Brittain rites Wednesday
Funeral services for Mrs. Lenora Arlene Brittain, age 72 of Sharon, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the First Christian Church at Mutual with minister Clyde Irving officiating. Mrs. Brittain died Sunday, April 13, 2003, at Woodward Regional Hospital. She was born on May 19, 1930 near Harmon, the daughter of Joshua Robert and Almira Henrietta Eulalia (Simpson) Routh. She attended grade school at Oakland Country School and high school at Sharon. Mrs. Brittain participated in several high school plays and played basketball during her high school years, graduating as valedictorian of her senior class in 1947. She married Kail William Brittain on Feb. 24, 1950 at the First Baptist Church in Woodward. The Brittains moved to the Brittain homeplace in 1958 and dedicated their lives to farming and ranching. Mrs. Brittain loved being out of doors camping, fishing and horseback riding. She also enjoyed playing cards, writing poetry, painting and photography. She worked as a bookkeeper for J&A Oil Company and the Woodward Soil Conservation Service office. She also worked as a checker at Adams’ Brothers Grocery and as a clerk/typist for the Woodward County Extension office. Mrs. Brittain also had worked as a teacher’s aide in the Sharon Public Schools. She returned to college in 1970 to pursue a degree in education, graduating Magna Cum Laude at Northwestern Oklahoma State College in Alva in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. Upon graduation, she began a 20-year teaching career with the Woodward Public Schools. While teaching she completed a Master’s degree in education as a reading specialist in 1977. She also specialized in the field of learning disabilities. And she returned again to college where she earned her real estate sales associate’s license in 1980 and her real estate broker’s license in 1983. Following her retirement froim the Woodward Schools, she began a full-time real estate career 1992, becoming a master agent and a member of the Million Dollar Club in 1995. As a teacher, she joined the Kappa Kappa Iota teachers organization. In 1992 she joined the Retired Teachers of Woodward-Harper County. Mrs. Brittain was a Sun-day school teacher for many years at the Moscow Church and a former member of the First Baptist Church. At the time of her death she was attending the First Christian Church of Mutual. Burial will follow in the Moscow Cemetery southeast of Woodward under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home in Woodward. Visitation will be until 9 p.m. today in the Billings Funeral Home at Woodward. Survivors include her husband, Kail, of the home; her children, Marceda Gayl Nelson and her husband, Roger, of Meriden, Kans., Kevin Kail Brittain and his wife, Doris, of Clinton; her grandchildren, Clinton Buck Hutchens and Talon Josh Hutchens of Manhattan, Kans., Brannon lee Brittain of Sioux City, Iowa, Dr. Bradley Kail Brittain and his wife, Whitney, of Norman, Brett Wayne Brittain of Clinton, Brian Lyn Brittain of Creede, Colo.; step grandchildren, Dr. Tammie Lynn Nelson and her husband, Dr. Gordon Harrod of Wichita, Kans., Christian Kimberly Nelson Stadnyk and her husband, Dr. Matthew Stadnyk; three step great grandchildren; two brothers, Earl Routh and his wife, Roberta, of Woodward, Willis Routh and his wife, Margaret, of Ponca City; a sister, Lydia Rottmayer and her huband, Kernic, of Woodward; and nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death, along with her parents, were two sisters, Ida Routh Witt and Ruby Routh Killinger. The family suggests that those desiring may make memorial contributions in his honor to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for Cancer Research with the funeral home acting as custodian.

