Craig County, Oklahoma Obits



 Obituaries from the Vinita Daily Journal:  Vinita,Craig County,Oklahoma
Typed from the newspaper scrapbook of Eunice (Swift) Hightower, of Vinita, Craig Co., Oklahoma.
 Eddene (Hightower) Thompson.  OkieEddy@yahoo.com

Vinita (Ok) Daily Journal,
1960
SMITH RITES MONDAY 
Services for James Thomas (Shorty) Smith, 58, a Vinita resident for 40 years who died Thursday in a local hospital, will be conducted at 2:30 pm Monday in Luginbuel Brothers Funeral Home Chapel.  The Rev. Tom Parker will officiate.  Interment will be in the Military Cemetery.  (Note: This is west of Ketchum, Ok and southeast of Vinita.)
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April 1960
CURNUTTE RITES TODAY
Services for T. G. Curnutte, 91-year-old Craig county retired farmer who died Wednesday night in a Miami (Ok) hospital, will be conducted at 2:30 pm today in the First Methodist Church, Welch.  Luginbuel Brothers Funeral home will be in charge of interment in the GAR cemetery, Miami (Ok).
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1971
BRADY PATTON DIES SUDDENLY
Brady Lee Patton, 35, died suddenly at his home in Big Cabin shortly after midnight from an apparent heart attack.  He was born July 6, 1935 in Marble City, Okla. Survivors include his widow, Mary, of the home; one son, Brady Lee, Jr., of the home; five daughters, Edith Marie, Connie Lou, Charlean Francis, Catherine Ann and Janet Louise, all of the home; his father, James Henry Patton, Grande, Mo; two brothers, John of Neosho, Mo., and Alvin, of Pawnee and three sisters, Mrs. Leona Randolph, Claremore, Mrs. Daisy Walker, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Mrs. Minnie Wingate, Oregon. Services will be at
2 pm Saturday in the Big Cabin Baptist Church with Rev. Jay Murphy officiating. Burial will be in the Big Cabin Cemetery under direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel.
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1971 
HALLETT SERVICES
Services for Reginald Hallett, who died unexpectedly Tuesday, will be held at 2 pm Friday in the Burckhalter Memorial Chapel.  Rev. Olen F. Gilliam of the Seventh Day Adventist Church will officiate.  Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Chetopa, Kan., under direction of the Burckhalter Funeral Home of Vinita.
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1971
Heart Attack fells C. A. Huyser
Corneal A. Huyser, 65, was dead on arrival at a local hospital at about 10:30 am today with an apparent heart attack suffered at his home of 438 North Second. Survivors include his widow, Maxine, of the home; two sons, Ronald, of Antioch, Calif; and Gayle, Van Buren, Ark., one daughter Mrs. Barbara Andrews, Independence, Mo; one brother, Ira, of Tucson, Ariz., and nine grandchildren. He was a retired employee of Eastern State Hospital and was a 30-year resident of Craig County, living in Centralia until about seven years ago. Services are pending and will be announced later by the Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
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1971
HUYSER SERVICE
Services for Corneal A. Huyser, who died Monday, will be held at 1:30 pm Thursday in the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel with Rev. Charles McBee, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiating.  Burial will be in the Martin Cemetery near Centralia, under direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Service.
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March 12, 1972
DEATH CLAIMS OVEL STANISLAUS
Ovel Stanislaus, 73, died at 2:20 pm Wednesday, at a local hospital following an illness of about three months.  He was a long-time hay and grain dealer and owned and operated the Stanislaus Hay and Grain Co., and the Stanislaus Implement and Hardware Store before his retirement in 1964.
Stanislaus had been a resident of Vinita for about 60 years.  He had been a member of the Federal Housing Administration board and had been active in civic affairs.  He was a member of the Vinita Chamber of Commerce, Vinita Rotary Club, the Knife and Fork club and a member of the First Baptist Church of Vinita. He came to Vinita about 60 years ago and began work for Copple and Yeates by driving a hay wagon.  From this beginning he developed his hay, feed and farm machinery business. His son, Doyle, was formerly manager of the Grand River Dam Authority. He was born Dec. 6, 1898 in Houston, Mo.  He was married to Ina A. Smith Jan. 16, 1919 and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1969.  He was preceded in death by a son, Dale Stanislaus who was killed in 1944 while in action during World War II. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Ina A. Stanislaus, of the home at Rt. 1, Vinita; four daughters, Mrs. Bill Waller of 818 West Halsell Ave.,  Mrs. Joyce Sparks of 301 1/2 E. Canadian Ave., Mrs. Sonny Chase of 716 N. Brown St., and Mrs. Tom Clanton, from east of Vinita; one son, Doyle Stanislaus, of Tulsa; six sisters, Mrs. Hilda buckingham, of Van Nuys, Calif., Mrs. Lela Ponder, of Santa Monica, Calif., Mrs. Essie Dillard, of Pueblo, Colo., Mrs. Macie Bell, of Phoenix, Ariz., Mrs. Lottie Rorebeck, of Vinita, and Mrs. Pearl Hamm, of Chouteau; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Friday in the First Baptist Church.  Dr. J. Harvey Scott of Corpus Christi, Tex., and Rev. Charles McBee will officiate.  Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Burckhalter Funeral Home of Vinita.
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March 12, 1972
MRS. HARPER (note: should be Mrs. ADAIR)
Mrs. Vernie Harper Adair, 57, died Tuesday in a Tulsa hospital.  She was born March 17, 1914 near Afton and was a former resident of Afton and Miami.
Survivors include her widower, Clint Adair, of the home at 7854 E. King St., Tulsa; one son, Jimmy Hyatt, of Ponca City; one daughter, Patricia Hyatt, of Tulsa; one brother, Leo Harper, of Afton; four sisters, Mrs. Lelia Culver, of Afton; Mrs. Annabell Hamilton, of Altamont, Kan., Mrs. Dorothy Harshaw, of Fredonia, Kan., and Mrs. Fannie Foust, of Bluejacket, and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 pm Thursday at the Mindi Funeral Home in Tulsa.  Burial will be in the Sixkiller Cemetery, near Afton, at 3 pm under the direction of the Mindi Funeral Home of Tulsa.
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March 15, 1972
MRS. FRANKLIN
Mrs. Lillian Franklin, 87, died about noon Tuesday at Albuquerque, N.M.  She was the widow of George W. Franklin, a rancher who died March 16, 1955.  Mrs. Franklin was a longtime former Vinita resident before moving to Albuquerque about eight years ago. She was born Oct. 4, 1894 in Indiana and was a member of the Baptist Church. Survivors include one son, George W. Franklin III, of Kansas City, Mo; one daughter, Mrs. Henry  Davis, 1505 Gracia N.E., Albuquerque; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Services are pending and will be announced later by the Burckhalter Funeral Home.
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April 4, 1972
Dr. J.M. McMillan Succumbs Monday
Dr. J. M. McMillan, 68, well known Vinita physician died Monday in Tulsa’s St. Francis Hospital . He came to Vinita in 1938 to serve on the staff at Eastern State Hospital.  In 1942 he began private practice and established an office in Vinita. Dr. McMillan was born in Atlee, Ark., Nov. 28, 1904.  He was the son of The Rev. G.O. McMillan, a Methodist minister. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.  His only son, Lt. James M. McMillan, Jr., was killed in combat in Vietnam April 1, 1970.  The survivors are his widow, the former Clarice Hadsell, of Norman, now at the home; two daughters, Carole Ann (now Mrs. Don Duffield)  and Nancy (Mrs. Robert Ahrens),  four grandchildren; a niece, Mrs. Jim Strange,  and a nephew, Dr. Ray Motley. Graveside services and interment will be held in Fairview Cemetery at 4 pm Wednesday.
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about April 7, 1972
ANNA CARLOCK
Anna M. Carlock born April 21, 1874, passed away April 6 at 10:55 in the Arkansas City Hospital, Arkansas City, Kansas.  She had made her home there with her sister, Ruth Burns the last three to four years.  Both had previously lived northeast of Vinita in the West Cabin and Shanahan districts.  She was preceded in death by a husband, two children, seven brothers and one sisters. She was a school teacher for several years before entering  (do not have the end of the article).
