Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Bizzell rites Wednesday
Funeral services for Marjorie “Marge” Bizzell will be held in Cordell Oklahoma at 2:00 p.m. October 15th 2003 at the First Methodist Church. Officiated by the Reverend Gary White. Burial will be at the Page Cemetery in Foss, Oklahoma under the direction of Jack Loftiss Funeral Home. Marjorie Bruner was born July 15, 1922, in Cloud Chief, Oklahoma and passed away October 10, 2003, at the age of 81. Marjorie graduated from Burns Flat High School as Valedictorian of her class in May of 1938. On November 4, 1938 she married Austin Wayne Bizzell in Foss. Marjorie was a dedicated, loving wife and mother. She was a talented writer, seamstress, cook, and gardener. Beginning in 1950, she served beside Austin in his ministry as pastor of Methodist churches at Navina, Lexington, Billy Hooten Memo-rial, Jones, Aline, Pond Creek, Medford, Jenks, Grove, Forgan, Carnegie, Wynnewood, and Laverne. She was a member of the Oklahoma Meth-odist Conference and a lifetime member of the WSCS. Marjorie spent her life teaching and guiding both young and old and was loved by everyone who met her. Her kind, gentle spirit and love for God, her family, and friends will live on. She is survived by one son, Jim Bizzell and wife Cheryl of Tulsa; two daughters, Marsha Layne and husband Terry of Tulsa, and Ruth Adams and husband Bill of Plains, Kansas; one grandson, Brian Austin Bizzell and wife Olivia of Owasso; five granddaughters, Karla Hula Bradshaw and husband Ron, Ann Amerin and hus-band Max, Kristen Franze and husband James, Heather Adams, and Amber Adams; four great grandsons, Adam and Drew Bradshaw, Jake and Dalton Amerin; one great granddaughter, Cheyane Adams; and one step-granddaughter, Megan Duncan. Also surviving is an extended family including Matt Duncan and wife Carolyn and their sons Jonathan and Garrett, and Dr. Mark Duncan and wife Susan and their children Faryn and Eli. Marjorie was the oldest of ten children born to S.L., and Lola Bruner and is survived by her brothers Richard, wife Irene; Bob, wife Doris; Leonard, wife Shirley; Don, wife Kate; Raymond, wife Bonnie; and two sisters, Betty Snider and husband Dale, and Iris Frey. Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Austin W. Bizzell; two infant sons, Charles Wayne and David Austin; her parents, S.L. and Lola Bruner; two brothers, Kenneth and Ronald Bruner; and one son-in-law, James Michael Glenn. The fam-ily requests contributions be made to the Reverend Austin W. Bizzell Ministerial Scholarship Fund at Oklahoma City University, 2501 N. Blackwelder. Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Paid Obituary

Saturday, October 11, 2003
Retired Washita County official Sharp has died
Funeral services for Wilburn Burney Sharp, Jr., age 82 of Cordell, who served as the Washita County clerk from 1977 until his retirement in 1992, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Fourth and College Church of Christ in Cordell. Junior Sharp died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at his home in Cordell. He was born on Sept. 11, 1921 near Lake Valley, the son of W.B. Sr. and Effie (Davis) Sharp. Sharp had lived in the Cordell area most of his life, moving from Sentinel to Cordell in 1965. He was a member of the Fourth and College Church of Christ, VFW Post 4613, American Legion Lowell Sarter Post 134 and the County Officers and Deputies Association. Sharp served in the U.S. Air Force from Sept. 19, 1942 to Feb. 6, 1946, achieving the rank of tech sergeant. He was married to Betty Reeves on April 4, 1948 at Cordell. Following their marriage, they moved to Sentinel in 1956 where he worked for United Grocery and Smith IGA before moving back to Cordell where he was first elected Washita County clerk in 1977. Preceding him in death were his parents and three brothers, Noel, “Hap” and Foy. Interment will be in the Lawnview Cemetery at Cordell under the direction of the McClure Funeral Home of Cordell. Survivors include his wife, Betty, of the home; three daughters, Cheryl Lively and her husband, Richard, of Cordell, Carol Corbett and her husband, Jack, of Cordell, Christie Cannon and her husband, Rick, of Edmond; a sister, Juanita Richardson of Midwest City; eight grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial contributions in Sharp’s honor to the Cordell Christian Home.

