Mabel Stacher funeral slated
Funeral services for Mrs. Mabel Kauley-Stacher, age 55 of Hammon, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Hammon High School Auditorium with Rev. Dolan Ivey and Rev. David Flick officiating. An all-night wake service will be held beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the First Assembly of God Church in Hammon. Mabel Kauley Stacher was born on Nov. 3, 1947 at Clinton, the daughter of Arthur and Inez (Elk River) Kauley. She died Thursday, July 31, 2003, at the Grace Living Center in Clinton after a lengthy illness. Stacher was reared in the Hammon area and married Cameron Stacher in 1965 at Cortez, Colo. They made their homes in Colorado, Hammon, Clinton and Elk City before he preceded her in death in 1969. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Also preceding her in death, along with her husband and parents, were her grandparents, Chief Henry Elk River and Lillie Elk River; and three brothers, Calvin Kauley, Joseph Pewo and Norman Kauley. Burial will follow in the Hammon Indian Mennonite Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include a daughter, Stefanie Stomps of Spokane, Wash.; a son, Christopher Stacker and his wife, Lori, of Sayre; three grandchildren, Felicia Chasenah, Johnathan Stomps, Christopher J. Stacher; four sisters, Norma Washa of Weatherford, Stella Kauley of Albuquerque, N.M., Lillie Kauley of Ignacio, Colo., Virginia Short Man of Aurora, Colo.; and three brothers, Kenneth Kauley of Hammon, David Kauley of Shawnee and Edwin Pewo of Hammon.

Monday, July 28, 2003
Floye Reimer services set
Funeral services for Floye Mae Reimer, age 76 of Clinton, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Kiesau Memorial Chapel of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Reimer died Sunday morning, July 27, 2003, at the Grace Living Center in Clinton. She was born on March 18, 1927 in Camargo, the daughter of Tommy and Hattie (Ketcherside) Wolfe. She grew up and lived most of her life in Clinton, raising her baby brother, Jackie. Reimer worked as a nurse’s aide for the Little Bird Nursing Home in Weatherford and the Highland Park Nursing Home (now Grace Living Center) in Clinton for a number of years. A member of the First Baptist Church in Corn, she loved to crochet and fish and served as a caretaker for many members of her family at different times in her life. Interment will be in the Arapaho Cemetery. Survivors include her sisters, Peggy McLaughlin and her husband, Ed, of Clinton, Ruby Schoonmaker and her husband, Devert, of Custer City, Dorothy Murphy and her husband, Roland, of Muskogee; brothers, Joe Wilson of Clinton, Clifford Roof and his wife, Phyllis, of Clinton; a special aunt, Clara Bratcher of Elk Cityh; and a number of half brothers and sisters; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husbands, Roland Wilson and George Reimer; brothers, John Henry Wolfe, Jackie Wolfe, William Floyd Wolfe and Lee Roy Wolfe.

Thursday, July 24, 2003
Rites Friday for Burgtorf
Funeral services for Dorothy Alice Burgtorf, age 86 of the Custer City area, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Clinton with Rev. Larry Holder officiating. Burgtorf died Wednesday morning, July 23, 2003, at the Methodist Health Care Center in Clinton. She was born on Oct. 23, 1916 at Custer City, the daughter of Samuel and Alice (Hastings) Agan. She grew up in rural Custer City, graduating in 1934 from Custer City High School. She worked for a little store in Custer for a few years, marrying Con Burgtorf on July 14, 1938 at the Custer City Methodist parsonage. Dorothy worked for a hospital for a couple of years, and the Burgtorfs farmed in the Custer City area where she prepared meals for many hired hands during harvest. She joined the Mount Hope Rural Church that later became the Custer City South Church. Later, she joined the First United Methodist Church in Clinton where she belonged to the United Methodist Women organization. Active in the Republican Party, she was a member of the Custer County Republican Women and the National Republican Women’s Association. She also enjoyed gardening and fishing. Preceding her in death, along with her parents, were a sister, Jessie Agan Stewart; and brothers, Curtis Hastings Agan, Donald Aubrey Agan and Joy Samuel Agan. Interment will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery south of Custer City with arrangements under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Con Burgtorf of the home; sons, Alan Burgtorf and his wife, Shirley, of Clinton, Neal Samuel Burgtorf and his wife, Carol Lee, of Wichita, Kans.; grandchildren, Chaille Bott and her husband, Jack, Kesia Slagell and her husband, Kevin, Tiffany Burgtorf, Tamara Burgtorf, Tonya Karm, Jim Butcher and his wife, Laura, Jon Butcher and his wife, Jackie; great grandchildren, Kendall, Stacie, Camron, Carly, Olivia, Alexandria, Gage, Sydney, Reid; and many nieces and nephews. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial contributions in Dorothy’s name to the United Methodist Health Care Center in Clinton.