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April 7, 1972
STELLA CROUCH
Stella E. Crouch, 85, died in a local hospital at 8:50 am today after an illness of about three weeks.  She was a native Craig Countian, born on the same farm she’s lived her entire lifetime, Rt. 3, Vinita, in the Carselowey district.  She was born Jan. 23, 1887.  Mrs. Crouch was the author of a book, “The Story of the Cherokee Indians,’ written in 1967. Mrs. Crouch attended the Female Seminary at Tahlequah, which was part of the Cherokee Nation Schools.  When she was 17, she married Henry L. Crouch, a Kentuckian and a saddle horseman.  The Crouch’s brought the first carload of registered saddle horses in the Indian Territory from Bourbon, Ken. Survivors include one son, Max, of Rt. 3, Vinita; a daughter-in-law, Lizzie Crouch; three grandchildren, Mrs. Raymond Pope, Rt. 2, Vinita; Mrs. Robert Dockery and Mrs. Sue Jane Long, both of Miami; five great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Mack Carselowey, of 403 N. Gunter St., and C. V. Carselowey, of Miami. Services are planned for 3 pm Sunday from the Foursquare Gospel Church at Carselowey with Rev. Howard Mayberry and Rev. John Bechtold officiating.  Interment will be in Carselowey Cemetery.
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June 23, 1972
ROSCOE THORPE
Roscoe Marion Thorpe, 67, passed away at 10:15 am Thursday in a Joplin, Mo. hospital.  He was born Aug. 10, 1904 in Belmont, Indian Territory and had been an Afton area resident for the past 45 years.  He was a member of the Sac-Fox Indian tribe and a half-brother to Jim Thorpe, the famous athlete.  Thorpe retired two years ago from school bus driving.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Afton. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Eva Thorpe, of the home in Afton; three sons, Marion Thorpe, of San Diego, Calif; Jim Thorpe, of Newport, Ore., and Don Thorpe, of Joplin, Mo., and seven grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Saturday in the Afton Assembly of God Church with Rev. Charles Talbert officiating.  Interment will be in the Sixkiller Cemetery south of Afton under the direction of the Birks Funeral Home of Afton.
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August 1972
L. JORDAN
Lewis W. Jordan, 53, of Orange, Calif., died at 1:20 pm Wednesday at his home after a long illness.  He was born May 16, 1919 in Vinita.  His mother, Mrs. Mabel Jordan, preceded him in death one month ago. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Monnie Jordan, of the home and two sisters, Mrs. Richard Breshears and Mrs. Frank Spaulding, both of Vinita. Funeral services and burial will be held in California.
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August 1972
MRS. FOSTER
Funeral services for Mrs. Hallie Foster, who died Thursday, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Big Cabin United Methodist Church.  Rev. Jay Murphy will officiate.  Interment will be in the Big Cabin Cemetery under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
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1973

February 1973
Mrs. Abbott
Funeral services for Mrs. Letha Vera Abbott, who died Friday, were conducted at 2 p.m. today at the Burckhalter Memorial Chapel.  Rev. Lloyd Crawford, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Jay, officiated.  Interment was in the Bluejacket Cemetery under the direction of the Burckhalter Funeral Home of Vinita.
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February 1973 
E. CATLIN
Funeral services for Eugene L. Catlin, who passed away Friday, were held at 3:30 p.m. today in the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel with Rev. Charles McBee officiating.  Burial was in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
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August 1973
McMILLAN
Mrs. Clarice H. McMillan, 64, passed away in a Tulsa hospital at about 10 am Saturday.  She was the widow of the late Dr. J.M. McMillan, long-time Vinita physician who preceded here in death April 3, 1972. Mrs. McMillan was born July 7, 1908, at Norman. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Carole Ann Duffield,  and Mrs. Nancy Ahrens, one brother, John Hadsell,  and four grandchildren.    Burial was in Fairview Cemetery.
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October 11(?), 1973
F. RAY
Ferdnanc (Fritz) Ray,  born Dec. 28, 1911 in Arkansas.  widow, Mrs. Edith Ray,  daughters, Mrs. Shirley Norris, and Mrs. Rhonda Huddleston, ; one son, Loyd Ray,  one brother, Edward Ray.
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1974

HARRY COGHILL
Harry L. (Roy) Coghill, 69, Rt. 1, Big Cabin, died Wednesday evening of an apparent heart attack.  He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Born April 15, 1905 in Columbus, Kan., he had lived in Lakin, Kan. and Ulysses, Kan., before moving to the home near Big Cabin four years ago. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II and a retired employee of the Kansas State Highway Department. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Viola Marie Coghill, of the home; three brothers, Earl Coghill, Phoenix, Ariz., Sam Coghill, Lake, Kan., and Frank Coghill, Gonzales, Calif., and a sister, Mrs. Esther Florentin, Gonzales, Calif. Services will be held at 2 pm Monday in the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel.  Rev. D. R. Prather, of the Pentecostal Church of God will officiate.  Burial will be in Carsolowey Cemetery under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Service, Vinita. 
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1974
MISS PARRISH
Georgia Adelia Parrish, 18-year-old Vinita resident, died Wednesday afternoon as a result of injuries suffered Sunday morning in an automobile accident near North Foreman Street and Tahlequah. She was born March 17, 1956 in Claremore and graduated from Ketchum High School. Surviving are her mother, Mrs. Mary June Parrish, 446 N. Second St; a brother, George Parrish, of the home; three sisters, Nancy Parrish, Lottie Parrish and Julie Parrish, all of the home; and her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Chavalis, Ft. Gibson. Services will be conducted at 2 pm Saturday in the Foursquare Gospel Church with Rev. John N. Bechtold officating.  Interment will be in the Carselowey Cemetery under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
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January 30. 1974
HARTSOCK
Funeral services for Mrs. Lula Opal Hartsock, 60-year-old Welch resident, will be held at 1 pm Thursday in the Thomas Funeral Home Chapel in Welch.  Rev. L. N. Eatherly and Rev. Manuel Thalin will officiate.  (Last part unreadable.)
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March 4, 1974
R. WALKER
Robert Lawrence (Balley) Walker, 81, Welch, died at 7:20 pm Saturday in a Miami nursing home after a long illness. He was born March 17, 1892 in Fayetteville, Ark., and came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Walker, to Indian Territory by wagon train in 1899 when he was seven years old.  They settled in Welch. He married Mary Bell Kinnison, June 15, 1913 in Chetopa, Kan.  They lived in Welch until 1939, when they moved to Burbank, Calif.  They returned seven years later to their home 10 miles west of Welch in the Kinnison district.  In 1962, Mr. and Mrs. Walker moved into Welch.  Mrs. Walker died Feb. 17, 1969. Walker, a retired carpenter and cabinetmaker, also did some farming.  He was a member of the Welch Christian Church. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Bernadine Tunnell, Rose, (Oklahoma); Mrs. Helen Cornog, Welch and Mrs. Norma Babst, Oklahoma City; nine grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 2:30 pm Tuesday in the Thomas Funeral Home Chapel, Welch.  Rev. Harold Neal will officiate and burial will be in the Walker Cemetery west of Welch. The family will meet at the home of Mrs. Helen Cornog, 4 1/2 miles east of Welch.
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April 19, 1974
F. Dupree
Fred L. Dupree, 78, a native of Vinita, died Sunday night in Carson, Calif., following a heart attack.  He had been in ill health for some time.  Born Aug. 20, 1896, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Dupree, pioneer Vinitans.  He attended Vinita schools and in 1916 married Miss Winnie Scott, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Scott of Vinita.  He was employed in the old Sinclair refinery here and later worked at Coffeyville, Kan., and Tulsa Sinclair plants before moving to California in the 1940s.  Injuries sustained in a refinery accident there forced his retirement several years later.  Survivors include his widow, of the home; four sons, Robert, Jim and Gene, all of the Los Angeles area and John, Sacramento; three sisters, Mrs. H. J. Hill of Vinita, Mrs. D. E. Hall of Englewood, Colo., and Mrs. Foster Smith of Eagle, Colo.  Services and burial will be Thursday in San Pedro, Calif.
