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

submitted by Kay Sugg Best

published Nov. 01, 2006

Jack Coy Morris

Shawnee resident Jack Coy Morris, 86, died Sunday, Oct. 29, in Shawnee.
He was born July 24, 1920, in Wetumka, Okla., to Chester Albert and Zella Mae (Chapman) Morris.

Although raised in Wetumka he lived in many places while working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Jack had lived in Bethel Acres since 1988 and had recently moved to Shawnee.

On Sept. 13, 1968, he married Marthabelle (MacDonald) Beck in Illinois.

Jack was a 1939 graduate of Wetumka High School and attended Wetumka Jr. College for one year. He also attended OBU for one year before joining the Army Air Force.

Jack served in the Army Air Force, piloting B-24's over Europe during World War II. He discharged as a Captain.

He worked in marketing for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Regulatory Branch, retiring as manager of the midwest office in Chicago.

Jack was a member of the Armitage Tractor Club. He enjoyed woodworking, metal work, gardening and his Border Collie, "Jodi."

His parents preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Marthabelle Morris, of the home; step-granddaughter, Tammy Lee Beck of Florida; brother, Carl Matthew Morris and his wife, Zelda, of Wetumka; two sisters, Betty Jo Holdridge of Stigler and Nelma Morgan of Muskogee; and numerous cousins.

Service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Cooper Funeral Chapel with Rita Matthews officiating.

Burial will follow at Wetumka Cemetery.

To share memories, or to sign the guest book on-line, go to www.cooperfuneral.com. 

The family has designated the Unity Health Center Foundation for the Outpatient Transfusion Center in the name of Jack C. Morris as appropriate for memorials.


Jane Lee Brown

Shawnee resident Jane Lee Brown, 68, died Sunday, Oct. 29, at a local hospital.
She was born Feb. 6, 1938, in Shawnee to Jack and Jewel (Hodgson) Stout.

Jane was a press operator at Allen Bradley/TDK, retiring in 2001.

Preceding her in death were her parents; one son, Jackie Brown; stepdaughter, Rosetta Johnson; and one grandson.

Survivors include husband, Coy Brown; seven children and spouses, Coy and Valere Brown, Johnny and Janet Brown, Sandra and Floyd Hill, Charlotte and Dan Davis, Calvin Brown, Alma Steele and Boots and Dale Enright; stepdaughter, Coyletta; 31 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Calvin, Jimmy and Jack Stout; three sisters, Sandra Prience, Carylon Stout and twin sister, Joan Lewis; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Walker Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Brent McCutcheon.

Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Walker Funeral Service, Shawnee.


Velma Jean Hodge

Stroud resident Velma Jean Hodge died Monday, Oct. 30, in Stroud at the age of 89.
Visitation will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Stroud Cemetery with the Rev. Darrell Robinson officiating.

published Nov 02, 2006

Ruby Elizabeth Willson

Shawnee resident Ruby Elizabeth Willson, 93, died Monday, Oct. 30, at her home.
She was born June 24, 1913, in Centerville, Ark., to Milton L. and Ollie Bishop Sullivan.

On Aug. 1, 1936, she married William F. Willson in Shawnee. They were married for 61 years.

Ruby belongs to First Church of God, where she had many friends whom she will see again in Heaven.

She also was a member of Eastern Star, Murrow Chapter. She had missed very few days. Ruby was very proud of having been Worthy Matron one time in 1989. She also filled the chair as Martha for many years.

Ruby loved her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed canning goods and making quilts with her granddaughter, Jamie.

Ruby made all the children's clothes including the neighbor's. She cooked with the girls and played cards with the boys.

Ruby was loved dearly and will be greatly missed but she is now in the arms of Jesus, no more pain or sorrow.

Preceding her in death were her mother and father; two brothers, J.B. Sullivan and Orvil L. Sullivan; two sisters, Lorene Bowlan and Irene Johnston of Oklahoma City.

Survivors include William F. Willson; son, William R. "Willie" "Willson and wife, Kay; two daughters, Darlene Jenkins of Shawnee and Anne Osborn and husband, James, of Moore; two sisters-in-law, Virginia and Larean Sullivan; 11 grandchildren, Shirlinda Sue, Annett, Carlar, Eddie Carrol, Timmy Shawn, Jerry Wayne, Jena Kay, Cindy, Jamie Lou, Michael Lynn, Lisa Anne (Elizabeth; 26 great-grandchildren; 30 great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews.

The family wishes their beloved "Momma" and "Grannie" to rest in peace.

Service will be 1:30 p.m. today at Gaskill Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Kresten Norholm and Rickie Sullivan officiating.

Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.


Roger Earl Harlan

Former Shawnee resident Roger Earl Harlan, 67, passed away Monday, Oct. 30, at his home in Spring Hill, Kan.
Roger was born on Oct. 4, 1939, in Seminole to Ralph Van Harlan and Cecil Ion Dennison Harlan. He grew up in Oklahoma graduating from Shawnee High School.

Roger met and later married Marvel Dianne Johnston in Topeka on March 12, 1961.

SSgt Harlan served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1965. During that time they lived in many locations. After the service they lived in Hollywood, Fla., and moved to Spring Hill, Kan., in February 2006.

Roger was an electrician for Trans-State Pipeline in West Palm, Fla., for 11 years. He was a member of Life Church in Olathe, Kan.

Roger loved traveling. He loved his family and friends and will be dearly missed.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Dianne, of the home; son, Roger Earl Harlan II of Gardner, Kan.; daughters, Jane Stewart of Spring Hill, Kan., and Nikki L. Chapman of Paola, Kan.; brother, Roy G. Harlan of Enid, Okla.; and nine grandchildren.

Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Bruce Funeral Home, 712 S. Webster, Spring Hill, Kan., 913-592-2244.

Burial with military honors will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.


Gloria Louise Martin

Sherman, Texas, resident Gloria Louise (Chabasol) Martin, 77, died Monday, Oct. 30, at Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman.
She was born Oct. 11, 1929, in Healdton, Okla., to the late Edward Dennis Chabasol and Ivy Alicina Kennedy Chabasol.

On July 1, 1953, she married Charles W. "Bud" Martin in Shawnee. He preceded her in death on March 27, 1996.

Reared in Shawnee, Gloria moved to Texas 42 years ago and to Whitesboro, Texas, 25 years ago. She had lived in Sadler, Texas, for 12 years until moving to Sherman this year.

She graduated from The University of Oklahoma with a degree in music and history.

