Ruth Brett
Ruth Brett, longtime Ponca City-Marland area resident, died Thursday, June 27, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 93.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Marland United Methodist-Christian Church with pastor Robert L. Ferris, officiating. Burial will follow in the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Ruth (Norris) Brett was born May 16, 1903, in Mena, the daughter of Robert and Eva Anna (Fish) Norris. She grew up in Mena and graduated from Mena High School in 1922. She later attended the University of Oklahoma.
She was married to Albert Brett in 1926, and the couple made their first home in Ponca City. In 1955, they moved to live on their ranch in Marland. Mrs. Brett made her home there until moving to the Ponca City Nursing Home in 1992. While living in Marland she taught Sunday School and was very active in the Marland United Methodist-Christian Church. She enjoyed cattle ranching and gardening.
Survivors include two granddaughters, Patricia Morris of Ponca City and Lisa Marino of Cincinnati, Ohio; two grandsons Daniel Marino of Ponca City and Matt Marino of Austin, Texas; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Brett on Jan. 8, 1984; one daughter, Anna Marino Guisti; a grandson, Paul Marino; and her parents.
Casket bearers will be Mike Morris, Matt Morris, Dan Marino, Robert Louis, Matt Marino, and Kenneth Evans.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Brett's name to the Marland United Methodist-Christian Church, P.O. Box 486, Marland, OK 74644.
The family will be at the ranch house in Marland. 

Vearis Noble Bentley
Vearis Noble Bentley, longtime Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, June 26, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 84.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, in the Trout Funeral Home chapel with Bishop Bryant J. Hardy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 1 p.m. Saturday then the casket will be closed.
Vearis Noble Bentley was born April 2, 1912, in Coyle, the son of Bert and Effie (Bahney) Bentley. He grew up and attended schools in Coyle.
On Feb. 28, 1942, he was married to Ruth Buster Parks in Guthrie, and the couple farmed in Coyle. In 1951, they moved to Ponca City where Bentley was employed as a carpenter by several builders. He retired in 1979, after working for Lee Drake Homes as a finishing carpenter for 25 years. In retirement he enjoyed sports, country music and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include two sons, Rodney Bentley and Rodger Bentley, both of Ponca City; one step-daughter, Jacquelyn Apker of Old Hickory, Tenn.; one step-son, Terry Parks of Oklahoma City; three brothers, Solomon Bentley and C.A. Bentley, both of Coyle, and Lloyd Bentley of Ponca City; 15 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, on Dec. 20, 1991; his parents; three sisters, Alpha Cowger, Ollie Longan and Anna Belle Townsend; two brothers, Ernest Bentley and Everett Bentley; and one grandson.
Casket bearers will be grandsons, Brett Bentley, Brian Bentley, Eric Bentley, Jeff Bentley, Chris Bentley and Jay Bentley.
The family will be at 509 North Birch Street. 

Neil Arron Kayajanian
NARDIN - Neil Arron Kayajanian, Nardin resident, died at his home Wednesday, June 26, 1996. He was 16.
The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Nardin United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Hanna officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery at Nardin under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home of Blackwell. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 1 p.m. Saturday, then the casket will be closed.
Neil Arron Kayajanian was born July 22, 1979, in Boston, Mass., the son of John L. and Gloria Jean (Maxwell) Kayajanian. He spent his younger years in Boston, where he attended school. In January 1994, he moved with his parents to Nardin, where he attended school in the area. He was a member of the Nardin United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his parents, Earl and Gloria Johnson of Nardin and John L. Kayajanian of West Roxbury, Mass.; two sisters, Leah Christin Kayajanian of Nardin and Deana Marie Johnson of Onset, Mass.; one brother, Earl Joseph Johnson of Natick, Mass; his maternal grandparents, Lew and Angelia Maxwell of Randolph, Mass., and Alice Schulenberg of Nardin. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents and a maternal grandfather.
Casket bearers will be Greg Armstrong, Steve Varner, Brian Cobb, Richard Ruiz, R.J. Ruiz and Cary Denton. 