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May 22. 1974
I. STAUDER
Graveside services for 72-year-old Vinitan Irwin E. Stauder will be held at 11 am Thursday in Fairview Cemetery, with Rev. Ray C. Newman officiating.  The Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita is in charge of arrangements.
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August 9, 1974
J. Parkison
James Parkison, 64, Independence, Kan., brother of two Vinita residents, passed away at his home Wednesday. He was born July 14, 1910 in Lincolnville and moved to the Centralia area with his parents as a small child.  He had lived in Independence, Kansas since 1927. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Oma Parkison, of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Bill Taylor, Fredonia, Kan.; four sisters, Mrs. Lennie Ellis and Mrs. Leota Richardson, both of Vinita, and Mrs. Helen Sharpton and Mrs. Becky Trimble, Tulsa; and three grandsons.  Another daughter preceded him in death in 1972. Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Potts Funeral Home in Independence, Kan., and interment will be in the Indepenedence Cemetery.
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September 18, 1974
MRS. LOLLAR
Mrs. Cecil Lollar, 62, El Dorado Springs, Mo., died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack. She was born Nov. 14, 1911, in Craig County and was a 1930 graduate of Vinita High School.  She formerly taught school at Ketchum and Pensacola.  Mrs. Lollar had been a teacher for 45 years and had taught school on the day of her death. Survivors include her husband, Claude Lollar, of the home in El Dorado Springs, Mo.; a son, C. E. Lollar, who lives in Colorado; a daughter, Claudine Reynolds, El Dorado Springs; five sisters, Jackie Grubbs and Donna Lipe, both of Tulsa, Betty Davis, Catoosa, Margaret Catlin, San Antonio, Tex., and Maxine Scroggins, Las Vegas, Nev.; and three brothers, Noble Howard, Rt. 2, Vinita, Wendell Howard, Rt. 2, Afton, and Harold Howard, Montague, Calif. Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday in El Dorado Springs, Mo., with interment in a cemetery there.
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October 9, 1974
Lester Adams
Lester Adams, 82, a former Joplin, Mo., resident, died at 12:15 p.m. in a Tulsa hospital, following an extended illness. Born May 31, 1892 in Lebanon, Mo., he had lived in Tulsa for three years.  He was a retired railroad employee and a member of the Joplin Heights Baptist Church. He is survived by one stepson, Charles W. Benton, Tulsa, and a niece, Mrs. Mary Trippitoe, Neosho, Mo. Services were planned for 1:30 p.m. today in Joplin, with burial in Highland Park Cemetery at Pittsburg, Kan., under the direction of Thomas Funeral Home of Welch.
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November 15, 1974
HENRY HOOD
Henry Hood, 93-year-old Vinitan, passed away Thursday afternoon in a local nursing home.  Born Oct. 15, 1881, in Rolla, Mo., he was married to Edith Inman on Jan. 1, 1905, in Salem, Mo.  He came to Vinita in 1909.  Mrs. Hood died in 1968. Mr. Hood was a retired carpenter and farmer and held membership in the Southside Church of Christ. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Elsie Byrd, Grantie City, Ill., Mrs. Elizabeth Strickland, Bakersfield, Calif., and Mrs. Jeanette Lomax, 338 S. Scraper St.; a sister, Mrs. Sidney Barrow, Wood River, Ill.; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel with Mr. __y Miller officiating.  Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
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December 20, 1974
George Ahrens
George C. (Pat) Ahrens, 59, 611 Pecan St., Chetopa, Kan., passed away at 6:55 a.m. today in a Joplin medical center.  He had been ill for six months.
He was born Nov. 19, 1915, on Rt. 2, Chetopa, northwest of Welch, and married Ora Brown on Jan. 21, 1939 in Norman.  He was employed by the Chetopa Implement Company until last August when poor health forced his retirement. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Ora Ahrens, of the home; two sons, George C.Ahrens, Jr., Chetopa, and Claude M. Ahrens, stationed with the U.S. Navy in Tokyo, Japan; a daughter, Mrs. Barbara Broyles, Neosho, Mo.; one stepson, Woody McMahan, Houston, Tex.; five brothers, Jewell Ahrens, Fullerton, Calif., Neville Ahrens, Picher, John E. Ahrens, Glendale, Calif., Dennis Ahrens, Paris, Calif., and Delta Ahrens, Chetopa. Others surviving are four sisters, Mrs. Pearl Manford, Grandview, Mo., Mrs. Ruby Rometti, San Francisco, Calif., Mrs. Nona Houck, Pierce City, Mo., and Mrs. Roberta Anderson, Norman; three grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced later by the Thomas Funeral Home of Welch.
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1975

(no date written on it)
EX-VINITAN FOUND DEAD AT CLAREMORE
A former Vinita woman was found dead in Claremore Lake Tuesday.  Betty Easling, 1408 N. Choctaw Ave., Claremore (Ok), was floating face down in the lake on the west end of the Claremore Lake spillway in about 10 feet of water when her body was discovered at about 11:30 am by her son-in-law, Chuck Overgard. Overgard waded into the water, pulled the body to shore and notified Claremore police, according to the police report. Her family had been searching for her that morning, Claremore Police Chief Buck Johnson said.  Foul play was not suspected, the investigating officer stated. Her husband, H. L. Easling, formerly owned Easling’s clothing store at 136 S. Wilson St., in Vinita.  He now owns and operates a men’s clothing shop in Claremore. An autopsy will be conducted at a Tulsa hospital, Johnson reported.  Mrs. Easling had been dead about two hours when discovered, according to Dr. Paul Mobley, physician on duty at the Claremore Health Center. Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter, Sharon Overgard; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Macon, Vinita, and two grandchildren. Services are pending with Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service at Claremore.
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February 1975
Dolly Byroad
Mrs. Dolly Byroad, 55-year-old former Craig Countian, died Wednesday in Huron, S.D., hospital after a long illness. She was born Jan. 16, 1920 in Craig County and attended school at Kelly and White Oak. Survivors include her husband, Edward Byroad, of the home in St. Lawrence, S.D.; her mother, Mrs. J. D. Millhollon, 547 N. Gunter St.; four sisters, Mrs. Anna Hudson, Omaha, Neb., Ida Love, Claremore; Willa Millhollon, Denver, Colo.; and Laura Shearhart, 407 N.Gunter St. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced later by Rick Funeral Home, Miller, S.D.  Interment will be in St. Lawrence.
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August 1975
JOSIE RAULSTON
Services for Josie Raulston who passed away Thursday. Services were conducted that Saturday in the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel. 
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August 6, 1975
MILDRED COX
Mrs. Mildred Cox, 63-year-old Welch resident, passed away at 12:15 am today in the Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital in Tulsa.  She had been ill for three years. Born Jan. 12, 1912 in the Fields district northwest of Welch, she had lived in the Welch area most of her life.  She was employed at Eastern State Hospital prior to her illness.  She was a member of the First Baptist church, Columbus, Kan., and belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Welch. Surviving are her husband, Joe Cox of the home; two brothers, Bertis Miles, Anacortes, Wash., and Eldon Miles, Clovis, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Lela Beggs, Columbus, Kan., six stepdaughters, Mrs. Martha Coppedge, Cardin, Mrs. Jowilla Harper, Miami, Mrs. Delores Owens, Mrs. Judy Kessler and Mrs. Linda Mae Cox, all of Lakin, Kan., and Mrs. Geraldine Hope, Larned, Kan. She is also survived by four stepsons, Jack Cox, St. Louis, Mo., Don Cox, Miami, Gary Cox, Lakin, Kan., and Daniel Cox, Chetopa, Kan., several step-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced later by the Thomas Funeral Home in Welch.
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August 6, 1975
DOROTHY LANDERS
Mrs. Dorothy Landers, 80, longtime Vinita resident, died early today in a local nursing home.  She was born Nov. 30, 1894, at Columbia, Mo., and came to Vinita in 1902.  Mrs. Landers worked as a nurse’s aide at Eastern State Hospital for 11 years. Survivors include her husband, Elman Landers, Vinita; a daughter, Mrs. Aaron Hilderbrand, Vinita; two sons, Ernest Landers and Edward Landers, both of Vinita; a sister Gertrude Rogers, Vinita; 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Services are pending and will be announced later by Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
(NOTE: See the following obit notice for a change of address for  Gertrude Rogers.)