Ralph Stong rites Saturday
Funeral services for longtime Clinton businessman Ralph W. Strong, age 86, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the First Christian Church in Clin-ton with minister Doyle Kinney officiating. Strong died Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at Integris Baptist Hospital in Oklahoma City as the result of a massive heart attack. He was born on April 15, 1917 in Vinson, the son of Claude and Della Mae (Murley) Strong. Growing up in the Carter area, he attended school there before marrying Bonnie Baxter in Clinton on July 23, 1938. The young couple made their home in Clinton where he worked for Clinton Laundry & Cleaners. From 1957 to 1969 he operated Pete’s Truck Stop in Essaryville. He then went on to work as a janitor for the Clinton School System while also operating a lawn care service. In his spare time he enjoyed gardening, baking and family activities. He was a member of the First Christian Church. Preceding him in death, along with his parents, were his wife, Bonnie; and a brother, Walter Strong. Burial will be in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include a daughter, Patsy Brewer of Oklahoma City; two sons, Bill Strong of Oklahoma City, Charles Strong of Columbia, S.C.; two sisters, Ruby Tolman of Zapata, Texas, Dorothy Mae Hickman of Sulphur; five grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

Thursday, July 10, 2003
Patterson funeral set
Funeral services for former Clinton resident and businessman Billy “Junior” Patterson, age 68 and a Lake Tenkiller area resident, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at a Carter cemetery. Patterson died on Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at St. Edwards Mercy Hospital in Ft. Smith, Ark. He was born on Oct. 23, 1934 in Elk City. Growing up in Carter and Sayre, he quit school prematurely to help support his family doing various farming related jobs. For 20 years he worked for Safeway. For a short time he took his family to Paso Robles, Calif., but he returned to Clinton where he reared his sons. Patterson co-managed and later owned Patterson’s Grocery Store. He retired early and had spent the last 23 years living around Lake Tenkiller in Eastern Oklahoma. Preceding him in death was one brother. Survivors include his wife, Freda; three sons, Billy Ray and his wife, Sharon, Larry and his wife, Kathy, Robin and his wife, Jeanne; six grandchildren; three brothers; and two sisters.

Thomas Duncan services Friday
Funeral services for Thomas H. Duncan, age 84 of Greenville, Texas, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Faith Assembly of God Church in Norman with Rev. John Gifford and Rev. Hugh Duncan officiating. Duncan died Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at Greenville, Texas. He was born on May 22, 1919 at Butler, the son of Thomas lee and Chloie Jane (McClung) Duncan. A veteran of World War II, he joined the U.S. Army on March 20, 1941 and served in the European Theatre before being honorably discharged on Oct. 26, 1945. On Aug. 26, 1943 he married Aubeda Lois Hunt. He was a member of the Faith Assembly of God Church in Norman and had lived in Greenville, Texas since 1999. Preceding him in death, along with his parents, were two brothers, Roger Duncan and Lonnie Joe Duncan. Burial will be in the New Hope Cemetery at Tecumseh under the direction of Primrose Funeral Service in Norman. Survivors include his wife, Aubeda Lois (Hunt) Duncan; two sons, Louis T. Duncan and his wife, Orvillene, Hugh J. Duncan and his wife, Joyce; a daughter, Mary L. Hudson and her husband, Bruce; a brother, James Taylor “J.T.” Duncan; a sister, Mary Haggard; seven grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

