From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
April 10, 1997
LOCAL
Area Legislators To Speak at Forum
Nearly News
D.A. Prepares Tribute to Crime Victims
Cecil, Jo Saylors Get Opportunity To Attend McVeigh Trial in Denver
Utility Figures Indicate Debt Service May Force Increase in City's Rates
'Confidence' Among Abilities Stressed for Arts Adventure
Letters Say:
Fire Damages Kitchen Area Of Residence
Demobilization Ceremony Set
Balanced Budget Study Set Friday
P.C. Head Start Enrollment Set For Next Season
NOC Alumni, Friends Reunion Set for April 19
Summer School Pre-Enrollment Forms Available
DEATHS
Donald W. Dissinger
Helen Lois Sims
Mennis M. Noblett
Obituaries
William Baird Oldfield
Donna Rose Fath
Funerals
Dale Charles Lesemann
Ernia Bell Brown
NEWS BRIEFS
SPORTS
Wildcat Classic Delayed but On
Area Legislators will be on hand for the this week's Second Friday Forum slated for 8 to 9 a.m. at the Pioneer Technology Center.
According to Dave Mueller, chairman of the Legislative Review Committee of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, legislators are expected to give an update of legislative activities at the Capitol.
The event is open to the public and complimentary coffee and doughnuts will served.
A Special Olympian pictured with Mayor Marilyn Andrews and Jeremy Zysk was misidentified with the article Wednesday. Athlete Russell Clark received a ribbon for the long jump event. The News apologizes for this mishap.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - In some cities and towns, when criminal cases go to court, crime victims and witnesses sit in the same hallways with defendants and their families.
It can make it very difficult to testify.
The Victim/Witness Program established by the District Attorney's office of Kay and Noble Counties has progressed a lot farther than others, with special rooms for victims and witnesses and enough work to keep at least two people busy full-time.
To celebrate National Crime Victims' Rights Week, District Attorney John Maddox has scheduled a community event called "Tribute to Victims" for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Marland Mansion.
Next week, from Sunday through Saturday, marks the 22nd observance of National Crime Victim's Rights Week, and Maddox said the nation saw "amazing strides" during 1996 to secure rights for crime victims.
In the November elections, voters in eight states, including Oklahoma, amended their state constitutions to include rights for crime victims, increasing to 29 the total number of states with constitutional amendments.
Maddox said the action "affirms our commitment to continue fighting for a balanced criminal justice system."
However, he said the special week combines the need to increase the public's awareness and support of crime victims' rights and the desire to commemorate and honor those who have found themselves victims.
The district attorney's two victim advocates say it's a challenge to help buffer and support victims within the system because each victim's needs are different but all need to have closure.
Victim/Witness Coordinator Jodie Frazier emphasizes the importance of easing the frustrations of a crime victim throughout a court case and beyond.
With so many pending criminal cases on the docket, victims need extra support because "the wheels of justice turn slowly," she said.
Victims Assistant Margaret Goldman said the victims can find themselves coming to grips with their emotions via counseling, and the typically slow pace of a court case clashes with their yearning to get the case over with.
Furthermore, she said, "They just get settled down, and then they are forced to play out those emotions all over again" when the trial comes.
Since the inception of the district's victim/witness center, services now include social service referrals, help with threats or intimidation, coordination of restitution payments and special assistance for sexual assault and domestic violence victims.
For the 2 p.m. event at the Marland Mansion, the tribute will be open to the whole community to show support for the victims of crime and their families.
During the ceremonies, the Rev. Kent Dorsey will give the invocation and benediction, and the Rev. Larry Nigh will give the healing prayer. A reception will follow in the mansion's Salon/Formal Dining Room.
Providing music for the event will be Jeff and Barbara Fox, Lisa Hermes, Mary Grace Lebeda, Denise Jones, Cathy Brewer, Rick Edgington, Scott Norris, Annemarie Webster and Connie VanAusdell.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
The security at the jury selection hearings for the Oklahoma City bombing case involving Timothy McVeigh is extremely tight, according to Cecil and Jo Saylors, Ponca City, who sat in on a session recently in Denver.
