May 2024

The Ladies Frisco Cemetery Association met recently for a luncheon at a Yukon restaurant.

The organization is celebrating 108 years.

President Pat McDaniel conducted the meeting. She welcomed everyone and called upon Mary Culver to read minutes of the December meeting as well as the treasury report.

The ladies discussed a newly installed bulletin board at the cemetery in a display case built by Cotton Ruzicka, chairman of the Frisco Cemetery Board.

It shows all the burial plots at Frisco Cemetery.

The 2024 Okarche High School baccalaureate program was held recently in the school gymnasium.

The program was hosted by the Okarche Apron Annies OHCE.

LAWSUITS

First National Bank of Omaha vs. Christopher Sells for $9,819.98 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Tinker Federal Credit Union vs. Markeith Smiley for $7,304.81 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Tinker Federal Credit Union vs. Lee Ann Vincent for $5,204.48 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding vs. Benjamin Bressman for $1,185.43 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Funeral services for Michelle Arlene Hines will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Huber-Benson Funeral Home with burial in the El Reno Cemetery.

Michelle died May 12, 2024, at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was born Sept. 24, 1968, in El Reno.

She is survived by her children, Matthew Maloy and Dorothy Ashley, both of El Reno and Desi Maloy of Eufaula; brothers, Fletcher Dal Handley Jr. of Yukon and Wes Handley of California; sister, Marlene Handley of Okmulgee; and eight grandchildren.

Longtime El Reno resident Roger A. Swagerty Sr. died May 11, 2024, at River Oaks Skilled Nursing and Therapy in El Reno. Roger was born June 21, 1957, in Lancaster, Calif. His career as a truck driver spanned 40 years.

He is survived by his son, Roger Swagerty Jr. and wife, Stephanie of Porter; four daughters, Michelle Swagerty and fiancé, Patrick Butler of El Reno, Janelle Pistocco of San Diego, Calif., Jamie Pistocco of Kingfisher and Jennifer Dean and husband, Eddie of Kingfisher; sister, Donna Krause-House of El Reno; 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

It’s often said the best way forward, in an effort to create lasting change, is to take a step back.

That's just the path the El Reno School Board took last week, reaching into the past for its next high school varsity softball coach.

On the recommendation of Athletic Director Rodney Haydon, the board voted to hire Brianna Michalicka to replace Jason Little, who resigned earlier this spring.

Michalicka, whose maiden name is Dow, was impressive in her interview, said Haydon.

She was one of five interviewed for the position among the 19 coaches who applied.

Football is back, even for a limited time, and Russell Cook could not be happier.

“We are excited to get things going,” said Cook, who begins his third season at the helm of the Indians program.

El Reno High School kicked off its window for spring practices last week with a series of two-hour drills. The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association allows schools 21 calendar days after the conclusion of all spring sports to hold football drills.

Four more El Reno High School athletes have signed national letters of intent to play at the college level next season. 

Lloyd Neal Salsman, 74, went to be with his heavenly father on Friday, May 10, 2024.

He was born Oct. 15, 1949, in El Reno to Norbert and Margaret Salsman.

Funeral services for Alfred G. Jones (Gene) will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 17 at Huber-Benson Funeral Home with Pastor Craig E. Johnson and Bishop Micolous Griffis officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the El Reno Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Alfred was born Oct. 9, 1944, to J.C. and Lillie Jones in El Reno. He was a member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church.

Alfred attended Booker T. Washington first through 12th grade.