Monday, December 08, 2003
Former doctor locally dies
Word was received today of the death of former longtime physician Dr. Roberto G. Corona, a resident of Dallas, Texas, at a Dallas hospital on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003. Dr. Corona was a highly respected physician at Clinton Regional Hospital. His wife, Betty, was supervisor of the Obstetrics Department at the hospital. Survivors include his wife, Betty, of the home in Dallas, Texas; a daughter, Vicki (Mrs. Tom) Kiesau of Yukon; and two sons, Ricky Corona of Dallas, Texas and Tony Kiesau and his family of Denver, Colo. as well as many relatives living in Mexico City.

Saturday, December 06, 2003
Clete Leigh funeral held
Funeral services for Cletis Bryan Leigh (Clete) were held at the Hill Country Baptist Church in Junction, Texas on Nov. 28 with Pastor Wade Copeland officiating, it was learned here this week. Leigh married Wanza Anderson on Sept. 16, 1991, in Reno, Nev. Leigh worked with the London, Texas Fire Department. He also made trips around the country with friends in RV's. died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, at the Clinton Veterans Center. He was born on July 21, 1919 in Scotland, the son of Edward and Jane Carson Murphy. Growing up in Dearborn, Mich. he spent a number of years working for the General Motors plant there. He moved to Burns Flat in 1988 and died early Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, in the hospital at Hutchinson. She was born on Oct. 5, 1944 in Clinton, the daughter of Lonnie and Alice (Devore) Nelson. Linda and her family moved to Medicine Lodge, Kans. when she was a third-grader, and she graduated from high school there in 1962. She continued her education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in education. Nelson taught school and was a librarian for four years in Kingman, Kans.; three years in Moscow, Kans.; and 29 years at Burrton, Kans. She was a member of both the National and Kansas Education Associations. Preceding her in death were her father, Lonnie; and two brothers, Roger and Robert. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include her mother, Alice Nelson of Clinton; a sister-in-law, Sue Nelson-McKinney of Medicine Lodge, Kans.; nieces and nephews, Kelly Metheny, Matthew Nelson, Bobby Nelson, all of Clinton, Alicia Nily and Lonni Nelson, both of Amarillo, Texas, Genie Wells of Stillwater; three great nephews; and three great nieces.

Thursday, December 04, 2003
Nadine Hoover services set
Funeral services for Nadine Carol Hoover, age 51 of Arapaho, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the Gospel Tabernacle Church in Arapaho with pastors Weldon Holt and Wendell Folsom officiating. Hoover died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003, in Arcadia. He was born on Feb. 27, 1954 in Arcadia, Calif., the son of Robert C. and Paula (Jones) Walker. His father preceded him in death. Burial will conclude in the Butler Cemetery. Survivors include his mother, Paula, of Arcadia, Calif.; two daughters, Victoria and Michelle of the home; a son, John Walker; three brothers, Robert, Samuel, Lawrence; and a sister, Virginia Gilfort.

Skinner rites on Thursday
Funeral services for Marjorie May Skinner, 89-year-old resident of Woodward, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Fifth Street Church of Christ in Woodward with James Rucker officiating. Skinner married there to Henry Clay Skinner on June 8, 1939. She was a member of the Fifth Street Church of Christ in Woodward. Burial will follow in the Highland Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. at Medicine Lodge, Kans. under the direction of the Zwanziger Funeral Home in Woodward. Survivors include four daughters, Mary Catherine Scott and her husband, George, of Clinton, Janice Skinner of Woodward, Sue Keller and her husband, Stan, of Skiatook, Rita Holms and her husband, Kenneth, of Sallisaw; two brothers, Wendell Warren of Medicine Lodge, Kans., Tom Warren of Wagoner; four sisters, Oma Burge of Medicine Lodge, Kans., Hazel Kaminska of Medicine Lodge, Kans., Flora P. Piper of Market, Kans., Betty Sterns of Harper, Kans.; 13 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild. Preceding her in death, along with her parents and her husband, were a son; seven brothers; and three sisters.

Wednesday, December 03, 2003
Bull Coming services set
Funeral services for Vernon Ray Bull Coming, age 40 of Hammon, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Hammon High School Auditorium with Rev. Max Malone, Rev. Dolan Ivey and Rev. Joe Osage officiating. A traditional all-night wake service is set tonight at the Hammon Indian Baptist Church. The family will do a traditional feed after the funeral service on Thursday in the Hammon Indian Community Center. Bull Coming died today, Dec. 2, 2003, at Integris Clinton Regional Hospital. She was born on June 10, 1914 in Cloud Chief, the daughter of Ben and Josie (McCaughey) Inman. She grew up in the Cloud Chief and Alfalfa area, graduating from Alfalfa High School and later attending Hardin Carnegie Business College from which she graduated in 1937. Marrying Lester “Short” Vowell on Aug. 17, 1939 in Cordell, and they lived in the Stafford area for many years. Viola worked as a cook supervisor at the Clinton Tuberculosis Sanitarium and later as a waitress at Miller’s Café in Watonga. The Vowells retired in 1980 and moved back to Clinton. She enjoyed cooking and sewing and was a longtime member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church where she was active in CPW. died at the Elk View Hospital at Hobart.