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abt August 6, 1975
LOUIS FLETCHER
Louis Dubois Fletcher, 76, Scarsdale, N.Y. died Aug. 2 in a White Plains, N.Y. hospital.  His widow is the former Louise Thomas, a native of Vinita.  Fletcher was a retired senior partner in a New York law firm specializing in patent and trademark law.  He received an electrical engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1922 and a law degree from George Washington university in 1925.  Surviving in addition to Mrs. Fletcher are a son, Louis. D. Fletcher III; a daughter, Linda Schubert; two sisters and four grandchildren.  Memorial services were held in a Scarsdale church August 6.
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August 7, 1975
MARY CURTIS
Mary B. Curtis, 89, passed away Wednesday in a local hospital.  She had lived with Mrs. Pansey Horton, Baldwin, Kan., for the past two years.  Prior to that she had made her home with Mrs. Fern Ayres, Bluejacket. She was born June 12, 1886 in Brookfield, Mo., and was employed at the Hotel Vinita during the 1940s. Survivors include three brothers, Dan Bresnehen, Morris Bresnehen and Leo Bresnehen, all of Vinita and several nieces and nephews. Services will be conducted at 1:30 pm Friday in the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Gene Heffley, pastor of the Ketchum Baptist Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
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August 7, 1975
MILDRED COX
Funeral services for Mildred Cox, 63-year-old Welch resident who died early Wednesday in a Tulsa hospital, will be held at 2 pm Friday in the Thomas Funeral Home Chapel in Welch.  Rev. Ronnie M. Frazier will officiate and interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa, Kan., with the Thomas Funeral Home officiating.  The family will greet friends from 7 to 9 pm today at the funeral home.
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August 7, 1975
DOROTHY LANDERS 
Services are still pending and will be announced later for Mrs. Dorothy Landers, 80-year-old Vinitan, who passed away early Wednesday.  Included among her survivors are a sister, Mrs. Gertrude Carter, Vinita. Mrs. Carter was previously listed as Gertrude Rogers.
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August 11, 1975
JACK HILL
Jack Hill, 95, former Vinitan, died August 5 at his home in Rolla, Mo. A brother of the late Henry J. Hill of Vinita, he had resided northwest of Vinita in the early 1900s, In the 1920s he moved to Missouri, worked for Frisco Railroad until his retirement. He was born December 9, 1899 in Huntsville, Ark. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Tom Lierman,  a brother, Otto Hill,  and two sisters, Mrs. Bertha Chapman,  and Mrs. Marie Murphey. Services were held at a Rolla funeral home Thursday with the Rev. Dale Wands officiating.  Interment was in the Rolla cemetery. Attending from Vinita were Mr. and Mrs. Howard Mahanes, Mrs. H. J. Hill and Bill Hill.
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August 11, 1975
JUANITA HAWKINS
Juanita E. Hawkins, 57-year-old Vinitan. She was born May 27, 1918 in Oklahoma.  Survivors include a brother, John Hawkins, a sister, Sue Collins,  a half-sister, Lucy Barnhart.  Services were held at 2 pm today in the Luginbuel Chapel . Interment was in the Ketchum Cemetery .
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August 13, 1975
CARRIE MEAD
Carrie Mead, 75, died Tuesday in a local hospital.  She had lived in Vinita for about three years.  She was born May 5, 1900 in Tennessee. Survivors include a brother, Charles Hickman, Kingsport, Tenn.; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wilam Greer, Tulsa, and a grandson. Services are pending and will be announced later by the Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
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August 14, 1975
MRS. LOFFELHOLZ
Mrs. Della Irene Loffelholz, 57-year-old former Vinita, died Wednesday at her residence in Bartlesville. Born Sept. 4, 1917 at Centralia, she was united in marriage with Laurence Loffelholz on Aug. 11, 1936 in Nowata.  They made their home in Vinita until 1945, when they moved to Chouteau.  The moved to Bartlesville in 1955. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Bartlesville, and of the St. John’s Altar Society.  Mrs. Loffelholz worked as a ladies auxiliary at Memorial Hospital, Bartlesville.  She was preceded in death by one son, Larry Edward Loffelholz. Survivors include the husband, of the home; two sons, Charles Loffelholz, Wann, and Bob Loffelholz, Bartlesville; two daughters, Mrs. Irene Woodall, Vinita, and Mrs. Carolyn Saunders, Miami; two sisters, Mrs. Bell Altebaumer and Mrs. Nina Smith, both of Miami; eight brothers, Otis Miller, Alfred Miller and Omer Miller, all of Centralia, Charles Miller and Jimmie Miller, both of Bartlesville, Arthur Miller and C.B. Miller, both of Miami, and Johnny Miller, Chetopa, Kan., her mother, Mrs. Mary Miller, Bartlesville and seven grandchildren. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 am Saturday in St. John’s Catholic Church with Fr. Lee O’Neil as celebrant.  Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, Vinita, with Fr. Benedict D’Angelo officiating. Rosary will be held at 7 pm Friday in the Stumpff Funeral Home, Bartlesville, which is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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August 14. 1975
ETHEL SIMMS
Funeral services were held Monday in Waco, Tex. for Ethel Simms, who passed away Friday.  Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. R. J. Martinelli; two sons, C. T. Simms, San Diego, Calif., and W. L. Simms, Dallas, Tex.; two brothers, R. L. Long, Vinita, and N.C. Long, Tulsa; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Arrangements were under the direction of Wilkerson-Hatch(?) Funeral Home, Waco, Texas.
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August 14,1975
CARRIE MEAD
Funeral services for Carrie Mead, 75-year-old Vinitan who died Tuesday, will be conducted at 3 pm Friday in the Luginbuel Chapel, with Rev. Ray C. Newman officiating.  Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
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August 18, 1975
Amos Lalicker
Amos Monroe Lalicker, 76, Rt. 2, Chetopa, Kan., northeast of Welch, passed away at 4:30 a.m. Saturday in a Miami hospital after a two-day illness.He was born Dec. 14, 1898 in Lincoln County, I.T., and came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel F. Lalicker, to Mound Valley, Kan., when he was three years old. In 1916, he moved to Craig County and had lived here most of his life.  He married Melva Cordelia Martin on Aug. 6, 1921, in Vinita and was employed at the Banta Construction Co., Enid. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Melva Lalicker, of the home; two sons, Gerald M. Lalicker, Rt. 2, Chetopa, and Kenneth Lalicker, Enid; two brothers, William L. Lalicker, Medicine Lodge, Kan., and Everett M. Lalicker, Bend, Ore.; five grandchildren, one great-grandchild and four step-grandchildren. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Thomas Funeral Home Chapel, Welch, with Rev. Lloyd Carder officiating.  Interment will be in Welch Cemetery.
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August 25, 1975
BILL DUNLAP
Bill Dunlap, 69, longtime Vinita businessman, died suddenly at his home, 269 N. Brewer St., at 10;30 am today.  He had been a barber here over 46 years.  Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Marie Dunlap, of the home.  Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced later by the Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
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August 25,1975
OWEN HUDSON
Owen Robert Hudson, retired postmaster at Bluejacket, passed away at 2:30 pm Saturday in a local hospital.  He was 66 years old and had been in poor health for four years. Born Nov. 17, 1908 near Bluejacket, he had lived in the area most of his life.  He was married to Agnes Davis May 18, 1934 in Columbus, Kan. Hudson was postmaster at Bluejacket for 34 years and taught school for eight years in the surrounding area.  He attended Assembly of God Church. He was Past Worshipful Master of the Welch Masonic Lodge No. 263 AF and AM and belonged to the Tulsa Consistory. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Agnes Hudson of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Geneva Lea Andersen, 2719 E. 15th Pl., Tulsa; a brother, O. Lon Hudson, Miami, and one grandson, Greg Andersen, Tulsa. Services will be held at 2:30 pm Tuesday in the old Bluejacket School gymnasium with Rev. Gifford Clothier officiating.  Burial will be in Bluejacket Cemetery under the direction of Thomas Funeral Home of Welch. The family will receive friends from 7:30 to 9 pm today at the Thomas Funeral Home Chapel.
