Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 16 Dec 1997 Copyright, http://www.amarillonet.com/ ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Thanks to the Amarillo Newspapers for allowing us to place their online obits in the USGenWeb Archives ==================================================================== Last updated; Tuesday, December 16, 1997, 6:29 AM Amarillo Verlon Norman George Verlon Norman George, 88, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Llano Cemetery with Windell Taylor, chaplain at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. George was born in Granbury. He was an Army veteran of World War II and was a retired truck driver. He was a Protestant. He married Marjorie Lee Dyer in 1931 at Frederick, Okla. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Bobbie Ziegler of Amarillo; and a greatgrandchild. The family suggests memorials to the American Heart Association. Brian Theodore Deneke Brian Theodore Deneke, 19, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's with the Rev. Francis A. Smyer officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Deneke was born at Wichita, Kan., and came to Amarillo with his family in 1981. He attended Belmar and Paramount Terrace elementary schools, Crockett Middle School and Amarillo High School. He received his GED in 1995. He was an artist and worked for Marsh Enterprises' Dynamite Museum. Survivors include a brother, Jason Deneke of Amarillo; his parents, Mike and Betty Deneke of Amarillo; and his grandparents, J. Omer and Marie Bieker of Concordia, Kan., and Darlene and Loren Lehmann of Gaylord, Kan. The body will not be available for viewing. Thomas E. Little Thomas E. "Tommy" Little, 35, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St., with the Rev. Virgle Jones, retired Baptist minister from Burkburnett and the Rev. Danny Hodgkins, pastor of Osage Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano East Cemetery with military rites by Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26. Mr. Little was born in Amarillo. He was a Marine Corps veteran and worked for C&C Towing. He was a member of the B.C.A. Pool Team and also raced stock cars at the Route 66 Motor Speedway. He married Sharon Roberts in 1995 in Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Kara Little, Brandi Little and Kenny Little, all of Amarillo; three sons, Wayne Little, Nathan Little and Rhett Little, all of Amarillo; his father, Travis Little of Amarillo; his mother and stepfather, James and Phyllis Stewart of Amarillo; a brother, Robert Hugg of Amarillo; a stepbrother, Jimmy Stewart Jr. of Amarillo; two sisters, Melinda Sutton of Houston and Ginny Hahn of Amarillo; two stepsisters, Susan Bilderback of Amarillo and Shelly Crawford of New Mexico; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Little of Pine Bluff, Ark., and Mr. and Mrs. J.L. James of Amarillo. The family will be at 2810 Channing. Ouida Nugent Stanger Ouida Nugent Stanger, 97, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Brazoria Cemetery at Brazoria with the Rev. Robin Butler of First Baptist Church of Brazoria officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. Stanger was born in Montgomery County. She attended West Texas Normal College. She and her husband, G.A. Stanger, owned and operated Stanger Brothers Mercantile Store in Brazoria. Mr. Stanger died in 1951. Mrs. Stanger operated the store for 50 years, retiring in 1970. She moved to Amarillo in 1971 from Brazoria. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Brazoria and Amarillo. Survivors include three sisters, Rella Nugent, Melinda Cathey and Dorothy Askew, all of Amarillo. The family will be at 1606 S. Milam. The body will be available for viewing until 5 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Lillian Fondy Hefley Lillie Fondy Hefley, 86, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at East Amarillo Church of Christ, with Cecil Burch and Bill Goodwin officiating. Private burial services will be by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Hefley was born at Snyder and came to Amarillo in 1927. She married Cecil W. Hefley Sr. in 1930 at Clovis, N.M. He died in 1979. She was a homemaker and a member of East Amarillo Church of Christ. Survivors include a son, Worth Hefley of Amarillo; two brothers, Horace Fondy of Deming, N.M., and Artie Fondy of Amarillo; three sisters, Marie Wolf of Dayton, Ohio, Thelma Sexton of Turlock, Calif., and Kathleen Collins of Longview; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family will be at 2501 Julian Blvd. They suggest in lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Bivins Nursing Home or a favorite charity. Edward Weldon Seeds Edward Weldon Seeds, 75, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at North Amarillo Church of Christ, with Glen Walton officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Mr. Seeds was born at Shamrock and moved to Amarillo from Kelton in 1951. He married Myrtle Neal in 1949 at Wheeler. She preceded him in death in 1987. He was a federal civil service employee for 18 years. He worked for Amarillo Hardware for 13 years until retiring in 1983. He owned Seeds Bicycle Shop. He was a member of North Amarillo Church of Christ. Survivors include a daughter, Coleen