copied with permission from
The Shawnee News-Star
215 N. Bell
Shawnee, OK 74801

submitted by Kay Sugg Best

published Feb. 15, 2005

Janice R. Cooper

Tecumseh resident Janice R. Cooper, 61, died Sunday, Feb. 13, in Oklahoma City.

She was born Feb. 24, 1943, in Shawnee to Elza and Willeta (Harp) Jordan.

She attended Shawnee schools and was a 1961 graduate of Shawnee High School. She also attended Oklahoma Baptist University, where she earned a bachelor of arts in English in 1996.

On June 16, 1961, she married Jim L. Cooper in Shawnee. Following their marriage, they lived in Dallas a short time before returning to Oklahoma in 1964. They own and operate Cooper Funeral Home in Tecumseh.

She was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church in Tecumseh, where she served as a church trustee; the storytime coordinator at the Pumpkin Patch and was active in the choir. She also was a member and past president of Chapter W P.E.O. and had served as an International and State P.E.O. Convention volunteer and an International P.E.O. delegate. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, chapter 30 and was past president of the Tecumseh Jaycee Jaynes. Cooper was former board member of the Multi-County Pioneer Library. She served as a volunteer at Mabee-Gerrer Museum, the 1989 Olympic Festival in Oklahoma City, and the 1988 PGA Golf Tournament in Edmond. Cooper was a Tecumseh Tennis Mom and an United States Tennis Association Umpire.

She was preceded in death by her mother June 17, 1999; her father Nov. 11, 1999; and an infant daughter, Nancy Ann Cooper Feb. 17, 1965.

Survivors include her husband, Jim L. Cooper of the home; one daughter, Cyndy Cooper of Norman; two sons and one daughter-in-law, J and Shannon Cooper of Tecumseh and Zac Cooper of Norman; two granddaughters, Calli Cooper of Tecumseh and Jordan Cooper of Norman; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Claude and Susan Jordan of Shawnee and Earl Jordan of Shawnee; several nieces and nephews; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be made to the Janice R. Cooper Memorial Fund at Broadway United Methodist Church in Tecumseh.

The casket will remain open until 10 a.m. Thursday and will not be reopened following the service.

Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Cooper Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Tracy Schumpert and the Rev. Will Bentley officiating. Burial will follow at Tecumseh Cemetery

Frances Jane Wilson
Meeker native Frances Jane "Janie" Wilson, 59, died Sunday, Feb. 13, in Shawnee.

She was born June 29, 1945, in Meeker to Ben and Mary Vera (Martin) Gentry.

She was a machine operator at Wolverine.

Wilson was a member of the Davenport Assembly of God Church.

On Dec. 22, 1961, she married Dan Doil Wilson in Meeker. He preceded her in death June 24, 2003.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; son, Danny Doil Wilson; three brothers; and one sister.

Survivors include her sons, Jackie Wilson of Shawnee and Scott Wilson of Prague; daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and Mike Williams of Meeker; brothers and sister-in-law, Skeet Gouker of California and J.B. and Mary Lee Gentry of Eufaula; sisters and brothers-in-law, Della and Jess Linn of Meeker and Sue and Richard Green of Meeker; mother and father-in-law, Robert and Estelle Wood of Prague; sisters-in-law, Gertrude Gentry of Shawnee and Susan Gentry of Kansas; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Graveside service will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Gable Cemetery in Lincoln County with the Rev. Leon Williams and the Rev. Darel Loudan officiating.

Parks Brothers Funeral Service is directing arrangements.

Lonnie Joe Standlee
Shawnee resident Lonnie Joe Standlee, 46, died Monday, Feb. 14, at a Meeker nursing home.

He was born Nov. 4, 1958, in Shawnee to Aonnie Standlee and Norma (Greer) Standlee Head.

He graduated from Meeker High School in 1977.

He was employed by Wal-Mart.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Prague.

He was preceded in death by his father; and grandparents, Tom and Dorthy Standlee, and Richard Greer.

Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Norma and Dwayne Head of Shawnee; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Mark and Gena Standlee of Prague, and Rodney and Lorri Standlee of Meeker; grandmother, Erma Greer; and nieces; nephews and other family and friends.

Service will be 2 p.m. today at the chapel of Walker Funeral Service with the Rev. Tim Emmons officiating. Burial will be at Rossville Cemetery.

