Hilda Mae Knerr Sther
Hilda Mae Knerr Sther, of Pitman, Pa., Philadelphia, Pa., Hatbro, Pa., Chalfont, Pa and most recently of Lansdale, Pa., passed away on March 20, one week shy of her 99th birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Earl Henry Stehr; her parents Claude and Mazie Knerr; siblings, James “Marvin, ” Albert, Helen, John, Alma, Charles, and Larry as well as two grandchildren, Brian and Angela. Hilda is survived by two of her sisters, Ida Kramer and Merle Hipple of Middletown, Pa.; five of her children, Albert Stehr of Pitman, Pa., Donald Stehr of Sulphur; John Cimino of Coopersburg, Pa.; Ruth Whitman of Quakertown, Pa. and Marilyn Casale of Lansdale, Pa. Hilda, or “Gram, ” was adored by 16 grandchildren and by great and great-great grandchildren and pretty much any child who met her. A devout Christian, Hilda lived a long and storied life. Born in Pitman, Pa. on March 29, 1971, Hilda had to grow up fast to help out on her family’s farm and to play second mom to her siblings. She heralded her family through the depression and plenty of other challenges. During the World War II effort, Hilda did her part, working on a missile assembly line at the Budd Company in Philadelphia. She lovingly nursed her husband Earl who had struggled with Black Lung disease during her latter years. Services were held on March 26 at Helper’s Church of God in Pitman, Pa, followed by a graveside service at the cemetery behind the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church.
Elmer Roy Hector
Elmer Roy Hector, also known by his nickname Spot, died in Garvin County, Oklahoma on April 11, 2016. He was born March 22, 1924 in a log cabin located in a cottonwood grove five miles north of Sulphur, Oklahoma. His parents Charley Creigh and Lottie Ann Hawthorne Hector and all his siblings preceded him in death, sisters, Edna Ethel and Inez May, brothers, Hassell Troy, Edgar Neal, Ivy Claude, Floyd Clyde, Roscoe Earl and Verlarce Gordon. His parents with their infant son, Hassell, and two of his father’s brothers, Ezra and Harvey and their families came to Oklahoma from San Saba, Texas in the fall of 1910 by mule drawn wagons. The brothers and their growing families worked as sharecroppers while trying to establish an economical foothold in the sparsely settled state of Oklahoma. He attended public schools in Murray County and was mostly self-educated. As a young man he worked on the family farm, and later for R.D. Ross’ Southern Rock and Asphalt Company. He left Sulphur on a freight train in late 1941 to work in the shipyards in California, and then joined the Army in January, 1943. Soon after the invasion of France, he was promoted to First Sergeant at age 20, and experienced warfare up close and personal in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He was awarded five battle stars and three more when he served in the Korean War. He retired in 1964, and then was an executive for The Army and Air Force Exchange Service for 20 years. In his retirement years he was instrumental in restoring the Astyanax Troy Hector Family Cemetery in San Marcos, Texas and wrote seven western novels and one autobiography. His first wife, Christa Ursula Dost preceded him in death, as did his second wife, Margaret Kathleen Hector. He is survived by two sons, Ronald Hector and His wife Nancy, and Douglas Hector and his wife Guille, and many grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins. In departing this world, he said there is not sufficient space or time to describe his love and deep and abiding thanks and appreciation to a l his living kin and friends whom he had the privilege and honor to know. Graveside services with military honors for Elmer Roy Hector will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday, Apr 14, 2016 at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Sulphur with Pastor Helen Jones officiating. Family will be receiving friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 from 5-6:00 PM. Obituary written by his son, Ronald Hector. Services are “Entrusted To” HALE’S Funeral Home of Sulphur, OK.
Pierson Riley Meindertsma
Pierson Riley Meindertsma of Oklahoma City left this earth to live in God’s loving arms on April 19, 2016 after a four and a half year battle with cancer. He was born to Katy Loafman and Peter Meindertsma on December 27, 2009. He was the grandson of Jane (Braden) and Phil Loafman of Edmond and great-grandson of the late Don and Carol Braden of Sulphur. He was a member of the Jimmy Everest Centers cancer fighting community and in spite of his diagnosis enjoyed living life as your typical 6 year –old climbing trees, visiting Chuck E. Cheese and always bringing immense joy to those he came in contact with. Pierson is survived by his parents, step dad, four grandparents, one great grandmother, two aunts, and one uncle. He is preceded in death by four great grandparents and one great uncle. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 30, 2016 at New Hope Church of Christ 700 W. 2nd Street, Edmond, Ok 73003 In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to ; The Ronald McDonald House, Ally’s House, St. Baldricks, Make-a-Wish of Oklahoma, or Children’s Miracle Network or by donating blood and having it labeled “for use by the Jimmy Everest Center”. A special thanks to all of the staff of OU Children’s Hospital and Jimmy Everest Center for making his last days as comfortable as possible and for showing us more love and encouragement than we have ever thought possible.
