Simpson of Kingfisher, Juanita Standefer of Blanchard and Nancy Jarvis and her husband C.B. of Chandler; 15 grandchildren, Robert Craft, James Craft, Linda Mecklenburg, Theresa McAvoy, Mike Simpson, Robert Simpson, Joe Dale Simpson, Bill Standefer, Kay Hyde, Paul Standefer, Wayne Jarvis, Phil Jarvis, Gary Jarvis, Camilla Westfall and Diana Luschen; 36 great-grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Condolences may be e-mailed the family at strodefh@aol.com ****************************************************** Feb. 19, 2003 John Karl Geppert Dr. John Karl Geppert, Stillwater, died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2003, in Stillwater Medical Center. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, 500 S. Barker in El Reno. His ashes will be inurned there in the columbarium beside those of his daughter, Katy. Geppert was born in Clearfield, Penn., Aug. 14, 1938, to John G. and Elizabeth B. Geppert. He grew up in western Pennsylvania with his siblings Christine, Mark and Paul. He was educated at the University of Pittsburgh where he received his doctor of dental surgery degree in 1963. He served in the United States Navy for six years and resigned his commission to practice family dentistry for 12 years. Geppert then joined the United States Public Health Service and worked at FCI El Reno in El Reno until his retirement in 1996. He was a dedicated servant of the Episcopal Church and a graduate of the Education for Ministry program. He was a member of the El Reno Rotary Club, the El Reno Wranglers, the El Reno Community Chorus and the Oklahoma City Accordion Club. He was preceded in death by his daughter and his brother, Paul. He is survived by his wife, Ann S. Geppert, his children, Karen Saunders, Susan Popplewell, Ruth Cavins, James Geppert and their families. His grandchildren, Emily, Karly, Brooke, Chloe, Katie, Quinn and Wren were his greatest joy. Each is blessed to be a part of his legacy. In lieu of flowers, the Geppert family requests donations to their church: Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, 500 S. Barker, El Reno, OK 73036. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Mae Williams Piedmont resident Mary Mae Williams, 82, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, in Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. Services, with Rev. Stanley M. Warfield Jr. presiding, will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Strode Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. She was born in Stillwater Dec. 28, 1920, to Stanislav and Rosy (Kubicek) Peterka. She married Leo John Williams Feb. 5, 1941, in Stillwater. He died Feb. 22, 1981. She attended Eden Center schools. After she was married, the couple lived on a farm north of town. She was a homemaker. In November 1981, they moved to town. In July 1995, she moved to Piedmont to be near her son. While living in Piedmont, she was a member of the Friendly Neighbors state extension club. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by one brother, Frank Peterka and one sister, Bessie Stejfkal. She is survived by two sons, Jerry Williams and his wife Brenda of Burleson, Texas and Ric Williams and his wife Frances of Piedmont; two daughters, Donna Lau and her husband Charles of Shawnee and Bonnie Trammell and her husband Richard of Conway, Ark.; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at strodefh@aol.com ****************************************************** Feb. 20, 2003 Harry Elwell Harry Elwell, 91, long-time resident of Perry, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003, in Stillwater Medical Center in Stillwater. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the First United Methodist Church in Perry. Rev. Tom Kirby will officiate. Interment will be in Grace Hill Cemetery under direction of Brown-Dugger Funeral Home. He was born July 14, 1911, in Ripley, to George Alvin and Alice (Grove) Elwell. He spent his early years in the Shidler area. In 1930, he worked for the McCarty Ranch near Nara Visa, N.M. Returning to Oklahoma, he began a career in the automotive business which spanned 46 years. Known as "Jack" to many of his friends, he operated the Perry Automotive Supply and later Elwell Auto Supply. He was also involved in raising cattle and wheat. Elwell was active in many civic and community organizations and recently received his 50-year Masonic pin. He also served on the Noble County Excise Board for many years before retiring in 2001. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Perry. On Dec. 11, 1935, he and the former Leona Ruckman were married in Perry. To this union two daughters, Marilyn and Karen, were born. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, two sisters and one son, Russell H. Elwell. In addition to his wife, Leona, he is survived by two daughters, Marilyn Noll and her husband, Henry, of Ponca City and Karen Parker and her husband, Eddie, of Waurika; two grandchildren, Todd Jerome, of Perry and Ruslyn Parker, of Stillwater and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the charity of the donor's choice. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William 'Bill' Stevens William "Bill" R. Stevens, 87, died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003, at Roxie Weber Plaza. Services will be at 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at Roxie Weber Plaza. Interment will be at 11 a.m. March 1 at Southern Heights Cemetery in Sapulpa. Strode Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. He was born in Mounds Feb. 1, 1916, to James Berdell and Sarah (Linkhart) Stevens. He served in World War II from 1941 until 1946 in New York, London, England, Frankfurt and Heidelberg, Germany, where he served as a postal clerk. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. He then went to work for Liberty Glass in Sapulpa and worked there for 35 years before he retired in 1980. He moved to Stillwater in 1981 and was a charter resident of Roxie Weber Plaza. He was a big Chicago Cubs baseball, football and country and western fan. He was also a member of the Loretta Lynn Fan Club and loved playing dominoes at the Senior Citizens Center. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers, Hugh Stevens, John Stevens and Donald Stevens; three sisters, Gladys Stevens, Vi Stevens Henderson Davenport and his twin sister, Daisy Fay Stevens; and one nephew, Phillip Stevens. He is survived by two nieces, Sharon Henderson Scott and Kay Don Stevens Plitt; and one nephew, Max Stevens. Condolences may be e-mailed the family at strodefh@aol.com ****************************************************** Feb. 21, 2003 John 'Tommy' Hood Tommy Hood, 69, of Cushing, died Wednesday Feb. 19, 2003, in his home in Cushing. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn in Cushing. Brother Carlos Combs and Brother Wayne Tibbett will preside. Interment will follow in the Flynn Cemetery, southwest of Cushing. Funeral services will be under the direction of the Palmer Funeral Home of Cushing. He was born March 20, 1933, in Payne County, to Chester and Eva Pearl (Murry) Hood. He attended his early education in Cushing and was a graduate of the Cushing High School Class of 1951. He married Bonnie (Greenfield) Aug. 16, 1958, in Cushing. They made their home in Cushing and have since resided. Hood was an aircraft mechanic at Douglas Aircraft in Tulsa. He retired from Cushing Plumbing Co. in 1995 after working 36 years in the heating and air conditioning repair. He was a veteran of the air force, serving during the Korean War. He was a member of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn and was baptized in 1948. Hood was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Johnise Hood; one sister, Berdean Combs; brothers, Amil Hood and R.C. Hood; and by two infant brothers. Survivors include his wife of the home; daughter, Teresa Ann Hood of Cushing and a brother, Delen Hood of Yale; numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Verba Inez Amen Verba Inez Amen, 90, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, in Wichita, Kan. Services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m., in the Poteet Funeral Chapel in Pawnee with the Rev. Hainds Laird, her first cousin once removed, officiating. Interment will be at Masham Cemetery in Pawnee, under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home. Amen was born Oct. 31, 1912, in Mountain View, Mo., to William Stonewall Jackson Oldham and Lizzie Laird Oldham. She married Joseph Frederick Amen June 4, 1935, in Stillwater. He preceded her in death Sept. 25, 2002. She was a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a degree in child development and family relations. She has been a lifelong homemaker and was affiliated with the Methodist Church. She moved to Wichita from Pawnee in 1987. She is survived by one daughter, LaVerba Jo Gaulding, Wichita; two sons, Dan Joe Amen, Stillwater and Dr. Lloy Fred Amen of Zuni, N.M.; three granddaughters, Michalle Gaulding, Wichita, Ambre Stirtz, Emporia, Kan. and Janelle Ballard, Stillwater; one great grandson; and a number of other relatives, and many friends. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carl Louis Day Carl Louise Day, 67, of Cushing, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003, in the Leisure Village Nursing Center in Tulsa. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Fairlawn Cemetery, north of Cushing. Services will be under the direction of Palmer Funeral Home of Cushing. He was born Feb. 26, 1935, in Cushing, to Charles and Lena (Vesper) Day. He received his early education in Cushing. He married Barbara (Goforth) Dec. 29, 1958. Day had worked as a sandblaster and in the drywall business. He also worked as a baker. His parents, wife, four sons, one daughter, two brothers and one sister preceded him in death. Survivors include one son, James Day of Drumright; four daughters, Linda and Albert Vasso of Cushing, Jana and Lee Laubach of Okeene, Terry and Shane Thompson of Drumright and Alena Brasel of Drumright; four brothers, Charles Franklin Day and Paul Day, both of Del City, Harold Day of Cushing and Jimmie Day of Texas; five sisters, Eva Cheesman of Meeker, Stella Gragg of Modesto, Calif., Joanita James of Wichita, Kan., Jane McEntire of Jones and Barbara Lewis of Tulsa; and 14 grandchildren. ****************************************************** Feb. 22, 2003 Brad Sneed Ponca City resident Brad R. Sneed, 48, died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003, at Via Christi Oklahoma Regional Medical Center. Graveside services will at 3 p.m. today at Highland Cemetery in Pawnee. A private family service will proceed the interment. Trout Funeral Home in Ponca City is directing the arrangements. He was born on July 13, 1954, in San Antonio, Texas to Cecil and Betty Sneed. He graduated from Enid High School and joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1989. He was active in the National Guard and the 381st Reserve Unit. He was active in the Oklahoma National Guard Mentorship Program and was the Kay County site coordinator at the National Guard Unit on South Avenue for five years. He enjoyed horses, fishing and spending time with his family. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Jonah and Iona Sneed; an aunt, Chlora Shultz; his parents; and step-mother Betty Sneed. He is survived by a daughter, Christina Sneed of Cushing; a step-daughter, Maya Brown of Wichita, Kan.; two step-sons, John and Damian Salazer of Wichita, Kan.; five grandchildren; three sisters; and two brothers. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Kay County Chapter, P.O. Box 1151, Ponca City, OK 74602 or to the American Heart Association, Kay County Chapter, P.O. Box 1151, Ponca City, OK 74602. Rick Alan Brown Former Stillwater resident, Rick Alan Brown, 46, of Ponce Inlet, Fla., died on Friday, Feb. 14, 2003 in a traffic accident in Wilbur-by-the Sea, Fla. Memorial services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home. Dr. Kenneth Wiggins will officiate. There will be no visitation or viewing at the funeral home because the family has selected cremation services. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Chapel Funeral Home. Brown was born on July 4, 1956 in Stillwater to Robert A. Brown and Wanda L (Bradley) Brown. He attended Stillwater public schools and graduated from C.E. Donart High School in 1974. He was co-owner of Brown's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning in Stillwater. He later moved to Midland, Texas, to work for Unocal Oil Co. and later lived in Plano, Texas. He received his bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University in 1989. He recently moved to Port Orange, Fla. where he was self-employed in the trucking business. He married Cori Cochrane on June 5, 2002 in St. Augustine, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents. Brown is survived by his wife, of the home; one sister, Robbin Griffin, Stillwater; one brother, Rex Brown, Stillwater; two nieces, Ryan Marie Perry and husband Don, of Edmond, and Betsi Griffin, Stillwater; two nephews, Jerimy Brown and wife Maria, Stillwater, and Spencer Brown, Stillwater; one great-nephew, Tayler Brown, Stillwater; and his beloved Australian Shepherd, Coco. William 'Bill' Stevens William "Bill" R. Stevens, 87, died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003, at Roxie Weber Plaza. Services will be at 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at Roxie Weber Plaza. Interment will be at 11 a.m. Feb. 22 at Southern Heights Cemetery in Sapulpa. Strode Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. He was born in Mounds Feb. 1, 1916, to James Berdell and Sarah (Linkhart) Stevens. He served in World War II from 1941 until 1946 in New York, London, England, Frankfurt and Heidelberg, Germany, where he served as a postal clerk. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. He then went to work for Liberty Glass in Sapulpa and worked there for 35 years before he retired in 1980. He moved to Stillwater in 1981 and was a charter resident of Roxie Weber Plaza. He was a big Chicago Cubs baseball, football and country and western fan. He was a member of the Loretta Lynn Fan Club and loved playing dominoes at the Senior Citizens Center. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers, Hugh Stevens, John Stevens and Donald Stevens; three sisters, Gladys Stevens, Vi Stevens Henderson Davenport and his twin sister, Daisy Fay Stevens; and one nephew, Phillip Stevens. He is survived by two nieces, Sharon Henderson Scott and Kay Don Stevens Plitt; and one nephew, Max Stevens. Condolences may be e-mailed the family at . ****************************************************** Feb. 23, 2003 Corbet Shipley Corbet Shipley, 89, of Cushing, died Wednesday Feb. 19, 2003, in the Cushing Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the First United Methodist Church in Cushing. Dr. Verlyn Snell will preside. Interment will be at 4:30 p.m. in the Little Cemetery in Little. Funeral services will be under the direction of the Palmer Funeral Home of Cushing. He was born Jan. 16, 1914, in Seminole, to Jesse and Mildred Shipley. He married Elwanda (Gorham) June 5, 1948, in Dallas, Texas. Shipley was an engineer and worked for the Mobil Oil Company from 1945 until 1979. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Cushing, was active in the Boy Scouts and loved to travel. He was a veteran serving during WW II. Survivors include his wife of the home, two sons, Kent Shipley of Oklahoma and Steve Shipley of Arkansas; two sisters, Ruby Brannon of Texas and Edna Shipley Conner of California; and a cousin, Blanch Ricker of Drumright. Ricardo Herrera-Gavirio Ricardo Herrera-Gavirio, a newborn, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, in the Oklahoma University Medical Center. Services will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Bah- Kho-Je. The Revs. James Fire and Jullienne Judd will officiate. Interment will be in the Iowa Tribal Cemetery in Perkins. He was born at the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City to Sindia Herrera and Jerardo Gavirio Feb. 22, 2003. He died three hours later. He is survived by his parents, Sindia Herrera and Jerardo Gavirio of Oklahoma City; grandparents, Cyndhia Franco of Oklahoma City, Francis Deer Sr. of Oklahoma City and Ambrocio Gavirio and Ernestina Gavirio of Acuna-Coahuila, Mexico. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at . Floyd V. Hunt Floyd V. Hunt, 73, of Ardmore, died in a Veteran's Administration Home in Ardmore Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003. Services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Cecil Riding In will officiate. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Strode Funeral Home is directing the services. The family will greet friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at Strode Funeral Home. He was born Sept. 5, 1929, in Mulhall, to William E. and Lora (Johnson) Hunt. He married Wilma Jean Franklin in Coyle Jan. 10, 1954. She preceded him in death Oct. 2, 2002. He attended school at Spring Valley and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1948. Shortly after graduation, he joined the Air Force in 1950 and served three years and one month. While in the Air Force, he earned the Air Crew Member Badge, the Korean Service Medal and the U.N. Service Medal. He was a member of the 46th Air Squadron and was discharged at the rank of Airman First Class. After returning home, he married Wilma Jean in 1954. He resumed his work as a mechanic and heavy equipment operator for the Department of Transportation in 1960 and worked there until his retirement in 1988. He loved to attend old tractor shows and collected old guns. He loved his pets and working in his yard. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife; one son, William R. (Bill) Hunt; and one brother, James D. (Jim) Hunt. He is survived by one daughter, Vicki Reed and her husband, David, of Stillwater; five grandchildren, Angela Lann, Andrea (Reed) Eddington, Jessie Hunt, Ashley Reed and Terri Hunt; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Georgia Stanley of Stillwater and Jo Riding In and her husband, Cecil, of Pawnee. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at . ****************************************************** Feb. 24, 2003 Edrie C. Davis Edrie C. Davis, 94, died in Grace Living Center Saturday, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Colonial Chapel Funeral Home with Dr. William Inglish officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Colonial Chapel Funeral Home. Davis was born Nov. 7, 1908, in Latham, Kan., to Nathaniel L. and Eva May (Plummer) Lamb. While still an infant, the family moved to Goodnight where she was educated in the Goodnight School System. She then attended and graduated from Edmond High School. Davis then attended and graduated from Central State Teachers' College and after receiving her lifetime teacher's certificate, taught school in various one-room school houses in Logan and Lincoln counties. On Oct. 27, 1935, she married Oscar R. Davis in Goodnight. After marriage, the couple lived in Stillwater and for a short time in Fort Smith, Ark. They moved back to Stillwater in 1943. Davis was a homemaker and opened a day care in her residence in 1953 and continued to operate it until her retirement in the mid-1970s. She was a member of the Senior Citizens Center, Sunshine Seniors, the Rebeccah Lodge, the Priscilla Group, Galilean Class and the Greeters Class at the First Christian Church where she was a member. Davis enjoyed traveling, crocheting and worked in her garden and yard late into her life. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, June 12, 1980; three brothers, Arthur, Archie and Jessa Lamb and four sisters, Iva Mae Lamb, Mamie Lamb, Delpha Adam and Audrie E. Moorman. Survivors include one daughter, Donna Mae Cooper and her husband William "Butch" of Denton, Texas; one grandchild, D.A. Cooper of Stillwater and one brother, Earl A. Lamb and his wife Mary of Stillwater. Memorials may be made in her name to LIFE Center, 411 W. Mathews, Stillwater 74074, or Alzheimer's Association of Oklahoma and Arkansas, 6465 S. Yale, Suite 206, Tulsa 74136-7804 or Grace Living Center Resident Programs, 1215 W. 10th, Stillwater 74074. ****************************************************** Feb. 25, 2003 Stephen Smith Stephen Ralph Smith, 49, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, in his Stillwater home. Visitation will be at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Services, with John Talley presiding, will be Thursday at 10 a.m. in Colonial Chapel Funeral Home. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. Cremation will follow the chapel services. Also following the services, a dinner will be served in the Stillwater Moose Lodge at Third and Perkins. He was born in Cushing Sept. 11, 1953, to Merle E. and Ethel (McDaniel) Smith. He was married to Pat (Bennett) Smith. He was adopted at an early age and found his brothers and sisters about 20 years ago. Since then he has enjoyed a meaningful relationship with them. He worked for World Color Press as a press operator for the last 16 years until his health forced his retirement. He was a member of the Stillwater Moose Lodge 2089 and enjoyed fishing, bowling and going to Las Vegas. He was predeceased by his father, a brother, Ronnie Cobb and a sister, Carol Cobb. In addition to his wife of the home, he is survived his mother; a daughter, Stephanie Jean Blackwell and her husband Ernest of Pryor; three sons, Stephen Anthony Smith and Sean Eugene Northern of the home and Craig Alan Northern and his wife Debrina of Stillwater; grandsons, Mason, Jacob and Zackery Blackwell of Pryor and Kenneth and Hunter Northern of Stillwater; brothers, Gary, Jerry, Darrell "Skip," Kenny and Mickey Cobb; and sisters, Mary Phyllis Johnson, Sandra Mobley, Liz Ann Kaiser and Shirley Howard, all of Dallas, Texas, and Peggy Deering of Cushing. Memorials may be made to Judith Karman Hospice, 915 South Main, Stillwater, OK 74074 