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O.W. Cato
O.W. Cato, 85 years of age, also known as Olney to some and Jeff to others, passed away in his sleep Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005, at his home in Evening Shade community nine miles north of Vian. He would want you to know something about himself.
“I was born on the banks of the Ouachita River in Polk County, Arkansas, on the 23rd of November 1919. I can remember going to town with Papa, and when we would be driving down the street, I could see the reflection of the team and wagon in the storefront windows. I loved that. At the age of 7, I was milking cows, and at the same age I was chopping cotton. You can see that I was brought up to work. There were some more things that I was brought up to do or not to do. I was not to lie, not to steal, not to take out more food in my plate than I could eat, be honest in all things, and respect all grown-up people. We never owned any kind of stuffed furniture. We ate at the table sitting in cane-bottom chairs that my dad would weave the cane around the top rounds to form a bottom. When we were sitting around in the living room some grown-up person came, one of us children would get up and give them our chair. We would not wait to be told.
“Now I will skip the next 14 years, and go to the age 21. I was drafted into the service and left for Fort Sill, Okla., on Dec. 1, 1941. About four months later we boarded a train that took us to Fort Devans, Mass. About three weeks later we boarded a train and went back across the United States to Fort Ord, Calif. Just a short time after that, we boarded a large troop ship for a destination unknown. It turned out to be the South Pacific. This was south Australia.
“I think it was about September we boarded another ship and went to New Guinea. In November we were flown across a large mountain range on the old C74 aircraft. Then walking for about three days through the jungle on a muddy trail, the mud was from halfway shoe-top deep to shoe-top deep.
“We had been hearing the artillery fire for the last day of that march. Late in the evening we were given a pep talk by a three-star general. That was just my company. We were to attack the Japanese position at 7 a.m. the next morning. He told us that there were three pillboxes out there, and all we would have to do was run in there and throw grenades in them pillboxes. He made it sound so easy. The next morning at 15 minutes before 7, they started the artillery fire. ... Two weeks later we took that position. Instead of three log bunkers, there was 17 out there.”
Mr. Cato was honorably discharged on June 25, 1945 from the Army 32nd Infantry division and was very proud of his military service. He was a Purple Heart recipient.
O.W. married Cornelia Morris, also known a Babygirl and Connie, on March 12, 1945. The first years of their marriage they cut broomcorn in Colorado. A few months after their return, their first child, a son named Victor Wayne, arrived stillborn. For the next three years, the grew cane and processed and sold sorghum. They then moved to Wichita, Kan., where Mr. Cato was employed by Cessna Aircraft and Lear Jet. His last position with Lear Jet was superintendent of inspection of manufacturing.
Mr. Cato and his wife moved to Vian in 1972. Mr. Cato worked his land, was involved in local politics, often wrote letters to the editor, and began submitting his memoirs for publication in 2000 until he was no longer able to write.
His wife, Cornelia F. Cato, survives Mr. Cato. On March 12 they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Mr. Cato is also survived by his children, Janet Buttery and her husband Dell Buttery of Vian, J.C. Shine of Tulsa, Jeffery Cato and his wife Teresa Cato of Atlanta; his grandchildren, Monte Buttery of Atlanta, Matt Buttery and Brad Buttery of Vian, Meredith Cato and Cody Cato of Atlanta; his great-grandchildren, Callie Buttery, Cameryn Buttery, and Brant Bell of Atlanta; his sister, Vera Howell, age 95 of Collinsville, Okla.; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Cato was a member of Blackgum Baptist Church. Organizations he was affiliated with include the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and the 127th Infantry Veterans’ Association.
Services for Mr. Cato will be held at Blackgum Baptist Church on Highway 82 north of Vian on Saturday, March 5, at 2 p.m. under the direction of Agent Funeral Home of Sallisaw. Lunch will be served at the church at noon. Burial will follow the service at Box Cemetery with military honors provided by VFW No. 4446 from Stigler and the Army.
Active pallbearers will be Mike Davis, Louie Rouse, Boonie Harriman, Bodie Burton, Bob Roberson and Gary Morris. Honorary pallbearers will be Ad Murdes, Marvin Avery, Mike McConnell, Bob Gerlach, Sonny Morris, Porter Cato, Andy Cato and Daryl Parks.
