Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online November 01, 2001 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. Permian Basin Obituaries Copyright © 2000, 2001 Odessa American. All rights reserved ============================================================================================ November 01, 2001 Permian Basin Obituaries Obituaries Index Mary Lou Bade MIDLAND - Mary Lou Bade died peacefully early Sunday morning, Oct. 28, 2001, surrounded by her family. Mary Lou spent her early years in Brule and Washburn, Wis. She was an active member of 4H clubs and once won a cherry pie baking contest. She got her bachelor's degree (and met her husband) at UW Madison. She went on to receive a master's degree in social work from UW Milwaukee and did some doctoral work at the University of Chicago. Her social work career began at Neighborhood House in Milwaukee, after which she worked with Jewish Vocational Services establishing halfway houses for developmentally disabled adults. She worked as assistant director of Pepin County Human Services before becoming director of Lutheran Social Services in Elkhorn, Wis. After moving to Midland in 1996, she developed Project A.D.A.M., and later created Pathways To A Better Life, an organization designed to help youth and adults better manage anger and rage. A member of the Midland Musician's Club, she played clarinet in the Midland Community Band and piano for the Midland Community Jazz Band. She was also pianist for Hollowell United Methodist Church. An active participant in various churches all her life, she held conference offices for the United Methodist Women. She served on the Mental Health Committee of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference. She also chaired the Domestic Violence Committee for St. Luke's United Methodist Church. She enjoyed nature, photography and spending time with loved ones. She leaves behind her loving husband Dennis; daughters, Renee of Los Angeles and Elizabeth of Madison, Wis.; her parents, Art and Ruth Harnois of Washburn, Wis.; and brothers, Richard, Grant, Clifford and Mark and their families. A memorial service has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2001, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3011 W. Kansas Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Mary Lou's name to Hollowell United Methodist Church, St. Luke's United Methodist Church or Hospice of Midland. Maudie Eastburn ODESSA - Maudie Eastburn, 80, of Odessa died Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2001, at Hospice House of Odessa. Originally from Covington, Okla., she lived in Odessa for over 45 years. Her remains are to be interred with her husband, J. Ralph Eastburn, a native of Mobile, Ala., at Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local hospice group. A memorial reception will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2001, at Hospice House of Odessa, 903 N. Sam Houston. She is survived by her daughter, Madeline Eastburn of Kansas City, Mo.; granddaughters, Catherine Vega of Odessa and Laurie Wheeler of Amarillo; sisters, Majel Sims and Bernadine Guthrie of Enid, Okla.; a stepdaughter, Linda Wade of Saraland, Ala.; 10 stepgrandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Arrangements entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. (www.wilsonfuneral.com) Mary L. Gray ODESSA - Mary L. Gray, age 75, died Monday, Oct. 29, 2001, at her residence in Houston. She was born Jan. 10, 1926, in Tarrant County to Jeff and Leslie Watson. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2001, in the chapel of Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors with Kevin Hromas officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Gray was raised in Eastland. She married Billy Joe Gray on Dec. 29, 1945, in Eastland. They had lived all over Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Idaho, Kuwait, Iran, Venezuela and Greece, settling in Odessa. She was a devoted mother, never working outside the home. She had lived with her daughter in Houston for the past 18 months. She is survived by her daughters, Linda Whetsell and husband Eddie of Odessa and Lorri Hromas and husband Kevin of Houston; son, Billy Michael Gray and wife Susan of Longview; brother, John Watson of Woodville; and grandchildren, Stacy Whetsell of Houston, Brittany Gray and Jarrett Gray of Longview. Services have been entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. (www.wilsonfuneral.com) Lonnie Witherspoon Kelly ODESSA - Lonnie Witherspoon Kelly, 94, died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2001, in Midland. She was born May 13, 1907, the first born child of Elizabeth and Anderson Witherspoon. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2001, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Cheryl Homsher officiating. Lonnie attended West Texas State College in Canyon and later attended business school in Abilene in the 1930s. She married Gene Kelly on April 1, 1934, in Seminole. He preceded her in death in July 1976. She was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Pecos. Lonnie and Gene lived in Pecos since 1934. In early years, she was employed by Red Bluff Power and Gas as a bookkeeper. Lonnie was an accomplished artist using oil, acrylic and watercolor mediums and was also a china painter. She earned many awards for her art and was a member of the Pecos Art Association. Lonnie was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Evelyn Hubbard, and a brother, Jake Witherspoon. She is survived by nieces, Georgia Kelly of Odessa, Jean Hubbard of Dallas, Elizabeth Smith of North Carolina, Diana Witherspoon and India Tucker of Arkansas, as well as nephews, Richard Witherspoon of Florida, Mike Kelly of Odessa and Paul Kelly of Odessa. As an enthusiastic genealogist, Lonnie did extensive research in Witherspoon family history. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Magna Carta Dames and was listed in "Personalities of the South." Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Guy H. Pyeatt ODESSA - Guy H. Pyeatt, 53 years of age, a resident of Odessa, passed away Tuesday, Oct 23, 2001, at the Dallas Veterans Hospital. He was born July 19, 1948, in Levelland. He attended Odessa High School and was a Vietnam veteran. He is survived by a son, Scott Pyeatt of Odessa; father, Ralph Pyeatt of Wyoming; mother, Christine Freeman of Midland; great-grandmother, Ida Freeman of Wichita Falls; a grandson; and a great-granddaughter. Graveside services are scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2001, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Jim Ray Brown officiating. Services entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Dorothy Eleanor Wiesman ODESSA - Dorothy Eleanor Wiesman, age 68, of Odessa died Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2001, at Medical Center Hospital. She was born April 4, 1933, in Muenster to Edward and Margaret Moster. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today, Nov. 1, 2001, in the chapel of Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Father Mark Woodruff officiating. Mrs. Wiesman was raised in Lindsay and then moved to Gainesville to attend nursing school in Sherman. She married Louis Wiesman on May 6, 1952, in Gainesville. They had lived in the four-corner area and Kermit, settling in Odessa in 1987. She had been a nurse for many years. She was a member of the Women's Auxiliary of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. She is survived by her husband, Louis V. Wiesman of Odessa; daughters, Marilyn Wachsmann and husband A.J. of Midland, Karen Cleere and husband Freddy of Odessa and Cindy Campbell and husband Bart of Odessa; sons, Bobby Wiesman and wife Beatrice of Midland and Darrel Wiesman and wife Sue of Midland; sisters, Agatha Hellinger, Hilda Moster and Louise Brewer of Lindsay; and nine grandchildren. Services have been entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. (www.wilsonfuneral.com) Nell Lenora Burton ODESSA - Nell Lenora Burton, 86, of Odessa passed away Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2001, at Medical Center Hospital. She was born June 5, 1915, in Thurber and raised in Strawn. She was a member of Sixth and Jackson Church of Christ and the Women In Construction. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, W.B. Burton, five brothers and a sister. She is survived by her son, Dr. Jimmy G. Burton and wife Joanna of Odessa; sister, Beulah B. Eakins of Odessa; three grandchildren, William H. Burton and wife Tammy of Sanger, Lenora L. Burton of Austin and Dr. Alan G. Burton of Fort Worth; and great-grandsons, William and Brodie Burton of Sanger. The family will meet with friends from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2001, at Sixth and Jackson Church of Christ with Joe Cross and Lynn Money officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the Odessa Christian School, Fosters Children Home in Stephenville or the charity of your choice. Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Juan Rios Lujan ODESSA - Juan Rios Lujan, 70, of Odessa died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2001, at Medical Center Hospital. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2001, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church with the Rev. Frank Chavez officiating. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today, Nov. 1, 2001, at his residence, 11062 W. 64th St. He will lie in state at his residence. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Armando Hernandez, Octabio Hernandez, David Melendez, Mariano Navarrete, Rigoberto Deanda, Saul Padilla, Manuel Uranga and Cruz Hernandes. He was born in Boquilla de San Isidro, Mexico. He was a retired construction sandblaster. He was Catholic. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rosalio and Manuela R. Lujan, and son, Johnny Lujan. He is survived by his wife, Maximiana M. Lujan of Odessa; sons, Jimmy Lujan of Sherman and Auden Lujan of Odessa; daughters, Manuela L. Navarrete, Bertha L. Navarrete, Lorena Lujan and Elsa Lujan, all of Odessa, Gloria L. Lujan of Presidio, Argentina L. Deanda of Midland and Corina L. Navarrete of Pecos; brothers, Alberto Lujan of El Paso and Filimon Lujan of Presidio; sisters, Ester Hernandez of Fort Stockton, Feliberta Lujan of Andrews and Antonia Licon of Presidio; 23 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Odessa Funeral Home Angeles Memorial Chapel. Leroy Lopez Ybarra Sr. SAN ANGELO - Our Dad, Grandpa, husband and friend went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2001, at his residence after a courageous battle with a terminal illness. Viewing will be at 5 p.m. today, Nov. 1, 2001, and service to follow at 7 p.m. at Centro Cristiano Emmanuel with the Rev. Eliazar Rodriguez officiating. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2001, at Centro Cristiano Emmanuel with burial immediately following at Fairmont Cemetery. Arrangements by Johnson's Funeral Home. Dad was born July 27, 1921, in Valentine to Tiburcio and Pascuala Ybarra. He married Viola B. Hernandez in 1941 in San Angelo. He was a World War II veteran and served with the 168th Inf. Regt. in Italy. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, F.A.M.E. ribbon, WWII victory medal, Distinguished Unit Badge and a Good Conduct Medal with two Battle Stars. He returned to the workforce as a route salesman for Lone Star Brewing Co. for 24 years. Dad had many stories to tell and had a great sense of humor. He always made us laugh. Daddy will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents; his two infant sons, Patricio and Leroy Ybarra; his daughter, Pascuala Torrez; his eldest son, Fredrico Ybarra; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Viola Ybarra; five daughters, Victoria Ramirez and husband Juan, Alma Hernandez and husband Francisco and Grace Hernandez and husband Art, all of San Angelo, Yolanda Terrazas and husband Miguel of Del Rio and Gena Mae Ybarra-Carey of San Antonio; two sons, Leroy L. Ybarra Jr. and wife Juanita and Reynaldo Ybarra and wife Rosa, all of San Angelo; daughter-in-law, Norma Ybarra of San Angelo; sister, Ofelia Alvarez of North Hollywood, Calif.; brother, Cruz Montez and wife Evelia of San Angelo; a special uncle, Ricardo Lopez and wife Luisa of San Angelo; and a cousin, Dora Barron and husband Pablo of Lubbock. He is also survived by 37 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren, whom he adored with all his heart. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Oscar Ybarra, Alfonso Torrez, Daniel Torrez, Robert Ybarra, Johnny Ramirez and Jacob Hernandez. The family would like to thank Hospice of San Angelo and Dr. Chang for their assistance in the care of our father for the past six months. Taps Day is done, gone the sun, From the hill, from the sky All is well, safely rest, Safely rest, All is well Fading light Dims the sight, And a star gems the sky. Gleaming bright From afar, drawing nigh, Falls the night, Dear one rest! Copyright © 2000, 2001 Odessa American. All rights reserved.