Myrle Hewitt rites Sunday
Graveside services for Myrle Hewitt, age 91 of Clinton, will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Custer City Masonic Cemetery with Clinton minister Doyle Kinney officiating. Hewitt died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at the Grace Living Center in Clinton. She was born on Sept. 23, 1912 in Custer City, the daughter of William Henry and Lillie (Slitt) Senior. She grew up and went to school at Custer City, later moving to Clinton where she graduated from high school in 1930. She was the youngest of nine children. Myrle married Ralph Hewitt in 1934. A talented seamstress, she monogrammed for neighbors and schools all around. She was an active member of the First Christian Church where she belonged to the Loyal Brean Sunday School Class and the CWF group. She also was a member of the Rook Club and Garden Club, loving to garden. Preceding her in death, along with her husband, were a brother, Frank Hewitt, Sr.; and sisters, Pearl Shivley, Pansy Shepherd, Jane Sterner, Lela Essary, Eula Senior and Willa Essary. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home of Clinton. Survivors include her daughter, Mary Ann Peacock of Rock Port, Texas; a sister, Lola Fox of Clinton; grandchildren, Joel Peacock and his wife, Leslie, of Denver, Colo., Elizabeth Peacock and Barret Karr of Austin, Texas; great grandchildren, Lara Karr, Jordan Peacock, Daniel Peacock; a niece, Jean Fortner and her husband, Gerald; many other nieces and nephews; and a special friend and caregiver, Vi Sawatzky.

Thursday, October 09, 2003
Ola Weichel rites Sunday
Funeral services for Ola Weichel, age 96 of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First Christian Church with minister Doyle Kinney officiating. Weichel died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, at her Clinton home. She was born on June 29, 1907 south of Corn, the daughter of Euell and Carrie (Rose) Kutch. She grew up on a farm in the Corn area and attended school at Colony, Weatherford and Redtop before finishing at the Friendship School. She married Arthur “Artie” Weichel on Dec. 12, 1928 in Colony. They lived in Corn, Independence and Stafford for many years. Ola assisted her husband on the farm with plowing and farming. Upon retirement, they moved into Clinton. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Weichel enjoyed sewing and gardening. Cooking was her therapy. Interment will be in the Stafford Cemetery with ar-rangements under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include daughters, Oleta LaRue of Clinton, Ellowese Rachel and her husband, Doyle, of San Antonio, Texas; a daughter-in-law, Vera Griffith and her husband, Harold, of Clinton; a sister, Lois Newcomb of Butler; grandchildren, Michael LaRue and his wife, Lindsay, Steve Weichel and his wife, Janet, Jim Weichel and his wife, Kristen, Patrick Rachel, Corey Rachel; great grandchildren, Victoria Weichel, Alex LaRue, AnnaKate Weichel; and a special friend, Virginia Lively. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur “Artie” Weichel in 1997; a son, Clifford Weichel; a son-in-law, Bill LaRue; a grandson, Robert Weichel; sisters, Rosa Duggins, Zelda Kutch; and a brother, Willard Kutch.

'Dick' Baker rites Friday
Funeral services for long-time Arapaho area farmer E.E. “Dick” Baker, age 90, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dale Nease officiating. Baker died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, at McBride Bone and Joint Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was born on Aug. 20, 1913 in Logan, Beaver County, Okla., the son of Murray and Anna Matilda (Shenke) Baker. He grew up in Custer County and attended grade school at Gyp before graduating from Arapaho High School. Later, he attended Keen’s Business College. He was married to Pauline Casey on Dec. 20, 1936 at Clinton and was baptized at Pleasant Valley Methodist Church where he sang in the church quartet. Later, he attended the Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he sang in the choir and attended the senior adult Sunday school class. Baker worked for the cotton gin at Custer City and then in the oil and gas business at Custer City for a short time, at Thomas and later in Clinton. In 1942, the Bakers moved to a farm northwest of Arapaho where they made their home. He was a farmer and rancher all of his life, also doing custom wheat cutting for 11 years. Baker was a loyal member of the Custer County Fair Board for 45 years. He was an honorary member of the Arapaho FFA. He enjoyed plowing, harvest time and cattle. He also loved to spend time with his family. Burial will be in the Arapaho Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Pauline, of the home; sons, Ronnie Baker and his wife, Sue, of Butler, Mike Baker and his wife, Vernette, of Arapaho; a sister-in-law, Erma Baker of Clinton; grandchildren, Tamra Mach, Rodney Baker, Wendy Smith, Andrea Whittington, Jay Baker, Autumn Baker; great grandchildren, Erica Baker, Dillon Mach, Kelsey Baker, Rhett Whittington, Casey Mach, Rhyden Whittington, Wacy Smith, Sketchley Baker, Jody Smith, J’May Smith. Preceding him in death, along with his parents, were five brothers, Urban “Short” Baker, Norval “Red” Baker, Glenn “Bus” Baker, Laroy “Curley” Baker and infant Floyd Baker; and two sisters, Lavonia Shephard and Florence Raab. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial contributions in Baker’s honor to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Clinton.