Well infant rites Friday
Graveside services for Lauren Wells, infant daughter of Darren Scott and Ginger (Howell) Wells, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Okmulgee Cemetery with Rev. Wesley Berry officiating. Lauren died Monday, July 7, 2003, in Oklahoma City. Arrangements are under the direction of the Shurden-Kelley Funeral Home in Okmulgee. Survivors include her parents, Darren Scott and Ginger Wells of Moore; three sisters, Shalon Wilbanks and her husband, Chris, of Oklahoma City, Amber Lee and Randy White of Okmulgee, Jennifer McFarlin of Oklahoma City; maternal grandparents, Terry and Zilah Murray of Okmulgee, Ray and Marietta Howell of Okmulgee; paternal grandparents, Bill and Ann Kane of Melbourne, Fla., Darrell Wells of Clinton; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Wednesday, July 09, 2003
Billy Fancher died June 17
Memorial services for Stafford native Dr. Billy Eugene Fancher, age 72 of Montevallo, Ala., were held June 20 at the Montevallo Presbyterian Church with burial in the Montevallo Cemetery. Dr. Fancher died Tuesday, June 17, 2003. He was born on Oct. 13, 1930 on the family farm west of Stafford, the son of Charlie and Cora (Kidd) Fancher. He graduated from Stafford High School. Following military service he returned to the area to continue his education. He married Bennie Jo Moss, daughter of Ben and Jewel Moss, in Clinton. Preceding him in death, along with his parents and his wife, were three brothers, Luther, Charles M., Bobby; and two sisters, Dorothy Collins and Jeanne Neighbor. Survivors include two sons, David of Gardendale, Ala. and Stephen of Calera, Ala.; four grandchildren; and a sister, Jerri Boyer of Ponca City

Services set for Pankratz
Memorial services for David Rudolph Pankratz, Jr., age 63 of Stanley, Va., will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Mennonite Church at 19th and Opal in Clinton with pastors Lawrence Hart and Dave Gerbrandt officiating. Pankratz died Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at a Charlottesville, Va. hospital. He was born on Aug. 23, 1939 at the home of his parents, Rudolph and Ver-nace Pankratz, near Dill City. Junior, as he was known by his Oklahoma family, graduated from Dill City Public Schools and then attended then Southwestern State College at Weatherford where he obtained a bachelor of science degree. He then attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and earned a master’s degree. He then taught for a year at the University of Southern Arkansas at Magnolia. Pankratz received an offer to work for Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C. and accepted. He wrote computer programs for HUD and handled litigation related to federal housing. After 25 years, he retired and bought property in the Shanandoah Valley where he built a home and enjoyed the wildlife as well as sailing, skiing, ice skating and traveling. He enjoyed the Alps as part of his world adventure. Pankratz continued in private law practice and visited most of the continental U.S., even going to Alaska. Preceding him in death were his parents. Survivors include a sister, Norlyn Joyce Munyon and her husband, Murray, of Yukon; a niece, Cheryl Rowe and her husband, Dennis; a nephew, Michael; and two great nieces, Rachael and Sarah Rowe of Yukon. He also had relatives in the Clinton and Cordell area of Oklahoma as well as California.

Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Services set for Sallaska
Funeral services for longtime Corn area farmer James Francis Sallaska, age 84, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in the Mennonite Brethren Church at Corn with Rev. Ken Gardner and Rev. John Flaming officiating. Sallaska died Sunday, July 6, 2003, at Oklahoma City. He was born on Oct. 8, 1918 near Fairview, the son of Charlie and Lydia (Young) Sallaska. When he was a small child the family moved to a farm southeast of Fairview where he attended Progressive School through the eighth grade. The school was located on the southeast corner of their home place. Sallaska then attended Fairview Bible School for three more years where he graduated. He was converted and received Jesus Christ. All four members of his family, including his parents and a brother, were baptized and joined the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church in 1936. In February of 1941 he married Miriam Gossen, and they celebrated both their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries with all their children. Beginning in the fall of 1942, Sallaska served as a conscientious objector in two different camps in Colorado, working for three and a half years building roads and large dams. After his service the young couple settled on a farm near Fairview and then moved to Balko for 10 years. After a long period of drought they moved to their present home near Corn where they farmed, ran a dairy and reared their family. They were active members of the Mennonite Brethren Church. Preceding him in death, along with his parents, was a sister, Virginia Sutton. Burial will conclude in the Mennonite Brethren Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include his wife of 60½ years Miriam; a daughter, Darlene and her husband, David Privett of Henrietta, Texas; three sons, Aldee and his wife, Linda, of Oklahoma City, Orel and his wife, Jeanne Sallaska of Corn and Keith and his wife, Maggie, of McAlester; six grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and three brothers, Eugene Sallaska of Fairview, Charlie Sallaska of Denver, Colo. and Vernon Sallaska of Mcoud; and a host of other relatives.

