Graveside services for LaVerne Ruth (Dye) Rukes Crumley were held Wednesday, Dec. 28 at the Geary Cemetery with Brian Rukes of the El Reno 27th Street Church of Christ officiating. Services were under the direction of Turner Funeral Home.
LaVerne passed away Dec. 23, 2022, in Kingfisher. She was born Aug. 1, 1931, in El Reno, and graduated from Geary High School in 1949. She later earned a bachelor’s degree from Central State in Edmond.
Garry James Liebl passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Dec. 20, 2022, at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City.
Garry was born July 22, 1943. He grew up in Loyal and graduated from Loyal High School. Following high school, he went to work for Aero Commander alongside his father and brothers. Additionally, he served in the National Guard Reserve for nine years. After some time, he went to work at GE, sharpening his trade skills. Lastly, he took a job at Seagate Technology, where he worked for 33 years, finishing as a production manager.
After a brief illness, Vera Mae (Sanders) Sweeney passed from this life on Dec. 18, 2022. She was born to Bill and Marion Ruth (Drew) Sanders on March 15, 1935, on the farm east of Union City. The middle child amongst four brothers, she was tougher than a boot. She was also fiercely devoted to her family, doing without all her life so her two boys could have whatever they needed.
She attended Union City schools, graduating from Union City High School in 1953. She was an outstanding basketball player, back when the girls played 3-on-3 basketball.
Graveside services for David Earl Blackshire were held Friday at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin. Services were under the direction of Turner Funeral Home, Hinton.
David passed away Dec. 9, 2022, in El Reno.
He was born Aug. 5, 1947, in Mt. View. He graduated from Mt. View High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War in the 82nd Airborne.
He was a helicopter and tank mechanic and a courier for the Army.
Russell Wayne Henderson, 61, of El Reno passed away Dec. 20, 2022.
Cremation was under the care of Wilson Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Joyce Mae Hacker of Bethany were held Monday at the Church of the Nazarene in Mustang, with burial following at the Mustang Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home in Minco
Joyce was born May 13, 1934, in Addington. She was raised in Minco and Hazel Dell, attending Hazel Dell Baptist Church. Joyce was a homemaker and had attended the Church of the Nazarene.
Funeral services for Kenneth Luther Sorensen will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Benson Memorial Chapel under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.
Kenneth died Dec. 17, 2022, at his home in El Reno. He was born April 30, 1944, in Chicago Heights, Ill. He served in the U.S. Air Force and received a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He was the first juvenile officer in El Reno and was a systems administrator retired from the Federal Correctional Institution.
Kenneth was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Elk City and El Reno.
Vera Mae Sweeney died Sunday at Integris Canadian Valley Hospital in Yukon.
Services are pending with Huber-Benson Funeral Home.
Mary Margaret Amato departed for her heavenly journey Nov. 27, 2022, after a courageous battle fighting respiratory illness and heart disease.
Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Union City with Rev. Lance Warren and Deacon Lloyd Menz officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Services are under the guidance of Huber-Benson Funeral Home, El Reno.
Arlene ZumMallen was born Jan. 21, 1933, in Fairmont, Okla. She entered into the arms of her Savior on Dec. 13, 2022.
She was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairmont and gave her Confirmation of Faith at Zion as well, on March 30, 1947. Her confirmation verse is Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it. - Luke 11:28
Arlene was raised on the farm several miles east of Fairmont. With many brothers and sisters, work was the order of the day.