Leora Shanks services set
Memorial services for retired missionary Leora Shanks, age 90 of Dallas, Texas, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Hydro Methodist Church. Shanks died Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, in Dallas, Texas. She was born on Nov. 12, 1912, the daughter of F.E. and Olivia Shanks. She was reared on a farm north of Hydro. After earning degrees from Southwestern Teachers College and Scarritt College in Tennessee she became a Methodist missionary. She preached and taught for 20 years in Cuba and for 14 years in Costa Rica. She had spent her retirement years in Dallas, Texas. Shanks never married but she is survived by three adopted sons, Razziel Vasquez, John Shanks and Saul Espino and their children and grandchildren. She had one sister, Clara Carman, who preceded her in death.

Tuesday, October 07, 2003
Denver Jantz funeral slated
Graveside services for Denver J. Jantz, age 58 of Oklahoma City, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Bergthal Mennonite Cemetery north of Corn. Jantz died Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, due to an illness. He was born on May 23, 1945 at Clinton and lived most of his life in south Oklahoma City, graduating from U.S. Grant High School and serving in the U.S. Army. The thing he loved most was classical and spiritual music, especially southern gospel. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home of Clinton. Survivors include his mother, Ida M. Jantz of Oklahoma City; a sister, Sydney Bond and her husband, Bill, of Griffin, Ga.; nieces, Dana Porritt and her husband, Tom, of Kenai, Ark., Marie Porritt and her husband, Scott, of Fairbanks, Ark., Allison Longnecker and her husband, Erick, of Jonesboro, Ga., Carla Tisdale and her husband, Chad, of Fayetteville, Ga.; a nephew, Reid Bond of Rome, Italy; uncles, aunts and friends living at the Grace Living Center in Oklahoma City. Preceding him in death were his father, Herman Jantz of Oklahoma City; his grandparents, David and Marie Kliewer of Clinton; and two aunts, Mary Ann McKenzie and Viola Hulseberg of Oklahoma City.

Saturday, October 04, 2003
Parker dies
Funeral services for Verda Ruth Parker, age 91 of Cordell, were held Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Cordell with burial in the Sap-pington Cemetery at Cordell. Parker died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, at the Cordell Memorial Hospital. She was born on Oct. 8, 1911 in Carnegie, the daughter of Beulah (Gray) and Jim Pritchard.

Dobson rites set Monday
Funeral services for Dorothy Dodson, age 68 of Derby, Kans., will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the Woodlawn United Methodist Church at Derby. Dodson died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Smith Mortuary in Derby, Kans. with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Survivors include her husband, Kenny, of Derby, Kans.; daughters, Deanna Stasiewicz and her husband, Eddie, of Wichita, Kans., Debbie Mulley and her husband, Chuck, of Derby, Kans.; grandchildren, Christopher Mullen, Jennifer Stasiewicz, Ma-thew Mullen, Elizabeth Stasiewicz; and her mother, Annabell Elliott of Clinton. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial contributions in Dorothy Dodson’s honor to Victory in the Valley, 3755 East Douglas, Wichita, KS 67218.

