PAULINE DAWSON
Pauline Dawson, 93, passed away Saturday, April 5, 2008. She was a resident of the Nowata and Talala communities for almost 88 years before moving to Huntsville, TX. in 2002 to be near family members. She was a member of Hillside Christian Church. She was survived by two daughters, Nedra Cole and Polly Brown of Huntsville, TX.; one son-in-law, J.B. Cole; one granddaughter, Lisa Channell and husband Kermit and four great-grandchildren of Benton, AR.; one grandson, Page Cole and his wife Carol and two great-grandchildren, Chad and Abby Cole of Wiley, TX. and a special granddaughter, Shannon Brown Fitch and her husband, Michael of Dallas TX. Visitation is April 10 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Benjamin Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, April 11, at Benjamin Funeral Home. Burial will be in Nowata Cemetery under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Home.
REV. CHARLES E. MABRY
REV. CHARLES E. MABRY, JR. Rev. Charles E. Mabry, Jr., 87, passed away Monday, March 10, 2008. He was born June 4, 1920 to Charles Sr. and Janie Ann Strange Mabry. He was raised on the family farm in Talala until he left home to attend OSU. He served with the 45th Division during WWII and was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor. He was director of the Livestock and Forestry Branch, Experiment Station of the University of Arkansas for 30 years. He graduated from St. Paul’s School of Theology in Kansas City, MO. in 1989 and was ordained in 1990. He is survived by his wife, Doris of Batesville, AR.; one daughter, Charlene and husband Gordon of CA.; two sons, Charles III of Batesville AR. and John and wife, Bebe of Iowa; three grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Vernon Lester and wife Kimberly of Sperry, Carolyn Lester McClellan of Washington, DC., Darla McLane and husband, John of Claremore and Vera Heuszel and husband David of Talala. Services were held March 14 in Batesville, AR.
Helen Ward
Helen Ward, 68, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2008. Visitation is Wednesday, April 9, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday, April 10, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Oologah Dolton Funeral Home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 11, at the First Baptist Church of Oologah. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa.
KAREN ANN JOHNSON
Karen Ann Johnson, 56, of Claremore, passed away Saturday, March 29, 2008. She was born in Hartshorne Aug. 30, 1951 to Tommy and Lorene (Pickle) Whiting. Karen was a loving and compassionate person and enjoyed helping the elderly by volunteering at Meal on Wheels and United Way. She is survived by her husband, Ron of the home; one son, Kevin Johnson and his wife Cheryl of Oologah; grandchildren Ryan and Ashlee Johnson of Oologah; and several nieces and nephews. Services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, in the Chapel of the Garden at Rice Funeral Service. Those who wish to honor Karen's memory may do so by contributing to the Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 92, Claremore, OK 74018-0092
BEN “BING” KELLY
Ben “Bing” Kelly, 64, of Oologah, passed away Thursday, March 27, 2008. He was born in Caney, KS. on May 25, 1943 to Harold Eugene and Marie (Freeman) Kelly. He was employed by Wonder Bread until he retired in 2002. He is survived by his wife, Judy of the home in Oologah; his children, Greggory Kelly of Mound Valley, KS., Keri Workman and husband, Shawn, of Claremore, and Kim Kelly, also of Claremore; six grandchildren, Ben, Jon, Mitchell and Emily Kelly of Mound Valley, Serenity Kelly of Claremore and Riley Workman, also of Claremore; siblings, Loren Kelly and wife, Margaret of Cape Fair, MO., Connie Buster of Caney, KS., Bill Kelly and wife, Donna, of Bartlesville, Pat Kelly of Ohio, Johnny Kelly and wife, Jeannie of Bartlesville, and Kerry McIntosh and husband Bryan of Ramona; as well as many extended family members. Services were held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 1 at Church of the Nazarene with Rev. J. J. James officiating. Burial was in Oglesby Cemetery under the direction of Rice Funeral Service. Memorial contributions can be made to Clarehouse, 7324 E. 49th Place #3, Tulsa, OK 74145.
MINNIE LEE BAKER
Minnie Lee Baker, 88, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at her home. She was born in Porum Dec. 1, 1919 to Pinkney David and Ella (Woods) Denton. She attended Talala Schools and married Orville L. Baker, Sr. in Oologah on Sept. 29, 1937. She is survived by five children, Orville L. Baker, Jr. and wife Becky of Mounds, Carol Ogden of Claremore, Roger Baker of Sapulpa, Paul Baker and wife Diana of Claremore and Kathy McMains and husband Jerry of Catoosa; and three sisters, Ollie Marlin of Claremore, Benetta Johnson of CA. and Mary Washburn of Tulsa. She had 24 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. Services were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at Claremore Assembly of God with Rev. David Mewbourne officiating. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of Rice Funeral Service.