The Ponca Citians were in Colorado on business, visiting a gallery in Denver and checking on a sculpture Jo Saylors has being cast at a foundry. Realizing the jury hearings were going on, they expressed some interest in attending since they were in the area, not far from the court.
They learned that all the passes were gone for the day, but they had been advised that sometimes visitors didn't stay for the day-long session. So they went to the courthouse, where they told the federal marshals they were from Oklahoma. Eventually two passes were found for the afternoon. Saylors said the federal marshals were courteous at all times.
Before entering the courtroom the couple had to go through security checks twice. And Cecil had to turn in his pocket knife, which he collected later. The Saylors went in and sat in some empty seats, not realizing they were in the press section. Jo, who in addition to being a sculptor, does sketching and painting. So she drew some sketches of McVeigh, Judge Matsch and McVeigh's lead attorney Stephen Jones.
When they went outside the court on break, a reporter from the Rocky Mountain News all but yanked the drawings from Saylors' hand, but Jo resisted and kept the drawings. At that time she wasn't aware that she wasn't allowed to sketch in the courtroom.
Returning to the courtroom, they were told they couldn't sit in the press section. So they found seats elsewhere. Jo sketched McVeigh and then became aware of someone looking over her shoulder. It was a federal marshal who politely told her "M'am, you're not supposed to do that." He took the drawings and told her he would see if she could get them back later.
Although those in he courtroom could see the wheel-chair bound first prosecutor, defendant and attorneys, the jurors were protected from view by a wall. Jo said that Judge Matsch maintained strict control of the situation.
After the Saylors came out of the jury selection hearing they found the federal marshal that had confiscated the sketches. After talking with his superiors the federal marshal returned the sketches to Jo. One of the officials commented that it was a "pretty good likeness."
However, Jo said the sketches "weren't too good" because she was using an ink pen instead of regular sketching instruments. It was obvious that Saylors did the sketching on impulse as some of the paper she used was an envelope.
As the Ponca Citians came out of courthouse they were immediately approached by the press, which has been kept at bay in a roped off area. When the media found out that the couple was from Oklahoma, where the bombing happened on April 19, 1995, they were besieged for interviews. Jo, who is naturally shy, declined and suggested Cecil be interviewed. He was first by CBS and later by Terry Watkins of Channel 5.
Several locals caught the interview on the Oklahoma City television station. Jo said if they are back in Colorado on business any time soon they may attempt to get passes again.
As for the historic sketches she says they'll be something for her children or grandchildren.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Utility summaries provided to city commissioners indicate debt service may drive next year's rates up.
According to Public Works Director Ken Parr, not only do rate increases need to be considered for water, but rates for waste water must also be discussed.
"Not a lot could be done," Parr said of the proposed rate increases. "Rates were not increased in the past and must be made to address issues at the current time."
The budget for Waste Water is $2.8 million. For the 1997-98 fiscal year, the city must take into consideration a debt payment of $647,372, a computer services transfer of $61,863 as well as increased operational costs of $40,852.
Additional Reasons for Higher Costs
Furthermore, Parr said, electric costs will be higher to run more pumps, aerators and motors at the new facility. Also, when the interim construction loan becomes permanent, the city will be required to make principal and interest payments. Presently, the interim loan requires interest only payments. Parr indicated that loan payments will drive the 1998-99 fiscal budget higher.
Based on reports issued in 1993, the city received a consent order requiring the city to bring the waste water facility into compliance. City officials were told by the area administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency that if air and water EPA regulations were not addressed, the city could be fined $25,000 a day for noncompliance.
According to Assistant City Manager Tom Short, the city officials had to agree to a comprehensive plan to address all aspects of the system. Short said, unfortunately, part of the regulations stipulate that funding for the renovation could not be subsidized, but must be collected from the rate payers.
Unfunded Projects
Two projects remain unfunded. A pump modification at Bois D'Arc lift station would cost the city an additional $20,000. Also, elimination of the Shirley lift station would run $10,000.
