All Obituaries

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Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Joyce Ineah Bell, age 90, passed from this life, Monday, January 23, 2023, surrounded by her family. A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 PM, at Rice Funeral Service in Catoosa, OK. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 27, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Catoosa First Baptist Church. Joyce, one of seven children, was born on January 20, 1933, to Zack and Effie Thompson, in Catoosa, Oklahoma. She spent...

Leo Stephen Hilinski was born in Erie, PA on September 2, 1925, to Frank and Angela Hilinski. He graduated from The Carnegie Institute of Technology with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He then served in WWII as a Flight Navigator Mechanic, 2nd Lieutenant, in the Army Air Corp. Leo married the love of his life, Norma McGrath, December 27, 1978. The love they shared was a fairy tale. They were inseparable, and he adored her more than life itself. If you ever saw them together, you knew their...

Beloved husband, father and Papa, Daniel Lloyd Rader, age 87, of Claremore, Oklahoma, crossed through the pearly gates to heaven on January 16, 2023, at his home with family at his side. Daniel was born on November 14, 1935, to Jacob and Martha (Horner) Radar, in Claremore, Oklahoma. He grew up in the area and graduated from Sequoyah High School with the class of ‘55.  He married his wife, Katherine Alice Dennis on June 2, 1955. They were happily married for 68 years. He worked...

Jackie (Jack) Merle Gardner was born to Wilford Eli Gardner and Annabell Sylvia Jones in Claremore, Oklahoma on April 16, 1942. He attended high school in Claremore and Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and later graduated from Texas A&M University. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1959 to 1963 in the Weapons and Maintenance First Marine Division FMF. He also played football for the Marine Corps, in Quantico, Virgina. Working in the oil industry and his love of travel, took him...

Jack Edward Heimdale, born September 20, 1956 to Jerry Lee and Edith Marie Brees in Corona, California. He lived a happy life. He was proceeded in death by his Mother, Edith Heimdale of Broken Arrow, his Aunt Helen Leverett of Broken Arrow, his son Daniel Morgan of Tulsa, and his Father Jerry Heimdale of Ozark, MO. He is survived by his wife, Ada Heimdale of Claremore, son Jack Heimdale Jr. of Cushing, Staff Sergeant Michael Heimdale of Broken Arrow and grandchildren Specialist Joseph...

James Leonard Baker was born in Muskogee, Okla August 15, 1930, the youngest of 5 sons of Silas Leonard Baker and Willie Wood Fraser Baker. Jimmy or “Digger” as his father nicknamed him, grew up fishing, playing ball, raising pigeons, milking the family cow each morning, and participating in other boyhood antics with his older brothers and neighborhood friends. His father, Grandpa Baker had pet names for all his boys. Jimmy became “Digger” because of his unique way of...

David Allen Box 77, Claremore resident, passed away from this life on Sunday January 1, 2023. David was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma to parents Jeff and Jettie Box. He attended Haskell High School and went on to Tulsa University for undergraduate and Law school. He served in the US Army for 2 years and practiced law in Muskogee before serving as Special Judge in the 12th District Court of Oklahoma in Claremore for 21 years. During his tenure as Judge, David presided over the Blackfox nuclear...

Dave Tiger, age 91, of Catoosa, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Saturday, December 31st, 2022. Dave was born February 5, 1931, in Bixby, Oklahoma, to his parents Cotsar Tiger and Mildred Tiger (Lewis.) He married the love of his life Geraldine (Gregory) Tiger, and remained a widower for the rest of his life. Dave enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed his family, dogs and being outside working on many different projects. He enjoyed fixing things. He was also...

Wayne August Bortz, also known as Santa Claus, age 88, of Claremore, Oklahoma departed his earthly home for the Heavenly Gates on December 31st, 2022. Wayne was born, raised, and educated at Plains, Kansas. He was the youngest of three children born to August and Clara Bortz. Wayne and Almeta married in 1965 at Liberal, Kansas. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, August and Clara Bortz; son, Steve Bergen; grandson, Jarod Bergen; great granddaughter Summer Shell; son-in-law, Gary...