Walker Funeral Service is directing arrangements.

Martha Megehee
Shawnee resident Martha Megehee, 92, died Friday, Feb. 11, in Shawnee.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma City with Bill Matthews and Phil Thompson officiating.

Cooper Funeral Home is directing arrangements

Sarah Wilma Holland Foraker
Oliver Springs, Tenn., resident Sarah Wilma Holland Foraker, 76, died Friday, Feb. 11, in a Knoxville, Tenn., hospital.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William C. Woods and Nellie Jones Woods; son, Dane Lawson; brothers, Otto, Ellis, Hubert, Austin and Robert Woods; and sisters, Carrie Honaker, and Cassie Musselwhite.

Survivors include her daughters, Carolyn Murphy and husband Tom of Clinton, Wanda Williams and husband Glenn of Clinton and Jackie Holland of Oliver Springs, Tenn.; sons, Forest Lawson and wife Shellee of Oliver Springs, Tenn., Mike Lawson and wife Jody of Oak Ridge, Tenn., and Daryl Lawson of Oliver Springs, Tenn.; grandchildren, Pamela Stout, Paula Howard, Kenny Williams, Jason Williams, Eric Lawson, Daniel Lawson, Michael Lawson, Angela Wilson, Anthony Lawson, Cyle Yoakum and Wayne Lawson; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Katherine Davis of Oliver Springs, Tenn.; daughter-in-law, Lou Lawson of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; other family and friends.

The family will receive friends 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. today at Sharp Funeral Home in Oliver Springs, Tenn. Graveside service will follow at the Woods Cemetery of Coalfield with the Rev. Steve McDonald officiating.

Sharp Funeral Home of Oliver Springs, Tenn. is directing arrangements.

Paul Maxwell
Former Seminole Paul Maxwell, 85, died Saturday, Feb. 12, at his home.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at Rest Haven Memorial Garden in Seminole with Byron Neufield officiating.

Swearingen Funeral Home is directing arrangements

Opal Fay Powers
Shawnee resident Opal Fay Powers, 70, died Saturday, Feb. 12, in Shawnee.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at New Hope Cemetery in Meeker.

Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Meeker is directing arrangements.

published Feb. 16, 2005

Gurvis Lewayne Dillon
Shawnee resident Gurvis Lewayne Dillon, 78, died Saturday, Feb. 12, in McLoud.

He was born Jan. 21, 1927, in Little Rock, Ark., to Marion Joshua and Lular Frances (Acord) Dillon.

He worked as a general laborer.

He served in the U.S. Army and Navy.

Dillon was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Survivors include three sons, Gary Dillon of Midwest City, Kerry Dillon and Mark Dillon, both of Shawnee; one daughter, Marvella Riddle of Shawnee; one brother, Doy Dillon of Ephrata, Wash.; one sister, Vestal Barrington of Los Angeles, Calif.; seven grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Church of the Nazarene in Chandler with the Rev. Keith Cole officiating.

Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Chandler is directing arrangements.

Ethel Florene Murrell
Oklahoma City resident Ethel Florene Murrell, 90, died Saturday, Feb. 12.

She was born Oct. 10, 1914, in Shawnee to John and Emma (Cantrell) Couch.

She lived in Shawnee and attended Calvary Baptist Church until 1959 when she moved to Oklahoma City.

She worked in retail sales and retired from TG&Y.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Frank Couch; and sister Esther Sullivan.

Survivors include her daughter, Donna Murrell of Oklahoma City; son, Donald and wife Judy of Centerville, Ga.; granddaughter, Donita Loman of Wewoka; and great-granddaughter.

Graveside service will be 2:30 p.m. Friday at Tecumseh Cemetery with the Rev. W.F. Crow officiating.

Caskets Inc. in Del City is directing arrangements.

Lonnie Joe Standlee
Shawnee resident Lonnie Joe Standlee, 46, died Monday, Feb. 14, at a Meeker nursing home.

He was born Nov. 4, 1958, in Shawnee to Aonnie Standlee and Norma (Greer) Standlee Head.

He graduated from Meeker High School in 1977.

He was employed by Wal-Mart.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Prague.

He was preceded in death by his father; and grandparents, Tom and Dorthy Standlee, and Richard Greer.

Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Norma and Dwayne Head of Shawnee; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Mark and Gena Standlee of Prague, and Rodney and Lorri Standlee of Meeker; grandmother, Erma Greer; and nieces; nephews and other family and friends.

Service will be 2 p.m. today at the chapel of Walker Funeral Service with the Rev. Tim Emmons officiating. Burial will be at Rossville Cemetery.

Walker Funeral Service is directing arrangements.

William Benjamin Robison
Former Paden resident William Benjamin Robison, 80, of Marion, N.C., died Tuesday, Feb. 15, in a Morganton, N.C., hospital.

He was born Oct. 23, 1924, in Okfuskee County to Thomas Robison and Stella Grant Robison.

He was a Creek Indian. He served in the U.S. Navy. Upon his retirement from th U.S. Navy, he worked for many years as a drafting engineer.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Amos, Jim, Rufus and Frank Robison; and two sisters, Linda and Louise Robison.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred Vinson Robison of the home; a daughter, Kathleen Robison Bushyhead of El Reno; two stepdaughters, Faye Robinson and husband Jerry of Marion, N.C., and Linda Hinkle and husband Ralph of Middleburg, Fla.; two stepsons, Keith Brucke and wife Sandra and Kenneth Brucke, all of Westmister, S.C.; a sister, Rebecca Robison Robinson Lyndsey of Wewoka; two brothers, Barney Clem Robison of Prague and Thomas Chibbon Robison of Oklahoma City; 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Service will be 3 p.m. Friday at Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Prague, with the Rev. J.B. Fish officiating. Burial will follow at the Oakdale Cemetery, Paden, with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy. The family will receive friends 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Parks Brothers Funeral Home.

Pearl Evelyn Jackson
Konawa resident Pearl Evelyn Jackson, 88, died Monday, Feb. 14, at an Ada nursing home.

Service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Pickard-Swearingen Funeral Chapel with Richard Winters officiating. Burial will be at Vamoosa.

Pickard-Swearingen Funeral Home is directing arrangements

Charles Self
Longtime Seminole resident Charles "Chock" Self, 73, died Monday, Feb. 14, at a Wewoka nursing home.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Little Cemetery.

Swearingen Funeral Home is directing arrangements

Edith Harjo
Kaibeto, Ariz., resident Edith Harjo, 61, died Thursday, Feb. 10, in Chinle, Ariz.

Service will be 1 p.m. today at Achena Presbyterian Church in Maud with the Rev. Gene Wilson and Kelly Tiger officiating.

Burial will be at the Harjo Family Cemetery.

Swearingen Funeral Home is directing arrangements.

Mary E. Anderson

Shawnee resident Mary E. "Beth" Anderson, 89, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, in Shawnee.

She was born Oct. 6, 1915, in Texarkana, Ark., to Earl Bailey and Helen (Bentley) Vaughan.

She was reared and educated in the Fort Worth, Texas, area, graduating from Central High School, now known as Paschall High School, in 1932. She attended one year at Texarkana Junior College before earning her bachelor of arts from Mary Harden Baylor College. She also attended Baylor University. She studied engineering drafting in Dallas, Texas. She attended classes at Oklahoma Baptist University and The University of Oklahoma to finish a degree in education.

She moved to Dallas and worked for an advertising artist for a year before going to work at the Dallas Times Herald in their advertising department. She was employed by an airplane factory in Grand Prairie for a short time before working for Atlantic Refining Co. in their engineering drafting department during World War II. She started teaching in 1961 at Shawnee Junior High School, where she taught history, science and earth science. She retired from the Shawnee Public Schools in 1980 and continued her education at OBU.

On April 2, 1938, she married Boyd Harrison Anderson in Dallas, Texas.

She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Wesleyan Circle of the United Methodist Women, the 3F Club and the Fidelis Sunday school class. She also was a member of the Oklahoma Retired Teachers Association, the National Retired Teachers Association, AARP and Alpha Delta Kappa.

She was preceded in death by her parents and aunt and uncle, Jane and Raymond Bentley.

Survivors include her daughter, Patricia D. Anderson of LaGrange, Ga.; son and daughter-in-law, Jon Alan and Cindy Anderson of Richardson, Texas; five grandchildren, Eric Anthony Bangs of El Paso, Texas, Michelle Lynn and Bill Gillaspy of Shawnee, Mary Margret Bangs of LaGrange, Ga., Elizabeth Ann Anderson and Susan Elaine Anderson, both of Richardson, Texas; two great-grandchildren; and one cousin.

