November 2023

Ralph William Rickner was born Feb. 25, 1940, out west of Concho to James Gilbert Rickner and Vonda Atkinson Rickner. Vonda married Clyde Thomason in 1954. Grandparents included Sally and Nelson Atkinson and William Bert and Rilla Townsend Rickner.

Ralph passed away Oct. 28, 2023, in Fort Smith, Ark.

Ralph was born the second of five sons, though the first son, Donald Ray, died at 6 months old of pneumonia. Ralph’s youngest brother, Gary and his wife, Nan are here with us today. 

Tucked away on the east end of Memorial Stadium, Gage Baeriswyl and Jacob Smith go through their daily drills just like every other member of El Reno High School’s football team.

The difference is neither of their names are commonly found on the lips of those talking about El Reno football as the Indians enter the final week of the regular season.

In fact, their names are often mistaken by announcers, both home and away, either by mispronunciation or the fact they wear jerseys with numbers only two digits apart.

Wake services for Agnes Ann Halley of Minco will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Union City. Mass of Christian Burial is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7 at St. Joseph’s, with burial following at the Evergreen Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home.

Aggie died Oct. 30, 2023, at her home in Minco.

She was born Aug. 4, 1937, in Minco and was raised in the Minco community, graduating from Minco High School in 1955.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Altar Society.

LAWSUITS

Keltic Kustoms Inc. vs. Hunter Stanley for an amount in excess of $75,000 for alleged damages.

Communications Supply Corporation vs. U.S. Technologies Inc. for $43,497.91 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Taelynn Vincent vs. Latoya Fletcher for $14,250 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Citibank N.A. vs. Jason Potter for $24,392.87 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

El Reno’s Elijah Fisher (6), Kaleb Blackwolf (1) and Malachi Nicholson (3) have a combined 3,476 rushing yards.
 

Clairetha Griffis Barnes passed away Oct. 13, 2023, in Oklahoma City. She was born Nov. 18, 1960.

She grew up and spent her life in El Reno.

Clairetha is survived by her children, Ashante Griffis and DeAngelo Jones; brother, Elmer Griffis; and eight grandchildren.

No services will be held at this time.

Four El Reno High School seniors were nominated for a second round of postseason honors but only two were selected for spots on the 2023 Oklahoma High School Fast-Pitch Softball Coaches Association’s All-Region squads.

Infielders Jacy Little and Iliana Ashford were nominated for All-Region along with pitcher Raley Hartley and outfielder Justine Johnson. However, only Little and Ashford were selected for the All-Region 11 team.

Funeral services for Douglas Fred Heilaman will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Huber-Benson Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Roach officiating.

Doug died Oct. 30, 2023, in Wichita, Kan., while visiting family. He was born Dec. 9, 1964, in Oklahoma City, but lived most of his life in El Reno. He graduated from El Reno High School in 1983 and later worked for Dexter Axle and Gemini before retiring.

Services for Lulubelle Jane Spencer will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 at Trinity Baptist Church with Revs. Darryl Bullock and Rod Young officiating. Visitation will be Thursday and Friday at Huber-Benson Funeral Home with the family present from 4 to 7 each evening.

Burial will be at Red Rock Cemetery, Calumet, under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Lulubelle died Oct. 28, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Kingfisher.

She was born May 29, 1936, in Herington, Kan., to William and Bonnie (Beckel) Pigorsch.