Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 2 May 1999 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; Sunday, May 2, 1999, 5:44 AM Amarillo Z.M. Wilhite Z.M. "Dick" Wilhite, 73, of Amarillo, died Thursday, April 29, 1999. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in N.S. Griggs & Sons Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 2615 Paramount Blvd., with Gene Shelburne of Anna Street Church of Christ officiating. Mr. Wilhite was born in Hamlin and moved to Amarillo in 1947 from Weatherford, Okla. He attended Southwestern State University and from 1950 until 1952, worked at Phillips Petroleum Co. He was secretary/treasurer of Amarillo Auto Auction for many years and coowner of Amarillo Auto Sales Inc. He served with the Navy during World War II, and was a member of the Palo Duro Masonic Lodge, Khiva Shrine Temple, VFW Post No. 1475 and Church of Christ. He married Janet Salter in 1976 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife: three daughters, Kathy Whitley and Deborah Turner, both of Amarillo, and Linda Wisian of San Antonio; two brothers, Edd Wilhite of Elk City, Okla., and Raymond Wilhite of Clinton, Okla.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The body will not be available for viewing. The family will be at 1623 Jordon and suggests memorials be to Khiva Shrine Temple, 305 E. Fifth, Amarillo, TX 79101. Inez A. Meindl Inez A. Meindl, 66, of Amarillo, died Friday, April 30, 1999. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia. Mrs. Meindl was born in Alden, Iowa, and graduated from Popejoy High School in 1951. She attended Hamilton Business College. She served as a WAVE in the armed services for two years and worked for the state of Texas as a supervisor in home health care for 13 years until her retirement in 1998. She was a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church. Survivors include three daughters, Melody Cockerham of Nevada, Iowa, Colleen Balderas of Dumas and Rosalie Laredo of Pollock, Mo.; two sons, Daniel Meindl of Topeka, Kan., and Arthur Dyke of Amarillo; and a sister, Illa Ellis of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Irma Blackwell GROOM - Irma J. Blackwell, 69, died Friday, April 30, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Groom United Methodist Church with the Revs. Tom Moore and Jerry Moore officiating. Burial will be in Groom Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Blackwell was born in Ely and graduated from high school in Memphis. She was a homemaker, an artist and a member of Groom United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by a son, Rickey Don Lowe, in 1992. She married O. Page Blackwell in 1984 at Groom. Survivors include her husband; four daughters, Syreta Sharp of Panhandle, Okla., Brenda Hughes of Woodward, Okla., Laura Jean Kastellic of Meridian, Idaho, and Marcia Conrad of Groom; a son, Dan Blackwell of Canon City, Colo.; two sisters, Irene Smith of Clinton, Okla., and Devine Isaccs of Wenatchee, Wash.; four brothers, Dee Henry of Panhandle, J.A. Henry of Spearman and Ed Henry and Lenzy Henry, both of Wenatchee, Wash.; 19 grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren. The body will be available for viewing today at the funeral home in Amarillo and from 11 a.m. Monday until time for the service at the church in Groom. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. Nita Newbury Nita Newbury, 73, of Amarillo, died Friday, April 30, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Memory Gardens Mausoleum Chapel, Interstate 27 and McCormick Road, with the Rev. Stan Coffey, pastor of San Jacinto Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia. Mrs. Newbury was born in Frederick, Okla., attended school in Arnett, Okla., and lived in Hollis, Okla., until adulthood. She moved to Amarillo in 1952 and was self-employed in crafts and upholstery. Survivors include her husband, Robert "Bob" Newbury; a daughter, Glenda Ramsey of Amarillo; four sisters, Helen Robinson and Linda Pierce, both of Pampa, JoAnn Tarpley of Hollis, Okla., and Enid Kaup of Denver; five brothers, Bill Glover of Wilmer, Gary Pierce and Danny Pierce, both of Hollis, Okla., Tex Pierce of Dallas and Autry Glover of El Paso; and two grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX; or Baptist St. Anthony's MealsOn-Wheels. James Leroy Hamlin James Leroy Hamlin, 82, of Amarillo, died Friday, April 30, 1999. Services will be at 4 p.m. Monday in Southeast Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Field, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St. Mr. Hamlin was born in Shattuck, Okla., and moved to Amarillo in 1956. He was a baker at the Amarillo Air Force base for 25 years. He served in World War II and was a deacon at Southeast Baptist Church. He married Esther Kraft in 1938. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Betty Rannals of Amarillo; a son, Bob Hamlin of Amarillo; a sister, Marie Clark of Tacoma, Wash.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be today from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Leslie Ann Harrah Fowler Leslie Ann Harrah Fowler, 38, of Amarillo, died Friday, April 30, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St., with the Rev. Terry Lowe, pastor of St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Fowler was born in Dallas and was a pre-school teacher at Story Land School. She was a member of the Texas Exes and was a local Girl Scout troop leader. She married Thomas "Tom" Fowler in 1986 at Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; five daughters, Melanie Christine Fowler, Stephanie Ann Fowler, Lindsay Diane Fowler and Jordan Elizabeth Fowler, all of the home, and Kari Jean Fowler of El Paso; and her mother, Marie Harrah of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice; or local Girl Scouts. Canyon Nancy Riley McKinney Nancy Riley McKinney, 63, of Canyon, died Friday, April 30, 1999. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Bales, pastor, officiating. Cremation will be by Holley Funeral Home. Mrs. McKinney was born in 1936 at Valley Mills. She was a homemaker. She married Weldon T. McKinney in 1954 at Canyon. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Joel McKinney of Levelland and Terry McKinney of Canyon; a daughter, Melanie Hartin McKinney of Canyon; two brothers, Eddie Joe Riley of Friendship and Lewis Bonnell Riley of Athens; a sister, LaVerne Hendrick of Las Vegas; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Diabetic Association. New Mexico O.W. Birdwell CLAYTON, N.M. - O.W. "Brownie" Birdwell, 83, died Thursday, April 29, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Andy Husted, pastor, and the Rev. Billy Rammage, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton. Mr. Birdwell was born in Knoxville, Tenn., and graduated from Clayton High School in 1937. A longtime Clayton resident, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Clayton Golf Club. He married Mary Roberts in 1938 at Clayton. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Shirley Lynn Smith, in 1984. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Brownell Keeth of Clayton; a son, Bill Birdwell of Clayton; a brother, Ted Birdwell of St. George, Utah; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to SunRise Care and Rehabilitation for Clayton, 419 Harding St., Clayton, NM 88415. Holt E. Nunn CLOVIS, N.M. - Holt E. "Pete" Nunn, 83, died Saturday, May 1, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ron Brewer, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories. Mr. Nunn was born in Seymore and moved to Clovis in 1917. He was a brakeman and conductor for 40 years for the Santa Fe Railway until his retirement in 1981. He was preceded in death by a son, Randy Nunn. He married Christine Moore in 1940. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Morris Nunn of Edmond, Okla., and Jack Nunn of Clovis, N.M.; a sister, Virginia Hale of Santa Rosa, Calif.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Trinity United Methodist Church, 1320 W. 21st St., Clovis, N.M. 88101. Area Steve Bunch PERRYTON - Steve Bunch, 42, died Monday, April 26, 1999. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. today in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Marlon Sparks officiating. Mr. Bunch was born in Borger and grew up in Perryton. He was a pipeline welder and member of Fellowship Baptist Church of Perryton. He married Lori Zachary in 1989 at Wheeler. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Melonie Bunch of Byers; his parents, David and Linda Bunch of Perryton; and a sister, Angela Hammonds of Perryton. The family suggests memorials be to Ochiltree General Hospital in Perryton or the MS Society. Edward McMullen FRITCH - Edward McMullen, 78, died Thursday, April 29, 1999. Graveside services were at 11 a.m. Saturday in Westlawn Memorial Park with the Rev. Brad Foster, pastor of Lake Meredith Church of Fritch, officiating. Burial was in the Garden of Love by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Fritch. Mr. McMullen was born in Dilly and moved to Fritch 17 years ago from Mena, Ark. In 1982, he retired as a factory worker for U.S. Electrical Motors. He then worked for the Sanford/Fritch Independent School District for five years. He was a member of Lake Meredith Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda McMullen, in 1992. Survivors include a son, Carl E. McCallie of Fritch; two daughters, Tina Kossey of Fritch and Renee Murray of Claremore, Okla; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family will be at 512 Arroya Verde in Fritch. Fred Stagner HEREFORD - Fred Stagner, 85, died Friday, April 30, 1999. Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday in Parkside Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Terry Cosby officiating. Private burial was Friday in Rest Lawn Memorial Park in Hereford. Mr. Stagner was born in Castro County and graduated from Dimmitt High School in 1932. From 1944 until 1954, he served in the Merchant Marines. He worked as a hotel clerk in San Francisco for many years. In 1986, he moved to Hereford. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. Survivors include a sister, Della Stagner, and a brother, Earl Stagner, both of Hereford. The family suggests memorials be to the Sandy Stagner Scholarship Fund, c/o the Hereford Brand; or the Hereford Senior Citizens. Albert Burr Cullender HARTLEY - Albert Burr Cullender, 85, died Friday, April 30, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Hartley Cemetery in Hartley with Masonic rites by Rock Island Masonic Lodge No. 869. Arrangements are by Hass Funeral Home of Dalhart. Mr. Cullender graduated from Hartley High School and went to work for Farmers Supply Co. in 1936. He later was employed by Shamrock Oil and Gas, where he was noted for his outstanding attendance record. He was a 50-plus year member of the Masons and a partner for life with Cal Farley's Boys Ranch. He married Mayme Ueland Dykes in 1948 at Clayton, N.M. Survivors include a son, Albert Burr Cullender Jr. of Claude; a daughter, DyAnna Ellis of Choctaw, Okla.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Shriner's Children's Hospitals or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch. Joe Earleen Atchley Crook FRITCH - Joe Earleen Atchley Crook, 71, died Friday, April 30, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First Southern Baptist Church of Fritch with the Rev. Trey Roberson and the Rev. D.C. Lindley officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Good Shepherd in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton / Chatwell Funeral Directors of Fritch. Mrs. Crook was born in Oldham County and had been a Fritch resident since 1954. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Southern Baptist Church, Fritch Arts and Crafts Club and the Dorcas Sunday School Class. She married Lewis Earl "Jack" Crook in 1947 at Borger. She was preceded in death by a son, Alton Wade Cook, in 1964. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Jackie Crook of Fritch and Terry Crook of White Deer; two daughters, Annette Wilson of Fritch and Karen McWilliams of Amarillo; a sister, Robbie Hart of Toledo, Ore.; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Roy W. Pribble PERRYTON - Roy W. Pribble, 77, died Friday, April 30, 1999. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. today in Blue Mound Cemetery at Balko, Okla., with the Rev. Harrol Waterbury officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Perryton. Mr. Pribble was born in Beaver County and had lived in the area all his life. He was a farm laborer. Survivors include two nephews, Stanley Pribble of Balko and Larry Pribble of Wellington; and two nieces, Jan Hickey of Perryton and Carlene Wolf of Casper, Wyo. R.E. Sweek SILVERTON - R.E. Sweek, 82, died Friday, April 30, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. today in Silverton Cemetery with the Revs. Jay Stinson and Edwin Norris officiating. Arrangements are by Myers-Long Funeral Directors. If weather requires, services will be held in First Methodist Church. Mr. Sweek was born in Erath County and worked for 30 years at the Texas Highway Department until his retirement. After retiring, he worked as a carpenter. He married Maggie Vardell in 1939 at Silverton. Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Vanita Chappell of Canyon, Fay Perkins of Silverton, and Jerry Perkins and Rhonda Williams, both of Amarillo; a sister, Lillie Loftis of Burnet; a brother, Henry Sweek of Mesquite; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Henry Wilbur Kinnard WHEELER - Henry Wilbur Kinnard, 54, died Friday, April 30, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Toby Henson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Wheeler Cemetery by Wright Funeral Home of Wheeler. Mr. Kinnard was born in Rush Springs, Okla., where he graduated from high school. In 1976, he moved to Wheeler from Anaco, Venezuela, where he was superintendent of international drilling for Helmerich and Payne Drilling Co. for 30 years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Rush Springs, Okla. He married Phyllis Callan in 1964 at Wheeler. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Monty Kinnard of Canadian and Henry W. "Jay" Kinnard Jr. of Tuttle, Okla.; a daughter, Tony Tolley of Wheeler; three brothers, Vance Kinnard and Gordon Kinnard, both of Rush Springs, and Jerry Kinnard of Poulsbo, Wash.; a sister, Phyllis Johnson of Wylie; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society; or Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center in Amarillo.