Wise County, TX - Obits: From the Wise County Messenger, May, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submitted by: Lola Withrow: lolawithrow@yahoo.com With permission of Wise County Messenger: http://www.wcmessenger.com *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter,and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** Many thanks to the Wise County Messenger for permission to store their online obits/death notices in the USGenWeb Archives ======================================================================= AREA DEATHS & FUNERALS Thursday, May 3, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clyde Courtney Crews 1931-2001 Service for Clyde Courtney Crews, 70, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, May 1, at the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. Marshall Ingram, III officiated. Burial followed at Alvord Cemetery. Crews died Saturday, April 28, 2001, in Decatur. Born Jan. 8 1931, in Alvord, Crews was former editor and publisher of the Alvord News. He married Perry Joy Everett Feb. 18, 1955, in Alvord. He was an Army veteran and a member of the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. He is survived by his wife Perry Joy Crews of Bridgeport; two daughters, Mary Crews Ingram of Binger, Okla. and Rosie Crews of Euless and one grandchild, Marshall "Trey" Ingram III, of Binger. Wise County Messenger, May 3, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kaylee Breann Misner 2001 Graveside service for Kaylee Breann Misner, infant daughter of Troy and Jennifer Misner, of Rhome was Monday, April 30 at Oaklawn Cemetery. She was born and died Saturday, April 28 in Fort Worth. She is survived by her parents Troy and Jennifer Misner of Rhome; her grandparents Julie and Danny Harris of Azle and Steve and Cynthia Misner of Rhome and her great-grandparents Dean and Geneva Scott of Rhome. Wise County Messenger, May 3, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tommye Jean Martin 1926-2001 Graveside service for Tommye Jean Martin, 74, of Chico was to be Wednesday, May 2, at 10:30 a.m. at Chico Cemetery. The Rev. Linda Snelling was to officiate. Martin died Monday, April 30, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Aug. 15, 1926, in Erick, Okla., she was a graduate of Boyd High School and North Texas State University. She was a retired teacher who taught at Bridgeport Elementary for 30 years. She is survived by a son, Richard D. Martin and wife Nada; a daughter, Linda Bryan and husband Paul; four grandchildren, Joshua, Matthew, Jenny and Jon and numerous other relatives. Pallbearers were to be Joshua Martin, Johnny Richey, Matthew Martin, Craig Yarbrough, Jon Bryan and Jenny Bryan. The family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association. Wise County Messenger, May 3, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amanda Grace Norman 1941-2001 Service for Amanda Grace Norman, 59, of Bowie will be Friday, May 4, at 2 p.m. at First Free Will Baptist Church in Bowie. Dr. Larry Cox will officiate. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie. Norman died Monday, April 30, 2001, in Bowie. Born May 3, 1941, in Decatur, she was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church and had lived in Bowie the past 12 years. She was a nurse’s aide. She was preceded in death by a son, Harry Brinkley, Jr. in 1994. She is survived by two daughters, Amanda L. Wolf of Boyd and Betty Jean Murphy of St. Peters, Mo; two sisters, Lottie Brinkley and Mary Bell Roberts, both of Bowie; two brothers, Charles David Norman of Arlington and Billy Joe Norman of Saginaw; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, May 3, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vernon W. Freeman 1917-2001 Graveside service for Vernon W. Freeman, 84, of Azle was Tuesday, May 1, at Pleasant Grove Cemetery #1. Freeman died Friday, April 27, 2001, in Dallas. Born in 1917, he was a former resident of Boyd and moved to Azle in 1987. He was a retired farmer, rancher and heavy equipment operator. He operated Freeman Land and Cattle Company for many years and was a veteran of WWII, serving in the Army. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geneva Mae Freeman and daughters, Dorothy Webb and Wanda Rose. He is survived by three sons, David Freeman of Fort Worth, George Freeman of Garland and Hal Freeman of Azle; 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 3, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ruby Harder McWhirter 1905-2001 Service for Ruby Harder McWhirter, 95, of Decatur was Tuesday, May 1, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. Lee Roy Jackson officiated, assisted by Louis Horton. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. McWhirter died Saturday, April 28, 2001, in Decatur. Born Nov. 15, 1905, in Palo Pinto, she was a retired nurse. She is survived by a daughter, Oleta Duvall of Sulphur Springs; a daughter-in law, Rosemary Harder of Bedias; four stepchildren, Thelma Chumley and Danny McWhirter, both of Decatur, Ruthy Guinn and Gene Slayton, both of Fort Worth; six grandchildren, Al Jacobs, Jr., Judy McGar, Lisa Jacobs and Mary Matlock, all of Decatur, Karen Pennington of Richardson and Brenda Anderson of Denton; 11 stepgrandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; several stepgreat-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Wayne McGar, Tim McGar, Raymond McGaha, Bill Knox, Cecil Cross and Graig Shaw. Honorary pallbearers were Roger Gage, Bill Gage and Victor Gage. Wise