March 2024

Robert Roofe

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Robert Wayne “Bob” Roofe, 77, a beloved (and always steady and reliable) husband, father, brother, grandfather and Vietnam veteran, passed away suddenly at the age of 77 on Feb. 26, 2024. 

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Nadine Roofe; sibling, Jimmy Roofe; and his first wife, Mary.

Robert Roofe_obituary

Mapping out the dynasty road

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The number of championships won is usually a stipulation when referring to a program as a dynasty.

It’s why El Reno High School head girls basketball coach Jennifer Douglas avoids using the word when talking about her program’s playoff success over the past eight seasons.

“I don't think about stuff like that. When I think dynasty, you have to have championships and we have not done that yet. So dynasty is not plausible yet,” said Douglas.

Yet no one can argue against the fact the road to winning a state title runs through El Reno.

Jennifer Douglas, El Reno head coach

Nancy Brueggen

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Wake service for Nancy Lea Brueggen was held Monday, March 4, with Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, March 5 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Okarche.

Services were under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Nancy died Feb. 29, 2024. She was born Oct. 28, 1961, in Kingfisher. She graduated from Kingfisher High School in 1979, then attended Central State University where she received a bachelor of science in nursing in 1983.

Nancy Brueggen_obituary

Split decisions

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Okarche and Calumet High School's boys teams made the finals of the 2024 Oklahoma Boys State High School Basketball Championships for Class A and B over the weekend.

Okarche team_1

Joquita Shaw

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Funeral services for Joquita Ann Shaw of El Reno will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 6 at Huber-Benson Funeral Home, with burial in the Red Rock Cemetery.

Joquita passed away March 1, 2024. She was born May 6, 1939, on a farm west of El Reno to Fred DeFrance and Sylvia Ayers DeFrance.

She married James D. Shaw on Jan. 30, 1959, in the Deep Dale Church.

Joquita was a public schoolteacher for more than 30 years, with the majority being in El Reno Public Schools.

Joquita Ann Shaw_obituary

Indians exit postseason run

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The two tickets to this week’s Class 5A Oklahoma Boys State High School Basketball Championships from the top side of the West Area bracket came down to three teams from District 5A-1.

Unfortunately, El Reno High School was the odd man out.

The Indians had their season halted with a 58-49 loss to district champ Carl Albert in the 5A West Area I Consolation Championships.

It was El Reno’s third meeting this season with the Titans, who slipped into the winner-take-all battle for state after losing the area title to Crossings Christian.

Kaleb Blackwolf shoots a running layup

Octavius Kaulaity

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Octavius Emory Kaulaity was born in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2024. He died at Children’s Hospital in Hollywood on Feb. 21, 2024.  

An all-night wake for Octavius will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Concho Emergency Response Center.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Concho Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Octavius Kaulaity_obituary

Shutout by Millers

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El Reno High School opened the 2024 soccer season last week at home against Class 6A power Yukon.

The boys lost 9-0 to Yukon despite shots on goal by Carlos Garcia and Kenneth Solis.

Aldo De La Torre had six saves in goal for EHS.

Bri Vickers knocks down a shot

Robert Wilson Sr.

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Robert Kenneth Wilson Sr. of El Reno died Feb. 28, 2024, at Canadian Valley Hospital in Yukon.

A wake was held Sunday evening in the Benson Memorial Chapel, with funeral services Monday at the Concho Response Center. Burial followed at the Concho Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Robert was born in Clinton on Oct. 12, 1945, to Woodrow and Mary (Blackwolf) Wilson. He worked in various departments for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes including land management and was a member of the Cheyenne Kit Fox Society.

Robert Wilson Sr._obituary