Krystal Sells funeral held
Funeral services for car accident victim Krystal Sells, daughter of Johnny and Brenda Sells of Senti-nel, were held Saturday morning in the Dick West Auditorium of Sentinel High School with Craig Towery officiating. Krystal died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, in an accident near Cordell at the age of 15 years. She had lived all of her life in the Sentinel area and was active in the First Baptist Church youth group. She enjoyed sports, playing basketball and softball. Krystal also was vice-president of her freshman class. Her favorite subject in school was home economics. She enjoyed reading and talking with friends. Preceding her in death was a grandfather, Dwayne “Red” Britton. Interment was in the Sentinel Cemetery. Survivors include her parents, Johnny and Bren-da Sells; a maternal grandmother, Wanda Britton of Sentinel; paternal grandparents, Kenneth and Nadine Sells of Carnegie; a paternal great grandmother, Alice Skinner of Carnegie; a maternal great grandmother, Lola Smith of Sentinel; a sister, Amy Michelle Wilhelm and her husband, Brandon, of Bentonville, Ark.; a half brother, Shane Ruben Sells of Clinton; and many cousins, aunts and uncles. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial contributions in Krystal’s honor to the Sentinel School Athletic Department.

Thursday, October 02, 2003
Jess Karber rites Friday
Funeral services for Jess Ray Karber, 77, of Corn, will be held Friday, October 3, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. in Pine Acres Mennonite Church in Weatherford with Pastor Don Morris officiating. Burial will follow in Corn Mennonite Brethren Cemetery under the direction of the Lockstone Funeral Home of Weatherford. Karber was born to Harry H. and Luella (Wiens) Karber on Dec. 13, 1925, in Balko, Okla. and died on Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, at his home in Corn. He was raised and attended school in Balko and Fairview. He attended Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. for two years. On Oct. 18, 1953, he married Doris Margaret Flaming in Corn. After living in Denver for a short time they moved to Balko. In 1955, they relocated to Shatter, Calif. and remained there until 1977. They then farmed near Shattuck moving before moving to farm near Weatherford in 1984. In 1991 he moved to Corn and continued to farm in the Weatherford area until retiring in 2000. Jess enjoyed golf and being outdoors. Memorials may be made to Tabor College. Survivors include two sons, Lyndon Dale Karber of Houston, and Gregory Alien Karber and wife Jeannie of Cyprss, Texas; two daughters Teresa Ann Bowman and her husband Brad of Clearwater, Kan.; and Joyce Elaine Parker and her husband Bryan D. of Thibodaux, Louisiana; one brother, Eugene Karber and his wife, Ramona of Enid; a sister, Lola Jost and her husband. Harry of Balko; and ten grandchildren. His parents and his wife preceded him in death.

Ethel Stockton rites set
Funeral services for Jess Ray Karber, 77, of Corn, will be held Friday, October 3, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. in Pine Acres Mennonite Church in Weatherford with Pastor Don Morris officiating. Burial will follow in Corn Mennonite Brethren Cemetery under the direction of the Lockstone Funeral Home of Weatherford. Karber was born to Harry H. and Luella (Wiens) Karber on Dec. 13, 1925, in Balko, Okla. and died on Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, at his home in Corn. He was raised and attended school in Balko and Fairview. He attended Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. for two years. On Oct. 18, 1953, he married Doris Margaret Flaming in Corn. After living in Denver for a short time they moved to Balko. In 1955, they relocated to Shatter, Calif. and remained there until 1977. They then farmed near Shattuck moving before moving to farm near Weatherford in 1984. In 1991 he moved to Corn and continued to farm in the Weatherford area until retiring in 2000. Jess enjoyed golf and being outdoors. Memorials may be made to Tabor College. Survivors include two sons, Lyndon Dale Karber of Houston, and Gregory Alien Karber and wife Jeannie of Cyprss, Texas; two daughters Teresa Ann Bowman and her husband Brad of Clearwater, Kan.; and Joyce Elaine Parker and her husband Bryan D. of Thibodaux, Louisiana; one brother, Eugene Karber and his wife, Ramona of Enid; a sister, Lola Jost and her husband. Harry of Balko; and ten grandchildren. His parents and his wife preceded him in death.