County Messenger, May 3, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 6, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary M. Horn 1932-2001 Graveside service for Mary M. Horn, 69, of Decatur was Thursday, May 3 at Montague Cemetery. Chaplain Gentry Castleman officiated. Horn died Monday April 30, 2001, in Decatur. Born Jan. 25, 1932, in Montague County, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, W.G. Horn. She is survived by two daughters, Phyllis Curnutte and husband Earl of Decatur and Karen Gugino and husband Mel of Houston; two grandchildren, Shelley Boydston of Austin and Cory Curnutte of Decatur; several brothers and sisters in Amarillo and several nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, May 6, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charlene Sparks 1938-2001 Service for Charlene Sparks, 63, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, May 5 at 2 p.m. at the Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. Jack McAsey was to officiate. Pallbearers were to be Wayne Harveson, Dennis Reasoner, Bob Manning,Wayne Bradley, Jerry VanHoose and Rick Brown. Born Jan.15, 1938, in Lamesa, Sparks was a bookkeeper for Bridgeport Contract Services. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Alice (Moody) Hadaway; a sister, Margaret Patterson and a brother, Bob Hadaway. She is survived by her two sons, David Sparks and wife Marilyn and Robert Sparks and wife Rhonda; a daughter Teresa Yates and husband David; a brother, James T. Hadaway and wife Lousie; a sister, Betty Tabet and husband Herman, an aunt, Alta Hadaway; eight grandchildren, Micheal and Jared Sparks, Tyler Yates, Jeremy and Calvin Henard, Nathan, Lindsey and Bailey Simmons; several nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Wise County Messenger, May 6, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Woodard Wayne Chapman 1918-2001 Graveside service for Woodard Wayne Chapman, 82, of Paradise was Wednesday, May 2, at East Bridgeport Cemetery. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated. Chapman died Monday, April 30, 2001, in Paradise. Born May 11, 1918, in Hermleigh, he served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He was a farmer and a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Atherea Chapman and his brother J.R. Chapman. He is survived by his brother Ferrell Chapman of Paradise; a sister, Cloyce Grisham and her husband James of Paradise and three nephews. Wise County Messenger, May 6, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gregory Warren ‘Moose’ DeCriscio 1971-2001 Graveside service for Gregory Warren "Moose" DeCriscio, 29, of Rhome was Friday, May 4 at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Rev. Keith Anderson officiated. DeCriscio died Tuesday, May 1, 2001 at Wise Regional Health System. Born July 25, 1971, in French Camp, Calif., DeCriscio is survived by his daughter, Leanora Jean DeCriscio of Cleburne; his mother, Cherly DeCriscio of Rhome; two sisters, Kimberly McDermand of Stockton, Calif. and Diñe Maurer of San Andreas, Calif.; one brother, Frank DeCriscio of Orange City, Ore. and numerous nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, May 6, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Gustafson 1918-2001 Service for Virginia Gustafson, 82, of Boyd was to be Saturday, May 5, at 10:30 a.m. at Countryside Bible Church in Southlake. The Rev. Tom Watson was to officiate. Gustafson died Tuesday, May 1, 2001, in Boyd. Born Nov. 19, 1918, in Chennyville, Ill., Gustafson was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband, Ernest Gustafson of Boyd; a son, Norman Gustafson of Boyd; three daughters, Judy Denison of Rosebud, Ark., Marcia Stockdale of Murrysville, Pa. and Lisa Shewmaker of Conroe; one sister, Margo Trost of Seguin; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Wise County Messenger, May 6, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, May 10, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cordelia Elizabeth Markham 1922-2001 Graveside service for Cordelia Elizabeth Markham, 78, of Bridgeport was to be Wednesday, May 9, at 10 a.m. at Sanger Cemetery. The Rev. Bill Dye was to officiate. Markham died Friday, May 4, 2001, in Bridgeport. Born July 30, 1922, in Sanger, she was a homemaker who married the late Roy Holman Markham on Dec. 24, 1945, in Denton. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. She is survived by two sisters, Lorene Howard of White Settlement and Alta Thompson of Altus, Okla. and several nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, May 10, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lucille Grimsley 1928-2001 Service for Lucille Grimsley, 73, of Boyd was to be Wednesday, May 9, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Boyd. Rev. Marsha Engle was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Azleland Cemetery. Grimsley died Sunday, May 6, 2001, in Boyd. Born March 18, 1928, in Post, she was a retired secretary who worked for Ronnie Uselton Insurance in Decatur. She was a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Grimsley on Aug. 9, 1998, and a son, Bill Grimsley on Dec. 17, 2000. She is survived by two daughters, Mary Woodruff and Darlene Mann and husband Bobby; a daughter-in-law, Donna Grimsley; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Pallbearers were to be B.J. Rhoudes, Jimmy Young, Danny Geary, Rocky Roper, Richard Young and David Christensen. Wise County Messenger, May 10, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Johnny Ray Martinez 1955-2001 Graveside service for Johnny Ray Martinez, 45, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, May 8, at the Mexican Cemetery in Bridgeport. Dr. Bill Dye officiated. Pallbearers were Everson Dunn, Oscar Martinez, Ernest Herrera, Terry Beach, Joe Ramirez, Steven Silletti, Carlos Martinez and Johnny Garcia. Honorary pallbearers were Tracy Martin and Jerry Jackson. Martinez died Saturday, May 5, 2001, in Bridgeport. Born July 11, 1955, in Bridgeport, Martinez was a carpenter. He is survived by his parents, Deloris and Julian Ramirez; one daughter, Brittany Sparks; four brothers, Raymond Martinez, Julian Ramirez, Jr., of Springtown; Miguel Ramirez and Paul Ramirez; three sisters, Reba Dunn, Mary Marshall of Rhome and Donna Morales of Chico and numerous nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, May 10, 2001 Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacquelyn ‘Jackie’ Eaton 1944-2001 Service for Jacquelyn "Jackie" Eaton, 56, of Katy, formerly of Decatur, was Monday, May 7, at the Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church in Katy. Msgr. Jack Dinkins officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Eaton died Friday, May 4, 2001, in Katy. Born Sept. 8, 1944, in Boston, Mass., Eaton was a marketing representative with Safeway Managing General Agency. She is survived by her husband, David George Eaton; two sons, Bryan Moran Eaton and Mark Epperson Eaton; three stepchildren, David Daniel Eaton, Vivian Allison Eaton and Kirsten Marie Eaton; three grandchildren, Daniel George Eaton, Edward Robert Eaton and Kirsten Michelle Reinhart; two brothers, Gerald Patrick Moran and Robert John Moran and two sisters, Moya Frances O’Neal and Margaret Moran. Wise County Messenger, May 10, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W.C. ‘Dub’ Mask Jr. 1921-2001 Service for W. C. "Dub" Mask, Jr., 79, of Denton was Monday, May 7 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel.The Rev. Bobby Bryan officiated. Pallbearers were G. B. Funk, Chris Funk, Bob Carpenter, Jesse Paul Carpenter, Butch Baker and Robert Meek. Born Oct. 2, 1921, in Perrin, Mask was an Army veteran of WWII. He retired from sales and service in the auto industry and was a member of the Bridgeport Masonic Lodge. He married Maxine McDonald April 15, 1977, in Durant, Okla. He is survived by his wife Maxine Mask of Denton; his son Wayne Mask and wife Martha of Bridgeport; one granddaughter, Stacie Read of Bridgeport; two stepchildren, Stan McCuistion of Royce City and Janice Ingrum of Atoka, Okla.; one sister, Geneva Middleton of Oklahoma City, Okla.; five step grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 10, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hazel Ardella Simmons 1917-2001 Graveside service for Hazel Ardella Simmons, 83, of Euless was to be Wednesday, May 9 at 3 p.m. at Bethel Cemetery. Simmons died Saturday, May 5, 2001, in Euless. Born Nov. 7, 1917, in Bridgeport, Simmons was a retired teacher’s aid. She is survived by two daughters, Elaine Simmons of North Richland Hills and Francine Holberg of Dallas; one grandchild, Dina Chrysler of Azle; one great grandchild, Bobbi Chrysler of Azle; and one nephew, Bill Spain of Alvord. Wise County Messenger, May 10, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph Todd Laxton 1969-2001 Private services for Joseph Todd Laxton, 31, of Cottondale were held this week. Laxton died Saturday, May 5, 2001, in Dallas. Born Oct. 14, 1969, in Seattle, Wash., Laxton was a 1988 graduate of Bridgeport High School. He is survived by his mother, Clara K. Laxton of Cottondale; one brother, James Tracy Laxton of Frisco; his grandmother, Helen Z. Laxton of Brazoria and five cousins. Wise County Messenger, May 10, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwendolynn Seaton Armstrong 1924-2001 Memorial service for Gwendolynn Seaton Armstrong, 76, of Newark will be Thursday, May 10, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Decatur. The Rev. Gonzo Morales will officiate. Burial will follow at White Chapel Cemetery in Wichita, Kan. Armstrong died Sunday, May 6, 2001, in Newark. Born July 9, 1924, in Dodge City, Kan., she was a retired word processor for the Veterans Administration in Denver, Colo. She was previous owner of the Friona Hotel/Sands Motel in Bovina, a pilot and a member of the 99ers Club. She was a Catholic. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Phillip Jesko and a brother, Louis B. Seaton, Jr. She is survived by a son, William T. Chitwood and wife Anna; a daughter, Dixi Jesko; a brother, Bill Seaton; three grandsons, Jeff Jesko, Jason Jesko and Alex Chitwood and two great-granddaughters, Crystal and Desirae Jesko. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Phillip Jesko Memorial Scholarship fund at the Friona State Bank in Friona. Wise County Messenger, May 10, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vester Luffin Morrow 1922-2001 Service for Vester Luffin Morrow, 78, of Bridgeport was Monday, May 7, at the Pleasant View Baptist Church. The Revs. Gary Demmitt and Sam Starr officiated. Pallbearers were Alan Green, Aaron Green, Trent Morrow, Shane Morrow, Cody Morrow, Carl Rangel, John Jackson, Wayne Babbitt and Bobby Hawkins. Morrow died Friday, May 4, 2001, in Bridgeport. Born Oct. 27, 1922, in Elmer, Okla. Morrow had been a Bridgeport resident since 1955. He was a retired maintenance contractor. He married Lois Watson on Aug. 14, 1943, in Bridgeport. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Grady and Vernon Morrow; a sister, Alice Morrow; and two grandchildren, Denella and Juanita June Morrow. He is survived by his wife Lois Morrow of Bridgeport; two sons, Paul Morrow of Whitney and Billy Morrow and wife Sandra of Bridgeport; one daughter, Linda Green and husband Gary of Bridgeport; one brother, Glinn Morrow of Chico; a sister Edith Stone of Arkansas; nine grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, May 10, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cameron Dakotah Williams 1990-2001 Graveside service for Cameron Dakotah Williams, 10, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, May 12, at 10:30 a.m. at Thomas Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were to be Jerald, Jimmy and Jason Foreman, John Little, Toby Shaw and Craig Chancellor. Williams died Thursday, May 10, 2001, in Decatur. He was born Aug. 3, 1990, in Graham. He is survived by his mother Beverly Williams and stepfather John Wilson Little of Fort Worth; his father, John Darrell Williams of Waco; his brother Christopher Brown of Florida; two sisters, Morgan Foreman of Fort Worth and Elizabeth Randolph of Kansas; his grandparents Jackie and Janice Phillips of Bridgeport, John and Linda Williams of Graham and Belva Little of Fort Worth and his greatgrandmother, Ruth Barnett of Fort Worth. Wise County Messenger, May 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Albert Ernest Lee Espy 1950-2001 Service for Albert Ernest Lee Espy, 50, of Alvord was to be Monday, May 14, at 10 a.m. At the First Baptist Church in Alvord. Bill Cleveland was to officiate. Espy died Wednesday, May 9, 2001 in Alvord. Born July 2, 1950, in Chattanoga, Tenn., he was a Vietnam War veteran and member of the First Baptist Church in Alvord. He married Marcella Mae George on Dec. 14, 1976 in Minette, Ala. He is survived by his wife, Marcie Espy of Alvord; two sons, Tony Bruce Espy and Stanton Edward Espy of Tennessee a daughter, Lisa Michelle Espy of Tennessee and his sister Sarah Elizabeth Nix of Georgia. Wise County Messenger, May 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gary Dwayne Scheller 1964-2001 Graveside service for Gary Dwayne Scheller, 37, of Bridgeport was Thursday, May 10, at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Rev. Scott Wesley officiated. Pallbearers were Bobby Scheller, Scott Scheller, Michael Scheller, Terry Scheller, Terry Hunter and Dennis Harper. Honorary pallbearers were Tommie Choate and Eddie Taylor. Scheller died Monday, May 7, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Jan. 31, 1964 in Cortez, Colo., Scheller was a well service employee and lifetime resident of Bridgeport. He married Ronda Taylor on March 29, 1986 in Bridgeport. He is survived by his wife, Ronda Scheller; his parents, Robert and Carolyn Scheller of Chico; five daughters, Crystal Hunter, Tonya Scheller, Falicia Scheller, Jennifer Scheller and Taylor Scheller; four brothers, Bobby and Scott Scheller of Chico, Michael Scheller and his wife MariAne of Bridgeport and Terry Scheller and his wife Charlie of Paradise; one granddaughter, Brianna Hunter; mother and father-in-law Wanda and Eddie Taylor and several nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, May 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Faye Pike 1913-2001 Service for Faye Pike, 87, of Bridgeport was Friday, May 11 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Craig Cox officiated. Burial followed at Paradise Cemetery. Pike died Tuesday, May 8, 2001, in Paradise. Born June 30, 1913, in Paradise, she was a housewife and a member of the Cates Street Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas D. Pike; her brother, W.L. Lawrence and three sisters, Viola Campbell, Alta Boring and Marie Boyd. She is survived by a son, Robert L. Lawrence and his wife Lena of Charleston, S.C.; a sister, Odetta Foster of Bridgeport; two grandsons, Robert and Lance Lawrence; one great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Lawrence and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Richard Dale Bridges, Jimmy Dunlap, Russell Dunlap, David Clary, Hank Upchurch, Shorty O’Dell and Billy Campbell. Wise County Messenger, May 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Larry Taylor 1947-2001 Service for Larry Taylor, 53, of Paradise was to be Saturday, May 12, at 10:30 a.m. at the Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Rev. Charles Pugh was to officiate. Taylor died Wednesday, May 9, 2001 in Paradise. Born July 23, 1947, in Decatur, he was a retired truck driver and a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the Vietnam war. He was a member of the VFW, Bridgeport Masonic Lodge and Cottondale Baptist Church. He married Ruth Ann Winans on Dec. 18, 1971 in Alvord. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert Richard (Dick) and Lillian Bernice (Tootsie) Taylor. He is survived by his wife Ruth Ann Taylor; daughter Erika Ann Taylor and fiancee Wilson Grimes; two sons, Jason Levi Taylor and Benjamin Cole Taylor and his fiancee Amanda Tucker; two grandchildren Micah and Sarah Taylor; his parents-inlaw, Ruth Narramore and Billy Narramore; a sister Francis Davis and a brother, Jim Taylor. Wise County Messenger, May 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Caroline Matzinger 1903-2001 Service for Mary Caroline Matzinger, 97, of Paradise was Friday, May 11 at the Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated. Pallbearers were Raymond Meadows, Ray Meadows, Dean Meadows, Kenneth Rogers, David Harris and James Irby. Matzinger died Wednesday, May 9, 2001, at the Bridgeport Care Center. Born July 7, 1903 in Paradise, Matzinger was a homemaker. She is preceded in death by her husband, I.F. Matzinger in 1964. She is survived by her son Irv Matzinger and wife Mildred; two grandsons, Allen Matzinger and Danny Matzinger and wife Leah Nan; three great granddaughters, Melissa Ann Matzinger, Savannah Leigh Matzinger, Joni Mae Matzinger; a brother, E.W. Meadows and two sisters, Mildred Brown and Ruth Corley. Wise County Messenger, May 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Willie Weldon Robinson 1914-2001 Service for Willie Weldon Robinson, 86, of Bridgeport was Wednesday, May 9, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Jack Vereen officiated. Burial followed at Garvin Cemetery. Robinson died Monday, May 7, 2001, in Bridgeport. Born October 7, 1914, in Boyd, he was a retired welder and a member of the Garvin Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary. He is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Pallbearers were Hoss Fitzgerald, George Williams, Wayne Billington, Paul Wood, Windell Lamance and Carl Ray Jones. Wise County Messenger, May 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ila Mae Tumelty 1925-2001 Service for Ila Mae Tumelty, 75, of Decatur was Friday, May 11, at 10 a.m. at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur. The Rev. Gene Chamness officiated. Tumelty died Tuesday, May 8, 2001, in Decatur. Born Dec. 2, 1925, in Wise County, she was a member of the Oak Grove Methodist Church, Decatur Quilt Club and Decatur Garden Club. She married the late Thomas Tumelty in Decatur. She is survived by her son Tom Tumelty of Decatur; two sisters, Alma Elsom of Decatur and Wanda Sanford of Kennedale; one niece and three nephews. Wise County Messenger, May 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, May 17, 2001 James H. ‘Jim’ Carmichael 1922-2001 Memorial service for James H. "Jim" Carmichael, 79, of Boyd will be Thursday, May 17, at 2 p.m. at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. Carmichael died Monday, May 14, 2001, in Boyd. Born March 24, 1922, in Augusta, Mont., he was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving in World War II. He married Alice Seigler Carmichael on July 12, 1945, in Billings, Mont. He was the owner of Carmichael Trailer in Boyd and a member of the Boyd Moose Lodge No. 2313 and VFW Post 2137. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice, on March 19, 1997. He is survived by a son, James Bing Carmichael and wife Patty; three daughters, Linda Bernard and husband Rick, Judy Gauthier and husband Richard and Mary Carter and husband Richard; one sister, Nanette Anderson; seven grandchildren, Heather, Amy, Bryan, Angela, Ashley, Kyle and Jamie and one great-grandchild, Tyler. Wise County Messenger, May 17, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hasseltine Audrey Smith 1913-2001 Service for Hasseltine Audrey Smith, 87, of Poolville will be Thursday, May 17, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksboro. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Jacksboro. Smith died Tuesday, May 15, 2001, in Decatur. Born Aug. 26, 1913, in Boonsville, she was a homemaker and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport. She is survived by a son, Kent Smith of Poolville; one grandchild and one great-grandchild. Wise County Messenger, May 17, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elmo Marie Stephens 1917-2001 Graveside service for Elmo Marie Stephens, 83, of Irving was to be Wednesday, May 16, at Sycamore Cemetery in Decatur. The Revs. Bill Higgins and Charles Taylor were to officiate. Stephens died Sunday, May 13, 2001. Born June 18, 1917, in Decatur, she was preceded in death by her husband, Sidney Stephens; parents, James and Charlie Beatrice Stephens and a brother, Coleman McNeely. She is survived by a son, Don Stephens of Decatur; a daughter, Jan Hahn of Irving; and two grandchildren, Alicia Loran of Allen and Matthew Larn Stephens of Austin. Wise County Messenger, May 17, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Irene Lancaster Chunn 1920-2001 Graveside service for Irene Lancaster Chunn, 80, of Ennis was Monday, May 14, at West Bridgeport Cemetery. Rev. Joey Vick officiated. Chunn died Saturday, May 12, 2001, in Ennis. Born Sept. 23, 1920, in Wise County, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Lancaster; a son, Stanley Earl Lancaster; two sisters, Viola Forsyth and Leona Evans; two brothers, Kenneth and Claude Moore and three grandchildren, Shari, Diana and Debbie. She is survived by a son, Cecil Lancaster and wife Peggy; a daughter, Linda Spencer and husband James; four sisters, Opal Blake, Bobbie Hobbs, Pauline Hodges and Sue Rhine; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 17, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Raymond Harold Lange 1923-2001 Service for Raymond Harold Lange, 77, of Rhome was to be Wednesday, May 16, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation was to follow. Lange died Saturday, May 12, 2001, in Rhome. Born July 23, 1923, in St. Paul, Minn., he was a retired real estate appraiser financier. He married Donna Madden in 1992 in Jefferson. He was a World War II and Korea veteran. He was also a member of the Christ Lutheran Church. He is survived by his wife, Donna; a son, David Lange of Charlotte, N.C.; a step-son, Brian Presley of Floral, Ark.; a daughter, Karen