Parr said the department would be looking at additional electrical costs associated with the lift station because there wasn't a gravity line. The department plans to estimate what it would cost to build a gravity line and how soon the line would pay for itself.
Collection System Line
If every problem were addressed from the East Side Inflow and Infiltration survey, costs of $1.8 million would be needed, according to Parr. However, the city hopes to renegotiate required repairs with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality to reduce the cost of the project.
In addition, engineering work to determine the scope of the Conoco Interceptor will cost $42,000 and the South Fourteenth Street interceptor needs major work.
This interceptor, which is the main gravity line, is partially full of sand. The department is unable to get a camera down through it. Parr feels that there may be left-over contingency money from a loan through the Oklahoma Water Resource Board that could possibly fund the work, if OWRB gives permission.
Just as with the Water Treatment Plant, Parr said there could be future reduction in personnel through attrition once a SCADA system is installed. Parr hopes the department can be on-line by the summer of 1998, although during construction, extra personnel are needed at the plant.
After training, the system will not require personnel 24-hours each day. The department would like to add an employee, to share with the Water Department. If approved, the position would require electrical control pump experience to provide preventative maintenance and early identification of problems.
Once the debt is retired, the plant will be able to take on another large water user. For less than $2 million, the capacity can easily expand to allow for economic development, the director said.
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
"I want my students to walk away from my class feeling more confident in their abilities as ... a person. Each child is a unique and special person. My job is to bring it out and strengthen his or her own presence, on-camera as well as off," says Rosalind Reeder, who will teach sixth through 10th grade students at the 1997 Arts Adventure day camp in Ponca City in July.
Reeder is one of the top artists in her genre, whose statement reflects the philosophy of the dozen professionals who will be conducting classes during the two-week Arts Adventure workshop at the Marland Estate July 21-Aug. 1.
Reeder has taught on-camera commercial and film acting to young people since 1989, conducting workshops throughout the Midwest, from Chicago to Branson, Mo., In her classes, some of Rosalind's students have gone on to work professionally in national commercials, television shows and feature films.
Rosalind also appears in commercials, industrial films, and stage productions. She is a freelance producer and writer. She has also written a manual for parents concerning the professional acting market for young people.
Also on tap at the 1997 Arts Adventure workshop for youth in the Ponca City area will be Bill Fears, teaching dramatics and language arts. His work explores curricular areas through dramatic role-play and emphasizes both dramatic and non-dramatic writing.
Fears has taught theater and dramatics at all levels as well as language arts and social studies as a full-time classroom teacher. He has performed and directed in Oklahoma, New York and in various schools, universities and regional theaters throughout the country. He currently is a drama-in-education specialist working with school systems, teachers and students at all levels, and also teaches theater courses at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
One particular specialty for Fears is teaching play writing to public school youth, where students write their own one-act plays. A number of the plays written are given a staged performance.
Other classes in addition to drama will be creative writing, dance, piano, strings, visual arts and vocal music.
Ponca City area youth interested in the two-weeks workshop sponsored by the Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council for sixth through 10th grade students may enroll through April 19 by calling Pam Griffith at 762-1772 or Barbara Younger 762-3695.
Enrollment fee is $125 per student and some scholarships are available for students who may have difficulty paying the full registration. Skills day will be held April 26 at the Ponca City High School to determine in which level each student will be placed.
Arts Adventure Committee members, who have worked to arrange the day camps include Coordinator Pam Griffith, Vice-President Ruslyn Hermanson, Secretary Barbara Younger, Treasurer Ivery Allen, Creative Writing Chairperson Suzanne Robinson, Dance Chairperson Fran Norris, Drama Chairperson T.L. Walker, Piano Chairpersons Kathy Wimberley and Katie Tucker, Strings Chairperson Pam Oster, Visual Arts Chairperson, Jimmie Eatherly and Vocal Music Chairperson Dana Poulson Nesselrode.
Editor, The News,
Please convey to those wonderful people in Ponca City our profound gratitude for their voting to keep that beautiful home, the Cultural Center.
