Potter Co. TX - Obits: May 13, 2007 ===================================================== Contributed by: Lola Withrow Thanks to http://www.amarillonet.com/ for permission to upload their obits to the USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved. Amarillo Globe-News http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================== Amarillo Globe-News - May 13, 2007 Area Gwen Hill CLARENDON - Gwen Hill, 81, died Friday, May 11, 2007, in Amarillo. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Keith Martin and Kerry Wood officiating. Burial will be in Citizens Cemetery by Robertson Funeral Directors. Mrs. Hill was born Sept. 26, 1925, in Childress County to J.H. and Maggie Wills Martin. She married Orin Lee Hill on June 27, 1944, in Carlsbad, Calif. She had been a resident of Clarendon and Donley County since 1946. She was an LVN for the Adair Hospital, Medical Center Nursing Home and other home health agencies before her retirement. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Clarendon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Orin Lee Hill, on March 7, 2007; and her parents. Survivors include two daughters, Karen Lewis of Amarillo and Donna Butler of Canyon; a foster daughter, DeAnn Wilson of Canyon; a brother, Wayne Martin and wife Patsy of Wellington; a sister, Billie Wood and husband W.H. of Childress; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607-1460; or First Baptist Church, 300 S. Bugbee St., Clarendon, TX 79226. Sign the online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bobby Bridwell HEREFORD - Bobby Bridwell, 74, died Wednesday, May 9, 2007. Celebration of life services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Kyle Streun officiating. Burial will be in Rest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery by Parkside Chapel Funeral Home of Hereford. Mr. Bridwell was born Sept. 11, 1932, in Celeste, the son of Robert and Betty Bridwell. He married Freda Frye on May 2, 1954, in Borger. Mr. Bridwell served in an Army National Guard Unit as a mechanic and owned and operated a Kirby Sales Store in Hereford for many years. He loved training horses, fishing and he was a member of First Baptist Church in Hereford. He was preceded in death by a son; three brothers; two sisters; and a granddaughter. Survivors include his wife, Freda; a son, Keith Bridwell and wife Becky of Hereford; four daughters, Cheryl Davison and husband Dwayne, Gayle Nielsen and Cindy Carroll and husband Johnny, all of Hereford, and Kim Sloan and husband Floyd of Ransom Canyon; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to Odyssey Healthcare, 6900 W. Interstate 40, Suite 150, Amarillo, TX 79106. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Margaret Ann Pepin CLAUDE - Margaret Ann Pepin, 55, died Friday, May 11, 2007, in Amarillo. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church in Claude with the Rev. Janet Edwards, pastor, and Mel Brunson, elder of Amarillo South, officiating. Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Mrs. Pepin was born Oct. 15, 1951, in Wichita Falls to James William and Dorothy Nell Leatherwood Endicott. She married Joseph Pepin on April 6, 1990, in Fort Worth. She had worked several jobs throughout her life, but enjoyed being a nanny the most. After the death of her husband in 2003, Mrs. Pepin moved to Claude and was involved with the Women's Bible Study and the Widowed Club at the Methodist church. She was a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post No. 1475, she loved crafting and was a loving, caring person who will be greatly missed. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Claude. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Joseph Pepin, in 2003. Survivors include a son, Johnny DeWayne Houston of Hawaii; a sister, Gayla Fletcher and husband Phil of Claude; two sisters-in-law, Dora and Audrey; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to First United Methodist Church, 400 Trice St., Claude, TX 79019; or BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105. Sign the online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Patterson HEREFORD - John Patterson, 75, died Friday, May 11, 2007. Celebration of life services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Wellington Church of Christ in Wellington with Mike Robertson officiating. Burial will be in Quail Cemetery by Hereford Heritage Funeral Home. John was born Jan. 7, 1932, in Wellington to George and Lelar Patterson. He married Mae Blevins on Sept. 1, 1950. John served in the Navy on the USS Rowan and was stationed in the Marshall Islands. John and Mae have been in the Hereford community since 1964. He was owner/operator of JP Truck & Tire. He was a member of the VFW in Hereford and of the Church of Christ, where gave his life to God in 1963. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers; and three sisters. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Sandy Beavers and husband Terry of Hereford, Brenda King and husband Orvell of Amarillo and Lisa Patterson of Hereford; a son, Greg Patterson and wife Shelly of Hereford; a brother, Billy Joe Patterson and wife Mary Nell of Wellington; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children's Home, P.O. Box 7448, Amarillo, TX 79114-7448; or the Make-a-Wish Foundation, 411 S. Fillmore St., Amarillo, TX 79101. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Valentine Schoenhals LIPSCOMB - Valentine Schoenhals, 94, died Thursday, May 10, 2007, in Shattuck, Okla. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday in Locust Grove Baptist Church in the Locust Grove community, west of Lipscomb, with Don McElroy, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Lipscomb Cemetery by Mason Funeral Home of Shattuck. Mrs. Schoenhals was married to Victor Schoenhals in Arnett, Okla., by Judge Alvis Prisnell. Together they lived with their three children on the family farm in Lipscomb County. Survivors include a son, Gary Wayne Schoenhals of Broken Arrow, Okla.; and four grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canyon Anita Irene Butler Anita Irene Butler, 74, of Canyon died Thursday, May 10, 2007. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Canyon First Assembly of God with the Rev. Terri Callis, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Holley Funeral Home of Canyon. Mrs. Butler was born Aug. 5, 1923, in Turkey to Arthur and Bertha Irene Casey. She was a retired teacher and a member of First Assembly of God. Survivors include her husband, Bill. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amarillo Karen Lai Kuen Gee Karen Lai Kuen Gee, 74, of Amarillo died Thursday, May 10, 2007. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Hal Rogers officiating. Arrangements are by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 6969 E. Interstate 40. Karen was born in 1933 in Kwongtung, China. After the Communist takeover of the mainland, she immigrated to the United States in 1956 as a political refugee. She married William W. Gee in December 1957. They started a family in Grand Junction, Colo., before moving to Amarillo in 1968 to build the family restaurant business. She enjoyed eating out, visiting friends and family in California, playing the slot machines and doting on her grandsons. She also enjoyed spending time cooking for family, tending to her garden and working on crafts such as sewing, crocheting, knitting and quilting. Karen was loved by many and will be dearly missed by friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother; and two nephews. Survivors include her husband, William; a daughter, Angela of Amarillo; three sons, William Jr. of Plano, Randy of Wylie and Jason of Amarillo; a sister, Ellen, of Yuba City, Calif.; two grandsons, Remy and Daniel of Amarillo; and numerous nieces and nephews. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Clinton Beck III Charles Clinton Beck III, 68, of Amarillo died Friday, May 11, 2007. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Bolton Street Baptist Church with the Rev. Leon Green, pastor, officiating. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Monday in Gruver Cemetery in Gruver by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Mr. Beck was born Nov. 15, 1938, in Guymon, Okla., to Etta Lee and Charles Clinton Beck Jr. He grew up in Gruver and farmed the Beck homestead. Mr. Beck then moved to Amarillo in 1976. He owned and operated Liberty Furniture and real estate and rental business including Beck Properties. He married Betty Bradley on Sept. 3, 1959, in Stratford. Survivors include his wife, Betty Beck; three daughters, Donna Mercer of Amarillo, Tina McGee and husband Chris of Willow Park and Kathy Cunningham and husband Roger of Amarillo; two sons, Charles Clinton Beck IV and wife Natallia and Thomas Beck, all of Amarillo; two brothers, Jim Beck of Shamrock and Arnold Beck of Goodwell, Okla.; a sister, Betty Connell of Hobbs, N.M.; and nine grandchildren, Berkley, Brady, Connor, Kayla, Logan, Marshal, Sarah, Philip and Danica. The family suggests memorials be to the building fund, Bolton Street Baptist Church, 2555 S. Bolton St., Amarillo, TX 79103. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grace Varga Grace Varga, 89, of Amarillo died Thursday, May 10, 2007. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery with the Rev. Jose Mangulabnan, BSA chaplain, officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Mrs. Varga was born June 8, 1917, in Cicero, Ill., to Otto and Elsie Dehlinger. She moved to Amarillo in 1972. Survivors include a daughter, Carol Conn and husband Charles of Chicago; a son, Frank Varga and fiancee Cathy Pachta of Amarillo; a sister-in-law, Jean Dehlinger of Springfield, Ill.; four grandchildren, Cathy Behof and husband Bob, Chris Conn, Michael Varga and Paul Varga; two great-grandchildren, Andrew and Heather Behof; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Olivia's Angels's, BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950 Amarillo, TX 79105. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- George Cator George Cator, 97, of Amarillo died Thursday, May 10, 2007. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with the Rev. John Wagoner, retired United Methodist minister, officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. in Hansford Cemetery in Spearman. George Cator was born April 4, 1910, in Old Hansford, between Gruver and Spearman. He served with the U.S. Army in Australia and India during World War II. He returned home to his ranch in Eastern New Mexico until he retired and moved to Amarillo in 1976. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma; a sister, Annie; and four brothers, Bert, Marshall, Pete and John. Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weldon "Dale" Johnson Weldon "Dale" Johnson, 72, of Amarillo died Thursday, May 10, 2007. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., with Wyley Chaney, chaplain of Randall County Fire Department, officiating. Dale was born June 10, 1934, to Robert and Nora Johnson in the family home in the Roundup, Needwood communities. At the age of 14, the family moved to Quail, where they made their living in the farming and livestock industry. He graduated in May 1954 from Quail High School. After graduation, he moved to Amarillo and married his high school sweetheart, Joann Kirkland, on Sept. 3, 1954. Dale worked in the dairy business for many years before going to work for Pantex, where he retired after 30 years of service. After retirement, he continued working in the western wear retail business until 2000. He was a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church. Dale loved spending time with his family and friends and visiting the family farm and the areas where he grew up. He enjoyed special times with his grandkids, loved the rodeo, dancing and the outdoors. We love you and are going to miss you! You have brought joy to every life you have touched. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Wanda Brown; three brothers-in-law, Wes Terry, Buck Duncan and Jerol Morris; and a niece, Theresa Brown. Survivors include two sons, Bobby Dale Johnson and fiancee Tina Broughton and Ricky Dean Johnson and fiancee Lynda Tilden, all of Amarillo; a daughter, Dianne Nugent of Frisco; four sisters, Belva Terry and Robena Duncan, both of Artesia, N.M., Martha Morris of Wellington and Evelyn Callahan and husband Larry of Florida; two brothers, Don Johnson and wife Micky of Channing and Dean Johnson and wife Agatha of Tulia; a brother-in-law, Leroy Brown of Amarillo; six grandchildren, Whitney Cannon, Justin Dean Johnson, Amber Dee Crickett and husband Kyle Smith, Dustin Dale Johnson, Crystal Shanae Johnson and fiance Ryan Jefferson and LB Ross Johnson; and five great-grandchildren, Chloe Dee Ann Johnson, Brek Dale Johnson, Jayson Smith, Skylynn Rain Jefferson and Kooper Smith. The family suggests memorials be to the Jerol Morris Scholarship Fund, in care of Wellington State Bank, P.O. Box 1032, Wellington, TX 79095. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peter Richard Garre Jr. Peter Richard Garre Jr., 59, died Friday, March 30, 2007. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Llano Cemetery Garden Mausoleum by Cox-LaGrone Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Mr. Garre was born May 12, 1947, in Amarillo, was raised here and was a graduate of Tascosa High School. He passed away Friday, March 30, 2007, at The Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospital in San Antonio. He served in Vietnam in the U.S. Marines as well as in the U.S. Navy. He was residing in Corpus Christi at the time of his death. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. P.R. "Dick" Garre; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Garre and Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Edwards. Survivors include his mother, Caroline Garre Martin and husband Jim of Oldsmar, Fla.; a sister, Roberta "BeeGee" Carroll and husband Bob of Shreveport, La.; two uncles, Dr. and Mrs. Larry Garre of Amarillo and Dr. and Mrs. Bill Garre of Dallas; two nephews, Chris Carroll and wife Missy and Blaine Carroll and wife Tabatha, all of Shreveport; and several great-nieces and great-nephews of Shreveport. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ruby Arneeta Womble Marable Ruby Arneeta Womble Marable, 98, of Amarillo died Friday, May 11, 2007. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Burial will be at 4 p.m. Monday in Lieb Cemetery near Morse. Mrs. Marable was born June 8, 1908, in Arnett, Okla., to Hansford Walter Forester and Ruth Gertrude Layne Forester. She lived and farmed in the Morse/Stinnett communities for most of her life. She was known as "Big Mom." She loved gardening and loved to cook as well. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Tab Womble, in 1966 and Russell Marable; four daughters, Von Ceil, Molly, Dorothy and Marie; and three grandsons. Survivors include eight grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. The family will receive visitors from 2 to 4 p.m. today at the funeral home. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere Leta Flynt WACO - Leta Flynt, 88, died Friday, May 4, 2007. Memorial graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Fairview Cemetery in Pampa with Dr. Johnny Funderburg, pastor, and the Rev. Barry Owens, associate pastor of First Baptist Church of Pampa, officiating. Mrs. Flynt was born Oct. 26, 1918, in Thayer, Mo. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Pampa and the Pampa Fine Arts Club. Survivors include a son, John Michael Flynt of Pampa; a daughter, Donna Rae Reed of Waco; a brother, Kelso Holman of Oklahoma City; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be to the American Diabetes Association, 2499 Capital of Texas Highway South, Building A, Suite 204, Austin, TX 78746. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jill Woodard Rael LAKE DALLAS - Jill Woodard Rael, 40, died May 4, 2007. An informal memorial was from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in Lake Cities United Methodist Church with a short service at 2:30 p.m. Arrangements were by Dalton & Son Funeral Home. Survivors include her husband, Mark Rael; a daughter, Indigo Rael of Hickory Creek; her mother, Maxcine Tate of Lake Chapala, Mexico; her father, John Woodard and wife Loretta of Hereford ; a brother, Robin Woodard and wife Leslie of Oklahoma; and a sister, Kim Hornof of Wichita Falls. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Elizabeth Stephenson Standefer CORPUS CHRISTI - Mary Elizabeth Stephenson Standefer, 93, died Monday, May 7, 2007. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Scott Sticksel officiating.?Arrangements are by Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. Mary Elizabeth Stephenson Standefer passed away peacefully May 7, 2007, at Doctors' Hospital in Corpus Christi at the age of 93. She was born Dec. 3, 1913, in Galveston to James Bell Stephenson and the former Vera Estelle Quebedeaux. Mary grew up attending Galveston and Houston schools and then worked in Houston until her marriage to Rufus Barker "Mule" Standefer on Feb. 21, 1939. After their marriage, Mary joined Barker in the Lake Maracaibo area of Venezuela where he worked for Creole. They had one son, Barker Kent Standefer. Mary enjoyed her life in Venezuela and was an avid golfer and bridge player. As a loving wife and mother, Mary made a home for her family in Venezuela until Barker retired in 1965. They returned to Texas and built their dream home in Sugar Land on Alkire Lake Drive. After Barker passed away in 1968, Mary remained in the Houston area until 1992, when she moved to Corpus Christi to be near her son and his family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Barker "Mule" Standefer; her father, James Bell Stephenson; her mother, Vera Estelle Stephenson; and a sister, Vera Stephenson Pilcher. Survivors include her beloved son, Kent Standefer and wife Sharon of Corpus Christi; four grandchildren, Michelle Ellis of Houston, Jennifer Sticksel and husband the Rev. Dr. Scott Sticksel of Amarillo, Michael Standefer of Corpus Christi and Bart Aaron Standefer of Houston; six great-grandchildren, Patrick Ellis, Audrey Ellis, Ava Suescum, Shelby A. Sticksel and H. Hayden Sticksel of Amarillo and Gabriel Standefer of Alice; a sister-in-law, Mae Jarrell Standefer of Baytown; three nieces, Linda Wassenich and husband Mark of Dallas, Hattie Jean Standefer Caruthers and husband James of Lafayette, La., and Kathy Standefer Adams and husband John Q. Adams of Baytown; a great-niece, Julie Caruthers Parsley and husband Lee of Austin; and four great-nephews, Paul Mason Wassenich and wife Rekha Balu Wassenich of San Francisco, David Mark Wassenich of Dallas and Jeffrey Guy Caruthers and James Britton "Jamey" Caruthers and wife Lisa, all of Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box, 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718; the Presbyterian Children's Home, 4407 Bee Cave Road, Suite 520, Austin, TX 78746-6496; or a favorite charity. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. today at the funeral home in Houston. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- SERVICES Services Pending Bennie Odell Graham, 71, of Amarillo, died Friday, May 11, 2007. Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Duane Mecham, 58, of Canadian died Friday, May 11, 2007. Hughs Funeral Home of Canadian. Services Scheduled Bill Klein, 68, of Nazareth died Friday, May 11, 2007, in Dimmitt. Vigil will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Holy Family Catholic Church in Nazareth. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the church. Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery in Nazareth. Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt. ---