Gloria was a retired educator of music and history with more than 50 years of service in various school districts.

She was a member of the VFW, American Legion and Business and Professional Women.

She is survived by her son, Dennis Martin; daughter, Janet L. Martin, both of Sadler; brother, Louis Murl Doherty and wife, Gertie, of Laurel, Miss.; and several cousins.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Huff Funeral Home, 409 W. Main St., Whitesboro, Texas.

Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee.

Arrangements are under the direction of Huff Funeral Home.

published Nov 03, 2006

Edward Wilson Herndon

Shawnee resident Edward Wilson Herndon, 66, departed this life and went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, Oct. 31, in Shawnee.
He was born May 11, 1940, in Valliant, Okla., to Edward and Toru (Wilson) Herndon. He was a member of the Choctaw tribe. Referred to as "Wilson" by his friends and family, he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Emma Bohanan Wilson, while his parents worked.

He attended schools in Valliant and Wyandotte and graduated from Wyandotte High School. His higher education included Eastern Oklahoma State; College of Santa Fe, N.M.; and Northeastern Oklahoma State University where he earned a bachelor's degree.

He was married in 1970 to Samarian Scott.

Edward's career began as Boys Adviser at Riverside Indian School, Anadarko, in 1965. He then worked as a social worker with the Oklahoma Department of Public Welfare in 1968. He reentered the federal service in 1970 with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Anadarko, in the areas of employment assistance and career development. In 1976 he moved on to become Tribal Operations Officers at the Shawnee Indian Agency. He retired in 1998 after working with the Potawatomi Tribe. He returned to work in 2005 for the Absentee Shawnee Tribe as Realty Director where he was most currently employed.

Edward was known as a loyal and compassionate man who not only cared about his friends and family but had a place in his heart and home for the stray and lost animals that crossed his path.

He was preceded in death by his parents and, most recently, his sister, Ruth Austine Scott formerly of Chico, Calif.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Samarian; two daughters and sons-in-law, Keena Lumpmouth and Scott Harris of Alma, Colo.; Kristi Herndon and John Holland of Frisco, Texas; grandsons, Cody, Colton and Chance Holland of Frisco, Texas; sister, Patricia Pound of Klamath Falls, Ore.; cousin, Linda Saffel of Haughton, La.; and six nieces and nephews.

In addition to his family, he leaves behind his beloved basset hound, Quinton.

Wake service will be 7 p.m. today at the Shawnee First Indian Baptist Church at Minnesota and Darrow streets. Church service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Shawnee First Indian Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held later in Eufaula.

The family has designated the American Cancer Society or the Shawnee First Indian Baptist Church for memorial donations.


Meghan Ruth Winters

Pink resident Meghan Ruth Winters, 21, died Tuesday, Oct. 31, in Oklahoma City.
She was born July 25, 1985, in Aberdeen, S.D., to Monty L. and Marita F. (Trosen) Winters.

Although born in South Dakota, she lived in Colorado until she was 9. She had lived in Oklahoma the past 12 years.

Meghan was a homemaker. She raised horses and goats, and had been active in 4-H for many years. She also enjoyed photography and cross stitching in her spare time.

Survivors include her two daughters, Cassidy and Chelsea Winters, both of the home; parents, Monty and Marita Winters; sister, Sara Winters; two brothers, Zachary and Zane Winters, both of Pink; birth mother, Stephanie Pruitt; birth sister, Jessica Pruitt; birth brother, Christopher Pruitt, all of Conde, S.D.; and numerous family members and friends.

Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Springdale Alliance Church in Oklahoma CIty with the Rev. Daniel Wetzel officiating.

Burial will follow at Brown Cemetery.

To share memories, or to sign the guest book on-line, go to www.cooperfuneral.com.


Anna Mae Curtis

Longtime Meeker resident Anna Mae Curtis, 83, died Wednesday, Nov. 2, in Midwest City.
Service will be 10 a.m. Monday at First Christian Church, Meeker. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service of Meeker.


Carl L. Stroder

Meeker resident Carl L. "Bud" Stroder died Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the age of 72.
Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at New Hope Cemetery, Meeker, under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Chandler.


Trudy D. Palmer

Newalla resident Trudy D. (Pietrowicz) Palmer, 81, died Tuesday, Oct. 31, in Newalla.
Service will be 10 a.m. today at Asa Smith Memorial Chapel in Harrah.

Burial will follow at Memory Lane Cemetery, Harrah, under the direction of Smith~Parks Funeral Service Center.


Rachel Marie Bear

Shawnee resident Rachel Marie Bear, 61, died Wednesday, Nov. 1, in Oklahoma City.
Wake service will be 6 p.m. today at Hitchitee Methodist Church.

Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Hitchitee Methodist Church with the Rev. David Little and Houston Tiger officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stout-Phillips Funeral Home, Wewoka.

published Nov 04, 2006

Phyllis Beatrice McBroom

Wanette resident Phyllis Beatrice McBroom, 54, died Thursday, Nov. 2, in Wanette.
Service will be 2 p.m. today at Wanette First Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Stephenson officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wadley Funeral service, Purcell.

published Nov 05, 2006

Vernon Thomas Walden

Shawnee resident Vernon Thomas "Tom" Walden, 67, died Thursday, Nov. 2, at Colonial Estates of natural causes.

He was born June 8, 1939, in Shawnee to V.T. Walden and Fannie Marie Lowe.

Tom was a Shawnee High School graduate.

He was in the U.S. Marine Corp and was a machinist at Tinker Air Force Base.

Tom was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee and 40 et 8. He enjoyed drawing cartoons and collecting model cars.

His parents preceded him in death.

Survivors include his two children, Sheanan Lynn Reese and Sherena Reese; one sister, Virginia Reeves of Shawnee; three brothers, Dave Walden of Tulsa, Bill Walden of Oklahoma City and Bob Walden of Burns Flat, Okla.; several grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.

Service will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Fairview Cemetery Pavilion with Brother Bill Matthews of Liberty Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Home Intergration Child Development Center at St. Gregory's.


Kimberly Ann Tidwell

Shawnee resident Kimberly Ann Tidwell, 31, died Friday, Nov. 3, at a local hospital.
She was born Nov. 18, 1974, in Okmulgee to Ron and Linda (Crawford) Baldridge.

Kimberly graduated from Hominy High School. She has lived in Shawnee for the past eight years.

She was married June 23, 2006, in Shawnee to Larry Tidwell.