We are two former Poncans with fond memories of not only that home but also other treasures you have wisely chosen to preserve for future generations - the Art Center, the Garden Center, and especially the fabulous Marland Mansion. We are also pleased that you have chosen to rehabilitate Lyde's Cottage and to maintain other structures on the mansion grounds.
Ponca City is so beautiful, its history so rich; and its people are the greatest to recognize the need to care for these and other treasures that make the city unique. Thank you all so very much.
We are members of the 1918 and the 1948 graduating classes of Ponca City High School. As the school song says: "Ponca City, we love you."
Ruth Clark
Judy Simmons
Tulsa
Ponca City firefighters extinguished a kitchen fire in the 400 block of South Franklin Avenue early this morning.
Ponca City telecommunication officers received a 911 call at 5:58 a.m. reporting a house fire. Firefighters arrived within three minutes to douse flames on the blinds and window trim of the kitchen window.
According to firefighter Paul White, driver, the resident was cooking breakfast when hot grease ignited. The resident took the skillet to the sink and turned on the water to quell the flames. The grease exploded causing first degree burns to the victim's right hand, White noted in his report. However, the victim refused to be taken to the hospital.
The fire report confirmed damage was confined to the kitchen area. Firefighters reported that two smoke detectors were in the home, but batteries were missing from both.
A demobilization ceremony will be held for Army Reservists of the 818 Replacement Company, at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Tracy W. Young Army Reserve Center, 805 West Hartford Avenue.
After demobilization on March 17, members of the 818th returned from Fort Benning. Ga., where they performed personnel replacement operations in support of Operation Joint Endeavor.
Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Livingston, commander of the 90th Regional Support Group, will be the guest speaker at the ceremony. In addition, Mayor Marilyn Andrews and Command Sgt. Maj. Harold E. Holmes of the 90th Regional Support Command, plan to attend.
Ponca City Commissioners plan to study how a balanced budget would affect the city on Friday during a special work session to be held at the Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue, at 9:30 a.m.
To review all options for a well-planned budget, commissioners asked City Manager Gary Martin to see how departments and services would be impacted if proposed revenues and expenditures were balanced within one year as opposed to over a three-year period as discussed in early budget proceedings.
Martin said department heads will make presentations to the commissioners.
The Ponca City Head Start program is now recruiting three and four year old youngsters for the next session, it was announced today.
Enrollment opportunities are now available for children with disabilities. Applicants need to bring verification of income and child's age when they come to register.
This is a five day program, meeting at 407 South Ash, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Inquiries may be made by calling 765-1173.
TONKAWA - The Classes of 1937 and of 1947 will be honored at the annual Northern Oklahoma College Alumni and Friends Reunion Dinner set for 6 p.m. April 19 in Maverick Cafeteria.
Dr. Clane Kirtley, Class of 1954 and faculty emeritus, will give Northern Reflections, based on his experiences during his tenure as student, residence hall director, instructor, dean and counselor.
Sheri Snyder, director of college relations, will welcome guests and present special awards. She will also give the roll call and make special introductions. Jeremy Dunn of Perry, Northern presidential scholar and Student Senate president, will give the invocation and Cindy Miller, Mooreland, 1997 Miss Northern Oklahoma College, will present Northern Remarks. Honor graduates of 1997 will be recognized.
Alumni and friends may gather from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the West Dining Room of the cafeteria for registration and mixer. A campus tour will also be available. Following the dinner, guests may visit the art exhibit and meet the Northern Art graduates at a reception in the Eleanor Hays Gallery before attending the spring musical, "Once Upon a Mattress," at 8 p.m. in the Northern Performing Arts Center.
Those who have not yet made their reservations for the dinner should do so by calling 628-6668 or writing Sheri Snyder, Director of College Relations, Northern Oklahoma College, P.O. Box 310, Tonkawa, OK 74653-0310 by April 14.
Pre-enrollment for summer school at Ponca City Senior High is currently taking place. Pre-enrollment forms can be picked up in the counselors office at the mid-high and main office, room 209, in the Howell Building at the high school.