LORA WYNONA GOSVENER
Lora Wynona Gosvener, 86, passed away March 23, 2008 in Oologah. She was born in Vera Oct. 27, 1921 to Mack and Lillie (Kaiser) Jackson. She was a lifelong resident of the area. Her hobbies included quilting, sewing, painting, and being with her family. She is survived by five children, Patricia Mefford and husband Billy of Talala, Eddie Gosvener of Talala, Linda Goforth of Oologah, Rita Lehman and husband Robert of Tersida, and Douglas Gosvener and wife Mindy of Tulsa; two brothers, Leonard Jackson and wife Anita of Adair, and Colin Jackson of Collinsville; 28 grandchildren; and numerous great and great-great grandchildren, family and friends. Graveside services were to be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 26 in Buck Creek Cemetery, Washington County under the direction of Oologah Dolton Funeral Home.
DORIS MARIE (PUTNAM) BANKES LIBBY
Doris Marie (Putnam) Bankes Libby, 63, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2008. She was born in Lamar, Colorado May 25, 1944 to Harold and Louise (Schwanz) Putnam. She moved to Tulsa in 1970 and Ramona in 1984. She owned Growin' Things Herb Farm, and became an advocate for herbs and horticulture in the state. In 1995 she learned how to drive a semi truck. She became a co-driver with Michael Shane Libby. They traveled all over the United States and had many good times. She was a member of Oologah United Methodist Church and Ramblin’ Roses Garden Club. Doris is survived by her husband, Michael Libby of the home; two sons, Nile and his children Nathan and Ashley of Oologah and Jason and his wife, Shauna, and their children, AJ, Chris, and Emily all of Inola; sisters, Corinne Clift and her family of Eaton, OH. and Helen Jackson and her family of Colorado Springs, CO.; brother, John Putnam of Aurora, CO. and daughter-in-law, Gina Bankes of Talala. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at the Oologah United Methodist Church with Ben Williams officiating. After she is cremated her ashes will be scattered in her favorite flower bed. In lieu of flowers, please donate in her name to your favorite charity.
HELEN “NELL” GREEN GRIFFIN
Helen “Nell” Green Griffin, 80, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Wood Manor Nursing Home. She was born Sept. 29, 1927 in Oologah to Charles Francis and Alice Evelyn (Baldwin) Green. She attended school at Sageeyah, Oologah and graduated from Sequoyah High School in 1946. On Sept. 30, 1949 she married Walter Griffin in Claremore. She is survived by her son, Stanley Griffin of Foyil; granddaughter, Kristin Lyn Griffin of Locust Grove and siblings, George Green and wife, Judy of Claremore and Iris Marcum and husband, Gene of Kingfisher. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 19 at the Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Chapel with Rev. Cindy Robertson officiating. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Home.
JANET QUINALTY
Janet Quinalty, 63, Talala, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2008 in Tulsa. She was born Jan. 13, 1945 in Lilbourn, MO. to Emmitt E. and Lorene Ivalene (Eastom) Salyers. She spent most of her life as a homemaker. She is survived by husband Bud of the home; one daughter, Sonia, and husband Harold Boggs of Collinsville; five grandchildren, Amanda Traywick and husband Bobby of Collinsville, James Chisum of Collinsville, Shanda Orrcutt of Coffeyville, KS., Ashleigh Boggs of Collinsville and Dakota Boggs of Catoosa; three great-grandchildren, Tyler Traywick, Kaycee Traywick and Emily Chisum; three brothers, Billy Salyers of Tobyanna, PA, Emitt Salyers and wife Gail of Locust Grove and Ronnie Salyers and wife Lahoma of Locust Grove; three sisters, Treshie and husband Bill Jones of Hiawatha, KS., Sharon and husband Bill Dishman of Coweta and Sheila and husband George Cochran of Little Kansas. Graveside services were held Friday, March 14 in Wofford Cemetery in Catoosa, with Pastor George Cochran officiating. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
BILL “OLD MAN BILL” DERAMO
Bill “Old Man Bill” Deramo, 61, passed away Monday, March 17, 2008. He was born Oct. 2, 1946 in Tulsa to Alexander and Annie (Ford) Deramo. Bill had a passion for deer hunting. He is survived by his wife, Teletha Deramo of the home; three sons, Daniel Alan Deramo and wife, Angela, of Stroud, Raymond Chester Leader, Jr. and wife, Kelly, of Mabelville, AR, Randy Joe Leader and wife, Mindy, of Holdenville; one daughter, Stella Beth Leader and husband, Greg Cox, of Depew; two sisters, Joyce Johnson and Naomi Black; three brothers, Sam Deramo and wife, Pat, Doug Deramo and wife, Wanda, John Deramo and wife, Margie; ten grandchildren, Ikie Deramo, Tyler Deramo, Makaylie Wheeler, Asheleigh Wheeler, Destiny Leader, Micaila Leader, Tyler Leader, Baylee Jo Leader, Landen Cole Leader, Josie Rae Cox; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services are 1 p.m. Thursday, March 20 at the Church of God in Depew, Oklahoma with Reverend Clyde McGuire officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa under the direction of Hutchins-Maples Funeral Home in Bristow, Oklahoma.
