A2 .- THE JOURNAL, Thursday, December 10, 2020.
t
People
In Remerni’bran e
Everett Leroy Gunkel
1947-2020 '
Everett Leroy Gunkel, 73
passed on Monday, November
30, 2020 at his home. Funeral
services were '
held at 2 pm. on
Friday, Decem?
ber 4, 2020, at
L o s t C r e elk
United Meth—
odist ChurCh in
. Stillwater, OK.
Interment fol-
lowed at Oak
Grove Cemetery.
Strode Flmeral Home is in care
of the arrangements. ,1
Leroy was born on April 24,
1947, in Guthrie, Oklahoma,
to Wallace (Pete) Gunkel and
Viola T0wle. He was married
to Ruth Bridenstine on April 1 ,
2000atLostCreekandlaterto
Ruby Disney on May 23 , 2090.
Leroy graduated from Coer
High School. He served in the
US. Army and is a Vietnam
War veteran. He went on to
work as a home builder in the
Stillwater and Coyle area. He
later worked for Payne County
District 3 until his retirement
in 2014.
He enjoyed fishing,camping,
and completing woodw01king
projects. He loved his family
and'spending time with his
family- especially his grand-
children. He was
an acu've member
‘ of Lost Creek
United Method-
ist Church, and
he enjoyed par-
ticipating in the
Alaska Mission.
He is preceded
in death by. his
parents and wife,
Ruth Gunkel. '
He is survived by his wife
Ruby'Disney Gunkel; daugh—
ter, Lara Brooks and husband
Jeremy Brooks; grandchil-
dren Luke and Blaire Brooks;
Ruby’s children, Don and
Vickie Disney of Chandler,
Walt and Leigh Disney of
Norman, Linda and Jack
Bowyer of Perkins, Sharonand
David Kinzie of Perkins, Billy
and Kathy Disney of Garber,
and Keith and Terri Disney of
Stillwater, and a host of grand
and great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent to
the family and an online obitu—
ary may be viewed by visiting
wwwstrodeflrcom.
Josephine Olandese Bays
1941-2020 I
Josephine Olandese Bays
was born in the family home in
Krebs, Oklahoma on January
7 , 1941 to
grant parents
from Italy, Car—
melo and Filippa
Rizzo Olandese.
She passed away
unexpectedly
,on, December
'4, 2020 at ’Jane
Phillips Medical
, Center in Bartlesville, Okla-
homawith herdaughtersather
sideatthe age of79 years, 11
months and 27 days. Funeral
services were held at 2 pm.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
at the Strode Funeral Home
Chapel. Burial followed in
the Bays Family Memorial
section of Sunset Memorial
Gardens in Stillwater, Okla-
homa.
Josephine attended ele-
' mentary and middle school
in Krebs and graduated from
McAlester High School in
1960. She was a member of
Future Nurses of America
and the Literary Reviewer’s
club. She moved to Tulsa after
graduation and worked at the
Denver Grill Restaurant where
on April 30, 1966 she met
Gene Bays. Two and a half
months later on July 16, 1966
Josephine andGene were mar-
ried at the home of her cousins
Antonetta and Dale Jacobs in
Tulsa, Oklahoma.
After they were married
Gene and Josephine moved
to Stillwater where their first
daughter Theresa Diana was
born. They then moved to
Ponca City where their second
daughter Patricia Annette was
born. Josephine worked in
customer service roles and was
a homemaker. She loved play—
. ing bingo, doing embroidery,
and word searches. '
Josephine had a unique
gift. She could remember
everyone’sbhflrday,tlreir age,
and even their anniversary
and how long they had been
married. Her memory was
incredible. She loved her chil— '
dren, her grand-
V_ ' children, and her
great-grandsons.
Josephine bat-
, tled MS for over
30 years but it
, never affected
her sunny dis-
position. She
always cared
about people instead of her-
self. Because MS made her
need full time care,Josephine
had resided at Medicalodges
care center in Dewey for three
years. The family would like
to give special thanks to the
staff at Medicalodges Dewey
for the care & compassion
they showed Jo the last 3
years.
