June 2020

El Reno Regional Airport and Industrial Park is among the most used airports in the state of Oklahoma. Not bad considering there are 108 registered in the Oklahoma Airport System Plan.

Adam Fox credits the city of El Reno, the Airpark Authority and those airport managers who came before him for pushing the development of the historic regional airport.

Originally known as Mustang Field, the 698-acre airport in southwest El Reno was used to train young pilots for service during World War II. Ownership was later transferred to the city of El Reno.

Tradition is looking a bit different these days, but what’s important is that it's being kept. Wesley United Methodist Church is going ahead with its usual summer missions.

The Bun Run, an annual 5K event, normally coincides with Burger Day. With that event and many others canceled, the Bun Run has changed from a one-day event to an ongoing opportunity for runners to participate through August.

Rather than running as a group, participants will complete the race on their own schedule. Racers submit their time to receive a race packet, a T-shirt and a finisher’s medal.

Alison Toney took all the precautions as a nurse working on the frontlines in the fight against the coronavirus.

Still, she got sick.

Early in April, her recently acquired dream job turned nightmarish as she contracted the deadly coronavirus, which the World Health Organization says has so far infected more than 6 million people and killed hundreds of thousands in 216 countries and territories.

Toney, 25, of Noble, is thankful to now count herself as one of the millions of fortunate individuals to have recovered.

Constitutionally, this year’s session of the Oklahoma Legislature had to adjourn by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29. But the session has been effectively adjourned for weeks, other than a single day when lawmakers returned to override gubernatorial vetoes.

When they effectively ended the session, lawmakers left with few accomplishments to tout, many meaningful reforms sidelined, and touting a budget the governor warns has set the state up for severe financial challenges next year.

LAWSUITS

Debra K. Bradfield vs. McKenzi R. Harvey for an amount in excess of $75,000 for injuries and damages alleged to have occurred during an automobile accident.

U.S. Bank Trust N.A. vs. Garry Hoskins for $84,678.02 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of a mortgage on Lots 1-3, Block 86, Spencer
Addition, Yukon.

NRZ Pass-Through Trust VII vs. Sheryl Cox for $226,416.05 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage.

Kenneth Wayne Dickerson, Navy veteran, attorney, retired judge and part-time farmer and rancher, passed away May 30, 2020.

Ken was born Jan. 21, 1939, and was raised on a farm north of Piedmont, the youngest of four children. Ken’s father, Floyd Dickerson passed away when Ken was 12, leaving the farm work to Ken and his brother.

Without his dad to provide guidance, many of Ken’s life decisions were made without much counsel.

Barbara Clements McCray of El Reno died June 2, 2020, at her home. She was born Aug. 6, 1937, in Wellsville, N.Y.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Bill McCray; grandsons, Anthony Clements and Nathan Ward; and parents, Vincent Leroy and Grace Edwards.

Barbara is survived by her children, Kathy and Ridge Ward of El Reno, Tom and Robin Clements of Ninnekah, Bob and Linda Clements of Muncie, Ind., Jim and Lynese Clements of El Reno and Quentin and Susie Clements of El Reno; 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Wake services for Zella Marie Addison Pekah will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, June 8, with funeral services on Tuesday at 1 p.m., both at the Pow-Wow Grounds in Concho with Rev. Waylan Upchego officiating. Burial will be in the Concho Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Zella passed away May 31, 2020, at her home in El Reno. She was born Nov. 2, 1943, in Canton.

Zella graduated from Riverside Boarding School where she studied plumbing, and then attended vocational school in Galveston, Texas, studying to be an architect.

Graveside services for Jannine Frances Niedo will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6 in the Concho Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Jannine died May 30, 2020, at Integris Canadian Valley Hospital in Yukon. She was born May 31, 1967, in Clinton and was raised in Watonga where she attended high school. 

Jannine lived most of her life in Oklahoma City where she was a member of Victory Baptist Church.

Graveside services for James Edmond Black Bear Jr. was held Thursday in the Concho Cemetery with Rev. Floyd Black Bear officiating. Services were under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

James died May 27, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Watonga. He was born Feb. 7, 1943, in Kingfisher but lived most of his life in Geary. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army and worked in various fields including casino security.