Obituaries

George Ray Heupel, a lifelong resident of Okarche, passed away Sunday morning, March 19, 2023, at his home. George was born Feb. 15, 1940, at the Heupel farm homestead in Okarche.

George married Carol Bullard in 1961 and had four children, Cynthia, Shelly, Wesley and LaVon. He later married Deanna Maass-Hedrick on June 23, 1972. Together they made a home in Okarche with their blended family of six children. You could say they were the Okarche version of the Brady Bunch.

Mary Ruth Akers Patman went to her heavenly home on March 17, 2023, surrounded by her family. Mary was born Oct. 20, 1950, to Clifford and Omabelle Akers.

She spent her early years in Union City and graduated from Union City High School in 1968.

Mary was a career teacher, having taught in Union City, Marland, El Reno, Oklahoma City (Capitol Hill) and Granite as well as in Liberal, Kan.

She also had worked at the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and Canadian Valley Technology Center.

Her greatest joy was the birth of her son, David Paul, in January 1984.

Mark R. Ciesla died March 1, 2023, at his home in El Reno. He was born June 18, 1958, in Lukow, Poland.

He was a truck driver and in his younger years part of a motorcycle club. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church.

On March 8, 2016, Mark and Longina Bogus Bugaj were married at Sacred Heart Church. Longina survives him.

Prayer service for L. Van Perkins will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, March 20 at McNeil’s Funeral Service, Mustang.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 21 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Union City, followed by burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery with Rev. Lance Warren and Deacon John Teague officiating.

Services are under the guidance of McNeil Funeral Home.

Van departed on his heavenly journey March 15, 2023, after a short illness.

Paul Leon Rosenbaum passed from this life at his home, surrounded by his wife and children, on March 3, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia.

Paul was born August 22, 1949, in Falfurrias, Texas, to HL Rosenbaum Jr. and Anna Price Rosenbaum.

He graduated from Mineola High School in 1968 and joined the Navy with his best friend, Jeff Alexander. Upon his return from Vietnam, he worked several jobs: Union Pacific Railroad, oil field roustabout and truck driver, but his 28 years with OG&E were the ones he enjoyed the most.

On March 10, 2023, Tammra Lynn Loyall passed away from a short illness surrounded by her family and friends.

Tammra was born Nov. 5, 1981, and lived most of her life in El Reno where she graduated from El Reno High in 2000. In the past five years she lived in Miami, Okla., where she worked and made many new friends.

Helen Margaret Smith went to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully on March 14, 2023, at the age of 98 in El Reno. She was born near Okarche on Aug. 31, 1924. She grew up on a farm west of Okarche, the second oldest of 11 children of John and Mildred (Higdon) Hufnagel.

She attended Holy Trinity Catholic grade school and high school, graduating in 1942. After high school she attended Oklahoma A&M (OSU) in Stillwater, working as a housekeeper for her room and board while attending classes. She later left school and took a job at Mustang Field.

Juanita Bonell Barker of Calumet died March 14, 2023, at Integris Hospice House in Oklahoma City. She was born Dec. 4, 1932, in Duke, Okla. She lived in the Calumet area most of her life, raising five generations and enjoyed watching western movies and working jigsaw puzzles. She was a member of Red Rock United Methodist Church.

Memorial services for Tommy Lynn Stroud of Minco were held Thursday at First Baptist Church in Minco, under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home.

Tommy passed away March 11, 2023, at his home. He was born Nov. 14, 1953, in Anadarko and was raised on a farm in Cogar. He graduated from Minco High School in 1971. Tommy worked for many years in the oil field and later building fences.

Prayer service for Pearl Doris Slater will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 in the Benson Memorial Chapel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Lance Warren and Deacon Lloyd Menz officiating. Burial will follow in the El Reno Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Doris died March 11, 2023, at her home in El Reno.