Bowman rites to be Saturday
Graveside Services for Mrs. Johnnie Belle Bow-man, 90, former Custer County resident, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Clinton Cemetery with Rev. Stanley Daniels officiating. Johnnie Belle Bowman was born April 2, 1913 to John and Hattie (Brazier) Jennings and died early today, Oct. 2, 2003, in the T.B. Lackey Health Care Center of the Baptist Village in Oklahoma City. Bowman was reared in Cold Springs and graduated from high school in 1930. She soon married Paul D. Bowman in 1931 at Cold Springs. They made their home in Butler where they farmed north of town until they moved into Butler in 1943. She worked at the Butler School Cafeteria and the Fox Grocery Store before they moved to Clinton in the early 1960’s and she was employed at a Clinton nursing home for a short time. Her husband preceded her in death in 1985, and she moved to Oklahoma City and lived in the Bap-tist Village until her death. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Burial will be under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home of Clin-ton. Survivors include a daughter, Darlene Koch of Oklahoma City; a son, Bo Bowman and his wife, Peggy, of Lawton; a sister, Ruth Stephens of Califor-nia; and two brothers, Os-car Jennings and his wife, Audrey, of Del City and Sill Jennings and his wife, Loudean, of California; five grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. The family has suggested that those who desire may make memorial contribu-tions in her honor to the Adams Service Care As-sistance Fund, 9700 Nash-burn, Oklahoma City, OK 73162.

Wednesday, October 01, 2003
Edmonds rites to be Thursday
Funeral services for Jarrett Edmonds, age 94 of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the First Christian Church with minister Doyle Kinney of-ficiating. James Jarrett Edmonds was born on Sept. 26,1909 in Rocky, the son of Jim Williams Edmonds and Ada Mae (Bannister) Edmonds. He died on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003 at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. Edmonds was reared in Sentinel and graduated from Sentinel High School in 1929. In the fall of 1929 he attended a semester at Hills Business College, and in 1931 he moved to Clinton. He married the former Miss Pauline Darnell March 22, 1940, in Clinton, and they made their home in Clinton until her death in 1988. He worked in an auto supply business until he enlisted into the Air Corps in 1942, serving in the military during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945 after which he began a career in the auto business and was in business for himself from 1947 until 1955. He then joined Corwin Robinson as co-owner of an auto parts store until 1982. He later married Ms. Creola Hutchinson-Cline June 2, 1990, in Clinton. He was a member of the First Christian Church, a lifetime member of the American Legion, past member of Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce and the Jaycees. Preceding him in death were four sisters, Flora Belle Self, Bertha Maddox, Gena Mae Wilson and Mary E. Wright. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include his wife, Creola, of the home; a son, Keith Edmonds and his wife, Mercy, of Fort Worth, Texas; a stepson, Curtis Cline and his wife, Ruby, of Oklahoma City; a stepdaughter, Linda Butcher of Oklahoma City; two brothers, Nuel Edmonds and his wife, Alma, of Springfield, Mo. and Gene Edmonds and wife, Betty, Yukon; four step grandchildren; and seven step great-grandchildren. He loved to travel, collect old coins and trains.

Saturday, September 27, 2003
A.J. Adams dies at 83
A.J. Adams, age 83 of Cordell, died Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003, in Cordell. He was born on Sept. 23, 1920 one mile west of Lake Valley. After meeting his future wife, Agnes Lorene Russell, at a junior-senior banquet in Burns Flat, the couple married on March 1, 1941. Agnes’ grandfa-ther, Russell, married the couple at his home in Clinton. A.J. worked for the Cordell Beacon for 29 years. In 1970 he opened Adams Printing in Cordell, operating it until he sold it on March 1, 1984. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cordell, having served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and choir member. He also was a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club and had served on the Cordell City Council after winning election to that post. In his free time, Adams enjoyed fishing, golfing, working in his shop and playing his guitar. Survivors include his wife, Agnes Lorene Adams of Cordell; a daughter, Shirley Ann Young and her husband, Andy, of Norman; grandsons, Todd Andrew Young of Norman, Robb Andrew Young and his wife, Kristi, and son, Chris, of Norman; great granddaughter, Morgan Raye Young of Norman; sisters, Minnie Dell Housbeck and her husband, Paul, Wanita Hendrix and her husband, James.