Beth Hewes of Lubbock; a brother, H.S. Seeds of Texola, Okla.; and two grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to the American Diabetes Association, 8008 Slide Road #12A, Lubbock, Texas 79424. Sharon Leah Dossett Sharon Leah Dossett, 56, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church in Spearman, with the Rev. Joseph Weaks officiating. Burial will be in Hansford Cemetery, directed by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home Inc. of Spearman. Mrs. Dossett was born at Winner, S.D., and moved to Amarillo from Spearman in 1979. She was a homemaker. She completed beauty school at Borger in 1973. She was a member of First Christian Church at Spearman. Survivors include her husband, Bernard Dorsett, of the home; a daughter, Christy Campbell of Canyon; a son, Jeffrey Dossett of Amarillo; a brother, Larry Whitford of Guymon, Okla.; a sister, Jody Harnish of Perryton; her parents, Bill and Lillian Whitford of Spearman; and six grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to the American Diabetes Association, 8008 Slide Road, Lubbock, Texas 79424; Harrington Cancer Center, P.O. Box 51025, Amarillo, Texas 79159-1025; or a favorite charity. Rafaela Esparza Rafaela Esparza, 82, of 2401 S. Rob erts St., died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Prayer services will be at 7 p.m. today at Rector Funeral Home Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, with the Rev. Al Gradillas of St. Laurence Cathedral officiating. Burial will be in East Llano East Cemetery by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mrs. Esparza was born at Chihuahua, Mexico. She married Eulojio Esparza in 1930 at Camargo, Mexico. She came to Amarillo 15 years ago from Juarez, Mexico. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Survivors include five daughters, Maria Martinez, Nina Montoya and Martha Sanchez, all of Amarillo, and Monica Machuca and Josefa Higgins, both of El Paso; two sons, Francisco Esparza of El Paso and Manuel Esparza of Amarillo, 30 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 2401 S. Roberts St. Alven C. Benge Alven C. Benge, 73, of Amarillo, died Monday, Dec. 15, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Frank Swindle, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery, directed by Schooler Funeral Home Inc., 4100 S. Georgia St. Military rites are by DAV Chapter 26. Mr. Benge moved to Amarillo from Dumas and lived here most of his life. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Georgia Ball in 1944 at Hollister, Okla. He was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Phillip Benge of Clayton, N.M., and Mike Benge of Amarillo; two brothers, Burel Benge of Canadian and Murl Benge of Miami; and three grandsons. The family suggests memorials to Bivins Memorial Nursing Home, 1001 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, Texas 79106. Elsewhere Clyda Mitchell Nichols LUCERNE VALLEY, Calif. - Clyda Mitchell Nichols, 74, a former Amarillo resident, died Saturday, Dec. 6, 1997. Memorial services were Dec. 9 in California. Graveside services and burial will be in January at Roaring Springs, Texas. Arrangements were by the Neptune Society. Mrs. Nichols married Bill Nichols in 1944 in Amarillo. They moved to California in 1960. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Marla Kelley of Apple Valley, Calif.; three sons, Mike Nichols of Apple Valley, Todd Nichols of Lucerne Valley and Jerry Nichols of Columbus, Mich.; her mother, Cora Mitchell of Amarillo; two sisters, Johnie Lowrance of Amarillo and LaVoe Thacker of Roaring Springs; a brother, Dell Mitchell of Trinidad, Colo.; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Leslie Brianne Gentzel GAINESVILLE - Leslie Brianne Gentzel, 5-month-old daughter of Brent and Julie Scargall Gentzel, died Friday, Dec. 12, 1997, at Loma Linda, Calif. Services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Jack Ridlehover, pastor emeritus of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church of Abilene and Dr. Bennie R. Slack, pastor of First Baptist Church of Gainesville, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Geo. J. Carroll and Son Funeral Home. Leslie was born in Dallas. Survivors include her parents; grandparents, Ann and Don Scargall of Abilene and Lynette and Bill Gentzel of Perryton; and great-grandparents, Aline Morrison of Pampa and Mr. and Mrs. W.O. Gentzel of Borger. No visitation is planned. Norwood Lyle LAKE MATHIS - Norwood Lyle, 84, a former Shamrock resident, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Services will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Mathis First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Mathis Cemetery by Dobie Funeral Home. Mr. Lyle was a native of Shamrock. He graduated from Shamrock High School in 1930 and from Texas A&M University in 1934 with a degree in petroleum engineering. He was in the oil business in Louisiana and the Corpus Christi area from 1934 until retiring, except for the time he served in the Army during World War II. He served in North Africa, building air fields in preparation for the Allied invasion. He also served in the China-India-Burma Theater. He married Adele Reynaud in 1937. She preceded him in death. He served on many local and national committees