Wednesday, December 11, 2002
Ethel Lee funeral set
Funeral services for former area resident Ethel Adella (Fourtner) Lee, age 100 and a resident of the Greeley Place in Greeley, Colo., will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Interment will be in the cemetery at Butler. Mrs. Lee died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002, at the North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC) in Greeley. She was born on Feb. 27, 1902, in a sod house in Endicott, Neb., the daughter of Charles and Katie Fourtner. On March 18, 1922, she married Hubert Garland Lee at the Custer County Courthouse in Arapaho. The Lees had one daughter, LaVena Kathryn, who was born Dec. 17, 1926. Mr. Lee died Feb. 24, 1987. In 1957, the Lees sold their farm in Oklahoma and moved to Lafayette, Colo., to be close to their daughter and grandchildren. They owned and operated an eight-unit apartment building and enjoyed traveling with the Lafayette Senior Citizen Group. In 1980, they moved to Wheat Ridge, Colo. where they actively volunteered with the Wheat Ridge Senior Center. Mrs. Lee continued to live in Wheat Ridge after the death of her husband. After the death of her daughter, LeVena (York) Bauder, on Nov. 17, 1996, Mrs. Lee moved to The Greeley Place. She enjoyed living at the Greeley Place, where she was an active volunteer in the sewing bee and craft groups. She crocheted every day, making baby hats for the newborns at NCMC and things for her family. She walked several flights of stairs three to four times a day for meals and let the “younger ones” use the elevator. Mrs. Lee was a member of United Church of Christ in Butler, and the Greeley Place Sewing Bee and Craft Group. Friends may visit from 3-5 p.m. Friday at the funeral home in Clinton. Howe Mortuary in Lafayette, Colo., was in charge of Colorado arrangements. Survivors include a son-in-law, Warren Bauder of Arvada, Colo.; two granddaughters, Sharon Decker of Eaton and Anita Carpenter and her husband, John, of Morrison, Colo.; three grandsons, Neal York and his wife, Alice Berg York, of Mead, Terry York and his wife, Dianna, of Greeley, Colo. and Darrell York and his wife, Glenda, of Wichita, Kan.; and eight great grandchildren, Rose and Leah York of Mead, Adam and Michael York of Greeley, Colo., Daylene and Nathan York of Wichita, Kan., and Matthew and Amanda Decker of Eaton. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial gifts in Mrs. Lee’s honor to the Butler Community Center in care of the funeral home.

Tuesday, December 10, 2002
Hugh Linderer services slated
Graveside services for Hugh Laverne Linderer, age 71 of Clinton, formerly of Enid, will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Clinton Cemetery with Rev. Loyd Hall officiating. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at West Willow Community Church in Enid with Rev. Don Tines of his home church officiating. Linderer died Monday afternoon, Dec. 9, 2002, at the Clinton Veterans Center. He was born on March 20, 1931 in Clinton, the son of May Lawson Linderer and Ado Linderer. His family moved to Enid when he was seven years where he resided most of his life and was a faithful member of the West Willow Community Church. Linderer worked in the retail shoe business for Dillard’s, Brown Shoe Fit and Earnest Bro. He served in the Korean War with the 45th Infantry Division from September 1950 until June 1952. Linderer received a Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Campaign Star, a U.N. Service Medal and a Combat Infantry badge. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include three sisters, Ann Kelley and her husband, Roy, of Enid, Pauline Mansfield and her husband, Clarence, of Arapaho, Jean Schwab and her husband, John, of Woodward; four brothers, Harold Linderer and his wife, Ellouise, of Clinton, Herbert Linderer of Camp Hill, Pa., Bobby Linderer and his wife, Joyce, of Arizona, Glen Tabor of Woodward; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death, in addition to his mother and father, were three sisters and two brothers.