James Hogg dies
Graveside services for James Lester Hogg, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Shirley Cemetery at Leedey under the direction of the Shaw Funeral Home of Leedey. Hogg died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003, at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was born on April 23, 1914 in Oklahoma City and was reared and graduated from high school there. She attended nursing school and was commissioned in the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II from May of 1945 until July of 1946. Lisk had made her homes in Oklahoma City, Custer City and Amarillo, Texas before settling back in Oklahoma City. She died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, at Grace Living Center in Clinton. He was born on Sept. 21, 1909 near Butler, the son of James and Lula (Goin) Davis. Reared in the Butler area, he attended the Evergreen Country School that later consolidated with Prairie Hill. He went on to graduate from Independence High School. He attended Southwestern Normal School and received a Lifetime Teachers Certificate and went on to Oklahoma A&M. He died Friday
Margaret “Peg” Walsh married Richard P. Walsh on Sept. 30, 1939 in Chicago, Ill. She retired as a secretary in 1990. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband and a son, James P. Walsh. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include four sisters, Rita J. Duffy of Oklahoma City and formerly of Clinton, Mrs. John Campbell of Seattle, Wash., Mrs. Larry Reynaud of Sun City, Ariz., Mrs. M.F. Stober of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two grandchildren, Alison Walsh and Kimberly Walsh, both of Berwin, Pa.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Vondine Stratton services Monday
Funeral services for Vondine Stratton, age 71 of Clinton, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the Church of Christ at 2601 Custer Avenue in Clinton with Patrick Peters, Steven Cardenas and Jay Stratton officiating. S. Vondine Stratton was born on Dec. 22, 1931 in Weatherford, the daughter of Orville M. and Dempil Bernice (Walker) Powers. She married Jesse Glenn Stratton, Jr. on June 4, 1950 and attended Oklahoma State University for one year. She and Jesse moved home and began helping with the Stratton farming operations. Vondine was very active in her church, teaching Sunday school, Ladies Lunch Bunch and Bible studies. She was a member of the Junior Service League, having served as president; a charter member of Chapter FR of P.E.O.; Senior Mothers Club; and had served on the PTA for more than 25 years. Stratton loved to play bridge and follow her grandchildren’s school and sporting events. She also loved to sing with her family, deliver Meals on Wheels and cook and work on genealogy. Preceding her in death, along with her parents, were a brother, Jerry Powers; and a grandson, Jayson Stratton. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Jesse Glenn Stratton, Jr. of the home; two daughters, Deidre Stratton-Meacham of Edmond, Dacia Phillips and her husband, Richard, of Clinton; four sons, Jay Stratton and his wife, Kelli, and Brett Stratton and his wife, Holly, all of Clinton, Ryan Stratton and his wife, Melinda, of Bartlesville, and John Thornton and his wife, Elizabeth, of Huntington Beach, Calif.; 15 grandchildren, Morgendee Flannery and her husband, Neal, of Florida, Macey Waller and her husband, J.D., of Clinton, McKenna Meacham of Edmond, J.G. Stratton IV, Kaden Stratton, Kamden Stratton, Chase, Grant and Ashton Phillips, all of Clinton, Bryce Stratton, Emma Stratton, Zoe Stratton, Bartlesville, John Thornton, Jr. of Oregon, Brittany and Noley Thornton of Huntington Beach, Calif.; two great grandchildren, Deuce and Livy Lu Waller of Clinton; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Powers-Delk of Clinton. Members of Vondine’s class of 1950 at CHS are invited to sit together at the funeral.

