Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 19 Jan 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; Tuesday, January 19, 1999, 6:32 AM Area Ema Hoyle Helton WHEELER - Ema Hoyle Helton, 85, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Allison Church of Christ with Shawn Zybach and David Zyback of Briscoe officiating. Burial will be in Zyback Cemetery by Wright Funeral Home of Wheeler. Mrs. Helton was born in Eldorado, Okla., and moved to Wheeler at an early age. She was a member of Allison Church of Christ. She married John Oral Helton in 1933 at Sayre, Okla. He died in September. She also was preceded in death by a son, Harvey Lewis Helton, in 1950 and by a daughter, Peggy Ruth Helton, in 1958. Survivors include a son, Chan Helton of Amarillo; four daughters, Juanell Manning, Christine Atherton and Kathy Helton, all of Wheeler, and Martha Brown of Bristow, Okla.; a brother, Nick Young of Broken Arrow, Okla.; five sisters, Vetola Parker of Dumas, Daphene Barry, Madell Pillers and Una Vee McGaughy, all of Amarillo, and Troice Davis of Bentonville, Ark.; nine grandchildren; and 10 greatgrandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children's Home of Amarillo, or a favorite charity. Patricia Ann Jenkins PAMPA - Patricia Ann Jenkins, 68, died Friday, Jan. 15, 1999. Cremation was by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Jenkins was born in Helton, Okla. She graduated from Borger High School in 1948. She was a homemaker. She married Emmett Jenkins in 1955 at Pampa. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Tommy Adkins, Steve Adkins and Clifford Adkins; a stepson, Gary Jenkins; two stepdaughters, Quannha Jenkins and Georga Anne Offlinger. The family requests memorials be to a favorite charity. Tanya Curry Coleman PLAINVIEW - Tanya Curry Coleman, 34, died Friday, Jan. 15, 1999. Services will be at 1 p.m. today in Garland Street Church of Christ with Karl King of Garland Street Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Mrs. Coleman was born in Floydada and was raised in Plainview. She graduated from Plainview High School. She was a homemaker and was a child-care worker. She was a member of Garland Street Church of Christ where she was a Bible class teacher. She married Dwayne Coleman in 1984 at Plainview. Survivors include her husband; a son, Colby Dwayne Coleman of the home; a daughter, Summer Dawn Coleman of the home; her mother, Barbara Curry of Plainview; six sisters, Kim Curry and Sonja Curry, both of Houston, and Laurita Wall, Lajuana Curry, Kathy Curry and Verlonda Curry, all of Plainview; three brothers, Thomas Curry and Johnny Curry, both of Plainview, and Michael Curry of Amarillo; and grandparents, Willie Carreathers and Eva Williams, both of Amarillo. The family requests memorials be to Garland Street Church of Christ at Plainview. Gloria Garcia LOCKNEY - Gloria Garcia, 52, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in San Jose Catholic Church in Lockney. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday in San Jose Catholic Church with the Rev. Jim McCartney, priest, as celebrant. Burial will be in Lockney Cemetery by Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home. Mrs. Garcia was born in Seguin and attended school in San Angelo. She was a homemaker and member of San Jose Catholic Church. She married Braulio Garcia in 1972 at Lockney. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Elizabeth Garcia of Junction City, Kan.; her mother, Adelina Almendarez; four brothers, Joe DeLeon, Thomas DeLeon, Frank Lopez and Roy DeLeon, all of Seguin; seven sisters, Mary Hernandez, Rose Villa, Frances DeLeon, Janie Carrillo, Michaela Carrillo, Gracie Herrera and Yolanda Rodriguez, all of Seguin; and a grandchild. Sadie Austin DUMAS - Sadie Austin, 93, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Northlawn Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Jay McGaughey of Temple Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mrs. Austin was born in Helena, Okla. A former Guymon, Okla., resident, she had lived in Dumas since 1963. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She married Fred Austin in 1925 at Oklahoma. He died in 1982. She also was preceded in death by three sons, Raymond, Gene and Don Austin. Survivors include two daughters, Reba Davis of Stratford and Leona Curtis of Dumas; a sister, Nola McNabb of Garland; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. The family will be at 1518 Crump in Dumas. Lila Guthrie Turner CANADIAN - Lila Guthrie Turner, 86, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Stickley-Hill Chapel with Mike Heatwole and Ben Mathers of Canadian officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in North Persimmon Cemetery near Sharon, Okla. Mrs. Turner was born in Woodward County, Okla. When her husband was employed by the railroad, she lived in Woodward, Canadian and Amarillo. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Canadian. She married Earl Turner in 1934 at Buffalo, Okla. He died in 1984. Survivors include a daughter, Carol Adcock of Canadian; two brothers, Buck Guthrie of Woodward and Bud Guthrie of Iowa; two sisters, Bonnie Mathews of Enid, Okla., and Verda Raser of Minneola, Kan.; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Rosie B. Paul TULIA - Rosie B. Paul, 95, of Levelland, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Rose Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Charles Davenport, pastor of First Baptist Church in Tulia, officiating. Arrangements are by Wallace Funeral Home. Mrs. Paul was born in Uvalde. She was a nurse and of the Baptist faith. In 1984, she moved to Tulia from Big Springs and then moved to Levelland in 1989. She married Terrell Paul in 1925 at Ralls. He died in 1988. Survivors include two sisters, Ada Lee Chaddick of White Oak and Jessie Mae Simpkins of Denton; and a stepbrother, Melvin Welch of Earth. Henry Peil DARROUZETT - Henry Peil, 88, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Darrouzett with the Rev. Bill Griffin officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Good Samaritan Funeral Service of Booker. Mr. Peil was born near Shattuck, Okla., and lived in various places before moving to Darrouzett. He was a farmer and member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Texas Farm Bureau and the Texas Farm Union. In 1933, he married Leona Hohweiler, who died in 1979. His second marriage was to Gladys Goode in 1992 at Darrouzett. She died in 1993. He also was preceded in death by infant twin sons and another son. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Amarillo Earnestene Gary Earnestene Gary, 80, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Rev. John McClean, minister, Dr. Norman Grigsby, associate minister, and W.A. Appling officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. in Petersburg Cemetery by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle. Ms. Gary was born in Corsicana and lived in Amarillo for 35 years. She graduated from Petersburg High School and Texas Tech University. She taught home economics at Gruver, Perryton and Throckmorton. In 1984, she retired as home economist for Southwestern Public Service Co. in Clovis, N.M., and Amarillo. Mrs. Gary was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. She was active in United Methodist Women and Sunday School and was a volunteer at Harrington Cancer Center. Survivors include two sisters, Margaret Strickland of Dallas and LaVern "Babe" Wilson of Baton Rouge, La.; six nieces; and three nephews. Visitation will be from 6 until 7:30 p.m. today at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors. The family suggests memorials be to St. Paul United Methodist Church's Organ Fund; Alzheimer's Association Panhandle Chapter, 2200 W. Seventh, Amarillo, TX 79106; or a favorite charity. Rosendo Alvarez Rosendo Alvarez, 80, of Amarillo, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 1999. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today in Colonial Funeral Chapel, 1010 W. Ninth. Mass will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with the Rev. Rosendo Herrera officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Alvarez was born in Yorktown and served in the Army from 1942 until 1946. He moved to Amarillo in 1991 from Pampa where he retired as a driller for Service Drilling Co. Mr. Alvarez also worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for four years. He attended St. Laurence Cathedral. He married Antonia Losano in 1962 at Anson. Survivors include his wife; a son, Robert Alvarez of St. Paul, Minn.; three daughters, Yvonne Alvarez of California and Sylvia Alvarez and Sandy Ramirez, both of Amarillo; a sister, Lupe Ramirez of Corpus Christi; and 12 grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing this afternoon. The family will be at 7003 Amarillo Blvd. Elsewhere John Lewis Laney MIDLAND - John Lewis Laney, 71, died Friday, Jan. 15, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Melrose Church of Christ with Sean Andrews officiating. Burial will be in Melrose Cemetery at Melrose, N.M., by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis, N.M. Mr. Laney was born in Clovis. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1945 and served in the Navy from 1945 to 1946. He married Peggy Pruitt in 1946. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Jatonne Echeverria of Ruidoso, N.M., and Janet Glasgow of Sugar Land; a son, John Laney of Midland; three brothers, Omer Lee Laney of Prineville, Ore., Robert Laney of Chico, Calif., and Dick Laney of Farmington, N.M.; three sisters, Waunell Shumate of Waco and Waunita Jones and Wanda Hand, both of Clovis; eight grandchildren; and a greatgrandchild. Lt. Cmdr. Myron R. Corbett SAN ANTONIO - Lt. Cmdr. Myron R. "Mike" Corbett, 66, died Friday, Jan. 15, 1998. Services will be at 8:15 a.m. today in Parkhill Baptist Church with Dr. Robert Welch officiating. Burial will be in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery by Mission Park North. Lt. Cmdr. Corbett retired from the Navy as a hospital administrator after 23 years of service including the Korean War and Vietnam wars. He was a former resident of Amarillo and had lived in San Antonio for the past 12 years. He was a member of Parkhill Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Pat A.; his mother, Dora Catherine Corbett of San Fernando, Calif.; children, Maxine Wisehart of Hemet, Calif., Michael Corbett of San Diego, William Corbett of San Jose, Calif., Kevin Corbett of Santa Rosa, Calif., David Upton of Fremont, Calif., April Massey of San Antonio and Michelle Moore of Dale; a brother, Robert Dahl of Albuquerque, N.M.; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers be to the Cancer Therapy and Research Center, 7979 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78229 or to the E.E. Program at Parkhill Baptist Church, 17747 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78232. Rosa Marie Voth Neusch GAINESVILLE - Rosa Marie Voth Neusch, 96, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. today in St. Peter's Catholic Church at Lindsay with the Rev. Eugene Luke O.S.B. of St. Peter's Catholic Church officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery at Lindsay by Clement-Keel Funeral Home. Mrs. Neusch was born in Krum. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Ann's Society, the 3rd Order of St. Francis and St. Peter's Catholic Church. She married Leopold Joseph Neusch in 1930 in Amarillo. He preceded her in death in 1983. Survivors include three daughters, Marie Rose Koelzer of Gainesville, Emma Margarette Moster and Bertha Christine Knabe, both of Muenster; two sons, Lawrence Albert Nuesch and Clarence Anthony Neusch, both of Gainesville; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Corrine Ida Christensen MOUNT HOPE, Kan. - Corrine Ida Christensen, 85, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today in Federated Church with the Rev. John Havens officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery by Wulf-Ast Mortuary. Mrs. Christensen was born in Halstead. She was a homemaker and an operator of Christensen Nursery. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and Mount Hope Federated Church. She married Chester A. Christensen in 1943 at Halstead. He preceded her in death. Survivors include a son, Roger Christensen of Mount Hope; four daughters, Harriet Harris of Wichita, Connie Boudreaux of Amarillo, Vickie Koontz of Hutchinson, and Renetta Baxter of Mount Hope; a sister, Berniece Bartley of Mission, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials be to Mount Hope Federated Church. Ruth Dillon Isely JENNINGS, La. - Ruth Dillon Isely, 88, former resident of Amarillo and Austin, died Friday, Jan. 15, 1999. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Jennings with the Rev. Roy W. Mellish of Morgan City officiating. Cremation and arrangements are by Miguez Funeral Home of Jennings. A native of Waxahachie, Texas, Mrs. Isely received her bachelor's degree from Trinity University and her master's degree from the University of Texas in education and psychology. A longtime resident of Austin, Texas, she was active in civic activities. In 1985, Mrs. Isely retired at age 75 after 45 years of teaching school, including the 40 years she owned her own school. She served on the Parks Board of Austin for 10 years and attended St. Luke's Episcopal Church where she served on the Altar Guild. Known for the bulldogs she bred and showed, she was member and past president of the national bulldog club. She was widowed in 1958. Survivors include two daughters, Ruth Shield of Amarillo and Janne Burrell of Jennings; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. New Mexico Newt Whitfield CLOVIS, N.M. - Newt Whitfield, 90, died Friday, Jan. 15, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church with Dr. Herbert Bergstrom and Bishop W. Charles Green officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis. Mr. Whitfield was born in Roosevelt County and moved to Clovis in 1941 where he was the owner and operator of Newts Motor Machine Shop. He was a member of Portales Masonic Lodge 26 AF&AM, the Independent Order of Oddfellows, and Rebekah Lodge. He was a past Clovis City Commissioner from 1965 until 1976, serving as mayor protem for many years, a past chairman of the Ned Houk Park board and a past board of director for the New Mexico Municipal League. He married Irene Volgamore in 1930. She died in 1982. Survivors include three sons, Billy Whitfield and Jack Whitfield, both of Clovis, and Jerry Whitfield of Cape Coral, Fla.; special friend, Vera Clark of Clovis; 13 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing at the funeral home until service time Wednesday. The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church Building Fund or to a favorite charity. William Lloyd Vaughan CLOVIS, N.M. - William Lloyd Vaughan, 90, died Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999, at Tulsa, Okla. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Central Baptist Church with the Rev. Dick Ross officiating. Burial will be in Mission Garden of Memories by SteedTodd Funeral Home. Mr. Vaughan was born in what became Roosevelt County. He was a musician who taught and wrote music, led choirs and sang in quartets in New Mexico, Colorado and Oklahoma. In 1933, the New Mexico Singers Association was formed, and he was elected president. He was also president of the Curry and Eddy county singing conventions and the Carlsbad Singer's Association. He was music director in churches in Carlsbad about 18 years and also was director at Garnett Assembly of God at Tulsa. He began working for Santa Fe Railway as a fireman in 1943, retiring as an engineer in 1974. After retirement, he moved to Tulsa where he and his wife, La Vona, joined the Frisco Veterans Association where he served as president for three years. He also was national director for the Sunbelt Railroad Historical Trust and entertainment chairman for the Burlington Northern Railroad Retirees. He helped run excursion trains out of Tulsa and served as host in the passenger car. In 1985, he was selected as engineer to move the big steam engine, Frisco 4500, which was famous for having participated in the 1905 high speed run from Los Angeles to Chicago for "Death Valley Scotty." The engine had not been moved in 31 years and was moved on its own power. Survivors include his wife, La Vona; two daughters, Wilma Fulgham of Clovis and El Nora Borden of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a son, Doyle Vaughan of Jackson Hole, Wyo.; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers be to the Mesa Redondo Cowboy Camp, P.O. Box 1845, Clovis, NM 88102 or the Central Baptist Church Building Fund, 2501 N. Norris, Clovis, NM 88101. Betty Jean Foster Steelman LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Betty Jean Foster "B.J." Steelman, 59, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999. Eastern Star services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Paul's United Methodist Church with Dr. Larry Hall officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic Cemetery by Graham's Mortuary. Mrs. Steelman was born in Roswell and lived in Artesia until moving to Texas in 1948. She graduated from Lockney High School where she played basketball and tennis. She attended Colorados Women's College and the University of Texas where she studied art. In 1968, Mrs. Steelman moved to Las Cruces where she was a homemaker and active in the NMSU Ladies and Border golf clubs, Naggie Aggie Bowlers, Faculty Wives Club and Tuesday Bridge Club. She was president of NMSU Ladies Golf Club and published a yearbook for the Faculty Wives Club. Mrs. Steelman was a member of the Order of Eastern Star where she was worthy adviser for Floydada Rainbow Assembly No. 235 and received the Grand Cross of Color. In 1957, she joined the Lockney Chapter No. 437 and then became a member of the Las Cruces Chapter No. 20 in 1968. From 1977 to 1978, she served as worthy matron. For the "You Are the Reason" year in 1994-95, she was the New Mexico Grand Chapter's worthy grand matron. Mrs. Steelman was active in the Emmaus community. She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, the Here It Is! Sunday School Class and the Ruth Isaacks Circle. She married James Eldon Steelman in 1964. Survivors include her husband; a son, James Steelman of the Navy; and a brother, Eddie Joe Foster. Visitation will be from 4 until 6 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to Eastern Star Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 52, Hatch, NM 87937; or to Mammostatin Research Institute, 5692 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Irene Holden Rose Sorge TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Irene Holden Rose Sorge, 73, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Dunn Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Bob Civil, minister of Trinity Baptist Church of Tucumcari, officiating. Burial will be in Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Sorge was born in Vermillon, N.Y., and had been a resident of Tucumcari since 1973. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Clinton Rose, in 1961, Edward Walker in 1976, and Joe Sorge in March. Survivors include eight daughters, Vera Hamilton of South Colton, N.Y., Ellen Revoir of Hastings, N.Y., Helen Hudson of Montague, Texas, Elaine Phelps of New Haven, N.Y., Donna Chambers of Cato, N.Y., Beth D'Alonzo of Mexico, N.Y., Marlene Powell of Van Buren, Ark., and Sherry Sorge of Tucumcari; five sons, Dennis Rose of Maine, James Rose of Victory, N.Y., Roger Rose of Amarillo, Billy Joe Sorge of Albuquerque and Larry Sorge of Florida; a sister, Ida Mae Holden of Fulton, N.Y.; a brother, Lewis Holden of Texas; 30 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. The body will be available for viewing from this morning until time of services Wednesday in Dunn Memorial Chapel.