Mary Isbell rites today
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Isbell, 84 and a longtime resident of Cordell, were held today at the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Cordell with Jerry Wilkins, Alden Preston and Robert Williams officiating. Mrs. Isbell died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002. She was born on June 29, 1918 at Lookeba, the daughter of Charlie and Lucy Martin. She married Robert Isbell on Sept. 8, 1935 at Cloud Chief and spent the majority of her adult life in Cordell. She and her late husband were strong supporters of Washita County veterans. For more than 50 years they placed flags at numerous county cemeteries for Memorial Day. Mrs. Isbell was a longtime volunteer at the Cordell Christian Home and an active member of the Pentecostal Holiness Church there where for more than 50 years special bags of treats were passed out at Christmas to young and old alike. She also was known for her volunteer work following the tornado. Interment followed at the Lawnview Cemetery in Cordell. Survivors include her daughter, Treva Williams and husband, Curtis Maloy, of Clinton; a brother, Shelton Martin and his wife, Linda, of Borger, Texas; three grandchildren, Robert Williams and his wife, Euridice, of Owasso, Cylinda Nonast and her husband, Rodney, of Cordell, Curt Maloy and his wife, Lorrie, of Shawnee; six great grandchildren, Jennifer McBee of Tulsa, Ryan Williams of Tulsa, Katherina Williams of Owasso, Kyle Nonast of Cordell, Kelsey Nonast of Cordell, Erik Williams of Owasso; and a great grandson, Chase McBee of Tulsa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Isbell; a son, Orteiz Isbell; her parents; and five sisters. Funeral services for Bernes Seay, age 95 of Clinton, are pending with the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Seay died this morning, Dec. 10, 2002, at the Grace Living Center in Clinton.

Mitchell rites Wednesday
Funeral services for Ms. Mary Lou Mitchell, age 75 of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Memorial Chapel of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton with Rev. Bryan Gilbert officiating. Ms. Mitchell died Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, at the United Methodist Health Care Center in Clinton. She was born on June 26, 1927 in Hydro, the daughter of George and Virginia Bird. Growing up in Hydro, she graduated from Weatherford High School and then worked as a telephone company operator. For many years she was employed at the Clinton Drive-In and Redland Theatre, along with various other members of her family. Later, she managed Mary Lou’s Green House. She loved gardening, flowers and plants of all kinds. She accepted Christ into her heart on Oct. 30, 2002. Burial will follow in the Hydro Masonic Cemetery. Survivors include her friend and former husband, Jim Mitchell; sons, Blake Mitchell of Flower Mound, Texas, Brooke Mitchell of Clinton, Todd Mitchell and his wife, Sheila, and their children, Chris and Dirce, of Sand Springs; a brother, Jimmie Bird and his wife, Thelma, of Las Vegas, Nev.; a stepbrother, Gary Rosser of Checotah; aunts, Marguerite Stewart of Midwest City, Luella Simpson of Georgia; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Monday, December 09, 2002
Wilbur Cook services set
Funeral services for former Clinton area minister Wilbur Lawrence Cook, age 79 of Hydro, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Grace Assembly of God Church at Weatherford with Rev. Ken Bryant, Bill McKissick and Norma Walker officiating. Cook died Friday, Dec. 6, 2002, at Southwestern Memorial Hospital in Weatherford. He was born on March 10, 1923 in Seminole County, Okla., the son of Isa Alice and Samuel Wilson Cook. He attended school at Atwood, Stoneypoint, finishing the ninth grade at Calvin. Cook went into the Army on Dec. 17, 1943, serving in the European Theater in the Fifth Evacuation Hospital and attaining the rank of private first class. On Dec. 16 1945 he was honorably discharged from the Army. After returning home he married his childhood sweetheart, Miranda Virginia Jean Manuel, on Jan. 18, 1946. In 1955, he and his wife entered the ministry, evangelizing in Oklahoma and Arizona. He returned to Oklahoma to pastor at Hennessey, Colony, Oakwood, Connerville, Hammon, Anadarko, Hobart and Clinton. He was an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God Church and had worked in the Indian mission field. He also was employed by Tinker Air Force Base, Public Supply, Fort Cobb State Park, Jones Construction and W.C. Pigg before becoming employed by Tindle Ready Mix where he worked until the lage 1980’s when the company was bought by Dolese, whom he worked for until retirement. He and Jean moved to Hydro in December of 1976 where they lived with their daughter and grandchildren until they moved to Littlebird Nursing Home in Weatherford on Sept. 30, 2002. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery at Weatherford under the direction of the Lockstone Funeral Home in Weatherford. Survivors include his wife, Jean; a daughter, Sharon Faye Bearpaw of Hydro; two granddaughters, Donna Horn and her husband, Marcus, of Hydro, Jeanie Bearpaw-Fowler of Hydro and her husband, Pete, of Sparta, Tenn.; a grandson, John Howell of Seminole; nine great grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Zora Simmons and Lona Lea Cook of Oklahoma City. Preceding him in death, along with his parents, were four brothers, Percil Taft, Charlie, Little John and Ross Cook; two sisters, Oceana Lowrimore and one who died in infancy; and a great grandson, Marcus Horn, Jr.

