Ruth Beth Martina was born October 31, 1938, in Reno, Nevada, as the fourth child and second daughter to Clarence (C.Q.) and Amy Johnson. Her first years were spent in Reno, and since October 31 was statehood day as well as being Halloween, the family would enjoy the trip to Carson City to watch the parade. In 1947, the family moved to Herlong, California, to the Sierra Ordnance Depot where Ruth’s father was the fiscal officer. At this time Ruth was in the fourth grade and continued with her schooling until her high school graduation in 1955. She met a handsome young man in the Air Force, and married Rex Crider Bond of Cordell, Oklahoma, in July of 1955, at the Methodist Church in Reno. The wedding was the social event of the year. In the fall she attended Lassen Jr. College, (where she was elected homecoming queen) until she and Rex moved to Reno. In 1957, Ruth and Rex moved to Oklahoma, where their son Keith was born, and four years later daughter Ellen arrived. They lived in Oklahoma until the family moved to Arkansas, where Ruth returned to college and started the long road toward her degree in Education. While living in Clarksville, Ruth went to work for the Special Learning Center at the College of the Ozark's Program for Dyslexic College Students. She worked here from 1973- 1975 and found her work very rewarding. Ruth and her children later moved to Sacramento, California where she continued working on her degree and finally received her B.A. Her first teaching job was in Greenville, California, and then then transferred to the Menifee School district and moved to Sun City, California. Ruth loved her students at Menifee and was the first teacher in the school to take her students on backpacking trips. During the time she was teaching at Menifee she completed her Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist from UC Riverside, in 1988. While she was living in Sun City, she married Joseph Martina, of Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1986. After the birth of her first granddaughter in 1997, Ruth made the move back to Oklahoma to be close to her family. She purchased a 100-yearold farmhouse and completely renovated it into the cozy, welcoming home she resided in until her death. She was the third grade teacher at Western Oklahoma Christian School from 1999 to 2003. There is no question that the delight of her life was her family. Her daughter Ellen, granddaughters Amy and Annie and son Keith were her biggest joys and she loved sharing her deep rooted faith in Jesus Christ with everyone she encountered. Ruth was an incredibly, kind, gentle and compassionate person. She lived, talked and walked her sincere faith in God. Ruth was an active member of First Baptist Church, Cordell where she was involved in Vacation Bible School, Nursery Service, Prayer Team, Missions, AWANA and Ladies Bible Study. She served in New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina, with the Southern Baptist Response Team. Also, in February of 2015, she completed one of her lifelong goals of serving on an overseas mission trip as she went to Peru with a team from FBC Cordell. Ruth was also a passionate American, and was always very informed on all current political issues and was proactive in contacting her legislators about issues she was passionate about. She was a tireless advocate for the Pro-Life movement and relished attending the annual Rose Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol. She taught American History and Government for the Western Oklahoma Homeschool Group and served as a delegate from Washita County to the Oklahoma Republican Convention. Ruth loved the outdoors and spent many hours in her garden and taking long walks. She loved to camp and backpack and was able to cross climbing Mt. Whitney in California off her bucket list when she reached the top with her sonin- law, Curt in 1995. She also completed parts of the Ozark Highlands Backpacking Trail with her family. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Roger Quimby Johnson and Donald Edward Johnson. She is survived by her sisters, Amy Gay Edwards of San Jacinto, California and Doris Polacek and husband Mike of Fort Bragg, California; her sister-in-law Joanne (Skip) Johnson, Chico, California; son, Keith Bond of Cordell, Oklahoma; daughter, Ellen Vanderveer and husband Curt of Cordell Oklahoma; granddaughters, Amy and Annie Vanderveer; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends. Funeral services for Ruth were held at the First Baptist Church Cordell, on Monday, December 21, 2015, internment followed at the Strickland Cemetery south of Cordell. Donations in Ruth’s name can be made to either of the following organizations she was passionate about; Heart to Heart Pregnancy Care Center P.O. Box 2122 Elk City, Oklahoma, 73648, or American Family Radio P.O. Drawer 2440 Tupelo, Mississippi, 38803. 