She is Survived by her hus-
band of 54 years Gene Bays
of Perkins, Oklahoma; her
daughters Theresa Bays and
Patty Bays, both of Battles—
Ville, Oklahoma; her grand-
daughters Ashley Wingender
. and husband Alex of Stillwa-
ter, Casey Busch of Tulsa,
Katrina McEnany and hus—
band John of Ponca City, and
Alyssa DeHeer of Belgrade,
Minnesota; her great-grand—
sons Atreyu Scott, Aydrion
Lloyd, JMichael Dean, and
Alexander Gene, and one
great-granddaughterexpected
to be born February 2021;
and her sister Jennie Cinocca
of McAlester, Oklahoma.
She is also survived by many
nieces , nephews, other family
members and friends.
She is preceded in death
by her parents Carmelo and
Frlippa; herbrothers Joe Olan-
dese, Frank Olandese, Carlo
Olandese, Orland Olandese,
and Philip Olandese; and one
sister Antoinette Liner.
Condolences may be sent
to the family and an online
obituary may be viewed by
visiting www.strodefh.com.
Melvin Lee Fry
1928-2020
Melvin Lee Fry, 92, passed
aWay on Monday, Novem-
ber 30, 2020 at his home in
Perkins, Okla-
homa. Graveside
services were
held On Monday,
December 7 ,
2020 at 2:30 pm.
at Sunset Memo-
rial Garden Cem-
eteryinStillwater.
Dighton Marler Funeral Home
is in charge of arrangements.
Melvin was born on January
5, 1928 to Eugene Melvin and
Addie Berdina (Caldwell)
Fry in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
He attended Stillwater High
School. He married Diana
Fry on April 19, 2008 at Solid
Rock Church in Stillwater,
Oklahoma.
Melvin is survived by his
wife Diana, his son David
FryandwifeLisa,
his grandchil-
dren Trevor Fry,
Tara Fry—Webb
and Whitley
Fry-Campbell as
well as his great
grandchildren
Easton Andrew
and Lucas James Fry, Cooper
and Carly Webb, Sympho-
nie, Lyrik, Kanon and Kohen
Campbe11. He is also survived
by his siblings, Bennie Ber—
niece Fry and Beverly Groe.
‘ Condolences may be sent to
the family via an online guest—
book at www.dightonmarler.
com. ' I
George Thomas Bickell
1934-2020 3’
George Thomas Bickell
passed away unexpectedly at
his home in Perkins. He was
85. Services have
been entrusted ’
to the care of
Dighton-Marle
Funeral Home of
Stillwater.
George was
night, Oklahoma
to Asa and Mabel (Ridpath)
Bickell. He grew up in the
Tryon/Perkins area most of his
life. He graduated from Tryon
High School in 1953.1n 1957
he joined the United States
Army to serve his country.
Through the years he worked
for the City of Perkins and the .
Perkins—Tryon Public Schools.
He was very supportive and
involved with the Perkins and
Olshing VFW and the Amer-
ican Légion. He loved college
sports, especially 0U football.
In his latteryears you could find
him most days playing dom-
inoes at the Perkins Domino
Parlor and telling old stories. He
will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his daughter,
Sharyl Pickens and husband
Brent of Oklahoma City, OK;
three grandchildren, Westin
Younger and husband Geno,
Colt Pickens,
and Will Pickens
and Fiance’ Tori
Shockley all of
Yukon, OK; two
sisters, Georgia
Doreen Roe of
Puyallup, WA,
and SharonBurch
and husband Ron
Of Silver City, TX; several
nieces, nepheWs, and old
friends; and we must not forget
his canine companion, L.B.
“Little Bud.”
, Funeral Services were held at 1
prn.Friday,December4,2020
at Dighton-Marler Funeral
HomeinStillwaterofliciatedby
ChadPickens,nephewofBrent
and Sharyl. Interment followed
at Tryon Cemetery in Tryon.
Condolences may\be.sent to
the family Via an online guest-
book at www.dightonmarler.
com
Memorial contributions may
be made in George’s honor
to the Cushing VFW in do
Dighton-MarlerFuneral Home,
5106 N. Washington, Stillwa-
ter, OK, 74075.