Reynolds baby services held
Graveside services for infant Angel Canales Reynolds were held at 10 a.m. today in the Clinton Cemetery with Father Carl Janocha officiating. Angel was born on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002, and died shortly after birth. She was the infant daughter of Joann Canales and Tony Reynolds, both of Clinton.

Friday, December 06, 2002
Odell Sluder rites Monday
Funeral services for Bailey Odell Sluder, age 92 of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Church of Christ with minister Pat Peters officiating. Sluder died Thursday evening, Dec. 5, 2002, at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was born on March 5, 1910 in Texas, the son of Arthur Lee and Minnie (Barnard) Sluder. Having spent the first part of his life in Texas, at the age of 10 he moved with his family to Snyder. He graduated from Dill City High School in 1930 and on July 16, 1932 he married Miss Ruby McCluskey. Sluder began working in the grocery business in Cordell and later moved to Clinton where he worked for Nash-Finch for 28 years. He also worked for the City of Clinton, Clinton Sales and in the life insurance business. Semi-retiring in 1975, Sluder was self-employed in the awning and carport business. He was an active member of the Church of Christ where he had served as a deacon. He also was a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Preceding him in death were his parents; and a sister, Margaret Oleta Sluder. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include his wife, Ruby, of the home; a son, Jon, of Carrolton, Texas; a brother, Doyle, of Oklahoma City; and a cousin, Olga Hughes of Cordell.

Thursday, December 05, 2002
Kroeker Dies
Funeral services for Melvin “Mel” Kroeker, age 78 of Corn, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Calvary Baptist Church at Corn with burial in the Corn Mennonite Brethren Cemetery under the direction of the Lockstone Funeral Home in Weatherford. Kroeker died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002, at Southwestern memorial Hospital in Weatherford. He was born on Oct. 10, 1924 near Corn, the son of George and Lydia (Flaming) Kroeker. A farmer, he served in the Air Force from 1944 to 1946.

Wednesday, December 04, 2002
Gaeddert dies
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Gaeddert, age 85 of Cordell, were held Tuesday afternoon at the Herold Mennonite Church northeast of Cordell with burial in the Herold Mennonite Cemetery. Mrs. Gaeddert died early Saturday, Nov. 30, 2002, at her home. She was born on July 27, 1917 near Gotebo, the daughter of Jacob K. and Elizabeth (Jantz) Zacharias. She taught Sunday school at the Herold church for more than 50 years and also had been a cook at Cordell High School and the Loftonian in Cordell.

Tuesday, December 03, 2002
Shaffer service set Wednesday
Graveside services for Paul A. Shaffer, 56, of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Lonestar Cemetery in Rocky. He died Monday Dec. 2, 2002 in his Clinton home. He was born Oct. 22, 1946 in Detroit, Mich., the son of Walter and Florence (Zilinsky) Shaffer. He grew up in Royal Oak, Mich., and graduated from Kimberly High School in 1963. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and after his tour of duty he returned to Indiana and worked for the Anderson, Ind., newspaper. He started as a paperboy and worked his way up to assistant to the editor in chief. He worked in Houston for a time before moving to Cordell and later to Clinton. He had been in bad health for several years. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brothers David Shaffer of Cordell and Phillip Shaffer of Indianapolis, Ind. Burial is under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home.