Dedra Dawn (Owen) Grant was born in Manchester, Connecticut, on December 25, 1965, and passed away on December 25, 2015, at the age of 50, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dawn attended school in Sentinel where she was a member of the Washita County 4-H, she showed sheep and played basketball. Dawn graduated from Sentinel High School in 1984. On August 1, 1986, Dawn and Bill were united in marriage in Wheeler, Texas. They raised their family in Sentinel where Dawn held several jobs. She worked for Corbin’s Northside, Big A Burger, Geralds, Cordell Memorial Hospital, Pearce’s Southside, FBC Nursery, Owned Dawns Diner, GA’s, volunteered on Sentinel Ambulance Service for numerous years. Dawn was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sentinel. She enjoyed spending time with her family and especially her pride and joy Berkli Jo, planting flowers, Red Lobster, and ballgames. She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Vernon Taylor and Martha Howell; paternal grandparents Dess and Louise Pearce, and Buford and JuanitaOwen; and uncles, Bill Taylor, Elmer Taylor, and Ray Taylor. Dawn is survived by husband, Bill Grant of the home; daughter, Savannah Collins of Sentinel, Oklahoma; sons, Logan Grant of Boise City, Oklahoma, and Eli Grant of Sentinel, Oklahoma; granddaughter, Berkli Jo Collins of Sentinel, Oklahoma; parents, James and Ginger Pearce of Sentinel, Oklahoma; brother,James Ray Owen of Sentinel,Oklahoma; and numerous family members and friends. Services for Dedra Dawn Grant will be Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Sentinel, with Jimmy Crabb officiating. Burial will be at Sentinel Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Musick-Varner Funeral Home of Sentinel.

Agnes Luttmer was born June 29, 1929, in Canute, Oklahoma, to Frances Catherine and John Henry Ziegenfuss. She passed away January 3, 2016, at Canute, Oklahoma, at the age of 86 years, six months and four days. Agnes grew up in Canute and attended Holy Family Schools. After leaving school she remained home and cared for her siblings and snapped cotton on the family farm. Agnes was married at the age of 18 to Walter Ben Luttmer at Holy Family in a double wedding January 20, 1948, along with her sister and Walter's brother. After their marriage, they moved to Littlefield, Texas, southwest of Burns Flat, Oklahoma, and Hammon, Oklahoma, before settling west of Canute in 1962, where they raised their family. Agnes volunteered her time at the Elk City Community Hospital where she was a service volunteer, drove the bus for St. Matthew Catholic School and worked for a local Canute retail store. She  was a member of the St. Matthew Women's Guild and also enjoyed quilting, crocheting, square dancing, gardening and spending time with family and friends. Agnes was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Josephine Luttmer, Emma Peters and Anna Clancy; three brothers, Edward Ziegenfuss, Henry Ziegenfuss, and Frederick Ziegenfuss; and two grandchildren, Mark and Mary Luttmer. She is survived by her husband, Walter, of the home; six children, Frances Ann Tovornik and husband, Steve, Midland, Ohio, Joan Luttmer, Altus, Oklahoma, James Luttmer and wife, Marsha, Elk City, Oklahoma, John Luttmer and wife, Carla, Canute, Oklahoma, Robert Luttmer and wife Sherry, Canute, Oklahoma, and Cindy Morse and husband, Terry, Elk City, Oklahoma; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Loyola Light, Huntsville, Alabama, and Johanna Lamar, Canute, Oklahoma; one brother, Ambros Ziegenfuss and wife, Carolyn, Canute, Oklahoma; one sister-in-law, Evelyn Ziegenfuss, Muleshoe, Texas; one brother-in-law, Bernard Luttmer, Glenco, Oklahoma; her special caretakers,  Debbie Reed, Rosie Espinosa, Carrie Spradlin, Kristen Sirmon, and Margaret Hegwood; Faith Hospice; and a host of special nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Prayer vigil services will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at 7:00 p.m., in the Whinery-Savage Chapel officiated by Deacon Jim Warnke. Mass of Christian Burial services will be held Thursday, January 7, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., at St. Matthew Catholic Church officiated by Father Joseph Nettem. Burial will be at Holy Family Cemetery under the direction of Whinery-Savage Funeral Service. Condolences can be made online at www.whineryfs.com

Esther Maude Birckett was born in the Florence hospital in Cordell, Oklahoma, on June 23, 1940, to Samford and Esther Anna Birckett. She went to be with the Lord on November 20, 2015, at the Borger Health Center, Borger, Texas. Esther grew up in Cordell and graduated with the Cordell Blue Devil class of 1958. During her life she lived in various locations, but, always considered Cordell her home town. Esther was employed for many years as a health care giver. She enjoyed many hobbies including reading, sewing, and embroidering special gifts for her family and friends. Her great love of pets brought great comfort and joy to her throughout her life. Esther Maude is survived by four children, one son, Charles (Toby) Martin and wife Brenda of Stinnett, Texas; three daughters, Shellie daughand husband, Dale Stevens of Stinnett, Texas, Sandie and husband, Charles Gilmore of Stinnett, Texas, and Cynthia and husband, Micheal Ricci of Vineland, New Jersey; eight grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; extended family, children, and grandchildren; and two childhood friends of Cordell, Regina Jones and Claudia Gray. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, brothers, sisters, and two husbands. Esther’s family will hold a special memorial service for Esther in the Spring of 2016, at the Lawnview Cemetery of Cordell, where Esther’s parents are buried.