Friday, September 26, 2003
Larry Burton funeral set
Chapel services for Larry Burton, age 56 of rural Arapaho, will be held 3 p.m. Saturday in the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home Chapel in Clinton with Robert Burton officiating. Larry Burton was born March 16, 1947, in Mansfield, Ark., the son of Earl and Ellen (Winford) Burton. He died at Integris Clinton Regional Hospital early Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003. Growing up in southeast Colorado, he graduated from McClare High School in 1965. He went on to Lamar Junior College and studied auto mechanics. He then went to work at the Ford dealership in Lamar, Colo. and worked there until he was drafted into the Army in 1969. After his military service he started work on drilling rigs in the oil field. He moved to Clinton with that job and was employed in the oil field until his death. In his spare time he enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, boating and gardening. Preceding him in death was his father. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery. Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Daria; his mother, Ellen Burton of Hartford, Kans.; a daughter, Jasa Bailey of Clinton; two sons, Dash Burton of rural Arapaho and Jeff Burton of Dallas, Texas; a grandson, Mason Bailey; two sisters Mary Stevens of Cameron, Mo. and Earlene Rogers of Greenwood, Ark; two brothers, Gene Burton of Lamar, Colo. and Robert Burton of Hartford, Kans.

Wednesday, September 24, 2003
Luke Pruitt funeral set
Memorial services for Luke Pruitt, age 82 of Arapaho, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Methodist Church at Arapaho. Pruitt died Monday, Sept. 22, 2003, at the Grace Living Center in Clinton. He was born on May 10, 1921 in Sallisaw, the son of Clayton and Nannie Pruitt. He was reared in the Watonga area and was the oldest of 10 children. Pruitt served in World War II and was stationed in Germany and Austria. He was a member of the American Legion for more than 50 years. Pruitt married Irene Shamburg on Aug. 6, 1946 in Fort Smith, Ark. They were married for 53 years. He was a salesman at Morrison Wholesale for more than 20 years, and his hobbies included fishing, hunting and gardening. Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents and wife, were an infant sister, Irene; sisters, Julia Smith and Shirley West; and brothers, Orlie and Buford Pruitt. Services will conclude in the Arapaho Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Ann Stermer, and her husband, Steve, of Arapaho; a son, Mark Pruitt, also of Arapaho; three grandchildren, Miranda Stermer, Cory Pruitt and Paul Stermer; a brother, John Pruitt of Oilton; three sisters, Lorene Greene and her husband, Earl, of Drumright, Yvonne Cunningham and her husband, Bud, of Fairview, La-Donna Manley and her husband, Fred, of Denison, Texas; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Roman Nose services set
Funeral services for Theodore Mar Roman Nose, age 52 of Crescent City, Calif., will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Hammon First Assembly of God Church with Rev. Dolan Ivey officiating. A traditional Indian all night wake will begin at 7 p.m. this evening at the church. Roman Nose died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, at Crescent City. He was born on June 19, 1951 in Clinton, the son of Sidney and Edna (Swallow) Roman Nose. He grew up in Hammon and attended school there, eventually working as a farm hand hauling hay, picking cotton and chopping cotton. He moved to California in the 1980’s and worked in construction, marrying Gertrude Oscar in the late 1990’s. Preceding him in death were his parents; a daugh-ter, Charlene; and two sisters, Nora and Myra. Burial will conclude in the Hammon Indian Mennonite Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include his wife, Gertrude, of the home; a daughter, Martha Ann Roman Nose and two sons, Jared and Jeffrey, all of California; six sisters, Zeoma, Alberta, Gladys, Nadine, Jane, Stella; two brothers, Wayne, Martin; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Luke Pruitt funeral set
Memorial services for Luke Pruitt, age 82 of Arapaho, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Methodist Church at Arapaho. Pruitt died Monday, Sept. 22, 2003, at the Grace Living Center in Clinton. He was born on May 10, 1921 in Sallisaw, the son of Clayton and Nannie Pruitt. He was reared in the Watonga area and was the oldest of 10 children. Pruitt served in World War II and was stationed in Germany and Austria. He was a member of the American Legion for more than 50 years. Pruitt married Irene Shamburg on Aug. 6, 1946 in Fort Smith, Ark. They were married for 53 years. He was a salesman at Morrison Wholesale for more than 20 years, and his hobbies included fishing, hunting and gardening. Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents and wife, were an infant sister, Irene; sisters, Julia Smith and Shirley West; and brothers, Orlie and Buford Pruitt. Services will conclude in the Arapaho Cemetery un-der the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Ann Stermer, and her husband, Steve, of Arapaho; a son, Mark Pruitt, also of Arapaho; three grandchildren, Miranda Stermer, Cory Pruitt and Paul Stermer; a brother, John Pruitt of Oilton; two sisters, Lorene Greene and her husband, Earl, of Drumright, Yvonne Cunningham and her husband, Bud, of Fairview; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Monday, September 22, 2003
Schimmel services set
Funeral services for Thelma Olivia Schimmel, age 82 of Arapaho, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Arapaho Methodist Church with Rev. Kent Wood officiating. Schimmel died Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003, at the Methodist Health Care Center in Clinton. She was born on July 17, 1921 in Springfield, Colo., the daughter of Robert Louis and Mamie (King) Fimple. Her family moved to Arapaho when she was a young girl, and she gradu-ated from Clinton High School in 1939. She went on to attend the University of Oklahoma, earning a degree in nursing toward becoming a Regis-tered Nurse in 1942. That same year she mar-ried Leonard Schimmel, and the young couple made their home in Siloam Springs, Ark. where she worked as a nurse. She also worked in Okla-homa City for a time. They moved back to Arap-aho in 1954, and she worked at a Clinton hos-pital and was director of nursing at the Methodist Health Care Center, hav-ing also worked for a hos-pice for two years. In her spare time she en-joyed traveling, reading, working with animals and watching John Wayne movies. Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents and her husband in 1976, were a son, Randall; and a brother, Gray Fimple. Burial will conclude in the Arapaho Cemetery under the direction of the Stan-ley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include three sons, Ron and his wife, Joyce, of Clinton, Rob of Pearl River, La., Rocky of Arapaho; a sister, Joyce Bagley and her husband, Jim, of Spring, Texas; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial contribu-tions to the Arapaho Meth-odist Church.