Beatrice May Lee
BARTLESVILLE - Beatrice May Lee, former Shidler area resident, died Friday morning, June 28, 1996, at the Silver Lake Care Center in Bartlesville. She was 89.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the Bartlesville First Christian Church with the Rev. Benny Yount officiating. A graveside service will also be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Newkirk Cemetery with the Rev. James Clinkscale officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Arnold Moore Funeral Service of Bartlesville. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 9 a.m. Monday.
Beatrice May (Condit) Lee was born Aug. 15, 1906, in the rural Yale Community, the daughter of Edward and Julie Mae (Callahan) Condit. She grew up and received her education in the Mannford Community schools.
On March 7, 1923, she was married to Clyde Lewis Lee in Newkirk and the couple made their first home in DeNoya. They later lived at Shidler for 38 years before moving to Cedar Vale, Kan. Mrs. Lee worked as a nurse in hospitals in Shidler and Cedar Vale, Kan. In later years, she moved to Bartlesville to live near a daughter. She was a member of the Cedar Vale Assembly of God Church; Rebekah Lodge; a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 278; and a 50-year member and past president of the Grant Creek Home Extension Unit.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Thomas (Dixie Lee) Gordon of Bartlesville; one son, Robert E. Lee of Hobbs, N.M.; one sister, Elnora Anderson of Mannford; 14 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband on June 30, 1987; two daughters, Patsy Bea Lee and Fern Louise Hindman; one son, Warren Lesley "Spud" Lee; her parents; and one sister, Lorene Birdsong.

Joe Edward Pearson
HOUSTON - Joe Edward Pearson, former Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, June 26, 1996, at his home in Houston. He was 54.
A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Monday in the Ponca City First Presbyterian Church Chapel. Arrangements in Houston were under the direction of National Funeral Home in Houston.
Joe Edward Pearson was born Jan. 3, 1942, in Findlay, Ohio, the son of Dr. and Mrs. C.C. "Doc" Pearson. He moved with his family to Pawhuska in 1946, where he grew up and graduated as valedictorian of the Pawhuska High School Class of 1960. Pearson earned a chemical engineering degree from Oklahoma State University.
In 1966, he began his career as a process engineer at Conoco Inc. in Ponca City, living subsequently in France and California. In 1980 he became vice-president of engineering with USA Petrochem in Ventura, Calif., and from 1986-1991 was superintendent of technical services at Pacific Offshore Pipeline Co. In 1991, he returned to Ponca City and at retirement on May 1, 1996, was director of Lake Charles project development and project implementation.
Pearson was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and a life member of the National Rifle Association. He was an avid skeet shooter and gun collector and also built and collected historically accurate model trains.
Survivors include his wife, Janet Pearson of the home, 7818 Capri Circle, Houston, TX 77095; one daughter, Julie Pearson of the home; one son, Geoffrey Pearson of the home; his mother, Catherine Pearson of Pawhuska; and one sister, Ann Erwin of Cody, Wyo.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Pearson's name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Bert D. Brown
PAWNEE - Bert D. "Bo" Brown, lifetime resident of the Pawnee area, died Saturday, June 27, 1996, in Tulsa. He was 63.
The funeral will beheld at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Poteet Funeral Home chapel in Pawnee with the Rev. Marvin Warren officiating. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery at Pawnee.
Bert D. "Bo" Brown was born Dec. 20, 1932, in Skedee, the son of Arthur and Ina A. (Bonfy) Brown. He grew up and attended schools in Pawnee.
On March 20, 1954, he was married to Evelyn Sorrells in Pawnee, and they established their home in the area. Brown was a farmer, but also worked as a trucker for 22 years. At one time he was owner of the Rawhide and Mint Bar. He was a member of the Bible Baptist Church. 
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Brown of Skedee; three daughters, Mrs. Jack (Mary) Woods of Arkansas City, Kan., Mrs. Terry (Jane) Travis of Maramec, and Mrs. Glenn (Debbie) McKinney of Burbank; two sons, Jerry Brown of Pawnee and Darrin Brown of Skedee; one brother, Bill Brown of Ralston, one sister, Bonnie Warren of Skedee; 13 grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Brown's name may be made to the Spina Bifida Foundation, P.O. Box 2117, Oklahoma City, OK 73101. 