Monday, December 02, 2002
Thelma Hughes services slated
Funeral services for Mrs. Thelma L. Hughes, age 85 of Reedley, Calif., formerly of Aledo in Oklahoma, were scheduled for Tuesday at the Cairns Funeral Home in Reedley. Mrs. Hughes died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2002. She had worked at Delight Bakery in Reedley for 30 years. Preceding her in death were her husband, Everett, and a son, Chester. Survivors include sons, Gary and his wife, Zelma, of Modesto, Calif., Bob and his wife, Sheryl, of Fresno, Calif., Allen and his wife, Toni, of Clovis, Calif., Kenneth and his wife, Cheri, of Visalia, Calif.; daughters, Jo Ann Bailey and her husband, Bill, of Nipomo, Calif., Betty Irby and her husband, Ray, of Dinuba, Calif., Linda Sue Dunn of Stevensville, Mont.; brothers, Melvin Wilson of Kansas and Russell and R.G. Wilson of Oklahoma (R.G. is from Clinton); sisters, Ocie Christianson of Thomas, Andrei Bolar of Edmond; 17 grand-children; 39 great grand-children; and one great-great grandchild.

Don Doshier rites Tuesday
Graveside services for Clinton businessman Donald E. Doshier, age 72, will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Parkersburg Cemetery west of Clinton with Rev. Charles Murphy officiating. Doshier died Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 2002, at his home. He was born on April 11, 1930 in Clinton, the son of Herman and Vera (Smith) Doshier. Reared in Clinton and Lubbock, Texas, he joined the U.S. Army and served during World War II. He made his home in Washington, D.C. for a short time, working for a gas company. Doshier later moved to Lubbock where he worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. He married Susie Clark on June 2, 1964 in Oklahoma City and they moved to Clinton in 1968 where he started his own business, Don’s Lock and Key. Mrs. Doshier preceded him in death in 2000. Doshier attended the Freewill Baptist Church and was a member of Locksmiths of America. Burial will conclude under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include a sister, Oletta Storch and his stepmother, Vera Doshier, both of Lubbock, Texas; a nephew, Danny Storch of South Lake, Texas; and an uncle, J.B. Doshier of Sacramento, Calif.

Saturday, November 30, 2002
Vogt services set Wednesday
Memorial services for Florence R. Vogt, 71, of Clinton, will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First Christian Church in Clinton with Doyle Kinney officiating. The burial service will be held before the memorial service at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Men-nonite Burial Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau Marler Funeral Home. She died Friday Nov. 29 at the Grace Living Center. Florence R. Vogt was born March 11, 1931 in Fort Worth, Texas. She was adopted by John and Elizabeth Reimer when she was two weeks old and brought to Clinton. In 1941, the family moved to the farm south of Corn. She attended Corn High School and participated in choir and girl's glee club. She graduated from the Corn Bible Academy in 1949 where she attended her senior year. She married Paul Vogt May 28, 1950 in the Corn Mennonite Brethren Church and their first home was six miles south of Corn. She supported her husband who taught school until 1969 and then farmed in the Corn area until 1997. In 1998 the couple moved to Clinton and joined the First Christian Church. She was involved in Sunday school and other church activities. She also participated in the Southwest Reading Connection. She is survived by her husband of the home; her children, Gail Flaming, Jack Vogt and Kari and Steven Rose; her grandchildren, Colby and Allyson Flaming, Colin Rose, Caitlin Rose, Ellie Rose and her sister Johanna Frantz and her husband Edwin.

Baby Schultz rites Monday
Funeral services for Jessica Paige Schultz, 2½ month old daughter of Jeremy and Julie Schwartz of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday Dec. 2, 2002 at the First Mennonite Church in Clinton with Pastor Dave Gerbrandt officiating. Jessica died Thursday Nov. 28, 2002 at her home in Clinton after battling a sudden illness throughout the night. She was born Sept. 13, 2002. She is survived by her parents; her sister Jordan and her brother Jarrett; grandmother Margaret Schultz of Clinton; grandfather and step-grandmother Joel and Lyanna Schultz of Clinton; grandparents Jeanne and Robert Guerra of Clinton; great grandparents Alfred and Erna Schultz of Clinton, Ogen and Pauline Harms of Corn, Eugene Flaming and Lois Reyes of Weatherford and Wanda and Billie Caldwell of Albert; great-great grandparents Emma Chester of Albert and Luella Flaming of Weatherford; an aunt Tara Schultz of Clinton and an uncle Russell Guerra of Clinton. Burial will follow the service in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home.