Monday, April 14, 2003
Funeral held for Johnson
Funeral services for David Earl Johnson, age 52 of Weatherford, were held Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church in Fort Cobb with Rev. Howard Gilbreath, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Weatherford, officiating. Johnson died Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at his Weatherford home. He was born on Aug. 13, 1950, the son of Frank Allen and Sylvia (Schults) Johnson in Salinas, Calif. He married Geneva Head on Oct. 24, 1992 in Beaver. Johnson was an inspector with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for many years and a member of AFGE Local Union No. 0689. Johnson was a member of the Army Reserve in Great Bend, Kans. He also was a member of the Nazarene Church in Weatherford. Preceding him in death were a daughter, Evon Pearl Johnson; his mother, Sylvia Schults; maternal grandparents, Henry and Pansy Schults; and paternal grandparents, Lilly Loredo and Alva Henry Johnson. Interment followed in the Fort Cobb Cemetery under the direction of the Fort Cobb-Hackney Funeral Home. Survivors include his wife, Geneva, of the home; two daughters, Amber Johnson of the home, Mary Ann Johnson of Weatherford; three sons, Michael Scott Mitchell of Modesto, Calif., David A. Johnson of Weatherford, Lyle Vern Johnson of Corpus Christi, Texas; three sisters, Dorothy Cuilty of Lakeside, Ariz.; Cheryl Johnson and Stella Johnson, both Modesto, Calif.; two brothers, Roy A. Johnson of Scottsdale, Ariz., Mitchell Johnson of Modesto, Calif.; and eight grandchildren.

Langley rites Wednesday
Final rites for Harrison Leon Langley, 67, of Foss Lake Estates, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Resthaven Funeral Home in Oklahoma City. Langley died Friday, April 11, 2003, at University Hospital in Oklahoma City after being shot two days earlier at his home on the north side of Foss Reservoir. He was born March 1, 1936, at Stafford, just a few miles east of where the Foss dam is located now. His father’s name was also Harrison Leon Langley, and his mother was the former Edna Ruth Stalling. Growing up in the Butler area, Langley graduated from Butler High School in 1954. On Nov. 1, 1957, he married Octava Laverne Willis at Del City. They made their home in Moore where Langley worked for 30 years as a technician for the AM Corporation, retiring in 1991. After his retirement, the couple moved to Foss Lake where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time with his grandchildren on the lake, and bird watching. Other interests included golf and riding motorcycles. Langley was a member of the Emmanuel Christian Motorcycle Club and the National Rifle Association. He was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Moore, where he drove a Sunday school bus for many years. He had been baptized at the Butler Baptist Church and also was a member there. Pastors Roy Wilburn of the Lone Oak Baptist Church of Sayre and Jack Pilgrim of the First Baptist Church of Butler will officiate at the funeral. Burial will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens. The chapel where the funeral will be held is located at 500 SW 104th St. in Oklahoma City. Langley is survived by his wife of 45 years, Laverne, of the home at the lake; five daughters and their husbands, Belinda Sue and Charles Shobert, Oklahoma City, Celinda Lue and Ed Pearce, Norman, and Karen Kay and Chris Shobert, Sharon Gay and Terry Burr, and Cathy Diana and Bob Duncan, all of Oklahoma City; two brothers, Dennis Ray Langley, Del City, and Olan Dwain Langley, Oklahoma City; and eleven grandchildren: Rebecca Morris, Touia Duncan, Leon Duncan, Kevin Watkins, Elizabeth Pearce, Raquel Duncan, Heather “Little Bit” Duncan, Brandi Burr, James Pearce, Jack Pearce and John Burr. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Edwin Langley; and two grandchildren, Shannon Watkins and Baby Morris.

Friday, April 11, 2003
John Reimer services set
Funeral services for John Arylss Reimer, age 82 of Corn, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Corn Mennonite Brethren Church with Rev. Ken Gardner officiating. Reimer died Thursday, April 10, 2003, at the Corn Heritage Village. He was born on Feb. 11, 1921 on a farm southeast of Corn, the son of Abraham and Lizzie (Leppke) Reimer. He attended Pleasant View School for one year and then for seven year at Corn Valley before going on to high school for one year and then deciding to begin one of his many occupations  carpentry. He built several houses during the next 10 years. Reimer married Martha Krewall on Jan. 11, 1942 in Hobart. He built their home on the farm, and they were still living on the farm 61 years later at the time of his death. He not only was a carpenter but also farmed with his dad, continuing to work the land after his father retired. He went on to own and operate Reimer Overhead Doors. After 60 years of service, he decided to quit after suffering a stroke in August of last year. After retirement he enjoyed sitting at the co-op and visiting with friends as well as playing with his great grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing and spent a month a year in Rockport, Texas devoted to fishing. Burial will be in the Corn Mennonite Brethren Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Martha Reimer, of the home; a son, Gary Reimer and his wife, Judy, of Corn; a daughter, Sherry Bostian and her husband, Ron, of Perkins; seven grandchildren, Marni Reimer, Lance and Alisa Reimer, Nichole and Kevin Trantham, Traci and Matt Rowland; three great grandchildren, Chase Reimer, Savanna Wingo, Olivia Reimer; sisters, Velina and her husband, E.L. “Penny,” of Bakersfield, Calif, and Lucille Richert and her husband, Abe, of Exeter, Calif.

