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Ethel Lee Hallford Perry
Funeral services for Ethel Lee Hallford Perry, 74, formerly of Cranfills Gap, were held Friday, Jan. 28, 2000, at the Central Baptist Church in Aspermont, Texas, with the Rev. Billy Weaver officiating, assisted by the Rev. Lawrence Ballou. Perry was born in Stonewall County and married
Alvin Lee Perry in 1943, in Aspermont. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin, who died Nov. 4, 1977, and one sister, Betty Raye. Survivors include, one son, James Perry and wife, Donna, of Swenson, and formerly of the Cranfills Gap; two brothers, Paul Hallford of Aspermont and Howard Hallford of LeMoore, Calif.; one sister, Cleo Miller of Abilene; two grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Eugene (Jack) Sparks
Funeral services were held for Eugene (Jack) Sparks, 90, on Friday, Sept. 1, 2000, at 11 a.m., at Zion United Church of Christ at Womack, with the Rev. Charles T. Rice officiating. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m., in Waco Memorial Park. Sparks was born Oct. 24, 1909, at Gholson. He died Wednesday morning, Aug. 30, 2000, at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco. Sparks graduated from West High School, and was a retired farmer and construction worker. He married
Frances Sulak on Oct. 7, 1933, in Waco. He had been a resident of the Lake Whitney area for the past 23 years, and a member of Zion United Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife, Frances; one daughter, Nina Kinard of Dallas; one brother, B.Y. Sparks of West; two sisters, Harriet Parker and husband, Harold, of Waco, and Elizabeth Weiss and husband, Marty, of Abilene; and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Zion United Church of Christ at Womack. Interment
at Waco Memorial Park was under the direction of Kotch Funeral Home of West.
Doris Christine Polk Taylor
Memorial service was held for Doris Christine Polk Taylor, 79, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000, at 6 p.m., at Clifton Church of Christ with the Rev. Gary Blakeney officiating. Doris Christine Polk was born Sept. 15, 1920, to Lucian and Allie Mae Beach Polk, in Clifton. She died on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2000, at 12:07 a.m., at Goodall-Witcher Hospital in Clifton. She attended Clifton public schools. After finishing high school, Taylor served in the U.S. Navy Waves for four years. Taylor recieved an American Campaign Ribbon, Victory Medal of WWII, Navy Unit Citation, Commendation. She was rated Yeoman Second Class as of March 15, 1946. After completing her military duty, she married
Robert Taylor III. She went to work for IBM Corporation in the accounting office, starting in New York, and then transferring to Washington, D.C., and later Dallas, where she retired. While living in Dallas, her husband, Bob, passed away on June 11, 1982. She continuing living in Dallas for about a year, before moving back to Clifton. Preceding her in death were her sister, Johnnie Doggett; two brothers, Beach Polk and Gerald Polk. Survivors include her sister, Mrs. W.O. (Margaret Polk) Gloff; four nephews, one niece, three great-nephews, two great-nieces, and three great-great-nephews.
Joseph H. (Joe) Bennett, Sr.