Memorials may be made to the St. Paul's United Methodist Church Building Blessings Fund or Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

Service will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rockford Johnson officiating. Burial will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery in Texarkana.

Resthaven Funeral Home is directing arrangements.

Doy F. Sprague
Longtime Chandler resident Doy F. Sprague, 89, died Monday, Feb. 14, in Shawnee.

Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Parks Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Chandler with the Rev. Doyle Seeley officiating. Burial will follow at the Oak Park Cemetery in Chandler.

Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Chandler is directing arrangements.

Jim Paxson

Former Shawnee and Tecumseh resident Jim Paxson, 66, of Choctaw died Monday, Feb. 14, in Shawnee.

He was born April 26, 1938, to Harold and Clara Paxson. He was reared in Earlsboro, lived most of his adult life in Shawnee and Tecumsh and had lived in Choctaw for the past two years.

On Dec. 3, 1964, he married Rose Mary O'Bright. She preceded him in death on Nov. 28, 1993. He then married June Hand on Memorial Day, 2003.

Paxson worked as a truck driver for Up-to-Date Laundry, retiring in 1988. He then opened Paxson's Daylight Donuts in McLoud in 1996 and Dad's Old-Fashioned Hamburgers in 1999.

He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church.

He also was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Jarad Maxwell; three brothers, Joe, Virgil and Gene Paxson; and a sister, Joyce Smith.

Survivors include his wife, June Paxson of the home; five sons and their spouses, Larry and Carla Maxwell of Tecumseh, Jimmy and Vickie Maxwell of Ada, Randy and Shereri Paxson of Farmington, N.M., Johnny and Terri Paxson of Tecumseh, and Clint and Laurie Paxson of Tecumseh; two daughters and sons-in-law, Joanie and Lin Delossantos and Donna and Tony Fullbright, all of Tecumseh; five stepchildren and their spouses, Woody and Penny Earl of Washington, Kenneth and Linda Patrick of Choctaw, Wesley and Shirley Earl of Luther, Luquita and Kenneth Newer of El Reno and Rusty Earl of Choctaw; 19 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ruby Cambell of Shawnee and Nina Montgomery of Tecumseh.

Service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Cooper Funeral Chapel with the Rev. John Mixon and the Rev. David Dick officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh is directing arrangements.

published Feb. 18, 2005

Mary C. Fundis

Wanette resident Mary C. Fundis, 95, died Wednesday, Feb. 16, in Purcell
She was born Sept. 9, 1909, in Clinton to Robert Dickson and Valye (Burney) Dawson.

She was a graduate of Clinton High School, Weatherford Junior College and The University of Oklahoma.

She was married May 11, 1929, in Guthrie to Charles E. Fundis. He preceded her in death Nov. 2, 1992.

Fundis was a homemaker. She was born and reared in Clinton. She moved to Wanette in 1930, where she and her husband tended the family farm.

She was a member of the home demonstration club, the American Indian Club, past recipient of the Wanette Pioneer Award, a member of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the Chickasaw Nation, OETA and worked the county fair for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.

She also was preceded in death by her parents and two daughters, Valye N. Fundis and Mary Caroline Fundis-Pybas.

Survivors include her daughters, Sarah Fundis of Tulsa, Edna Bremer and her husband, Curtis, of New Braunfels, Texas, and Charlene E. Fundis of Wanette; grandchildren and their spouses, James Charles Tillman, Robert and Jola Tillman, Charles Dawson and Brooke Bremer, Julianne and Chris Kugle, Mary Caroline and Mike Bauer; 13 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Edna Marie and Earl Berry of Oklahoma City; and friends, Joyce Pybas and Juanita Coker.

Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Cooper Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Don McNamara officiating. Burial will be at Wanette Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.

Memorials may be made in Mrs. Fundis' name to any veteran's organization, orphanage or the OMRF.

Velta Lewis
Shawnee resident Velta "Lori" Lewis, 35, died Wednesday, Feb. 16, in Ada.
She was born April 16, 1969, in Claremore to James Pawpa and Rita Jane (Foster) Pawpa.

She attended Shawnee schools and was a homemaker. She was a member of First Indian Baptist Church.

