Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 6 Nov 1998 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; Friday, November 6, 1998, 6:38 AM New Mexico Josie Jessica Vidana FARWELL - Josie Jessica Vidana, 20, died Monday, Nov. 2, 1998. Services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church at Clovis, N.M., with the Rev. Daniel Balizan officiating. Burial will be in Texico Cemetery at Texico, N.M., by SteedTodd Funeral Home of Clovis. Miss Vidana had lived in Farwell all her life. She was a senior at Farwell High School. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Survivors include her parents, Gerardo and Stella Vidana of the home; a sister, Laura Blakes of the home; her grandparents, Emilio and Nea Gonzales of Clovis and Juan Alldama of Zac, Mexico; and her great-grandmother, Eloisa Gonzales of Clovis. Alfred Glover CUSHING, Okla. - Alfred Glover, 64, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Pleasant Hill with the Rev. Wayne Boydstun and Elbert Davis officiating. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis. Mr. Glover was born in Chillicothe, Texas. He was an auto mechanic. Survivors include his wife, Sylvia; four sons, Jerry Dean Glover of Hobbs, Floyd Ward of Tahlequah, Okla., Charley Ward of Missouri and Edward Ward of Olive, Okla.; five daughters, Vada Harmon of Stillwater, Okla., Debra Price of Cashmere, Wash., Alfreda Dunehew and Lola Edwards, both of Clovis and Nita Kay O'Donnell of Carney, Okla.; two brothers, Boyce Glover of Friona, Texas, and Gail Glover of Las Vegas, Nev.; three sisters, Glenda Harris of Las Vegas, Nev., Karen Arnold of Sacramento, Calif., and Violet White of Seattle; 24 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Floyd A. Canaday Jr. CLOVIS, N.M. - Floyd A. Canaday Jr., 55, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998, in Friona, Texas. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Chapel with the Rev. Waymon Dowdy officiating. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park in Muleshoe, Texas, with military honors conducted by Cannon Air Force Base Honor Guard. Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis. Mr. Canaday was born in Williamsburg, W.Va. He served two tours of duty with the Army in Vietnam and retired in 1976. In Friona, he was employed as maintenance engineer for Excel. He was a member of the NAACP and was of the Baptist faith. He married Sherry Washington in 1984 at Muleshoe. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Jamie L. Canaday of San Antonio and Janice L. Canaday of Clovis; four brothers, John J. Canaday of Fort Washington, Md., Leroy S. Canaday of Bronx, N.Y., and Thomas W. Canaday and Robert J. Canaday, both of Williamsburg; five sisters, Hilda Potter, Alberta Jones, Flossie L. Banks, Janice Canaday and Patricia A. Canaday, all of Williamsburg; and six grandchildren. Bernerd E. Dotson CLOVIS, N.M. - Bernerd E. Dotson, 67, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1998. Memorial services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Steed-Todd Funeral Home with the Rev. Kevin Dotson officiating. Mr. Dotson was born in Grand Junction, Colo., and moved to Clovis in 1965 from Denver. Since 1965, he owned and operated H&R Block. He was a member of American Legion Post in Albuquerque. He married Oneda Kosack in 1954 at Vancouver, Wash. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Carman Richard of Clovis; three sons, Kevin Dotson of Hereford, Texas, Darwin Dotson of Fairfield, Calif., and Marlin Dotson of Wichita Falls, Texas; a stepbrother, Leroy Revelle of Puyallup, Wash.; a stepsister, LeIslea Brooks of Everett, Wash.; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to cancer research at the National Cancer Institute, NCI Branch, Building 31, Room 11a16, Bethesda, MD 20392. Elsewhere Ellen C. Bunton ALBA - Ellen C. Bunton, 68, died Monday, Nov. 2, 1998. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. today in West Oaks Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Rocky Weatherford officiating. Graveside services will be at noon Friday in Restlawn Memorial Park at Sulphur Springs. Mrs. Bunton was born in Woodbine, Ga., and had been a resident of the Lake Fork area for the past two years. She was a homemaker and a Methodist. She married Aldeen M. Bunton in 1951 at Woodbine. Survivors include a son, Dale Bunton of Kemp; three daughters, Cheryl Bunton of Jacksonville, Fla., and Charlotte Bunton Braddock and Deborah Bunton, both of Amarillo; a sister, Evelyn Jennings of Savannah, Ga.; and five grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Paris Regional Cancer Center, 3550 N.E. Loop 286, Paris, TX 75460. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Robert L. Pilgrim EUREKA, Calif. - Robert "Bob" L. Pilgrim, 83, a former Dumas, Texas, resident, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998. Services will be at noon Monday in First Baptist Church at Hoopa with the Rev. Robert Thomas officiating. Burial will be in the Hoopa Tribal Cemetery by Chapel of the Ferns-Cooper Mortuary. Mr. Pilgrim was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater. He was retired from the logging industry. Survivors include his wife, Betty; three daughters, Frances Maunder, Martha Lou Isles of Palo Pinto, Texas, and Clara Ann West of Breckenridge, Texas; three sisters, Renia Hogg of Stephenville, Texas, Darvela Scroggins of Fritch, Texas, and Clarelene Williams of Anchorage, Alaska; and several grandchildren. Visitation will be from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary. Margaret E. Thompson CUSTER, S.D. - Margaret E. Thompson, 94, died Monday, Nov. 2, 1998. At Mrs. Thompson's request, there will be no funeral services. Her cremains will be buried with her husband in the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Arrangements are by Isburg-McColley's Chapel of Custer. Mrs. Thompson was born in Sparta, Wis., and graduated from Aberdeen Normal in 1921. She taught school at Timber Lake and Mystic and was a telephone operator in Hill City. She was a member of Hill City Garden Club, Hill City Senior Citizens, Custer Senior Citizens and the Hill City Fife and Drum Corps. She married Wilbur W. Thompson in 1923 at Timber Lake. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1986 and a son, Frank, in 1980. Survivors include three daughters, Marilyn Sears of Port Orchard, Wash., and Yuma, Ariz., Sharon Parsons of Casa Grande, Ariz., and Ardy Jeffries of Custer; two sons, Willis Thompson and Chuck Thompson, both of Amarillo; three special friends, Fred J. Michie, Maxine Paine and Dan McReynolds; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crippled Children's Hospital, the Salvation Army or the March of Dimes. Area Velma Tollison SUNRAY - Velma Tollison, 75, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Dumas with Jeff Witcher, bishop, officiating. Burial will be in Lane Memorial Cemetery in Sunray by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. Tollison was born in San Diego and had been a Borger resident since 1981. She was a longtime resident of California and Oklahoma. She was a homemaker and member of Dumas and Borger Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. She married Aaron T. Tollison in 1944 at San Diego. He died in 1983. Survivors include 11 sons, Butch Tollison, Jerry Tollison and Kenny Tollison, all of Bakersfield, Calif., Ray Tollison and Robert Tollison, both of Dallas, Donnie Tollison and Johnny Tollison, both of Fritch, Roy Tollison of Wolfforth, David Tollison of Sunray, Richard Tollison of Corydon, Ind., and Calvin Weeks of Edmond, Okla.; two daughters, Jeannie Patty of Bakersfield and Janet Spurrier of San Antonio; two brothers, Alfred Sidwell of New Castle, Calif., and Leland Sidwell of Dudleyville, Ariz.; three sisters, Betty Reeves of Lompac, Calif., Alberta Andrews of Riverdale, Calif., and Geraldine Kauffmen of Fresno, Calif.; 37 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 110 W. Second in Sunray. They suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Ima Lee Nance CHILDRESS - Ima Lee Nance, 83, of Rowlett and a former Childress resident, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First Baptist Church Chapel with the Rev. Kerry Wood, minister of music, officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Nance was born and raised in Childress. She was a secretary in the County Extension Office. The chamber of commerce named her as Employee of the Year. She moved to Rowlett earlier this year. She married Buck Nance in 1937 at Childress. He died in 1990. Survivors include a son, Randy Nance of Garland; a brother, Buren Arnn of Fort Worth; and a granddaughter. Ruby Lois Douglas CHILDRESS - Ruby Lois Douglas, 89, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998. Services will be at 4 p.m. today in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Johnny Robertson, pastor, Jack McFarland, associate pastor of Living Word Community Church of Haltom City, and Don McFarland, pastor of Parkview Baptist Church of Childress, officiating. Burial will be in Childress Cemetery by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Douglas was born in Brown County and was a resident of Childress since 1914. In 1995, she retired after 461/2 years as a cosmetics consultant for Harp Pharmacy and Drug. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Business and Professional Women of Childress. She married Grady Douglas in 1926 at Childress. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1952 and by a daughter, Peggy Lois, in 1933. Survivors include three nephews, Don McFarland of Childress, Jack McFarland of North Richland Hills and Ron McFarland of Boise, Idaho; and four nieces, Rubye Carolyn Churchwell of Bedford, Ann Box of Childress, Elois Elkins of Caldwell and Bonnie Ruth Howard of Rogers, Ark. Carol McCurley CHILDRESS - Carol McCurley, 53, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church of Childress with the Rev. Milton Wood of First Baptist Church of Social Circle, Ga., and Joe Cunningham officiating. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday in Crestview Memorial Park in Wichita Falls with the Rev. Wade Hood of Westside Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. McCurley was born in Wichita Falls. During college, she was president of the Baptist Student Union. For 22 years, she taught school. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Childress where she directed ministry of women and taught Sunday school. Survivors include her husband, Jim McCurley of Childress; two sons, Craig McCurley and Matthew McCurley, both of Lubbock; and her mother, Deddy Gillem of Wichita Falls. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church of Childress Fellowship Hall Fund. Dwaine Mullins MULESHOE - Dwaine Mullins, 39, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998, in Albuquerque, N.M. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in 16th Street & Avenue D Church of Christ in Muleshoe with Curtis Shelburne, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Bailey County Cemetery by Ellis Funeral Home. Mr. Mullins was born in Muleshoe and had lived in Battle Mountain, Nev., for 13 years. He returned to Muleshoe in March where he was a member of 16th Street & Avenue D Church of Christ. He was a truck driver for CO2 Services. Survivors include a son, Brian Heith of Muleshoe; a daughter, Kandace Lynn of Muleshoe; his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Winfred Mullins of Muleshoe; two sisters, Wynetta McCay of Lubbock and Fay Burkhart of Battle Mountain; and a brother, Borden Mullins of Lubbock. The family suggests memorials be to Mullins Children's Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1010, Muleshoe, TX 79347. Mary E. Smith OLTON - Mary E. Smith, 88, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church of Olton with the Rev. Kyle Streun, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park in Plainview by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home. Mrs. Smith was born in Elida, N.M., and moved to Olton in 1926. She graduated from Olton High School and attended Texas Tech University and Wayland Baptist College of Plainview. She was a member of Olton First Baptist Church. She married William B. Smith in 1936 at Dallas. Survivors include a daughter, Hazel E. Bonner; a son, Billy Roy Smith; three grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. The family suggests memorials be to Runningwater Draw Care Center, P.O. Box 409, Olton, TX 79064. Amarillo Herbert R. Armstrong Herbert R. Armstrong, 66, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Bykota Southern Baptist Church with the Rev. Rick Rice officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mr. Armstrong was born in Gordenville and moved to Amarillo several years ago. He served in the Air Force for 20 years before retiring as a tech sergeant. He was a member of Bykota Southern Baptist Church and the Texas Association for Family and Communication Eduction. He married Frances Younger in 1977 in Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Michael Armstrong of Rowlett, Michael Gonce of Coppell and Ron Gonce of Canyon; three daughters, Karen Thatcher and Pat Corbet, both of Amarillo, and Charlene McGlothin of Olathe, Kan.; and six grandchildren. Paul Oliver Thomas Paul Oliver Thomas, 67, of Amarillo, died Sunday, Nov. 1, 1998. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Texline Cemetery in Texline with the Rev. Chip Bryant of the First Baptist Church of Texline officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street. Mr. Thomas was born in Pleasant, Kan. He graduated from Kansas State University with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. While at KSU, he played basketball and was in ROTC. After his graduation, Mr. Thomas served in the veterinary corps of the Army. He then was employed as USDA federal meat inspector in Oklahoma City, Fresno, Calif., Albuquerque, N.M., Des Moines, Iowa, and Friona. He was a 32nd degree Mason. Survivors include his wife, Ina Mae Steen of the home; a son, Kevin Crawford Thomas of Yukon, Okla.; a daughter, Kathryn White of Yukon; a stepson, Murray Garnett of Amarillo; a brother, John Thomas of Idaho Falls, Idaho; two sisters, Ruth Ferrell of Butler, Mo., and Barbara Slater of Galax, Va.; his first wife, Mildred of Yukon; five grandchildren; several stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren. Harley E. Phillips Harley E. "Shorty" Phillips, 87, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Llano Mausoleum Chapel with Ray Fulenwider, minister of Central Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Phillips was born in Lockney. He moved to Plainview and in 1941 moved to Amarillo. He was employed by International Harvester and retired from Amarillo Hardware. He married Inez Hoover in 1933 at Lakeview. She died in 1993. Survivors include a daughter, Cleta Miller of Amarillo; a son, Terry Phillips of Madisonville, Ky.; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a great-greatgrandchild. The family will be at the Tommy Miller residence, 6207 Dartmouth. They suggest memorials be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174; Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176; or a favorite charity. Marvin Keith Herring Marvin Keith Herring, 76, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Howard K. Batson, senior pastor, and Dr. Chester O'Brien, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Military honors will be conducted by Cannon Air Force Base honor guard. Masonic graveside rites will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Hillview Memorial Garden in Farmington, N.M. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Herring was born in Colony, Kan. He began his military career with the Army Air Corps as a bombardier in the 15th Air Force during World War II. He retired in 1965 from Amarillo Air Force Base. During his career, retired Lt. Col. Herring received the Purple Heart, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Campaign and Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Bronze Star and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. After his retirement, Mr. Herring was vice president at the First National Bank where he retired in 1987. He was a member and deacon at First Baptist Church. He was a 50-year Mason. He married Julie Mott in 1991 at Amarillo. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Flora Mae Herring, in 1984. Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Charlotte Walsh, Sharon Taylor and Angie Bagwell, all of Amarillo, and Debbie Hudler of Houston; a brother, Kenneth Herring of Yates Center, Kan.; and nine grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Robert Henry Birchfield Robert Henry Birchfield, 89, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the chapel of Polk Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jim Garrett officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mr. Birchfield was born in Wellington on the Mill Iron Ranch. He graduated from Clarendon College and the University of Texas. He moved to Amarillo in the 1940s from Olton. From 1944 until 1974, Mr. Birchfield was principal for San Jacinto Elementary School. He was a member of the retired teachers organization, Polk Street United Methodist Church and the Vaugan-Selby Sunday School Class. He married Bettie Rose Kerr in 1937. She preceded him in death in 1993. Survivors include two sons, Richard Henry Birchfield of Denver and John William Birchfield of Amarillo. Viewing will be at 10 a.m. today with visitation from 6 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to the Amarillo Public Library. Kenneth W. Ott Jr. Kenneth W. Ott Jr., 63, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Llano Cemetery East with the Rev. Bill Ghem of Grace Community Church officiating. Arrangements are by N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors, 2615 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Ott was born in Union, N.J., and graduated from high school in New Jersey. He entered the Air Force in 1952 and retired in 1972. In Amarillo, he was employed for 16 years by Borden Dairy and also worked for Rochester Armored Car Service. He married Jo Deane Rhoads in 1954 at Clayton, N.M. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Susan Swaim of Dumas; five sons, Kenny Ott, Mike Ott, Bill Ott, Andy Ott and Tim Ott, all of Amarillo; two brothers, Edward Ott of Colonia, N.J., and Richard Ott of Jackson, N.J.; and 10 grandchildren. The family will be at 4709 S. Fannin. Felipa Oberbrockling Felipa "Phyllis" Oberbrockling, 61, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 1998. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Memory Gardens Mausoleum. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. Oberbrockling was born in San Jon, N.M. She had been employed by several dry cleaners in Amarillo. She was preceded in death by a son, Ben Oberbrockling, in 1988. Survivors include her husband, Bernard Oberbrockling; two sons, Michael Oberbrockling and Tim Oberbrockling, both of Amarillo; three daughters, Debbie Snell, Brenda Moctezuma and Vicky Murguia, all of Amarillo; three sisters, Annie Garcia, Mary Floyd and Ramona Rodriguez, all of Amarillo; 13 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Family visitation will be from 7 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Robert Merrill Johnston Robert Merrill Johnston, 67, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998. Graveside services will be today in Mound Valley Cemetery in Thomas, Okla., with the Rev. Dean Brookshire officiating. Arrangements are by Lockstone Funeral Home of Thomas. Mr. Johnston was born in Harvey, Ill., where he was raised and attended school. A truck driver for 48 years, he lived in Iowa Park, Texas, Clinton, Okla., and Amarillo. He married Gail Seigler in 1982 at Shamrock. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Lyle Johnston of Thomas, Charles Johnston of Stewartville, Minn., Robbie Johnston of Harvey and Mickey Johnston of Chicago; three daughters, Stacy Johnston of Amarillo, Carol Poss of Wisconsin and Bobbie Dilallo of Chicago; a brother, Wayne Johnston of Crete, Ill.; and a sister, Geri Rockwood of Modesto, Calif. Dora L. Soll Dora L. Soll, 86, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Nov. 4, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia, with the Rev. Gil Lain, pastor of Paramount Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Soll was born in Sayre, Okla., and moved to Amarillo 70 years ago. She was a homemaker who ran a dairy and owned several businesses with her husband. She was a member of Paramount Baptist Church and her Sunday school class. She married Fred Henry Soll in Canyon. He preceded her in death. Survivors include a daughter, Fran Blessen of Amarillo; a son, Bill Morford of Amarillo; a sister, Nannie Burrough of Sayre; nine grandchildren; eight greatgrandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Youth Scholarship Fund c/o Brenda Cook, Paramount Baptist Church, 3801 S. Western, Amarillo, TX 79109; or Angus Acres Baptist Church, 4401 S. 129th Ave., Sand Springs, OK 74063. Maxine Bland Maxine Bland, 88, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998. No services are planned at this time. Memorial services will be later in Oklahoma City where her cremains will be buried. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Bland was born in Santa Anna and moved to Amarillo in 1992 from Oklahoma City. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Bland, in 1976, and by a daughter, Linda Neel Bland, in 1992. She is survived by a sister, Dene Killingsworth of Amarillo.