Potter Co. TX - Obits from Amarillo Online Newspapers 26 April 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; Monday, April 26, 1999, 5:54 AM Amarillo Melvin M. Widner Melvin M. Widner, 75, of Amarillo, died Saturday, April 24, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Bell Avenue Chapel, 5400 Bell St., with the Rev. Ronald E. Kohler officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens. Mr. Widner was born in Rancho, N.M., and moved from Melrose, N.M., to Amarillo in 1953. He was a bus driver for Greyhound and a Christian. He married Ercell Vick in 1943 at Melrose. Survivors include his wife; a son, Dennis Widner of Canyon; two daughters, Melba Dziuk of Hereford and LaVelda Lard of Amarillo; a sister, Winnie Triplett of Filer, Idaho; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Ruby Tolley Ruby Tolley, 87, of Amarillo, died Saturday, April 24, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, 315 E. Fifth and Pierce, with the Rev. Charles Jones, pastor of Second Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Mrs. Tolley moved to Amarillo six years ago from Princeton, W.V., where she had lived for 60 years. She worked as a waitress at the Virginian Hotel, and for a time, in sales at the J.C. Murphy Store. She was a member of Burke Memorial Baptist Church in Princeton. She married Robert E. Lee Tolley in 1929. He died in 1978. Survivors include two sons, Jim Tolley of Borger and Robert E. Tolley of Amarillo; a daughter, June Martin of Amarillo; 19 grandchildren; and 46 greatgrandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Center. Wanda VanValkenburg Wanda VanValkenburg, 75, of Amarillo, died Sunday, April 25, 1999. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Polk Street United Methodist Church with Dr. Jim Garrett officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. VanValkenburg was born in Trent and served in the Navy as a Wave during World War II. She attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, the University of California at Berkley and graduated from West Texas State University with a bachelor's and master's degree in education, and a master's in library science. She had taught at Austin Middle School and at Tascosa High School until 1970 and was director of periodicals at Cornett Library at West Texas State University until her retirement in 1990. She was a member of Polk Street United Methodist Church, Friends of Canyon Public Library, Friends of Southwestern Art, Panhandle-Plains Historical Society, Tri-State Art Association, was secretary for Friends of Cornett and past chairman at the Randall County Historical Commission. She was involved with Women in Touch at the Harrington Cancer Center. Survivors include a daughter, Teresa Wimer of Amarillo; two sons, Tim VanValkenburg of Amarillo and Tom VanValkenburg of Missoula, Mont.; three sisters, Evangeline Brewer of Everman, Waldeen Thomson of Lubbock and Ann Maxwell of Canyon; and four grandchildren. 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 & Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106. Canyon Lessel William Lowery Lessel "Les" William Lowery, 78, of Canyon, died Saturday, April 24, 1999. Services will be at 4 p.m. today in First Baptist Church at Canyon with the Rev. Charles Price, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery by Holley Funeral Home. Mr. Lowery was born in Boise City, Okla., and worked as an insurance adjuster in crop insurance. He was a Mason, a veteran of World War II and a member of First Baptist Church. He married Genelle Bourland in 1983 at Canyon. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Letha Rhoten of Elkhart, Kan.; two sons, Brad Lowery of Woodward, Okla., and Bill Lowery of Carrollton; two stepdaughters, Judy Burkett of Houston and Marilyn Childers of Canyon; a stepson, Bull Bourland of Amarillo; two sisters, Odallee Bohn of Boise City and Maureen Minns of Keys, Okla.; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Heart Association. New Mexico Inez Naomi Heggelund TUCUMCARI, N.M. - Inez Naomi Heggelund, 79, died Friday, April 23, 1999. Services will be Saturday in Crawford Funeral Chapel of Watertown, S.D. Mrs. Heggelund was born in Williamsport, Pa., where she graduated from high school. She moved to Tucumcari two years ago from Hayti, S.D., where she had been a homemaker and a member and past matron of Roslyn Chapter No. 161 of the Order of Eastern Star. She served as Worthy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of South Dakota Order of Eastern Star and served on several Grand Chapter committees. She was also a member of the Daughters of the Nile. She was preceded in death by her husband, Al Heggelund, and a grandson, Eric Todd Heggelund. Survivors include a daughter, Donna Jensen of Pollock, S.D.; a son, Van Heggelund of Tucumcari; a brother, Ollie Byers of Orlando, Fla.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Elsewhere James Brannon McClure CROSBYTON - James Brannon "Jim" McClure, 70, died Sunday, April 25, 1999. Services will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday in McAdoo First Baptist Church with the Rev. Ken Horn, chaplain of Hospice, officiating. Burial will be in McAdoo Cemetery by Adams Funeral Home of Crosbyton. Mr. McClure was born in Crosby County and attended school at Mount Blanco and Crosbyton High School, and later at Hardin Simmons University, Texas Tech and St. Mary's Law School. He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II and worked as an insurance handler for 45 years. He was a former resident of Amarillo and moved to McAdoo from Wewahitchka, Fla., in 1996. He married Lili Watts in 1973 at Amarillo. Survivors include his wife; five sons, Jimmy B. "Dusty" McClure of Matador, Brannon McClure, James McClure and Dustin Casey McClure, all of McAdoo and Michael McClure of Blanco; five daughters, Brandee McClure of Matador, Vichelle Weathers of Lubbock, Roxanne Roberts of Arlington, Debra Perrett of San Antonio and Martha Tower of Leavenworth, Wash.; two brothers, Ronald McClure of Crosbyton and Duane McClure of Lamesa; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials be to Vista Hospice Care Foundation, 7606 University, Suite C, Lubbock, TX 79423. Area Terry L. Knox CLAUDE - Terry L. Knox, 46, died Saturday, April 24, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church with the Revs. Gerald Aalbers, pastor, and Jim Brown, pastor of Monterey Baptist Church in Lubbock, officiating. Burial will be in Claude Cemetery by Claude Funeral Home. Mr. Knox was born in Memphis, moved to Claude in 1960 and was a Brigade Commander for Celanese Chemicals Division. He had been a city councilman, and was past president of the 4-H and past project director at Texas A&M University for Hoechst Celanese. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He married Brenda Morton in 1974 in Claude. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Mandy Dawn Knox, Tiffany Diann Knox and Tera Kay Furgason, all of Claude; a son, Ty Bronc Knox of Claude; his mother, Nell Knox of Claude; four brothers, Ted Knox of Stinnett, Shane Knox of Fritch, and Tom Knox and Tim Knox, both of Claude; and two grandchildren. Viewing will be from noon until 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to the Claude Volunteer Fire Department; or the American Cancer Society, 3915 Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109. Lillian M. Shirley SHAMROCK - Lillian M. Shirley, 70, died Saturday, April 24, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Church of Christ with Sid Smith, minister, officiating. Burial will be in Shamrock Cemetery by Wright Funeral Directors. Mrs. Shirley was born in Dimmitt and had lived in Shamrock for most of her life. She worked as an LVN for Shamrock General Hospital and, in Wheeler, at Parkview Hospital and for Dr. Louie Mendiola. She was a member of the American Legion Lady's Auxiliary and Church of Christ. Survivors include a daughter, Lisa Davis of Amarillo; a son, Tim Barth of Amarillo; her mother Ethel McAllister of Shamrock; two brothers, Curtis McAllister of Shamrock and Melvin McAllister of Odessa; and three grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice. Edna Mae Thompson LOCKNEY - Edna Mae "Memaw" Thompson, 99, died Saturday, April 24, 1999. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Lockney Cemetery with the Rev. Russell Byard, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home. Mrs. Thompson was born in Fort Cobb, Okla. She moved to Texas in a covered wagon in 1921. She was a housewife and a member of Kress Baptist Church. She married Gillispie Blaine Thompson in 1916 at Anadarko, Okla. He died in 1966. She was also preceded in death by two sons, George Thompson and Lloyd Thompson, and a daughter, Elsie Williams. Survivors include a daughter, Sandra Moody of Lockney; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Lockney Health and Rehabilitation Center, 401 N. Main St., Lockney, TX 79241. Louis Blades DALHART - Louis Blades, 82, died Saturday, April 24, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Hass Funeral Home Chapel with his nephew, the Rev. Joe Kirkwood, pastor of River Road Fellowship Church in Amarillo, officiating. Mr. Blades was raised in the Dalhart area, where he farmed. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the Coast Guard. Survivors include two sisters, Ellen Shoemaker of Springfield, Mo., and Grace Scroggs of Perryton. Tommy Frank Hicks BOOKER - Tommy Frank Hicks, 65, died Saturday, April 24, 1999. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Perryton with family members Norman Choquette, Mike Nixon and Chase Dugan officiating. Cremation will be by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Perryton. Mr. Hicks was born in Hughes, N.C., and moved to the area six years ago from California. Prior to moving to Booker, he lived in Amarillo for two years, and Guymon, Okla., for 15 years. He retired from the Air Force in 1971 after serving for 20 years. He was a publisher in the Perryton congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. He married Jonnie Pothuisje in 1970 at Goodwell, Okla. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Pam Hicks and Rhonda Blakey , both of Dallas; a son, Clay Hicks of Woodward, Okla.; two brothers, John Hicks of Greenville, S.C., and C.W. Hicks of Spruce Pine, N.C.; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Viewing will be from 9 a.m. today until 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be to Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Perryton congregation; or a favorite charity. Scottie Morris PLAINVIEW - Scottie Morris, 75, died Saturday, April 24, 1999. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Max Browning, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Memorial Park by Wood Dunning Funeral Home. Mrs. Morris was born in Rice, graduated from Rice High School in 1939, and attended North Texas University in Denton. She moved to Amarillo from Dallas in 1950, to Muleshoe in 1956 and to Plainview in 1962. She was a member of United Methodist Church in Plainview. She was a member of United Methodist Home and Circle II, having served as chairman. She had been Chairman of the Children's Sunday School Division, a member of the Wesley Bible Class for 36 years, a member of Chapter CZ PEO and president of PEO for two years. She married Jack Morris in 1949 at Dallas. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Lynette Morris of Dallas and Patti Noel of Plainview; a brother, Porter B. Swafford of Peru, Ind.; and two grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to First United Methodist Church in Plainview, and to Family Hospice of the Plains in Plainview. Wanda Mae Cox PAMPA - Wanda Mae Cox, 61, died Saturday, April 24, 1999. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Trinity Fellowship Church with the Rev. Lonny Robbins, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mrs. Cox was born in Delta County and moved from Pampa to Canyon in 1971, where she worked as a secretary for Canyon Insurance Co. until her retirement in 1991. She returned to Pampa in 1994, where she was a member of Trinity Fellowship Church. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Brandon, in 1982. She married Joe Cox in 1958 at Oklahoma City. Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Pamela Smith and Tracy Washington, both of Pampa, and Kandy Owen of Canyon; a sister, Violet Hopper of Newalla, Okla.; four brothers, John Shuffield of Prague, Okla., Edward Shuffield and Noal Shuffield, both of Newalla and Jimmy Shuffield of McCloud, Okla.; and five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Harvest House, 736 S. Cuyler, Pampa, TX 79065.