Margaret “Maggie” Gore was the daughter of Pauline and Claud Smith. She was born on December 30, 1933, and grew up in Sentinel, Oklahoma. Maggie enjoyed many activities in high school, especially basketball. She played the guard position and was quick on her feet. Maggie would eventually meet her future husband at one of her basketball games. After graduating from Sentinel High School, she married Byron “Barney” Gore on May 30th, 1954. At this time, her husband was serving as a Marine Naval Aviator pilot and they lived in Pensacola, Florida. She soon became a mother to Patsy Jo, and her second daughter, Crystal, was born in 1967. Maggie relished being a mother, and she attended many school activities in support of her children. Taking her daughter Crystal to livestock shows and rodeos were some of her favorite bonding activities. She later served as a substitute teacher in Mountain View, Oklahoma, then also worked at Robertson’s Curtain Factory in Cordell, Oklahoma. In 1998, she and her husband became the guardians of their granddaughter, Sarah Jane. Maggie attended school activities with her and delighted in watching her play basketball.  A few years later, Maggie became a teacher’s aide for Mrs. Horn’s Pre-K class at Cordell Elementary. She thoroughly enjoyed taking care of children and had a soft spot in her heart for infants. After being an aide for a short time, Maggie continued helping Byron on their farm. Planting a garden and tending to it each year was an activity she always looked forward to. She was also very capable of crocheting creative knickknacks to decorate her home with. Throughout the years, she attended Sharon Baptist Church in Lake Valley, Oklahoma, and enjoyed being a part of local church activities. She had a sincere heart and was kind to everyone she met. She always emphasized the importance of being kind and compassionate to her children and grandchildren. Maggie passed away on December 26, 2015, at the Cordell Christian Home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Pauline and Claud Smith; her brother, Tommy Smith; her sister, Patsy Dodson; her husband, Byron Gore; her two infant sons, Byron Dale II and Thomas Dean; and her daughand ter, Patsy Jo. She is survived by her daughter, Sarah Jane Gore of Cordell, Oklahoma; daughter, Crystal Garton and her husband George of Sheldon, Missouri; her two grandsons, Derek Nichols and Randy Kind; and a host of dear family and friends. Services for Maggie were held Tuesday, January 4, 2016, at Sharon Baptist Church in Lake Valley with Denver Mc- Guire officiating. Burial will be at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. Services were under the direction of Musick- Varner Funeral Home of Cordell.

Wileta Myers of Dill City died at the age of 91, on January 3, 2016. Services are pending with Musick- Varner.

Janice L. Brown, 70, died on October 2, 2015, at the Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas, following a brief illness. Jan was born February 8, 1945, in Revere, Massachusetts, and spent her childhood in Texico, New Mexico. She graduated from Texico High School in 1962. Jan’s father, John Adams, taught High School in Texico. Her mother, Ruby, worked at Rip’s Western Wear. Jan moved to Willcox, Arizona, in 1975. She raised her two children in Willcox, and was a Service Center Clerk at Valley Telephone for many years. Jan was very active and enjoyed playing softball and tennis. She retired to Cordell, Oklahoma, in 1994, and made many friends in the community. She moved to Olathe, Kansas, in August, 2015. Jan is survived by her daughter, Dawn (Randy) Smith of Olathe, Kansas; her son, Brian (JJ) Brown of Willcox, Arizona; her brother, Richard Adams; four granddaughters; two nieces; and three nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruby Adams, as well as her sister, Judith Dwier.

