Melvin was 71 when he passed away at his home on Feb. 21, 2024. He was born Sept. 7, 1952, in the Okarche Hospital. He was an Army veteran. Melvin moved to California where he worked in forestry, and moved back to El Reno to help take care of his mother.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Knight, and Louise Knight Grisby and husband, Wallie Grisby.
William Dean Rednose was born Feb. 14, 1957, in Kingfisher to Griffin Anthony Rednose and Elvena Newakis Starr. He did labor on landscaping for a living. He married Leslie Rednose until her passing. They had a baby girl that passed at birth, Summer Dawn Rednose. Years later he married Daisy Bushy until her passing.
William was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Summer Dawn Rednose; his nephew, Christopher Dean Campbell; and wife, Daisy Rednose.
Funeral services for Arnold ZumMallen were held Monday, March 11 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche with Rev. Joel Heckmann and Rev. Jeff Klade officiating. Burial followed at St. John’s Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.
Arnold died March 6, 2024. He was born Oct. 14, 1931, in the El Reno Hospital. He attended St. John’s Lutheran School in Okarche and graduated from Okarche High School in 1949. Arnold was raised on the family farm east of Okarche and started farming with his father in his teen years.
Wake services for Linden Royce “Dim” Blackwolf were held March 8 at the Canton E.R.C. with Pastor Waylan Upchego officiating. Funeral services were held March 9 at the same venue with interment in the Canton Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Pierce Funeral Home, Canton.
Pamela Jo “Pam” Hunt went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Feb. 20, 2024, in Edmond, in the care of her family and hospice after a short illness. She was 74.
Pam was born Dec. 29, 1949, at Harvey Clinic in Heavener, Okla., to Holland and Agnes Wright. She married Ron Hunt on Nov. 20, 1992. Pam grew up in Heavener, the fourth of five children. The family moved to El Reno in 1964 when her father went to work for the Rock Island Railroad. She graduated from El Reno High School and El Reno Junior College.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Francis Marie Wosika Armstrong, 77, on Feb. 21, 2024.
Marie is survived by her children, son, Tony Billy, and daughter, Tiffany and husband, Steve Schrader; grandchildren, Bryce Billy and Adilyn Schrader; siblings, Diane (Richard) Birdsong, Bill Wosika and Pat (Ralph) Edwards; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Jean Wosika.
Marie was a loving mother and her grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader.
Funeral services for Francis Keith Hamilton Jr. were held March 6 at the Concho Emergency Response Center with Pastor Waylan Upchego officiating. Interment followed at the Cantonment Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Pierce Funeral Home, Canton.
Keith passed away Feb. 28, 2024, in El Reno. He was born Nov. 20, 1973, in Albuquerque, N.M., and grew up in El Reno.
Robert Wayne “Bob” Roofe, 77, a beloved (and always steady and reliable) husband, father, brother, grandfather and Vietnam veteran, passed away suddenly at the age of 77 on Feb. 26, 2024.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Nadine Roofe; sibling, Jimmy Roofe; and his first wife, Mary.
Wake service for Nancy Lea Brueggen was held Monday, March 4, with Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, March 5 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Okarche.
Services were under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.
Nancy died Feb. 29, 2024. She was born Oct. 28, 1961, in Kingfisher. She graduated from Kingfisher High School in 1979, then attended Central State University where she received a bachelor of science in nursing in 1983.
Funeral services for Joquita Ann Shaw of El Reno will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 6 at Huber-Benson Funeral Home, with burial in the Red Rock Cemetery.
Joquita passed away March 1, 2024. She was born May 6, 1939, on a farm west of El Reno to Fred DeFrance and Sylvia Ayers DeFrance.
She married James D. Shaw on Jan. 30, 1959, in the Deep Dale Church.
Joquita was a public schoolteacher for more than 30 years, with the majority being in El Reno Public Schools.
