Obituaries

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Irene Parizek

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Irene Frances (Reding) Parizek passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at her home near Yukon, surrounded by loving family.

Irene was born July 22, 1922, in Calumet, just before her twin sister, Corene. She attended Sacred Heart High School in El Reno and was valedictorian of her class. Her classmate, Lillian Maca, introduced her cousin, Martin Parizek to Irene at a Knights of Columbus dance. After Martin returned from the Army Air Force, they married Jan. 24, 1950.

They farmed northwest of Yukon and raised 10 children.

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Jackie W. Parker

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Services for Jackie Wier Parker were held Tuesday, June 13 in the Benson Memorial Chapel with Matthew Miller officiating. Burial followed in the El Reno Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Jackie died June 9, 2023, at Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was born Oct. 26, 1939, in Tribbey, Okla.

The family moved to El Reno when Jackie was 2 years old. After graduating from El Reno High School in 1958, he attended college before choosing to attend barber college.

Santos Marques

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Funeral services for Santos “José” Edward Marques were held June 12 at First Baptist Church of Geary with Rev. Waylan Upchego officiating. Burial was in the Morton Family Cemetery under the direction of Turner Funeral Home.

Jose passed away June 7, 2023, in Oklahoma City. He was born Sept. 10, 1971, in Clinton. He grew up in El Reno and Anadarko, graduating from Anadarko High School. José was very proud of his Mexican heritage and also his Arapaho heritage.

Ella Morton

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Funeral services for Ella Mae Morton of Anadarko were held June 9 at Concho ERC Center with Rev. Waylan Upchego officiating. Burial was in the Morton Family Cemetery in Geary, under the direction of Turner Funeral Home.

Edna Oaks

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Edna Mae Alger Oaks, 87, went to be with the Lord on June 4, 2023, just one-fourth mile from where she entered the world. Edna was born to Arch Alger and Vanna Pearl Garrett Alger in Union City on Aug. 16, 1935.

On Oct. 14, 1952, Edna became engaged to Willard Ray Oaks as “On the Wings of a Snow White Dove” by Ferlin Husky serenaded the couple on the radio. She was a Union City High School senior at the time they became engaged, and she proudly graduated with salutatorian honors in the fall of 1952.

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Helen Smithwick

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Helen Eileen Smithwick passed away May 10, 2023, in Kingfisher at the age of 76. Helen was born to parents, Walter Myers and Wanda Myers on Nov. 29, 1946, in El Reno.

She graduated from El Reno High School in 1965. She raised three children, Wanda Sue, Mike and Richard, whom she loved very much.

She spent over 40 years as a beautician. She loved her clients and would go to their home or to the hospital if they could not come into the beauty shop to get their hair done.

She owned a shop at Grace Living Center for over 20 years.

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Rhona Mae Donigan

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Rhona Mae Donigan of Magnolia, Texas, was called home to heaven on May 9, 2023. For the last five years, Rhona resided in Magnolia with her daughter and family, but always considered El Reno to be her home. Rhona was born in Nebraska to her loving parents, Hugh and Violet Duckworth, on Sept. 29, 1929. She was the mother to James, Carolyn and David Norris, whom she loved dearly.

Murray MedicineBird

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Funeral services for Murray MedicineBird were held June 3 at Geary First Baptist Church with Rev. Waylan Upchego officiating.

Burial was in the Sunset Cemetery in Geary, under the direction of Turner Funeral Home.

Murray passed away May 30, 2023, in Geary. He was born June 14, 1950, in Clinton.

He graduated from Chilocco Indian School and attended SIPI Trade School. He retired from Goodyear where he was a tire builder supervisor and worked at Sugar Creek Casino in his later years.

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Christopher Williams

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Christopher Valmer Fredrick Williams was born Oct. 20, 1970, and passed away on May 16, 2023, in El Reno.

Chris loved fishing, welding and helping others. He had a funny sense of humor and a kind heart. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.