E.G. “Gayle” Davis
Funeral service for Elwyn Gayle Davis, 81, formerly of Ardmore, were held at 10:00, Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Hale’s Memorial Chapel in Davis with the Reverend Dr. Jim Bowden officiating. Interment followed at the Green Hill Cemetery in Davis. He was born April 28, 1934 in Quemado, TX to the late Emmitt & Katie (Bodie) Davis. He died Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Tyler, TX. He and the former Cecil Rose Reger were married on March 10, 1994 in Chandler, TX. Gayle, by “misrepresenting” his age, joined the United States Army in 1949. After basic training, he was stationed in Korea, only to serve a brief time. Upon the Army discovering he was only fifteen years of age, he was quickly Honorably Discharged and sent home. It was at this point in his life that he pursued a career in Aviation Mechanics with McDonnell Douglas ASB Plant in Tulsa. He earned several licenses & certificates throughout his career including, Airframe & Power Plant Certification, Aircraft Inspector License and Flight Engineering License. Gayle, along with his brother Doyle, owned & operated Davis Aviation in Ardmore for many years. Later he worked as a Flight Engineer for various companies throughout the world, prior to moving to Tyler, TX, where he worked as an aviation mechanic until his retirement. Survivors include his wife Cecil Rose Davis; one son, Mark Davis & wife Denise of Denton, TX; two grandchildren, ; one great-grandson; one sister, Gerry Deniston of Springdale, AR; three step-daughters, Rebecca Jump of Ardmore, Melissa Jump of Houston and Dava Jump-Skipper of Dallas; as well as three step-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, He was preceded in death by his brother, Doyle Davis and one sister, Avris Shepard. Services were under the direction of HALE’S Funeral Home of Davis, OK.
Riley Jack Watson
Funeral services for Riley Jack Watson were held at 1:00 PM, Monday, April 25, 2016 at the First Christian Church in Sulphur with the Reverend Tim Kowalski officiating. Interment followed at the Clabber Flats Cemetery in Stratford. Hale’s Funeral Home of Sulphur was in charge of the arrangements. He was born April 26, 1930 in Stratford to the late John Aaron and Willie Alma (Leonard) Watson. He died Thursday, April 21, 2016 in Ardmore at the age of 85 years. He and the former Mary Dove Scott were united in marriage on April 9, 1955 in Davis. He was born one of ten children. He grew up in Stratford prior to moving to Oklahoma City at the age of 13. He joined the United State Army on Aug 26, 1948 and served four years. During his time in the Army he trained as a Medic Tech and worked in a hospital in Japan. Because his skills in the medical field were so good, the doctors were able to keep Jack on staff, preventing him from being sent to Korea. He was awarded an Army Occupation Medal as well as the Korean Service Medal. He received a letter of appreciation from the Japanese and a High in Command Officer Medal for bravely saving the lives of three Japanese Children. Throughout his career, he spent 10 years working in the Oilfield, prior to working for Shi-Maid, designing & fabricating sheet metal for heating and air conditioning ducts. In his spare time, he enjoyed coon hunting, fishing, dancing and playing dominoes. He was known for being very quick witted and loving people. He was a past member of the IOOF and a current member of the First Christian Church of Sulphur. Survivors include his wife Mary; daughter, Sherri Miller & husband Mike of Norman; son, Alan Watson & wife Mary of Sulphur; as well as four grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by one son, Terry Watson; infant daughter, Gayla Jean Watson; granddaughter, Misty Watson; as well as nine of his siblings, Hugh, Truman, Homer, Duke, Sis, Dollie, Mildred, Norma Jean and Mary Jane.