Class dates, times, fees and other information are given on the pre-enrollment forms. Driver Education classes will be held in the Anderson Building at the high school. Regular summer school classes will be held at the middle school due to construction at the high school.
Pre-enrollment is very important for regular summer school classes and mandatory for Driver Education classes. Eighteen students must be enrolled in a class (this does not include Driver Education) for it to be offered during the summer months.
Classes with low pre-enrollment may be dropped before enrollment. It
is a very wise idea to consult a school counselor before enrolling in summer
school classes. Contact the high school at 767-9500 for more information.
DEATHS
Donald W. Dissinger, Ponca City resident, died Tuesday evening, April 8, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 85.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Michigan, and no visitation will be held here. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Donald W. Dissinger was born Feb. 16, 1912, in South Elkhorn, Ill., the son of Harry Wilmer and Elsie Ellen (Winebrenner) Dissinger. He worked his way through college as a brick mason tender and graduated from Northern Illinois State Teachers College in 1934. Dissinger began a 40 year teaching career in Chicago and Kansas City, Kan.
He was married to Nedra Akin on May 25, 1940 in Kansas City. Dissinger was employed with the Manistique, Mich., Schools as an industrial arts teacher. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant and returned to Manistique, where he continued his teaching careers as a junior high math and shop teacher. He spent 20 years of his career as the junior high principal, retiring in 1974. In addition to his teaching career, he served 17 summers as a Michigan State park ranger.
Mr. Dissinger and his wife began spending winters in Ponca City in 1990 and returned to their home in Manistique each summer until his health began to fail in 1995. He attended the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ in Ponca City. Dissinger was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Order of Eastern Star and the Masonic Lodge in Manistique. He was also a member of the Manistique Retired Teacher's Association. Dissinger had traveled abroad several times and was an avid bird watcher.
Survivors include his wife, Nedra Dissinger, of the home; one daughter, Linda Jones of Edina, Minn.; one son, Michael Akin Dissinger of Little Rock, Ark.; one sister, Geraldine Montgomery of Kingston, Ill.; and nine grandchildren. His parents and one sister, Marguerite Popp preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Dissinger's name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.
ENID - Helen Lois Sims, former Ponca City resident, died Monday, April 7, 1997 at St. Mary's Mercy Hospital in Enid. She was 75.
The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Central Christian Church in Enid, with the Rev. Gary McCormick and Dr. J. Robert Moffett officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. in the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Brown Funeral Home, Enid.
Helen Lois (Thompson) Sims was born Sept. 23, 1921, in Newton, Kan., the daughter of John Randolph and Helen Mary (Duff) Thompson. She grew up and attended school in Ponca City, and graduated from Ponca City High School. She also attended Ponca City Business College and Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa.
On Oct. 24, 1947, she was married to Bert Sims in Ponca City. The couple lived in Houston, Texas, for 27 years, then moved to Enid in 1984. Mrs. Sims was a member of the Enid Central Christian Church and a charter member of the Chapel Class of the First Christian Church of Ponca City. She served for 45 years as librarian and choir member at the First Christian Churches of Houston and Ponca City. She was a 40-year member of the Camp Fire organization, both as a member and a leader.
Survivors include her husband, Bert, of the home; four daughters, Eddie Lou Strimple and Martha O'Banion, both of Enid, Susan Sims of Houston, and Mary Beth Colston of Oklahoma City; two brothers, George Thompson of Bartlesville and Don Thompson of Ponca City; and 10 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Sims' name to American Diabetes Association or to a charity of choice to: Brown Funeral Home, 400 West Maple, Enid, OK 73701.
BIXBY - Mennis M. Noblett, former Blackwell resident, died at his home in Bixby, Wednesday, April 9, 1997, following a long illness. He was 83.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Bixby Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Neil Dancer, Trinity Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Bixby Cemetery.
Mennis M. Noblett was born July 13, 1913, in Yell County, Ark., the son of Joseph Monroe and Anna Noblett. He moved to Hughes County as a youngster and worked his way through East Central Teacher's College in Ada.