Lewis lived in Shawnee all her life.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Lewis of the home; two children, Casey and Stacie Lewis of the home; father, James Pawpa of Shawnee; adopted mother, Ruby Logan of Shawnee; brother, James Pawpa Jr. of Shawnee; aunt, Laveta Rhodd Ashley of Shawnee; and other family.

Tribal rites will be 5 p.m. today at the Ellis home.

Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Wakolee Cemetery under the direction of Walker Funeral Service.

Billy George Horn
Earlsboro resident Billy George Horn, 82, died Thursday, Feb. 17, at his home.

No service is scheduled.

Swearingen Funeral Home is directing arrangements.

published Feb. 23, 2005

Clyde L. Hair

Former Police Chief Clyde L. Hair, 79, died Monday, Feb. 21, at his home in Shawnee.

He was born Jan. 15, 1926, in Yeager, the son of Benjamin and Myrtle (Horn) Hair. He grw up on a farm south of Tupelo and and graduated from Tupelo High School.

He served in the United States Army during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

He married Tommie King on June 21, 1947, in Oklahoma City and drove a truck for a few years before joining the Shawnee Police Department.

He served 22 years in the police department, the last three years as chief, before retiring in April 1979. After retiring, he continued to work in the Shawnee Street Department for another eight years.

Hair was a member of Oak Park Church of God.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Clovis, Pete, Bud and Doyle.

Survivors include his wife, Tommie Hair, of the home; four children, Gary Dean Hair of the home, Mike Hair of Oklahoma City, Deborah Gayle Cole and her husband, Robert, of Anaheim, Calif.; Mark Hair of Little Rock, Ark.; three grandchildren, Jeremy Hair of Seminole, Joshua Hair and his wife, Kacie, of Oklahoma City, Ashley Cole of Anaheim, Calif.; three great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Deloris Dick Jackson of Chouteau, and many other relatives.

Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Resthaven Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Leroy Kerbo officiating. Burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Resthaven Funeral Home is directing arrangements.

Betty Gleckler
Longtime Chandler resident Betty Gleckler, 80, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, in Oklahoma City.

She was born Feb. 19, 1925, in Sparks to John R. and Mollie (Meier) Heinze.

She worked for the Farmers Home Administration for 33 years as an account specialist.

On Feb. 5, 1948, she married Howard E. Gleckler in Chandler.

She was a member of the Patches Club and the First Christian Church in Chandler.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, five brothers and five sisters.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Marshall and Jackie Gleckler of Chandler; two grandchildren, Grant and Bailey Gleckler; and other relatives and many friends.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, 614 Manvel Ave., Chandler, OK 74834.

Service will be 10 a.m. today at the First Christian Church in Chandler with the Rev. Fred Rider officiating. Burial will follow at the Oak Park Cemetery in Chandler.

Parks Brothers Funeral Home is directing arrangements.

Agnes Mary Goodwin
Del City resident Agnes Mary Goodwin, 87, died Saturday, Feb. 19.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Stacia LaFredia (Brown) Edmondson; husband, Theron Goodwin; and daughter, Francys Mauldin.

Survivors include two granddaughters, Michelle Heilaman of Moore and Teresa Mauldin of Santa Cruz, Calif.; a great-granddaughter; great-grandson; and friend, Jesse Carter.

Service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Bill Eisenhour NE Chapel in Oklahoma City. Burial will follow at Arlington Memory Gardens.

Ron Grabin
Seminole resident Ron Grabin, 59, died Sunday, Feb. 20, in Norman.

Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Tommy Clark officiating.

Georgia Faye Reed-Lawson
Shawnee resident Georgia Faye Reed-Lawson died Monday, Feb. 21, in Shawnee at the age of 93,

She was born Oct. 11, 1911, in Weleeka to Dave and Almeda Reed.

She moved to Shawnee then later married Elwood Lawson. She was a homemaker and a caregiver.

She was a longtime member of Nelson Chapel C.M.E. Church near Bell and Dunbar street in Shawnee. She served as chairman of the Stewardess Board and was a life-long member of the Missionary Society.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two daughters, Charlesetta Lawson and Etta Faye Lawson; a son, Curtis Wayne Lawson.

Survivors include numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

Service will be 11 a.m. today at Nelson Chapel C.M.E. Church with the Rev. R.C. Laskey and the Rev. Roger L. Harris Jr. officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Gaskill Funeral Chapel of Shawnee.