Hazel Kirk memorial rites set
Memorial services for Arapaho school teacher Hazel Kirk, 46, killed Sat-urday morning in an auto-mobile accident near Seil-ing, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church of Clinton. Dean Brookshire and Rev. Charles Murphy, of the Freewill Baptist Church in Clinton, will officiate. So that faculty members, students and staff may at-tend the service, the Arap-aho schools will be closed all day Tuesday. The former Hazel Sue McClanahan was born Nov. 22, 1956, in Tokyo, Japan, to Ivan and Haruko (Tsujita) McClanahan. She grew up at Blair, Okla., graduating from high school there in 1975, and married Gary Kirk on Aug. 6, 1977, also at Blair. Mrs. Kirk earned a Bachelor of Education de-gree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a Master’s in Special Education from the Uni-versity of Central Okla-homa. She and her husband made their home at Arapaho where she was in her 24th year of teaching. They were parents of two daughters and enjoyed spending time together as a family. Mrs. Kirk supervised the gifted and talented pro-gram at the Arapaho School and was the aca-demic coach for the fifth and sixth grades. A member of the Freewill Baptist Church of Clinton, she taught Sunday school and assisted in counseling at church camps and with the women’s auxiliary. She and her husband were en route to Wood-ward to a church missions conference with three friends when she was killed. Her husband and the friends were all injured in the accident, and a Woodward woman driving the other car also was killed. Mrs. Kirk is survived by her husband, Gary, and her two daughters, Kathe, a seventh-grader, and Jeri, a fifth-grader, all of the rural Arapaho home; her parents, Ivan and Haruko McClanahan, Moore; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Michel and Carol Mc-Clanahan, Oklahoma City, and Patrick McClanahan, Atlanta, Ga.; one sister, Caroll Harris, Oklahoma City; her mother-in-law, Juanita Kirk, Elk City; a brother-in-law, Mac Kirk, and his wife, Sue, Nor-man; a sister-in-law, Caro-lyn DeCarolis, and her husband, Lou, Golden, Colo.; and nine nieces and nephews: Mark, Anthony, Kyle, Clayton, Tyler, Chad, Jace, Kara and Katy. Burial will be in the Ara-paho Cemetery under di-rection of Kiseau Marler Funeral Home of Clinton. Friends wishing to make memorial contributions may donate to an Arapaho school scholarship being set up in Mrs. Kirk’s name at the Custer County Branch of Oklahoma Bank and Trust in Arapaho.