Earl John Spoon
LAMONT - Earl John Spoon, lifelong Lamont area resident, died at his home Friday, June 28, 1996. He was 74.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Lamont Christian Church with the Rev. Ruth Tipps, minister, officiating. Burial will be in the Lamont Cemetery under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home of Tonkawa. Members of the Lamont American Legion Post will make the Flag presentation. Friends may visit at the funeral home in Tonkawa until 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Earl J. Spoon was born July 1, 1921, in Lamont, the son of Nerr John and Mary Frances (Muegge) Spoon. He grew up on the family farm near Lamont and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1939. On Dec. 2, 1942, he entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II with the 17th Signal Battalion in the European Theater at Normandy and in the Ardennes at the Battle of the Bulge. The first American to enter Paris at its Liberation, Spoon later received the Croix de Guerre Avec Etoile de Bronze Metal from the French government. He also received the Silver Star. Spoon was honorably discharged on Sept. 22, 1945, and returned to Lamont to farm.
On Dec. 8, 1946, he was married to Ethel Russell in Lamont and continued farming. Spoon was a member of Lamont American Legion Post; Tonkawa VFW Post; the Lamont Christian Church, where he served on the church board; a 50-year member of the Tonkawa Masonic Lodge; and a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory of Guthrie.
Survivors include his wife, Ethel, of the home; one son, John Spoon of Tonkawa; one daughter Madonna Todd of Sapulpa; one sister, Kathryn Hunter of Ponca City; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Nora Mae Simmons
Nora Mae Simmons, Route Five resident, died Friday, June 28, 1996, at the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was 92.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Grace Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in the Longwood Cemetery, east of Ponca City.
Nora Mae (Pringle) Simmons was born on her parents homestead, northeast of Ponca City, Dec. 16, 1903. She was the daughter of Robert G. and Leota B. (Klopp) Pringle and received her early education in the Maple Grove Rural School, and Ponca City High School.
On Oct. 21, 1923, she was married to John H. "Hank" Simmons in rural Kildare, and the couple established their first home in Ponca City. The couple moved back to the homestead of her parents after Mr. Simmons' retirement in 1951. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1983. Mrs. Simmons was a member of the Ponca City First Christian Church. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, quilting, and painting.
Survivors include one son, James L. Simmons of Tulsa; one daughter, Norma Louise Bellmard of Ponca City; seven grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband in November 1984; and her parents. 

Mildred Oie
Mildred Oie, Ponca City resident, died at her home, Wednesday, June 26, 1996. She was 83.
The funeral was to be held at the Humes Funeral Home in Addision, Ill., at 11 a.m. today with the Rev. Wes Houghsted officiating. Burial was to be in Mt. Emblem Cemetery at Elmhurst, Ill., under the direction of Humes Funeral Home of Addison.
Mildred (Bunnell) Oie was born May 14, 1913, in Carthage, Ill., the daughter of Elmer and Emma (Burnett) Bunnell. She was married to John Oie and had been employed as clerk of Bensenville (Ill.) Post Office, until her retirement. She later moved to Ponca City where she was past Oracle of the Ponca City Chapter of the Royal Neighbors of America.
Survivors include three daughters, Lois Sakkas of Phoenix, Ariz., Alice Karesh of Syracuse, Ind., and Kay Hellem of Ponca City; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.

Gary W. Love
ST. LOUIS, MO.-Gary W. Love, former Ponca City resident, died Saturday, June 29, 1996, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He was 51.
A memorial service is planned for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Ponca City First Christian Church with the Rev. Cliff Fite and the Rev. Sondra Tilsley officiating. A memorial service was also held in St. Louis. Arrangements were under the direction of Kutis Funeral Home, St. Louis. Mo.
Gary W. Love was born Oct. 1, 1944, in Billings, Okla., the son of Ophie L. and Pauline (Franklin) Love. He began his early education in Red Rock and moved with his parents to Ponca City in 1958. After graduation from Ponca City High School in 1963, he completed a training course with General Motors and worked as a mechanic.
In 1964, Love entered the U.S. Air Force. He worked as an electronic engineer with the Defense Mapping Agency while living in the Washington, D.C. area, San Antonio, Texas, and St. Louis, Mo.
He was married to Debbie (Breach) Picone in Silver Springs, Md., on April 30, 1977.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie, of the home in St. Louis; one son, Brian Love of Pryor; one daughter, Michelle, of San Antonio, Texas; his mother, Pauline Love of Ponca City; three brothers, Jack "LeRoy" Love of Ponca City, Billy Joe Love of Springfield, Va., and Carl Love of Hermitage, Tenn.; two sisters, Mrs. Cecil (Nona) Cales, of Ponca City and Mrs. Mickey (Linda) Ratliff of Red Rock; two grandsons; one step-granddaughter; and one step-grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Love's Memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101.