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September 4, 1975
STEVEN ALLEN
Steven Loy Allen, 20-year-old former Vinitan, died Tuesday will on active duty with the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss, Tex. He was born April 9, 1955 in Wichita, Kan., and had served with the army since June, 1973.  His father, Raymond Allen, founded the Freewill Baptist Church of Vinita in 1963 and remained here until 1972.  The father had also owned and operated Allen’s TV Service. Survivors include the parents, Raymond and Florence Allen, of the family home at Rt. 3, Ada (Ok); four sisters, Katy Smith, Sand Springs; and Brenda Allen, Rebecca Allen and Renee Allen, all of the home, and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Foreman, Copan. Services will be conducted at 2 pm in the Freewill Baptist Church.  Burial will be in Oaks Cemetery under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita. Friends are donating to a memorial building fund for the Center Freewill Baptist Church at Ada.
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September 4, 1975
ROSE MILLER
Rose Lee Miller, 84, Banks, Ore., passed away Tuesday in Banks.  Born Aug. 15, 1891, she had lived in Vinita all her life until about 1956. Her husband, Razzie Miller and three sons, Dan Miller, Elmer Miller and Fred Miller all preceded her in death. Surviving are two daughters, Lillie Payne, Carnation, Wash., and Edna Woolman, Banks, Ore.; a son, Edgar Miller, Banks, Ore.; a sister, Lucy Woolman, Vinita; two brothers, Babe Echols and Marshall Echols, both living in California; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 2 pm Saturday in Forest Grove Memorial Chapel in Forest Grove, Ore.
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September 5, 1975
RICHARD LEWIS HUMPHREY
MURDER CHARGE PENDING AGAINST BOY’S STEPFATHER
(Note: Death of Richard Lewis Humphrey) Charges of second degree murder were to be filed later today against Grover Fugate, Rt. 1,Welch, in connection with the gunshot death of his stepson, 17-year-old Richard Lewis Humphrey,  Assistant District Attorney Larry Stuart said today. The youth’s mother, Edna Mae Fugate, will be charged as an accessory after the fact, he stated. They were to appear before District Judge William J. Whistler or Associate District Judge James Pendergrass for arraignment and the setting of bond, according to Stuart. Humphrey, a senior at Welch High School, was apparently shot at his home early Thursday.  Craig County Sheriff Jess Walker was called to the home about 1:30 am.  Others who went there for the investigation were Deputy Sheriff John Brewer, Stuart and Dr. C.A. Benton, Craig County coroner. Funeral services for Humphrey will be held at 2 pm Sunday in the Welch school gymnasium.  Minister Ken Bryant will officiate and interment will be in Welch Cemetery under the direction of Thomas Funeral Home. The body will lie in state at his home from 10 am Saturday until 11 am Sunday.
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September 11, 1975
QUISTA BOYCE
Quista Michell Boyce, infant daughter of Mr and Mrs Lonnie Boyce, Vinita, passed away Wednesday at a local hospital. Survivors in addition to the parents are maternal grandparents Mr and Mrs Doyle Inman, paternal grandparents Mr and Mrs Ike Boyce and maternal great-grandparents Mr and Mrs John Leforce, all of Vinita. Graveside services will be held at 10 am Friday in Fairview Cemetery with Rev. Joe Carson officiating.  The Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita is in charge of arrangements.
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October 7, 1975
Rosa Dupree
Rosa W. Dupree, 81, 570 N. Smith St., died Monday afternoon in a local hospital after a week's illness.  She had been in ill health the past few months. She was the widow of Wright Dupree who died Oct. 9, 1964.  Mrs. Dupree was born Jan. 12, 1894 near Pryor, I.T., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. J. Wright.  The family lived for a time in Siloam Springs, Ark., and moved to Centralia about 1907.  She began teaching at the age of 16, in the old Scott community which later became Bunker Hill.  She also taught at Centralia, Banner, Dupree, Shanahan, and Couch schools.  During World War II she taught in the Wayside and Cobb Districts.  She was a past president of the Craig County Home Demonstration (now Extension Homemakers) Council and of the Woman's Missionary Union of First Baptist Church.  In 1959, she and Mr. Dupree helped organize the Dupree Baptist Church, and she remained active in the church until her final illness.  Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Frances Frost, Mrs. Emma Rose Moore, and Mrs. Mary Jo Jones, all of Vinita; one brother, Clegg I. Wright, Independence, Kans., and three sisters, Mrs. Grace Horrell, Louisville, Ky.; Mrs. Cora Connor, Riverside, Calif., and Mrs. Mabell Burnett, Tulsa, and eight grandchildren.  Her son, Louis W. Dupree, died in 1943 while serving in the army in El Paso, Tex. Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the First Baptist Church.  Rev. Clifford Stevens, pastor of the Dupree church, will officiate, assisted by Rev. Charles McBee, First Baptist pastor.  Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery under direction of the Burckhalter Funeral Home.
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1976

September 21, 1976
JOHNIE WALKER
Funeral services for Johnie Edward Walker, 74-year-old Miami resident who died Monday, will be held at 2 pm Thursday in the United Methodist Church, Welch.  Rev. Jay Bebee and Rev. Claude Blackford will officiate.  Burial will be in the Welch Cemetery under the direction of the Thomas and Sons Funeral Home, Welch. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at the funeral home.
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November 2, 1976
Hattie Riley
Mrs. Hattie Delilah Riley, 65-year-old Welch resident, died shortly after arrival at a Miami hospital.  She had been ill two weeks. Mrs. Riley was born Dec. 17, 1910 in Talala.  She lived in Welch for 41 years. Mrs. Riley married Earnest Riley on March 27, 1936 in Vinita.  She and her husband lived on a farm until 11 years ago when they moved to Welch.  She was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church, south of Edna, Kan. Survivors include her husband, Ernest Riley, of the home in Welch; three sons, Archie Riley and Marvin Riley, both of Edna, Kan., and Willard Riley, Welch; one daughter, Mrs. Norman Foster, Rt. 2, Coffeyville, Kan.; one brother, John Hubbard, Texas; two sisters, Mrs. Ida Haecker, Lindsey, Calif., and Mrs. Eliza Vaulk, California and nine grandchildren. Funeral services are pending and will be announced later by the Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.
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December 16, 1976
Mary Adair
Mary L. Adair, 78-year-old Vinita resident, died early today in a local hospital.Mrs. Adair was born Sept. 12, 1898 in Banner, Miss., and came to Vinita from Pomona, Calif.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Bedford Adair, on Feb. 16, 1974. Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. J. M. Manning, Vinita and Mrs. Lillit Powell, Siloam Springs, Ark., and three brothers, John Hipp, Calhoun City, Miss., Mallom Hipp, Siloam Springs, and Edwin Hipp, Memphis, Tenn. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel with Rev. Joe Carson officiating.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Service, Vinita.
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1977

April 9, 1977
K. HOWARD
Kenneth “Harold” Howard, 54-year-old Ketchum area resident, died Saturday in a local hospital.  Born Nov. 15, 1924, west of Ketchum, Howard was a farmer and member of the Craig County Baptist Church. He moved to Vinita in March 1978 and had formerly lived in  California and Colorado. He was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Harold Howard, Jr., in 1961, and by one brother, Noble C. Howard in 1978. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Beverly J. Howard, of the home on Rt. 2, Vinita; six daughters, Peggy Jones, Las Vegas, Nev., Mrs. Dianna Rosenberg and Margaret Howard, both of Lafayette, Colo., Mrs. Kathleen Behnke, Hygiene, Colo., and Mrs. Linda Timmons and Mrs. Patricia Butz, both of Denver, Colo.; one brother, Wendell Howard, Afton; five sisters, Mrs. Maxine Scroggins, Las Vegas, Nev., Mrs. Margaret Catlin, San Antonio, Texas, Mrs. Bette Davis, Catoosa, Mrs. Jacquelyn Grubbs, Tulsa, and Mrs. Donna Lipe, Jenks and four grandchildren. Services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Claude Strong, pastor of the Craig County Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Ketchum Cemetery under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Home, Vinita. Howard will lie in state until 1:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Luginbuel Funeral Home.