EARL DEAN LOMAX
Earl Dean Lomax, 56, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2008 in Tulsa. He was born July 29, 1951 in Talala to J.D. and Natoma Lomax. He worked in the commercial construction field. He is survived by one brother, Gary Lomax and his wife, Vickie of Talala; three nephews; two nieces and several cousins. Funeral services were held Thursday, March 6 at Nick Reynolds Funeral Service Chapel in Collinsville. Burial was in Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland under the direction of Nick Reynolds Funeral Service.
JIMMIE LEE SMITH
Jimmie Lee Smith, 60, of Oologah passed away Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. He was born May 17, 1947 in Jerome, Idaho to Quenton and Nila L. (Carmichael) Spencer. He spent most of his life working as a mechanic. He is survived by two sons, JaysonSmith and his wife, Samantha of Silver Springs, NV and Jimmie LeeSmith Jr. and his wife, Gail of Arlington, VA.; four grandchildren, Destini Smith, Jessica Smith, Spencer Smith, SawyerSmith and Dallin Smith; three brothers, Eldon Spencer and his wife, Faye, of Fontana, CA, JohnSmith and his wife, Debbie of Yucaipa, CA. and WilliamSmith and his wife, Sue of Oologah; one sister, Gayleen and her husband, George Bach of San Bernadino, CA. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
JAMES WINSTON SUMMERLIN
Services for James W. "Jim" Summerlin will be 1 p.m., Mon., March 3, in the Chapel of the Garden at Rice Funeral Service. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. with the family receiving visitors from 2 to 3 p.m.
Jim passed away Fri., Feb. 29, 2008. He was 76.
Born Sept. 17th, 1931 in Roswell, New Mexico to Roy Lester and Lorene Summerlin (Adkins), Jim was an Inola High School graduate. He served four years in the Army during the Korean War. While he was in the Army he became one of the world's first "IBM" or computer operators. Jim went on to graduate from Northeastern University through the GI Bill.
He and Jane Helen Rushin, also from Inola, married in 1955. They moved to Norman and worked their way through Oklahoma University Law School, where Jim received his law degree in 1958. He and Jane moved to Claremore following his graduation where he was elected the Rogers County Prosecutor, and served in that capacity for 7 years.
Summerlin first established a law firm with John Fagins. The firm was later known as Summerlin, Williams and Marlar law firm. After his retirement he was affiliated with the Larry Steidley law firm.
Jim was known for his expertise in rural water districts and municipal law. He also served as the Executive Director for the Rogers County Industrial Development Authority, which he helped establish in the early 1980s.
On the first Board of Regents of Claremore Junior College he devoted 10 years to that effort, helping shape the future of what would later become Rogers State University. His efforts, along with many others, helped to divert the once-scheduled sale of the facility and its proposed new operation as a minimum security prison facility.
Jim was also instrumental in helping Claremore get its first public golf course, Heritage Hills. Jim helped develop a plan and economic strategy for Claremore's first public baseball parks, which are still very active today. Jim was instrumental in the Rogers County Housing Authority and was key in developing Rogers County Industrial Development Authority.
Jim is survived by his wife, Jane Summerlin; daughters, Summer Summerlin, Jami Littlefield, Penny LaRosa; four grandchildren, Jeremy Grodhaus, Chelsea Jane Capps, Giovanni LaRosa, and Juliana LaRosa; his brother, Roy C. Summerlin; sister and brother-in-law, Wahlele and Wayne Waldrup; nephews Jimmy Wayne and Christie Waldrup and Larry Dale Waldrup; niece Marilyn and Dean Heinz; stepfather Allie A. Adkins; stepbrother Earl Adkins and M.C. "Red" and Hilda Adkins.