She was employed at the Shawnee Feed Center and was a member of Downtown Pentecostal Holiness Church. She loved Missionettes Group at church.

Kimberly was preceded in death by her grandfather Earlin Crawford and grandmother Virginia Baldridge.

Survivors include her husband, Larry Tidwell of the home; son, Hunter Wayne Lam of the home; parents, Ron and Linda Baldridge of Shawnee; mother and father-in-law, Wayne and Agnes Tidwell of Shawnee; brother, Danny Baldridge and wife, April, of Ada; nephews, Conner and Cade Baldridge of Ada; grandparents, Junior Baldridge and Betty Crawford both of Okmulgee.

Service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Downtown Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. Ron Baldridge and the Rev. Junior Hogue officiating. Burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Walker Funeral Service.

The casket will be open until 1 p.m. at the church and will not be opened following the service.


Ruby Lee Elmore

Prague resident Ruby Lee Elmore, 81, died Friday, Nov. 3, in Prague.
Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, the Little Chapel of the Roses in Resthaven Cemetery in Oklahoma City under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Prague.


Evelyn Lockie Frankum

Shawnee resident Evelyn Lockie Frankum, 91, Friday Nov. 3, at the Golden Rule Nursing Home of Natural Cases.
Visitation will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Resthaven Funeral Chapel with Pastor Jerry States and the Rev. Mike McCauley officiating. Burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home.


Harvey Day Shelton

Former Shawnee resident Harvey Day Shelton went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Nov. 2, at the age of 85.

He was born April 19, 1921, in Shawnee to John Logan and Blanche (Day) Shelton.

Harvey began playing the piano publicly at the age of 12 and began teaching piano at age 14. That same year the Shelton Brothers Trio was formed and began representing the Hartford Music Company. They performed extensively with E.M. Bartlett who wrote the gospel standard "Victory in Jesus."

He graduated from Shawnee High School in 1940 and later attended the University of Texas, Arlington.

Harvey served his country during World War II until his discharge in 1944. After the war, he played piano for the Stamps Quartet for 13 years on the radio, television and doing live performances.

He worked as a medical transcriptionist for the Veterans Administration in Oak Cliff, Texas.

Harvey also played the piano for both the First Baptist Church and the Church of the Nazarene in Dallas, Texas. During Harvey's musical career, he performed many concerts, recorded numerous songs, and wrote several music books. In 1997, Harvey received the Southern Gospel Piano Roll of Honor award at the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion in Greenville, S.C. Harvey played the piano during the Prime Time service at Liberty Church for the past 15 years.

Harvey's music was his life's love and provided him with many wonderful opportunities. His musical talent touched countless lives and he will be remembered as an outstanding musician.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and five sisters; two children, Harvey Wayne Shelton and Betty Jean Dennis.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn of the home; one brother, John Shelton of Shawnee; son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Margie Shelton of Seattle, Wash.; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Kent Wellman of San Antonio, Texas; two grandchildren, Amy and Adam Wellman of San Antonio; stepson and daughter-in-law, Joe and Shelly Oxford of Oklahoma City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place Sunday at Resthaven Funeral Home in Shawnee.

Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Liberty Baptist Church of Shawnee. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery in Shawnee under the direction of Bill Bisenhour Northeast Funeral Home of Oklahoma City.

published Nov 07, 2006

Tray Norell Brannon

God called our beloved Tray Norell Brannon home Friday, Nov. 3, at the age of nine. He passed away at OU Medical Center Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City.
He was born Oct. 28, 1997, to Janell (Notah) and Darnell Brannon.

Tray was a second grader at Earlsboro Public School. He loved playing basketball, skateboarding, playing video games and boxing.

He attended First Baptist Church of Earlsboro.

Preceding him in death were his grandmother, Diana Smith; grandfather, Devon Winrow; uncle, Matt Notah; great-grandmother, Eloise Dickenson; great-grandfather, Johnny Notah Sr.; and great-grandparents, Frank and Savannah Brannon.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories, his parents, Janell and Darnell Brannon, both of the home; maternal grandparents, John and Cathy Notah of Mesa, Ariz.; paternal grandmother, Ethel Thomas of Midwest City; maternal grandfather, Gene Smith of Seminole; two sisters, Kristin Yahola and Loren Brannon, both of the home; several aunts and uncles including Chris and Sheryl Notah of Wewoka and Roshawn and Robbie Brannon of Shawnee; three great aunts, Georgia Brannon and Annette Brannon, both of Earlsboro, and Burt Littleton of San Diego, Calif.; four great uncles, Gerald Brannon of Tecumseh, Anthony Notah of Ford Windgate, Ariz., Ronald Notah of Pensacola, Fla. and Isaac Foster of Konawa; and a host of loving cousins, family and friends.

Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Earlsboro School Auditorium with Pastor Bryan Pain and Pastor Anthony Rome officiating.

Burial will follow at Earlsboro Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be Thomas Griffis, Ike Brannon, Robert Allen, Derrick Griffi, Sam Villarreal and Mark Tramble.

Honorary bearers will be Jame Johnson, Tracey Griffis, Chris Brannon, T.J. Griffis, Gerald Brannon and Eric Browning.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.swearingenfuneralhome.com.


Gary Keith Hicks II

Tecumseh resident Gary Keith "Cornbread" Hicks II, 40, died Sunday, Nov. 5, in Shawnee from injuries received in an automobile accident.
He was born Oct. 13, 1966, in Denton, Texas.

Gary graduated from Strother High School in 1984, where he excelled in baseball and was an "A" student. He worked for Shawnee Milling for several years, and most recently for the the Pottawatomi Nation in construction.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Earl Roberts and Jessie Hicks, and maternal grandfather, Melvin Montgomery, all formerly of Love County.

Suvivors include his wife, Ann of the home; son, Tyler Keith Hicks of Lone Grove; daughters, Kristen Jalae Hicks of Seminole and Bethany Mae Hicks of the home; mother and step-father, Linda and Gary Bloomer of Seminole; father and step-mother, Gary K. and Linda Hicks of Lone Grove; half-brother, Lance Bloomer of Seminole; step-brother, Randy Bloomer of Salado, Texas; step-sister, Connie Yeager of Enid; grandmother, Hazel Montgomery of Prague.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague.

Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Prague with Bro. Tim Emmons and Bro. Jarrod Kendall officiating. Burial will follow at the Little Cemetery in Seminole County.

Pallbearers are Shane Hicks, Heath Sapp, Ronnie Stewart, Richard Neel, Kerry Dickson and Michael Sams.

Memorials may be made to the Gary Hicks Memorial Fund at BancFirst, Drawer R, Prague, OK 74864.


Evelyn Lockie Frankum

Lifelong Shawnee resident Evelyn Lockie Frankum died Friday, Nov. 3, at the age of 91.
She was born Feb. 24, 1915, in St. Louis, Mo. to Lockett and Blanche Brown. She moved to Shawnee at an early age with her parents and lived in Shawnee the rest of her life. She attended Shawnee public schools.

Most of her life she was a homemaker and very involved in church work with the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Shawnee where she was a member.

On May 25, 1935, she married Joseph C. Robison in Shawnee. He was later killed in action in Cologne, Germany on Nov. 4, 1944, during World War II. In 1947, she married Clyde E. Frankum in Shawnee. He preceded her in death in 1981.

She also was preceded in death by her parents, one infant son and several other close relatives.

Survivors include a son, Lewis Robison of Shawnee; several cousins, Toby Brown, Lon Luck, Susie Louise Mullan, Joy Gallacher and Pat Baker; one nephew, Gene Robison; several nieces, Clara Alexander, Ruby White, Louise Palino, Laura Cagle and Tammy Edmiston; and her special friend and caretaker for many years, Lois Richardson.

Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Resthaven Funeral Chapel with Pastor Jerry States and Chaplain Mike McCauley officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Visitation will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Services are under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Shawnee.


Troy E. Welch

Lifelong Bowlegs area resident Troy E. Welch, 68, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 5, at Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City.
He was born on May 20, 1938, to Ernest William and Beatrice Othela (Campbell) Welch in Shawnee.

Troy has worked in the oil field for the past 20 years as a self-employed pumper. He is a member of the Bowlegs First Assembly of God.

On February 6, 1955, he married Norma D. (Hilton) in Seminole.

His parents, one brother, Walter Danyear Welch and one sister, Ethel Sexton, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife of the home; three sons, Troy Dewayne Welch of Seminole, Daniel Lee Welch of Seminole, and William Douglas Welch of Ponca City; three daughters, Deborah Cecil of Bowlegs, Denorma Phillips of Maud, and Angel Dianne Welch of Bowlegs; two brothers, Leroy Welch of Earlsboro and Clifford Welch of Indiana; one sister, Viola Hopkins of Shawnee; 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Service will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at the First Assembly of God Church in Bowlegs with the Rev. Roy Robertson officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Seminole.

Pallbearers will be Dewayne Welch, Daniel Welch, Doug Welch, Silas Welch, Steve Welch and Timmy Gentry. Honorary bearers will be Matthew Welch, Jeremy Welch, Marcus Welch, Tony Gentry, Billy Cecil, Joe Doyle, Christopher Gentry, Jordan Welch, Gene Welch, Teri Gentry and Kaylin Welch.

Condolences may be sent to family online at www.swearingenfuneralhome.com


Yvonne Tipton Claytor

Yyonne Tipton Claytor was born August 9, 1931, to Opal Deskin Culp and Joe Culp at Boggy Depot, Johnston County, Oklahoma. She departed this life to be with her Lord on Saturday, Nov. 4, with her family and dear friends at her side.
Yyonne married Orval Tipton on Aug. 23, 1952. They were blessed with thee children and their spouses. One daughter, Cynthia and Donnie Wright of Asher; two sons, Larry and Rita Alexander of Maysville and Smokey Tipton of Paoli; six grandchildren and their spouses, Freddy and Dannie Wright of Asher, Krysti and Mikki Hargus of Asher, Kelly and Charlie Weatherford of Princeton, Texas, Curtis Alexander of Fort Bragg, Lafayette, N.C., Jeffrey Wright, after serving in Iraq, stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Kasey and William Stevens of Jacksonville, Fla.; three great-grandchildren, Dylan Alexander, Jacob and Rorey Weatherford; and two beloved daughters-in-law, Cathy Wisdom Tipton and Penny Tipton and her three daughters.

After losing her beloved Orval, she married Dan Claytor on Sept. 29, 1982. With this union, she added to her family his children, one daughter, Traci Osborne, and four sons, Jim, Mike, Lee and David Claytor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands and one stepson.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren and a special aunt and uncle, Wanda and Eddie Mudd of Asher.

Yvonne was a member of the First Baptist Church of Asher, Order of the Eastern Star and a supporter of the Asher FFA.

Service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Asher with the Rev. Dwayne Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Konawa Cemetery under the direction of Pickard Funeral Home, Stratford.

Pall bearers will be Charlie Weatherford, William Stevens, Mikki Hargus, John Hamilton, Dewayne Price and Wes Culwell. Honorary pall bearers are Ronnie Fry, Calvin Tooley, James Earl Tooley, Eddie Mudd, David Gregg and Floyd Anderson.


Bernard Edward Housen

Shawnee resident Bernard Edward Housen, 68, died Wednesday, Nov. 1, at a local nursing home.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walker Funeral Service, Shawnee.


Willie Bond Underwood

Longtime Seminole resident Willie Bond Underwood, 60, died Saturday, Nov. 4, in Midwest City.
A wake service was held 6 p.m. Monday at the Hitchitee Methodist Church.

Service will be 2 p.m. today at the Hitchitee Methodist Church with Mike Harjo, Houston Tiger, Abraham Jackson and Paul Donnie Wolf officiating. Burial will follow at Harjo Family Cemetery, Seminole County, under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

published Nov 08, 2006

Carl Gene Honeycutt

Kingston, Okla., resident Carl Gene Honeycutt, 75, died Saturday, Nov. 4, at Marshall County Medical Center in Madill.
He was born May 14, 1931, in Meeker to Lester Honeycutt and Bessie (Johnson) Reed.

On Nov. 23, 1951, he married Lena Ray. They enjoyed 55 years together.

Carl served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He worked at Harps Green Valley farms for 30 years and then at Mid America farms for 15 years.

He was a member of Morning Star Baptist Church in Meeker, Sharon Baptist Church in Shawnee and Willis Baptist Church in Kingston.

Carl enjoyed fishing, camping and family.

Preceding him in death were both parents, one son, Martin Glen Honeycutt; and two brothers, J.W. Honeycutt and Bill Honeycutt.

Survivors include wife, Lena (Ray) Honeycutt of Kingston; son, Harold "Bear" Honeycutt and wife, Janette, of Kingston; brother, Marion Honeycutt and wife, Carolyn, of Oklahoma City; sister, Dorothy and husband, Sonny Reed, of Choctaw; sister-in-law, Mary Anne Honeycutt of Hot Springs, Ark.; grandchildren, Sabrina and John Morgan and Matthew and Stephanie Honeycutt, all of Kingston; great-grandchildren, Mikayla, Taylor and Trinity Morgan and Dillon and Kathryn Honeycutt, all of Kingston; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be today at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel.

Service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Clint Dawkins, Brother Russell Hughes and Brother Gary Dempsey officiating.

Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.


Claude Levisay

Meeker resident Claude Levisay, 81, departed this life Tuesday, Nov. 7, at his home.
He was born Oct. 31, 1925, in Payson, Okla., to Arthur and Fannie (Radon) Levisay. He attended Concord Grade School and graduated from Meeker High School in 1943.

On Nov. 30, 1946, Claude married Freda Patterson in Sparks.

Claude lived and farmed near Payson until early 1949. He moved to Arkansas where he worked for a short time with his uncle on a construction project, the Bull Shoals Dam. He returned to the Payson area later that year and went to work at Tinker.

In 1956, Claude built his family's home on 40 acres of the Levisay farm and operated a dairy with his son until 1971.

He worked in construction for several years, building new homes and remodeling. Claude drove a school bus for Meeker schools and then worked a number of years in maintenance. He retired in 1997.

Claude was a member of First Baptist Church of Meeker and the Meeker Chamber of Commerce.

Preceding him in death were his wife; parents; son, Calvin Levisay; brother, Walter Levisay; and sister, Lena Webb.

Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Dwain Brown, Jean and Jerry Webb and Marilyn and Johnnie Kimbley, all of Meeker; grandchildren, Valerie McAnally, Meeker, Kevin Armitage, Stillwater, Eric and Tracie Brown, Wylie, Texas, Jason and Sara Webb, Jacksonville, Texas, and Jeremy and Cara Webb, Jenks; great-grandchildren, Kiley and Erica McAnally, Meeker, and Cole Armitage, Norman; step-grandchildren, April and Steve Frazier and Jennifer and Jason Hessman; step-great-grandchidlren, Jamie McAnally, Derrick McAnally, Matt McAnally, Austin Frazier, Braden Frazier and Tyler Hessman; sister, Pearle Kinnear, Pawnee; brother, Leo Levisay, Meeker; sisters-in-law, Billie Levisay, Shawnee, and Carol Ward, Chandler; brothers-in-law, Don Patterson, Chandler, and Bill Patterson, Claremore; many other relatives and friends.

The family wishes to thank the Prairie View Hospice Staff.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel in Meeker.

Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Meeker with the Rev. Joe Jones officiating.

Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Meeker.

Memorials may be made to Prairie View Hospice, 724 Manvel Ave., Chandler, Oklahoma 74834 or First Baptist Church Building Fund, 625 Lou, Meeker, Oklahoma 74855

published Nov 09, 2006

Donna J. Kidwell

Shawnee resident Donna J. Kidwell, 54, died Sunday, Nov. 5, in Oklahoma City.
She was born Feb. 17, 1952, in Oklahoma City to Elijah and Eula Mae (White) North.

She and her family moved to Tecumseh when she was five years old. Donna was a 1970 graduate of Tecumseh High School.

Following graduation, she started a family. While raising her young family, she attended college in the evenings.

She became certified in CDA and began working for CTSA in 1980. Donna worked as Program Manager for CTSA Headstart. While with CTSA, she spent time working in New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, D.C., Virginia Beach, Wisconsin and Texas.

Donna had worked as Disabilities Coordinator for the past five years.

Donna, a very positive and charitable person, overcame much to provide for her children, as well as, other children with disabilities.

She enjoyed traveling, especially scenic drives in the Colorado Mountains, Tennessee and Talahina.

Preceding her in death were her parents; four brothers, Rex North, Don North, Buddy North and Doyle Sandefer; and three sisters, Hazel Ragsdale, Mae Ward and Helen Beavers.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Tammy Kidwell and Michael Patten; son, Bradley A. Kidwell II, all of Shawnee; sisters and brother-in-law, Sharon K. and Rick Nease of Tecumseh and Marie Howard of Irving, Texas; brothers and sisters-in-law, Elmer and Beverly North of Bon Aqua, Tenn. and Sandy and Joan Sandefer of Reno, Nev.; grandchildren, Aspen Kidwell, Nicholas Adkins and Wylan Patten; and her companion of 14 years, George A. Magpie Jr. of Shawnee.

Viewing will be 9 a.m. to noon Friday.

Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Liberty Baptist Church in Shawnee with the Rev. Bill Matthews officiating

Burial will follow at Brown Cemetery.

To share memories, or to sign a guest book on-line, go to www.cooperfuneral.com.


Frances Mary Rigney

Shawnee resident Frances Mary (Grove) Rigney, 95, died Tuesday, Nov. 7, at her home.
She was born May 5, 1911, in Hooker, Okla., to Christopher C. and Susie (Barthelme) Grove. She attended St. Mary's Academy at Sacred Heart.

On Feb. 5, 1932, she married Levert Rigney. He passed in 1989.

She loved quilt making and, most importantly, her grandchildren and family.

Preceding her in death were both parents; her husband, Levert Rigney; one daughter, Christine Rigney; one son, Levert Charles Rigney; four siblings; one son-in-law; three granddaughters.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Slyvester and Denise Rigney of Shawnee, Bill and Beth Rigney and Chris and Donna Rigney, daugher; daughters and sons-in-law, Bertha Sue Hawkins of Shawnee, Shirley and Andy Sumner of Oklahoma City and Sheila and Bert Albers of Eufaula; daughter-in-law, Janice Rigney; 28 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today with Wake Service at 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be noon Friday at St. Benedict's Catholic Church with Father Maurus P. Jaeb officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Special thanks to Eucharistic Ministers, her HealthBack caregivers and June Hauck.

Memorials may be made to St. Benedict's Catholic Church Memorial Fund.


Susie White

Maryville, Mo., resident Susie (McGraw) White, 85, died Tuesday, Nov. 7, at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville.
Sue was born Dec. 27, 1920, in Prairie Home, Mo., to William B. and Gertrude Lee (Thomas) McGraw.

She graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, Mo., and from Northwest Missouri State Teacher's College in Maryville.

On May 24, 1942, she married J. David White in Kansas City.

Sue, a mother and homemaker, was a member of First Baptist Church, Maryville, where she was very active as choir director, Sunday school teacher and vacation bible school teacher. She also served on various committees such as PEO Sisterhood and Alpha Sigma Alpha Alumnus.

Preceding her in death were her husband, David; parents; brother, Clay McGraw; and sisters, Frances Wilson and Bernice Williams.

Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Mike Sperry, Shawnee, Bonnie and Steve Sutton and Polly and Bruce Twaddle, Maryville; nine grandchildren, including Stephanie and her husband, Garrett Shelton, Enid, and Kellie and her husband, Rob Duran, Plano, Texas; three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at First Baptist Church, Maryville.

Service will be 10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church with burial at Nodaway Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Maryville.

Memorials may be made in Sue's name to Immanuel Baptist Church, Shawnee.

Arrangements are under the direction of Price Funeral Home, Maryville.


Dennis Murdock

McLoud resident Dennis Murdock, 49, died Monday, Nov. 6, in Tecumseh.
He was born Nov. 5, 1957, in Shawnee.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Wanda Murdock; two brothers, Mitchell and Don Murdock; and one sister, Glenda Murdock.

Survivors include five sisters, Carryle Norine Rodriguez of Milton, Fla., Patty Soliz of McLoud, Myra Wilson, Rachel Starr and Donna Murdock, all of Shawnee.

Service was held Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Kickapoo Tribal Complex. Brad Wood officiated.

Burial was at Kickapoo Tribal Cemetery.

Arrangements were under the direction of Walker Funeral Service, Shawnee.


Nancy P. Brooks

Stroud resident Nancy P. Brooks, 61, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, in Oklahoma City.
Visitation will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Stroud.

Service will be 10 a.m. Monday at Parks Brothers Chapel with the Rev. Darrell Robinson officiating.

Burial will be at Stroud Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Stroud.


James Wesley Ray Taylor

Longtime Seminole resident James "Jay" Wesley Ray Taylor, 81, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, in Shawnee.
Graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Little Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.


Donald Livecy

Stroud resident Donald Livecy, 77, died Tuesday, Nov. 7, in Cushing.
Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.

Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, Stroud, with the Rev. Joe Molencupp officiating.

Burial will be at Stroud Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Stroud.

published Nov 10, 2006

Leroy W. Wallace

Mesquite, Texas, resident Leroy W. Wallace, 75, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, in Mesquite.
He was born April 3, 1931, in Meeker to Herchell and Grace (Wakolee) Wallace.

He attended Meeker High School and married Delores (Bookie) Murdock. She preceded him in death.

He later married Clara Davis.

Leroy served in the U.S. Air Force. He retired from Tinker Air Force Base.

Leroy also worked as a prison guard in McAlester and was an auctioneer and antique dealer

He was a member of the VFW of Shawnee.

Leroy raised pet poodles and ferrets. He also enjoyed reading history, writing and playing the guitar.

Also preceding him in death were his parents; son, Michael Wallace; sister, Norma Pipkin; and an infant brother.

Survivors include wife, Clara Wallace, of Mesquite; three children, Cheryl Wallace, Deborah Wachter, both of Shawnee, and Michelle Montgomery of Shawnee; eight sisters, Julia Hanson of Meeker, Minnie Morris of Moore, Ernestine Petitt of Henderson, Nev., Wanda Brown of Tuttle, Carol Holmes of Shawnee, Barbara Ramos of Yuma, Ariz., Linda Morris of Moscow, Idaho, and Kay Rhoads of Shawnee; three brothers, Charles Wallace of Kendrick, Okla., Harold Wallace and Carl Wallace, both of Meeker; six grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews.

Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Walker Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Wayne Wilson officiating.

Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Meeker.

A dinner for family and friends will be held after the burial at the Sac and Fox Multi-Purpose Center, 215 N. Harrison, Shawnee, OK.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walker Funeral Service, Shawnee.


Donnie Dennis

Tecumseh resident Donnie Dennis, beloved father and husband, died Monday, Nov. 6, in Tecumseh at the age of 34.
He was born Aug. 9, 1972, in Enid. Although born and raised in Enid by his grandparents, James and Frances Randolph, Donnie had lived in Tecumseh the past five years.

On Sept. 21, 1992, he married Carrie Ging in Enid.

Donnie worked as a block mason for Pioneer Masonry.

He enjoyed hunting.

Survivors include his wife, Carrie Dennis and two daughters, Heather Dennis and Amanda Dennis, all of the home.

There are no services planned at this time. There has been a fund set up in his daughters' names at Bancfirst.

To share memories, or to sign a guest book on-line, go to www.cooperfuneral.com.


Betty Jean Houston

Shawnee resident Betty Jean Houston, 75, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, at an Oklahoma City hospital.
Cremation is being handled by Walker Funeral Service.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

published Nov 11, 2006

Howard LeRoy Paine

Stroud resident Howard LeRoy Paine, 76, died Friday, Nov. 10, in Stroud.
Visitation will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel, Stroud.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Luther Cemetery in Stroud with the Rev. Andy Young officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Stroud.

M
Bryan Lee Ruth

Shawnee resident Bryan Lee Ruth, 54, died Thursday, Nov. 9, at a local hospital.
Visitation will be Sunday at Paul Thomas Funeral Home in Miami, Okla.

Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Monday at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami.

Arrangements are under the direction Walker Funeral Service, Shawnee.

published Nov 12, 2006

Edwin Ray Swinson

Shawnee resident Edwin Ray Swinson, 80, died Friday, Nov. 10, at a local hospital.

He was born July 4, 1926, in Dundas, Ill., to Omer and Bernice (Bennett) Swinson.

Edwin attended Dundas High School.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1947. On Oct. 19, 1947, he married Roella Verdene Barnes.

He was a U.S. Postal Service carrier for 27 years. He also was a floor covering mechanic with Cooke Company, Perry-McGee and Alcon and Rice Company.

Edwin had been a member of Wesley United Methodist Church since 1959.

He served as Sunday school superintendent and a trustee. He held many offices and served on many committees such as the National Association of Letter Carriers and the Tri-County Federal Credit Union Supervisory Committee.

Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Robert; brothers, George and Albert Swinson; and brother-in-law, Lindel Barnes.

Survivors include his wife, Roella, of the home; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Randy and Ann Swinson of Tulsa and Roger Swinson of Shawnee; grandson and wife, Clint and Lora Swinson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; granddaughter and husband, Kim and Humberto Marroquin of Hollywood, Fla.; great-grandson, Cooper Ray Swinson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sister-in-law, Lois Barnes of Munds Park, Ariz.; three brothers and wives; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Wesley United Methodist Church with Jeff Burress, Kris Steele and Kay Smith officiating.

Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Memorial Fund.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walker Funeral Service, Shawnee.


Ara Belle Hobbs

Seminole resident Ara Belle (East) Hobbs, 95, died Saturday, Nov. 11, in Shawnee.
Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Gary Pollard officiating.

Memorial service and burial will be 3 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Park in Ada.

Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home, Seminole.


Esther Allene Ward

Seminole resident Esther Allene (Dodson) Ward, 97, died Friday, Nov. 10, in Seminole.
Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Maple Grove Cemetery with the Rev. Larry Chesser Jr. officiating.

Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home, Seminole.


Nadine Tye

Carney, Okla., resident Nadine Tye, 85, died Saturday, Nov. 11.
Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Carney Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Chandler.

published Nov 14, 2006

Wanda L. Crow

Meeker resident Wanda Lois Crow, 77, departed this life Saturday, Nov. 11, in Shawnee.
She was born March 12, 1929, in St. Louis, Okla., to Dodge Walker and Winnie Bell (Williams) Moses.

Wanda graduated from Shawnee High School.

She was married April 6, 1947, in Shawnee to Jack W. Crow. He preceded her in death on July 20, 1992.

She retired from Boy's Market in California in 1972. She then moved to a farm in Paden. She had lived in Meeker for the past ten years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Paden.

Wanda was a very caring person who would always do for others. She loved to crochet. She also loved her family, cooking, weekend garage sales, and had an extensive collection of thimbles and cookbooks.

She also was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one brother-in-law.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Jack Wayne and Carol Crow, Muskogee; two daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela Madrid and Gary McCabe and Cassie and Steve McCabe, all of Meeker; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Merle and Frances Moses and Rayborn and Betty Moses, all of Prague; one sister, Beverly Maddox; one sister-in-law, Travis (Crow) and Lou Paulin, all of Paden; grandchildren, Scott and Carla Crow, Julie and Gerald Glass, all of Muskogee, Cyone and Andrew Harris, Edmond, Randy Madrid, California, Michael and Jennifer McCabe, Shawnee, Justin McCabe, Del City, Jessica McCabe, Meeker, Jenny and Mike Affentranger, Bethel, Luke and Christian McCabe, Moore; great-grandchildren, Zack, Walker and Elias Crow, Josh and Jake Ford, Catie and Kennedy Glass, Aubrey and Boston Harris, Seth McCabe and Marlee Affentranger.

Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Paden with the Rev. Terry Pittman officiating. Burial will follow at Prague Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Kimberly Maddox Cowley for all of her love and special attention.

A guest book is available on-line at www.ParksBrothers.net to share your memories


Lee R. Loper

Shawnee resident Lee R. Loper, 88, died Saturday, Nov. 10, at Unity Hospital.
He was born Dec. 13, 1917, in Oklahoma City to Clyde and Edna (Barnett) Sullivan.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1944.

On July 17, 1959, he married Betty Jean Rollins at First Baptist Church in Del City. They were married 47 years.

After serving his country he worked for Tinker Air Force Base as an airplane mechanic for 33 years until his retirement.

Lee enjoyed camping, traveling, working on cars and being a handyman. He was forever in a good mood and always had a story or joke to tell everyone. He always enjoyed a good laugh.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Betty Jean Loper, of the home; one daughter, Rebecca Spears; 7 grandsons, all of Houston, Texas; one granddaughter, half sister, Judy and Kenneth Owens, Texarkana, Texas; many nieces and nephews.

Service will be 10 a.m. today at Sharon Baptist Church in Pastor Clint Dawkins.

Burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Park.


Myrtle Marie (Stokes) Griggs-Barrett

Shawnee resident Myrtle Marie (Stokes) Griggs-Barrett, 92, went to dwell in the house of the Lord and with her ancestors Monday, Nov. 13.
She was born Dec. 17, 1913, to John Thomas and Mary Francis (Owens) Stokes in Howard county, Ark., near the community of Centerville.

At the age of two years, she and her family moved to Oklahoma via covered wagon and temporarily settled in lower Seminole county near Sasakawa. The family later moved west into Pottawatomie county settling on a farm between Konawa and Asher along the north banks of the South Canadian River.

In the old days, she was known as "quite the belle" at the old square dances held by the farming families of the region. At these dances she would meet both of the men she would later marry in lifre. She will be eternally missed as she is one of the last of her breed of those hearty people of this state's frontier and westward movement.

On Labor day in 1933 she married Kenneth E. Griggs. This marriage lasted 28 years until his death in 1961. They produced and raised two sons during their married life. They moved to Shawnee in 1943 when Kenneth was assigned to Tinker Air Force Base during World War II. In 1945 they purchased some land and built a small house where she resided the remainder of her days.

Later after the death of her husband, Kenneth, she married George W. Barrett, an old boyfriend from the old dancing days. They were married 31 years until his death.

Before there was hospice, she shared as an in-home care giver for many local families throughout her life. She had been a faithful member of University Baptist church since 1945.

Myrtle was a true believer in God's Land for both survival and it's beauty. Throughout her life she maintained a good size garden for food and beautiful flowers. She was honored by The Shawnee News-Star's garden section and it's master gardener in 2003 for her efforts.

She was one of ten children born to the Stokes.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Thomas, Oscar, Ben, William, Ollie and Arthur Stokes; sisters, Hattie Smith, Callie Williams and Nellie Ingram.

Survivors include her two sons, Charles E. Griggs and wife, Joyce, of Tulsa, and Donald J. Griggs of Escondido, Calif.; two step-daughters, Marilyn (Barrett) Richardson of Bakersfield, Calif., and Darlene (Barrett) Walden of Fresno, Calif.; six grandchildren, Donnie Griggs, Teresa (Griggs) Patterson, Gregory Griggs, Charles C. Griggs, Cathryn A. Griggs and the Rev. Clayton Griggs; six great-grandchildren and two adopted great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews of her extended family.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.

Service will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Gaskill Chapel. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery.


Victor C. Weehunt, Jr.

Long time Shawnee resident Victor C. Weehunt, Jr., 69, died Sunday, Nov. 12, at his residence with his family by his bedside.
He was born Feb. 10, 1937, in Freer, Texas, to Victor and Linda (Crissman) Weehunt.

Victor served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 to 1960.

He was married Jan. 18, 1956 in Uvalde, Texas, to Ella Marie Buttrill.

Until his death, he was employed by Thunderbird Entertainment as an armed security guard. He also had owned and operated his own business, Parking Lot Striping. He enjoyed playing the guitar at gospel meetings. He and his wife were involved in Border Missions work.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents, sister, brother and two infant daughters.

Survivors include his wife, Marie of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Victoria and Howard Dickman of Chandler; three granddaughters and their husbands, Hollie and Joe Garcia; Brandi and George Davis, Jr., and Kristi and Dallas Odle of Shawnee; sister-in-law, B.J. McDonald of Tecumseh; brother-in-law and wife, Kenneth and Margaret Buttrill of Oklahoma City; nephew and wife, Gary and Shanda McDonald of Shawnee; seven great-grandchildren, Sergio and Diego Garcia, Lauren and Tanner Davis, and Chase, Hannah and Ethan Odle; and special friends Larry and Howie Blocker.

Memorial will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Church of the Living God, 10th and Draper, Shawnee, with Pastor Keith Ward and Chaplain Wes Hastings officiating.

Cremation was requested by Mr. Weehunt.

The family would like to extend a heart-felt thanks to Good Shepherd Hospice.


Fannie Uetta Heck

Fannie Uetta (England) Heck, 80, passed away Sunday, Nov. 12.
She was born March 24, 1926, in Cromwell, Okla., to Robert England and Lillie Galloway England.

On Sept. 10, 1945, she married Paul V. Heck in Gainesville, Texas, by the Rev. Orhum Turner.

Fannie was employed by Tinker Air Force Base before retiring in 1988.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; brothers, Otis, Donald and Howard England; grandson, Kamran Teheranchi; and great-granddaughter, Kylee Heck.

Fannie is survived by her son, Paul V. Heck Jr., of the home; son and daughter-in-law, Harold and Shirley Heck of Shawnee; daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Cyrus Teheranchi of Sugar Land, Texas; sister, Roberta Butler of Andrews, Texas; sisters-in-law, Sylvia England of Duncan and Ramona England of Hutchinson, Kan.; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.

Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Leroy Kerbo officiating.

Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.


Betty Ann Greenfield

Tryon, Okla., resident Betty Ann Greenfield, 60, died Saturday, Nov. 11.
Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel, Chandler.


Gerald Roy Reeves

Seminole resident Gerald Roy Reeves, 62, died Saturday, Nov. 11, in Seminole.
Service will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole with Larry Sneed officiating.

Burial will follow at Cummings Cemetery in Maud.

Arrangements are under the direction of Knight~Swearingen Funeral Home, Maud.


Flora Mae Webb

Stroud resident Flora Mae Webb, 93, died Sunday, Nov. 12, in Stroud.
Visitation will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 8 a.m. until service Wednesday.

Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Parks Brothers Chapel with the Rev. Danny Webb and Michelle Webb officiating.

Burial will follow at Sparks Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Stroud.


Lillie Mae Yancy

Shawnee resident Lillie Mae Yancy, 77, died Friday, Nov. 10, in Cushing.
Visitation will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday.

Service will be held at Davenport Cemetery Chapel with the Rev. Lewis Bennett officiating.

Burial will be at Davenport Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Stroud.

published Nov 15, 2006

Geneva Faye Montgomery

Shawnee resident Geneva Faye (Ingle) Montgomery, 83, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 12.
She was born Nov. 26, 1922, in Mulberry, Ark. Her family moved to the Eufaula area when she was three weeks old.

On Sept. 27, 1939, she married John Haskell "Hack" Montgomery. The couple celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary in September.

Preceding her in death were her son, Eugene Montgomery; four brothers, Guy, Garrett, Gordon and Grady Ingle; and three sisters, Gertha Jennings, Gladys Herndon and Gussie Gray.

She is survived by her husband; four children and their spouses, Judith and Warren Lupton, Earlsboro, Janice and Dwight Reinke, Tulsa, Jack and Judy Montgomery, Fort Gibson, and Deborah and Dansby Vogler, Overland Park, Kan.; two sisters-in-law, Nadine Ingle and Elener Ingle; grandchildren, John L. and Suzanne Lupton, Shawnee, William Lupton, Yukon, Chris Jackson, Oklahoma City, Sandra Connelly and Julie Reinke, Tulsa, Kelly Woody, Bethel, Steve Montgomery, Shawnee, Dena Crowder, Fort Gibson, Allen Montgomery, Enid, Josh McCollum, Hanson McCollum and Abby McCollum, Tahlequah, Ashlea Allsup, New Braunfels, Texas, Gabriel Vogler, Chicago, Ill., and Griffin Vogler, Overland Park; 29 great-grandchildren; and a host of friends who love her.

Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Resthaven Funeral Home with Mrs. Montgomery's nephew, G.C. Gray, officiating.

Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.


Edna Lee Kieffer

Lifelong Tecumseh resident Edna Lee Kieffer, 78, died Monday, Nov. 13, in Shawnee.
She was born March 8, 1928, in Tecumseh to Harve Rice "Shorty" and Susan Tennessee "Tennie" (Lingerfelt) Long.

Edna was a graduate of Tecumseh High School. On May 4, 1981, she married Jack C. Kieffer in Tecumseh.

She worked at Wide Awake, Town Talk and the Loghouse cafes.

She was a member of Freewill Baptist Church.

Edna enjoyed quilting and took pride in caring for her family.

Preceding her in death were her parents, three brothers, George, Holice and Chester Long; four sisters, Ruth Long, Nancy Long, Mary Jane Long and Linda Sue Long; and stepson, Leland Kieffer.

Survivors include her husband, Jack C. Keiffer of the home; daughter, Sue Spriggs of Tecumseh; son and daughter-in-law, Ed and Carol Stokes of Norman; grandchildren, Jeff Spriggs of Tecumseh, Matthew Stokes and Ashley Stokes, both of Norman; stepson and daughter-in-law, Jack D. and Carolyn Kieffer of Tecumseh; step-grandchildren, Chris and Amy Kieffer, Misty Rhoden, all of Tecumseh, Laurie and Donnie Vawter of Shawnee, Kirk and Jackie Kieffer of Tecumseh and J.D. Kieffer of Shawnee; and numerous other family members and friends.

Service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Freewill Baptist Church with Delbert Akin officiating.

Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery.

To share memories, or to sign the guest book on-line, go to www.cooperfuneral.com