Fred W. Freeman passed from this earth and went to be with his Lord on Dec. 24, 2025, at the age of 83 in Oklahoma City.

Fred was born Sept. 9, 1942, in Meridian, MS, to John and Wilma Freeman. Fred attended Enid High School and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1965 (Philippines).

Fred retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone after 34 years of service.  

Fred married Shirley (Oblander) on Dec. 8, 1968, in Woodward. This union of 57 years was blessed with two sons. El Reno was home for more than 40 years before making a new home in Mustang.

Marjorie Mowery, daughter of the late Ernest Haworth and LaKada Pauline Gaylord, was born Oct. 10, 1942, in Fairview, Oklahoma. She attended several public schools and graduated from El Reno High School in 1961. In her early 30’s, Marjorie was diagnosed with cancer and she almost lost her life. God wasn’t done with her, and she lived and professed his love from that time forward. She joined First Baptist Church where she was a dedicated member.

A mix of long rifles, muskets and pistols was fired together at Fort Reno’s Post Cemetery Dec. 20 – not in anger but in honor of veterans - during the nationally held Wreaths Across America ceremony.

It was hosted by Debra Kauffman, president of Historic Fort Reno Inc. and sponsored by the National Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for the 15th time.  

Once 60 visitors assembled at the Post Cemetery, Leslie Dietrich, Regent of the Fort Reno Chapter of DAR, welcomed them and asked for the Colors to be posted.

This year marks the 27th year for Blessing Baskets to coordinate its community Christmas assistance mission.

Organizers said this is made possible “because of the generosity of our many individual and business donors, the City of El Reno, El Reno Public Schools, volunteers, many school and civic groups, United Way of Canadian County, The Mary Kay Ashbrook Foundation and our grant benefactors to whom we owe an abundance of thanks and gratitude.”