Gainer-Graham rites Thursday
Funeral services for Mrs. Clara Gainer-Graham, age 93, longtime Clinton resident, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Clinton with church pastor Rev. Dale Nease officiating. Mrs. Graham died Mon-day, July 7, 2003, in Oklahoma City. She was born on Feb. 23, 1910 in Grant County, the daughter of Jesse and Emma (Garrar) Gainer. She spent her early years in Grant County before her family moved to the Doxey area, and she graduated from high school there in 1928. She worked as a waitress at Harry’s Café, Pop Hicks Restaurant and the Calmez Hotel as well as serving as a desk clerk at the Tradewinds Motel. She retired in 1980. She was married to Tip Graham. In her spare time she liked to travel, piece quilts, crochet and garden. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and AARP. Preceding her in death, along with her parents and husband, were three brothers, Lloyd Gainer, Leroy Gainer, Marion Gainer; and four sisters, Marie Musgrave, Zella Crim, Naomi Gainer and Betty Gainer. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include a daughter, Juanita Rogers of Oklahoma City; a grandson, Jay Rogers and his wife, Shery, of Oklahoma City; a brother, S.C., and his wife, Alicia Gainer of Lebanon, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.

Monday, July 07, 2003
Oscar Torres services set
Mass of Christian Burial for Oscar Torres, age 23 and a former Clinton resident, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clinton with Father Carl Janocha officiating. Torres died Sunday, July 6, 2003, in a car accident near Seligman, Mo. He was born on March 18, 1979 at Clinton, the son of Jose and Gracela (Rubio) Torres. He grew up in Clinton and graduated from Clinton High School in 1998, having played football for the Red Tornadoes for six years and also participating in the wrestling program. He began working at Kmart at the age of 17 and worked there for three years. He also worked for Rent-A-Center and moved to Tulsa where he worked for Rent Way. Most recently he was employed with First American Loan in Missouri. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, painting and golf. Preceding him in death were paternal grandparents Carmen and Lucio Torres. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include a two- month-old son, Devin Torres of Clinton; his parents, Jose and Gracela Torres of Clinton; three sisters, Gabreila Torres of Weatherford and Melissa and Jennifer of the home; maternal grandparents, Dario and Victoria Rubio of Mexico; and a host of other relatives. Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home chapel with Deacon Pedro Maldonado officiating.

Saturday, July 05, 2003
Buzbee rites to be honored
Buzbee, Frank, Sr. age 93 passed away July 1, 2003. He was born Jan. 21, 1910 in Pauls Valley, OK, to W.J. and Lucy Pearl Boykin Buzbee. Frank graduated from Norman High School and attended OU. He lived in MWC most of his adult life. He owned the first Log Cabin Grill restaurant in MWC, was an electric contractor and owned Buzbee Electric, was the first elected Executive Secretary of the MWC Chamber of Commerce, past president of the MWC Lion's Club, and a member of the MWC Masonic Lodge having been a 32nd degree Mason for over 50 years. Frank loved the game of golf and won numerous championships all over the state. Preceding him in death are his parents, three brothers and a sister. He is survived by Verna, his wife of 67 years; son, Frank Buzbee, Jr. and wife, Lusca of Bella Vista, AR; daughter, Narci Smith of Butler, OK; son, Knox Buzbee of Salt Lake City, Utah; seven grandchildren, Dana and Peter Gray and Darci and Don Russell all of Bellevue, WA, Jill Anderson and Bennett of OKC and Kelli and J.D. Strong of Yukon, OK, Ben Kroum and Lukila Kroum both of Long Beach, CA and Terri Lynn Wiley of Dallas, TX, 6 great grandchildren and several other relatives and many friends. Frank will be greatly missed. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 5, 2003 at Arlington Memory Gardens.

Clements rites set for Monday
Funeral services for Lorraine Clements, 65 of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Kiseau Memorial Chapel in Clinton where Ridge LaMar will officiate. She died July 2, 2003, in the Southwest Medical Center in Weatherford. Lorraine was born Aug. 2, 1937, in Medford the daughter of Wilbur and Ella (Steiger) McBride. She married Russell E. Clements on Sept. 3, 1958 in Tiawana, Mexico and moved to Clinton in 1966. She was a longtime restaurant cook working at Pop Hicks, Cherokee and Fowler's Cafe. She enjoyed writing children's mystery stories, drawing, working puzzles and quilting. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son Rusty; a grandson Mikie and a brother, Richard. She is survived by seven daughters, Melody and Clark Bowen of Cordell, Melissa and Victor Allison of Clinton, Chris and Vince Bond of Shawnee, Maxine and James Allison of Clinton, Tracy and Mike Carnahan of Sayre, Sabrina Semkoff of Clinton; two brothers, Bill and Jo McBride of Wichita, Kan., Charles McBride of Clinton; 11 grandchildren, Brandy Barrera, Tim Tuck, Amber O'Neale, John Tuck, Mandy Booth, Ricky Woodward, Justin Clements, Joshua, Cody, Tyler and Zachery Carnahan; three great-grandchildren, Alexia Tuck, Blake O'Neal, Hannah Barrera; nine step-grandchildren and 10 step-great grandchildren. Burial will follow the services at the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home.