Robert G. Swopes
Robert G. "Bob" Swopes, longtime Ponca City area resident, died Monday, July 1, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 82.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Grace Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Douglas Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Newkirk (Okla.) Cemetery.
Robert G. "Bob" Swopes was born Oct. 21, 1913, in House, N.M., the son of Jesse O. and Mollie L. (McGuire) Swopes. He moved with his family to Missouri in 1919 and to Oklahoma in 1920. He grew up and attended schools in the area, living in Kay and Osage Counties most of his life except for a two year period when he made his home in Maple City, Kan.
On May 14, 1936, he was married to Doris N. Sierman in Newkirk, and they were engaged in farming and ranching in the Shidler and Kaw City areas. Swopes was also a contract worker for Phillips Petroleum at Webb City in 1940s and 1950s. Doris Swopes preceded him in death in October 1969.
He was married to Reba Pennington in Ponca City on Jan. 21, 1977. Swopes enjoyed fishing, bowling, gardening, working with horses, and especially spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Reba, of the home; two sons, Clarence of Ponca City and Bobby J. of Shidler; one daughter, LaVonne Holcomb, of Houston, Texas; two step-daughters, Linda J. Nichols of Denver, Colo., and Pamela J. Smith of Ponca City; two brothers, Jess of Roseburg, Ore. and James Leo of Ponca City; three sisters Dollie Day of Pawnee, Hazel Cates of Chandler and Dixie Sorenson of Choctaw; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his first wife and his parents he was preceded in death by one son, Fred; and one sister, Margaret Rockwood.
Casket bearers will be David Stieber, Gary Sheffield, Darrell Boxley, Roy Shafer, Keith Hambleton and Vern Irwin. Honorary bearers will be Carl Roady, Dan Godbehere, and Sonny Cannon.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Swopes' name to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Cancer Research, 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104. 

Marsha R. Wingrave
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. - Marsha R. Wingrave, former Ponca City resident, died Monday, July 1, 1996, at her home in Kennett Township, Pa. She was 47.
Mass of Christian Burial is set for 11 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick's Church in Kennett Square. Burial will be in Liberal, Kan., under the direction of Kuzo and Gofus Funeral Home of Kennett Square, Pa.
Marsha R. (Rowland) Wingrave was born in Liberal, Kan., the daughter of Harper K. and Marcellus Rowland. She graduated from the University of Texas in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in science and education.
She was married to James A. Wingrave and in addition to living in the Ponca City area for about eight years, the couple most recently made their home in Kennett Square. Mrs. Wingrave was a homemaker, and a member of the St. Patrick's Church of Kennett Square, where she taught CCD classes. She also served as chairman of the Kennett Area Park Authority; was active on the Kennett 4th of July Celebration committee; served as state and local Republican Committeewoman; and as an officer of the Kennett High School Booster Club.
Survivors include her husband, James A. Wingrave of Kennett Square; two sons, J. Michael and Chadwick A., both of the home; her mother, Helen M. Rowland of Liberal, Kan.; one brother, Dennis Rowland of Garden City, Kan.; two sisters, Constance Paynter of Colby, Kan. and Rebecca Williams of Plymouth, Minn.; and numerous other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Wingrave's name to The Anson B. Nixon Park, c/o Marsha R. Wingrave Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1121, Kenneth Square, PA 19348. 