King of Alexander, Va.; and two grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 17, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, May 20, 2001 Elmo Marie Stephens 1917-2001 Graveside service for Elmo Marie Stephens, 83, of Irving was Wednesday, May 16, at Sycamore Cemetery in Decatur. She died Sunday, May 13, 2001. Stephens was born June 18, 1917, in Decatur. Her husband, Sidney Stephens, preceded her in death, as did as her parents, James Larn and Charlie Beatrice McNeely, and her brother, Coleman McNeely. She is survived by a son, Don Stephens, of Decatur; a daughter, Jan Hahn, of Irving; and two grandchildren, Alicia Larn of Allen and Matthew Larn Stephens of Austin. Wise County Messenger, May 20, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vera Esteline Stroud 1918-2001 Graveside service for Vera Esteline Stroud, 82, of Aurora was Saturday, May 19, at Aurora Cemetery. Rev. Lee Roy Jackson officiated. Stroud died Thursday, May 17, 2001 in Decatur. Born Aug. 12, 1918 in Aurora, she was a homemaker and a member of the Aurora Baptist Church. Her sister, Junellia Kemp Bowers, preceded her in death. She is survived by one brother, James Stroud of Fort Worth; two sisters, Edith Mae Brown and Naomi Stroud Ward, both of Rhome; a nephew, Billy Kemp of Boyd; and a niece, Marylou Shaw of Rhome. Wise County Messenger, May 20, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kaden Cole Pennartz 1994-2001 Service for Kaden Cole Pennartz, 6, of Decatur, was to be Saturday, May 19, at Assumption Catholic Church in Decatur. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Father Gonzo was to officiate. He died Wednesday, May 16, 2001, at Cook’s Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth. Born Dec. 17, 1994, in Decatur, he was the son of Craig and Melissa Pennartz. He is survived by his parents; a brother, Kase Pennartz; grandparents, Clarence and Lillian Pennartz of Decatur and Larry and Glenda Campbell of Van Alstyne; great-grandparents, Morris and Kat Campbell of Graham; and great-great-grandmother, Emma Campbell of Graham. Wise County Messenger, May 20, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bobby Gene Whistler 1931-2001 Service for Bobby Gene Whistler, 69, of Decatur was Friday at the First Baptist Church of Hurst. He died Monday, May 14, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Nov. 10, 1931, in Leedy, Okla., Whistler lived in Texas most of his life and resided in Decatur. He was a Korean War veteran. He started a 37-year law enforcement career with the Fort Worth Police Department in 1957 and was a detective there until 1974. He then became a criminal investigator for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department from 1974 to 1985, ending his career with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, where he served as a criminal investigator from 1985 to 1994. He married Kay Landers in 1954, and they were married for 46 years. He retired in Wise County to enjoy his favorite hobbies of travel, fishing and golf. He is survived by his wife, Kay Whistler of Decatur; a daughter, DeLania Truly and her husband, Alan, of Hurst; two sons, Tracy Whistler and his wife, Betsy, of Hurst and Terry Whislter and his wife, Karen, of North Richland Hills; eight grandchildren, Melissa and Kyle Truly of Hurst, Mandy, Michael and Nicholas Whistler of Hurst and Bobby, Randy and Angela Whistler of North Richland Hills; and two brothers, Fred Whistler and his wife, Estelle, of Decatur and John Whistler and his wife, Wanda, of Brownsboro. The family requests memorials to the American Heart Association of the American Cancer Society. Wise County Messenger, May 20, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, May 24, 2001 Bonnie Lee Alsup 1921-2001 Service for Bonnie Lee Alsup, 79, of Bowie, was Saturday, May 19, at Burgess-Fry-Owens-Brumley Funeral Home Chapel in Bowie. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery. The Rev. Dwayne Lamberson of the New Hope Baptist Church officiated. Pallbearers were Gregg Shaw, Jordan Shaw, Charles Bentley, Shorty Dorman, Billy McElhaney and Joe Falsone. Alsup died Thursday, May 17, 2001, in Bowie. Born Dec. 3, 1921 in Chico, she was a licensed vocational nurse. She grew up in Bridgeport, where she attended public schools. After attending nursing school in Pampa, she worked as an LVN until her retirement in 1989. She and Wilton Alsup married Nov. 14, 1959, in Anson. Alsup was a member of First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. She is survived by her husband, Wilton Alsup of Bowie; two daughters, Carole Sue Dethloff Cantrell of Bridgeport and Sherry Dethloff Petty of Bowie; two sons-in-law, Bob Cantrell of Bridgeport and Mickey Petty of Bowie; two grandchildren, Traci Cantrell of Bridgeport and Candy Shaw of Bowie; four great-grandchildren, Lane Sandlin of Bridgeport, Jordan Shaw of Bowie, Eli Shaw of Bowie and Hannah Shaw of Bowie; a stepson, Wilton Max Alsup and his wife, Teri, of Eustace; a stepdaughter, Glenda Bryant of Pickens; two stepgranddaughters, Eyvonie Alsup of Garland and Stephanie Alsup of Dallas; and four stepgrandsons, Michael Bryant and Ronnie Bryant of Justin, Stephen Bryant of Mesquite and Clark Bryant of Pickens. The family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of Rural Texas, 705 Greenwood St., Bowie, Texas 76230. Wise County Messenger, May 24, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merle Doran Church 1927-2001 Private memorial service for Merle Doran Church, 73, of Newark, was