Obituaries

Claudine Melton died peacefully at her home in El Reno on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Services are under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Born Nov. 14, 1928, in Hobart, Okla., Claudine was preceded in death by her husband, Jack A. Melton in 2018.

Following her education in Pampa, Texas, Claudine completed San Jacinto Beauty College in Amarillo, Texas.

On Monday, May 6, 2024, Judy Lea Farley passed away peacefully in her home alongside her loving husband of 44 years, Joe.

Judy was born Aug. 30, 1942, in El Reno to Robert Lee and Ruth O. (Ellison) Austin. Judy grew up in Geary, where she graduated from Geary High School. She attended college at Southwestern State University, graduating in 1970 with a degree in education.

Barbara Ann Crosby Meyerhoeffer, 92, of Owasso, passed away April 30, 2024. She was born Dec. 18, 1931, in Staunton, Va., to Lily and Lloyd Crosby.

Barbara married David Meyerhoeffer, the love of her life, on Sept. 5, 1953. Married for 66 years, they were an amazing example of a Christlike marriage for their friends and family.

Lila Kay Scott, age 76, of Downs, Kan., passed away April 28, 2024. She was born Jan. 24, 1948, in El Reno to Ed Stiner and Dorris Harris.

Lila grew up in El Reno and also raised her three children, Lorie, Tammy and James there. After her biggest accomplishment of raising her children, Lila decided she needed a change of scenery and moved to Downs, Kan. Lila loved living in Downs and considered it home for the last 40 years. 

Wake service for Melissa Black will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 5, with funeral services at 1 p.m. Monday.

Both services will be at the Watonga Emergency Response Center with burial in the Black Family Cemetery northwest of Watonga. Services are under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Melissa died April 30, 2024, at Integris Canadian Valley Hospital in Yukon. She was born Dec. 10, 1968, in Watonga where she was raised. She was currently living in El Reno.

Graveside service for Wilma Jean Hale of Augusta, Kan., will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 3 at the El Reno Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Headley Funeral Chapel of Augusta.

Wilma passed away Friday, April 26, 2024, in Augusta, Kan.

She was born Nov. 1, 1932, in Chickasha.

She worked as a dispatcher for a taxi company and a hostess for Hensley’s Restaurant.

On March 1, 1981, she married Warren Hale in Altus, and he preceded her in death.

Betty Lou Kennedy, 90, of Calumet, passed away April 21, 2024, at St. Katharine’s Memory Cottage.

Graveside services are pending.

Betty Lou was born in El Reno to her parents, George Nitzel and Kitty (Scott) Nitzel. She graduated from Calumet High School and worked at the Calumet Bank for many years. Betty Lou was involved with working on the family ranch. She loved family time, reading and playing cards. She was married to Nodd Kennedy for 72 years.