Wednesday, April 09, 2003
Pauline Welch funeral Friday
Graveside services for Mrs. Vera Pauline Welch, age 95 and a longtime Clinton educator, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Strickland Cemetery south of Cordell with minister Patrick Peters officiating. Mrs. Welch died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at the Grace Living Center in Bethany. She was born on Aug. 11, 1907 in Van Alstyne, Texas, the daughter of Oliver and Bea (Smith) Cooper. She moved to Oklahoma with her parents in 1918, and the family settled on a farm near Rocky. Mrs. Welch attended school at the Christian school and graduated from high school in 1926. She received her teaching certificate at Southwestern Normal School in Weatherford. In 1928 she married George Finley, and he preceded her in death that same year. She began her teaching career in Rocky, moving to Clinton in 1940. She married Jess Welch in 1952 at Canton. They made their home in Clinton where she taught until her retirement in 1970. Mrs. Welch was a member of the Church of Christ, Delta Gamma Sorority and the Retired Teachers Association. Preceding her in death were her parents and both husbands; a sister, Josephine; a brother, Wendell Cooper; a nephew, Forrest Best; and a stepson, Jack Welch. Arrangements are under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include two nieces, Pauletta Olea, Beverly Nelson; and a nephew, Glenn Best.

Monday, April 07, 2003
Thelma Weter services set
Graveside services for Thelma Hines Weter, age 81 of Clinton, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Clinton Cemetery with Rev. Roy Dobbs officiating. Mrs. Weter died Sunday, April 6, 2003, at the Grace Living Center in Clinton. She was born on Jan. 21, 1921 on a farm south of Cordell, the daughter of Jack and Annie (Goucher) Hines. She attended the Schiolah rural school located a mile and a half from where she lived. In 1952 she married Thurston Weter. She and her husband resided at Cordell and Bessie until she entered the nursing home about 13 years ago. She enjoyed gardening and raising flowers. Preceding her in death, along with her parents and husband, were a sister, Elsie Downs; and five brothers, Ed Hines, John Hines, Clifford Hines, Eldon Hines and Ervin Hines. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include a sister, Eunice Stephens of Clinton; two sisters-in-law, Nan Hines of Cordell, Francis Hines of Oklahoma City; and many nieces and nephews.

Thursday, April 03, 2003
Tahah rites on Saturday
Funeral services for Thomas native Mrs. Juanita Howlingcrane Onco Tahah, age 75 of Lawton, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Whinery-Huddleston Funeral Chapel at 6210 NW Cache Road in Lawton with Rev. Wilfred Niedo, Rev. Margaret Battiest, Father Richard Rosenbaum and Father Jim Knowles officiating. Mrs. Tahah died Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at Lawton. She was born on Sept. 15, 1927 in Thomas, the daughter of Jeanette and James Howlingcrane, Sr. Her mother, Jeanette Riggs Howlingcrane was the daughter of Stacy LoneWolf Riggs, a grandson of Black Kettle and a survivor of the Sand Creek Massacre. She grew up in Thomas and graduated from high school there before attending Oklahoma City University. Mrs. Tahah went on to graduate from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. After graduation she continued to work at that Oklahoma City hospital, marrying Curtis G. Onco in 1948. She later married Ralph Tahah at Lawton on March 27, 1972. A registered nurse, she worked as a supervisor at Hobart General Hospital, Clinton Regional Hospital and Lawton Public Health Indian Hospital as an operating room supervisor for 28½ years before retiring in November of 1990. She was a member of the Episcopalian Church. Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents and first husband, were a daughter, Ouida Haughney; and a brother, James Howlingcrane. Interment will be at the Mt. Scott Kiowa Cemetery north of Lawton. Survivors include her husband, Ralph Tahah, of the home; four daughters, Sharon Komacheet of Lawton, Pamela Lunceford of Richmond, Va., Terri Mack McClung of Dallas, Texas, Anita (Penny) L. Mack White of Prague; four sons, Michael L. Onco, Sr., Curtis Onco, Jr. of New Mexico, Mitchell G. Onco, Sr. of Ada, Michael L. Onco, Jr. of Florida; three sisters, Letha Wahnee of Dallas, Texas, Juanita Heap of Birds of Weatherford, Mary Belle Lone Bear of Clinton; a brother, Alfred Heap of Birds of Clinton; 24 grandchildren; and 31 great grandchildren. A prayer service is planned at the chapel in Lawton from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.