Ringo services will be Monday
Funeral services for Claude James Ringo, age 89 and longtime Dill City resident, will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, July 2, 2003 at the Plains Avenue Church of Christ in Dill City with Truman Teel and Gary Teel officiating. He died July 4, 2003 at Great Plains Regional Hospital in Elk City. Claude was born Nov. 27, 1913 near Dill City the son of Walter Ellis and Josephine (Piercey) Ringo. He grew up in the Cloud Chief, Lake Valley and Colony areas. He married Airlene Walters July 2, 1949 at Dill City. He owned and operated a service station in Dill City for many years. He was a member of the Church of Christ and enjoyed farming, checking cattle and fishing. Survivors include his wife of the home; five children, Joyce Ann Williams and friend Joe of El Reno, Vaudie and Jane Ringo of Clinton, Von Joe Ringo of Weatherford, Nova and Jimmie Johnson of Burns Flat, LeVoy and Sheila Ringo of Dill City; a sister, Naomi and Bud Fletcher of Elk City; a sister-in-law, Dovie Ringo of Dill City; 13 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Burial will follow the services in the South Burns Cemetery under the direction of McClure Funeral Home of Cordell.

Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Private burial for Penick set
A private burial for James Orr Penick, age 76 of Coconut Creek, Fla., will be held Thursday at the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Penick died Sunday, June 8, 2003, at Boca Raton, Fla. He was born on April 3, 1927 in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of James and Ethel (Church) Penick, Sr. A memorial service was held at the Kraeer Funeral Home in Coral Springs, Fla. with Rev. Bob Sands officiating. Penick served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He had worked as a real estate land developer in Maine before retiring to Florida in the early 1980’s. Survivors include two sons, Brian Penick of Coral Springs and Kevin Baker; and a grand-daughter, Tara Penick.

Shepard rites
Funeral services for Custer City native Mrs. Elizabeth “Betty” Shepard, age 87, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Baggerley-South Funeral Home Chapel at 5708 S. Western in Oklahoma City. This will be followed at 3 p.m. by visitation at the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Custer City with committal services in the Custer City Masonic Cemetery at 4 p.m. Thursday. Mrs. Shepard died Tuesday, July 1, 2003. She was born on Sept. 5, 1915 at Custer City, the daughter of E.T. and Berintha Hill. Her marriage on Nov. 3, 1940 to Vern Shepard resulted in 56 years of marriage until his death in 1996. She was a farm wife, homemaker and employee as well as being a charter member of the Newcastle Christian Church. Next to the youngest of seven siblings, three brothers and two sisters preceded her in death, including Orville, Earl, Harold “Bunker” Hill, Arlene Smith and Virgalene Ball. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Vernell and Lynn Jones of Oklahoma City, Norma and Joe Stewart of Childers; three grandchildren, Christi Imes of Jamestown, Ind., Mark Jones of Bartlesville, Jeff Stewart of Childers; five great grandchildren, Holly, Ashley and Jeremy Imes, Dawson and Carys Jones; and a sister, Marjorie Nelson of Garfield, Ark.

Saturday, June 28, 2003
Keeton rites held Saturday
Funeral services for Dollie Emma Keeton, 91, of Fowler, Kan., were held Saturday at the First Assembly of God Church in Cordell. Mrs. Keeton was a native of Colony who had lived for many years in Cordell before moving to Kansas. She died Thursday at Meade District Hospital in Meade, Kan. The former Dollie Emma Coynor was born May 8, 1912, at Colony to W.C. and Elmira Jane (Roland) Coynor. On Dec. 12, 1928, she married Lee Keeton at Cordell, and they made their home there. Mrs. Keeton was a charter member of the First Assembly of God Church in Cordell. She also held membership in the VFW Women’s Auxiliary of Cordell and worked as a volunteer at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Clin-ton. Survivors include six daughters, Geneva Wray of Cordell, Lawan “Lee” Keeton and Treova Zortman, both of Fowler, Kan., Lela Hamil (and husband Roy), Skiatook, Maxine Morgan, Oklahoma City, and Darlene Perdue (and husband Garry), Lubbock, Texas; three sons, Truman Keeton (and wife Kay), Oklahoma City, Glenn Keeton (and wife Karen), Liberal, Kan., and Ronnie Keeton, Cordell; three sisters, Mildred “Dot” Kinder, Clinton, Opal Keeton, Menifee, Ark., and Marie Newcomb, Kathleen, Ga.; 22 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Keeton was preceded in death by her husband, Lee; two sons, Harvey and Melvin; two daughters, Kadie and Violet; and two sisters, two brothers and two sons-in-law. Rev. Doyle Roark officiated at the funeral. Burial was in the Russell Cemetery at Cordell under direction of Jack Loftiss Funeral Home of Cordell.

