Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 18 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; Wednesday, November 18, 1998, 8:27 AM Amarillo Michael John Koopmann Michael John "Mike" Koopmann, 44, a former Amarillo resident, of Starke, Fla., died Friday, Nov. 13, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St., with the Rev. Paul Land officiating. Mr. Koopmann was born in Galveston and moved to Amarillo in 1965. He served in the National Guard and was a truck driver and a Baptist. He married Patricia Kelly at Las Vegas. Survivors include his wife; a son, James Wright of Starke; three daughters, Alisha Cordell, Dawn Barber and Misty Kelly, all of Starke; his mother, Frances Koopman of New Braunfels; a brother, Dr. Bryan N. Koopman of Austin; and two sisters, Cherryl Allen of Amarillo and Linda Cox of Edmond, Okla. The family suggests memorials be to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch and Affiliates; the American Heart Association; or a favorite charity. Gordon Evert Golden Gordon "Sonny" Evert Golden, 55, of Lake Tanglewood, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 1998. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. today in the First Presbyterian Church at Pampa with Dr. Edwin Cooley, pastor, officiating. Cremation will be handled by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Golden was born in Pampa and moved to Amarillo in 1994. He attended Clarendon College. He worked for Cabot Corp. in Pampa as a warehouse supervisor and had been employed there for 35 years. He married Becca Lusk in 1995 at St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Kerri O'Neal of Texarkana; a son, Devin Golden of Cisco; a sister, Virginia Adams of Arlington; his former wife, Judy Golden of Wichita Falls; and five grandchildren. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers be to Baylor University Organ Transplant Department in Dallas. Harold K. Twing Harold K. Twing, 78, of Amarillo, died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Ron Holmes, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Mr. Twing was born in Kelly Lake, Minn., and moved to Amarillo in 1936. He graduated from Amarillo High School and served with the Army Air Corps during World War II. He served as a top turret gunner and waist gunner in the 306th Bombing Group and 367th Squadron, which was first over Germany. He received the Bronze Star, the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was the owner and operator of Twing's Drive In at 1010 N. Fillmore St., from 1957 until 1971. He retired from Amarillo Lumber Co. Mr. Twing was a past president of the Panhandle Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association and a former member of the chapter board and the association's state board of directors. He had served as a past president of the 36th Division Army Air Corps Association, was a director of AAA and past adjutant of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Twing also was a member of San Jacinto Masonic Lodge 1330, the Lubbock Consistory of the Scottish Rite Consistory, Amarillo Commandery 48 KT, KCCH, and the Khiva Shrine where he was active in the Artisan's Unit and the Royal Order of the Jesters. He was the first gentleman Cub Scout Den Mother at Lamar Elementary School and served as Scoutmaster for the Westminster Boy Scouts. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and a past president and board member of the Amarillo Mental Health Association. In 1973, he worked for the county tax office collecting delinquent taxes and surveying the county for property valuation and assessment. He ran for Potter County Tax Assessor-Collector in 1976. He married Jane Ansley in 1941 in Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Kent Twing and Kurt Twing, both of Amarillo; a daughter, Becky Gatens of Houston; four brothers, Curtis Twing and Al Twing, both of Phoenix, Jack Twing of Sunnyvale, Calif., and Chris Twing of Palm Springs, Calif.; two sisters, Maxine Volland of Bullhead City, Ariz., and Harriet Overstreet of Tyler; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice, 1000 S. Jefferson, Amarillo, TX 79101; Meals on Wheels, 1416 W. Eight Ave., Room 106, Amarillo, TX 79101; or Khiva Temple of the Shrine, P.O. Box 328, Amarillo, TX 79105. Charlie Clyde Helton Charlie Clyde Helton, 84, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Nov. 14, 1998. Graveside services will be at noon today in Memory Gardens Cemetery with Dr. Gil Lain officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St. Mr. Helton was born in Indian Territory. In 1983, he moved to Amarillo from Borger. A rancher, he was a member of Paramount Baptist Church and 32nd degree Mason in the Mineral Wells Lodge. He married Martha Irene Hughes in 1933 at Borger. She died in 1991. Survivors include a daughter, Francina Robbins of Idaho Springs, Calif.; four grandchildren, Krystina Robbins, Joshua Robbins, Ben Robbins and Silas Robbins, all of Idaho Springs; and a great-grandchild. New Mexico Charles Lewis Klingman ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Charles Lewis Klingman, 89, a former resident of Amarillo, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 1998. Private memorial services were by the family. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Amarillo. Arrangements were by Sunrise Society of Albuquerque. A son of missionaries, Mr. Klingman was born in Karuizawa, Japan, and grew up in Texas. He received his bachelor of science in chemistry degree from North Texas State University. While living in Dallas, he was a chemist for Proctor and Gamble and the head of the standards department for Mrs. Tucker's Foods in Sherman. He moved to Amarillo in 1957 where he was project leader in applied research for the Bureau of Mines, Helium Activity. After the helium plant closed, he transferred to the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. He devised improvements in the purification of helium and the analysis of impurities in helium, authored many publications and made several presentations on his work. Mr. Klingman was a member of the American Chemical Society where he was chairman of its Panhandle Plains section in 1964. He also was a member of the Instrument Society of America, American Oil Chemist Society, and served on the board of the Alzheimer's Association of Albuquerque. A member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Mr. Klingman was president of the Albuquerque chapter in 1981 and 1982, was newsletter editor and was state historian from 1985 until 1989. He was a member of the New Mexico Historical Society from 1985 until 1989. In Amarillo, he was an officer of Band Parents for Amarillo High School and Fannin Junior High School. He married Christine Ellis in 1935. She died in 1969. He married Eloise Clark in 1971. They lived in Washington and Albuquerque until her death in 1995. Survivors include a son, Charles James Klingman of Austin, Texas; two daughters, Sylvia Klingman Nichols of Indianapolis, Ind., and Betty Klingman Fry of Albuquerque; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers be to any Albuquerque charity or organization. Oklahoma Bailey Steele Seymour GUYMON, Okla. - Bailey Steele Seymour, infant daughter of Rodney and Susan Seymour, died Saturday, Nov. 14, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today in Elmhurst Cemetery with the Rev. John Hewett, pastor of the Free Will Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home. Survivors include her parents; a sister, Brennan Beret; grandparents, Joe and Sharon Watson and Clifford and Shirley Seymour; and great-grandparents, Naomi Rice, Homer and Hazel Watson and Verda Doreal and Maudine Dotson. The family requests memorials be to Lifestar, Northwest Texas Air Ambulance c/o Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1112, Guymon, OK 73942. Hiram I. Ralstin HOOKER, Okla. - Hiram I. Ralstin, 85, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Straight Christian Church with Roy Smothermon officiating. Burial will be in the Hooker Cemetery by Roberts Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Ralstin was born in Mullinville, Kan., and moved northwest of Hooker in 1917 to the Mouser and Straight community. He attended rural Friendship school and graduated from Hooker High School in 1932. He married Maxine McElroy in 1937. He was preceded in death by a son, Rex. Survivors include his wife; a son, Ralph Ralstin of Hot Springs, Ark.; a daughter, Joyce Lile of Northridge, Calif.; a brother, Ray Ralstin of Guymon; two sisters, Ester Kleffman of Guymon and Edith Schriber of Borger, Texas; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Hooker Ambulance Association c/o Roberts Brothers Funeral Home, Box 745, Hooker, OK 73945. George Vincent Willoughby TEXHOMA, Okla. - George Vincent Willoughby, 76, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Texhoma Cemetery with Paul Garriott of Indiana officiating. Arrangements are by Dawson-Welch Funeral Home of Texhoma. Mr. Willoughby was born in Texhoma then moved to Texas at an young age. He lived in Dalhart, Granbury in Area Sheryl Lynn Gowdy FRITCH - Sheryl Lynn Herbolsheimer Gowdy, 51, died Saturday, Nov. 14, 1998. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Cornerstone Church in Borger with James C. Loper, pastor, and David Heider, assistant pastor, officiating. Additional services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Harman-Wright Mortuary Chapel at Beatrice, Neb. Burial will be in Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice. Local arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Mrs. Gowdy was born in Beatrice. She graduated from Norfolk High School in 1965 and worked at Norfolk Feed Mills. She had been employed by Kmart for more than 20 years. She was a member of Cornerstone Church of Borger. She married Alan Gowdy in October at Las Vegas. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Brent Herbolsheimer of Borger and Brandon Herbolshiemer of Las Vegas; a daughter, Kerri Lippon of Las Vegas; two stepsons, Jimmy Gowdy of Amarillo and Jeromy Gowdy of Lubbock; a sister, Kathy Davis of Gainesville; her parents, Lavina Christie Genrich and Kenneth Genrich, both of Beatrice; five grandchildren; and two stepgrandchildren. The family will be at 214 Skycrest in Borger. The family suggests memorials be to the American Kidney Foundation. Mary Ida Ponder HEREFORD - Mary Ida Ponder, 92, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1998. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in West Park Cemetery. Memorial service will be at 5:30 p.m. in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses with Mark Powers officiating. Arrangements are by Gililland-Watson Funeral Home. Mrs. Ponder was born in Sherman. She married William F. Ponder in 1929 and they moved to Deaf Smith County in 1937. She had been a Jehovah's Witness for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter, Marjory Ponder. Survivors include three sons, Curtis Ponder of Argyle, Bill Ponder of Kerrville and Andy Ponder of Highland Village; two daughters, Martha Davenport of Prineville, Ore., and Anita Johnson of Hereford; a sister, Martilie Langham of Cottage Grove, Ore.; eight grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Roy L. Johnson PERRYTON - Roy L. Johnson, 68, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Tracy Wilson, Dr. Robert W. Daniel and Lane Batts, officiating. Burial will be in Ochiltree Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Perryton. Mr. Johnson was born in Hardesty, Okla., and moved to the Perryton area in 1945 from Oklahoma. He was a farmer and a rancher. He was a member, deacon, elder, trustee and a chairman of the board of the First Christian Church of Perryton. He was a charter member of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, was a past president of the Farm Bureau and was Farmer of the Year in 1991. He married Colleen Milledge in 1949 at Perryton. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Mark Johnson of Perryton and Steve Johnson of Enid, Okla.; a brother, A.B. Johnson of Oklahoma City; and six grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Waka Christian Center. Elmer L. McGill Olton - Elmer L. McGill, 75, of Paris, Texas, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Olton Cemetery with the Rev. Kyle Streun, pastor of First Baptist Church in Olton, officiating. Arrangements are by Foskey-Lilley-McGill Funeral Home of Olton. Mr. McGill was born in Olton and moved to Paris 23 years ago. He was a veteran of World War II, a retired farmer and a Baptist. He married Doris Chaney in 1946 at Clovis, N.M. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Darrell McGill of Paris and David McGill of Arkansas; two daughters, Jane Washington of Dallas and Karen Cato of Paris; a brother, Lowell McGill of Lubbock; and eight grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7 p.m. today at the funeral home in Olton. On Friday, the family will receive friends from 5 until 6 p.m. at Lamar Avenue Church of Christ in Paris. They family suggests memorials be to Westview Boys Home of Hollis, Okla., Boles Home in Quinlan or a Christain Home of one's choice. Emelio Arguello DALHART - Emelio Arguello, 74, died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998. Rosary will be said at 8 p.m. today in Hass Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Dale Guidry, pastor of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, officiating. Mr. Arguello was born and raised in Albert, N.M. A veteran of World War II, he moved to Dalhart in the mid-1940s. He was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Survivors include a sister, Frances Crespin of Dalhart; a brother, Raymond Arguello of Dalhart; and several nieces and nephews. Nelva Morris FLOMOT - Nelva Morris, 70, died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Flomot Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Nathan Mulder of South Plains officiating. Arrangements are by Seigler Funeral Home of Matador. Mrs. Morris was born in Boswell, Okla. She served as assistant postmaster at Flomot for several years and was a homemaker. She was a member of the Flomot Baptist Church. She married Wendell M. Morris in 1947 at Matador. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Billy Morris of Flomot and Tommy Morris of Lockney; two daughters, Pam Lane of Plainview and Cindy Green of Matador; a half-brother, Wayne Snow of Boswell; a half-sister, Hazel Brizendeen of Killeen; and 10 grandchildren. Hazel Devota Brandon CLARENDON - Hazel Devota Brandon, 88, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church with Dr. James Bell, pastor, officiating. Burial with Eastern Star rites will be in Citizens Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Home. Mrs. Brandon was born in Van Zandt County and was a resident of Cuervo, N.M., before moving to Donley County in 1922. In 1974, she retired after 33 years as a schoolteacher. Mrs. Brandon was a member of Texas Retired Teachers Association, the Pathfinder Club, the 1926 Book Club and the Wally Bynum Travel Club. She was a member of the Clarendon Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 6 where she held various offices. She also was a member of First United Methodist Church. She married James Richard Brandon in 1936 at Clarendon. He died in 1996. Survivors include four sisters, Myrl Brown of Amarillo, Jimmie Lee Matheson of Claude, Wilma Paxton of Phoenix and Romaine Beard of Houston; and a brother, Tom M. Cole of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Citizens Cemetery Association, Clarendon College or the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon. Helen M. Koch UMBARGER - Helen M. Koch, 87, died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998. Rosary will be said at 7:30 a.m. today in Brooks Funeral Directors Chapel in Canyon. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Mary's Catholic Church of Umbarger with the Rev. Emmanuel Afunugo, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Mrs. Koch had been an Umbarger resident since 1928. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, St. Mary's Alter Society, Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Umbarger Senior Citizens and 4-H. She married Ben Koch in 1930 at Umbarger. He died in 1986. Survivors include three daughters, Annie Frische of Dawn, Catherine Przilas of Dalhart and Marie Wieck of Canyon; three sons, Max Koch of Monroe, Neb., Robert Koch of Canyon and Joe Koch of Canadian; two sisters, Clara Batenhorst of Panhandle and Catherine Batenhorst of Canyon; a brother, Frank Schuele of Columbus, Neb.; 22 grandchildren; 38 greatgrandchildren; and two great-greatgrandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to St. Ann's Nursing Home, P.O. Box 1179, Panhandle, TX 79068; St. Anthony's School of Dalhart; or Catholic Family Service, 200 S. Tyler, Amarillo, TX 79101. Julius Selby DALHART - Julius Selby, 79, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bob Wood of the church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Hass Funeral Home of Dalhart. Mr. Selby was born in Bowie. When he was 2, he moved to Dalhart where he grew up and attended school. A Navy veteran, he served during World War II. Mr. Selby was employed by Cotton Belt (Rock Island Rail Road) from 1949 until his retirement in 1981. He was a member of First Baptist Church, the Elks Lodge and the United Transportation Union. He married Ruth Sartin in 1949. Survivors include his wife; a son, Larry Selby of Edmond, Okla.; a daughter, Roxie Vigil of Albuquerque, N.M.; a stepson, Jerry Sartin of Amarillo; a stepdaughter, Prudence Bourk of Boise City, Okla.; a stepbrother, Richard G. Hudson of Amarillo; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Clinton Dale Broyles FOLLETT - Clinton Dale Broyles, 85, died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in United Methodist Church in Follett with Junior Zollinger, pastor, and Woodrow Weidner, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Fairmont Cemetery in Shattuck, Okla., by Mason Funeral Home of Shattuck. Mr. Broyles was born and raised near Follett where he attended a country school. He was employed by the Barton, Jones & Jones Cattle Co., near Higgins then worked for George Schultz & Sons for 27 years. He also worked on the Bob Schulz Ranch for several years. Mr. Broyles started his own farming and ranching operation where he raised quarter horses. He also trained cutting horses. He married Lucile Shahan in 1932 near Shattuck. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Mary Elinor Durfey of Logan, Okla., and Hester Ellen Wynn of Follett; a sister, Lottie Faye Allen of Follett; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.