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earl Nasalroad Earl Donnie Nasalroad, 84, of Yale, died Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, in his home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the First Baptist Church in Yale. Interment will follow at the Lawson Cemetery, north of Yale. Services will be under the direction of the Yale-Palmer Funeral Chapel. He was born June 3, 1918, southeast of Yale, to Jobe and Lola (Fitch) Nasalroad. He married Dorothy (Ford) July 15, 1940, in Stillwater. They made their home in Yale and have since resided. He was a retired Boilermaker, and also worked in the oil fields, in road construction, for Payne County and was a farmer and rancher. He attended the Yale Church of God, served as a school board member for the Yale school system in the 1950's and served on the Greenwood cemetery board. He liked to fish, hunt, farm and loved to tell stories to family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife on Aug. 30, 2002; six brothers and four sisters. Survivors include one son, Clifton Dale Nasalroad and wife Arlene of Yale; three daughters, Clara Rosalee Morrow and husband Finley of Yale, Donna Ruth Nasalroad of Yale and Hazel Rose Elliott and husband Clifford of Yale; one brother, Harvey Bickell of Clearwater, Fla.; 10 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Serving, as pallbearers will be Russell Morrow, Herbert Boley, Jim Elliott, Rodney Elliott, Jim Kilpatrick and Jeff Elliott. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Casper 'Cap' Bilyeu Casper W. "Cap" Bilyeu, 87, a Carson City, Nev., resident of 42 years, died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, in his home following a brief illness. A memorial service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 304 N. Division Street in Carson City. Bilyeu was born at Yost Lake near Stillwater, to Lee Isaac (Dock) and Julia Alfreeda Ham Bilyeu. He graduated from Stillwater High School and attended Oklahoma A&M University. He worked for Payne County in creamery and began his career in lumber and hardware retailing in Stillwater with Ingham Lumber Company. Later he managed lumber yards in Tucumcari and Santa Fe, N.M., Buhl and Gooding, Idaho and lastly in Carson City. Bilyeu was the manager of J.W. Copeland Yards in Carson City from 1961 until 1964 and worked at C. Meek Lumber in Carson City from 1967 until his retirement in 1980. During his career, he was active in church, Boy Scouts of America, was on the board of directors of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce and was past president of the Rotary Club of Carson City. In 1978, he was named Man of the Year by the Carson City Chamber of Commerce. Among his survivors are his wife of 62 years, Grace Hogan Bilyeu of Carson City; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Sally Bilyeu, of Carson City; grandsons, Ricky Bilyeu of Carson City and Cameron Green of Reno; sisters, Alta Kirby and Olive Pryor of Stillwater and Joan Botts of Perkins. Memorial contributions may be made to the Carson City Rotary Foundation, Post Office Box 504, Carson City, Nev. 89702 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Evelyn Lowman Former Cushing resident, now a resident of Bedford, Texas, Evelyn Lucille Lowman, 88, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, in Ladora Lodge Nursing Home in Bedford. A chapel service, with Rev. Adrian Vorderlandwehr presiding, was held at 1 p.m. today in the Memorial Chapel of the Davis Funeral Home. She was born in Little Rock, Ark., Oct. 15, 1914, to James Michael and Catherine (Busby) Sherlock. She was reared and educated in Little Rock. She married Joseph Cliford Lowman April 27, 1940, in Cushing. He died Sept. 24, 1993, after having been married more than 53 years. The couple made their first home in Lawton and in 1949 moved to Oklahoma City. She was a member of the Catholic Church. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by three sisters. Survivors include five daughters, Jo Lene Anderson of Eufaula, Jimmye Kaye Bassett of Hurst, Texas, Gayla Ann Baker of Bedford, Cindy J. Sirmans of Port Orange, Fla. and Pam S. Cole of Stroudsburg, Penn.; one sister, Phyllis Mitchell of Katy, Texas; 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Condolences may be e-mailed the family at davisfhcushing@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thelma Hardesty Thelma Lily Hardesty, 82, of Stillwater, died in her home Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in University Heights Baptist Church. The Rev. Paul Jones will officiate. A private burial will be held at Kingfisher Cemetery in Kingfisher. Strode Funeral Home is in charge of services. Hardesty was born Jan. 30, 1921, in Gem City, Texas, to Herbert C. and Lily D. (Hamon) Hill. She married William Ernest Hardesty Aug. 30, 1941, in Kingfisher. He died June 23, 1994. Hardesty completed school in Kingfisher and attended Oklahoma State University for two years before graduating from Central State College in elementary education. She taught in the Moore and Perkins-Tryon school districts and retired after 20 years in the profession. She and her husband lived in Hugo, Okmulgee and Midwest City for his job with Soil Conservation Service. They transferred to Stillwater in 1965. For several years, she has been active with the International Wives Group at OSU. She was also a member of University Heights Baptist Church. Hardesty is survived by one daughter; Linda Jones and her husband Richard of Denver, Colo.; six grandchildren; David Sebert of Tempe, Ariz.; Susan Sebert of Washington, D.C.; Karen Jones of Georgetown, Texas; Gregory Jones of Denver; Douglas Jones of Denver and Nicholas Jones of Denver; four brothers; Thomas Hill of Kingfisher, Ernest Hill of Yukon, John Hill of Lincoln, Neb. and Donald Hill of Texas; three sisters, Ruby Bilka of Texas, Leona Lohmeyer of Kingfisher and Mattie Ellis of Shawnee. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 3545 N.W. 58th, No. 400C, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73112. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at strodefh@aol.com ****************************************************** Feb. 26, 2003 Geneva Chiles Geneva Fay Chiles, 89, Perry, died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2003, in Green Valley Nursing Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the First Christian Church in Perry. Rev. Martin Foster will officiate. Interment will be in Grace Hill Cemetery under direction of Brown-Dugger Funeral Home. A family visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in Brown-Dugger Funeral Home. The daughter of John and Minnie (Cheatham) Kester, she was born April 8, 1913, at Ralston. She attended Woodland school. On Nov. 21, 1932, she and Archie Chiles were married in Stillwater. He preceded his wife in death May 23, 1975. Chiles was a homemaker and a member of the First Christian Church of Perry. She had been a resident of the Perry community since 1941. She worked outside on the farm with her husband and daughters. Her daughters remember their mother was always home when they returned from school. Another remembrance is the freshly baked bread that their mother prepared for them. Quilting and gardening were her hobbies. She had a great love for her family, especially her grandchildren, and made a quilt for each child and grandchild. She enjoyed fishing with her husband, traveling with her sisters and collecting seashells and arrowheads. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Lacy Moore; one brother, Ervin Kester and one sister, Iva Cline. Survivors are three daughters, Charlotte Stephens and her husband, Bill, Perry, Phyllis Koch and her husband, Gene, Ponca City and Kay Moore, Sugarland, Texas; four grandsons, William Michael Stephens and Randy Stephens, both of Perry, Jeff Newman, Houston, Texas, and Earl Koch, Blackwell; five granddaughters, Nancy Stephens Deken, Pawhuska, Johnna Newman Embry, Bangs, Texas, Debra Koch Miller, Mounds, Jerri Newman Fortenberry, Hockley, Texas, and Dianne Koch, Ponca City; eight step-grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Charlotte Mouser, Sisters, Ore., and Donnie Brubaker, Hammett, Idaho; one sister-in-law, Claire Chiles, Stillwater and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Memorial Fund ****************************************************** Feb. 27, 2003 William 'Bill' Mohr William C. "Bill" Mohr, 61, Creston, Iowa, died Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, in Straub Hospital in Oahu, Hawaii. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Powers Funeral Home in Creston. The Rev. Tom Woodin will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home. The family will receive friend from 6 to 8 p.m. today. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Powers Funeral Home. Mohr was born May 30, 1941, in Arispe, Iowa, to Hollis Griffith Mohr and Maxine Louise Fesler. He graduated from high school in Arispe in 1959 and attended Southwestern Community College for two years and went on to Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo. He married Beverly Able April 10, 1960, in Cromwell, Iowa; she died June 16, 1995. He worked in retail sales most of his life. After marrying in 1960, he settled in Cromwell area where he worked in sales for J.C. Penney in Creston. He moved into Creston and was transferred to Phoenix in 1974. He continued with J.C. Penney in Phoenix until 1985, when he moved to Tulsa, where he owned and operated his Karmelkorn business. In 1995, he returned to Creston after his wife's death. He has worked as a car salesman at M&M Motors in Creston for the past four years. He was a member of the Elks Lodge 605, the Crestmoor Golf Club, both in Creston, and was a member of the Methodist church. He is preceded in death by his wife, maternal grandfather, Charles Fesler; paternal grandmother, Edith Mohr and his sister, Betty Jo. Mohr is survived by his parents, Hollis and Maxine Mohr, Creston; friend, Judy Pringle, Creston; two daughters, Lori Wray and husband Bobby, Creston, and Erin Mohr, Stillwater; one son, Brian Mohr, Denver, Colo., one brother, Stanley Mohr and wife Jean, Afton, Iowa; four sisters, Ellen Mohr, Norman, Barbara Archibold, Denver, Colo., Debbie Torres and husband Wilberto, Milmar, Fla., and Julie Honeick and husband Gary, Ames, Iowa; two grandchildren, Bryson Mohr, Denver, Colo. and Spencer Wray, Creston. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gladys Jordan Gladys Nair Jordan, 97, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, in Grace Living Center. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Cooper-Althouse Funeral Home Chapel in Miami. Her son, Dale Jordan, will preside. Interment will be at the G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami. Cooper-Althouse Funeral Home in Miami is directing the arrangements. She was born near Big Cabin Oct. 25, 1905, to William and Ila Nair. She graduated from Vinita High School in 1924 and from the Draughan Business School in 1926. In 1927 she married Jack Jordan in Miami. He died in 1943 For 45 years she was a devoted member of the Miami First Baptist Church before moving in 1970. In 1997 she became a charter member of Eagle Heights Southern Baptist Church in Stillwater For more than 70 years her life was devoted to helping young people and using her clerical skills at church librarian wherever she lived. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a son, Alvin Lee in 1934 and a daughter, Jacquelyn in 1951. Survivors include a daughter, Ila Bell of Stillwater; a son, Dale Jordan of Sand Springs; four grandchildren, Carolyn Causley and David Bell of Stillwater, John Jordan of Raleigh, N.C. and Margaret Jordan of Houston, Texas; and two great- grandchildren, Alexandra Jordan Cohen of Houston and William Jordan of Raleigh. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Velma Winrow Former Pawnee resident Velma Jane Winrow, 90, died Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, in Plano, Texas. Graveside services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in Highland Cemetery in Pawnee. Poteet Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. She was born in Maramec May 3, 1912, to Roy and Nora "Jane" (Wingo) McIntosh. She married Samuel A. Winrow Jan. 17, 1946, in Pawhuska. He died Oct. 27, 1991. She lived in Pawnee most of her adult life and lived on Denver Street for several years. In 2001 she moved to Princeton Texas, to be near a daughter. She resided in Villa Asuncion Living Care Center She belonged to the United Methodist Church in Pawnee. She graduated from Pawnee High School in 1931 and worked at the Pawnee Municipal Hospital for a number of years. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by two brothers, Clifford and Alfred. She is survived by two daughters, Shirley Jane Blair of Princeton, Texas and JoAnn E. Montgomery of Rose; seven grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and a number of other relatives and friends. ****************************************************** Feb. 28, 2003 Pauline Lofton Pauline Ann Lofton died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, in Cushing Regional Hospital. Services, with Pastor Kevin Clouse officiating, will be Saturday at 2 p.m. in Cushing Church of God. Interment will follow at Oak Park Cemetery in Ripley under the direction of Davis Funeral Home. Lofton was born Oct. 19, 1939, in Ripley to Frank and Anna Cardin Biswell. She was raised and educated in Ripley and graduated from Ripley High School. She married Robert "Bobby" Lofton on Dec. 21, 1957, in Ripley. She worked at Escotts in the bakery for several years before working for Harmony School. She retired for health reasons. She was a lifelong member of the Church of God and enjoyed teaching Sunday school, camping and spending time with family and friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, Bob and Bill Biswell Survivors include her husband of the home; one daughter, Debbie A. Brown and her husband Larry of Cushing; one son, Ricky Lofton and his wife Lisa of Cushing; one sister, Juanita Dauman and her husband Howard of Tulsa; five grandchildren, Annie Briggeman and her husband Josh of Cushing, Robbie Lofton of Stillwater and Ricky Lofton Jr., Josh Brown and Sondra Brown, all of Cushing; one great- granddaughter, Caitlin Briggeman of Cushing; several nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Butler Charles Wayne Butler, 69, Cushing, died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, in Resthaven Nursing Center in Cushing. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in First Freewill Baptist Church in Cushing with the Rev. Shawn Bassham officiating. Interment will follow in Euchee Valley Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Palmer Funeral Home of Cushing. Butler was born Oct. 1, 1933, in Ponca City to James L. and Gladys (Betz) Butler. He married Valda O'Kelley on Oct. 20, 1951, in Cushing. They lived most of the married life in Cushing. He worked for Cantrell Plumbing and Burke Creamery. He was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife in 1998; and one granddaughter, Stacey Wood, in 1989. Survivors include three daughters, Charlene Wood and husband Kenny and Barbara Wood and husband Steve, all of Cushing, and Terri Lake and husband Ronnie of Edmond; one brother, James L. Butler of Spring, Texas; one sister, Leatha Maxwell of Lincoln City, Ore.; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be J.R. Wood, Charlie Wood, Landon Link, William Gonzales, John Youngblood and Brad Watkins. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Claude Roberts Jr. Claude A. Roberts Jr., 86, Stillwater, died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, in Stillwater Medical Center. Memorial services will be at 6 p.m. Saturday in Calvary Assembly of God. The Rev. Joe Wilmoth will officiate. Services are under the direction of Strode Funeral Home. Roberts was born Dec. 18, 1916, in Snyder to Claude Almer and Ethel Yoder Roberts. He graduated as salutatorian of Consolidated No. 3 in Frederick in 1934 and went on to study at Oklahoma A&M College. In 1941, he married Mildrege Sullivan in Lawton; they had three sons. He enlisted in the Navy and served in the Seabees in World War II's Pacific Theater. He then pursued careers in sales and education. His wife died in 1961. He later married Rae Ranney Fisk Penny of Lawton. Together they had a son and twin daughters for a total of eight children. In 1969, the family moved to Stillwater, where Roberts joined the faculty at Oklahoma State