Joseph Houston Bennett, Sr. was born Nov. 25, 1918, to Marion Arlo and Clara Damron Bennett in Morrow, Okla. He was the second of four children and the only son born to the marriage. He grew up around Marlow, Okla., and later moved with his family to Northern Texas, and then to Morton. He died at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2000, at Goodall-Witcher Healthcare Foundation. Bennett attended public school and graduated from Morton High School at the age of 17. He attended Cumberland University in Tennessee on a basketball scholarship. He was studying prelaw when he volunteered for the United States Air Corps at the beginning of World War II. He enlisted Dec. 13, 1941, and served actively until Jan. 22, 1946. He was in the reserves until 1954. Bennett was stationed in England, and flew missions over Germany and Northern Europe. He was shot down once over the North Sea, and returned to duty to be knocked from the sky by a German pilot who rammed his plane after his guns jammed. Capt. Bennett’s plane crash-landed in a field outside a German village where he was captured and marched to a POW camp in a neighboring village. He remained there until the end of the war. He was an American Ace, credited with shooting down 10 planes. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation with an oak leaf cluster, the American Defense Medal, and a Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters. He served his country proudly. He returned to his hometown of Morton to farm, and met Hallie Brown. They were married
on Sept. 8, 1946. They farmed until moving to Lake Whitney to run a fishing camp in 1954. They have lived there ever since. At times he struggled to feed his family of four, but worked in the off-season to make ends meet. He worked as an electrician and carpenter, and worked part time for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before going to work there full-time at the Lake Waco Dam. He took medical retirement following a heart attack in 1980. He returned to farming, and found lots of things he wasn’t supposed to do to keep him busy. Bennett was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Arlo Bennett, and his sister, Reba Waddell of Rising Star. He is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Hallie Bennett of Laguna Park; four children, Kitsy and husband Richard Spitzer of Clifton, Carol and husband Zandy Goode of Lorena, Jay and wife Kathy Bennett of Houston, and Robert Bennett of Laguna Park; grandchildren Rich and wife Jennifer Spitzer of Irving, Barbi and husband Tim Ernst of Clifton, Clint Goode of Denton, Betsy Spitzer of Dallas, Tony and Wife Monica Goode of Denton, Ashley Bennett of College Station, Becky Spitzer of Clifton, Jessica Goode of Lorena, and Clay and Chloe Bennett of Houston; one great-grandson, Trevor Ernst of Clifton; two sisters, Arlene Cole and Nellie Merle Passmore, both of Odessa; and numerous nieces and nephews. The memorial service was conducted by Dr. Jerry Smith, pastor of First Baptist Church of Clifton, at the Clifton Funeral Home Chapel. Organ accompaniment was provided by Deborah Canuteson. Interment
was on Friday, Aug. 19, 2000, at 3 p.m., at Dallas-Fort Worth National cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, the American Aces Association, or Clifton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8553. Arrangements were handled by Clifton Funeral Home.
Altha L. Tweedle
Graveside services were held for Altha L. Tweedle, 77, on Aug. 21, 2000, at Clifton cemetery. Altha L. Dorris was born on April 19, 1923, to Jim and I.A. Brothers Dorris, in Ganado, Texas. She died Aug. 19, 2000, at 3:15 a.m., at Clifton Care Center. She was a resident of Clifton for 47 years and was a homemaker. She had three children. She was preceded in death by one son, Kevin E. Tweedle, and one daughter, Karen L. Tweedle. Survivors include a son, John R. Tweedle of Bay City; and very special friends, Pearl Lumpkin and William and Vivian New.
Arno Oscar Dittrich
Graveside services were held for Arno Oscar Dittrich, 73, on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2000, at 3 p.m., at the Clifton cemetery with the Rev. Charles Rice and the Rev. B.I. Dahl officiating. Arno Oscar Dittrich was born July 4, 1927, to Louise (Knust) and Hubert Dittrich in Waco, Texas. He died Friday, Aug. 18, 2000. Arno and his parents lived with Mr. Dittrich’s parents on a farm in the Cayote community. Arno’s father died in 1937, when Arno was 10 years old, and his grandfather died in 1938. He and his mother and sister continued to live on the farm where they raised sheep, cattle, and farm crops. He attended elementary school in Cayote and graduated from Clifton High School at mid-term in 1946. After graduation, he stayed on the farm where he made his livelihood. His mother died in 1960, leaving him as head of household. He was a social person who had many friends, both young and old. He loved to tell stories of his experiences and remembered things in great detail. He was always happy to share these exciting stories with anyone who would listen at gatherings of the Knust family and other places as well. He loved to hunt and fish, and learned to shoot even before he went to school. Guns were a big thing with him, but were never an item to be used against another person. He was granted the American Farmer Award in 1947. Being the only grandson, he lived on the home place all his life and continued to farm as long as he was able to do so. Only recent health problems, requiring a stay in the hospital, followed by a time in the nursing home, made it necessary for him to be away from home. He leaves to mourn his passing, his sister, Huberta Potter; a nephew, George H. Potter; a special friend, Margaret Carpenter; and a number of cousins and many friends and acquaintances. Interment
was in Clifton cemetery under the direction of the Clifton Funeral Home.