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May 15, 1979
J. Apperson
James Andrew “Andy” Apperson, 12-year-old Edna, Kan., youth, was killed Sunday in a car accident. Born Nov. 15, 1966 in Coffeyville, Kan., James was a sixth grade student at Edna Elementary School.  He was an active member of the Leib 4-H Club, in addition to baseball, basketall and wrestling. Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Apperson, one brother, Charles Eric, and one sister, Deborah Denise, all of the home in Edna, Kan., and grandparents Boyd Apperson, Welch, and Mrs. Olive Spurgeon, Oswego, Kan. Services will be held Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the United Methodist Church, Edna, Kan., with the Revs. Ken Rogers and Don Williams officiating.  Interment will be in Lake Creek Cemetery near Bartlett, Kan. Friends may contribute to a memorial fund at the First State Bank, Edna, Kan.
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September 20, 1979 (picture)
William Curnutte, Prominent business leader dies
William E. “Bill” Curnutte, prominent Vinita businessman, was stricken suddenly and died of an apparent massive heart attack at his home around 11:30 Wednesday night. Curnutte, who was president of C&L Supply Company, had been in business here since January 1946.  Besides activities in local organizations, he was also a member of the National Distributor Council for both the Boise Cascade Cabinet division and Modern Maid appliances. Born July 12, 1921, at Picher, Curnutte served in the U.S. Army in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Vinita Masonic Lodge No. 5 and was extremely active in Masonic work. Curnutte was also a member of the Tulsa Scottish Rite Consistory and the Tulsa Akdar Temple Shrine, plus being current president of the Craig County Shrine Club. One of his latest projects for the Shrine Club was to help organize and name the “Scamps” a parade unit composed of local Shriners. Curnutte was also a member of the Vinita Lions Club and the First Baptist Church of Vinita. Survivors include his wife, Genevieve, of the home at 115 Jenny Lane; one son, Mark Curnutte, Tulsa; two daughters, Mrs. Kathy Kidd, Vinita, and Mrs. Marcia Vinyard, Tulsa, and six grandchildren. Services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Ron Hunt, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Service.
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1980

E. Riley
Ernest Clarence Riley, 79-year-old Welch resident, died Thursday morning at his home.  He wasa born Jan. 13, 1901, near Welch, I.T. Riley was married to Hattie Deliah Hubbard on March 28, 1936 in Vinita.  She preceded him in death on Nov. 1, 1976. He and his wife lived on a farm northwest of Welch until his retirement in 1965 when they moved into Welch. Riley was a farmer and stockman and belonged to the Bethel Baptists Church, South Edna, Kan.
Survivors include three sons, Archie W. Riley and Marvin D. Riley, both of Edna, Kan., and Willard Riley, Welch; one daughter, Mrs. Norma F. Foster, Coffeyville, Kan.; one brother, Roy Riley, rural Vinita; one sister, Mrs. Gracie Harrah, Lemorre, Calif., and 10 grandchildren. Services are pending and will be announced later by the Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.
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1980
E. Riley
Services for Ernest Clarence Riley, 79-year-old Welch resident who died Thursday were held at 2 p.m. today at the Thomas Funeral Home in Welch.
The Rev. Harold Neal officiated and interment was in Walker Cemetery, west of Welch.  Arrangements were by the Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.
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1980
Mrs. Adams
Mrs. Goldie Adams, 69-year-old Vinitan, died early today in a Tulsa hospital after a long illness. She was born Oct. 18, 1910 at Ketchum.  She was a member of the North Side Church of Christ in Vinita. Her husband, Luther Adams, preceded her in death Aug. 7, 1978. Survivors include one brother, Floyd Land, Vinita; one step-son, Marvin Adams, San Antonio, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. Services are set for Monday at 11 a.m. in the Luginbuel Funeral Home Chapel with Joe Denney, pastor of the North Side Church of Christ, officiating.  Interment will be at Ketchum Cemetery with arrangements directed by Luginbuel Funeral Service, Vinita.
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1980
WALKER
George A. Walker, former Vinitan, died March 12 in Richland Hills, Texas.  He graduated from Vinita High School in 1943. Survivors include his wife, Janet Walker, two daughters, Anna Walker and Nancy Walker, and one son, Paul Walker, all of the home in Richland Hills, Texas, and two sisters, Mable Walker, Chickasha and Mrs. Jane Spahn, Grand Isle, Neb. Services were held March 14 in Richland, Texas.
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February 8, 1980
L. Asbury
Laura Waynel Asbury, 10, Waco, Texas, was killed in a car accident Jan. 19 near Clifton, Texas.  Miss Asbury was born May 27, 1969. Survivors include her father, Larry Asbury, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Asbury, all of Vinita. Services were held Jan. 21 in Clifton, Texas.
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abt February 26, 1980
H. (Hazel) WALKER
Mrs. Hazel Marie Walker, 67, Rt. 1, Welch, died Sunday afernoon in St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, following a short illness.  She was born Nov. 1, 1912, at Hepler, Kan., and had lived near Welch since 1930. Mrs. Walker was married to James Leister Walker on April 12, 1930 at Welch.  She was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star No. 153, both in Welch. Survivors include her husband, James Leister Walker, of the home; two sons, James A. Walker, Arlington, Texas and Vernie Ray Walker, Miami; three step-sons, Irvin E. Walker, Rt. 1, Welch, Earnie F. Walker, Welch, and Jess O. Walker, Vinita; one brother, Leslie Buck, Bakersfield, Calif., 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 2 pm Wednesday in the United Methodist Church, Welch, with the Revs. Bill Privitt and Harold Neal officiating.  Interment will be in Welch Cemetery under the direction of the Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.
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March 8, 1980
Mrs. Adams
Mrs. Edith Adams, 100-year-old Vinitan, died Tuesday afternoon at her home.  She was born Feb. 23, 1880 at Grand River, I.T.  Mrs. Adams came to Vinita in 1898. Survivors include three sons, Fred Adams, Wichita, Kan., Raymond Adams, Vinita, and Andrew Adams, Tucson, Ariz.; four daughters, Almeta Adams, Mrs. Lois Ryan and Mrs. Jessie Smith, all of Vinita, and Mrs. Ida Hodo, Tulsa; three sisters, Mrs. Emily George, Detroit, Mich., Mrs. Juanita Johnson, Des Moines, Iowa, and Mrs. Nancy Hickle, Muskogee; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and two nieces, Flossie Cole and Velma Allen, both of Buffalo, N.Y. Services will be held Friday at 1:30 p.m. in the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel.  Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Home, Vinita.
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March 31, 1980
Mrs. Hood
Mrs. Nadine Hood, 63-year-old Vinita resident, died Saturday in a Tulsa hospital. She was born nov. 9, 1916 in Vinita and was a member of the First Christian Church. Mrs. Hood had worked in the insurance department at Craig General Hospital for many years and had been living in Tulsa since July.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Betty Meister, Tulsa, and Mrs. Sue Eby, Republic, Mo.; one son, David Hood, St. Charles, Mo.; her mother, Mrs. Vada Lay, Vinita; two sisters, Mrs. Ernestine Bivens, Claremore and Mrs. Elizabeth York, Houston, Texas; two brothers, Clyde Jones, Fort Smith, Ark., and Bob Jones, Tampa, Fla.; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Clarence Newby, pastor of the First Christian Church, officiating.
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February 11, 1982
Curnutte
Harry G. Curnutte, 79-year-old Vinita resident, died early today in a Vinita nursing home. He was born April 28, 1902 at St. Clair City, Mo., and had been employed as a carpenter. Survivors include his widow, Gladys Curnutte, Vinita; one son, Vernon Lee Curnutte, Bluejacket; one brother Oscar Curnutte, Tulsa, and seven grandchildren. Graveside services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. in Welch Cemetery with the Rev. Ray C. Newman officiating.  Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home, Vinita.
