May 2023

Robert Lee Arnold, 96, of El Reno, went to be with the Lord on May 23, 2023. He was born Feb. 11, 1927, in El Reno to F.E and Mable Corby Arnold. He graduated from El Reno High School in 1945 and attended Oklahoma A&M, now known as OSU.

Shortly after, he married Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Cherry on June 27, 1948. He then joined the U.S. Army and served in Korea, but was shortly called back to the States upon the announcement of his first daughter being born. He and Betty were the proud parents of Lynda and Richard Arnold.

El Reno High School Class of 2013 recently celebrated its 10-year reunion with a gathering at the American Legion.

A great turnout was reported, with everyone enjoying reminiscing and catching up on current life journeys.

Fannie was born Oct. 30, 1928, to Amos Bontrager and Katie Miller/Bontrager on a farm near Thomas, Oklahoma. She was the third of eight children. She died May 4, 2023, at Faith Hospice in Dallas, Texas.

Fannie married Walter J. Stelting on Sept. 24, 1947. They resided around Weatherford before they moved to El Reno, where they stayed until his death on April 11, 1990. They had and raised seven children.

Mary Elizabeth Leach passed away May 18, 2023, in Red Wing, Minn. Born Oct. 11, 1930, in El Reno, she married Bob Brandley in 1948 and they farmed in El Reno until buying a farm in Steel County, Minn., in 1956. They were later divorced.

She married David Leach in Owatonna, Minn., in 1969. They moved to Bigfork, Mont., in 1989 and later to Kalispell. David preceded her in death in 2014 and she returned to Minnesota.

This Memorial Day, millions of American families will take time to honor the memory of the men and women who lost their lives fighting in one of the nation’s wars. It can be a challenging day for veterans and their families.

It can be particularly challenging for veterans who made it home but are now battling a substance use disorder or mental illness. Too many veterans struggle with drug addiction.

Cleta Mitchell, 96, of Del City, entered fully into the presence of the Lord on May 18, 2023.

While she will be missed by many, we are blessed to know she is once again with her beloved husband and children.

Cleta entered this world on Aug. 19, 1926, in Yukon, born to Walter and Amanda Tinsley. She married Arthur Mitchell on Nov. 19, 1944, in Okarche, and they made their home in El Reno.

Jason Little is living proof that just when you think you have everything under control, life can throw you a curve ball.

As it turns out, the pitch looked too good for the veteran coach not to take a swing.

El Reno High School’s new softball coach took the EHS job just a day after accepting the assistant coaching position at Piedmont High School under longtime friend and summertime collaborator Keith Coleman.

The switch was perpetrated by a chance email from El Reno Athletic Director Rodney Haydon.