Roland R. Millsap
Graveside services were held for Roland R. Millsap, 89, of the Spring Creek area of Bosque County on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2000, at the Meridian cemetery, with Dr. Jerry Smith officiating. Millsap was born May 15, 1911, near Brady and was raised and educated at Fife. He died on Aug. 17, 2000, in Goodall-Witcher Hospital in Clifton. In May 1930, he was united in marriage to Arlene Long in Brady. The couple lived in Hamilton County for several years before moving to their farm and ranch at Spring Creek in 1954. Millsap was a retired farmer, rancher, and also had worked for the Texas Highway Department for several years. He was a member of the Spring Creek Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a son, Don H. Millsap, who died Nov. 26, 1976. Survivors include his wife, Arlene Long of Spring Creek; a daughter, Bobbie Gibbs and husband, Bill, of Iredell; a brother, Henry Millsap of Clifton; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Memorials may be made to the Diabetes Foundation or other favorite charity. Interment
was in Meridian cemetery with Lawson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Susana Telaite Seljos Roetschke
Funeral services were held for Susana Telaite Seljos Roetschke, 92, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000, at 10 a.m., at the Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home Chapel with Chaplain Pat Dietrich officiating. Graveside services followed at Trinity Lutheran cemetery on Highway 6. Susana (Susie) Telaite Seljos was born April 25, 1908, in Bosque County to Aslak and Margaret (Nelson) Seljos. She died at 9:24 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 20, 2000, at Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home. She was reared on the Seljos homestead just four miles west of Clifton. She attended Clifton School and was confirmed in the Norwegian Lutheran faith. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church all her life. On Dec. 23, 1925, she married
August Roetschke, Jr., in Clifton. She was very well known as a seamstress and took care of many clothing needs and alterations (“sewed and patched”) for many people in Clifton and the residents at the Sunset Home. She was also an excellent quilt-maker and won many awards, including having one of her quilts displayed at the Capital in Austin. She was a great blessing to her three sons and their families, who will cherish the memory of her precious countenance and loving spirit. Her gift of hospitality was an inspiration to all of her family and friends and she was also a wonderful cook. Roetschke was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, August Jr.; a son, Tommie Joe; two brothers, Jacob and Ove; and a sister, Anna Marie Stanley. Survivors include her brother and his wife, Rudolph and Ruby Seljos of Clifton; her brother-in-law, Robert Stanley of Cleburne; two sons, Jimmie Ernest and wife, Vernie of Fort Worth, and Ronnie Clay of Midland; nine granddaughters; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces. Pallbearers included Clyde Seljos, Jodie Seljos, Danny O’Grady, Doug Nickerson, Mark Castillo, and Michael Kurz. Memorials may be directed to the Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home Chapel or to the charity of choice. Interment
at Trinity Lutheran cemetery was under the direction of Clifton Funeral Home.
Clara E. Cole
Funeral services for Clara E. Cole, 92, of Meridian, were held Sunday, Aug. 20, 2000, at the Lawson Funeral Home Chapel in Meridian, the Rev. Pat Cummings, pastor of Patton Baptist Church, officiating. Interment
followed in the Meridian cemetery. Cole died Friday morning, Aug. 28, 2000, in the Goodall-Witcher Nursing Facility in Clifton. Clara E. Bolin was born Feb. 16, 1908, at Huron in Hill County, a daughter of the late J.M. and Sarah Elizabeth Lloyd Bolin. She married
L.A. Cole in 1926. The couple lived in Kopperl for several years where they operated a service station. They later moved to Big Bend State Park where he worked, and later moved to Meridian, where he was manager of Meridian State Park. He passed away in 1973. She married
Dick Freeman in 1977, and the couple lived in Valley Mills until his death in 1987, when she returned to Meridian. Cole was a member of Patton Baptist Church. She was an avid gardener, loved to fish, enjoyed telling stories, and was a very devoted and loving person to all of her family and friends. She is survived by three daughters, Joy Schmidt of Clifton, Janet Carter of Clifton, and Jo Ann and husband Chock of Meridian; two stepdaughters, Anna Parson of Houston, and Sue Kerley of Corsicana; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; several step-grand and step-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends. Pallbearers were Mike Schmidt, Steve Schmidt, Cole Word, Rockwell Bower, J.J. (Bub) Cole, and Charles Lightfoot. Memorials may be mad to Patton Baptist Church, P.O. Box 20726, Waco, TX 76702, or to the donor’s favorite charity. Lawson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