He married Olive Faye Ballard of Merom, Ind., on April 15, 1936. Noblett was employed as principal and athletic coach at several schools in Hughes, Seminole and Pottawatomie Counties. In 1954 he moved to Blackwell, where he was employed as production superintendent for Clinton Oil Co. He retired in 1978 and moved to Mena, Ark., and in 1991, moved to Bixby. Noblett was a member of the Horntown Baptist Church. He was also a 32nd degree Mason, serving as worshipful master of the Blackwell Lodge 109.
Survivors include his wife, Faye, of the home; two sons, Robert Noblett of Blackwell, and Kenneth Noblett of Orlando, Fla.; three daughters, Patsy Muchmore of Tulsa, Etta Elliott of Durant and Sherry Noblett of Oklahoma City; one brother, Marvin Noblett of Ada; one sister, Lillie Bailey of Amity, Ark.; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thomas Noblett; two sisters, Ellen Greenlee and Lena Hunter.
BURBANK - William Baird Oldfield, Burbank resident, died Wednesday, April 9, 1997, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City.
The Requiem Mass will be celebrated Friday, 4 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church with the Rev. Kenneth Armstrong, rector, as celebrant. Services are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Born April 1, 1918 in Oklahoma City, he was the son of District Judge Edward Dewes and Edith Baird Oldfield. He attended schools in Oklahoma City and was the Senior Graduating ROTC Cadet Colonel at the University of Oklahoma in 1939 and was a member of the last horse drawn artillery battery at OU. He accepted a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduation from OU. He saw service in World War II in the battles of Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian. He pioneered the use of naval gunfire in close support of ground troops. He resigned from the regular Marine Corps in 1946 and accept a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and later retired as a Colonel.
He and the former Frances Donelson were married Feb. 3, 1945, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral, Oklahoma City. Oldfield was engaged in ranching in Osage County for 50 years. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Ponca City, Greyhorse Lodge 124, AF&AM in Fairfax, Elks Lodge 2542 in Pawhuska, and a charter member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association.
In earlier years he served as assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 39 in Burbank and also coached little league baseball there. He also served on the Burbank School board for a number of years.
He is survived by his wife, Frances Donelson Oldfield, of the home; three sons, W.B. Oldfield Jr., of Jackson Hole, Wyo., Lee Oldfield and Ladd Oldfield, both of Burbank; a daughter, Amy Oldfield of Burbank; three grandchildren, Sarah Oldfield, William Ladd Oldfield, and Clara E. Bowen; and one brother, Edward D. Oldfield Jr. of Oklahoma City.
Memorials may be made to the Grace Episcopal Church, 109 North 13th Street, Ponca City, OK 74601, or to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
The Colonel will lie in state at his home west of Burbank until noon Friday.
paid obituary
TONKAWA - Donna Rose (McDaniel) Fath, lifetime resident of Tonkawa, died Wednesday morning, April 9, 1997, at her home after an extended illness. She was 63.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 1997, at the United Methodist Church in Tonkawa with Dr. Robert Kanary as the officiant. Burial will follow in the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home.
Donna Rose McDaniel was born Sept. 2, 1933, at the family farm south of Tonkawa, the daughter of Arthur and Nina (Wilson) McDaniel. She attended Valley Center, Fountain School and Tonkawa Public Schools and graduated from Tonkawa High School in 1951.
She married Roy Conrad Fath on Feb. 13, 1952, and recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. The couple have been residents of Tonkawa since their marriage. Donna was a homemaker, church choir director, and farm hand. She graduated from Northern Oklahoma College in 1970, and Northwestern Oklahoma University in 1972. She taught music at Braman Public Schools from 1972-1977 and at NOC from 1977-1992, when she retired. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Tonkawa.
She is survived by her husband, Roy, of the home; one daughter, Nina Kay Geschwind, of Moore; one son, Tony Ray Fath, of Tonkawa; two sisters, Betty Burns Tolbert of Topeka, Kan., and Evelyn Jemison of Enid; two granddaughters, Mindy Geschwind and Karey Geschwind; and three grandsons, Brady Fath, Casy Fath and Stony Fath; and numerous extended family from years of teaching. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Jamie Harris.