Walter Dee Hux
Services for Walter Dee Hux will be held at 10:00AM, Thursday, April 28, 2016 at the Hale’s Memorial Chapel. He died Monday, April 25, 2016 in Davis, at the age of 84 years 5 month and 2 days. Services are entrusted to Hale’s Funeral Home of Sulphur, OK
Ellease Jackson Byers
Funeral services for Ellease Jackson Byers will be held at 11:00AM, Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at the Hickory Baptist Church with Pastor Terry Neal officiating. Interment will follow at the Hickory Cemetery. Hale’s Funeral Home of Sulphur is in charge of the arrangements. She was born on January 24, 1930 in Stonewall to the late James Sylvia & Mary Etta (Rockewell) Jackson. She passed away Thursday, April 21, 2016 in Sulphur, after a brief and bravely fought battle with cancer. She was 86 years 2 months and 27 days old. She attended Frisco schools. She married Warden Byers on November 18, 1960 in Hickory and made her home in Hickory for the rest of her life. She was the mother of four children, Gerry and Mike Laxton, Charlotte Roberson and David Joe Byers. She was a farmer and the strong matriarch of a very large family. In addition to her parents, Ellease was preceded in death by her husband, Warden; daughter Charlotte Robertson; great granddaughter, Kyndal Hope Sheppard; thirteen of her older siblings; Johnson Jackson, Josie McCormick, Thurman Jackson, Ruth Smith, Gustava Boles, Eura Tracy, Robbie Fallette, Beulah Woodcock, Euel Dee Jackson, Tipp “Drew B” Jackson, Tom Jackson, Ralph “Tiny” Jackson, and Doyle Jackson; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Survivors include her children Gerry Laxton and wife Wanda of Sulphur, Mike Laxton and wife Kathy of Sulphur, and David Byers and wife Krista of Hickory; 13 Grandchildren Terry Laxton and wife Shirley of Sulphur, Tracey Laxton and wife Brianna of Sulphur, Trina Laxton Chandler and husband Scott of Stratford, Stephen Shipman and wife Alice of Sarasota, FL, Julie Robertson of San Antonio, TX, Brenna Robertson Peltier and husband Bryan of McKinney, TX, Angela Laxton Abella and husband Norm of Keller, TX, Rodney Laxton of Roff, Kaycie Byers Sheppard and husband Cody of Hickory, Melissa Byers Benson and husband Josh of Norman, Jodie Byers Smith and husband Malcom of Hickory and Jessey Thompson of Oklahoma City; as well as 18 Great- Grandchildren: Marissa, Slater, Derick, Jonathan, Mabrie, Ryan, Rachel, Nadalie, Levi, Aria, Quinn, Nate, Owen, Evyn, Wyatt, Karsyn, Nevaeh, Deakon and three great-great grandchildren: Blakely, Maddilynn and Harper.
Jim G. Trail
(February 9, 1931 - August 20, 2011)
Funeral services for Jim G. Trail will be Tuesday, August 23, 2011 10:00 A.M. at Emmanuel Baptist Church with Rev. Donny Custar officiating. Interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Jim was born February 9, 1931 at Springer to J. B. Trail and Hester Ann Holdaway Trail. He passed from this life on August 20, 2011 in Ardmore at the age of 80. Jim and Maxine Herriott were married in Ardmore on June 19, 1950. She preceded him in death on July 23, 2004. He was also preceded by his parents. He lived in Chickasha for 5 years while he worked for the Chickasha Daily Express. He moved back to Ardmore and began working for the Daily Ardmoreite in 1956, and worked there until 1975. In 1976 Jim opened the Shopper's Paradise. He faithfully worked there until 2006 when he retired. Jim enjoyed the times when he coached Mike in little league, fishing, golf, taking care of his lawn, and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his daughter Luann Davis and her husband Bob of Woodward, OK; son Mike Trail and wife Carolyn “Carrie” of Springer, OK; six grandchildren Jennifer Bloxham, Matthew Davis, Kristi Aguirre, Kara Stock, Rhett Trail, Kimberly Howell; ten great grandchildren Sarah Bloxham, Kiera, Cheyenne and Jacob Aguirre, Landon, Jase, Londyn, and Journey Howell and Brayden and Dillon Trail; special in-laws Jerry Phillips, Bill and Margo Herriott, Sonny and Sammie Herriott, Sue Shipman, Jan Herriott, Kay Elliott; and numerous cousins, and other neighborhood friends. Pallbearers will be Rhett Trail, Matthew Davis, Bobby Herriott, David Phillips, Mickey Shipman, Ronnie Holdaway, and Fred Holdaway. Honorary bearers are Emmanuel Baptist Sunday School Class. Family visitation will be Monday from 6-8 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Emmanuel Baptist Church Building Fund 307 4th Ave S.E. Ardmore, OK 73401.