Mr. Cato may be viewed at Agent Funeral Home in Sallisaw from 5 to 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Arthur Bailey
MOFFETT — Arthur Leroy Bailey, 67, of Moffett died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, in Fort Smith. He was born June 8, 1937, in Parks. He was a retired furniture factory worker and a Baptist.
Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Muldrow under the direction of Agent Funeral Home of Roland.
He is survived by a daughter, Brenda Conner of Moffett; two sons, Alfred and Alden Bailey, both of Moffett; a sister, Edith Fry of Muldrow; two brothers, Kenneth Bailey of Roland and Wendel Bailey of Arkoma; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The body may be viewed from noon to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the funeral home.
Ruth Falkner
ROLAND — Ruth Elizabeth Falkner, 78, of Roland died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, in a local hospital. She was a homemaker.
Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Van Buren.
She is survived by her husband, Arthur; three sisters, Claudia Harris, Pauline Wells and Faye Matthews, all of Van Buren; and two brothers, Paul Loftin of Conway and Dib Lofton of Van Buren.
Roy Gene Brooks
Roy Gene Brooks, 73, of Arkoma was born Jan. 20, 1932, in Peno, Okla., to W.A. and Arlie Mae (Dempsey) Brooks. He died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005, in Memphis. He was a land developer. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Edna. He was a member of the Eagles Club, he loved his grandkids and all the sports they played. He loved to garden, mow the lawn, fish and participate in any type of competitive games.
He is survived by two daughters, Libby Buckmaster and husband Robert of Suffolk, Va., and Trudy McKinney and husband Michael of Spiro; five grandchildren, Beth, Chad and Trey Buckmaster, Cole and Brooks McKinney; his companion, Jenanetta Fry, and her family; five children, Dale, Debbie, Pam, Vickie and Charles.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005, at the Spiro Mallory-Martin Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Lin Jones and Mr. Gary Ridenour officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home of Spiro.
Pallbearers will be Dale and Charles Fry, Harold Corley, T.R. McKinney, Clinton Ridenour and Jack Blackwell. Honorary pallbearers will be Ted Johnson, Howard Corley and J.D. Howe.
JoAnna Arnold
KEOTA — JoAnna Clement Arnold, 87, of Keota died Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005, in Stigler. She was a retired schoolteacher who taught for over 40 years.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Mallory-Martin Funeral Home Chapel in Stigler with burial at Keota City Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband, Louie; a daughter, Dianna Grimes of the home; a son, Joe Clement of Chattanooga, Tenn.; one stepdaughter, Vicki Gilstrap of Keota; two stepsons, Randy Arnold of Keota and Kenny Arnold of Broken Arrow, Okla.; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Charles Hare, Gerald Lovell, Mike Stockard, Wayne Wilson, Don Hamm and Greg Gilstrap.
The body may be viewed noon to 8 p.m. today and noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Christine Wade
POTEAU — Christine Wade, 74, of Poteau died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, in Fort Smith. She was born May 22, 1930, in Shady Point. She was a retired cook.
Funeral was held Tuesday at Southside Baptist Church in Poteau with burial at Shady Point Cemetery under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
She is survived by a daughter, Debbie Smedley of Poteau; a brother, Jimmy Chestine; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Mike McCullah, Danny Dalton, Gary Haskins, Jim Welton, Paul and Everett Plummer.
Aubrey Walden
Aubrey Walden, 99, of Fort Smith passed away Sunday, March 6, 2005, in Arkoma. He was a member of the Westark Church of Christ and the American Legion Post No. 31. He retired from Echols Elementary School as custodian, and greeter at Golden Corral. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Neva; two sisters, Thelma Haddock and Ione Mace; one brother, Bill Walden; and two grandchildren, Jason and Jeffrey Gunter.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 9, 2005, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial at U.S. National Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
He is survived by one daughter, Martha and her husband, Gary Gunter of Arkoma; three sisters, Jo Watts of Perryville, Hazel Stallard of Santa Ana, Calif., and Imadale Huckins of Ridgecrest, Calif.; one brother, G.P. Walden and wife Alice of Portland, Ore.; and one granddaughter, Janet Gunter of Arkoma.
Pallbearers will be Steve Whitson, Billy Yowell, Richard Bullard, Earl Flood, Ben Pearson, Wilburn Howard, Randy Gunter and Brad Pistole.