Friday, September 19, 2003
Motorcyclist's rites Saturday
Funeral services for Jason Wayne Hestand, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Gotebo. People’s Cooperative Funeral Home of Lone Wolf is planning to release a full obituary later. Funeral services are pending for Fred Big Horse, Jr., age 66, who died early today, Sept. 18, 2003, at Oklahoma City. Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of arrangements.

Services set for Big Horse
Graveside services for Fred Lowell Big Horse, Jr., age 66 of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Clinton Indian Cemetery with Rev. Ger-ald Panana officiating. Big Horse died Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003, at the Kindred Care Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was born on Jan. 21, 1937 in Clinton, the son of Fred Sr. and Laura (White Tur-tle) Big Horse. Growing up in Clinton, Big Horse attended school here and had worked as a barber at the Clinton Vet-erans Center. He was married to Bertha Seger in 1965. Preceding him in death were his wife and a daughter, Mary Alice Big Horse. Burial will conclude under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home. Survivors include a daughter, Patricia Seger of El Reno; a son, Russell Big Horse; a sister, Imogene Jones, a brother, Gary Big Horse, and a grandson, Cedric Big Horse, all of Clinton.

Tuesday, September 16, 2003
Knowlton's rites tonight
Graveside services for Elsie H. Knowlton, age 85 of Clinton, will be held at 6 p.m. today in the Arapaho Cemetery with minister Pat Peters officiating. Knowlton died early Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was born on July 7, 1918, the daughter of Amsy and Lillie (Size-more) Hartman. After marrying Kenneth Knowlton on Oct. 4, 1934 at Boise City, the couple made their home in California and New Mexico before moving to Clinton in 1985 to be near family. She had worked as a sales clerk at Montgomery Ward. Preceding her in death were her parents; and her husband in 1986. Arrangements are under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include a daughter, Hazel Knowlton of Clinton; three sisters, Amy Booth of Yukon, Frances Hartman of California, Annie Hartman of Arizona; two grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

Fred Behnke rites Friday
Funeral services for Fred Behnke, age 92 and a longtime Clinton resident, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Peace Lutheran Church at Bessie with Rev. David Darling officiating. Behnke died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, in a hospital at Edmond. He was born on Jan. 8, 1911 in Bessie, the son of Edward and Emma (Gerner) Behnke. Growing up in the Bessie area, he graduated from Clinton High School in 1929. He farmed and also worked for Nash Finch Co. as a warehouse foreman for 28 years. On Nov. 11, 1938 he married Helen Klump. He was a charter member of the Peace Lutheran Church, and helped build the building. Preceding him in death, along with his parents and his wife in 1998 were two brothers, Reinoldt and Phillip; and two sisters, Lena and Opal. Burial will conclude in the Peace Lutheran Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home of Clinton. Survivors include a daughter, Angelina Redden of Newcastle; two grandchildren, Rhonda Redden of Bartlesville, Randy Redden of Houston, Texas; and six great grandchildren. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial contributions in Behnke’s honor to the Peace Lutheran Church.

Funeral set for Bentley
Funeral services for Alice “Maye” (White) Bentley, age 81 of Clinton, former long-time Rush Springs resident, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Southern Baptist Church at Rush Springs. Bentley died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, in Clinton where she had been a resident of the Methodist Health Care Center. She was born on Nov. 12, 1921, the daughter of Dave and Bobbie (Holt) White. Reared in Rush Springs, she lived there all of her life except for the past 17 months during which she had been living in the nursing home at Clinton. She attended Elm Flat Grade School before graduating from Rush Springs High School and married William Lloyd Bentley on Nov. 23, 1941. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband on June 4, 1968; and by five brothers and two sisters. Interment will be in the Rush Springs Cemetery under the direction of the People’s Cooperative Funeral Home of Lone Wolf. Family visitation is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Southern Baptist Church at Rush Springs. Survivors include three sons, Glen Roy Bentley of Rush Springs, Wayne Lloyd Bentley and his wife, Carol, of Clinton, Jimmy Allen Bentley and his wife, Ann, of Hobart; three grandchildren, Kalera Ray Lynn Weyrick and her husband, Jake, James Lloyd “J.L.” Bentley and his wife, Kristy, and Amber J. Bentley; two great grandchildren, Zora and Daz K. Weyrick; a brother, Sam White; and numerous nieces and nephews.