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1983
Gray
George C. Gray, long-time Vinita resident, died Saturday at a local hospital following a long illness.  He was born Aug. 1, 1892, and was a native of Boone County, Ark.  Gray had been a resident of the Vinita area since 1926.  Gray was a retired farmer and carpenter and a member of the Dupree Baptist Church.  Survivors include his wife, Bertha, of the home at 239 1/2 N. Scraper; a daughter, Madge Bennett, Buffalo, Mo.; his sons, Roy Gray, Downey, Calif., and Ross, Vinita; a half-brother, Houston Gray, Napa, Idaho; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by three daughters.  Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Burckhalter Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Clifford Stevens officiating.  Interment will be in Timpson Chapel Cemetery.  Arrangements are by the Burckhalter Funeral Home.
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December 2, 1983
MRS. HORTON
Violet Margaret Horton, 79-year-old former Bluejacket resident, died Thursday morning in a local hospital following a brief illness.  She was born Sept. 9, 1904 in Bluejacket, I.T. to Charles and Pearl Toles Walker. She was married to Benjamin Franklin Horton on June 6, 1925 in Vinita.  He preceded her in death on May 16, 1982. Mrs. Horton had lived in Bluejacket area most of her life and previously resided in California for 15 years, had lived for the past several years in a local nursing home. She was a housewife and a member of the Church of Christ at Four Corners. Survivors include her sisters, Mrs. Leona Davis, Tulsa; Mrs. Grace Taylor, Bartlesville; and Mrs. Glenora Sherrick, Sullivan, Mo.; and brothers, Clyde Walker, Claremore; and Kenneth Walker, Stratford. Services will be held at 11 am Saturday at the Church of Christ at Four Corners with Roy Miller officiating. Interment will be in Bluejacket Cemetery under the direction of the Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.
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December 1985
PHILLIPS
Mrs. Pearl F. Phillips, 62-year-old Vinitan, died Wednesday night in a local hospital following a long illness.  She was born Jan. 26, 1923 at Kansas City, Kan.   Survivors include her husband, Marvin Philliips of the home at 502 1/2 N. Wilson St; son, Jim Phillips, Ketchum; daughter, Carolyn Hall, Owasso; brothers, Harold L. Huffman, Vinita and Everett R. Huffman, Moore; sisters, Juanita Lathrop, Claremore and Irene Daugherty, Vinita' grandsons, Mike and Marty Hall, Owasso and Eddie Ray and Willie Phillips, Ketchum, and granddaughter, Teresa MacDonald, Anchorage, Alaska.  Services will be held at 1 pm Friday in the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Will Busch officiating.  Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery.  Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Service, Vinita.
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1986

abt 1986
WALKER 
Dick Walker, 78, Vinita, died Tuesday in Craig General Hospital.  He was born on Jan. 26, 1908, at Eucha and attended the Cleora schools. Walker was employed in clearing the basin for the Grand River Dam and was then employed by the REC Electric Co-op, retiring in 1973 after 35 years service as assistant general manager. He was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church, Vinita.  Survivors include his wife, Virgie Walker of the home in Vinita; one daughter, Mrs. Romella Stepp, Dallas, Tex.; three brothers, Carol Walker and Perry Walker, both of California; and Joe Walker, Wyoming; one grandson, Stephen Stepp and one great-grandson, Justin Clay Stepp, both of Mesquite, Tex. Services for Walker will be held at 10:30 am Thursday, in the Trinity Baptist Church, with the Rev. Will Busch officiating. Burial will follow in the McLaughlin Cemetery.  Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
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January 3, 1986
WILSON
Mrs. Laura Joann Haskins Wilson died Dec. 28 at Halstead Hosital in Halstead, KA. She was born on Dec. 26, 1901 at Meno, IT, the daughter of Will and Lillie Haskins. She was married to Fred Wilson on March 30, 1924.  He preceded her in death. In 1960, Mrs. Wilson moved to Vinita to be close to her sister Blanche Gregory.  She worked as a salesclerk retiring at age 64. She is survived by one son Monte Wilson, Colwich, KA, one sister, Blanche Gregory, Locust Grove, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Graveside services were held Monday at the Highland Cemetery in Medicine Lodge, KA with Dr. Rick Frisbie officiating.
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February 28, 1986
GREGORY
Blanche Gregory, 89-year-old long-time Vinitan, died Thursday at Locust Grove.  She was a member of the Pilgrim PresbyterianChurch and the widow of Bert Gregory. Services are pending and will be announced by the Burckhalter Funeral Home, Vinita.
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April 30, 1986=Wednesday,
ELLIS
Lennie May Ellis, 80, 425 Eleventh St. NE, Miami, died Tuesday at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo., following an extended illness. Mrs. Ellis was a longtime resident of Craig County before moving to Miami in 1973. She was born Dec. 26, 1906 near Grove, the daughter of Garfield and Lizzie (Ekberg) Parkison.  Mrs. Ellis worked at Eastern State Hospital for many years.  She was  a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Miami. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Ellis who died April 15, 1967. Survivors include three sons, Burward Ellis, Commerce; Milburn L. Ellis, Madison, Ohio; and Louis Ellis, McCune, Kans.; two daughters, Orletha Gray, Loveland, Col.; and Barbara Praytor, Miami. Other survivors include three sisters, Leota Richardson, Owasso; Helen Sharpton and Becky Trimbel, both of Tulsa; 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Immanuel Baptist Church, Miami, with church pastor Rev. Paul Simpson officiating.  Burial will be in Martin Cemetery, Centralia, under the direction of Jim Thomas & Son Funeral Home, Miami. The family will be at the Eleventh Street NE address in Miami.
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May 29, 1986 (page 144)
RILEY 
Lois Edie Mae Riley, 58, Chelsea, died Tuesday at the St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa.  She was born Apr. 7, 1928 in Craig County to Hooley and Daisy (Ross) Downing.  Survivors of Riley include her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hooley Downing, Chelsea; four brothers, Hooley Downing, Jr., Vinita; Arthur Downing, Chelsea; Grady Downing, Oklahoma City; and Hershell Downing, Nowata. Riley also has five surviving sisters:  Clara Banks, Vinita; Mary Bailey, Nancy Downing and Rosetta Bowlin, all of Chelsea; and Luella Russel, Warchester, Mass. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday in the Seaman-Blanke Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.  Burial will be in the Shday Grove Cemetery, Chelsea, under the direction of the Seaman-Blanke Funeral Service of Chelsea.
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June 23, 1986
WALKER
Lula Mae Walker, 65, Vinita, died Monday morning at her home. She was born on Sept. 21, 1920 and was a housewife. Survivors include one son, Billy Walker, Vinita; three daughters, Tracy Walker, Vinita; Linda Robertson, Grandview, Mo.; and Kathy Jackman; five brothers, Jim Mann and Robert Mann, both of Vinita; Joel Mann, Oklahoma City; Jack Mann, Joplin, Mo; and Richard Mann, Kalamazoo, Mich.; and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lionel Walker.  Services for Walker are pending and will be announced later by the Luginbuel Funeral Service.
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June 24, 1986
WALKER
Services for Lula Mae Walker, 65, Vinita, will be held at 3:30 pm, Wednesday, in the Luginbuel Funeral chapel.  Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery. Walker died Monday in her home.  She was born on Sept. 21, 1920 and was a housewife.Survivors include one son, Billy Walker, Vinita; three daughters, Tracy Walker, Vinita’ Linda Robertson, Grandview, Mo.; and Kathy Jackman; five brothers, Jim Mann and Robert Mann, both of Vinita; Joel Mann, Oklahoma City; Jack Mann, Joplin, Mo.; and Richard Mann, Kalamazoo, Mich.; and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lionel Walker.
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July 7, 1986
ADAMS
Frank Marion Adams, 74, Chelsea, died Sunday at the Nowata Hospital.  Mr. Adams was born April 12, 1912 in Rogers County to the late Robert Lee and Ciola (Chance) Adams.  He was a member of the Baptist Church and was a former Vinita resident. Survivors include his wife, Edna Lee, of the home in Chelsea; a son,David Adams,Miami; daughters, Frances Cox, Ark City, Kan.; Twyla Salidar and Glenda Pezzella, both of Birginia Beach, Va.; Marilyn Johnston, Rita Wallis and Merri Tadych, all of Chelsea; Gloria Farbro, Mannford; and Lana Heath, Bartlesville. Also surviving are two sisters, Jane Bailey and Arta Dixon, both of Denver, Col.; 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.  A son, George Robert Adams, (it doesn’t finish that sentence). Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Chelsea Cemetery, under direction of the Burckhalter Funeral Home, Vinita.
