Obituaries

James “Jim” Allan Williams Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday, April 25, 2025, at age 84. He was born Dec. 26, 1940, in El Reno to James Allan and Vivian Williams.

Jim graduated from El Reno High School and then went on to pursue an education at Oklahoma State University. Jim began his first job at age 7 at his family’s feed mills. He enjoyed working at this young age, which established his work ethic. He joined his father in the electrical business, and later started his own company, Northwest Electric, in Oklahoma City. He wired commercial and residential properties.

Memorial service for Haydon Shrum of Wakita will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at the El Reno Cemetery with Taylor Shrum officiating.

Haydon passed away Feb. 28, 2025. He was born June 2, 1963, in Siloam Springs, Ark.

Thomas Joseph Taborek, age 83, passed into eternal life on Monday, April 14, 2025, in Yukon, Oklahoma.

He was born Feb. 17, 1942, in El Reno, Oklahoma, a son of the late Edward and Mary Francis (Michalicka) Taborek.

Thomas was raised on a farm near Yukon where he resided and worked for his entire life, farming and ranching. He was a member of Banner Co-op and St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon. Tommy enjoyed everything farm related, from studying different seeds to planting, growing and harvesting his wheat. He loved making his rounds, checking his cattle most of all.

A memorial service for Billy Joe Trindle of Kingfisher will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 25 at Huber-Benson Funeral Home with Deacon John Teague officiating.

Billy died April 11, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was born Sept. 14, 1960, in Kingfisher. He was a painter for a trailer manufacturer and worked many jobs on the farm as well as many handyman projects.

He is survived by nephews, Trindle Brueggen and John Matteson.

Funeral services for Alpha Marie Kent will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 22 at Huber-Benson Funeral Home, with burial following at Concho Cemetery.

Alpha died April 15, 2025, at her home in Oklahoma City.

She was born April 17, 1939, in Pawnee. She worked in home health as a caregiver.

She is survived by her son, Edgar Kent Jr. of Oklahoma City; brother, James Stoneroad of California; and one grandchild.

Services for Judy A. Preston were held Monday, April 21 at Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Scott Keneda and Rev. Allen Carson officiating. Burial followed in the El Reno Cemetery, under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Judy went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 15, 2025, at her home in El Reno.

She was born Dec. 6, 1942, in Little Rock, Ark., to James “J.E.” and Charlotte (Martin) Wells. Her family relocated to El Reno when Judy was in junior high school.

Graveside services for Johnna Faye Gentry of Chickasha were held Thursday, April 17 at the Evergreen Cemetery in Minco, under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home.

Johnna died April 14, 2025, in Oklahoma City. She was born Oct. 3, 1941, in Coalgate.

She moved to Minco in 1966, later settling in Chickasha. She was employed with Walmart in Chickasha for some time and later the Oklahoma Box Company in Minco. 

Laurance Clyde Randall went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

He was born Oct. 9, 1935, on a farm southwest of Okarche to Newton and Nellie Randall. Laurance graduated from El Reno High School in 1953. He then attended Draughons School of Business. 

He enlisted in the Oklahoma Air National Guard in March 1954. He retired after 39 years of service as Lieutenant Colonel.

Bertha Jean Williams Sanders went to her heavenly home on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

She was born Dec. 20, 1937, to Silas and Opal Williams. She attended Wewoka High School and graduated from Sulphur High School in 1956.

Bertha married Floyd Sanders on Nov. 25, 1955. They lived in Sulphur the first three years of their marriage. In 1958, they moved back to Wewoka before moving to El Reno in 1960 where they made their home.

In November 2024, Bertha moved to a senior living center in Purcell to be closer to Peggy, Paige and Cyndy.

Betty Jean Paxton passed away March 26, 2025, at Integris Hospital in Yukon. She was born May 1, 1935, in Watonga, and was a graduate of Geary High School.

She worked at the Geary Nursing Home for 25 years as a medical technician, office manager and records specialist.

Betty was a lifelong member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where she served as church secretary and deaconess.