University in agricultural engineering. He retired in 1982 to enjoy his passion of gardening, producing the best homegrown tomatoes. He will be missed as a kind, loving, gentle father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife, son Richard D. Roberts, daughter-in-law Helen Christine Jackson Roberts, great-grandson Tanner Elliot, brother Earl Roberts and sister-in-law Opal Roberts. Survivors include his wife; five sons and their wives, Cary and Kay Roberts of Chickasha, Wayne and Cynthia Penny Jr. of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., Ray and Annie Penny of The Woodlands, Texas, Jay Roberts of Dallas, Texas, and Steve Roberts of Stillwater; two daughters and their husbands, Ann Roberts and Spencer Matheny of Oklahoma City and Beth Roberts and Bernard Leong of The Woodlands, Texas; a brother and his wife, Bruce and Gerry Roberts of Altus; a sister and her husband, Theresa and Alton Livingston of Frederick; 17 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Ringwald John Arther Ringwald, 82, Coyle, died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2003, in Stillwater Medical Center. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Merle Kinser will officiate. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Coyle under the direction of Strode Funeral Home. Ringwald was born Feb. 25, 1921, in the Council Valley area east of Cushing to John W. and Eva (Wilson) Ringwald. He grew up and attended school in Kansas. His family was originally from the Perkins area; they later returned to the area and Ringwald graduated from Ripley High School in 1937. He earned an associate's degree at Murray State College in Tishomingo. He went to work for Triple A in Stillwater when it was located in the Payne County Courthouse, where he met his wife, Wilma Gunkel. They were married April 3, 1943, in Chicago. Ringwald joined the flight cadets and served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps as a navigator and pilot. He flew many missions around South America and Africa. After his discharge, he came back to Stillwater to attend Oklahoma A&M, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in agronomy in 1946. He worked with the Veteran's Agricultural Training. A few years later, Ringwald and his family purchased a farm on S.H. 33 west of Perkins. He completed his master's degree from A&M in agronomy in 1958. He farmed and commuted to Murray State College in Tishomingo, where he was head of the agriculture department and taught agriculture until 1963, when he moved to Shawnee and became the congressional aide for U.S. Rep. Tom Steed. He worked for Steed for many years, and when Steed planned retirement, he began working for Farmer's Home Administration as a rural development specialist. He relocated to Lexington, Ky., and continued working with FHA until his retirement. Ringwald was named a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Nunn and enjoyed association with the Black Powder Rifle Club and pursued his hobby of black powder marksmanship. He brought home many trophies from numerous shooting meets. The family returned to Stillwater and built a home on his wife's family home place, the Gunkel farm west of Friends Chapel Church, which they named Ringwald Hill. He remained active in farming and ranching. He was involved in many community affairs and enjoyed the company of his many friends and family. In Kentucky, he received an Outstanding Accomplishment Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Farmer's Home Administration. He was a member of the Lexington, Ky., Black Powder Gun Club and enjoyed the meets. He was also a member of the American Legion for 60 years at the Hanner-Sharp Post 129, the Masonic Lodge in Guthrie for 50 years and the ATC Group and was a Scottish Rite and an Honorary State FFA Farmer. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Wayne Ringwald and grandson Beabby Ratliff. Survivors include his wife; one son, John Arther Ringwald II and wife Christa of Tulsa; two daughters, Jo Ann Bruni and husband Mike of Edmond and Jan Lee Davis and husband Buddy of Aspen, Colo.; three grandchildren, Lea Ann Ratliff, Kimberly Thomas and Rebecca Ringwald; six great-grandchildren; three brothers, Dale L. Ringwald and wife Marion of Kerrville, Texas, Billy Ray Ringwald and wife Bonnie of Ada and Archie W. Ringwald of Bethany; and three sisters, Wanda Maddux and her husband Bill and Val Sims and her husband Robert, all of Stillwater, and Lucille Terrell and her husband Garland of Marble Falls, Texas. Memorials can be made to Friend's Chapel, 126 S. Main, Perkins, Okla., 74059. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Pickard Former Okmulgee and Bristow resident Mary Lois Pickard, 92, died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, in Stillwater. Graveside services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. in Okmulgee Cemetery under the direction of Shurden-Kelley Funeral Home of Okmulgee. The family will receive friends at a reception Saturday from 12:30-1:45 p.m. at the Episcopal Church, 213 N, Seminole, Okmulgee. Pickard was born Nov. 11, 1910, in Okmulgee to Charles E. and Emma (Clayton) Phillips. On Nov. 21, 1946, she married James F. Pickard in Fort Worth. He died Jan. 27, 2003. She was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Okmulgee. Survivors include one daughter, Pamela Nelson and her husband Joe of Stillwater, and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to a charity of choice ******************************************************