Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 28 Aug 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; Thursday, August 28, 1997, 6:58 AM New Mexico Kathleen Wicker CLOVIS, N.M. - Kathleen Wicker, 81, died Monday, Aug. 25, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel with Cecil Bunch officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Wicker was born in Hamilton, Texas. She married Wayne Wicker in 1935 at Waxahachie, Texas. They moved to Clovis in 1941 from Texas. They were the owners and operators of Wicker Jewelry for many years until retiring. She and her husband were bridge players and had attained the rank of life master. Mr. Wicker died in 1974. Mrs. Wicker was a member of 21st Street Church of Christ. Survivors include a son, Jerry Wicker of Clovis; a sister, Jean Hatch of Santa Fe; two grandchildren; and a great-grandson. The family requests memorials be to the American Cancer Society. Steve Helfferich CLOVIS, N.M. - Steve Helfferich, 55, died Monday, Aug. 25, 1997. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Tobin Hitt officiating. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home. Mr. Helfferich was born in Ohio and had been a longtime resident of Clovis. He retired from the Air Force at Cannon Air Force Base as a master sargent. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3280. Survivors include his wife, Peggy; a brother, Edward Helfferich of Cincinnati; his mother, Jane Helfferich of Milford, Ohio; a stepdaughter, Debra Cook of Clovis; and three grandchildren. Jimmie Helen Rogers PORTALES, N.M. - Jimmie Helen Rogers, 72, died Monday, Aug. 25, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Gary Singleton and Steve McLean officiating. Burial will be in Portales Cemetery. Mrs. Rogers was born in Joplin, Texas. She graduated in 1943 at Lingo. After high school, she moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where she worked in an aircraft plant to help in the war effort. She moved to Portales and worked at Cannon Air Force Base. She married Wayne Rogers in 1945 at Roswell. They lived in several different places, but from 1959 until 1987, they lived in Portales. For 16 years Mrs. Rogers worked as a nurse's aide at Roosevelt General Hospital in central supply and surgery. For the past year, she had lived in Lenorah, Texas. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Jerry Rogers of Albuquerque and Jim Rogers of Portland, Ore.; a daughter, June Russell of Lenorah; three brothers, Joe Ray Singleton and Gerald Singleton, both of Graford, Texas, and John Singleton of New Iberia, La.; a sister, Maxine Cooper of Perrin, Texas; and four grandchildren. Oklahoma Ora Fern Walker GUYMON, Okla. - Ora Fern Walker, 89, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mike Chaffin, pastor of Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst Cemetery. Marion Virginia Crawford MARLOW, Okla. - Marion Virginia Crawford, 68, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in United Methodist Church with George Gilland officiating. Burial will be in Marlow Cemetery by Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral Home. Mrs. Crawford was born in Panhandle, Texas. She attended Bushland, Texas, schools and Amarillo High School. She graduated from Central High School and attended Cameron Junior College for two years. She worked at Security National Bank, Halliburton Federal Credit Union and Children's World in Marlow. Mrs. Crawford had lived in Marlow since 1972. She was a homemaker and a member of Wesley Methodist Church in Duncan. She married Arnold Crawford in 1948 at Henrietta, Texas. Mrs. Crawford was preceded in death by a son, David A. Crawford, in 1976. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Ginger Byerly of Duncan; a son, Scott Crawford of Marlow; a brother, John Ely of Houston, Texas; a sister, Sue Carol Webster of Borger, Texas; and four grandchildren. Augusta P. Huebner TURPIN, Okla. - Augusta P. "Gussie'' Huebner, 85, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Liberal, Kan., with the Rev. Dr. Paul I. Johnston, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Liberal Cemetery by Miller Mortuary of Liberal. Mrs. Huebner was born in The Grove, Texas. She married Ernest H. Huebner in 1930 at Temple, Texas. He died in 1986. She moved to the Turpin community in 1930 from Bell County, Texas. She farmed with her husband for many years and was an active member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Liberal. Survivors include three sons, Felix Huebner and Charles Huebner, both of Turpin, and Joe Huebner of Amarillo; a sister, Lillie Huber of Tyler, Texas; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1200 W. 11th, Liberal, Kan. Memorials may be left at the mortuary. Elsewhere Lois Henry ETHEL, Miss. - Lois Henry, 84, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Jordan Funeral Home Chapel in Kosciusko. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Friday in Parkway Cemetery in Ridgeland. Mrs. Henry was born in Oklahoma City. She had been a resident of Ethel since 1992, moving from Amarillo. She retired at the age of 71 as a bookkeeper for Gunn Brothers in Amarillo. She was a member of the Ethel Friendship Homemakers Club and the Birthday Club. Mrs. Henry was preceded in death by her husband, Loren Henry. Survivors include a daughter, Donna Deupree of McCool; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Louise Winter MERKEL - Louise Winter, 76, died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Starbuck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. T.C. Melton officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Winter was born in the Nubia community. She graduated from Merkel High School and attended Draughon's Business College. She married Lewis Vernell Winter in 1942 at Eastland. He died in 1993. Mrs. Winter worked as a bank window teller in Liberal, Kan., and Perryton. Survivors include two brothers, D.J. Richie of Duncanville and Wayne Richie of Mineola. The family requests memorials be to the Merkel Cemetery Association, 201 Edwards, Merkel, Texas 79536. Area Zo Brown DALHART - Zo Brown, 68, died Sunday, Aug. 24, 1997. Memorial graveside services were at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Memorial Park Cemetery by Hass Funeral Home Inc. Mrs. Brown was born and raised in Dalhart. She graduated from Dalhart High School. She was active with the Girl Scouts and community services, including serving as election judge for many years. She was a member of First Christian Church. She married Harold Brown in 1949 at Dalhart. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Whitney Ann Gordon of Las Vegas; a sister, Celia Ann Morris of Stinnett; and two grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the First Christian Church building fund for heating and air conditioning. Ida Jewel Howard PAMPA - Ida Jewel Howard, 88, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors Colonial Chapel with the Rev. John Glover, associate pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be Saturday in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery at Pasadena. Mrs. Howard was born in Eldon, Mo. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Pasadena. She married Walter O. Howard in 1923 at Beggs, Okla. He died in 1975. Survivors include three sons, Paul Howard of Pampa, Kenneth Howard of Odessa and W.A."Bud'' Howard of Oklahoma City; a sister, Clara Cunningham of Oklahoma City; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and eight greatgreat-grandchildren. Northern Ashley FARWELL - Northern Ashley, 96, died Monday, Aug. 25, 1997. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in Melrose Church of Christ at Melrose, N.M., with Lorenzio Garduno officiating. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis, N.M. Mr. Ashley was born in Hazlehurst, Miss., and moved to Melrose in 1906. He was a member of the 16th & Pile Church of Christ and served as an elder in the Melrose Church of Christ. He farmed and ranched most of his life. He married Ruby Terry in 1919 at Tucumcari, N.M. Survivors include two sons, W.E. Ashley of Melrose and Tommy E. Ashley of Clovis; three daughters, Annie Mae Bryant of Altus, Okla., Geneva Pirtle of Brass Town, N.C., and Louise Green of Jamesville, Calif.; two sisters, Ernestine McKinly of Melrose and Lola Fae Norvelle of California; 14 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and greatgreat-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the Mexico Mission Fund or World Bible Fund at 16th and Pile Church of Christ. Doyl Underwood DIMMITT - Doyl Underwood, 70, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Howard Rhodes, pastor, officiating. Graveside services will be in Castro Memorial Gardens with Masonic rites by Masonic Lodge No. 879 AF&AM. Arrangements are by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mr. Underwood was born in Ralls. He lived in Tatum, N.M., before moving to Dimmitt in 1952. He graduated from Springlake-Earth High School in 1945. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He was a 32nd Degree Mason in Masonic Lodge No. 879 AF&AM. He married Donna Mason in Dimmitt in 1982. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Darla Underwood-Baggett of Hereford, Debbie Schumacher of Amarillo and Teresa Lindsey of Dimmitt; a brother, Roy Dale Underwood of Dimmitt; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to the First Baptist Church building fund, 1201 Western Circle Drive, Dimmitt, Texas 79027. Refugia Nino DIMMITT - Refugia "Cuca'' Nino, 75, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Vigil service was at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church by the Rev. Guillermo Morales, pastor. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park. Mrs. Nino was born in San Marcos. She moved to Dimmitt in 1953 after living in Whiteface. Mrs. Nino was an LVN for Plains Memorial Hospital for 27 years. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the Guadalupanas Society. She married Emilio Nino in 1943 at San Marcos. She was preceded in death by two sons, Emilio Nino Jr. in 1968 and Jose Nino in 1946. Survivors include her husband; two sons, John Nino of Dimmitt and David Nino of Emory; four daughters, Yolanda Martinez, Lupe Flores and Mary Ann Larra, all of Dimmitt, and Sylvia Nino of Monahans; four brothers, Narciso Gauna and Ramon Gauna, both of Dimmitt, Luciano Gauna of Tomball, Thomas Hernandez of Austin and Frank Hernandez of Nebraska; eight sisters, Trine Guajardo of Whiteface, Lola Moreno of Yakima, Wash., Sophia Vargas of San Marcos, Lupe DeLeon of Farwell, Juanita Lopez of Levelland, Mary Mendoza of Lubbock, Tina Gonzales of Dimmitt and Alicia Castillo of Littlefield; 27 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. Neva Rothwell CHILDRESS - Neva Rothwell, 93, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Johnny Robertson officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Rothwell was born in Ovilla and moved to Childress County in 1909. She was a homemaker and member of First United Methodist Church, Mable Hare Sunday School Class and United Methodist Women. She married Lee Rothwell in 1924. He died in 1963. Survivors include three sons, Bill Rothwell of Childress, Dewie Rothwell of Brownwood and L.D. Rothwell of Clovis, N.M.; a sister, Frances Anderson of Spokane, Wash.; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Gracye Neel PLAINVIEW - Gracye Neel, 88, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Services will be at 4 p.m. today in Lemons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. A.C. Hamilton, former pastor of Finney Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park. Mrs. Neel was born, raised and attended school in Wilbarger County. She married Payne W. Neel in 1930 at Altus, Okla. He died in 1987. After marrying, she lived in Rayland. She moved to Hale County in 1945 and farmed in the Finney community. She moved to Plainview in 1988. She worked in sales at Dargans for several years. She was a member of First Baptist Church, the Caravan Campers and the Senior Citizens. Survivors include a daughter, Betty Buchanan of Plainview; a son, Coney Neel of Hale Center; a brother, Buster Crisp of Las Cruces, N.M.; a sister, Bonnie Pigg of Plainview; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and five greatgreat-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3 to 4 p.m. today. Charlie Bell HEREFORD - Charlie Bell, 70, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church with Dr. Tom Fuller, pastor, and Dr. James Bell of First United Methodist Church in Clarendon officiating. Burial will be in West Park Cemetery by Gililland-Watson Funeral Home. Oleta Hawthorne MEMPHIS - Oleta Hawthorne, 76, died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in First Christian Church with Tom Posey, minister, and the Rev. Larry White of Quail Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Spicer Funeral Home and Myers-Long Funeral Directors. Ms. Hawthorne was born in Mills County. She was an X-ray technician at Hall County Hospital for 41 years. She was a member of First Christian Church. Survivors include four sisters, Dixie Rector of Perryton, Jessie Alston of Wellington, Vivian Gammill of Amarillo and Emily Stewart of Hereford. Amarillo Mary Jane Lucas Stiles Mary Jane Lucas Stiles, 76, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Mountain View Cemetery at Lordsburg, N.M., with the Rev. Kevin Phillips, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Lordsburg, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Stiles was born in Mechanicville, N.Y. She graduated from Carrizozo High School at Carrizozo. She lived in Lordsburg from 1943 until moving to Amarillo in 1995. She was a homemaker and a library assistant in Lordsburg public schools. She retired in 1983. Mrs. Stiles was a member of First United Methodist Church and the WSCS women's group at the church. She also was a legislative chairman of the Lordsburg AARP and a member of the Pythian Sisters, the New Mexico Association of Retired School Employees, the Bridge Club and the Sand and Sage Garden Club. She married Byron Burke Stiles Sr. in 1938 at Silver City, N.M. He died in 1985. Survivors include two sons, Byron B. Stiles and Ronald L. Stiles, both of Amarillo; a brother, Walter Lucas of Wichita, Kan.; four grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. They request memorials be to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 370, Lordsburg, N.M.; or the Adult Literacy Council, 2219 S. Van Buren St., Amarillo, Texas 79109. James Lewis James Lewis, 68, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. today in Buchanan Street Chapel with Dr. Howard Batson, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Service arrangements are by the family. Cremation arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Lewis was born in Brownfield and had been a longtime Amarillo resident. He retired from the Navy. He served as purchasing manager for Texas Tech University Health Science Center and retired from the assembly line at Bell Helicopter. He was a member of Buchanan Street Chapel, the Masonic Lodge and Khiva Temple. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; a son, Justin W. Lewis of Amarillo; two daughters, Kaylee Lewis of Lubbock and Melody Tate of Amarillo; a brother, Duane Lewis of Brownfield; a sister, Mary Helen Beck of Garland; and three grandchildren. The family will be at 1519 S. Carolina St. They request memorials in lieu of flowers be to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association. The body will not be available for viewing. Ernest Velasquez Sr. Ernest "Butch'' Velasquez Sr., 35, of 1823 N. Houston, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m. today in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. Velasquez was born in California and had lived in Amarillo for five years. He worked in construction. Survivors include his wife, Cindy; a daughter, Felina Velasquez of the home; three sons, Julio Velasquez, Ernest Velasquez Jr. and Nicholas Velasquez, all of the home; his father and stepmother, Elias and Aurora G. Velasquez of Amarillo; two brothers, Daniel Velasquez of Amarillo and Elias Velasquez Jr. of Modesto, Calif.; a half brother, Rudy Velasquez of California; and two sisters, Patsy Garza of McAllen and Sandra Velasquez of Modesto. The body will not be available for viewing. Georgia Marie Drain Georgia Marie Drain, 76, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in BlackburnShaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road, with the Rev. Wayne Sheffield of Trinity United Methodist Church officiating. Entombment will be in Llano Garden Mausoleum. Mrs. Drain was born in Erick, Okla., and lived in Amarillo for 69 years. She worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. for 35 years and retired in 1984. She was a member of the Pioneer Club, the Senior Citizens Association and Trinity United Methodist Church. She married Russell Drain in 1941 at Lake Charles, La. He died in 1963. Survivors include a brother, Jack Grider of Irving; and a sister, Johnnie Robbins of Amarillo. The family requests memorials be to the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, Texas 79106. The family will be at 728 Rietman St. Mattie Ruth Gugenheim Mattie Ruth Gugenheim, 81, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 1997. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Trinity Fellowship Church with Jimmy Evans, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Gugenheim was born in Dallas and had lived in Amarillo since 1939. She was part owner of A.D. Gugenheim Co. for 38 years and a partner in a farming operation in Deaf Smith County. She was president of the Texas A&M Mothers Club. She was a past president of the Northwest Texas Hospital Auxiliary and served as an auxiliary volunteer from 1961 to 1974. She was a medical unit volunteer during World War II in New York and Philadelphia. She also volunteered with the USO. She married Albert Dick Gugenheim in 1939 at Dallas. He died in 1983. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Gail, and a son, Ralph. Survivors include a son, Paul Gugenheim of Amarillo; a twin sister, Martha Sellers of Gainesville; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family will be at 1800 Crestview. They request memorials be to the building fund at Trinity Fellowship Church. Elizabeth Younger Jones Elizabeth Younger Jones, 75, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 1997. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Friday in Llano Cemetery with Monsignor Francis A. Smyer of St. Mary's Catholic Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mrs. Jones was born in Amarillo and graduated from Amarillo High School in 1940. She married Taylor Jones in 1945 at Austin. Mrs. Jones was a longtime volunteer for St. Anthony's Auxiliary. She was a member of the Tascosa Country Club Ladies' Golf Association. Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Melinda Ashcraft of Dallas, and Patricia Condran and Carol Autry, both of Amarillo; a sister, Pat Long of Grove, Ore.; a brother, Bob Younger of Amarillo; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, Texas 79176-0001. The body will not be available for viewing. Mickey J. Bixler Mickey J. Bixler, 50, of Amarillo, died Tuesday Aug. 26, 1997. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Paramount Terrace Christian Church with the Rev. C. Scott Greer of the church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by SchoolerGordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mr. Bixler was born in Amarillo and had lived here all his life. He married Sharon Gilbreath in 1968 at Amarillo. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and served as president of Amarillo South Rotary from 1991 to 1992. While serving as president, he was instrumental in the recognition of outstanding police officers for each quarter and officers of the year. He also was instrumental in the development and organization of a mentoring program for high school students. Mr. Bixler was active on several state and national committees dealing with medical practice automation. He was the owner of Bio Medical Electronics in Amarillo for 29 years. He was a former owner of P.C. Hotline. He was a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church. Survivors include his wife; a son, Bradley J. Bixler of the home; and a daughter, Jennifer Anne Staggs of Amarillo. The family requests memorials be to the Leukemia Society of America Inc., 2651 N. Harwood, Suite 240, Dallas, Texas 75201. Earline Moore Earline Moore, 65, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 1997. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Murray Gosset of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Moore was born in Ofahoma, Miss., and moved to Amarillo in 1965. She retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Diane Walker Thoma, in 1994. Survivors include a son, P. David Walker of Amarillo; and a grandson.