Friday, June 20, 2003
Burt services set Monday
Graveside services for Noble Henry Burt, 81 of Clinton, will beheld at 1 p.m. Monday, June 23, 2003 at the Mountain Park Cemetery in Mountain Park. He died Thursday, June 19, 2003 at the Clinton Veterans Center. Noble was born June 12, 1922 in Orr, the son of George Thomas and Jenny Maye (Shelton) Burt. He later married Sylvia Irene Pineaul and made his living as a motel owner and operator. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion and the DAV. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; three brothers, George, Walter, Mack and a sister, Jeraldine. He is survived by his daughter Michelle Sasse of Clinton; two brothers, Deroy Burt of Sacramento, Calif., Donald Gene Burt of Oklahoma City; one sister, Loretta Gowndy of Portland, Ore.; three grandchildren and one great grandchild. Burial arrangements are under the direction of the Kiseau-Marler Funeral Home.

Thursday, June 19, 2003
Sawatzky rites set for Friday
Funeral services for Neva Sawatzky, age 83 of rural Clinton, will be held 10 a.m. Friday, June 20, 2003 in the Herold Mennonite Church east of Bessie with Chaplain Dan Day and Rev. Arlee Johnson officiating. She died Wednesday, June 18, 2003 at the United Methodist Health Care Center due to complications from a stroke suffered in January. Neva Schmidt was born June 28, 1919 near Corn to Jacob and Justina (Siemens) Schmidt. She grew up near Corn and attended the McKinley Country School. She married Elmer Sawatzky Sept. 1, 1940 and they made their home on a farm east of Cordell. In 1944, they moved to their present farm southeast of Clinton. In addition to working on the farm, she worked as a cook in the Clinton schools for more than 20 years. She was a member of AARP, the retired cooks group, the quilting groups of her church and the Senior Citizens Center and she volunteered at the Etc. Shop in Weatherford. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Frances Anders and two brothers, Irving and Albert Smith. She is survived by her husband Elmer of the home; two sons, Kenneth and Donna Sawatzky of Oklahoma City, Bill and Cynthia Sawatzky of Custer City; two daughters, Betty and Dan Day of Clinton, Kay and Ross Mapson of Omaha, Neb.; a brother, Edd Schmidt of Cordell; a sister-in-law, Linda Schmidt of Clinton; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Burial will conclude in the Herold Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home. The family is asking that memorials may be made in Neva's honor to the Herold Mennonite Church Building Fund where she served as head of the Kitchen Planning Committee.

Monday, June 16, 2003
Rahhal rites at 10 Wednesday
S. Leonard “Len” Rahhal, longtime local retailer and owner of Len’s Men’s Shop and The Vogue, died early this morning  Monday, June 16, 2003  at Integris Clinton Regional Hospital following a seven-month battle with cancer. He was 67. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church. Rahhal was born Sept. 14, 1935, at Duncan, the son of Saleem A. and Lena (Taylor) Rahhal. When he was about six months old, his parents moved to Clinton and started a women’s clothing store, The Vogue. After graduating from Clinton High School in 1953, Rahhal attended the University of Oklahoma for a time. In 1956 his father bought out N.B. Nash, who owned a men’s clothing store in which the elder Rahhal was a silent partner, and put his son in charge. The name also was changed to Len’s Men’s Wear. Len had operated the store since that time, and later he assumed ownership and management of The Vogue as well. The two stores were closed early this year because of his illness. On Aug. 13, 1973, Rah-hal married Genea Martha Martin in Las Vegas, Nev. They made their home in Clinton, and she joined him as a partner in the clothing stores. Rahhal was a member of the First Baptist Church. He also held memberships in the Clinton Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Business Association. At last year’s annual Chamber of Commerce banquet  held several months before his cancer was diagnosed  he was presented the Rotary Club’s Business Man of the Year Award. A sports enthusiast, Rahhal was an avid fan of the Clinton Red Tornadoes and the Oklahoma Sooners. He is survived by his wife, Genea, of the home; one daughter, Lenley Rahhal, Oklahoma City; one son, Michael Smith, and his wife, Paige, of Amarillo, Texas; three sisters, Sameera Nelson (and husband Orville), Columbus, Ohio, and Jacquie Wilmeth and Patricia Rahhal, both of Oklahoma City; one brother, Dr. Donald Rahhal (and wife Susan), Oklahoma City; and two grandchildren. Rev. Bryan Gilbert, Rev. James Robinson and Doyle Kinney will officiate at the funeral with burial follow-ing in the Clinton Cemetery. Stanley-Lee Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Rahhal had a deep affection for the Clinton schools and their students. When he heard that budget cutbacks this year might limit supplies for the students, he wanted to help. Therefore, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the Clinton Public Schools.

Thursday, June 12, 2003
Bobby Thilsted rites Saturday
Robert James “Bobby” Thilsted went to be with the Lord and beloved grandmothers on Monday, June 9, 2003. Bobby was born on April 4, 1976, in Tucson, Arizona. He was 27 years old. His parents are Jim Thilsted of Newton, Kansas, and Dennis and Carolyn Harris-Gray of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Bobby grew up in Blackwell and Ponca City. He graduated from Ponca City High School in 1994, attended Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa and then completed his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Healthcare Administration at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Okla-homa, in 1999. He was a member of the Phi Delta Chi Professional Fraternity, Alpha Omega Chapter where he held the offices of Worthy Master at Arms and Worthy Master Prelate. He also was listed on the Dean’s Honor Roll while attending Southwestern. His life long dream was to become a pharmacist and in the fall of 2000 he was accepted into the University of Oklahoma School of Pharmacy Doctorate Program. He would have graduated in May 2004. While attending the O.U. School of Pharmacy he was a member of the Oklahoma Society of Health-Systems Pharmacy (OHSP), where he was elected vice-president of his P1 class of 2000 and secretary of the P2 class of 2001. He went on to hold the offices of president-elect and president of OHSP. Bobby was employed with Eckerd Pharmacy in Oklahoma City. He was passionate for the game of golf, enjoyed spending time with Gladi, friends and family. He enjoyed going to movies, dinner and his weekly “must see TV” on Thursday nights. Bobby was to marry his sole-mate Gladiola Perez next month. She was the love of his life and made his world light up. Bobby and Gladi were members of the St. John’s Catholic Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. Bobby was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Virginia Cannon Cronin and Lois Thilsted. Also his great grandparents, Lawrence and Jennie Cannon, Oral and Lois Hensley, Freda and Pete Thilsted, and Louise and John Cronin. Bobby is survived by his parents; brothers, Craig Thilsted of Moore, Oklahoma, and Garrett Harris of Ponca City, Oklahoma; grandparents, Bob Cronin of Blackwell, James Thilsted of Blackwell, and Clifton and Jean Gray of Peckham. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who deeply loved, respected and will never forget the joy he brought to all their lives. Services for Bobby will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Blackwell, Oklahoma, with the Rev. Jeff Koch of the First Christian Church and Father Louis Van Ley of St. John’s Catholic Church officiating. Interment will be in the Greenlawn Abbey Mausoleum in the Blackwell Cemetery. Casketbearers are Ron Benab, Kris Hunley, Chris Holmes, Justin Canfield, Ben Murray and Chuck Hanger. Honorary casketbearers are John Pickard, Greg Harris, Ryan Harris, Paul Hamilton, Todd Hamilton, Bryce Thilsted and Kyle Sisney. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union, Ponca City, Oklahoma, 74601. Services are under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home of Blackwell.

Rites Friday for Mahanay
Funeral services for Mrs. Frances Elizabeth Mahanay, age 85 of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Clinton with the Rev. Bryan Gilbert officiating. Mrs. Mahanay died Tuesday, June 10, 2003. She was born on July 23, 1917 in Pauls Valley, the daughter of Obid and Willie Mae Laurence. She spent all of her childhood years in Pauls Valley. In 1936 she married Gene W. Mahanay, Sr. During World War II, the Navy stationed her husband in the continental United States and the South Pacific. While he was stationed stateside they resided on the East and West Coasts. She resided in Sayre with her son while her husband was stationed in the South Pacific. Other locations of residence for the Mahanays included Vernon, Texas as well as Cheyenne and Hobart in Oklahoma before she and her husband settled in Clinton in 1945 by moving a family-owned auto parts store from Sayre to Clinton. In Clinton she was an active member of the First Baptist Church, serving in children’s and women’s organizations. She also was a member of Junior Service League, Worthwhile Study Club, Les Amies and Monday Night bridge clubs. Preceding her in death, along with her husband, Gene, and her parents, were two brothers and a sister. Burial will be in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include a son, Gene W. Mahanay, Jr. and his wife, Mary Beth, of Clinton; three grandchildren, Brad Mahanay of Dallas, Texas, D’Ann Mahanay Riley and her husband, Brett, of Tulsa, Clint Mahanay and his wife, Sheri, of Clinton; and three great grandchildren. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial contributions in her honor to the Oklahoma Baptist Department of Childcare, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6506.

Schapansky services set
Funeral services for Mrs. Irene (Goucher) Schapansky, age 87 of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Church of Christ at 2600 Custer Ave. in Clinton with Stan Looper and Pat Peters officiating. Mrs. Schapansky died early today, June 12, 2003, at the Grace Living Center in Clinton. She was born on May 19, 1916 on a farm east of Cordell, the daughter of Wesley and Edna (Hutton) Goucher. She grew up and attended school at Shilo School near Cloud Chief, marrying Dave “Doc” Schapansky on Dec. 9, 1944. They made their home on a farm north of Corn before moving to Arapaho in the early 1950’s and to Clinton in 1958. Mrs. Schapansky was a cook for the Clinton School System for 28 years, working at Nance, the junior high and high school. She was famous for her cinnamon and hot rolls. She retired in the 1980’s and enjoyed fishing and traveling. Mrs. Schapansky was a member of the Church of Christ and the AARP quilters. She loved gardening and had a large flower and vegetable garden. She also enjoyed quilting and raised funds for the Corn Bible Academy with her quilts. Preceding her in death, along with her parents and her husband in 1991, were a son, Floyd Wayne, in 1984; and three brothers, Dewey, Charley and Arlie Goucher. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include two sons, Randy and his wife, Dorothy, of Sentinel, Larry and his wife, Bunny, of Arapaho; two sisters, Juanita Igo of Clinton, Eva Igo of Bessie; two brothers, Lee Goucher of Clinton, Alfred Goucher of Peoria, Ariz.; six grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial contributions in Mrs. Schapansky’s honor to the Clinton AARP.

Wednesday, June 11, 2003
Joyce Lenard services set
Funeral services for Joyce Marie Lenard, age 56 of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Bethany Baptist Church with Elder Lawrence Smoot, Rev. Billy Mucker and Rev. Jealden Carr officiating. Ms. Lenard died Monday afternoon, June 9, 2003, at Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was born on Aug. 22, 1946 in Clinton, the daughter of A.Y. and Corine (Woods) Williams. She graduated from high school in 1964 and was employed at the Clinton Veterans Center for 11 years as a nurse’s aide. Ms. Lenard was an active member of the True Gospel Tabernacle and was very involved in community affairs, working with South Western Oklahoma Development Authority, Clinton Association for Rights and Equality, Volunteers In Service To America and Concerned Black Parents. Preceding her in death were her parents; a son, Raymond Lenard; and a sister, Brenda Williams. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include two daughters, Elaine Williams of Clinton, Leaster (Lenard) Salaheddine and her husband, Nabil, of Edmond; a son, Gary Lenard of Clinton; six sisters, Mozela Richardson, Jean and Sherman Brown, Martha and Larry Parker, Luzella Williams, all of Clinton, Mary and Edward Coleman of Wichita, Kans., Susan Williams of Houston, Texas; four brothers, Andy and Gayle Williams of Clinton, A.Y. and Ethel Williams of Louisiana, James and Debra Williams of Tulsa, Ted and Fatina Hogan of Oklahoma City; six grandchildren, Gary Smith Jr. of Pittsburg, Kans., Kierra and Sierra Lenard, both of Tacoma, Wash., A’shira Barnes, Garehtte Casper, Micah Jackson, all of Clinton, Katherine Jackson of Elk City; and two uncles, George and Maude Williams of Clinton and Amos and Rose Johnson of Oklahoma City.