All Obituaries

There are many who would refer to this guy as coach; many over the past thirty-five years would refer to him as “Hermie;” and probably some at football, basketball, and – more recently – softball games as “Who’s that big ugly guy yelling at?” But to us he was just a husband, a dad, a Papa, and, most of all, our biggest cheerleader. Dean McKellips passed away peacefully at home on the morning of September 12th, 2021. He was born to Carl and Kathryn McKellips on January 23rd,...

Services for Betty Mae (Gann) Ford will be at 2 p.m., Monday September 20, 2021, at the Oak Haven Memorial Gardens in Claremore, Oklahoma where she will be laid to rest. Betty departed this life on Sunday, September 12, 2021, to be with her heavenly father. She was 78 years old. Born in Salina on March 24, 1943, to Joe Nicholas and Cynthia Ann (Cummings) Gann. Betty grew up attending Salina school and graduated from Salina High School in 1961. She met and married John Ford in that same...

Virginia Lee Reed Services to honor and remember the life of Virginia Lee Reed will be 10:00 am, Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Sequoyah Baptist Church. She will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 pm Tuesday at the Rice funeral home with family present to receive friends. Virginia passed away on Wednesday, September 8, in the care of loving family. She was 88. Virginia was born October 17,1932 to Orval and Vera Dennis Willhoite, at their home South of Claremore...

Arlis “Papa” Ray Jones   Arlis Ray Jones, 88, died peacefully in his sleep on September 3, 2021. He was born in Broken Arrow, OK on May 13, 1933, to parents Arlis Andrew Jones and Maggie Leona Welch. Arlis was drafted by the U.S. Army on June 17, 1953 and served until May 1955. Most of his time was spent in Korea, earning him a handful of medals including National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korea Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Arlis was...

Gladys Thomas our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to all passed peacefully on September 1, 2021 at the age of 95 years. She worked as a CNA for many years. Gladys was born on December 11, 1925 to Arthur and Mable Roberts. She was preceded in death by both parents, 3 brothers, 1 sister, 2 daughters Theresa Bump and Marlo Wright, 1 son Gordon Valk, 3 grandchildren, Kimberly and Lloyd (Bo) Thompson, and Kieth Wiley, 1 great grandchild Jace Lane. Gladys married Earl...

Joyce Lee Whiteley, 85 passed away peacefully August 31, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her loving husband of 69 years Arthur Charles by her side. Joyce was born in Colcord, Oklahoma on December 2, 1935, to Henry and Grace Pickell. During her high school years, she met the love of her life Arthur Charles Whiteley. Joyce married Arthur on May 6, 1952 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Their union was blessed with four beautiful children. After residing in Washington D.C., Lawton, Sand Springs, and...

Claremore, Oklahoma – Dolores “Dolly” Petermann, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and sister, passed away on August 30, 2021 at the age of 73. Dolly was born on August 14, 1948, in Sudbury, Massachusetts as the second oldest daughter of Elizabeth and William Lockhart. Dolly grew up in Massachusetts but relocated to Oklahoma where while working in Lawton met Michael Petermann. Following a brief courtship they were married on December 17, 1977....

Donna Sue Vann, 76, passed away peacefully August 30, 2021, in Claremore, Oklahoma. A private service will be held September 3, 2021 in the Chapel of the Garden at Rice Funeral Home where Pastor Charles Wyatt will share words of comfort. Donna will be laid to rest at Oakhaven Memorial Garden in Claremore, Oklahoma. Donna was born in Nowata, OK on November 20, 1944, to Henry and Eva Jordan. After graduating from Oologah High School in 1963, Donna attended Draughon's Business School which...

Anthony (Sonny Boy) Killsnight Jr., a ten year resident of Claremore, Oklahoma born August 3, 1979 to proud, loving parents Anthony Sr. and Betty Killsnight. On August 27, 2021 he departed for his spiritual journey home. Sonny Boy was a born again Christian, member of Emmanuel Baptist Church of Claremore. September 24, 2021 will mark his 10th Anniversary to his beloved wife Leslie Jean Killsnight. He was blessed with three children: Ketewa Ashton Killsnight, Millie Grace Killsnight and...