of the Society of Professional Petroleum Engineers. In 1984, he was elected to the SPPE Legion of Honor. After retirement he moved to Lake Mathis. Survivors include his wife, Bernice; three children, Judy Lyle Allen of San Antonio, Sam Norwood Lyle of Houston and Margaret Ann Lyle Sugarek of Mathis; two sisters, May Kay Wintringham and Mrs. E.K. Jones, both of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Leslie Jason Little GRANBURY - Leslie Jason Little, 25, of Granbury, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Wiley Funeral Home Chapel in Granbury, with the Rev. Jerry Locke and the Rev. Jess Little officiating. Burial will be in Acton Cemetery, Acton, directed by Wylie Funeral Home. Mr. Little was born at Guymon, Okla. He graduated from high school at Quitaque. He played football for Hardin-Simmons University at Abilene. He was a plumber for Billy Bear's Plumbing. Survivors include his wife, Christie, of the home; a son, Leslie Cord Little of the home; two daughters, Shannon Kay Little and Morgan Taylor Little of the home; a brother, Jess Craig Little of Silverton; his parents, Jess and Linda Little of Odessa; and his grandparents, Buddy and Ruth Buske of Cress and Bill and Judy Collins of Granbury. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Wily Funeral Home. New Mexico Frank H. Barela PORTALES, N.M. - Frank H. Barela, 64, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Rosary was Monday. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. today in St. Helen Catholic Church by the Rev. Anthony Martinez. Burial will be in Portales Cemetery by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales Inc. Mr. Barela was born in Fort Sumner, where he lived until moving to Portales in 1955. He worked at Williams Peanut Mill and at Selected Casings. He also worked in food services at Eastern New Mexico University. He was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church. He married Aurelia Velasquez in 1964 at Portales. He was preceded in death by two infant sons. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Carolina Barela and Lydia Barela, both of Portales; four brothers, Willie Barela of Fort Sumner, Elias Barela of Clovis, Manuel Barela of Long Beach, Calif., and Daniel Barela of Albuquerque; and three sisters, Macedonia Lopez and Ramona Sena, both of Fort Sumner and twin sister, Frances Pena of Portales. May Cosby ROSWELL, N.M. - May Cosby, 85, died Friday, Dec. 12, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. J.R. "Dick" Ross and the Rev. Steve Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Portales Cemetery. Mrs. Cosby was born in Albion, Okla., and lived her early years in Oklahoma. She moved to Portales in 1948, where she lived until 1957. She married J.O. (Orville) Cosby in 1935 at Hobart, Okla. She was a member of University Baptist Church at Portales. They returned to Clovis in the mid-1980s. He died in 1995. She then moved to Portales, and for the past year lived in Roswell. Survivors include two sons, Jerry Cosby of Roswell and James Richard Cosby of Denton, Texas; a daughter, Illa Jones of Farmington; a sister, Ruth Heath of Enid, Okla.; two brothers, Kenneth Shaw of Enid and Odes Shaw of Ponca City, Okla.; 13 grandchildren; and 21 greatgrandchildren. Lloyd R. Chappell CLOVIS, N.M. - Lloyd R. Chappell, 78, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel with Gordon Christensen officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens. Mr. Chappell was born in Pavia, Pa. He lived in Pennsylvania until 1993 when he moved to Portales. He married Edna Koeltzow in 1994 and they moved to Clovis. He served in the Army from 1941 to 1945. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Arbutus, and a son, Melvin. Survivors include his wife; a son, Boyd Chappell of Portales; a sister, Margaret Brothers of Portage, Pa.; stepchildren, Jane Mauk of Clayburg, Pa., Janet Sowder of Catlet, Va., Don Koeltzow of Kansas City, Mo., and Lonnie Koeltzow of Jackson, Tenn.; and a grandson. The family requests memorials be to the Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, 1705 W. 21st, Clovis, N.M. 88101. Barbara Wilkinson LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Barbara Wilkinson, 84, of El Paso, Texas, formerly of Las Cruces, died Sunday. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Graham Mortuary Chapel, Las Cruces, with the Rev. Levi Price Jr. of First Baptist Church, El Paso, officiating. Burial will be at Masonic Cemetery. Mrs. Wilkinson was born at Valentine, Texas. She married Thomas A. Wilkinson in 1934 at El Paso. They came to Las Cruces in 1947. She lived at Las Cruces until 1992. She and her husband owned and operated a farm implement company. Mr. Wilkinson died in 1995. She was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Las Cruces. Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Getkin of Amarillo; a son, Thomas A. Wilkinson Jr. of El Paso; a sister, Dorothy J. Barber of El Paso; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing at the mortuary from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. until service time on Wednesday. Oklahoma Howard William Shores GUYMON, Okla. - Howard William Shores, 78, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery. Mr. Shores was born and raised in the Eva community west of Guymon. He attended the old Anchor D School. He was an Army veteran serving in World War II as a tank driver in Italy and Africa. He married Evelyn L. Sledge in 1946. He and his brother, Hollis, farmed for his parents for many years. He also operated heavy equipment for Texas County. Survivors include a daughter, Sherry Black of Guymon; a brother, Hollis Shores of Guymon; and two sisters, Hazelle Peterson of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Avis Ausmus of Mesa, Ariz.; The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity c/o Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, Okla. 73942. Rosie Leona Shores GUYMON, Okla. - Rosie Leona Shores, 85, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the James Church of God with the Rev. Donnie Callaway and the Rev. Jim Cunningham officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery by BunchRoberts Funeral Home. Mrs. Shores was born in Texas County. She was a homemaker and a school teacher. She taught in the Kenton, Plainview and Yarbrough schools. She was a member of the Guymon Church of God, the Retired Teachers Association and Delta Kappa Gamma. She married Homer Albert Shores in 1935 at Elkhart, Kan. He preceded her in death. She also was preceded in death by two sons, Calvin Reese Shores and Kenneth Duane Shores. Survivors include two sons, John M. Shores of Wichita, Kan., and Dean Shores of the Eva community; two sisters, Mae Swagerty of Elkhart, Kan., and Louise Fairchild of Boise City, Okla.; three brothers, Gus Webb of Guymon and John Webb and Red Webb, both of Eva; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials to Bethel Cemetery Fund or the Eva Community Center c/o Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, Okla. 73942. William Garrett GUYMON, Okla. - William "Bill" Garrett, 40, died Friday, Dec. 12, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Grace Southern Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Pitson, pastor, officiating. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Westlawn Cemetery at Henryetta. Arrangements are by BunchRoberts Funeral Directors of Guymon. Mr. Garrett was born in Wurzberg, Germany. He graduated from Lawton High School in 1974. He moved to Guymon from Henryetta in 1984. He was a public information officer and sports information director for Oklahoma State University at Goodwell. Mr. Garrett was an active member and served on the budget committee of Grace Southern Baptist Church. He married Sharon Summers in 1985 at Taos, N.M. He was assistant director of the Texas County Emergency Management, a member of the Guymon Community Theater and the 1995/1996 Junior High Odyssey of the Mind coach. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Debbie Sams and Cindy Fuerstenau, both of Guymon; his parents, Harry and Mary Garrett of Edmond; two sisters, Donna Spears and Karen Cummins, both of Edmond; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to Oklahoma Panhandle State University Foundation in memory of Bill Garrett c/o the university or Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, Okla. 73942. Tifton C. Jones BEAVER, Okla. - Tifton C. "T.C." Jones, 63, died Friday, Dec. 12, 1997. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Forgan Cemetery at Forgan with Craig Vandeburgh officiating. Burial will be in the Forgan Cemetery by Clark Funeral Service. Mr. Jones was born in Watson. He graduated from Watson High School. He had been a contract pumper in Beaver County and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post 149 of Beaver. He married Marilyn Addleman in 1957 at Guthrie. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Robin Leigh Jones of Maysville; a son, Chad Eric Jones of Beaver; a brother, William F. Jones of Oklahoma City; a sister, Shirley Ann Long of Guthrie; and a grandchild. Sylvia Margaret Groh GUYMON - Sylvia Margaret Groh, 86, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Peter's Catholic Church with the Rev.Scott Adams, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery, directed by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon. She was born in New Prague, Pa., and lived most of her life in Pennsylvania before moving to Guymon several years ago. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church. Survivors include a niece, Shirley Flekke of New Brighton, Minn. Dona Evelyn Breeding ALTUS, Okla. - Dona Evelyn Breeding, 88, of Altus, Okla., died Monday, Dec. 15, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Elm & Hudson Church of Christ in Altus. Burial will be in Granite City Cemetery, directed by Lowell-Tims Funeral Home of Altus. Mrs. Breeding was born at Hilham, Texas. She married Jere B. Breeding in 1924 at Cookeville, Tenn. They lived in the Granite Community for many years. Mr. Breeding preceded her in death in 1975. She moved to Altus in 1992. She was a longtime member of the Granite Church of Christ and of the Elm & Hudson Church of Christ. Survivors include six sons, Marvin Eugene Breeding of Granite, Bob Glen Breeding of Perryton, Texas, Bill Breeding of Altus, Sam Dean Breeding of Chickasha, Okla., Wendell Breeding and Max Earls Breeding, both of Mangum, Okla.; a daughter, Sue Dempsey of Hobart, Okla.; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.