Michelle Dawn (McMillin) Adkins was born to the late Jimmie D. McMillin and Zoe (Sims) McMillin, of Cordell. She passed way December 28, 2015, in Albuquerque, New Mexico Michelle was the youngest of their five children and grew up in Cordell, and attended Cordell schools. Michelle and Gary Adkins were married on February 13, 1988, in Cordell. To this union one son, Grey Derek Adkins, was born. Grey was the highlight and number one triumph of Michelle’s life. She loved and valued her role as Grey’s mother. She was so incredibly proud of the man he grew up to be and the family he created. Mi chelle’s eyes sparkled when talking about Grey, his wife and their three sweet children. Michelle was preceeded in death by her father, Jimmie D. McMillin; sister, ZoAnne (Mc- Millin) Britton; and brother Michael McMillin all of Cordell. She is survived by her son, Grey Adkins, his wife Emilee and their three children Addissyn, Jackson, and Maesynn of Cordell; her loyal friend and companion, Jeff Alford, of Gallup, New Mexico; mother, Zoe McMillin, of Cordell; sister, Jimae McMillin of Cordell; brother, Patrick McMillin of Pearland, Texas; niece, Kim (Britton) Brown and husband Matt of Beaufort, South Carolina; nephew, Eric Britton and wife Marissa of Denver, Colorado; niece, Faythe McMillin of Edmond, Oklahoma; greatnephews Luke Brown and Ethan Britton; and great-nieces Olivia Brown and Riley Britton. The family has suggested in lieu of flowers those wishing to make a memorial contribution, do so by donating to the Mental Health Association of Oklahoma (mhaok.org) or the Cancer Research Institute (CancerResearch. org). 

Patricia "Pat" Woolf was born June 1, 1935, in Cordell, Oklahoma, to Opal A. and Robert Lewis. She passed away December 29, 2015, at Amarillo, Texas, at the age of 80 years, six months and 28 days. Pat grew up in Cordell, Oklahoma, where she attended school. She was married to Bruce Woolf her junior year of high school, on December 12, 1952. That next year she graduated from Cordell High School and followed her husband's job throughout western Oklahoma, until 1965 when they settled in Hammon, Oklahoma. While in Hammon, Pat worked for the City of Hammon as a secretary and never missed one of her children's basketball games. In 1997, she retired and they moved to Elk City where they made their home. Pat was a member of the United Methodist Church of Elk City and enjoyed making quilts, sewing and watching Thunder basketball. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Opal Lewis; husband, Bruce Woolf; and one sister, Karen Stevenson. Pat is survived by her fourdaughters, Jeri Hutchinson and husband, Mark, Elk City, Oklahoma, Rhonda Wilshire and husband, Jim, Amarillo, Texas, Carol Keevert and husband, Karl, Elk City, Oklahoma and Linda Skelton, Elk City, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Amanda Hunter and husband, Chris, Sara Hutchinson, Nicholas Garrett and wife, Deon, Jared Garrett and wife, Abbe, Bryan Garrett and wife, Amber, Karla Easttom and husband, Johnny, Klint Keevert and wife, Ashley, Sydney Skelton and Chipper Skelton; 12 great-grandchildren and one on the way; one sister-inlaw, Olene Spradlin, Dill City, Oklahoma; and many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. A celebration of Pat's life was held Saturday, January 2, 2016, at Red Hill Cemetery, officiated by Reverend Kurtis Ivey. Burial followed at Red Hill Cemetery under the direction of Whinery-Savage Funeral Service. Condolences can be made online at www.whineryfs.com.

Elvera Schmidt was born November 3, 1927, at Cordell, Oklahoma, to Theodore H. Kliewer and Bertha Heidebrecht Kliewer. She went to be with her Heavenly Father on January 7, 2016, at the age of 88. Elvera grew up in Cordell, attended Cordell Schools and Corn Bible Academy. Her family attended Sichar Mennonite Church northeast of Cordell in the country. She loved to go to church. It was not only a place of worship, but also the place to visit together. Elvera was eight years old when she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior with her mothers guidance. She attended Catechism at church and was baptized on her profession of faith at 12 years old. Elvera married Louis Schmidt on August 8, 1947, in the Herold Mennonite Church where they have been active members since. Her many ministries in the church included pianist, organist, choir director, Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher and she especially loved Women In Missions. Elvera and Louis had three daughters: Nancy, Valora and Arlene. Family was very important to her. She kept a close relationship with all of them. Elvera, as well as the girls, often helped work on the family farm driving tractor, hauling wheat, chopping cotton and stomping the cotton in the trailers. She also worked as a cook at Cordell School for 26 years. Elvera was a great cook, especially when it came to crescent rolls, chocolate sheet cake, donuts, and cinnamon rolls! Elvera recorded several of the most important lessons she learned in life. “Always put God first. Which has not always been easy. Life doesn’t always seem fair. Accept things as they are. Go to God with everything, even trivial things.” Those lessons came in handy especially after the home the family was living in burned to the ground, and the family lost everything. But the Lord blessed them with a beautiful new home planned and built by Louis. Elvera spent her last several years in the care of Hensley’s Nursing Home in Sayre. She quickly became a favorite of many of the workers. Elvera was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Eldon; one sister, Esther; and one daughter, Nancy Koehn. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Louis, of the home; son-in-law, Bob Koehn of Elk City; daughter and son-in-law, Valora and Elroy Unruh of Meno; daughter and son-in-law, Arlene and David Epp of Sayre; grandchildren, Joy and Eric Vandergrift of El Reno; Chad Unruh of Oklahoma City; Esther and David Miller of Oklahoma City, Hannah Epp of Groton, New York; and Rachel Epp of Sayre; and one great-grandson, Josiah Miller of Oklahoma City. Services for Elvera were held Monday, January 11, 2016, at the Herold Mennonite Church under the direction of Musick–Varner Funeral Home of Cordell. Memorial gifts may be made to the Nancy Koehn Scholarship Fund in care of Cordell Schools. 