Fleming rites on Saturday
Graveside services for Mrs. Pairlee Fleming, age 88, former Clinton resident, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hobart Cemetery with Dr. James Woodworth officiating. Mrs. Fleming died Wednesday, April 2, 2003, at a retirement center in Lubbock, Texas. She was born on April 23, 1914 in Granite, the daughter of Ollie and Allie (Johnson) Alexander. She grew up in the Granite area and graduated from Sentinel High School in 1932. On Dec. 24, 1932 she married Ray Fleming, and they made their home in Hobart. In the early 1940’s they moved to Oklahoma City before later living in Texas. They returned to Hobart in the 1980’s, and Ray preceded her in death in 1984. Mrs. Fleming moved to Clinton in 1986 and then to Lubbock in 1993 to be near family. Preceding her in death, along with her parents and husband, were two sons, Joel Ray and Rickey; and three sisters, Myrtle Sullins, Fannie Mae Hughes and Carrie Lou Turner. Arrangements are under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include three nephews, Bill Sullines, Stacy Nash, James Calmes; and several great nieces and nephews.

Helen Hill's death listed
Clinton friends have learned of the death on March 24, 2003 of Helen Mildred Hill in Phoenix, Ariz. Mrs. Hill was born on Aug. 17, 1920 in Hutchinson, Kans., the daughter of George and Mildred Bower. Preceding her in death were her husband, Joseph B. Hill; and a son, Dr. Ronald J. Mill, MD, of Odessa, Texas. The Hills moved from Hutchinson, Kans. to Clinton in 1950 and resided here until 1985 when they moved to Phoenix. She was the first paid director of the hospital auxiliary in Clinton and also was active in the Junior Service League. Survivors include a daughter, Susan Cox, of Tempe, Ariz.; a son, Anthony Rives; a daughter-in-law, Olivia Hill; three grandchildren, Nelson and Auston Hill and Angelia Hively; and four great grandchildren. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial contributions in her honor to either the Alzheimer Association, 1028 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006; or to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85016.

Wednesday, April 02, 2003
Jim Ridley rites Friday
Funeral services for James H. “Jim” Ridley, age 59 and an Oklahoma Highway Patrol dispatcher at Clinton who was a 40-year law enforcement veteran, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in the Clinton Church of Christ at 2601 Custer Ave. with minister Patrick Peters officiating. Ridley died late Monday, March 31, 2003, at Integris Clinton Regional Hospital. He was born on Feb. 3, 1944 at Elk City, the son of George Henry and Dorothy (Hindman) Ridley. Reared at Carter, he graduated from high school there in 1962. He was president of the Carter High School Alumni Association at the time of his death. He soon went to work for the Sayre Police Department before transferring to the Elk City Police Department. He married Joyce Marie Maynard on Oct. 23, 1969. In 1972 he moved his family to Clinton where he began a career with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Ridley was an avid ham radio operator and had many friends around the world on his radio. Preceding him in death were his father and an infant sister, Billie Jean. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include his wife of the Clinton home; three daughters, Deena Brown of Fort Wayne, Ind., Lisa Schneidereit of Booker, Texas, Janna Ridley of Clinton; his mother, Dorothy Ridley of Clinton; two brothers, Bob Ridley of Bonham, texas, Ferrell Ridley of Azel, Texas; and five grandchildren.

