Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 13 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 13, 1998, 8:17 AM Area David Perez Sr. DIMMITT - David Perez Sr., 70, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998. Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Guillermo Morales officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery at Dimmitt by Foskey, Lilley, McGill Funeral Home. Mr. Perez was born in San Benito and moved to the Dimmitt community in 1962 from Brownsville. He worked for Dimmitt Safety Lane and Tire Shop for 26 years as a front-end alignment specialist. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and had been an umpire in the Dimmitt Little League. He married Santos Guerra in 1948 at Brownsville. Survivors include his wife; seven sons, David Perez Jr. and Daniel Perez, both of Yoakum, Jose Perez of Hale Center, Lino Perez of Dimmitt, Luis Perez and Carlos Perez, both of Amarillo and Elias Perez of Conroe; three daughters, Sylvia Perez of Amarillo, Delia Cavazos of Weslaco and Priscilla Chavira of Dimmitt; five brothers, Jose Perez II of Goliad, Antonio Perez and Daniel Perez, both of San Juan, Elias Perez of Edinburg and Lino Perez of Santa Paula, Calif.; two sisters, Oralia Perez of Oregon and Elena de Leon of Alamo. Mildred Ferguson PLAINVIEW - Mildred Ferguson, 80, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Parklawn Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Dean McNamara, chaplain of Family Hospice of Plainview, officiating. Arrangements are by Lemons Funeral Home. Mrs. Ferguson was born in Washington County, Iowa. She moved to Plainview in 1945 where she worked for Lusters Laundry for 20 years. For six years, she was a cook for Senior Citizens. She was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church. She married Vernon Ferguson in 1945 at Phoenix. He died in 1986. Survivors include four daughters, Donna Ennis of Chapman, Neb., Charlene Costiloe of Dumas, Glenda Calino of Tenio, Wash., and Carolyn Ellis of Kent, Wash.; two sons, Bob Fines and David Ferguson, both of Plainview; a sister, Sharlot Duke of Aberdeen, Wash.; 22 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Family Hospice of Plainview. H.C. Cleveland BORGER - H.C. Cleveland, 79, died Thursday, Nov. 12, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Ernie Williams, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Garden in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mr. Cleveland was born in Bennington, Okla., and had been a Borger resident since 1952. He attended First Christian Church and was a member of Isom Lodge No. 1242 and Borger Chapter No. 811 Order of the Eastern Star. He was a retired service station manager. He married Wava Lee Hendren in 1944 at Woodward, Okla. Survivors include his wife; a son, James H. Cleveland of Amarillo; four daughters, Carla Parker and Cathy George, both of Amarillo, Sue Page of Dallas and Donna Prine of Kaufman; two brothers, Cecil Cleveland of Durant, Okla., and Claude Cleveland of Oklahoma; and eight grandchildren. Narcisso C. Lucio HEREFORD - Narcisso C. Lucio, 60, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1998, in San Angelo. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today in Rix Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in La Iglesia De San Jose with the Rev. Domingo Castillo officiating. Burial will be in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery. Mr. Lucio was a retired farm labor contractor. Survivors include six sons, Narcisso Lucio Jr., and Paulo Lucio, both of Hereford, Angel Lucio of Tucson, Ariz., Christopher Lucio of Crookston, Minn., Manuel Lucio of Abilene, and Jose Lucio of Houston; seven daughters, Hortencia Lucio of Hereford, Maria Gonzales and Silvia Fenbres, both of Tucson, Patricia Lucio and Rachel Aguilar, both of Crookston, Lydia Aguilar of Haskell, and Oralia Gonzales of Uvalde; a brother, Jose Angel Lucio of Weslaco; three sisters, Candelaria Hernandez of San Benito, Juana Montez of Weslaco and Esperanza Lopez of Hereford; 37 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Edna Harper Rudy WELLINGTON - Edna Harper Rudy, 84, a former Wellington resident, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Plymouth Cemetery with the Rev. Elvis Pitts, retired Baptist minister, officiating. Arrangements are by Adams Funeral Home. Mrs. Rudy was born in Ashland, Okla., and moved to Wellington in 1921. She was a longtime resident of the community until moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Mrs. Rudy was a member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years. For 15 years, she worked in laundry service. She was a member of Eastern Star and the County Home Demonstration Club. She married Vernon Andrew Rudy in 1939 at Childress. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1976 and by a son, Thomas Rudy. Survivors include three sons, Ronnie Rudy of Lewisville, John Rudy of Dallas and James "Jim" Rudy of Arlington; a daughter, Gail Rudy of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a sister, Georgie B. Catherall of Childress; and six grandchildren. Grace Nafzger HEREFORD - Grace Nafzger, 91, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Rose Chapel with Rodney Weed officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by GilillandWatson Funeral Home. Mrs. Nafzger was born in Olney. She moved to Deaf Smith County in 1932 from Canyon where she graduated from West Texas Teachers College. She taught in several small tworoom schools in Deaf Smith County. She was a member of Jehovah's Witnesses Church. She married William Nafzger in 1935 at Olney. Survivors include a daughter, Danna Rohner of Commerce; three granddaughters; and four great-grandsons. Melgie Jo Reinholt FRIONA - Melgie Jo Reinholt, 77, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Calvary Baptist Church in Friona with the Rev. Alvin Petty, pastor, officiating. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with Carlton Turvaville officiating. Arrangements are by Ellis-Blackwell Funeral Home. Mrs. Reinholt was born in Delphos, N.M. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Earth. A homemaker, she moved to Parmer County 23 years ago from Muleshoe. She married Russell Reinholt in 1965 at Adrian. He died in 1995. Survivors include a brother, G.C. Webb of Adrian; seven nieces; and two nephews. Martha Graciela Flores Asebedo DUMAS - Martha Graciela Flores Asebedo, 23, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Templo Elim De Las Asambleas De Dios with the Rev. Jose I. Contreras,, pastor, and the Rev. Nicolas Robledo of the Primera Asambleas de Dios of Garden City, Kan., officiating. Burial will be in Dumas Cemetery by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. Asebedo was born in Juarez, Mexico, and had been a Dumas resident for 15 years. She was employed in quality control for Monfort. She previously lived in Garden City, Dodge City, Kan., and Plainview. She was a member of Templo Elim De Las Asambleas De Dios of Dumas. She married Louis Asebedo Jr., in 1989 at Dumas. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Mercedes Asley Asebedo of Dumas; her parents, Maria Nevarez of Dumas and Juan Flores of Mexico; two brothers, Louis Flores and Rudy Flores, both of Dumas; and two sisters, Susana Flores of Amarillo and Patricia Nevarez of Dumas. Collene Urbanczyk WHITE DEER - Collene Urbanczyk, 82, died Thursday, Nov. 12, 1998. Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. today at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Home Colonial Chapel in Pampa. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in White Deer with Monsignor Kevin Hand, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in White Deer. Mrs. Urbanczyk was born in Bradley, Okla. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She married Fred Urbanczyk in 1950. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Jackie Urbanczyk of Amarillo; a son, Rocky Urbanczyk of Plano; four sisters, Kay Stewart of Oklahoma City, Emmy Hoyle of Lindsay, Okla., Pauline Clark of Missouri and Drucilla Leonard of Seguin; and a grandson. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176. Amarillo Grace Geiser Grace Geiser, 73, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Raymond Crosier officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by SchoolerGordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mrs. Geiser was born in Bethlehem, Pa. She moved to Amarillo in 1952 from Wichita Falls. She was a homemaker and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She married Herbert John Geiser in 1946 at Philadelphia. He died in 1979. Survivors include three sons, John Geiser and Joseph Geiser, both of Amarillo, and Herbert John Geiser Jr., of Cincinnati; two daughters, Grace Ida Herring of Defuniak, Fla., and Patricia Ann Cargill of Thrall; two brothers, Joseph Allen and Charles Joseph Allen, both of Allentown, Pa.; two sisters, Marie Sedlock of Freeburg, Pa., and Patsy Hersch of Florida; 19 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Savannah Rose Ketchum Savannah Rose Ketchum, 16, of