Anthony John DeGeorge
1932-2020
Anthony John “Skip”
DeGeorge Jr., of Stillwater
passed away on Saturday,
November 28
2020. There
will be a private
funeral and burial
for immediate .
family. Strode
Funeral Home
is in charge of
arrangements.
Skip was born
in Erie , PA ,
the son of Lenora (Cherry)
and Anthony John “Tony”
DeGeorge. He was a grad—
uate of the Class of 1950 at
Cathedral Prep High School
in Erie, PA, where he was a
cheerleader. He received a
bachelor’s degree in econom—
ics from the Wharton! School
of Finance and Commerce,
University of Pennsylvania.
He served 2 years in the US.
Army.
On June 30, 1956, Skip
mariied Eleanor “
and together they raised seven
children. He was devoted to his
family and his Catholic faith.
For 34 years he worked at
Moore Business Forms in
various positions in seven dif-
ferent states. He started in their
Manufacturing Operations and
retired as a Plant Manager.
After retirement, he and
Ellie enjoyed traveling with
her sister, Mary Ann and her
husband Jerry throughout the
US, Canada and Europe.
He and Ellie were Mobile
Meals volunteers and did meal
delivery to the Adult Day
Life Center. They_Were also
charter members of the Total
Health Fitness Center since
'e” Bulo I
2002. He attended daily Mass
and was a lector at St. Francis
Church in Stillwater. Skip was
, always a perfect
gentleman and
his kindness
towards every-
one was genuine.
He made friends
with everyone
wherever he
went and he
always kept in
touch whether it
was friends, family or even
extended family. He was also
a big OSU sports fan and
loved watching his beloved
Cowboys.
He is survived by his seven
loving children — Dr. Michael
(Colby) of Flourtown, PA;
Suzanne and fiancée John
Haworth of Newburyport,
MA; Gregory of Edmond;
Steven (Cynthia) of Owasso;
John (Lori) of Stillwater;
David of Oklahoma City and
Jennifer of Northglenn, CO;
and seven grandchildren —— Dr.
Joan (Sam ,Nordberg), Dr.
Antonia McClune (Kyle),
Christopher(Rachael), Jamie,
Liberty, Zachary and Gabri-
e11a.He is also survived by his
four great-grandsons.
He was preceded in death
by his wife, Ellie and his sister
Nancy Fallert.
In lieu of flowers, memorials
can be made to the Alzhei-
mer’s Association by visiting
www.alz.org/donate or St.
Francis Catholic Church in
Stillwater. ,. ‘
Condolences may be emailed
to the family and an online
obituary may be viewed by
visiting wwwstrodeflrcom.
Meldine “Mel” Boyles Henry
1927 -2020
Meldine “Mel” Boyles Henry,
Nan,.to so many, wants us to
know that after 93 well—lived
years, her work
here is done. On
Sunday, Novem-
ber 29, 2020, she
was reunited with
her husband, as
well as family and
friends, whom she
has not seen in a
while. She left
> detailed instructionstocelebrate
her mission here, which was so
generously completed.
Mel was born on January 24,
1927, in rural Payne County to
Nelson (Nels) Miles Boylesand
Thelrna Irene (Rene) Stratton
Boyles. The tenth of fourteen
siblings, she would tell you
they didn’t have a lot of money
growing up,buttheyhadalot
of love. They were a family
of doers and there was 'never
a dull Mel’s life was a
testament to this as she loved
beyond measure, delighted in
helping others, and found joy
in every moment.
While attending school in
Ralsto'n, Mel met her high
school sweetheart, Raymond
“Doc” Henry, and on June
8, 1946, they were married.
Shortly thereafter, the couple
moved to Stillwater where
Doc was enrolled at Oklahoma
A&M College as a member of
thefirstclass ofveterinaryrnedi—
cine.Dminghisfirstsetoffina]s,
they welcomed their daughter,
AvaRae.In1951,Doc,andby
extension Mel, graduated from
veterinary school. After gradu-
ation, they moved to Pawnee,
and a year later they welcomed
their son, Matthew Dean.
