Obituaries

Paula Jan (Lingle) Smith was born Feb. 13, 1937, in Hydro to Ray and Hazel (Stepp) Lingle. Jan passed from this earth on Jan. 31, 2024, after a short illness.

Jan married Lloyd Charles Smith on Nov. 3, 1962, in New Mexico. She worked as a hairdresser for many years. She also enjoyed quilting and going to garage sales. 

Jan was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Lloyd Charles Smith; her parents, Ray and Hazel Lingle; grandson, Chase Scott Smith; as well as two brothers and one sister.

Funeral services for Jack L. Hodgkinson Jr. of Oklahoma City will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 at El Reno Wesley United Methodist Church with Pastor Aron Kotila officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the El Reno Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Jack died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at Heritage at Brandon Place in Oklahoma City. He was born in El Reno on Feb. 5, 1947, to his parents, Jack L. Sr. and Ruth Hodgkinson.

Irvin Wesley Heckes died Jan. 16, 2024. Wes, as many called him, was the son of Carl and Thelma Heckes of El Reno.

Mr. Heckes was born at the family farm north of El Reno on Nov. 25, 1939.

A graduate of El Reno High School, Irvin attended Central State University. He joined his father in farming for several years but with the ceasing of farming, he became a press operator for the Oklahoma Journal newspaper, then he became an employee of the Rock Island Railroad.

Jamey Hedgecock grew up in El Reno, the daughter of James E. Dennis, who worked for the Rock Island Railroad, and Betty B. Dennis, whose father was the proprietary of Moore Jewelry (currently JKM, Inc.). Her deep roots in the community led to a lifetime of service to El Reno. 

Shelley Kim Bradford passed away Jan. 4, 2024, in El Reno at the age of 61. She was born in El Reno to Charles Gill and Donna Corbin on Dec. 10, 1962. Her father, Charles Robert Corbin, came into her life in 1968.

Shelley worked as a program analyst for the Federal Aviation Administration. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Shelley was preceded in death by her father, Charles Robert Corbin; sibling, Leslie “Scott” Smith; aunts, Ginger Wenner and Cheryl Monk; and grandmother, Ethel M. Miller.

Jean Ann Widdifield, a compassionate and dedicated registered nurse, passed away peacefully on Jan. 15, 2024, at the age of 67.

She was born May 15, 1956, in the United Kingdom to James (Gene) and Nancy Widdifield.

Jean Ann’s unwavering love and dedication to her patients made her an exceptional nurse. She pursued her education and earned an associate degree, specializing in nursing, driven by her innate desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those she cared for.

Services for Ronnie Lynn Bass of Minco were held Thursday, Jan. 25 at First Baptist Church of Minco, with burial following at the Evergreen Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home.

Ronnie passed away Jan. 21, 2024, at the Integris Canadian Valley Hospital in Yukon.

He was born Nov. 8, 1947, in Chickasha. He grew up west of Minco and graduated from Minco High School in 1966. He served six years in the Oklahoma National Guard as an artillery specialist. He operated a mobile welder and wrecker service, Ron’s Welding Shop.

Roy “Butch” Lee Crawford passed away peacefully on Jan. 21, 2024, in El Reno. He was born Aug. 10, 1950, the son of Clarence and Eulene (Allen) Crawford.

Roy spent his childhood on a farm, where he learned the value of hard work and the importance of family. He attended Oak School and Maple School before graduating from El Reno High School in 1968.

After completing his education, Roy pursued a career in the oil field industry and found great joy in driving a truck.