Friday, November 29, 2002
Baby Schultz rites pending
Funeral services for Jessica Paige Schultz, 2½-month-old daughter of Jeremy and Julie Schultz of Clinton, are pending with the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home. The baby was found dead by her parents when they awoke Thursday morning. Her father said she had a slight fever Wednesday night but it did not appear serious. He indicated she apparently became worse during the night as her lungs were found to be full of fluid after her death. Besides her parents, Jessica is survived by one sister, Jordan, 4, and one brother, Jarret, 2.

Clintonite's mother dies
Funeral services for Jewel Ables, 97, mother of Betty Brookman of Clinton, are scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Thomas Street Church of Christ in Altus. Mrs. Ables died Tues-day, Nov. 26, 2002, at the English Village Nursing Home in Altus. She had lived in Altus for the past 54 years. The former Jewel Yowell was born Sept. 5, 1905, at Sherman, Texas, to J.H. and Annie (Brasher) Yowell. The family lived in the Hollis area for many years, and she married A.D. Ables there in 1924. Mr. and Mrs. Ables moved to Altus in 1948, and he preceded her in death in 1976. She had been a member of the Church of Christ since age 14 and was a former Bible class teacher. Her late husband was an elder at Altus. A homemaker, Mrs. Ables’ interests included sewing, gardening and singing. One of her grandsons, Steve Brookman, will help officiate at the funeral. Also officiating will be Bill Osborne. Mrs. Ables is survived by three daughters and their husbands: Margaret and Kenneth McFall, Oklahoma City; Betty and Farris Brookman, Clinton; and Ruth and Carl Clayton, Altus. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, as well as two sisters-in-law, Daisy Wasson and Oma Lander. Besides her husband, Mrs. Ables was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers: Inus Brecheen, Ona Lee Boyett and Bernice Ware, and Ralph and Percy Yowell. Burial will be in the Altus Cemetery under direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home of Altus. Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma League for the Blind, 501 N. Douglas Ave., Oklahoma City, or the Westview Boys Home in Hollis or the Tipton Children’s Home in Tipton.

Wednesday, November 27, 2002
Leonard Murphy funeral Saturday
Funeral services for prominent Foss area resident Leonard C. (L.C.) Murphy, age 79, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Foss. Murphy died this morn-ing, Nov. 27, 2002, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in Elk City. Burial is slated for the Foss Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton which plans to release a full obituary on Friday.

Tuesday, November 26, 2002
Jesse Hines rites slated
Funeral services for Jesse Hines, age 92, Hammon resident, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Whiner-Savage Funeral Service Chapel at Elk City with Stanley Baker officiating, assisted by Calvin Fadenrecht and Daryl Moore. Hines died Monday, Nov. 25, 2002, at the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in Elk City. He was born on Nov. 15, 1910 in Quanah, Texas on Grosbeck Creek, the son of Preston Robert and Onie Elizabeth Stevenson Hines. When he was five years old the family moved from Athens, Tenn. to Hammon where he resided until his death. After moving to Ham-mon, Hines attended the Pie Flat School and then Hammon Public Schools. On March 13, 1947 he was married to Frances LaDonna Ensley from Carter. Hines served on the Hammon Board of Education for 10 years. He had attended Western Technology Center in Burns Flat, completing a realty course. An active member of the Oklahoma Farmers Union, he had served as a representative to FU state meetings. He also was a member of the Hammon Odd Fellows Lodge. Hines was a farmer and rancher who had many hobbies, including hunting and fishing. Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, were two sisters, Leota Gilbert and Arvella Wallace. Burial will be at Red Hill. Survivors include his wife, Frances Hines, of the home; a son, Danny Wayne Hines and his wife, Wanell, of Hammon; a grandson, Steven Don and his wife, Mindy, of Oklahoma City; a granddaughter, Stefanie Dawn Shields and her husband, Rusty, of Sentinel; a sister, Kayene Fullerton of Chickasha; a niece; and several nephews.

Ervin Schmidt funeral Friday
Funeral services for Ervin Schmidt, age 79 of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the First Baptist Church at Clinton with Rev. Bryan Gilbert officiating. Schmidt died late Monday, Nov. 25, 2002, at Integris Clinton Regional Hospital. He was born on July 10, 1923 at Cordell, the son of Peter A. and Susanna (Penner) Schmidt. Growing up on a farm in Washita County, he attended the South Cedar School there. Schmidt enlisted in the Army in 1943, and was involved with the invasion of Okinawa in the Pacific Theater during World War II. On May 19, 1946 he married Miss Stella Kroeker in Corn. They initially settled on a farm 10 miles southeast of Clinton before eventually moving to their present farm home two miles east of Clinton in 1952. Schmidt loved farming and ranching and worked all of his life on the farm before retiring in 1983. He worked at numerous other jobs throughout Clinton prior to and after retirement. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clinton and enjoyed gardening, yard work, volunteering and spending time with his grandchildren. Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, were two brothers, Ruben and Chester; and a grandson, Timothy. Burial will conclude in the Arapaho Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home of Clinton. Survivors include his wife, Stella, of the home; three sons, L.D. and his wife, Lynda, of Prattville, Ala., Jerry and his wife, Judy, of Arapaho, Dwayne and his wife, Candace, of Oklahoma City; a daughter, Susan, of Edmond; two brothers, leroy and his wife, Erma, of Weatherford, Herb and his wife, Esther, of Walnut Cove, N.C.; 13 grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made in Ervin’s honor to the First Baptist Church in Clinton.

Monday, November 25, 2002
Alma Kness services set
Funeral services for Mrs. Alma F. Kness, age 85 of Arapaho, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Custer Avenue Baptist Church at Clinton with Rev. Wendell Folsom officiating. Alma Fay Kness died Saturday morning, Nov. 23, 2002, at the home of her son, Lloyd Kness, in Arapaho. She was born on Jan. 5, 1917 in Waynesville, Mo., the daughter of John A. and Maude Eva (Boaz) Neal. When she was five years old, the family began a move to California by covered wagon. The trip was long and hard, and by the time they reached Stigler in Oklahoma they decided to stop. In 1928, the Neal family packed up and relocated to a farm northwest of Butler. Even though Alma was only 11 years old at the time she worked in the cotton fields. During World War II, she finally made it to California where she met her future husband, Edward Lee Kness. They were married on Dec. 6, 1946 in Bentonville, Ark. and eventually settled in Sentinel. Following her husband’s death in 1964 she moved to Arapaho with her eight children. She worked in restaurants and the Norbest Turkey Plant. Mrs. Kness was active in the Gospel Tabernacle Church in Arapaho as well as the Women’s Auxiliaries of both the VFW and American Legion where she volunteered many hours as well as at the Clinton Veterans Center. She was preceded in death, in addition to her parents and husband, by a sister, Alene Hall; six brothers, Bill, Ernest, Elmer, Alfred, Johnny, Boyd; a granddaughter, Jenniver Lynn DeSpain; and three grandsons, Davy Lee, Doug Weber and Dennis Lee James. Burial will conclude in the Arapaho Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home of Clinton. Survivors include six daughters, Evelyn Palmer of Clinton, Verna Waldron and her husband, Gale, of Oklahoma City, Mert Weber and her husband, Jim, Dorthay Bebout and her husband, Larry, Shirley Evans and her husband, John, Jeanie DeSpain and her husband, Carl, all of Arapaho; two sons, Lloyd Kness and a companion, Cora, of Arapaho, David Kness and his wife, Janet, of Minnesota; 22 grandchildren; 47 great grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Thursday, November 21, 2002
Billy Bigfoot rites Friday
Graveside services for Billy Joe Bigfoot, age 68 of Clinton, will be held at 3 p.m. Friday in the Red Hills Cemetery south of Hammon with Rev. Joe Osage officiating. Bigfoot died Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 19, 2002, t the Veterans Administration Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was born on Dec. 29, 1933 in Quarter Master, the son of Daniel and Margaret (Turtle) Bigfoot. He grew up in Hammon and graduated from high school there before joining the Marine Corps in which he served from 1953 to 1955. Bigfoot was well known as a softball pitcher. Preceding him in death, along with his parents, were two sons, Dewayne and Albert Bigfoot. Arrangements are under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include two daughters, Angela McDonald and her husband, John Effinger of Oklahoma City, Francis Bearbow of Elk City; a son, Matheson Hamilton of Oklahoma City; and six grandchildren.