Obituaries

Michael Stephen Hoefler, known to his loved ones as Mike/Big Mike, Dad or Papaw, peacefully passed away Sept. 2, 2023, at the age of 72 in El Reno. He was born Aug. 15, 1951, in Shawnee.

Mike will be deeply missed by his daughter, Stephenie Baker and husband, Brad, and his son, Michael Hoefler. He is also survived by his brother, Joe Hoefler and wife, Lisa, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mike cherished his role as a grandfather to Keller Baker, Bradleigh Baker, Tara Reuter, Dupri Hoefler and Dominic Hoefler.

Celebration of Life for Gary Richard Miller of El Reno will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 at Richland Nazarene Church, 10825 N. 6th Street, Yukon (corner of West Hefner Road and 6th Street), with Revs. Matthew Lowery and Terry Rohlmeier officiating.

Gary passed away Aug. 27, 2023, after a battle with cancer.

He was born Dec. 3, 1946, in El Reno to Derald Miller and Helen (Stout) Miller.

He graduated from El Reno High School in 1965. He was a mechanic in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1966 to 1972, stationed at Fort Polk, La.

Kenneth Dwayne Basinger of Sherman, Texas, passed away Aug. 21, 2023.

He was born Jan. 24, 1940, in Harrah, Okla., to Millard and Margaret Basinger. He was the oldest of five children.

Dwayne graduated from McLoud High School in 1958. His first job during school was delivering newspapers in McLoud on his bicycle. In 1959 at the age of 19, Dwayne enlisted and served in the United States Air Force, where he served honorably in the United States and Ankara, Turkey. He married Martha Louise Sedberry on Dec. 27, 1964, and they were married for 58 years.

Memorial services for Rocky L. Faulkinberry of Oklahoma City will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at Bible Baptist Church in El Reno.

Cremation was handled by Alternatives Cremation and Funeral Service.

Rocky passed away Aug. 11, 2023. He was born Dec. 6, 1960, in El Reno. He worked at CMI/Terex for 35 years until retirement in 2020. He was a youth leader at Southern Heights and Amity Baptist Church.

Services for Dee Allen Ricketts were held Wednesday at First Christian Church with Rev. Colton Lott officiating. Burial followed in the El Reno Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Dee died Aug. 27, 2023, at his home in El Reno. He was born Nov. 21, 1939, in El Reno. He was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout in his younger years and graduated from Lawton High School. His career as a lineman spanned 44 years, part of which was with the Public Service Company. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Tyler Scott Ellison, 43, of El Reno, passed away Aug. 22, 2023. Tyler was born July 24, 1980, in Oklahoma City to Wana Ellison. Fourteen short months later, Tyler was gifted with a built-in best friend, Spencer Tillery. Tyler attended El Reno High School. 

Tyler was blessed with four beautiful children, Boston, Juelz, Banx and Tatum. His children were his pride, his joy and his motivation to be the best version of himself. Tyler wore many hats - dad, son, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin.

Carolyn Marie Leck of El Reno entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Aug. 10, 2023, while surrounded by her family. Carolyn was born in Okarche on Feb. 8, 1956, to John and Rose Bleigh.

She loved her family and her friends fiercely. She was a devoted mother to her sons, Mike Samples and Jarrod Samples, and a loving wife to Shelton Bryan Jr.

Carolyn loved to spend time in her garden and found her favorite waterfall in Ouray, Colo.

Carolyn was a force to be reckoned with, firm but fair.

She believed in second chances, love and forgiveness.

Mary Ann Wiewel, 81, passed away peacefully Aug. 17, 2023, with family by her side. She was born Feb. 13, 1942, in San Antonio, Texas, the oldest of six children to U.S. Army Major Buford Arms and Mary Kathern Peeper. She was raised in Okarche and graduated from Holy Trinity Catholic School where she loved playing basketball and cheerleading with her biggest cheerleader in life and sister, Susie. The Arms girls dominated the court and were crowned as basketball queen their senior years.

Allen Chase Woods, 28, passed away Aug. 16, 2023, in Greenville, S.C.

He was born Aug. 25, 1994, in Oklahoma City to Yolanda and Paul Woods. He attended El Reno schools. Chase recently moved out to Honea Path, S.C., for employment.

Chase enjoyed the simple things. He loved spending time with his family, hanging out with his friend, Tyler Mahoney, cooking, especially whenever he got to use his favorite grill, playing video games, and his cat, Mei.

Brenda Hargis passed away the morning of Aug. 18, 2023, in Oklahoma City with family by her side.

She was born Nov. 1, 1950, in Leggett, Calif., to parents, Remo and Mary Villanova.

She attended school in Willis, Calif.

She was married to the love of her life, Ray Hargis for 35 years.

Brenda is survived by her loving daughters, Dawn Mayer (Dwayne), Sheila Hargis and Jennifer Hays; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.