Glenna Taylor was born on August 27, 1940, to Woodrow and Muriel (Evans) Ragland in Hobart, Oklahoma, and passed away January 3, 2016, in Weatherford, Oklahoma, at the age of 75. She was raised in the Cloud Chief and Lake Valley communities and attended school in Cloud Chief. Glenna and Frank Taylor were married on December 26, 1957, in Hobart, Oklahoma, at the Methodist Church. They lived in Hobart until 1965, and then moved to North Powder, Oregon, where they worked on a ranch. Glenna and Frank moved their family back to Oklahoma, in 1969, then to Wyoming, and finally moving back to Oklahoma, in the early 1980’s. After Frank’s retirement they moved to Glenna’s family farm in the Cloud Chief Community in 1998, where they built a home. She was a homemaker and an avid gardener. She also enjoyed growing her roses. She enjoyed doing craft projects and spending time visiting with friends and family. Glenna’s survivors include husband Frank of the home; mother-in-law, Victoria Taylor of Hobart, Oklahoma; daughters, Jean Dernovich of Cordell, Connie Trecazzi of Chattanooga, Tennessee; son, Jeff Taylor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; twin sister, Winnie Gather of Burns Flat, Oklahoma, Anita Zavidill and husband Jon of Columbus, Nebraska; brother, Noble Ragland and wife Amy of Yukon, Oklahoma; six grandchildren; five adopted grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of dear family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and two nephews. Services for Glenna Taylor were held Thursday, January 7, 2016, at the First Baptist Church of Gotebo, Oklahoma, with Reverend Bill Hoenshell officiating. Burial followed at the Odessa Cemetery in Gotebo, Oklahoma. Services were under the direction of Musick-Varner Funeral Home of Cordell, Oklahoma. 

JD Dobbs was born July 8, 1935, in Putnam, Oklahoma, to Aaron and Flora Dobbs. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his beloved family, at his daughter’s house, in Sharon, Oklahoma, after a lengthy illness, at the age of 80. JD was raised in Kiowa County, north of Hobart. As a young child he attended school in Hobart. He started his law enforcement career with the Hobart Police Department in the mid 1960’s. Shortly thereafter he began his career as a police officer at the Cordell Police Department. After serving a few years, JD was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police by Eby Don Walters. After serving his community in this capacity he was appointed and later elected to Chief of Police, a position he held for many years. After his retirement in Cordell, JD went to work for the Sentinel Police Department. He worked there for four years, as Assistant Chief of Police. When he finally retired from his law enforcement career he went to work for the Red River Transportation Bus, serving his community in that aspect for over 25 years. One thing we can all say about JD, he loved his Levi Garrett, but he also loved to tell stories, especially his cop stories. He could keep you entertained for hours. After a little over 30 years total law enforcement career, JD still listened to his police scanner, never losing his passion for law enforcement. JD’s most treasured times were spent with his family and friends, but most of all his grandchildren. He treasured every moment he had with them whether they were picking on him or he was picking on them. JD was a big kid at heart and will be missed by so many people he has touched throughout the years, while being a faithful servant to his community. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, three sisters, and two grandchildren, Jeremy Cartwright and Jon Watkins. JD is survived by wife, Theresa Dobbs of the home; daughters, Penney Cartwright of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Carol Cannon and husband Rusty of Sharon, Oklahoma, Kathleen Dobbs of McKinney, Texas, Kandy Frye of McKinney, Texas, and Tracy Mack of Luther, Oklahoma; sons, Tommy Wise Dobbs and wife Diana of Clinton, Oklahoma, and Tracy Wise Dobbs and wife Rosa of Elk City, Oklahoma; sixteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and a host of dear family and friends. Services for JD Dobbs were held Monday, January 25, 2016, at the 4th & College Church of Christ with Ronnie McKee officiating. Services were under the direction of Musick-Varner Funeral Home of Cordell.