For35 years,DocandMelran
a successful veterinary practice.
WhileDoccaptmedeveryone’s
attention With his storytelling,
care for animals, and musi—
cal talents, Mel perfected the
art of suturing, quilting and
sand plum jelly, maintained
the clinic’s books, ranched
with the cowboys in Ralston,
and made sure everything and
everyone was taken care of and
running on'tirne. Throughout
their work and life, they found
opportunities to travel and were
blessed with grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, family
and numerous lifelong friends.‘
Doe and Mel enjoyed 65 years
together until his passing in
2012.
Pawnee was home and Mel
wasanintegralpartof the com-
munity and the Frrst Christian
Church, both of which she
loved dearly. Always willing
to volunteer, cook meals, and
give ofhertime,Meltrulycared
aboutthe lives of others,and she
was deeply committed to her
faith. The Pawnee Chamber
of Commerce once
Judy Hull Steve Norman
424 s. rm
Stillwater, OK 74075
(405) 372-7437 ‘
1507 S Senate Rd
Straw-m, OK 74074
(405) 377-1990
Pm Hm OFF Kevin Clark
4093M , 1120NDuck,Ste.J
Stillwater, OK 74074 Stillwater, OK 74075
(405) 780-7233 (405) 3727437
Mel as the Citizen of the Year,
and when noted for her volun-
teer efforts in the local newspa—
per, The Pawnee
Chief, Mel said if
she could live any
place in the world
it would be “right
here”. Mel’ 5
contributions
extended beyond
the Pawnee com—
munity through
her past service on the Board
of Directors for Judith Karman
Hospice, a non-profit agency
based in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Mel loved nothing more
than to gather on “the back
porch” at their home east of
Pawnee with family, including
hersix grandchildren andfifteen
great-grandchildren. She also
cherished time spent with her
siblings. If a family gathering
wasn’t being held, then you
could almost always find her
teaching a loved one how to
quilt or sharing homemade pie.
Wherever she was, there was
always a cup of hot coffee and
good conversation.
Mel is survived by daughter
and husband, Ava and Lynn
Osborn of Stillwater; son,
Matthew Henry and Laura
Kenny of Tulsa; grandchil-
dren, spouses, and great-grand-
children, Jason and Roma
.Osbom, Ben, Sam and Drew;
Jamie andIanceTroester,Lilli;
Julie Osborn and Matt Hollrah,
Sadie Bea and Simon; John
and Lori Henry, Laney, Haley
and Lawson; Lacy and Shawn
Henry-Fournier, Penelope,
Aniston, Atticus and Wilder,
Tyler and Nicole Henry, Jack
and Emma; brother and wife,
Clifford and Fonda Boyles
of Broken Anow; sister, Lois
Furgason of Chickasha; nieces,
nephews, family and friends
too numerous to list but not
forgotten.
Mel is reunited with her hus-
band, Raymond “Doc” Henry;
parents Nels and Rene Boyles;
brothers and sisters, Nelson
Boyles, Helen Hilbert, Jack
Boyles, Joe Boyles, Virginia
Sikes Cole, Opal Nugent, Ken-
neth Boyles, Edith Hill, Norma
Brown and Mel’s twin sister,
Maxine.
Mel will be greatly missed,
but her 10Ve and gracious spirit
willliveoninallwhoknewher.
DretoCovid,thefamilyhopes
to gather with loved ones at a
laterdate to celebrate Mel’s life.
Memorial contributions may
be made to The Frrst Christian
Church of Pawnee Building
Fund, PO. Box 207, Pawnee,
OK 74058._ Services were
entrusted to the Poteet Funeral
Home and Cremation Services,
friends can leave a memory for
the family at www.poteetfuner—
alhomemm
Judy Stevlsun Matt Hull. CFP
4m W. em, Ste. 150 1507 s Sangre Rd
Stillwater. OK 74074 suirwam, OK 74074
[405) 372—8472 (405) 377-1990
www.cdward]ones.com Member swc
Edna rd Jones
MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING
