8-23-97

Funeral services for lifelong Seminole County resident Nave Junior Abbiss, 73, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the chapel at Stout Funeral Home in Wewoka.

Rev. Bill Worden will officiate.

Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

Abbiss died Thursday at Valley View Hospital, Ada.

He was born June 21, 1924 in Holdenville to Charley and Nealie (Hill) Abbiss.

Abbiss worked and retired as the owner of the Siler Music Company in Wewoka.

He was married to Nancy Alice Casteel on April 5, 1942, in Yuma, Ariz. She preceded him in death on Nov. 24, 1994.

Survivors include one son, Eddie Abbiss, Wewoka; one daughter, Nancy Threat, Pryor; one brother, Clif Abbiss, Sulfur; and one sister, Ruth Peterson, Glendale, Calif.

Other survivors include five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Chris Cook, Curtis Cook, Todd Abbiss, Joe Abbiss, Olen Carr, and Art Garner.

Honorary pallbearers will be O.E. Smith and Jack Dearing.

11/18/97

Graveside services for former Seminole County resident, Eloise Aldridge, 83, will be held at 12 p.m. Wednesday at the Sand Creek Cemetery in northeastern Seminole County.

She died Sunday in Tulsa.

Aldridge was born July 17, 1914 in Fayett, Ala. to Felix and Vivian (Corbett) Musgrove.

She married James Clifton Aldridge in 1934 who preceded her in death.

Aldridge has been a Tulsa resident since 1942. She worked for Holly’s Department Store for 25 years.

She is survived by one son, Jerry Aldridge, Tulsa, one daughter, Janet Reid, Tulsa, two sisters, Brownie Andrews, California, Jean Buchanan, Tulsa, one brother, Felix Musgrove, Jr. of Tulsa, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren..

april 4, 1997

WEWOKA ¾ Funeral services for Charley Alford, 85, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Parker’s Chapel.

Rev. B.G. Renfro is scheduled to officiate; burial will follow in Westwood Cemetery under the direction of Myers Mortuary.

Alford died Monday in Phoenix, Ariz.

He was born Aug. 22, 1911, in Wewoka, where he lived most of his life.

He was retired from Tinker Air Force Base and Forsee Chevrolet.

Survivors include three daughters, Erma J. Emery, Lawton, Annie A. Taylor, Tempe, Ariz., and Doll B. Bly, Phoenix; three brothers, Wesley Alford, Weleetka, Sylvester Alford, Detroit, Mich., and Romeo Alford, Sapulpa; three sisters, Sunshyne French, Owasso, Violet Patterson, Tulsa, and Wessylyne Simpson, Langston; 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

4/8/97

Bernice Noble Alford, 87, died Friday. Funeral services are set for April 9 at 11 a.m. at the Evangelistic Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Her son, Dr. T. J. Roberts will officiate. Burial will follow at Wewoka Westwood Cemetery under the direction of Rolfe Funeral Home.

Alford was born May 15, l909 to Martha Jackson and William Noble in Seminole County.

She married George Alford in Seminole County.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, her parents, two daughters, six brothers and four sisters.

She is survived by her husband George Alford of the home, five sons, T. J. Roberts of Oklahoma City, Edward L. Alford of Wewoka, Ellis Alford of Norwalk, Calif., Wesley Alford of Inglewood, Calif., and Willie Alford of Cerritors, Calif.

She is survived by two daughters, Birdie Davis of Midwest City and Merdine Black of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Mentoria Hood of Seminole and Katherine Walker of Chicago; 25 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren.

97 Obits 4/1/97

ADA – Funeral services for Inez Lee Allen, 106, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Criswell Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Sherman Ivy and Rev. Vernal West will officiate.

Interment will follow at Rosedale Cemetery, Ada, under the direction of Criswell Funeral Home.

Allen died Monday in her home in Ada.

She was born April 10, 1890 in Geneva, Ky. to Henry Moit and Rosa Clay Moit. As a child she came from Kentucky to a place in the Indian Territory near Pickett.

She attended Center rural schools.

On Sept. 20, 1945, she married Felix Bernard Allen in Yuma, Ariz. He preceded her in death on June 1, 1972.

She was a homemaker and worked in the early days at Ada Steam Laundry. She was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Ruby Stephens, Ada and one son, Garland Bundy, Seminole, ten grandchildren, 21 great-grand-children, and numerous great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two daughters and two sons.

Pallbearers will be Billy Bundy, Mark Bundy, Joe Frank Land, Don Stephens, Dean Stephens and Phillip Stephens.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bennie Stephens, Charles Bundy, Michael Stephens and Mark Hanna.

4/22/97 lgk

Ina Arbaugh, 89, died Sunday in Seminole. Services are set for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Cooper Funeral Chapel in Tecumseh. George Bone will officiate. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home.

PAID OBIT

12-23-97

Funeral services for Helen Wilson Armstrong, 86, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel.

Rev. Robert Cocke will officiate. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery.

Armstrong died Sunday in Seminole.

She was born August 3, 1911, in Fulton Ark. to Henry Powell and Amanda William Wilson.

Armstrong graduated from high school in Fulton in 1929.

She married William David Armstrong on Oct. 17, 1931 in Hope, Ark.

Armstrong was a resident of Bowlegs for 62 years and moved to Seminole Estates Nursing Center in 1994.

She was employed by the United States Post Office for 25 years, retiring as Bowlegs Postmaster in 1975.

Armstrong was a long time member of Order of Eastern Star and Self Culture Club in Seminole. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church on Bowlegs for more than 60 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Mattie Hanson, her brother, Ben A. Wilson, and her two sons, William David Armstrong, Jr. and Billy Powell Armstrong.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years; daughter and son-in-law, Bettie Jo and John D. Conn, Seminole; two daughters-in-law, Peggy Armstrong, Stillwater, and Burnice Armstrong, Perkins; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

10-26-97

Funeral services for Mary Delilah Arvin, 91, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Churhc of Christ in Seminole, with Idus England officiated, assisted by Mike Bentley.

Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Arvin died Friday at Pioneer Nursing Home.

She was born April 21, 1906, in Franklin County, Ark., to John Randolph and Mary (Bright) Loftin.

Arvin was a former restaurant owner and homemaker before retiring in 1976. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

She married Jeff Davis Arvin on March 9, 1924 in Franklin County, Ark. He preceded her in death.

Arvin was also preceded in death by her parents and one son, Gene Stanley Arvin.

Survivors include one son, Jack R. Arvin, Ft. Worth, Texas; one sister, Frankie Snow, Seminole; and 11 grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Charles Johnson, Paul Arvin, Jeff Arvin, Terry Carrington, Clint Jackson, and Bill Timmons.

4-10-97

Internationally known Oklahoma songwriter died Wednesday at the age of 82.

Oklahoma’s Mae Boren Axton, who wrote Elvis Presley’s first big hit "Heartbreak Hotel," died at her home in Hendersonville, Tenn.

She was widely known in Oklahoma.

She came to Oklahoma as a child in a covered wagon. The daughter of M. L. and Nannie Boren, she was the only daughter in a family of eight brothers.

Her brothers included the late Dr. James B. Boren, early day president of Southwestern Oklahoma University at Weatherford and the last U.S. Congressman, Lyle H. Boren.

Axton was an active partner with her son Hoyt Axton, well known musician and television personality in the creation of the Jeremiah record label.

She has an impact on Oklahoma politics as the author of her nephew David Boren’s Broom Brigade Campaign them song "Let’s Clean Up Oklahoma" during his successful 1974 campaign for Governor.

Services for Axton will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Hendersonville Church of Christ, under the direction of Phillips and Robinson Funeral Home of Hendersonville.

She was high school English teacher in Oklahoma at Wewoka, Ada, Broken Bow and Velma-Alma. She later taught in Jacksonville, Fla. before becoming one of the nation’s most successful songwriters.

Over four decades, she wrote more than 50 songs that were recorded by major record companies.

She was a mentor to many young musicians.

She was described by Boren, now President of the University of Oklahoma, as a "pied piper of young people who helped countless numbers of aspiring musicians to believe in themselves."

"Some of them went on to become stars and others did not, but all of them were better off for having known her," he said.

Among the scores of musicians and entertainers who have named her as a mentor are Elvis Presley, Dennis Weaver, Willie Nelson, Mel Tillis, Reba McEntire, Kris Kristofferson, and many others. She often acted as their agent at no cost to get them started.

While still a school teacher in Jacksonville, she first met Elvis Presley and helped convince him to pursue a recording career by writing "Heartbreak Hotel" for him.

In addition to her career in music and education, Mae Boren Axton was a tireless worker for charities including the March of Dimes and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

She has received almost every major award from the music and entertainment industry including the World Recognition Award of the International Songwriter’s Association. She received seven major awards from Broadcast Musicians International and was selected as one of the 50 greatest women songwriters by the National Songwriters Hall of Fame.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Axton, a math teacher and a high school football coach, and by her son John, who was an outstanding southeastern Oklahoma attorney and civic leader.

She is survived by her son, entertainer and musician Hoyt Axton, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

10-5-97

Funeral services for former Little resident Effie E. Aylor, 95, are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church of Prague, with Rev. Tim Emmons and Rev. Harold Baker officiating.

Burial will take place at Little Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home of Prague.

Aylor died Friday.

She was born July 21, 1902 in Salem, Miss. to Lewis Franklin Hall and Ophelia (Hill) Kent. She was a resident of the Little Community until 1972 when she moved to Prague. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Prague.

On Dec. 30, 1928, she married Dewey Robert Aylor. He preceded her in death on Sept. 22, 1977.

Aylor was also preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and seven sisters.

Survivors include four sons, Bob Aylor, Don Aylor, Frank Aylor and Jerry Aylor, all of Prague; one brother, Bill Kent, Hammon, 11 grandchildren, five stepgrandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and eight stepgreat-grandchildren.

The family asks that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund in Prague.

8-23-97

Funeral Services for Michael Wayne Babb, 30, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday at the Swearingen Funeral Chapel.

Rev. George Carter will officiate the service.

Interment will be at Holdenville City Cemetery.

Babb died Friday in Ada.

He was born November 12, 1966 in Holdenville to Wayne and Betty (Romine) Babb.

He was employed as territory coordinator for the Pepsi-Cola Company in Ada for the past seven years.

Babb was a graduate of Wewoka High School and affiliated with the Assembly of God Church.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Eugene and Ruth Babb.

Survivors include his father and step-mother, Wayne and Sheri Babb, Wewoka; mother, Betty Romine, Seminole; two sons, Jared Michael and Tyler Nicolas Babb of Holdenville; one sister, Linda Babb, Wewoka; grandparents L.C. Ligon, Wetumka and Bernadine Ligon, Shawnee.

8/3/97

Memorial services for Larry Robert Baggs, 53, are set for 3 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Seminole.

Cremation is under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Baggs died at his home in Seminole on Thursday.

Baggs was born Aug. 3, l943 at Shattuck to Lewis Nelson Baggs and Genevieve Doris (Leist) Baggs.

He worked for the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission for 27 years.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Survivors include his mother, Genevieve Rexroad, Shawnee, his companion, Charla Byrd of the home, three daughters, Shala Putman, Moore, Jacci Denney, Guthrie and Gina Sheehy, Oklahoma City.

Other survivors include two sisters, Myrna Nelson, McLoud and Vicky Downey, Woodward; and six grandchildren.

The family has requested that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

7/29/97

Oma Hazel (Estep) Baker, 86, died on Sunday at Vian Nursing Home in Vian. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel. Rev. Terry K. Jarrard will officiate.

Burial will follow at Little Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Baker was born Aug. 17, 1910 in Hitcha to Joseph Estep and Mary (Burk) Estep. She lived in Seminole from l952-l989.

She married Charles Columbus Baker who preceded her in death in l954. She was a homemaker and a farmer. She was a member of the Assembly of God church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, J. B. Wheat and Charles Baker Jr.; one grandson, two sisters and four brothers.

She is survived by a son, D. L. Wheat of Seminole; a daughter, Oma Lee Jarrard of Skiatook; and stepdaughters, Thelma Phillips and Lillion Hagen, both of Oklahoma City.

Other survivors include a half-brother, Willie Estep of Asher and a half-sister, Violinda Byrd of Missouri; 13 grandchildren, 34 step-grandchildren.

12-5-97

Funeral services for former Seminole resident Beulah A. Barham, 76, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel.

Rev. Roger Myers will officiate the service. Burial will take place at Little Cemetery.

Barham died Wednesday in a Shawnee nursing home.

She was born April 24, 1921 in Wolf to Newton and Francis (Tate) Jenkings. She lived most of her life in Seminole.

Barham worked as a cook for Parkview Nursing Home, where she retired.

She was a member of Church of God.

Barham was preceded in death by her husband, William Andrew Barham.

Survivors include two sons, Harry T. Barham, Las Vegas, Nev., and David E. Barham, Sand Springs; one daughter, Deborah Lawson, Konawa; one sister, Nettie Glasgow, Tampa, Fla.; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

4/15/97

CROMWELL – Graveside services Martha Lucille Barnes, 64, of Cromwell, were held at 2 p.m. today at Schoolton Cemetery. Rev. Frank Young will officiate.

Burial will follow under the direction of Schumaker Funeral Home.

Barnes died Saturday at her home.

She was born on May 15, 1932, in Okemah to Clarence and Dona (Ellis) Rowan. She married Bobby Gene Barnes on Sept. 8, 1953.

Barnes was of the Baptist faith and had resided in Seminole and Okfuskee Counties most of her life.

She was preceded in death by father; sisters, Beulah Piearcy and Lula Fay Ross.

Barnes is survived by her husband of the home; mother of Lamont, Calif.; sons, Slifford Barnes of Okemah and Donald Barnes of Grove; daughter Susan Mead of Okemah; brother, Orval Moore of Lamont, Calif.; sisters, Dovie Rowan and Wima Rush, both of Lamont, Calif.; and 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

9-23-97

Funeral services for lifelong Seminole resident Willis Herman Barnes, 83, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel with Brother Larry Chesser officiating, assisted by Junior Mize.

Burial will be at Little Cemetery.

Barnes died Saturday at Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

He was born Jan. 2, 1914 in Sulligent, Ala. to Charley Burton Barnes and Talitha Jane (Fowler) Barnes.

Barnes was an avid farmer, and a member of the Jarvis Assembly of God Church for 70 years. He served as a Deacon for 60 years.

He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Barnes married Ollie Marie Raper Aug. 18, 1935 in Tecumseh. She survives him of the home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and three sisters.

Other survivors include one son, Willis Don Barnes, Poulsbo, Wash.; four daughters, Geraldine Anderson, Shelton, Wash., Maxine Kapp and Joyce McDougal, both of Oklahoma City, and Treasa Hendricks, Seminole; one brother, Clifton Barnes, Shelton, Wash.; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Casket bearers will be the grandsons.

11-7-97

SHAWNEE - Graveside services for former Seminole County resident George W. Barrett, 90, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Gaskill-Owens Funeral Chapel.

Rev. Waldo Young will officiate the service.

Barrett died Thursday at a Shawnee nursing home.

He was born Jan. 24, 1907, in a rural area between Konawa and Asher, to James Thomas and Minnie (Haas) Barrett. He attended the old Cooper School and was reared in the Konawa and Asher area.

Barrett worked in construction trades and was also a carpenter and painter. He was a member of the Northeast Freewill Baptist Church.

He married Ina Keelan in March, 1934, and moved to California for 25 years.

Barrett then married Myrtle Griggs Nov. 20, 1965, in Shawnee. She survives him of the home.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.

Other survivors include two daughters, Marylin Richardson, Bakersfield, Calif., and Darlene Walton, Fresno, Calif.; two stepsons, Charles E. Griggs, Tulsa and Donald J. Griggs, Escondido, Calif.; one sister, three grandsons, six stepgrandchildren, and eight stepgreat-grandchildren.

11-11-97

Funeral services were held for former Seminole resident Glenda Phillips Bateman today at Stanfield Funeral Home in Miami, Fla.

Bateman died Saturday.

She born to Dottie Rammage, Seminole, and Glen Phillips. Her father preceded her in death.

Bateman was a 1963 Seminole graduate.

7/30/97

A private family memorial will follow the cremation of James E. (Jim) Baxter, 68, of Seminole.

Baxter died Tuesday at Pioneer Nursing Home.

He was born Dec. 5, 1928, in Bartlesville, to Everett and Nina (Whitaker) Baxter.

He attended Bradley University, Peoria, Ill., where he received an associate’s degree and certification in horology, the making of timepieces.

He was a master watch and clock repairman and had an extensive collection of antique clocks.

Baxter received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict.

He moved to Seminole County 25 years ago from Richardson, Texas. He worked at Ford Motor Company in the Dallas district office from 1959 to 1972 and opened Jim Baxter Ford in Seminole in 1972, retiring in 1983.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church.

He was an avid collector of antique cars, and enjoyed driving his cars on tours and attending national meetings with fellow enthusiasts.

He was an active member and past director of the Oil Belt Region of Classic Car Club of America. He was also a member of the Packard Automobile Club of America.

He married Joanne Phillips on Aug. 13, 1960; she survives him, of the home.

Other survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Amy Baxter-Reid and Dr. Thomas K. Reid, Bishop, Calif.; four sisters, Ruth Myler and Jane Baxter, both of Wichita, Kans., Florence Baxter, Oklahoma City, and Martha Baetz, Grosse Pointe, Mich.; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Beth Baxter, Oklahoma City, and Mildred Baxter, Midland, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Edgar Baxter and Robert N. Baxter.

Memorials should be sent to the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum in Seminole.

12-10-97

Graveside services for Seminole resident Carl E. Beasley, 83, are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Thursday, at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Rev. David McDougal will officiate the service.

Beasley died Tuesday at Mission Hill Hospital.

He was born Oct. 6, 1914, at Shelbyville, Ind., to Joe and Ethel (Poe) Beasley.

Beasley moved to Seminole from Ochelata 13 years ago.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Beasley retired at age 70 from Rockwell as an Air Craft Design Engineer. He worked for LTD in Dallas for three years after retirement.

He had been married to Beatrice Lora Brown for 35 years. She survives him of the home.

Other survivors include two daughters, Patsy Myers, Seminole, and Beverly Johnson, St. Louis, Mo.; three grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

9-24-97

SHAWNEE - Funeral services for former Seminole County school teacher Agnes E. Beil, 90, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with Rev. David Clewell officiating.

Burial will be at 3 p.m. Rose Hill Cemetery in Tulsa under the direction of Gaskill-Owens Funeral Chapel.

Beil died Monday at a Shawnee hospital.

She was born July 29, 1907, in Waveland, Ark., to Joseph B. and Cora E. (Landers) Henry. She moved to Oklahoma when she was 12 years old.

A graduate of Stuart High School, she received her bachelor of science degree from East Central State College and did her graduate work at Greely, Colo., and Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn. She received her master’s degree from East Central State College.

Beil was an elementary school teacher and taught at Stuart, New Lima, Seminole and Tulsa schools. She taught school for 44 years in Oklahoma and one year in Hannau, Germany, where she taught children of military personnel.

Beil was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Church Women’s Group, a life member of the Oklahoma Education Association, the Retired Teacher’s Association, AARP, Kappa Kappa Iota and the Eastern Star.

She married Clarence A. Beil on Feb. 6, 1965, in Tulsa. He preceded her in death.

Beil was also preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one sister.

Survivors include a stepson, Darrell Ben, Edmond; two brothers, Lloyd Henry and Joe C. Henry, both of Manteca, Calif.; and two grandchildren.

Pauline Agnes Bell, 84, of McLoud died Tuesday. She was a former Seminole County resident.

Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. July 7 at Western Avenue Freewill Baptist Church, 1260 N. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City.

Burial will follow at Little Cemetery in Little under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Funeral Homes, Inc.

Bell was born on Aug. 25, 1912 in Prague. She was a member of the Western Avenue Freewill Baptist Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Lilly Ann Long of Harrah, and Permelia (Pam) Magdeline Larsen of Midwest City.

Other survivors include six grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

12/28/97

Funeral services for Arthur John Bergerson are scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m. at Swearingen Funeral Chapel in Seminole with Rev. Doyle Long officiating. Burial is planned at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Seminole.

Bergerson died Thursday in Seminole at the age of 86.

He was born in Capital, Mont. on Nov. 6, 1911 to Carl Martin and Carne Evelyn (Dahlen) Bergerson.

Bergerson married Imogene Maxine Hawley on Dec. 31, 1939 in Rapid City, S.D.

Bergerson was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Seminole.

He was a retired barber.

Bergerson moved to Seminole from Colorado 20 years ago.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

Bergerson is survived by his wife of the home; a son, Gene Bergerson of Seminole; three brothers, Luther Marvin Bergerson, Carl Christian Bergerson and Casper J. Bergerson, all of Oregon.

Other survivors include three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Casket bearers named are Mike Hawley, Bob Hawley, David Sanders, Ray Taylor, Johnny Grandstaff and Vernon Rattan.

8-31-97

Funeral Services for Wewoka resident Errol G. Bert, 37, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Wewoka. Rev. Clifford Bert will officiate the services.

Interment will be at Westwood Cemetery under the direction of Myers Mortuary, Wewoka.

Bert died Thursday at Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

He was employed by General Electric Aircraft Engine Business in Cincinnati, Ohio for 15 years.

He was a member of Saint Stevens Baptist Church in Wewoka.

Survivors include his wife, Vivian Bert, of the home; one daughter, Alethia Bert, Cincinnati, Ohio; one son, Malique Bert, of the home; five brothers, Ray Anthony Bert, Ronald Bert, Terry Bert, Gaylon Bert and John Bert; three sisters, Trina Brown, Kay Bryant, and Beverly Bert.

PAID OBIT

10-23-97

Funeral services for William Eugene "Bill" Bishop, 74, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Swearingen Funeral Home, with Rev. David Karges officiating.

Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Bishop died Wednesday at his Seminole home.

He was born Sept. 2, 1923 in Seminole to Herman Anderson and Opal (Casey) Bishop.

Bishop attended law school at Oklahoma University, and practiced in Seminole for 43 years.

He was vice-chairman of Professional Economics Committee of State Bar, Assistant County Attorney for six years, and past president of Seminole County Bar Association.

Bishop was a veteran of the Army, serving in World War II in the 42nd Division Field Artillery.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, President of Lambda Chi Alpha Social fraternity, lay leader of First United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School.

Bishop was also a member of the Park Board, past president of the Lions Club, past president of Woodrow Wilson PTA, former member of the Seminole School Board and the Hospital Board.

He married LaVere Williams Dec. 23, 1949 in Oklahoma City. She survives him of the home.

Other survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Murri Bishop, Denver, Colo.; two daughters and son-in-law, Rebecca Bishop, Seminole and Amy and John Schumacher, Dallas, Texas; five granddaughters, Chris Ann and Katy Bishop, both of Denver, Colo., Casey, Lora and Sarah Schumacher, Dallas, Texas.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1314, Seminole, Okla., 74868.

11/18/97

Funeral services for lifelong Seminole resident, John Otis "J.O." Black, were held today at 2 p.m. at the Church of Christ in Little with the Reverend Rusty Dawson officiating. Burial was at the Little Cemetery.

Black died Saturday at the Seminole Municipal Hospital.

He was born March 19, 1917 to Dr. W. R. Black and Fannie Mae Black.

He married Julie Black on August 9, 1973 in Mexico; who survives him of the home.

Black served in the military police during World War II.

He was affiliated with the Church of Christ, a member of the American Legion and a Seminole State College Booster.

Black was a graduate of Abilene Christian College and a farmer by profession.

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

Other survivors include one daughter, Debra Black of the home and three sons, Omar Black, Denton, Tex., Manlyo Benton Black, both of the home, two sisters, Betty Woodruff of Ardmore, Okla. and Maleese Black of Arizona.

4/16/97

Lee L. Blackwood, 95, died on Tuesday at Seminole Municipal Hospital.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday at Pickard Funeral Home Chapel in Konawa.

Ed Bray will officiate. Burial will take place at Vamoosa Cemetery.

Blackwood was born June 24, 1901 at Muddy Fork, Ark., to Andrew Jackson Blackwood and Sarah Virginia Aylor Blackwood.

He had lived in Konawa since 1917. He married Willie Smith in Konawa on Nov. 22, l927.

He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. He retired after 40 years of employment as an equipment operator for Seminole Company.

Blackwood is survived by his wife of the home, one son, Joe Andy Blackwood of Sasakwa; two daughters, Lois Huff of Sasakwa and Evalyn L. Maxwell of Konawa.

He is also survived by two brothers, Andrew Blackwood and G. C. Blackwood, both of Konawa; two sisters, Estell Sutton of Seminole and Ora Harmon of Moore; 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Blackwood was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Virgil L. Blackwood in l984; and two grandsons.

Blackwood’s grandsons will be pallbearers.

6/19/97

Funeral services for Jessie Blagg, 89, are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church.

Rev. Kelvin Moseley will officiate. Burial will follow in Little Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Blagg died Wednesday at Presbyterian Hospital, Oklahoma City.

She was born July 22, 1907, in Montgomery County, Ark. She lived in Seminole for 71 years. She was a charter member of Tracy Rebekah Lodge, a member of First Baptist Church, member of the Varnum Home Demonstration Club and president of the Amerada Retirees.

She also served as head of the Democratic Headquarters for many years.

She was married to Charles O. Blagg. He preceded her in death in 1973. She was also preceded in death by one son, Charles O. Blagg Jr.

Survivors include one daughter, Charline Barker, Seminole; three granddaughters, Carolyn Allen, Oklahoma City, Kelly Dawn Bacat, San Antonio, Texas, and Beverly McClendon, Del City; one grandson, Steven Barker, Cincinnati, Ohio; four great-grandchildren, one great-grandson and three step great-granddaughters; and two sisters of Hot Springs, Ark.

Pallbearers will include Eugene Warrenburg, Aaron Tatum, Brad Matlock, John Allen, Trent Harelson and Lee Pippin.

Honorary casketbearers include Bryce Hill, Bud Gile, Dr. Julian Wood, Phillip Parks, Clay Sparks, Senator Kelly Haney, Gary Stinnett and Don Raney.

Anna Lou Blalock, 58, died at Seminole Municipal Hospital today. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Konawa Cemetery. Winston Curtis will officiate. Burial will follow under the direction of Pickard Funeral Home.

Blalock was born Dec. 29, l938 in Konawa to Robert Foster and Velma D. McKee Foster.

Blalock lived all of her life in the community of Konawa.

She is survived by her daughter, Carol Lynn Blalock of Ada; a brother, Jerry Don Blalock of Konawa; a sister, Roberta Mulliniks of Millington, Tenn.

9-7-97

Graveside services for Joe Randell "Randy" Blassingame, 44, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Little Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Rev. Carl Whitfield will officiate the services.

Blassingame died Friday at Seminole Municipal Hospital.

He was born Jan. 7, 1953 in Shawnee to Robert Lowell "Doc" and Audrey Louise (Shorney) Blassingame. He worked as a laborer at Darrell’s Drilling.

Blassingame was married to Cheryl Lauderdale. She survives him of the home.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Other survivors include one son, Joe Allen Blassingame, Seminole; one daughter, Kimberly Denise Bryce, Tecumseh; one step-son, Michael Lauderdale, Seminole; one step-daughter, Jennifer Lauderdale, Ada; three brothers, Warren Blassingame, Tecumseh, and Dale and Dean Blassingame, both of Seminole; one sister, Sharon Helm, Jacksonville, Texas and five grandchildren.

The family will meet at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Tuesday before the services.

10-10-97

Graveside services for Seminole resident Robert Edward Lee Bleakley, 85, are scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday at Murray Cemetery in Binger under the direction of Hinton-Turner Funeral Home, Hinton.

Rev. Louis Burton will officiate the service. Bleakley died Thursday at Seminole Municipal Hospital.

He was born March 9, 1912 in Binger to Robert E. and Mary (Nichols) Bleakley. He grew up on the family farm near Binger and married Eunice Bowen.

Bleakley lived in Arizona and later moved back to Oklahoma. In the spring of 1947, they moved back to the family farm.

He was an electrician, farmer and heavy equipment operator. In 1985, he made his home in Seminole.

Bleakley was a member of the Loaners on Wheels and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Linda Ryburn and Nelda Bleakley; one son, Donald Bleakley; one sister, Frances Aitken; and two brothers, John and William Bleakley.

Survivors include one son, Roger Bleakley, Oklahoma City, four daughters, Hilda Lierle, Hydro, Gail Pittman, Bethany, Cheryl Stephenson, Binger, and Robin Bleakley, Memphis, Tenn.; one sister, Gladys Valentine, Calif.; 12 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

10-8-97

Graveside services for Nora Belle Waldrup Boatman, 68, are scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday at Prairie View Cemetery in McComb under the direction of Pickard Funeral Home, Konawa.

Rev. Richard Winters will officiate the service. Boatman died Tuesday at St. Edwards Mercy Medical Center.

She was born May 6, 1929 in Idabel to Joe and Claudia (Kennedy) Waldrup. She married Kelly Odell Boatman in 1947 in Arizona. He preceded her in death.

Boatman and her family are former residents of Asher, near Konawa.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and one son, Earl Wayne Boatman.

Survivors include eight sons, Calvin Boatman, Joe Boatman, Faye Boatman, Greg Boatman, Laverlle Boatman, Jesse Boatman, and Daniel Boatman, all of Oregon; six daughters, Patricial Ross, Janice Richardson and Diana Boatman, all of Vian, Carolyn Frison, Gloria Boatman and Jackie Boatman, all of Oregon; one sister, Mable Fisher, Asher; one brother, Dan Waldrup, Shawnee; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be her sons.

12-5-97

Graveside service for Konawa-Asher area resident Ruby Marie Boler, 78, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Wanette Cemetery with D.W. Barnes officiating.

Boler died Thursday at Sunset Estates Nursing Home in Tecumseh.

She was born May 2, 1919 in Wanette to Pearl and Adali Burton. She worked as a housekeeper at Central State in Norman.

She married Wilson Boler in Wanette on July 21, 1939. He preceded her in death in March, 1983.

Boler was also preceded in death by three brothers.

Survivors include one daughter, Dixie Wallace, Asher; two brothers, Joe Burton, Tecumseh, and Charles Burton, Asher; and one sister, Francis White, Apache.

9-12-97

Funeral Service for former Konawa resident Pamela Kay (Mullins) Borel, 41, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, Konawa.

Rev. David L. Bigger and Assistant Rev. Winston Curtis will officiate the service.

Burial will take place at Vamoosa Cemetery under the direction of Pickard Funeral Home of Konawa.

Borel died at St. Joseph Hospital in Ponca City.

She was born March 6, 1956 in Southgate, Calif. to Demoy E. and Pearl (Floyd) Mullins. Borel was raised in Konawa, and lived in Ponca City for the last 19 years. She was an accountant for Conoco Oil Co.

She married Allan Borel Dec. 3, 1983 at the First Baptist Church, Konawa. He survives her of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Robert and Timothy Borel, of the home; her parents, Konawa; three brothers, Michael Mullins, Prescott, Ark., Martin Mullins, Edmond, and Philip Mullins, Konawa; and one sister, Patricia Collier, Cushing.

Pall bearers will be nephews and cousins.

Burl Haskell Bounds, 68, died Thursday at Shannon Springs Nursing Home in Chickasha.

Graveside services are set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Vamoosa Cemetery. Bobby Hearon will officiate. Burial will follow under the under the direction of Pickard Funeral Home of Konawa.

Bounds was born May 10, 1929 in Konawa to Cleveland Bounds and Annie Patterson Bounds.

He lived most of his life in Konawa; he was a member of the Full Gospel Church of Lindsay.

He was married to Janet Harren who preceded him in death in September of l996.

He was a retired city worker for the City of Lindsay.

Bounds is survived by one son, Burl Bounds Jr. of Rush Springs; two daughters, Kay Hugo of Lindsay, and Shirley Ann Schneider of Ft. Worth; three sisters, Doris Calvin of Bowlegs, Nola Bumpas of El Monte, Calif., and Willie Sweat of Pauls Valley; and one brother, C. L. Bounds of Konawa.

Other survivors include five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Two grandchildren preceded him in death.

5/20/97

Heavenly angels rejoiced on Sunday afternoon when an angel from earth ascended to meet them.

Dr. Kelvin Moseley will officiate at services scheduled for May 21, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Baptist Church of Seminole. Arrangements were made thru Swearingen Funeral Home of Seminole.

Tonya was born on September 14, 1956 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Casey W. and Rhea (Anderson) Pickens.

After graduation from Shawnee High School, Tonya earned an Associates degree from Seminole Junior College and attended Oklahoma Baptist University. She was a hairdresser in Grand Prairie, Texas, Seminole and Shawnee.

It was a blind date that introduced Tonya to Keith. Six months later they were married on June 26, 1982. It was a marriage arranged for them by God. Each spouse had qualities the other spouse learned from allowing the union to grow.

They grieved together as Sarah Nicole was taken to Heaven before they could know her; also Tonya's parents made the journey to Heaven. But their hearts soared as Katie Elizabeth arrived to accept all of their love and return it tenfold. During these years Tonya was a Sunday School teacher and choir member at First Baptist Church of Seminole.

Keith and Katie will always love their wife and mom.

Tonya's other family members include her precious brother Bill and Donna Allen of Sallisaw and sisters Sandra Nichols of Jonestown, Texas and Nancy Johnson of Round Rock, Texas.

Uncle Charles and Aunt Mary McEntire, of Shawnee, showed Tonya unconditional love that she cherished; Uncle Frank and Aunt Auda Anderson, of Earlsboro, urged her to always keep her eye on the Lord.

A smile always appeared as she thought of her times with her special cousins Vicky O'Donnell of Duncan and Paula Dennis of Bowlegs, and even though the ages were close Steve Allen, Cindy Rogers and Lisa Choate of Sallisaw and Shane Allen of Tahlequah were the apples of their "Aunt Tonya's" eyes. Other cousins, nieces and nephews, not mentioned by name, know that there was a special place in Tonya's heart for each of you.

Casket bearers are David Cobb, Gary Adams, Robert Foxx, Terry Howard, David Horton and Ron Henderson.

11-7-97

Velma Estelle Brakebill was born March 22, 1904 in Guy, Arkansas to Elbert and Sally (Hankins) Henderson. She passed away November 6, 1997 in Vian, Oklahoma at the home of her grandson, Weldon Carrington.

She moved to Seminole in 1927 during the oil boom. In 1991, she moved from the Seminole/Letha area to reside with her daughter in Catoosa, OK.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Jacob Brakebill in 1973; three sons, Adrian, Gerald and Kenneth; and daughter, Velma Jean Rakowitz.

Mrs. Brakebill is survived by a son, James Douglas "Bud Brakebill of Oklahoma City, OK; and three daughters, Sibyl Helm of Rose, OK, Joyce Owens of Grand Prairie, TX, Loyce Horne of Catoosa, OK. She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; numerous other relatives and her brothers and sisters in Christ, the family of God.

She was endowed with an endearing nature to all who knew her reflecting her Christian love and life wherever she went. She was so devout in her love for her Savior, she showed it, she lived it, and now will be forever more with Him. Thank the Lord!

Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 10, 1997 at 2 p.m. at Swearingen Funeral Chapel. Full Gospel minister, Brother Steve Austin of Locust Grove, OK will be officiating. Burial will follow in Little Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Casket bearers will be Weldon Carrington, David Carrington, Gordon Owens, Kenny Gerald Brakebill, John Edward Brakebill, Todd Brakebill, Arlow Helm and Jonathan Bradley.

9-23-97

SHAWNEE - Memorial services for former Seminole businessman Russell Rollo Braman, 94, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Northridge Church of Christ with Cliff Craig officiating.

Private burial services will be held in Tecumseh under the direction of Roesch-Walker Funeral Chapel.

Braman died Friday.

He was born June 12, 1903, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Eugene and Florence (Smith) Braman.

He graduated from Sweeney Mechanical School in Kansas City, Kan. and from Anderson Diesel School in Calif.

Braman worked for Beardsley Couchman Machine Shop in Wichita. He owned and operated Braman Tool and Engineering in Shawnee for several years before moving the business to Seminole for 15 years.

Following his retirement, he moved back to Shawnee. He was a member of the Northridge Church of Christ.

Braman was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Virgie; one son, Rollo; six brothers, Lawrence, Stanley, Clifford, Garnet, Sydney and Maurice Braman; and two sisters, Gail Braman and Fera Marquardt.

Survivors include his wife, Lois, of the home; two daughters, Shirley Schmitz, Fontana, Calif. and Ramona Gilstrap, Bartlesville; one stepdaughter, Judy Kinnamon, Shawnee; one brother, Forrest Braman, Wichita, Kan.; 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

6/25/97

OKLAHOMA CITY ¾ Funeral services for former Wewoka resident Walter Alexander Branch, 53, are scheduled for 12 noon Thursday at Temple and Sons Chapel, 2801 N. Kelley Avenue.

Brother Robert Rivers will officiate. Interment will follow later in Glade Springs, Va.

Branch died Friday in an automobile-pedestrian accident in Oklahoma City.

He was born Feb. 6, 1944, in Virginia to Dorothy (Belcher) and Walter J. Branch. He lived in Wewoka during the 1980s, later moving to Oklahoma City.

He served in the U.S. Army and was a retired disabled veteran.

He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Vietnam on March 29, 1966.

He also won the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in 1966.

Survivors include his mother, Dorothy Branch, Glade Springs, Va.; one son, Julian Branch, Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas; three sisters, Dorothy Peebles, Knoxville, Tenn., Deborah Watkins, Bristol, Va., and Eanita Branch of Glade Springs, Va.; four brothers, Eddie, Knoxville, Claude, Chilhowie, Va., Clifford, Quantico, Va., and Collie, Sasebo, Japan; and three grandchildren.

June 11, 1997

Funeral services for Montez T. Braswell, 79, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Baggerley Greenlawn Funeral Home in Oklahoma City.

Braswell died Tuesday in Bethany.

She was born Sept. 3, 1917 in Phillipsburg, Mo., to Ennis Earl and Ivonne Taggard.

She was raised in Seminole and graduated from Seminole High School.

She had lived in Oklahoma City since 1953.

Survivors include two daughters, Diane Frazier of Bethany and Lee Jernigan of Tucson, Ariz.; one brother, Phil Taggard of Oklahoma City, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Heartland Healthcare Center, Bethany, Okla., or the Alzheimer’s Association, 4900 N. Portland, Suite 116, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73112.

7/29/97

Bill Brawdy, 63, died at Valley View Regional Hospital in Ada on July 26. Graveside services were held on Tuesday at Little Cemetery. Cal Hunter officiated. Burial was under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Brawdy was born March 10, 1934 in Seminole to Harvey Brawdy and Mary J. (Brown) Brawdy.

He married Retta Jolley on April 22, 1963 in Seminole.

He lived most of his life in Seminole and worked for Austin Drilling Company for several years. He was also a truck driver and retired in l996. He served in the U. S. Army; and was a member of the Baptist church.

He is survived by his wife of the home, his mother, four sons, Scott Mendinghall of Oklahoma City, Steve Mendinghall of Wewoka, Nico Brawdy of the home, Ronnie Brawdy of Seminole; three daughters, Teresa Randall of Oklahoma City, Crystal Maxwell of Wewoka and Vickie Brawdy of Tacoma, Wash.

Other survivors include a sister, Carolyn Jones of Seminole and eleven grandchildren.

8/6/97

Graveside services for Iva Earl Bray, 93, are set for Thursday at 11 a.m. at Little Cemetery. Byrd Lee Alexander will officiate. Burial will be under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

She died at her home on Tuesday. She was a long time Seminole resident.

Bray was born on April 22, 1904 in Ada to John H. Stancoff and Frances C. (Norton) Stancoff.

She married Claud Lee Bray on Aug. 12, 1923 in Ada. He preceded her in death on Sept. 22, l996. She was a homemaker and a member of the Pentecostal church.

Survivors include one son, Claud Bray Jr. of Dallas, Texas; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

8-27-97

Funeral services for Cromwell resident Paul Clifford Brazell, 85, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Parks Brothers Funeral Home Chapel.

Bro. James Wiggington will officiate the services.

Interment will be at Sand Creek Cemetery.

Brazell died Monday at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa.

He was born Nov. 9, 1911 in McIntosh County to John Edward and Eva (Black) Brazell.

Brazell was a production foreman and retired from Amerada-Hess Oil Co. after 35 years of service. He also worked for Clinton Oil Co. for five years.

He was a member of the Cromwell Baptist Church.

He married Eunice W. Brazell Feb. 24, 1936. She preceded him in death on Feb. 15, 1991.

Brazell married Vivian Jewel Crenshaw May 22, 1992 at Ft. Smith, Ark. She survives him of the home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.

Other survivors include three sons, Paul I. Brazell, Tulsa, Charles A. Brazell, Worland, Wyo., and Gene Ray Aldridge, Cromwell; four daughters, Eula Johnson, Glenwood Springs, Colo., Leta J. Bourque, Cromwell, Mary Woody, Prague and Janice Aldridge, Shawnee; two brothers, James Brazell, Ashville, N.C., and Bob Brazell, Tybe, Ga.; ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

9-9-97

PRAGUE ¾ Rosary for former Seminole resident Gary Don Brezny, 22, is scheduled at 7 p.m. tonight at Parks Brothers Funeral Home Chapel.

Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Wenceslaus Church.

Rev. Adrian Vorderlandwehr, O.S.B., will officiate. Burial will follow in Prague Catholic Cemetery.

Brezny died Saturday near Chandler.

He was born June 30, 1975 in Seminole to Shirley Brezny. He attended Prague High School and was employed as a sales clerk at Dollar General Store. He was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Prague.

Survivors include his mother and grandmother, Mary Brezny, both of the home.

7/23/97

Debra May Bristow, 19, died at Seminole Municipal Hospital on Tuesday. Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Friday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel. Larry Chesser will officiate.

Burial will follow at Vamoosa Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Bristow was born Oct. 17, 1977 in Shawnee to Clonnie Ray Bristow and Debra June Stephens Bristow. She moved to Seminole from Montana five years ago. She was a homemaker.

She is preceded in death by her paternal grandfather and maternal grandparents.

Survivors include her parents of Seminole, her twin sons, Dillion Lee and Dustin Shawn Casselman of the home.

Other survivors include a brother, Ray Haskell Bristow and a sister, Linda Gail Bristow, both of the home; and a grandmother, Dorothy Bumgardner of Seminole.

12-16-97

Funeral services for Seminole resident Maddie Lois Brooks, 82, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel.

Rev. Steve Cline will officiate the service. Burial will take place at 2 p.m. at Red Oak Cemetery near Allen.

Brooks died Saturday at Presbyterian Hospital.

She was born May 29, 1915 in Amity Ark., to William and Nettie (Widener) Cook.

She was married to Creal Brooks, who preceded her in death on March 25, 1987.

Brooks was a homemaker, and a member of the Holiness Church.

Also preceding her in death was one daughter, Lecia Taylor, 1995.

Survivors include three sons, John Hancock, Seminole, Leroy Hancock, Sandia, Texas, and Leon Hancock, Kingston; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Grandsons will act as pallbearers.

4/8/97

Lloyd Brown

MIDLAND, Texas -- Graveside services for former Letha resident Lloyd H. Brown, 81, were held Saturday at Keller Cemetery, Wilson.

Arrangements were under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home.

Brown died April 2 at Memorial Hospital, Midland.

He was born March 7, 1916, in Wirt, Carter County, to Jessie and Lillie Brown.

He was reared and educated in Carter and Johnson counties.

He was a mechanic and retired from Permian Corp. after 18 years. Before that, he owned a cafe in Letha in the mid 1950s.

He married Faye Bonds on May 1, 1938; she survives him, of the home.

Other survivors include one son, Lloyd Jay Brown, Midland; two brothers, Claude Brown, Oklahoma City, and Doyle Brown, Mustang; one sister, Geneva Myrick, Seminole; three grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

4/22/97 lgk

Jennie Elizabeth (Price) Brown, 83, died Sunday at Fountains of Canterbury Health Care Center in Oklahoma City.

Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel. Darryl Owen will officiate.

Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Brown was born Feb. 4, 1914 in Houston, Texas, to Robert and Winnie Price.

She married Lloyd Brown on May 13, l934 in Seminole. He preceded her in death on June 4, l983. She was a homemaker and a longtime resident of Seminole.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Seminole and a member of Wedding Ring Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church of Seminole.

White was preceded in death by her parents and one grandson.

Her survivors include two sons, Lloyd G. Brown of Perry, and Roy A. Brown of Oklahoma City; two daughters, Linda J. Arnett of Tulsa, and Sue L. Brown of Corte Madera, Calif.; one brother, Robert F. Price of Melbourne, Fla.; and four grandchildren.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

5/28/97

Graveside services for Maynee Brown, 88, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Little Cemetery.

Brown died Tuesday in Sand Springs.

Services are under the direction of Moore Funeral Home in Tulsa.

She was born June 4, 1909 in Seminole to Elisha and Winey Brown.

She was a homemaker and a member of the Olivet Baptist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Joan Reed of Sand Springs, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

10/19/97

HOBART ¾ Funeral services for former Seminole resident Frances Bruner are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Hobart.

Rev. Joseph Kolb and Rev. J.D.M. Stafford will officiate; burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery.

A rosary and visitation are scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at Hackney-Gish Funeral Chapel.

Bruner, 94, died Thursday at Elkview General Hospital.

She was born Feb. 22, 1903, in Hobart to Henry Joseph and Helen Josephine (Smith) Wagner.

She graduated from Hobart High School in 1921 as valedictorian. She received a degree from Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Wisconsin, graduating with honors. For a time she was librarian at Yale.

She moved to Seminole in 1927. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi, Pi Kappa Phi Honorary Society and served on the Seminole Public Library Board.

She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Tulsa, moving there in 1960.

She learned about politics at an early age, and was known as "Mrs. Democrat" in the Maple Ridge area of Tulsa.

She married Robert C. Bruner Sr. on Oct. 25, 1927; he died on July 16, 1970.

Survivors include one son, Robert C. Bruner Jr., Schertz, Texas; two daughters, Anne Dale, Denver, Colo., and Elizabeth Douthit, Tulsa; one sister, Magdalene Hamilton, Sentinel; 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

7/9/97

Bonnie Mae Bryan, 68, died Sunday at Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

Funeral services are scheduled for July 10 at 2 p.m. at Swearingen Funeral Chapel. James Caudill will officiate. Burial will follow at Holdenville Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Bryan was born May 16, l929 in Sasakwa to Isaac "Ike" Newton Foster and Eva M. (Caudill) Foster. She married Charles Bryan on July 11, l955 in Ada. He preceded her in death on Oct. 2, l985.

She was a homemaker who lived for 30 years in Seminole. She was a member of the Pentecostal Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister and five brothers.

Survivors include two daughters, Rita Charlene Wyrick of Seminole and Eva Darlene Moore of Oklahoma City; one brother, Lloyd Foster of Dumas, Texas; three sisters, Opal Jenkins and Pauline Lollar of Wewoka, and Gladys Kirkland of Okmulgee.

Other survivors include four grandchildren.

Casket bearers are Charles Bryan, Jerry Wyrick Jr., Colt Moore, Frank Moore, James Hutchinson, Ted Heath, and Jerry Wyrick Sr.

July 26, 1997

PRAGUE ¾ Funeral services for Verna Mae Burgess, 90, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Seminole. Dr. Kelvin Moseley will officiate.

Burial will follow in Little Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen and Parks Brothers funeral homes in Seminole and Prague.

Visitation is scheduled at Swearingen Funeral Home.

Burgess died Friday at her home in Seminole.

She was born Jan. 12, 1907, in Jasper, Ark., to George W. and Gertrude (Davis) Bethany. She moved to Seminole County when she was 16 years old. She graduated from Centerview High School.

She was a longtime and active member of First Baptist Church. She was a member of the adult choir and was a Sunday School teacher for over 40 years.

She married Elvin H. Burgess on Dec. 18, 1929; he died Dec. 1, 1993.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and four sisters.

Survivors include one son, Al Burgess, Midwest City; one daughter, Velma Hamilton, Pauls Valley; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

8-26-97

Funeral services for Mamie Gertrude "Gertie" Swarb Burgess, 85, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Maud.

Rev. Robert Braizer and Rev. Bob Rogers officiated the service.

Burgess died Sunday at Seminole Municipal Hospital.

Burial took place at Tecumseh Mission Cemetery under the direction of Knight Funeral Home of Maud.

Burgess was born in Harjo on October 6, 1911 to W.M. "Mack" and Armelda Isabelle (Middleton) Wise.

She was married to her first husband Luther "Bud" Swarb, who died in 1942. She later married Hiram "Sarg" Burgess on March 25, 1974 in Hazelgreen, Ala. He survives her of the home.

Burgess retired from the Air Craft Supply department at Tinker Air Force Base on June 20, 1972.

She was a member of Earlsboro First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, two sons, A.J. Swarb and Waymon A. Swarb; one grandson, Michael Eston Swarb; three sisters, Chrisa L. Price, Florence Gamble and Maude Wise; three brothers, Marvin Wise, Clarence Wise and William Dewey Wise; and her parents.

Other survivors include three sons, Eston Swarb, McLoud, Harold Swarb, Maud, and Kenneth Swarb, Manhans, Texas; two sisters, Omie Wilson and Jewel Wilson, both of Harjo; ten grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Casket bearers were Bubby Swarb, Warren Swarb, Steven Swarb, Dennis Swarb, Mike Hunt, Randy Horn, Christopher Swarb and Gary Thomason.

Observant police work stopped six burglaries in progress in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Police arrested a 17-year-old Seminole juvenile and LaShawn Shannon Garrett, 19, also known as "Little Rocket" or "Joker" on six counts of second degree burglary at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Around 2 a.m. Wednesday morning Sgt. Branon Bowen was patrolling the area of the parking lot of Courtyard Apartments when he observed two subjects wearing all black clothing running between the two complexes.

The police report said both subjects were quickly moving in a crouched position in and about some vehicles parked in the parking lot. Both subjects were reported carrying what appeared to be gym bags.

After calling for backup, Bowen said he identified himself as police and ordered the two to stop.

Both men ran south through the wooded area and Bowen followed. Officer James McKee joined in the pursuit and both officers found Garrett hiding in the grass.

After detaining Garrett with handcuffs, the officers found the 17-year-old juvenile hiding in the grass about 30 yards south.

During the pursuit Bowen noticed several baseball bags containing clothing and other items, including stereo equipment spread out along the trail.

Officers photographed the items of property found and contacted several residents of the apartments.

Brent Bellamy identified two Pioneer speakers, a checkbook and photographs as his that were removed from his 1991 Chevrolet pickup.

The police report indicated Bellamy is still missing a JVC cassette player, checks, a brown wallet with ID and a CD case containing 20 cd’s, all valued at $700.

Daries Malcom Smith identified a JVC cassette player which was removed from his 1985 Nissan. Smith is still missing three baseball gloves and a wallet containing $50.

Todd George identified a green baseball bag and a black baseball bag containing miscellaneous baseball gear. George said those items were removed from his 1986 Chevrolet Camaro.

Dax Leone identified a blue baseball bag and a white baseball bag, both containing miscellaneous baseball gear. He said these items were removed from his 1991 Chevrolet pickup.

At approximately 3:35 a.m., Bowen, joined by BIA officers Tracey Brown and Marcey Jimboy, went to a residence on Neva Street where the suspicioned the suspects had come from.

At the residence, officers made contact with Jesse Harrison, 18, and a 16-year-old juvenile male. While talking with the youths, officers saw four phone cards laying in a plant pot on the front porch.

Upon closer inspection, the officers saw the name of Bellamy on the cards and Bellamy later identified them as taken from his vehicle.

Officers also found several items in a trash polycart next to the driveway of the house.

A black leather backpack containing a radar detector was identified by Bellamy as being removed from his vehicle. The backpack was identified as belonging to Billy Nofsinger, Smith’s roommate, and taken from Smith’s vehicle.

As officers were booking Garrett, he told them he was only carrying the stuff and that he did not participate in the burglaries.

Richard Snider and J. C. Simpson Jr., both residents of the Courtyard Apartments, identified stereo systems and speakers as having been removed from their vehicles.

Police are still investigating the burglaries for further suspects, said Bowen.

12-23-97

Funeral services for longtime Sasakwa resident Dorothy Burns, 71, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Stout Funeral Home Chapel.

Burial will be at Crossroads Cemetery in Sasakwa.

Burns died Sunday at Holdenville General Hospital.

She was born Jan. 29, 1926 in Corban, Texas to Julius A. and Mattie (Byrd) Cole.

Burns was a resident of the Wewoka Nursing Home prior to her death.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and her son, Roy Lewis Burns.

Survivors include two sisters, Louise Hogue, and Opal Mixon, Corpus Christi, Texas.

11-16-97

WOODWARD - Funeral services for Andrew "Jack" Byerly, 78, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Woodward First United Methodist Church with Rev. Mitch Stewart officiating.

Masonic graveside rites will be held at 4 p.m. in the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens Cemetery, east of Seminole, under the direction of Billings Funeral Home.

Byerly died Friday at Woodward Hospital and Health Center.

He was born Oct. 24, 1919 in Holdenville to George and Ethel (Garner) Byerly. He was raised in Hughes County, attending the Greenleaf and Spalding schools.

Byerly joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937 and was discharged in 1939. He was inducted into the Navy in 1942, where he served in the Pacific during his tour of duty.

After his discharge, he returned to Holdenville, where he went to work in the oilfield.

Byerly married Mary Oliver Nov. 21, 1950 in Gainesville, Texas. They made their home in Wewoka.

He moved to Great Bend, Kan., where he began his career at Acme Tool. He served at the Woodward store as store manager, and later as regional manager. In 1978 he received the Employer of the Year award from then Governor David Boren. He retired from the company in May of 1985 after 29 years of service.

Byerly was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Holdenville and Wewoka Masonic Lodge #123.

He was elected into the Scottish Rite in 1955, and the India Temple Shrine in 1967. He was a lifelong member of the Woodward Elks Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; one daughter, Yvonne Byerly, Houston, Texas; one sister, Irene Doyle, Holdenville; three brothers, Lester Byerly, Sasakwa, Bill Byerly, Holdenville, and Clyde Byerly, Wewoka.

The family asks that any memorials be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Cancer Research or the charity of your choice.

5/22/97

Funeral services for Bonnie G. Cain, 83, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at the Church of Christ in Wewoka.

Wallace McRay will officiate, and interment will be at Atwood Cemetery.

Cain passed away Tuesday.

She was born Feb. 2, 1914 in Advance, Arkansas to Grace and J.W. Bench.

She was raised in the Wetumka and Hughes County area, and she later moved to the Atwood area.

Cain married Harvey Haskell Cain on Nov. 14, 1932, and he preceded her in death on May 4, 1997.

She had lived in Wewoka for the last 45 years, and she was an active member of the Church of Christ in Wewoka for many years.

Survivors include six children, Hershel Cain of Oklahoma City; Carrol Cain of Harrah; Raymond Cain of Wewoka; Reba Terrell of Cashion; Jane Resler of Minco, and Sheron Hendryx of San Antonio; two sisters, Edith Booze of Okemah and Clara Coffee of Green Acres, Wash.; 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Tony Bagwell, Loane Broadbent, Mathew Cain, Brian Cain, Jimmy Sutton, and John Bender

6/17/97

Lois Campbell, 75, died Saturday in Oklahoma City. Services are set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church in Shawnee.

Bill Matthews, Phil Thompson and Glenn C. Peck will officiate. Burial will follow at Tecumseh Cemetery.

Campbell was born June 18, l921 to Tom and Ruth (Dunbar)Tibbs in Shawnee.

She was reared in Shawnee and graduated from Shawnee High School.

She married Hugh Campbell in Tecumseh on Aug. 16, 1947. Following her marriage, she lived in Texas for 10 years. She then lived in Wewoka for 30 years and had resided in Tecumseh since l986.

She was a junior draftsman with the Texas Company and a homemaker.

Campbell was a member of the Christian Women’s Fellowship with the First Christian Church of Wewoka. She was also active in the Holiday Ramblers, Inc. She was a former secretary-treasurer with the Buffalo Ramblers Chapter #286.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Loretta Davidson, Evelyn Davidson and Patsy Riggin; and two brothers, Early Tibbs and Jack Tibbs.

Survivors include her husband of the home, one daughter, Cheryl Muirhead of Shawnee; one son, Keith Campbell of Wewoka, and three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

6/17/97 lgk

11-18-97

Funeral services for Dewey "Dude" Carlton, 87, father of Don Orr, Wewoka, were held today at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague.

Rev. Carl Clay officiated the ceremony. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Okemah.

Carlton died Sunday in an Okemah nursing home.

He was born Dec. 2, 1909 in Harrison, Ark. He lived in Okfuskee County most of his life.

Carlton married Pearl Boykin April 27, 1965 in Okemah. She survives him of the home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one half sister and three brothers.

Other survivors include on daughter, Carol Bryan, Tulsa; one stepdaughter, Janis Shackleford, Sand Springs; three stepsons, Victor Orr, Choctaw, Don Orr, Wewoka, and Ronald Orr, Chouteau; one brother, Cecil Cruce, Oklahoma City; two sisters, Willa Lawrence, Oklahoma City, and Pauline Thomas, Edmond; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

June 11, 1997

Graveside services for Amanda Ruth Carmichael, 93, are scheduled for today at Maple Grove Cemetery in Seminole.

Gene Garrison will officiate, and services will be under the direction of John M. Ireland Funeral Home in Oklahoma City.

Carmichael died Sunday.

She was born Feb. 25, 1904 in Mannsville.

She received her masters degree from Oklahoma University, and she taught at Taft Junior High.

Carmichael was a member of the First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

Survivors include two sisters, Alleen Cook of Shawnee and Dee Turner of Bartlesville.

6/4/97

Funeral services for Clora D. Carolina, 78, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Scipio Baptist Church in Lima.

Rev. E.G. Bert will officiate, and services are under the direction of Meyers Mortuary.

Carolina died May 31.

She was born Jan. 21, 1919.

She had lived in Sasakwa all of her life.

Survivors include a son, Leon Carolina of Seminole; two sisters, Rena Price of Los Angeles and Roxie Manuel of Oklahoma City; three granddaughters, four step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, 11 step-great-grandchildren, and one step-great-great grandson.

8/15/97

Funeral Services for lifelong Sasakwa resident Gerthie Carolina, 81, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Wewoka.

She died on Monday.

Rev. Clifford Burt will officiate the service.

Interment will take place at Thomas Town Cemetary in Sasakwa, with Pollard Funeral Home Inc. of Oklahoma City officiating.

Carolina was born to Mr. and Mrs. Mack Moore on July 21, 1916.

She was married to Dave E. Carolina.

Carolina, a housewife, was active in the Middle Creek Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

She is survived by five nephews and one niece.

12-2-97

Funeral services for Jimmie C. Carpenter, 83, brother of Cromwell resident Calvin Carpenter, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel in Prague.

Rev. Randall Miller will officiate the service. Burial will take place at Prague Cemetery.

Carpenter died Monday in Meeker.

He was born Aug. 31, 1914 in Prague to Sam W. and Lillie (Lacquement) Carpenter.

He married Cleo Vadie Adams on Oct. 1, 1936. She preceded him in death on March 24, 1990.

Carpenter was also preceded in death by his parents, one son, Lee Roy, in January, 1990; one grandson, seven brothers, and one sister.

Survivors include two sons, Jimmie Carpenter and Glen Carpenter, both of Prague; one daughter, Betty Bates, Prague; four brothers, Johnnie Carpenter, Bethel, Pete Carpenter, Prague, Calvin Carpenter, Cromwell, and Willis Carpenter, Prague; one sister, Juanita Ellison, Prague; ten grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

8-23-97

Funeral services for Henry C. Carroll, 87, were held Tuesday, Aug. 19 at Klein Funeral Home in Klein, Texas.

Graveside service and committal were at Klein Memorial Park in Tomball, Texas.

Carroll died at his home in Houston, Texas on Friday, Aug. 15.

He was born on Aug. 31, 1909 in Yale to John Wiley and Matilda Ryan Carroll.

Carroll moved to Wewoka in 1926 at the age of 17 to work in the Seminole oilfields. He was the owner of Marby Construction Company and operated out of Wewoka for over 40 years working the oilfields throughout Oklahoma.

He closed his operation in 1968 and moved to Odessa, Texas to work in the Permian Basin oilfields.

In 1973 he moved to Houston, Texas where he retired from Brown and Root Construction Company after working over 50 years in the oil industry. After retirement he enjoyed hunting, fishing and travel.

Carroll met and married Reba A. McMahan. She preceded him in death.

Survivors include one son, Wayne Carroll on Simonton, Texas; and two daughters, Jane Williams, and Sharon Gray, both of Houston, Texas.

Other survivors include six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

8/3/97

Funeral services for David C. "Dave" Carruth are scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m. at Swearingen Funeral Chapel in Seminole. Tommy Gallaher will officiate.

Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Seminole, under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Carruth, 83, died Friday in Russellville, Ark.

He was born March 8, 1914 in Wayne to George Younger Carruth and Ethyl (Claxton) Carruth.

Carruth came to Seminole over 70 years ago from Osage County. He married Elsie Owens on Feb. 16, 1935 in Pauls Valley. She preceded him in death on April 2, 1991.

Carruth was owner of an oil field service and production company and was a cattle rancher.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Seminole and a member of the Masons and Elks Lodges.

Preceding him in death were his parents, one sister, and one grandson.

Survivors include two sons, Phil Carruth and Craig Carruth, both of Russellville; and two daughters, Davene Shipman of Seminole and Diane Knox of Oakton, Va.

Other survivors include ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Casket bearers include Glen Haines, Jim Carruth, Phil Carruth Jr., Doug Shipman, Brian Knox and Randy Adkins.

11-4-97

Funeral services for St. Louis resident Frank Junior Caudle, 71, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, St. Louis, with Rev. Jackie Allen officiating.

Burial will be at Cummings Cemetery in Maud under the direction of Knight Funeral Home.

Caudle died Monday at Shawnee Regional Hospital.

He was born Jan. 16, 1926 in Leedy to William Frank and Julia (Kent) Caudle.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Europe during World War II.

Caudle worked at Tinker Air Force Base until his retirement in 1976. He then spent his time farming and raising cattle.

He was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Maud.

Caudle was preceded in death by his father in 1962, his mother in 1991, and one sister, Estelle Caudle in 1943.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; one son, Tony Caudle, St. Louis; one daughter, Cindy Jones, Shawnee; two brothers, Russell Caudle, Stephenville, Texas and Dewayne Caudle, Houston, Texas; one sister, Mozell Gibson, Escondido, Calif.; and three grandchildren.

Casket bearers are Nobie Lowden, Harold Dickerson, Buster Richardson, Jim Prather, Bill Buley, Bob Gregory.

10-3-97

Funeral services for former Seminole resident Ionia Mae Cauthron, 90, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Roesch-Walker Funeral Chapel with Bill Matthews and Phil Thompson officiating.

Burial will be at Little Cemetery.

Cauthron died Thursday at a Shawnee hospital.

She was born Sept. 3, 1907 in Graham, Texas to Henry and Lillie (Estes) Sluder.

Cauthron had lived in Seminole since 1954, before moving to Shawnee in 1989.

She married Ezra Andrew Cauthron July 27, 1925 in Poteau. He preceded her in death.

Cauthron is also preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, one brother, one daughter, one stepson and two grandchildren.

Survivors include five sons, Herschel Cauthron, Owasso, Harrell Cauthron, Glenpool, Harlon Cauthron, Phoenix, Ariz., Alvie Cauthron, San Jacinto, Calif., and Grady Cauthron, Pinetop, Ariz.; four daughters, Ruth Sillings, San Bernadino, Calif., Shirlee King, Ada, Retha Houck, Shawnee and Margaret Varela, Grand Prairie, Texas; four brothers, Vernon Sluder, Blanchard, Jeff Sluder, Calif., Wayne Sluder, Rush Springs, and Roy Sluder, Calif.; 23 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren.

11-23-97

Graveside services for former Seminole resident Mary Jo Cayton, 68, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Cayton died Tuesday in Kingsland, Ga.

She was born Oct. 10, 1929 in Seminole to Ed Duncan Brown and Forest Ola (Hodges) Brown.

Cayton was a native of Seminole, and a long time resident of Kansas City, Mo. before moving to Kingsland, Ga. three months ago.

Survivors include four sons, Danny Powell, Woodbine, Ga., Eddie Powell, California, Jeff Cayton, Pleasonton, Kan., and Pete Cayton, Lone Jack, Mo.; three daughters, Debbie Anderson, Red Bluff, Calif., Charlotte Haskew, Kingsland, Ga., and Brenda Coen, Modesto, Calif.; one brother, Steve Brown, Oklahoma City; three sisters, Alma Flannery, Seminole, Betty Sandlin, Midwest City, and Cora Brown, Tecumseh; and 15 grandchildren.

Charles Albert Chadick, 79, of Wewoka died on Monday.

Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Hilltop Freewill Baptist Church in Wewoka. N. R. Smith will officiate.

Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Wewoka.

Chadick was born Dec. 21, 1917 in Calvin to Albert D. and Mamie Mae Chadick.

He is survived by his wife Blanche of the home; seven children, Charles Chadick Jr. of Seminole, Judy Bowling of Roland, Bill Chadick of Coppers Cove, Texas, Debbie Canary of Niardic, Ill., Alma O’Neal of Roland, Mamie Gambrell of Pocola and Doris Khoury of Konawa.

Other survivors include two brothers, Jim Chadick of Wewoka and Harold Chadick of Seminole; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Vic Watts, L. D. Tribble, Lloyd Bise, Warren Jones, Carl Barnes, Bennie Wilkerson and Herman Harper.

12-23-97

Graveside services for former Seminole resident Louis Elmer Chase, 83, are scheduled for 10 a.m. at Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Rev. Lin Jones will officiate the service.

Chase died Saturday in Shawnee.

He was born in Cerro Gerdo County, Ark., to Dr. James B. and Mae (Sain) Chase.

Chase moved to Seminole from Foreman, Ark., and was a resident for 63 years.

He retired from civil service Tinker AFB in 1979. He was a veteran of the United States Army, where he served as a Corporal During WWII.

Chase was a member of Ideal Street Baptist Church, and the Seminole American Legion.

He married Reetha Mae (Stephens) Chase on June 14, 1936 in Allen. She survives him of the home.

Chase was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Barbara Magruder, Aug. 1987; one son, Charles Russell, June, 1983; one sister, Doxie Hubbard; one brother, J.B. Chase in 1978; one granddaughter, Taunya Chase, July 20, 1978; and one grandson, Eric V. Chase, Oct. 20, 1970.

Other survivors include two sons, Louis Chase, Seminole, and James Chase, Oklahoma City; one daughter, Pat Plumlee, Union, Mo.; one sister, Tommie Bennett, Miami; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Casket bearers will be Thad Ashcraft, Cliff Bedford, Joe Hardin, Ed Herber, Dennis Splawn, and V.P. Staley.

Honorary casket bearer is Paul Kennedy.

10-9-97

Graveside services for J.D. "Gene" Chastain, 81, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Chapel.

Chastain died Tuesday in Oklahoma City.

He was born July 3, 1916 in Maud to James Edward and Lula E. (Way) Chastain. He attended school in Prague and Shawnee, and later lived the the Shawnee and Tecumseh areas.

He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked as an electrician and with the refrigeration service, Payne Electric for several years. He later worked for Eddy Electric before operating his own business, Central Electric.

Survivors include five daughters, Gloria Jean Ford, Anthony, Kan., Mary Jones, San Jose, Calif., Carol McGowen and Debbie Chastain, both of Oklahoma City, and Frances Brink, Macomb; three sons, James Chastain, Verden, Timothy Chastain, McLoud, and Ronald Chastain, Moore; one sister, Jewel Harris, Crescent City, Calif.; one brother, James Edward Chastain Jr., Austin, Texas; 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services for Ferman Cheatwood, 83, of Seminole, have been scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in Seminole.

Drake died Monday in Oklahoma City.

He was born on Dec. 29, 1913, in Paden to C.F. and Z.M.E. (Dawson) Cheatwood.

At the age of eight, he moved to Okemah and attended school

Cheatwood married Frances Stine on Dec. 1, 1933. the couple moved to Oklahoma City in 1935, where they resided for the next 42 years.

He worked in the freight business for 24 years, 20 with Motor Freight Lines.

Cheatwood was an avid bridge player for 45 years and was a Life Master of the game.

In 1981, he married Eva Barry, with whom he traveled extensively.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as and elder, clerk of session, treasurer and adult Sunday school teacher.

Cheatwood was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances; parents; brothers, Vernie, Herman and Bernan Cheatwood; and sisters, Viola Mae Hindman and Esther Sweeten.

He is survived by his wife of the home; son, Scott Cheatwood of Oklahoma City; daughter, Carolyn Burkes of Oklahoma City; sister, Mabel Howard of Oklahoma City; and brother, Orman Cheatwood of Edmond; and three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family requests memorials be donated to the First Presbyterian Church.

Funeral services for Nana Iva (Barrett) Choate, 89, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel. Rev. Robert Brasier will officiate. Burial will follow in Little Cemetery.

Choate, 89, died Sunday at Seminole Municipal Hospital.

She was born March 16, 1907, south of Earlsboro, Indian Territory, to H.A. "Andy" and Agnes Melissa (Rogers) Barrett.

She was a lifelong resident of the Seminole-Earlsboro area and was active in her comunity.

She was a member of First Baptist Church in Earlsboro. She was a member of the Tracy Rebekah Lodge for more than 40 years, serving as Noble Grand and in other positions.

She was a also a 30-year member of an extension homemakers club.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Arthur Choate on May 20, 1976, and J.C. Hanna on Sept. 1, 1988; two brothers, Robert and Lewell Barrett; and one sister, Audie Barrett.

Survivors include four nieces, Glenda Barrett, Edmond, Nana Cornwell, Waco, Texas, Judy Vanlandingham, Tahlequah, and Terri Watson, Fort Worth; and one nephew, Bob Barrett, Vicksburg, Miss.

Pallbearers will include Steve Copeland, Barrett Vanlandingham, Jimmy Welch, Steve Rasure, Frank Anderson, John Starkey and John York.

6/24/97

ADA ¾ Graveside funeral services for Timothy Lewis Choate, 16, of Konawa are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Rosedale Cemetery.

Rev. Winston Curtis will officiate. Burial will be under the direction of Criswell Funeral Home.

Choate died in an explosion near Konawa early Sunday.

He was born Jan. 19, 1981, in Oklahoma City to Kathy and Robert Lewis Choate. He attended school at Hodges, moving to Konawa in October, 1995.

He was a student at Konawa High School, where he was a long-distance track runner. He was second runner-up in the state competition last year. He also played basketball.

He was a Baptist by faith.

Survivors include his mother, Kathy Choate of Oklahoma City; his father, Robert Lewis Choate, Mansfield, Texas; his grandfather, Lewis Choate, Hodges; and his grandmother, Virgie Weems, Konawa.

Pallbearers will include Adam Baker, Shawn Reeves, Chris Parker, ike Tenney and Jeff and Jason Park.

12-30-97

Howard Clayton, 84 died yesterday in his Seminole home.

He was born Nov. 2, 1913, in Webb City, Mo. to James and June (Mills) Clayton.

Clayton was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and a commander of the American Legion for several years.

He came to Seminole in 1953 from Cleveland, Ohio, and operated Clayton’s Groce,ry at 800 E. Broadway, until his retirement in 1973.

Clayton was a Chaplin of the Masonic Lodge in Seminole, and affiliated with the Prebyterian Church.

He married Terry Clayton on Dec. 24, 1934, in Okmulgee. She survives him of the home.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister and one grandson.

Other survivers include one son, Howard Clayton II, Texas City, Texas; one daughter, Monique (Beers) Tinker, McAlester; three granchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The family requests that memorials be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104-5097.

Former Seminole resident, Billy Joe Clegg, died Thursday in Biloxi, Miss.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday for the self-identified perennial candidate.

Clegg, a Baptist minister who had moved to Miss. from Oklahoma in 1989, had checked into the Biloxi Veterans Administration emergency room when he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest, a spokesman said.

He was born with the name of William Joseph Summers in Tulsa in 1928. Tom Clegg, a farm in rural Seminole, adopted Billy Joe.

When Clegg first entered politics in 1971, he quit his job as a worker for Independent Postal Service in Tulsa and hitchhiked to New Hampshire to enter the presidential primary.

Clegg had entered presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional races as a Democratic, Republican and as an independent candidate, even running under his own Loyal U.S.A. Party.

Using the campaign slogan, "Clegg Won’t Pull Your Leg," he had announced in Mississippi last week that he intended to seek the presidency again in the year 2000.

Retired as a tech sergeant after more than 21 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, Clegg was a member of the Bay Vista Baptist Church in Biloxi.

He was president of the Clegg Christian Crusade.

Services will be held Tuesday in the Riemann Memorial Funeral Home in Biloxi with burial at the Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors.

Survivors are his wife, Betty; a son Joe Darrel Clegg, Arlington, Tex.; and a daughter, Carmen Ruth Arn, Austin, Tex.

5/6/97

Robert L. Clower, 88, died Saturday in Oklahoma City. Burial took place on Monday under the direction of Knight Funeral Home in Maud. Jim Kirkedall officiated the graveside services.

Clower was born Dec. 13, l908 at Vamoosa. He was a lifelong Vamoosa and Maud resident. He moved to Oklahoma City two years preceding his death.

He married Myrhl L. Clower in l930 at Maud.

He was an oilfield pumper and later worked for over 30 years for the Oklahoma State Highway department. He was a member of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and a daughter, Janova Dale Clower.

Clower is survived by his son, Jerry Wade Clower of Oklahoma City; a daughter, Cleta K. Brown, of Oklahoma City; two grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

8-12-97

Funeral services for former Wewoka resident, Peggy Jean (Beckett) Cochran will be held Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. at Crown Heights Christian Church in Oklahoma City.

Cochran died Saturday in Oklahoma City.

She was born to Si and Flossie (Eaton) Beckett in Wewoka. She attended New Lima High School and is a graduate of East Central University.

Cochran married Joseph E. Cochran Jr. He preceded her in death.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Jo-Ann Phillips.

Survivors include two sons, Joseph E. Cochran, Oklahoma City, and Michael Cochran, Columbus Ohio; one daughter, Karen Renfrow, Edmond; and one brother, Si Dean Beckett, Arlington, Texas.

Other survivors include three grandsons.

8-21-97

Graveside services for long time Sasakwa resident Vera Elizabeth Coleman, 71, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Lone Dove Cemetery under the direction of Stout Funeral Home

Coleman died Wednesday at her home.

Rev. Carl Wills will officiate the service.

Coleman was born Nov. 8, 1924 in Texas to Mont and Martha Welch.

She was raised in Sasakwa and a member of the Church of Christ.

She married Preston Coleman in 1951. He survives her of the home.

Coleman was preceded in death by two brothers, Larence Welch and Clifton Welch.

Other survivors include two sons, James Jacobs, Sasakwa, and Dalen Jacobs, Lawton; five sisters and two brothers.

Pallbearers include Kelton Welch, Gary Welch, Ronnie Welch, Chubby Welch, Jacky Reich and Danny Leslie.

Honorary bearers will be Shannon Welch, Jason Welch and Jimmy Welch.

9-17-97

Graveside services for Sasakwa resident Preston Coleman, 79, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Love Dove Cemetery, south of Wewoka. Carl Wills will officiate.

Coleman died Tuesday at Valley View Hospital.

He was born Oct. 3, 1918 in Wright City Community and lived in the Sasakwa area for the last 40 years.

Coleman retired from Dolese Brothers Company in Sasakwa and was a member of the Church of Christ in Sasakwa.

He and wife Vera Elizabeth were married July 17, 1950 in Las Vegas, Nev. She preceded him in death.

He was also preceded in death by one brother, "Son," and one sister, May.

Survivors include two sons, James Jacobs, Sasakwa and Dalen Jacobs, Lawton; one brother, Meril Coleman, Wright City; one sister, Winnie Lowhorn, Eugene, Ore.; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Travis Lowhorn, Jimmy Lowhorn, Charly Coleman, Ronnie Morris, Dan Hearndon and Kelton Welch.

PAID OBITUARY

12-20-97

Funeral services for William E. "Bill" Collier, 55, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel.

Bob Anderson will officiate the service. Burial will take place at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.

Collier died Friday in his Wewoka home.

He was born July 1, 1942 in Seminole to Cecil Clifford and Myrtel (Cooper) Collier.

Collier was a longtime employee of The Seminole Company, and retired from Wrangler in 1997.

He was a veteran of the National Guard.

Collier married Judy Kay May on November 29, 1963 in Seminole. She survives him of the home.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Other survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Donnie and Denise Collier, Wewoka; one daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Mark Mosley, Wewoka; one brother, George Collier, Wewoka; two sisters, Flora Parker, Aurora, Ore., and Carolyn Taylor, Levant, Maine; three grandchildren, Heath and Melissa Mosley, and Dillon Joseph "D.J." Collier, all of Wewoka; and a host of brothers and sisters-in-law who loved him dearly.

Casket bearers will be Tommy May, Randy Osborn, Darrin Mize, Wayne May, Brent Jones, and Billy West.

Honorary casket bearers include Jack Castle, Legus Harjo, Arvel Snow, Jackie Jones, and Leon Williams.

8/6/97

Graveside services for Pauline Collins are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Maple Grove Cemetery in Seminole. David Collins will officiate. Burial will be under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Collins, 79, died on Tuesday at McAlester Regional Health Center.

She was born March 27, 1918 in Seminole to Floyd Oscar Barton and Dora M. (Langford) Barton.

She married Leroy Collins April 18, 1936 in Sulphur. He preceded her in death on Dec. 1, l983.

Barton was the executive director of Seminole Campfire Girls and was a lifelong resident of Seminole County.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one grandson.

Survivors include a son, David Collins of Canadian; two daughters, Linda Arnhart and Paula Geuin of Canadian, and a niece she raised, Carol Raper of Konawa.

Other survivors include five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

8-28-97

Graveside services for Glen Charles Collins, 69, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Memorial Park Cemetery in Ada under the direction of Smith Funeral Home of Ada.

Rev. Harold Spooner will officiate.

Collins died Tuesday in Oklahoma City.

He was born Oct. 18, 1927 in Konawa to Benjamin and Artie (Crenshaw) Collins.

He graduated from Konawa High School, and from East Central State College.

Collins served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and in the U.S. Army as an officer during the Korean Conflict.

He served as a state representative from Konawa in 1950-54, and as a state senator representing Seminole and Pontotoc Counties from 1954-58.

He married Johnnie Stubbs on Oct. 16, 1952 in Ft. Smith, Ark. She survives him of the home.

Collins was preceded in death by one sister, Helen Delaney.

Other survivors include two sons, Glen C. Collins Jr., Colorado Springs, Colo. and Michael T. Collins, Madison, Wis.; one daughter, Suzanne Jones, Seminole; one brother, Gene Collins, Oklahoma City; one sister, Barbara Hale, Oklahoma City; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Military honors will be performed by Desert Storm Post #11194 from Konawa.

Funeral services for Julia Louise Conner, 79, long-time Seminole resident, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel. Rev. Mike Bentley will officiate. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Swearing Funeral Home.

Conner died Thursday in her home in Seminole.

She was born July 26, 1917 in Shamrock to C. P. Johnson and Emma (Creason) Johnson.

On Dec. 23, 1938 she married C.B. Conner in Chelsea; he survives her of their home. They moved to Seminole 51 years ago.

Conner was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ at Park and Seminole Streets.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Other survivors include three sons and daughter-in-laws, C. Wayne and Beverly Conner, Bartlett, Tenn., Charles and Linda Conner, Oklahoma City and Bernard G. Conner, Oklahoma City; one daughter Judy and Dave McKinney, Oklahoma City, a sister and brother-in-law, Mozelle and Jim Hall of Seminole; ten grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.

Casket bearers will be Charles Wayne Conner, Daniel Rojas, Brandon Conner, Robert Harris, Bradley Conner, and Tyler Conner. Honorary bearers will be Michael Theriot and Hassie Darweesh.

5/2/97

Julie Conner, 79, died at her home in Seminole on Thursday. Services are pending with Swearingen.

Word was just received that Pattie (Cross) Conwell, 36, former Seminole resident, died on June 10 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Port Arthur, Texas.

Conwell attended high school in Lumberton, Texas. She graduated from Seminole State College and attended East Central University in Ada. She resided and worked at the Omega Alpha Christian Center north of Wewoka.

Survivors included one daughter Tina Renee Conwell and one son, Joseph Michael Conwell both of Arvada, Colo.; two sisters, Linda Waldrop of Lumberton and Marty Cassens of Clear Lake, Texas.

Other survivors included one brother, Carl Hubert of Lake Charles, La., and one maternal grandmother, Martha Blackburn of Vidor, Texas.

At the request of Conwell, memorials can be made to Omega Alpha Christian Center, Rt 2 Box 186, Wewoka, OK. 74884.

6/17/97 lgk

10-26-97

Funeral services for Jimmie Ella Cook, 79, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at the New Life Church, Wewoka, with John Hutchison officiating.

Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

Cook died Friday at Presbyterian Hospital in Oklahoma City.

She was born Feb. 1, 1918 in Wagoner County to Jim and Allie Autry. She was raised in Wagoner County and moved to Wewoka at the young age.

Cook was a member of the New Life Church and worked as a housewife and bookkeeper for the family-owned trucking business.

She married Howard P. Cook on Sept. 4, 1934, in Seminole County. He survives her of the home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, four sisters, and one grandson.

Other survivors include one daughter, Trevia Streater, Wewoka; two sons, George Cook and Don P. Cook, both of Wewoka.

Pallbearers will be Zane Smith Jim Chadick, Clifford Cook, Gregory Cook, Michael Streater and Dewayne Streater.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Collins, John Henderson and Stan Symon.

5/6/97

Grace Jeanette Cooper, 89, of Wewoka died at Mission Hill Hospital in Shawnee.

Graveside services are set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Oakwood Cemetery in Wewoka.

Cooper was born Aug. 4 , l907 in Ada. She had lived in Wewoka since l942. She was preceded in death by her husband George E. Cooper in l975.

She is survived by two daughters, Deloris Franke of Okmulgee and Doris J. Case of Artesia, N.M.; one son, George E. Cooper Jr., of Wewoka; three sisters, Lena Simpson of Ada, Wilma Whittenbury of Lemont, Ill., and Jerri Wolf of Fresno, Calif.; and one brother, Dempsey Kellum of Konawa.

She is also survived by nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

10-28-97

Graveside services for former Maud resident Grace L. Copeland, 84, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Cummings Cemetery in Maud under the direction of Knight Funeral Home.

Copeland died Sunday at Purcell Hospital in Purcell.

She was born March 31, 1913 in Konawa to Thomas and Rosa Lee (Nixon) Copeland.

Copeland was also a former Konawa resident, before moving to Pueblo, Colo., where she worked as a hospital dietician for 30 years.

After retirement, she moved to Greenville, Texas before moving to Purcell in 1994.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Walter, Acie and Floyd Copeland.

Survivors include one brother, Elmer Copeland, Aurora, Colo.; two sisters, Mae Anthony, Norman, and Norma Maulding, Yukon.

WEWOKA ¾ Funeral services for Wonnie Cosar, 81, are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at his home, three miles north and one and three-quarters miles west of Cromwell.

Dave Bowlegs and Andy Alexander will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mack and Bell family cemetery, two mile west of Cromwell, under the direction of Stout Funeral Home.

Cosar died Friday at the Wewoka Nursing Center.

He was born Feb. 24, 1916, in Wolf to Lopey and Sophrona (Powell) Cosar.

He worked for the city of Shawnee for a number of years and was a veteran of World War II. He served in the U.S. Army.

Survivors include two sons, Andrew Kosaw, Konawa, and Phillip J. Deere, Moore; two daughters, Alice Mack, Cromwell, and Anita Holuby, Oklahoma City; 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will include Rodney Starr, Steve Yargee, Sam Harjo Sr., Leon Bell, Isaic Walters and Chebon Walters.

5/1/97

Benny Cothern, 81, died Wednesday at home.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Tri-City Christian Center. Marion Hadsell and Leon Haas will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.

Cothern was born in Mount Hope, Ala., Feb. 4, l916 to Oscar Cothern and Maggie (Boyles) Cothern. He married Tuki Rogers on June 28, 1947 in Corinth, Miss.

He retired from oilfield work in l986; he worked in Oklahoma, Illinois, Colorado and Utah. He also worked for Walt Davis Chevrolet. He served in the U. S. Air Force.

He moved to Seminole nine years ago from California. He was a member of Tri-City Christian Center.

Cothern is survived by his wife, Tuki of the home; two sons, Jack Ryan of Seminole and Billy of Salem, Ill.; and one daughter, Betty Mowry of Decateur, Ill.

Other survivors include a sister, Jessie Kilye of Scotsdale, Ariz., and seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made to New Hope Hospice Program of Ada or a favorite charity.

9-23-97

Funeral services for Konawa resident Michael Raymond Cotner, 61, were held Tuesday morning at Pickard Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James Evans officiating.

Burial was at Konawa Cemetery.

Cotner died Saturday at Valley View Regional Hospital in Ada.

He was born Aug. 9, 1936 in Oklahoma City to Michael Andrew and Opal Helen (Pendergrass) Cotner.

He was a retired electrical and mechanical engineer for Brown and Root and Independent Oil Production.

Cotner was a 32nd-degree Mason and also a Shriner.

Survivors include one son, Michael Raymond Cotner Jr., Baton Rouge, La.; his parents, of Konawa; one sister, Betty June Belk, Brandon, Miss.; and four grandchildren.

Pallbearers include Norman Moore, Kenneth Norman, Carl Raper, Ray Starkey, Jim Hayes and Mike Burris.

At the families request, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.

5/6/97

Word was received today of the death of Doris Darland Cox, who died March 23.

Burial was in Albuquerque, N.M.

She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. U.V. Darland. She attended Seminole schools and Seminole Junior College.

She moved to Albuquerque in the early 1940s.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Tom Beaver; and one brother, Bill Dan Darland.

She is survived by her husband, R.L. Cox, Albuquerque.

PAID OBIT

12-2-97

Graveside services for Ellen Lorene Crane, 80, mother of Wewoka resident Jo Ann Terrell, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Green Hill Cemetery in Davis with Finis Stillman officiating.

Crane died Saturday.

She was born Oct. 12, 1917 in Davis to Percy Edgar and Annie (Hunt) Ay