Jerry Ray Mitchell
NEWKIRK - Jerry Ray Mitchell, longtime Newkirk resident, died Monday, July 1, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. He was 55.
The funeral was to be held at 2 p.m. today at the Newkirk First Christian Church with Mr. Mitchell's son-in-law, Wren Robinson, officiating. Burial was to follow in the Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.
Jerry Ray Mitchell was born Sept. 9, 1941, near Ponca City the son of Virgil L. and Hope Esther (Case) Mitchell. He attended a rural grade school, then moved with his family to Newkirk during his freshman year and attended Newkirk High School. After completing his education he was employed at Bender Elevator.
On Aug. 8, 1959, he was married to Sylvia June Goff in Arkansas City, Kan., and the couple established their home in the Newkirk area. Mitchell was employed by the City of Ponca City, City of Newkirk, McWilliams Insurance Agency, and Houser Hardware for several years. In 1978, he established Mitchell Plumbing, Heating and Air. Mitchell was a member of the Newkirk First Christian Church, a former member of the Newkirk Range Riders and past president of the Newkirk Jaycees. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and spending time with his family - especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Sylvia, of the home; one son, Jerry Douglas of Westminster, Colo.; two daughters, Jill Lynne Robinson of Arkansas City and Mary Jane Ames of Hutchinson, Kan.; his mother, Esther Mitchell of Ponca City; two brothers, Donald of Skiatook and Bill of Ponca City; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Mitchell's name to the American Diabetes Association, c/o Eastman National Bank, P.O. Box 468, Newkirk, OK 74647. 

Oscar L. Hodgson
Oscar L. Hodgson, lifelong Ponca City area resident, died Sunday, June 30, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 93.
The funeral was to be held at 2 p.m. today in the Trout Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was to be in the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery.
Oscar L. Hodgson was born March 11, 1903, in Ponca City, the son of Arthur and Myrtle (Gardner) Hodgson. A farmer all of his life, Hodgson kept the family farm after his father's death in 1922, and farmed there until his retirement in 1975. He later moved into Ponca City. He was a member of the Ponca City First Christian Church. He enjoyed watching and feeding wild birds every day.
He is survived by one brother, Leo of Wichita, Kan.; three sisters, Ila Summers of Wichita, Kan., Irene Van Dorsten of Lake Charles, La., and Gladys Bahn of Ponca City; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Wayne. 

Joe D. Dobbs
Joe D. Dobbs, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday, July 1, 1996 in Ponca City. He was 89.
A private family graveside service was to be held today, at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Joe D. Dobbs was born Feb. 8, 1907, in Tuttle, the son of Abraham Lincoln and Mary (Goad) Dobbs. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1942-43. After his honorable discharge he moved to the Ponca City area. He was married to Julia Randolph on July 3, 1943, in Newkirk.
Survivors include two brothers, Richard L. and Claude Irvin, both of Ponca City; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife in October 1983; his parents; and nine brothers and sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Dobbs name to Larry Jones Feed the Children, P.O. Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101. 

Lance Lee Morrill
BLACKWELL - Lance Lee Morrill, lifelong Blackwell resident, died in Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City, Monday, July 1, 1996. He was 61.
The funeral was to be held at 2:30 p.m. today in the Blackwell First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Ryser officiating. Burial was to be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery. 
Lance Lee Morrill was born Jan. 15, 1935, in Blackwell, the son of Willard H. and Helen E. (Brown) Morrill. He grew up in Blackwell and graduated from Blackwell High School in 1953. After graduation he began employment with Blackwell Zinc Co., then later for Weaver Well Service. He also farmed.
On Dec. 17, 1954, he was married to Sallie Jo Ebright in Blackwell, where they established their home. For a period of time Morrill farmed in the summer and worked in the oil fields in the winter. On Oct. 20, 1970, he began full-time employment with Shebester-Bechtel Inc., where he held the position of assistant manager at the time of his death. He continued farming until 1995. Morrill was as member of the Blackwell First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Sallie Jo Morrill of Blackwell; one daughter, Jami Lohmeyer of Tulsa; one son, Mike of Blackwell; his parents, Tom and Helen Hall of Blackwell; three brothers, Jerry Morrill of Tonkawa, Howard Hall of Midwest City and Dick Hall of Tulsa; Thurston Blakely of Plano, Texas; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his father; two sons, Lance Richard and Marty Wayne.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Morrill's name to the First United Methodist Church or Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, c/o Roberts Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.