Dalhart, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Memory Gardens Mausoleum Chapel with John Yarbrough, associate pastor of Outreach Ministries of Trinity Fellowship Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Martin Road Chapel, 1505 Martin Road. Mrs. Ketchum was born in Elkhart, Kan., and was raised in Elkhart and Amarillo. She moved to Dalhart in 1997 from Amarillo. She attended River Road High School in Amarillo and Trinity Fellowship Church. She was an artist and a homemaker. She married Earl Glen Ketchum in 1997 in Amarillo. Her unborn daughter, Brooke Leah Ketchum, also died Tuesday. Survivors include her husband; her mother and stepfather, Rose and Rob Winner of Amarillo; her father, Ira McCarty of Guymon, Okla.; a sister, SkyAnn McCarty of Amarillo; a brother, Jackie Leon McCarty of Amarillo; her grandparents, Maxine and Martin Hendricks of Elkhart.; and her great-grandparents, Anna Rose Norman of Beaver, Okla., and Harry and Virginia Smith of Grand Rapids, Mich. The family will be at 6201 Reding. Lois Marie Gillespie Lois Marie Gillespie, 84, died Thursday, Nov. 12, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in San Jacinto United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bill Fitzgerald, pastor, and Dr. Jim Smith, pastor of St. Stephen United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Gillespie was born in Neodesha, Kan., and moved to Amarillo in 1945 from Pampa. She was post mistress at Green Acres Pharmacy and worked in sales for Snow White Bakery and White & Kirk. She was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, United Methodist Women, Wesley Comrades Sunday School Class and San Jacinto United Methodist Church. She married Wallace Elvan Gillespie in 1934 at Pampa. He died in 1990. Survivors include four daughters, Leticia Goodrich, Debora Dougan and Donna Skrabits, all of Amarillo, and Gloria Selby of Houston; two sons, Ronald Gillespie of Amarillo and Taylor Gillespie of Jacksonville, Fla.; a sister, Lillian Powers of White Deer; a brother, A.R. Sanchez of Corpus Christi; 23 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. The family will be at 6510 Sandie Dr. They suggest memorials be to San Jacinto United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 3729, Amarillo, TX 79116-3729; or Alzheimer's Disease Panhandle Chapter, 2200 W. Seventh, Amarillo, TX 79106. Olga L. Fisher Olga L. Fisher, 49, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998. A private family service was held. Arrangements were by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Fisher was born in Bell Island, Newfoundland, Canada. She had lived in Amarillo since 1967 where she was head cook for Amarillo Independent School District. She was a Baptist. She married Billy Fisher in 1984 at Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Timmy Ray Fisher of Amarillo and David Hargrave of Ontario, Canada; a brother, Donald Jarvis of Kirchner, Ontario, Canada; six sisters, Hilda Boone of Guelph, Ontario, Effie Wood of Detroit, Venus Kayser of Phoenix, Lena Longman of Brampton, Ontario, and Sharon Jarvis of Burlinton, Ontario; and three grandchildren. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001. The body will not be available for viewing. Jimmie L. Williamson Jimmie L. Williamson, 87, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Nov. 12, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Park Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40 with Dr. Howard Batson and Dr. Chester O'Brian officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Williamson was born in Kirkland and moved to Amarillo in 1935. For five years, he owned his own business in Tyler. In Amarillo, he was employed for 24 years by Tom W. Carpenter Equipment and Amarillo Tractor Parts. Mr. Williamson was a member of First Baptist Church, Palo Duro Lodge No. 1239, the Masonic Lodge in Lubbock and the Scottish Rite in Lubbock. He was a 32nd degree Mason. He married Jennie Hawes in 1932 at Borger. He was preceded in death by a son, Truman D. Williamson, and a daughter, Janet Sue Littlejohn. Survivors include his wife; a brother, Douglas F. Williamson of Amarillo; a sister, Valeria Weaver of Silverton; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing this afternoon. Mary Etta Bean Mary Etta Bean, 82, of Amarillo, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Murray Gossett, associate pastor, officiating. Private burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Ms. Bean was born in Lampasas and had been an Amarillo resident since 1919. She graduated from Amarillo High School in 1933 and from Texas Tech University. She retired after 35 years as a draftsman for Santa Fe Railway. Ms. Bean was a member of the Daughters of Republic of Texas and the American Association of University Women. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church where she was an elder and longtime choir member. Survivors include a nephew, Jess Sellars of Odessa; a great-nephew, Steve Sellars of Amarillo; two great-nieces, Ann Holden of Tulsa and Mary Bradford of Sterling, Va.; and two great-great-nieces. The family suggests memorials be to First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Harrison, Amarillo, TX 79109; the Children's Home, 3400 S. Bowie, Amarillo, TX 79109; or a favorite charity. Donald Ray Baze Donald Ray Baze, 67, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Nov. 12, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Central Church of Christ, 1401 S. Monroe, with Dick Marcear and Paul Sneed officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mr. Baze was born in Eden and moved with his family to Idalou where he attended elementary and high school. He attended Texas Tech University. In 1953, he moved to Borger where he was employed by First National Bank. From 1953 until 1957, Mr. Baze served in the National Guard. He moved to Amarillo in 1960 and worked for Amarillo National Bank. He retired in 1994 after 311/2 years. He was a member of Central Church of Christ. He married Shirley "Ann" Armstrong in 1954 at Borger. Survivors include his wife; a sister, Mary Jane Allen of Idalou; and two nieces and two nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79176-0001; or Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. Julia Mae Fincher Julia Mae Fincher, 94, of Amarillo, died Thursday, Nov. 12, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Howard Batson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Vega by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mrs. Fincher was born in Montague County and had been an Amarillo resident for 57 years. She was employed as a cashier at Ideal Foods and Underwood's Barbecue. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey Fincher, in 1976 and a daughter, Virgie Pickens, in 1991. Survivors include two sons, Charlie Fincher and A.B. Fincher, both of Amarillo; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. The family will be at 109 Rancho. Oklahoma Annis Lucille Smith BEAVER, Okla. - Annis Lucille Smith, 85, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Beaver First Christian Church with Roger Neff officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in High Point Cemetery in Buffalo by Clark Funeral Service. Mrs. Smith was born in Harper County. She was a homemaker and member of the Christian Church. She married Lloyd Melvin Smith in 1932 at Ashland, Kan. He died in in 1982. Survivors include a son, Lloyd Leon Smith of Radcliff, Ky.; two daughters, Lucille Ashlock of Hugoton, Kan., and Cornelia Ashlock of Beaver; a brother, Roy Harmon of Buffalo; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; a stepgreatgrandchild; and a great-great-grandchild. Elsewhere Elmer L. Pierce LAKE WHITNEY - Elmer L. Pierce, 70, died Thursday, Oct. 29, 1998, in Guadalajara, Mexico. Memorial services were held Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Lake Whitney. Cremation was done in Mexico. Mr. Pierce was born in Amarillo. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge where he was a past master, and the Shriners. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Edith Lynn Buford Pierce; three daughters, Vicki Pierce Moreland of Darnestown, Md., Virginia Pierce of Durango, Colo., and Lori Pierce Cress of Duncanville; and four grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, TX 75219. Grace Thornhill WAKEENEY, Kan. - Grace Thornhill, 71, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Schmitt Funeral Home with the Rev. Marilyn Gamm officiating. Burial will be in Wakeeney City Cemetery. Mrs. Thornhill was born in Newton and attended the University of Kansas. In 1982, she moved to Wakeeney from Phillips, Texas. She was a homemaker and member of the Literary Club. She married DeArlene Thornhill in 1947 at Wakeeney. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Dean Thornhill of Pampa, Texas, and Dana Thornhill of Dumas, Texas; a daughter, Eula Grace Leonard of Terrell, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren. Visitation will be from 2 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to one's favorite charity.