Friday, November 28, 2003
Baumstark rites set
Funeral services for Frank C. Baumstark, 88, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Kiesau Memorial Chapel of the Kisau-Marler Funeral Home with Father Carl Janocha officiating. Baumstark married July 30, 1943, in Wichita, Kan. In 1944 he was sent to The Philippines, which was still in Japanese hands. He later would downplay any role he may have had in helping prepare the island for Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s return in October that year. After 4½ years in the Army, Baumstark was discharged and settled here in Clinton, where his wife had taken a job with the Welfare Department while he was overseas. He joined the Oklahoma State Employment Service and worked 31 years before retiring in 1977. During that time he turned down numerous opportunities to become the manager of offices elsewhere in the state, preferring to remain in Clinton. During his nearly 58 years here, Baumstark did a lot of volunteer work. An Eagle Scout himself, he helped with both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, serving several years as a scoutmaster. He was a member of the Clinton Kiwanis Club for 32 years and was frequently the top ticket salesman for Pancake Day, the club’s annual fundraiser. About 1970 he was appointed to the three-person City of Clinton Personnel Board, which heard grievances from city employees. His biggest case was in 1994, when he and his cohorts recommended the reinstatement of Bill Weedon as police chief. Later he would say that the city managers under which he served seldom followed the board’s advice but that time was an exception. Weedon was reinstated and served two more years. Baumstark was a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW as well as the Disabled American Veterans and held various positions in those organizations, especially the Legion. Survivors include one daughter, Alice Baumstark Ranger, and her husband, Rick, of Albuquerque, N.M.; a brother, Johnny Baumstark, Morton, Minn.; and two granddaughters, Shelby and Molly Ranger of Albuquerque. His wife, Alice, Interment will be in the Clinton Cemetery.

Monday, November 24, 2003
Lee Tidwell services set
Funeral services for Lee Tidwell, age 91 of Clinton, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton with pastor David Darling officiating. Tidwell married to Martha Miller on Oct. 31, 1931 in Arapaho. Tidwell spent the majority of his life farming. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and had retired from the City of Clinton where he worked for the Street Department. The Tidwells enjoyed traveling in their trailer for many years. He enjoyed baseball and fishing. Preceding him in death, along with his parents, were brothers, Robert, William, Miles, Simon; and sisters, Ethel Leary, Lou Leary, Mary Peavyhouse, Lydia Sharum, Effie Tidwell; and half sisters, Josie Browning and Mattie Frazier. died Friday, Nov. 21, 2003, at the United Methodist Health Care Center in Clinton. She was born on Feb. 8, 1914 in Davis, one of eight children born to Robert and Laura (Akard) Wells. She grew up in the Davis area, moving to the Stafford area to live on a farm in 1946 where she worked picking cotton and milking cows. After her marriage to Jesse Digby in Davis they moved to Clinton in 1961. She was an active member of the Broadway Heights Baptist Church, attending Sunday school regularly. She attended nursing school at Burns Flat and later worked at Oklahoma General Hospital and Integris Clinton Regional Hospital for 23 years. After retirement, she was a member of the AARP where she enjoyed going on trips. She also enjoyed sewing, gardening and playing cards with her ladies group. died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, at the Corn Heritage Village. She was born on March 14, 1910 at Cowden. She had lived in Cordell since 1973, moving there from Hobart.

Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Bessie Lloyd funeral Friday
Funeral services for Bessie Lloyd, age 62 of Clinton, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the True Gospel Tabernacle on Glenn Smith Road in Clinton with Rev. Jealden Carr and Rev. Billy Mucker officiating. Lloyd married Arthur Lloyd in Kansas. They moved back to Leupp, Ariz. where she taught school for a short time before returning to Clinton and working for the Indian Health Services for 28 years before retiring in 2003. She loved football and following her sons’ games. Preceding her in death were her father, her husband and a daughter, Diane. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include two sons, James and Arthur Lloyd, Jr., both of Clinton; a stepson, Keith Tall Bear of Watonga; her mother, Elsie Riggs of Flagstaff, Ariz.; sisters, Margaret Tom of Windowrock, Ariz., Jeanie Haskie of Tsalie, Ariz., Margery White of Flagstaff, Lorraine Yazzie, Lula Leonheart, Carol Robbins, Verleen Bowman; brothers, Joe Yazzie of Leupp, Ariz., Harry Yazzie, Harvey Riggs, Benson Riggs, Jesse Riggs, Sr. and Eugene Riggs, all of Flagstaff; four grandchildren, Morgan, Lexis, Lorenzo and Lous Lloyd; and a very dear friend, Jealden Carr of Clinton.

Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Jeanne Wells funeral Friday
Funeral services for Jeanne Lavonne Smith Wells, 76, will be held in Tulsa at the First Presbyterian Church Kerr Chapel on Friday at 2 p.m. A Scottsdale, Ariz. service was held this morning at the Messenger Pinnacle Peak Chapel. Wells married on Feb. 1, 1947 at First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater. While raising her sons in Sand Springs, OK, she was an active member of First Presbyterian Church as a Sunday school teacher and a Cub Scout mother. In the mid-70's Jim and Jeanne moved to Tulsa where she was involved in many civic and political organizations and campaigns. Jeanne was appointed to the first Board of Regents for Tulsa Junior College (now TCC) in 1969. She and Jim were members of First Presbyterian Church, and Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa. Her many volunteer activities included Children’s Day Nursery, Tulsa Children’s Home, Tulsa Opera Guild, AFS and was a member of the Seed N’ Weed Garden Club of Tulsa for over 50 years. In 1993 Jim and Jeanne established a residence in Scottsdale, Ariz., living in Terravita and their current residence in Desert Mountain. Jeanne loved playing bridge with the Newcomers Bridge Club, Terravita Bridge Group and she founded the Friday Bridge Club at Desert Mountain. Her family and friends will remember her needlepoint, her demitasse cup collection, her bridge games, her cards sent to those she loved and her jokes. The family suggests that donations in her honor be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5111 N. Scottsdale Rd, Ste 280, Scottsdale, AZ 85250 or to the charity of your choice. died Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at the United Methodist Health Care Center in Clinton. She was born on June 7, 1913 in Gotebo, one of 14 children born to Jessie and Bessie (Bennett) McMullin. Growing up in the Colony area, she moved to Clinton in 1942. She Interment will be in the Clinton Cemetery. Survivors include her daughters, Betty Hays and her husband, Bob, of Chickasha, Wanda Adams of Clinton, Mildred Deimund and her husband, Don, of Clinton; sons, Don Brehm and his wife, Deane, of Clinton, Jerry Brehm and his wife, Lynnell of Burns Flat, J.P. Brehm and his wife, Lorinda, of Oklahoma City, John Dale Brehm and his wife, Kay, of Weatherford; sisters, Edith VanDigelin of Oregon, Callie McMullin of Clinton, Lillian Lewellen and her husband, Ernest, of Clinton, Lois Meeks of Clinton, Alice Crawford of Oklahoma City, Violet McMullin of Clinton; 28 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; and 12 great-great grandchildren.

Shelby Uzzel services set
Graveside services for Shelby H. Uzzel, Sr., age 82 of Clinton, will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, at the Clinton Cemetery with minister Pat Peters officiating. Shelby Hamilton Uzzel was born on Sept. 24, 1921 at Arcadia, Ark., the son of Silas J. and Mary (Eller) Uzzel. He married Maye McCormick on March 28, 1944 at Baltimore, Md. Restationed to Florida, they lived there for a short time before his honorable discharge on Dec. 4, 1945. The young couple then moved to Edmond, and he went to work in the oil fields as a roughneck, traveling all over Oklahoma with the oilfield before settling in Woodward. He spent 25 years in the Woodward area, working his way up to tool pusher. He also operated a filling station until they moved to Clinton in 1983. He worked in the oilfield for a short time and also ran Shelby’s Lawn Service for several years. Uzzel was a member of the Church of Christ. Three years ago, his health began to fail and he moved into the Clinton Veterans Center. Preceding him in death, along with his parents, were a son, Shelby H. “Buddy” Uzzel, Jr.; and 11 brothers and sisters. Burial will conclude under the direction of the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include his wife, Maye, of the home; and a sister, Elba Graham of Edmond. Shelby H. Uzzel, Sr.

Marik rites set
Funeral services for Lado Marik, age 93 of the Elk City Canute area, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Whinery Savage Funeral Service Chapel at 403 W. Country Club in Elk City with burial in the Canute Cemetery. Marik died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, at the Grace Living Center in Clinton. She was born on Oct. 17, 1914 in Muno, Kans., one of 12 siblings born to Otto and Eudora Pearl (Freeman) Parr. Growing up on a farm northwest of Arapaho, she Interment will be in the Arapaho Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Marler Funeral Home in Clinton. Survivors include her sons, Jerry Waltrip and his wife, Sharla, of Arapaho, Denver Waltrip and his wife, Carolyn, of Arapaho; brothers, Max Parr and his wife, Wilma, of Arapaho, Alvin Parr of Chickasha; sisters, Velma Wells and her husand, Jim, of Las Animas, Colo., Dorothy Cunningham of Newcastle, Gracie Hill and her husband, W.H., of California; grandchildren, Tamara Powell and her husband, Kent, DeAnn Sawsyer and her husband, Dax, Sheri Mahanay and her husband, Clint, Yvette Johnson and her husband, James; step-granddaughters, Shannon Cosper and Jennifer McCammond and her husband, Joey; great grandchildren, Dasha and Daci Sawyer, Drew and Marly Mahanay, Holden and Hudson Powell, Renee and Jonathon Johnson; and special friends, Danny and Jackie Kisinger. Preceding her in death were her husband, Duwayne “Trigger” Waltrip, in 1992; a daughter-in-law, Jackie Waltrip; and brothers and sisters, Otis Glen, Ray Charles, Elmer, Lauren, Vera and J.R. The family suggests that those who desire may make memorial contributions in Verna Waltrip’s honor to Oklahoma Medical Research.