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September 2, 1986
Howard
Services for Lydia M. Howard, 76, Vinita, were held today in the Stumpff Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Dave Hammonds officiating.  Burial followed in the Memorial Cemetery, Bartlesville. Howard died Thursday, Aug. 28, in Craig General Hospital. She was born March 12, 1913, at Pineville, Mo. to the late Albert and Edith (Shira) Akehurst. She married Christopher Howard in the early 1930s and the couple made their home in Bartlesville.  howard became a nurse’s aid in 1950 and worked in that capacity until her retirement in 1962. Howard lived in Bartlesville until 1983 when she moved to Vinita. She was a lifetime member of the World War I Auxiliary and a member of the Woodland Church of Christ, Bartlesville. Survivors include one son, John Howard, Locust Grove; two daughters, Mrs. Ann Sherrill, Vinita; and Betty L. Gray, Salina,  Kan.; three brothers, Wallace Akehurst, Neosho, Mo.; Grover Akehurst, Granby, Mo.; and Earl Akehurst, Ada; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Christopher Howard, who died in April 1973.
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1987

WALKER 
Arthur Walker, 74, formerly of Vinita, died of a heart attack Monday, Dec. 15, 1986 at his home in Twin Falls, Idaho, according to a family friend. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Walker and was a graduate of Vinita High School. Walker attended Oklahoma State University and was a retired rancher.  Survivors include his wife, one son, one daughter and two sisters.
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February 12, 1987
Anderson
A long illness recently claimed the life of D. French Anderson, 83, Tulsa, an early employee of the Grand River Dam Authority in Vinita. Mr. Anderson was a retired chief of operations of the Southwestern Power Administration (SPA).  He was assigned to the Grand River Pensacola project soon after its approval and remained here until 1943.  He then joined SPA and retired from that post in 1968. He was awarded the silver medal and a citation from the Department of the Interior a month after his retirement for meritorious service, the department’s second highest award. He is survived by his wife, LaVere, who was an active member of the Vinita chapter of American Association of University Women during the Anderson’s stay here.  She also authored children’s books in recent years, copies of which are in the Vinita Public Library. Other survivors include two daughters, Jessica M. Nidiffer and Audry Thixton, both of Tulsa; and one son, W. French Anderson, Bethesda, Md. Private funeral services were held Tuesday in Tulsa.
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March 25, 1987
Couch
Leonard M. Couch, 66, 417 N. Vann St., Vinita, died late Tuesday night in the Claremore Indian Hospital. Mr. Couch was born Aug. 27, 1920 at Vinita and worked as a carpenter and general construction worker here until his retirement in 1982. A member of the Calvary Baptist Church of Vinita, he married Mary Jane Patterson on Nov. 1, 1941. Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane, of the home in Vinita; two sons, James and Larry Couch, both of Vinita; two daughters, Priscilla Smith, Longview, Tex.; and Linda Chanley, Claremore; four sisters, Lillie Bennington, Marble Falls, Tex.; Della LeGate, Hereford, Tex.; LaDon Wilson, Umatilla, Ore.; and Wilma Rich, Garden City, Kan.; and 10 grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Terry Wise and Rev. Joe Coppedge officiating.  Burial will be in the Pheasant Hill Cemetery. Friends are giving to the American Cancer Society. Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita is in charge of arrangements.
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May 19, 1987
HOOD
Cecil Howard Hood, 76, Rt. 1, Welch, died Monday at the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, Coffeyville, Kan., following an extended illness. He was born Jan. 1, 1911 west of Nowata, the son of Emmet H. and Elizabeth (Kinnison) Hood. He worked as a farmer and rancher and lived in the Welch area most of his life. Survivors include one son, George Hood, Rt. 1, Welch; one daughter, Norma Loree Greer, Rt. 1, Welch; one brother, J. D. Hood, Rt. 1, Welch; one sister, Emma Webb, Grapevine, Texas; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Thomas Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Harold Neal officiating.  Burial will be in the Walker Cemetery, located northwest of Welch. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight.  Friends also may call at the Norma Greer residence. Arrangements are by the Thomas Funeral Home of Welch.
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July 22, 1987
WALKER
Thomas Leroy Walker, 52,Vinita, died Tuesday night at his home after a long illness.  He was born April 4, 1935 in Vinita.  Mr. Walker had been employed as a locksmith at Eastern State Hospital for 21 years.  He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Walker, of the home; one son, Bruce P. Walker, Dewey; one daughter, Pam Shellenbarger, Vinita’ and four brothers, Charles F. Walker, Billy L. Walker and George A. Walker, all of Vinita; and Donald G. Walker, White Oak. Other survivors include five sisters, Alyce Cordray and Maxine Beisley, both of Vinita; Margaret Hayes, White Oak; Dorothy Hanna, Cleora; and Betty Weaver, Wichita, Kan.; five grandsons, two step-grandsons and one step-granddaughter.
Services for Mr. Walker are pending and will be announced later by the Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
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July 23, 1987
WALKER
Thomas Leroy Walker, 52, 519 N. Adair St., Vinita, died Tuesday night at his home following an extended illness. Mr. Walker was born April 4, 1935 in Vinita.  He worked as a locksmith at Eastern State Hospital for 21 years.  He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Walker, of the home; one daughter, Pam Shellenbarger, Vinita; one son, Bruce P. Walker, Dewey, Okla.; four brothers, Charles F. Walker and Billy L. Walker, both of Vinita; and Donald G. Walker and George A. Walker, both of White Oak. Other survivors include five sisters, Alyce Cordray and Maxine Beisley, both of Vinita; Betty Weaver, Wichita, Ks; Margaret Hayes, White Oak; and Dorothy Hann, Cleora; five grandsons, one step-granddaughter and two step-grandsons. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm Friday in the Luginbuel Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Terry Wise, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Timpson Chapel Cemetery.  Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Service of Vinita.
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28 October 1987
WALKER
Mrs. Lewis (Geneva) Walker, 73, died early today at her home in Woodland Shores near Cleora.  Mrs. Walker wasa born Aug. 10, 1914. She was a former resident of Wichita, Kan., where she retired from employment at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.  She moved to Woodland Shores in 1970. Walker was a member of the Eastern Star in Wichita and the Cleora Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband, Lewis E. Walker, of the home; and an aunt, Delma MIlls, Vista, Calif. Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Lewis (should be Walker) will be held at 10 am Saturday in the McLaughlin Cemetery near Cleora with the Rev. Jack Nester officiating. Arrangements are by the Burckhalter Funeral Home of Vinita.
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1988

April 20,1988
Shank
Ola Dell Shank, 87, former Vinita resident, died Friday, April 15, 1988 at the Seiling, Okla. hospital. Mrs. Shank was born May 6, 1900 at White Oak, Indian Territory, the daughter of John and Mattie Sweatman. She married Roy Shank on June 15, 1920 at Nowata.  The couple made their first home in Vinita.  Mr. Shank was employed by Phillips Petroleum. In 1935, the couple moved to Moore, Okla. where they lived until 1953 when they moved to Borger, Texas.  Mr. Shank retired from Phillips Petroleum in 1962 and the couple moved to a farm southeast of Seiling. The Shanks were charter members of the First Baptist Church in Seiling. Survivors include three sons, Carl Shank, Seiling; Dale Shank, New York, N.Y.; and Perry Shank, Woodward; two daughters, Minnilee Shank, Boulder Creek, Calif.; and Betty Nan Shank, Redwood City, Calif.; two brothers, John Sweatman, hot Springs, Ark.; and Bud Sweatman, Bartlesville; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, who died on Sept. 1, 1985; one brother; three sisters; and one grandson. Funeral services for Mrs. Shank were held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 18 in the First Baptist Church, Seiling, with the Rev. Clayton Conley officiating.  Burial followed in the Munice Cemetery located southeast of Seiling. The Redinger Funeral Home of Seiling was in charge of arrangements.
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