Tuesday, April 01, 2003
Glasscock rites slated
Funeral services for Lowell F. Glasscock, age 63 of Bessie, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Antioch Church northwest of Clinton with Rev. Sandy Shepherd and Rev. Alvis Merrill officiating. Lowell Franklin Glasscock died early today, April 1, 2003, at the Methodist Health Care Center in Clinton. He was born on Aug. 28, 1939 at Butler, the son of Chafen Alto and Lillie (Shepard) Glasscock. Reared in the Butler and Clinton area, he attended school in both towns before graduating from Butler High School. He served in the Oklahoma National Guard from 1957 to 1963 and worked for Morton Buildings as a salesman, recently working for Circle S Paving as a truck driver until he retired due to failing health. Glasscock was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bessie. In his spare time he enjoyed playing the guitar and was a member of the band Tri-County. He also enjoyed painting, hunting and fishing. Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, were five half brothers and three half sisters. Burial will conclude in the Antioch Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include two sons, Brad Glasscock and his wife, Julie, of Taloga, Brett Glasscock and his wife, Julie, of Elk City; two brothers, C.A. and his wife, Vera, of Elk City, Bob and his wife, Christina, of Amarillo, Texas; a half brother, R.J. Glasscock and his wife, Oneeda, of Shamrock, Texas; a half sister, Pauline Ballinger of California; and four grandchildren. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial contributions in his honor to the American Cancer Society.

Monday, March 31, 2003
Audrey Blurton services slated
Graveside services for Mrs. Audrey Irene Blurton, age 81 of Bethany, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Silent Home Cemetery northwest of Roll, with Church of Christ minister Patrick Peters officiating. Audrey Irene (Merritt) Blurton was born on June 26, 1921 in Roll, the daughter of Joseph Henry and Julia (Self) Merritt. She died early Saturday, March 29, 2003, at Winsor Hills Nursing Center in Oklahoma City. Mrs. Blurton was reared in the Roll community and graduated from Crawford High School in 1938. She married Rolly Blurton on Dec. 20, 1941 in Sayre, and they made their home in the Cheyenne and Crawford communities until they moved to Hobart in 1953. The Blurtons then moved to Oklahoma in 1962 where she was employed with the John A. Brown stores. She also worked for a petroleum company as an accountant until her retirement in 1985. Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents and husband, were two sisters, Naomi Young and Maggie Coryell; and three brothers, W.D. Merritt, Joe Merritt and Ken Merritt. She was a member of the Church of Christ, and she and her husband loved to travel as long as their health permitted. Arrangements are under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include a daughter, Judy Lyde of Oklahoma City; a son, Ronnie Blurton and his wife, Dianna, of Austin, Texas; three grandchildren, Greg Lyde of Wichita, Kans., Molly McDonald and her husband, Bobby Ray, of Warner Robins, Ga., Randy Blurton of Fort Worth, Texas; and two great grandchildren, Grant Lyde of Andover, Kans. and Heath McDonald of Warner Robins, Ga.

DeLaCruz funeral set
Funeral services for Mrs. Lola Jean (Old Bear) DeLaCruz, age 52 of Clinton, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Koinonia Indian Mennonite Church east of Clinton with Rev. Lawrence Hart and Paul Bear Track officiating. Mrs. DeLaCruz died Thursday, March 27, 2003, at Integris Baptist Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was born on Nov. 15, 1950 at Clinton, the daughter of Stanley and Angie (Blackwolf) Old Bear. Reared in Clinton, she attended school here before graduating from the Fort Sill Indian School in Lawton in 1969. She continued her education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford and Rose State College in Midwest City. Mrs. DeLaCruz worked for several years for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in the enrollment office and as an administrator’s assistant until her health failed. Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were two sisters, Regina and Woxie; and a brother, Stanley, Jr. She married Demetria DeLaCruz in Oklahoma City and he survives along as a son, Raphael Twins of Oklahoma City. Other survivors include four sisters, Patricia Tahdooahnippah, Veronica Nibbs, Mary Fletcher, all of Oklahoma City, Ramona Welch of Clinton; a brother, Chester Old Bear of Oklahoma City; and several nieces and nephews. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Indian Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton.

Friday, March 28, 2003
Thelma Presley death reported
Mrs. Thelma D. Presley, age 99 of Clinton, died at her home Thursday, March 27, 2003. By her request, there will be no formal funeral service. Mrs. Presley was born on July 22, 1903 at Fayetteville, Ark., the daughter of Alvin and Clara (Kitch) Garrison. She was reared in Fayetteville, graduating from high school there in 1922. She taught for a short time in a rural school and later attended a business college in Fayetteville. Mrs. Presley then took a position as a secretary in the Engineering Department at the University of Arkansas before moving to Tulsa where she was a librarian for seven years. She married Thomas Earl Presley on Sept. 26, 1936 in Tulsa, and they made their homes in Missouri and Arkansas. He preceded her in death in 1967. She moved to Oklahoma in 1987 and lived in the Village at Cordell for 14 years before recently moving to Clinton to live with her daughter, Julith Wilson. She was a member of the Cordell Methodist Church. Also preceding her in death were her parents, two sisters and a brother. Survivors include her daughter, Julith Presley Wilson of Clinton; a son, James Melvin Presley and his wife, Edna, of Mesquite, Texas; two grandchildren, Maranda Clara Pouge and her husband, Dan, of Mascoutah, Ill., V.T. Wilson and his wife, Kaylyn, of Parker, Colo.; and seven great grandchildren.

Gladys Carr services set
Memorial services for Mrs. Gladys Mae (Henderson) Carr, age 64 of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bethany Baptist Church in Clinton with Rev. Billy Mucker officiating. Mrs. Carr died Thursday, March 20, 2003, at Alexandria, La. She was born on Feb. 22, 1939 in Clinton, the fourth child born to Willie and Roberta Henderson). She grew up and attended school in Clinton, later meeting and marrying Billy Bob Carr in 1985. They made their home in Clinton where she worked as a home care aide and a cook aide until she retired and moved to Alexandria, La. in 2001 after her husband’s death. She was a member of the Herian-Glenn Smith Court 37 and the Bethany Mass Choir. She also was a volunteer at the Bethany Baptist Mission. Preceding her in death were her parents and a brother, Homer Henderson. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include six brothers, Willie and Wiley Henderson of Alexandria, La., and Donald Ray Brown of Chicago, Ill., G.C. Jones of Oklahoma City, Larry Jones and Peter Paul Jones of Sacramento, Calif.; four sisters, Dorothy Jean Sherron and Gloria Jones of Sacramento, Calif., Gennie Vee Berry of Detroit, Mich., Josephine O’Neal of Gary, Ind.; a great aunt, Cora Belle Williams of Louisville, Texas; cousin, Juanita Anderson of Clinton, Norma Jean Lee of Lawton; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Thursday, March 27, 2003
Irene Jones rites Friday
Funeral services for Mrs. Letha “Irene” (Brame) Jones, age 59 of Custer City, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church in Custer City with Rev. Ed Lockwood officiating. Mrs. Jones died Wednesday afternoon, March 26, 2003, at the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in Elk City. She was born on July 20, 1943 in Hartley, Texas, the daughter of David and Allene (Clark) Brame. She grew up in Fritch, Texas and started grade school there before graduating from high school at Phillips, Texas. On Sept. 20, 1960 she married Orvie “Pad” Jones at Borger, Texas. The young couple made their home in Fritch where he was employed by Natural Gas Pipeline. They transferred to Arapaho in 1965. In the late 1970’s they operated the Sunset Gas Station. They had lived in Custer City for the past 38 years. Mrs. Jones was a bus driver for the Thomas-Fay-Custer City School District, retiring in 2000. In her spare time Mrs. Jones enjoyed crafts, needlepoint and designing flowers for weddings. She was a member of the Baptist Church and Wheathearts Club. Preceding her in death, along with her parents, was her husband, Pad, last November; and a granddaughter, Crystal Marie Jones. Burial will conclude in the Custer City Masonic Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include two daughters, Jana Carter of Perryton, Texas, Leslie Jean Gaskill of Borger, Texas; a son, Johnny Jones of Custer City; a step-daughter, Reann File of Perryton, Texas; a step-son, Claude Lee Jones of Hockley, Texas; two sisters, Verna Lee Montgomery of Norman, Janelle Harvill of Stinnet, Texas; and eight grandchildren.