Casket bearers will be J.C. Fath, Jack Harris, Greg Kaupke, Mike Johnson, Cotton McDaniel and Gary Wilson. Honorary bearers will be Bill Heilmann, Greg McGee, Randy Morgan, Brady Fath, Casy Fath and Stony Fath.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.
paid obituary
Friday
Dale Charles Lesemann - Funeral at 10 a.m. at Newkirk First Christian Church. Burial will be in the Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.
Ernia Bell Brown - Funeral at 1 p.m. at the Cushing (Okla.) United
Pentecostal Church. Burial will be in the Newkirk (Okla.) Cemetery at 4
p.m. under the direction of Yale-Palmer Funeral Home, Cushing.
NEWS BRIEFS
Delayed Entry - David G. Metzger has joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program. The program gives young men or women the opportunity to delay enlistment into the Army up to one year before reporting to basic military training. Metzger, a senior at Ponca City High School, will report to Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C., for military basic training on July 2. He is the son of Laura and James Metzger of Ponca City.
Senior Citizens Dance Set - A Senior Citizens Dance will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday in the Senior Citizens Building, 320 South A in Arkansas City. The Pete Coli Country Band will be playing for dancing. All seniors are invited to attend and bring a finger food to share.
Spring Open House Set - Westminster Village Retirement Community will hold a Spring Open House on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. They are inviting Ponca Citians to come tour the Center at 1601 Academy Road. Door prizes will be awarded.
Failure to Pay - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 31-year-old woman in the 200 block of South Oak Street at 10:25 a.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Shoplifters - An employee of Dollar Saver, 112 South Second Street, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 1:13 p.m. Wednesday to report two juveniles in the store shoplifting. Two officers responded and issued citations to the youths.
Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a non-injury accident in the 1000 block of North Seventh Street at 2:23 p.m. Wednesday.
Stolen - An employee from Miss Nan's Day Care, 1519 North Union Street, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 2:46 p.m. Wednesday that someone stole a spare tire from the van. An officer took a report.
Fighting - Four Ponca City police officers responded to the 100 block of North First Street at 3:31 p.m. Wednesday to a call of a boy beating on a girl. Officers issued citations.
Collision - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a non-injury accident at North Union Street and West Hartford Avenue at 3:47 p.m. Wednesday.
Larceny - An employee at Lamp Post Liquor, 1501 North Union Street, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 9 p.m. Wednesday that a young man took two quarts of beer and ran northbound on Union Street to Emporia Avenue and then westbound. An officer responded and took a report on petit larceny.
City Warrant - A Ponca City police officer made a traffic stop in the 2500 block of North Fourteenth Street at 12:38 a.m. Thursday. A 19-year-old man was taken into custody on a city warrant for failure to appear. Additionally, a BB gun was taken as evidence.
Under Suspension - A 50-year-old man was arrested from a traffic stop in the 1400 block of South Fifth Street at 2:29 a.m. Thursday for driving under suspension, transporting an open container and no insurance.
Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 36-year-old
man at West Hartford Avenue and North Union Street at 4:43 a.m. Thursday
on a city warrant for failure to appear.
SPORTS
The first Ponca City High School Invitational Baseball Tournament in at least 33 years was delayed today because of a wet field but the games were slated to begin by 12:45 this afternoon.
Many believe this is the first-ever invitational baseball tournament to be held here. Former athletic director Jerry Runyan knows for a fact there hasn't been one since he came to Ponca City in 1964. He couldn't vouch for the years preceding his arrival but said he had never heard of one, only a couple regionals and one state tournament.
Putnam City North and Cushing play Game 1 and then Mustang and Blackwell are scheduled to play Game 2 at approximately 3:30.
Game 3 features Guthrie and Webster at 6 and then Ponca City and Cleveland will play Game 4 at approximately 8:30 if there is no more rain today.
Friday's games are set to start at 11:30 a.m., weather permitting.