March 2020

If you are feeling alone, disconnected or just need help with errands because normal daily life has been upended by the coronavirus, the El Reno Ministerial Alliance wants to hear from you.

Pastor Allen Carson of Wesley United Methodist Church said several members of the Ministerial Alliance have joined to create a hotline for those impacted by the virus outbreak.

Carson said because many people, especially the elderly, are forced to remain in their homes, they may feel alone and need someone to talk with.

Meal service provided by El Reno Public Schools will return starting Monday despite the district not being in session due to the coronavirus epidemic.

As long as the district remains closed, it will operate four pickup locations Monday through Friday from 9 to 11 a.m.

Those sites will be Etta Dale, Rose Witcher, Hillcrest and Roblyer Learning Centers.

The fear of COVID-19 has taken over.

Schools are closed. Churches are offering online services and businesses are suffering.

In Canadian County, two cases of the virus have been reported. City, business and religious officials are working to prevent the spread, which occurs between humans, while hoping for the best and trying to keep calm. 

Most stores haven’t closed, but events are being canceled. With the national, state and city declarations of emergency, citizens are being urged to stay inside or at least refrain from congregating in large groups.

Frank “Rootbeer” Hedge of El Reno, born Nov. 20, 1941, in Santa Monica, Calif., died peacefully on March 11, 2020, in Edcouch, Texas.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank McCrory Hedge and Ivy Florence Olive (Bowell) Hedge.

Funeral services for Margaret Frances Patrick were held Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Jeff Klade officiating. Burial followed in the El Reno Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home. 

Mrs. Patrick died March 16, 2020, at her home in El Reno. She was born Nov. 11, 1933, in McLoud, the daughter of Bert Sr. and Minnie Lack Cox. She was a homemaker and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and the Ladies Guild.

Margaret married Ray Patrick on April 16, 1954. Ray survives her.

Aaron West knew he would have big shoes to fill when he was named head coach of Okarche High School’s boys basketball team, but he also knew he had learned under the best possible mentor – his father.

“He gave me the freedom to run what I wanted to do as an assistant coach and there are not a lot of head coaches around that would do that.

“Not a lot of people get to spend that much time with their dads. Now that he is gone, I look back at all the stuff he taught me and I realize it was an enjoyable time,” said West.