Don Heimer rites Friday
Graveside services for Donald Earl Heimer, age 65 of Fort Worth, Texas, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Clinton Cemetery. Heimer died Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at the Baylor Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. He was born on Jan. 13, 1938 in Clinton, the son of Lonnie and Hattie Lou (King) Wilson. He grew up and attended school in Clinton until he moved to Texas in 1950. After graduating from high school he joined the Army, and following his honorable discharge he returned to Fort Worth where he owned and operated a furniture store. Arrangements are under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include a sister, betty Ann Smith of Fort Worth, Texas; a nephew; and a niece.

Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Hughes rites set
Funeral services for Mrs. Alice Hughes, age 88 of Cordell, were held this afternoon at the Church of Christ at Cordell with interment in the Lawnview Cemetery in Cordell. Mrs. Hughes died Saturday, March 22, 2003, at the Cordell Christian Home. She was born on Dec. 6, 1914 on a farm southeast of Beckham County. She and her husband, Forrest, had farmed south of Elk City and later near Burns Flat before moving to Cordell in 1948. She was a long-time custodian for the Cordell Public Schools.

Monday, March 24, 2003
Don Smith death listed
Donald O’Neal Smith, age 54, died Saturday, March 22, 2003, at Integris Clinton Regional Hospital. He was born on May 19, 1948, the son of C.R. and Wilma Smith. No funeral services are planned. Arrangements are with the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. The family has requested no flowers. He married Anna Smith on June 26, 1970 at Clinton. Smith had driven a truck for many years. He was an avid fisherman and loved to camp. Survivors include his wife, Anna; a son, Gregory Smith and his wife, Bobbie, of Weatherford; two daughters, Donna Gail Spiller of Temple, Texas, Vanessa Crandall and her husband, Matt, of Kingfisher; seven grandchildren; three brothers; and four sisters. Preceding him in death were a brother and a sister.

Thursday, March 20, 2003
Choate rites held March 12
Memorial services for Clinton native Arthur Eugene “Buck” Choate, age 72 of Duncan, were held Wednesday morning, March 12, in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service with Dr. Ken Isom officiating. Choate died Saturday, March 8, 2003, at Oklahoma City. He was born on April 15, 1930 at Clinton, the son of Arthur Leon and Ruth Ellen Kinney Choate. He grew up in Clinton and was a graduate of Clinton High School, going on to complete his Bachelor of Arts at Oklahoma City University. Choate served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and worked for many years at the Oklahoma Transportation bus company before it closed operations. He then worked at many other jobs after retiring. He was a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Verna, of the home in Duncan; a son, Wesley Choat and his wife, Kim, of Mustang; three daughters, Debbie Guy and her husband, Mike, of Marlow, Cindy Kennedy and her husband, Roger, of Quitman, Texas, Marie McCuller and her husband, Larry, of Mustang; 18 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Briggs of Cedar Lake and Val Gene Harrelson of Weatherford. Preceding him in death, along with his parents, was a sister, Virginia.

Saturday, March 15, 2003
Fite rites held
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Jo Fite, age 74 of Rocky, were held Thursday at the Church of the First Born in Rocky with burial in the Lone Star Cemetery. Mrs. Fite was born on Dec. 24, 1928 on a farm northeast of Rocky, the oldest of five daughters and a son born to Lucius and Willie Holman.

Minnie Jones dies
Graveside services for former area school teacher Mrs. Minnie Lee Jones, age 84 of Dill City, were held Saturday at the Lone Star Cemetery at Rocky. She and her husband, T.M., lived on a horse farm near Dill City, and she taught a total of 39 years. She was born on June 14, 1918 in Rocky, the daughter of Johnny and Zona (Galloway) McKee.