Melvin Lee Roy Payton, 79, of El Reno, peacefully passed away in Oklahoma City on Sept. 10, 2020. He was born March 12, 1941, to parents, Benjamin Franklin Payton and Helen Louise (Mathis) Payton in Lovell, Okla.

Melvin was a high school graduate of El Reno High School in the year 1959. Melvin married the love of his life, Linda, on Jan. 6, 1961, and together they shared 59 wonderful years.

Wake services for Harriet Irene Whiteshirt, 62, of El Reno were held Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at the Canton Community Center. Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, at the Canton Community Center with Pastor James Scott officiating. Interment followed in the Canton Indian Mennonite Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Pierce Funeral Home in Canton.

Harriet was born Dec. 1, 1957, in Clinton to Arlie and Laverne (White Horse) Lime. She departed this life on Sept. 8, 2020, in Oklahoma City.

Harriet was raised at Seiling and attended school there.

Wake services for Virgil Whiteshirt Jr., 66, of El Reno were held Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at the Canton Community Center. Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, at the Canton Community Center with Pastor James Scott officiating. Interment followed in the Canton Indian Mennonite Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Pierce Funeral Home in Canton.

Virgil was born Oct. 4, 1953, in Clinton to Virgil and Winnie (Chiefly) Whiteshirt. He departed this life on Sept. 5, 2020, in Oklahoma City.

Head coach Chuck Atchison watched from the press box last week as his El Reno High School football team wrapped up the non-district portion of its 2020 schedule.

What he saw was both frustrating but in his own words “fixable” as the Indians head into an open week before kicking off District 5A-1 play.

El Reno dropped to 1-2 on the season with a 41-14 loss to Weatherford. It was the second straight double-digit road loss for the Indians after opening the year with an overtime win over Cache.