Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online 6 June 1999 Submitted by Charlene Beatty Beauchamp cbodessa@classicnet.net Thanks to the Odessa American Online http://www.oaoa.com/ ************************************************************************ 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/ *********************************************************************** OA Online Obituaries. June 07, 1999 Permian Basin Obituaries _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA -- Geraldine (Ercell) Sweeney Berkley departed her earthly home and entered into her eternal dwelling place in the mansion of peace and love prepared for her by Jesus Christ. She succumbed peacefully, with Russell at her bedside, on June 3, 1999, due to complications arising from surgery and cancer after a month-long hospitalization at Cypress-Fairbanks Medical Center, Houston, Texas. Ercell was the only child, born July 12, 1920, and proceeded in death by Robert Sweeney and Lucille Savage in Bay City, Texas. She is also preceded in death by her aunt Mae and uncle Hershel Gilmore with whom she resided following the death of Lucille Sweeney in 1932. Ercell married Charles Russell Berkley in Bay City, Texas on Oct. 6, 1940. While Russell spent World War II aboard naval aircraft carriers, Ercell worked as a civil service employee in the office of the commander at Essler Field, Louisiana. In 1946, the family moved to Odessa, Texas. She was actively involved with the PTA at Cameron Elementary School and was one of the charter members of the worthwhile home demonstration club, remaining active until her death. Ercell spent 26 and a half years working for the Ector County Agricultural Extension Service. At the time of her retirement in 1982, Ercell had the distinction for every extension agent to serve in Ector County. During her years with the extension service, she had many accomplishments and received awards and honors. She served terms as district director, one term as state president of the Texas Home Demonstration Association. She was actively involved for more than 25 years with 4H Clubs, serving locally as 4H Club leader, at the state level as a judge for 4H scholarships and nationally as a participant in the 4H Southern Leadership Forum. Ercell was active in the American Business Women's Association. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church since moving to Odessa in 1946. Ercell honored her civic duty by serving as a member of the Civil Air Patrol in the 1950s during the era of McCarthyism and as an Ector County Election Judge for every election held from 1948 to the last election of 1998. Ercell was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the Confederacy and the National Society of the Daughters of the American Colonists. She was very interested in her family's genealogy and working with her cousin Margaret, charted parts of her family tree as far back as the 12th Century AD Ercell was a devoted wife, mother and steadfast friend, blessed with many rich and loving talents and strengths. Ercell is survived by her husband of 59 years, Russell, and her only child, Linda Berkley of Cypress, Texas. She is also survived by Marilyn Ruzicka of Cypress, Texas, whom she considered to be her "second daughter;" Leslie Ruzicka of Houston, Texas; Rebecca Ruzicka Robertson and her husband Kevin whom she considered her special grandchildren; cousin, Margaret Seerden of Bay City, Texas; and cousin, Theresa Brady and her husband James of Galveston, Texas. Additionally, Ercell is survived by a large host of very dear friends, business associates and "Missy," her beloved cat. Ercell's wonderful and extraordinary life will be celebrated with the Rite of the Burial of the Dead, the Rev. Richard H. Johnson, celebrant, of Cypress, Texas, longtime friend and vicar of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, at 10 a.m. Monday, June 17, 1999, in the Chapel of Hubbard-Kelley Funeral Home. Committal to follow at Sunset Gardens. The family wishes to extend sincere thankfulness and appreciation to her physicians and the nursing staff of IMC and ICU at Cy Fair Hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to: Christ the King Episcopal Church, 15325 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas, 77083; The Genealogy Library of the Matagorda County Library, Bay City, Texas; or the Roberta Johnson 4H Scholarship Fund, care of Mary Strickland, Box 1298, Fort Stockton, Texas, 79735-1298. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hubbard-Kelley Funeral Home. _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA -- Memorial services for D.A. Miller, 69, of Odessa, a retired letter carrier, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, June 7, 1999, at Mission Dorado Baptist Church with the Rev. Bob Bratcher officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. D.A. Miller was born December 6, 1929 in Knott, Texas. He married Yuvonne McDonnell on December 30, 1952 in Lamesa, Texas. Mr. Miller was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was president of the local basketball referee association and an avid golfer. He was preceded in death by his son D'wayne Miller in 1955. He is survived by his wife, Yuvonne Miller of Odessa; one son, Lance Miller of Rankin; two daughters, Linda Miller-Coker of Houston, and Laura Spann of Carrollton; one brother, Granvil Miller of Big Spring; one sister, Joy Phillips of El Paso; and five grandchildren. _________________________________________________________________ ODESSA -- Masonic graveside services for Clyde Heron, 70, are scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, 1999, at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The Dunn-Holt-Midkiff Chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans will serve as the honor guard. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church, 401 North Lee, with the Revs. Hardin Atkins and Bill Heggemeier officiating. Arrangements by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. Mr. Heron died Thursday, June, 3, 1999 at his residence. We have been very fortunate to have known Clyde Heron. He lived life to the fullest and at full throttle. He often laughingly referred to himself as "the most board man in Odessa," when he realized that he didn't have enough hours in a day because he was active in too many organizations at the same time. He enjoyed working with organizations that benefited the community, but frequently found himself spread too thin because he wasn't good at saying, "No." He had a lifelong love of art, history and music. He was a child of the Depression. As a late life gift to Joe and Anna Heron, he was raised by his parents and four sisters. He was born April 16, 1929, in Ardmore, Ok. He had an openness and sensitivity at an early age. Joe was a hardworking plumber and a want-a-be farmer. Even though times were hard, he and Anna made sure that Clyde was enrolled in private art lessons after his teacher at school visited with them about Clyde's special gift. Clyde kept in touch with Miss Ginnie Smith until her death and always gave her and his parents credit for helping him identify and pursue a dream. On Aug. 3, 1947, he married his high school sweetheart, Feleceia Mayberry. They met at a young age in Miss Ginnie Smith's art class. They moved to Jal, N.M. When the Korean War interrupted the newlyweds' lives, they ended up stationed at Fort Ord, Calif. The 5-foot-2-inch Feleceia and 6-foot-2-inch Clyde found a new world of art, music, theater and beauty. They made lifetime friends while they worked as youth directors at their church during his time in the military. They returned to the oil field. Clyde often wondered why he had moved his bride to the oil field. He said that he always recalled an image of Flea in a pretty sundress, picture hat and heels trying to walk down the dirt streets of Jal, N.M. On Aug. 27, 1954, they had a daughter, Fritzi Gail Heron, while living in Monahans, Texas. While employed by El Paso Natural Gas, they made their home in big places such as Denver City, Frankel City and Goldsmith. Clyde transferred to El Paso Products Co, and moved to Odessa in the early 1960s. They were active members of Eastern Star, Goldsmith Masonic Lodge, and Methodist Church in each of these communities. Their marriage involved an even mixture of their strengths. Clyde was very outgoing and active in the community with the support of his wife. He often juggled the job, family, moonlighting, college and community activities. After taking early retirement, he was able to explore and pursue his art. When he was asked why he had waited so long to pursue his art career on a full-time basis, he would reply that he didn't want his family to sacrifice while he might have struggled to get his art career established. His artwork allowed him to combine his love of history and art. He enjoyed aligning himself with other artists throughout the United States that worked to communicate accurate images of the past. As an outcome of this focus, he became involved in helping to present living history projects and talks to school classes and community organizations. All throughout his adult life, he actively worked to help kids through one-on-one activities to raise money for books or equipment for students. He was preceded in death by his wife and sisters, Jodie, Nita and Gladys. Due to the love and friendship of his extended family and friends, he was able to reconcile his lost loved ones. He always felt fortunate to have the friendship of his only nephew, Jerry Bridges, whom he called his brother. He had a special opportunity to find a close relationship with a delightful lady, Judy Pilcher, and her daughters, Melissa and Jennifer. His greatest joy was his extended family and wonderful friends. Although he only had one child, he had many who called him Dad. He was recently delighted to add three granddaughters, Melinda, Melissa and Misty, and a special son-in-law, Ralph Lewis. Recently his family expanded to include a granddaughter, Kaylee, and a great-granddaughter, Daisa. If desired, memorials may be made to libraries or to the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital, 2222 Wellborn, Dallas, Texas, 75219. _________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 1999 Odessa American. All rights reserved.