Family will visit with friends today from 6 to 7 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Westark Church of Christ, 900 N. Waldron, Fort Smith, AR 72903.
Elmer Lewis
POTEAU — Elmer R. Lewis, 71, of Poteau died Monday, March 7, 2005. He was born April 17, 1933, in Crescent Mills, Calif. He was a retired schoolteacher, graduated from Greenville High School, attended Chico State College and received a master’s in music from Morehead State in Kentucky. He served in the Army and the director of the Army Band, and directed a parade for President Jimmy Carter.
No services are scheduled. Arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
He is survived by two sisters, Frances Schneck of Sanrafael, Calif., and Gloria Placke of Poteau.
Cuemye Baker
STIGLER — Cuemye Baker, 84, of Stigler died Sunday, March 6, 2005, in Neosho, Kan.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Thursday at First Assembly of God with burial at Stigler Cemetery under the direction of King & Shearwood Funeral Home of Stigler.
She is survived by a daughter, Linda Clift of Thayer, Kan.; a son, Earl Baker of Plano, Texas; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Dr. Thomas Conklin, Joe Hoover, Larry Maxwell, Wayne Collins, Clint Sampson, Chester Speer and Paul Knell.
The body may be viewed noon to 8:30 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to noon Thursday.
Mildred Allen
POTEAU — Mildred Kathleen Allen, 77, of Poteau died Thursday, March 3, 2005, in Poteau. She was a secretary, a 50-year member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, a 50-year member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, a volunteer with Reach to Recovery, a member of Sassy Survivors in Fort Smith, the Red Hat Society, a graduate of DeQueen High School, worked for Bell Telephone in California, Yerby Insurance, Plummer Bright Insurance, Don Allen’s Garage and Don Allen’s Machine Shop.
Rosary will be 7 p.m. today at Evans & Miller Funeral Home Chapel of Memories in Poteau.
Mass will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Poteau with burial at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau.
She is survived by her husband, Donald; a daughter, Dr. Christy Bennett of Tulsa; and two grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Bud French, Roger Mays, Ray Baggs, Harrell Bright, Wayne Plummer and Kermit Baker.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Orzelia Lovejoy
SPIRO — Orzelia B. Lovejoy, 91, of Spiro died Thursday, March 3, 2005, in Spiro. She was born Feb. 10, 1914, in Jackson, Mich. She was retired from Consumer Power and a member of First Baptist Church in Spiro.
Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at New Cemetery in Spiro under the direction of Lewis Funeral Chapel of Fort Smith.
She is survived by a son, Larry Lovejoy of Spiro; a brother, Sherman Parr of Tucson, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Bill “Peepaw” Couch
Bill “Peepaw” Couch, 73, of Poteau passed away Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, in Fort Smith. He was born Oct. 9, 1931, in Poteau. He was a laborer. Bill loved to hunt and fish. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Mattie Couch; three brothers, Bob, Jr., and Chester Couch; two sisters, Lizzie Sarber and Emma Cheshier; two sons, Larry and Bruce Couch; two grandsons, Tommy Oakes and Billy (Goat) Couch. He and Nettie Collins were married on Dec. 7, 1950.
Funeral will be 4 p.m. today at Evans & Miller Funeral Home Chapel of Memories in Poteau with burial at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau. Officiating will be the Rev. Jim Cook.
He is survived by his wife, Nettie of the home; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Marilyn and Tom Oakes, Linda and Melvin Himes, Tammy and Marty Duncan, and Peggy Bell, all of Poteau; a son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Starla Couch of Poteau; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; other relatives and loved ones; a host of beloved friends.
Pallbearers will be Terry Couch, Marty Duncan, Tom and Randy Oakes, Dustin and Oscar Bell, Stubs and Raymond Thompson, and Oscar Bell.
Albert Hooper
POTEAU — Albert D. “Russ” Hooper, 70, of Poteau died Monday, Jan. 24, 2000, in a Poteau hospital. He was a barber and worked in sales.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Monroe Church of Christ in Monroe, Okla., under the direction of Evans and Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
He is survived by two sons, Frederick and Joseph Hooper, both of Fort Smith; and one brother, Lawrence Hooper of Palm Springs, Calif.