held last week. Church died Saturday, May 12, 2001, in Newark. Born June, 12, 1927, in Portland, Ore., she was a welder and a self-taught musician. She was a truck driver and ship builder during the World War II era. She married William J. Church on March 29, 1946, in Portland. She was preceded in death by her parents, Risk L. Ferrell and Enid Grandy Ferrell. She is survived by her husband, William J. Church of Newark; four sons, William J. Church of California, Kelly Ferrell Church and Michael Kerry Church, both of Illinois and Casey Lee Church of Newark; one daughter, Susan Lee Yaccino of Illinois; one brother, James K. Ferrell of Ohio; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 24, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gary Everett Hicks 1969-2001 Service for Gary Everett Hicks, 31, of Bridgeport, was Monday, May 21, at the Bible Baptist Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Bill Higgins officiated. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mike Pearce, Larry Isom, Dewey Isom, Shawn Dillard, Steve Doty, David Nelson, Tim Raley and Tommy Raley. Hicks died Friday, May 18, 2001, in Bridgeport. Born Oct. 17, 1969, in Bridgeport, Hicks worked for the SCS Company of Bridgeport. He is survived by his wife, Stefanie; a daughter, Tifani; his parents, Everett and Ann Hicks; his grandmother, Clara Hicks; a sister, Rhonda McDonald and husband Eddie, all of Bridgeport, and aunts and uncles. Wise County Messenger, May 24, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Larry Dale Fried 1948-2001 Graveside service for Larry Dale Fried, 52, of Bridgeport, was Tuesday, May 22 at East Bridgeport Cemetery. The Rev. Gary Sessions officiated. Fried died Friday, May 18, 2001, in Bridgeport. Born May 30, 1948, in Fort Smith, Ark., he was a contract painter and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife, Gayle Fried; son, Robert Fried; daughter, Cassandra Sessum; brother, Jerry Fried; two nieces and a dear friend, Billie Thup, all of Fort Worth. Wise County Messenger, May 24, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William Jefferson Green 1940-2001 Graveside service for William Jefferson Green, 60, of Fort Worth was Tuesday, May 22, at Aurora Cemetery. Green died Saturday, May 19, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Sept. 2, 1940, in Fort Worth, he is survived by two sons, Perry Green of Canyon City, Calif. and Timmy Green of Beaumont; a daughter, Teresa Ann Baker of Haslet; two sisters, Era Mae Carroll of Granbury and Patricia Ann O’Shields of Veal Station; a brother, Tommy James Green and five grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 24, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pamela Ann Batchelor 1946-2001 Service for Pamela Ann Batchelor, 54, of Boyd was to be Wednesday, May 23, at 2 p.m. at the Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker was to officiate. Batchelor died Tuesday, May 15, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born July 26, 1946, in Pueblo, Colo., she was a secretary and lived in Boyd since 1962. She was preceded in death by her parents, Estel Mayfield and Janet Monson Mayfield; her daughter, Jamie Batchelor and niece, Ashley Mayfield. She is survived by two daughters, Janet Martindale and Terrie Roberts and husband, Johnny; one granddaughter, Amanda Martindale; three brothers, Mike, Kenneth and Doug Mayfield; two nieces and three nephews. Wise County Messenger, May 24, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billy H. Flatt 1935-2001 Memorial service for Billy H. Flatt, 66, of Decatur was Monday, May 21 at Southwest Harvest Church. Burial followed at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Mark Pearce officiated. Flatt died Thursday, May 17, 2001, from cancer. Born Feb. 27, 1935, in Venus, Flatt owned and operated the Orange Tree Gallery of Duncanville for more than 26 years. He had recently semi-retired from the gallery to pursue his lifelong dream of returning to farming and ranching. Flatt was a U.S. Army sergeant. His parents preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Norma; daughters, Tara Ferguson and her husband, David, and Dara Crabtree and her husband, Steve, all of Duncanville and grandchildren, Stefani Crabtree and Trey and Colton Ferguson. Wise County Messenger, May 24, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joel Hillin 1929-2001 Service for Joel Hillin, 71, of Stephenville was Tuesday, May 22 at the First Baptist Church in Stephenville. Dr. Dan Murray officiated. Burial followed at West End Cemetery in Stephenville. He was the father of Teresa Horner of Decatur. Hillin died Friday, May 18, 2001, in Stephenville. Born Nov. 14, 1929, in Pine Hill, he married Joyce Edmonds on Aug. 25, 1956, in Freeport. He received bachelor and master of science degrees from Texas A&M University. He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday School. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and Masonic Lodge No. 267, Southwest Dairy Museum director, AMPI former director, TSU rodeo team sponsor, dairy judging coach, Stephenville Ambassador at Large and member of American Dairy Shrine and American Dairy Science Association. He served two terms on the Stephenville city council. He was also a veteran of the United States Army. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Hillin of Stephenville; two daughters, Teresa Horner of Decatur and Terri Simpson of Lawrenceville, Ga.; one brother, John Hillin of Brookville, Ohio; two sisters, Martha Wallace of Longview and Sarah Parker of Tyler; five grandchildren, Cade Simpson, Abby Horner, Trevor Simpson, William Horner and Molly Simpson and a mother-in-law, Cecilia B. Edmonds of Lake Jackson. The family requests that memorials be made to the Joel M. Hillin Agricultural Scholarship, in care of Bank of America in Stephenville. Wise County Messenger, May 24, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Etta Lorene Reid 1922-2001 Graveside service for Etta Lorene Reid, 78, of Benbrook was to be Wednesday, May 23, at Paradise Cemetery. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker was to officiate. Reid died Monday, May 21, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born July 13, 1922, in Paradise, she was a retired Fort Richardson Motel employee in Jacksboro. She is survived by a daughter, Marihelen Glass and her husband, Ron; two granddaughters, Holly Kamp and Heidi Kamp and a brother, James L. Harnes. Wise County Messenger, May 24, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, May 27, 2001 Bennie Earl Mosley 1935-2001 Service for Bennie Earl Mosley, 65, of Boyd will be Monday, May 28, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Ron Liles will officiate. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove #2 Cemetery. Mosley died Wednesday, May 23, 2001, in Tijuana, Mexico. Born May 29, 1935, in Dublin, he married Creida Jane Gilbert on Sept. 14, 1971, in Stephenville. He was an Army veteran. He was a member of a Pentecostal church and the Boyd Masonic Lodge #479 AF&AM. He is survived by his wife, Creida Mosley; three sons, Bennie Paul, Mark and Chris and his wife Melissa; a daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Steve Wolfe; sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Harold Warlow; brother, John; a great grandson, Dakota Wolfe and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Charles F. Wolfe, Jr., Jerry McEntire, Steve Wolfe, Rodney Holmes, Jeff Holder and Kenneth Morrow. Honorary pallbearers will be Farris Benham, Raymond Hart, Ed Henson, Carlos Sessions and Paul Stinson. Wise County Messenger, May 27, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, May 31, 2001 Walter Eugene Lee 1928-2001 Service for Walter Eugene Lee, 72, of Decatur, will be Thursday, May 31, at 2:30 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Ken Burnett will officiate. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Lee died Monday, May 28, 2001, at home. Born Dec. 17, 1928, in Booker, Lee owned and operated a carpentry business. He and Sylvia Louise Watkins were married Feb. 8, 1966, in Plainview. Lee was a Methodist and a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. He was also a Korean War veteran. He was preceded in death by a son, Tracy; a sister, Dora Mae Depew; and two brothers, Alford and Leonard. Survivors are his wife, Louise; one son, Scott Lee of Tyler; four daughters, Carla Lee of Fort Worth, Kathleen O’Hair of Lubbock, Sharon Van Balle of Jacksboro and Leslie Fletcher of May; three brothers, Alvin L. and Ray Lee, both of Booker and Henry Lee of Elkhart, Kansas; five sisters, Mary Kitzmiller of Two Buttes, Colo., Ella Page of Mankato, Kan., Beatrice Retzman of Eugene, Ore., Betty Jo Reynolds, Kansas and Eva Ann Thomas of Amarillo; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 31, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tommie Jo Austin 1923-2001 Service for Tommie Jo Austin, 78, of Boyd, was Monday, May 28, at the Boyd Church of Christ. Steve Weeks officiated. Austin died Saturday, May 26, 2001, in Justin. Born Jan. 27, 1923, in Fort Worth, she worked as a bank employee when she was a young woman. She and her husband, R.E. "Tim" Austin, lived in Boyd for 50 years where they ran a dairy farm until their retirement in 1979. Her favorite task was raising calves. She was also an accomplished cook and candy maker, exhibiting her love for family and friends with gifts from her kitchen. Austin was a member of the Boyd Church of Christ. Her husband preceded her in death Aug. 13, 1998. Survivors are a son, Stephen Austin of Boyd; two daughters, Mary Atkins and husband, Gaylon, of Dublin and Linda Ware and husband, Jimmy, of Boyd; five grandchildren, Brooks Ware of Houston, Chet Atkins of Gainesville, Ealina Austin of Texas , Burt Atkins of Dublin and Errett Austin of Oklahoma; four great-grandchildren, Reba, Audrey, Kellar and Emily; and an aunt, Mildred Vaughn of Garland. Wise County Messenger, May 31, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolyn Sue Stamper 1945-2001 Service for Carolyn Sue Stamper, 55, of Sunset, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 31, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Leonard Crosson will officiate. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Montague County. Stamper died Sunday, May 27, 2001, in Houston. Born July 12, 1945, in Alvarado, she was a secretary. She married Everett N. Stamper on Aug. 26, 1997, in Bowie. She was a member of Union Hill Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, E.N. Stamper of Sunset; two sons, Gregory Allen Stamper of Denton and Chad E. Stamper of Hillsboro; two daughters, Lova Holden of Arlington and Lyn Stamper of Porterville, Calif.; two brothers, George Keller of Cleburne and Jeffrey Keller of Itasca; three sisters, Juanita Comer of Itasca, Yvonne Marcum of Crowley and Sarita Gaskill of Cleburne; and 10 grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 31, 2001 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------