Funeral services for Robert Gerald Pisell will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2020, at West Metro Church of Christ, 4900 S. Cemetery Road, Yukon. Burial will follow in the El Reno Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday, May 21 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mr. Pisell, age 88, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on May 7, 2020. He left this earth for his heavenly home with Jesus Christ. Bob was a faithful Christian, loving husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and friend.

In the early stages of discussion on how to educate students during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oklahoma State Department of Education put a freeze on grades as of March 18. The move meant El Reno students could not slip below their grade in any class after that date. However, a student could raise their score in any coursework over the six-week distance learning period, which ended May 8 for El Reno.

El Reno’s municipal government is looking for funds “anywhere and everywhere” after monthly sales tax figures show a 51 percent slide from the same period a year ago.

The May report issued by the Oklahoma Tax Commission shows an even bleaker picture concerning use tax where the most recent numbers reflect a 220 percent decline from a year ago.

“We’re looking at every grant that’s out there and every program being offered that could help us,” said Mayor and Acting City Manager Matt White.

“It’s just going to be very tough and very tight for a while.”

Riverside School held a parking lot graduation last week for eighth-graders.

The students were seated at an acceptable social distance, while parents and relatives watched from their vehicles in the school parking lot.

Superintendent David Garner said the normal applause for each student was replaced with honking car horns.

“One parent came equipped with a bubble machine,” Garner said.

Strong winds prevented many of the planned decorations, but “overall, the ceremony was fun for all involved.”