LOCAL

Payne Stewart Jet Crashes in Dakotas

Payne Stewart Jet Crashes in Dakotas

Editor’s Note: Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) has confirmed that Stewart was aboard the plane, one of five people killed.

By GLEN JOHNSON

AP Aviation Writer

A Learjet co-owned by golf champion Payne Stewart flew uncontrolled over the nation’s heartland for hours today before crashing in South Dakota, apparently with five people aboard. There were no survivors.

Government officials feared that the U.S. Open golf champion was among the victims and that the plane may have suffered a pressurization failure. The golfer’s mother, Bee Stewart, said in Springfield, Mo., she didn’t know if her son was on the plane but said he was a part owner of the jet.

The aircraft left Orlando, Fla., this morning bound for Dallas, and the last communication was when the plane was over Gainesville, Fla., said Tony Molinaro, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman in Chicago.

Stewart, who lives in Orlando, had been expected in Houston on Tuesday for practice rounds in advance of the Tour Championship, the PGA Tour’s final tournament of the year for the top 30 players on its money list.

Stewart went to SMU in Dallas and still has friends in the area.

The plane had flown as high as 45,000 feet and the crew did not respond to repeated inquiries from air traffic controllers, said Paul Turk, an FAA spokesman.

An Air Force F-16 fighter jet from Tyndall, Fla., was diverted from a routine training flight to check out the Learjet, Air Force officials said. Two F-15 fighters from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., then took over to follow the Learjet, and they later handed off the monitoring to two Air National Guard F-16s from Tulsa, Okla.

Gene Abdallah, superintendent of the South Dakota Highway Patrol, confirmed that the plane had crashed about two miles west of Mina, S.D., in the north-central part of the state. No one survived, South Dakota Gov. Bill Janklow said. No one on the ground was hurt, White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said.

There was no confirmation as to the identities of those on the plane, but one official said authorities had information from a flight plan and the jet’s registration number that led them to believe Stewart was among those on board.

Lockhart said President Clinton was informed of the situation during a meeting with his economic advisers. When reporters pressed him for the identities of those on board, he threatened to cut short his daily briefing.

He said that FAA officials had an unofficial roster of those on board, and ‘‘until they have confirmed that there won’t be any further information.’’

Lockhart said that two FAA officials already had been dispatched to the scene of the crash, as had a National Transportation Safety Board representative.

Planes that fly above 12,000 feet are normally pressurized, because passengers would have difficulty breathing the thin air above that altitude.

If there is a pressurization problem, those aboard the aircraft could slowly lose consciousness and, if not returned to a normal altitude, die.

Once reaching a cruise altitude, pilots often switch on the autopilot. If they passed out, the plane would cruise until it ran out of fuel.

Stewart, 42, has been one of the most recognizable players in golf because of his trademark knickers and tam-o’-shanter hat. He has won 18 tournaments around the world, including three major championships. In June, Stewart won his second U.S. Open over Phil Mickelson with a 15-foot putt, the longest putt to ever decide that championship on the final hole.

DEATHS

Glenna Mae Brooks
Alta Hazel “Rose” Keeley
Mary M. Janda

Glenna Mae Brooks

BLACKWELL — Glenna Mae Brooks, Blackwell resident, died Sunday morning, Oct. 24, 1999, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital. She was 78.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 1999, at 1 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Daryl Donovan officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home of Blackwell.

Glenna Mae Brooks was born on May 17, 1921, in DeNoya, Okla. to Alva and Cleo (Konklin) Kirkpatrick. She grew up in Dexter, Kan., and attended Dexter Schools. During her high school years she moved with her family to Tonkawa, where she graduated from Tonkawa High School in 1939. Following her schooling, she worked at the local cleaners in Tonkawa.

She married Earl Carruth on June 22, 1942, in Wellington, Kan., and they settled in Tonkawa for a short time before moving to Blackwell. Following her husband’s entry into the United States Army, they moved to San Antonio, Texas, to make their home. They then returned to Blackwell, where she worked at various jobs. In 1969, she became the bookkeeper for Blackwell General Hospital. Her husband preceded her in death on Dec. 12, 1979.

She continued working at the hospital until her retirement in 1987. She married Edwin L. Brooks on Oct. 7, 1989, in Blackwell. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Blackwell and was also active in the Christian Women’s Fellowship and the XL Sunday School Class. She also held membership in the Alco Club Room, VFW Auxiliary, the Smelter Union Auxiliary and worked as a Red Cross volunteer. She enjoyed dance and playing cards.

Survivors include her husband, Edwin L. Brooks of the home; two daughters, JoQuita Wallen of Ponca City, and Joyce Courtney of Blackwell; one step-son, Edwin L. Brooks Jr. of Stillwater; one brother, Leroy Kirkpatrick of Tonkawa; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and three step-great grandchildren.

Casket bearers will be Scott Wallen, Chris Wallen and Jeff Wallen. Honorary casket bearers will be Jill Courtney and Chad Courtney.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church Memorial Fund, 306 East Coolidge, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.

Alta Hazel “Rose” Keeley

BLACKWELL — Alta Hazel “Rose” Keeley, Blackwell resident, died early Saturday morning, Oct. 23, 1999, at her home in rural Blackwell. She was 86.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 1999, at 10 a.m. at the Roberts Funeral Home in Blackwell under the direction of Rev. Wayne Bookout. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home of Blackwell.

Alta Hazel “Rose” Keeley was born on March 5, 1913, in Adams, Kan., to William Clinton and Elsie Etta (Finnell) Black. She grew up in Bartlesville, where she also attended school. Following her schooling, she worked as a mid-wife in Bartlesville as well as a housewife. She moved to Blackwell in 1941 where she worked as a cook at various restaurants. She also worked at the Wiseman Potato Chip Factory in Blackwell. She married Bill R. Keeley on Aug. 19, 1958, in Kingman, Kan., and they settled in Blackwell.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Blackwell, the Prairie View Club and the VFW Auxiliary. She also held membership in the Daughters of the Union Veterans Club of which she served as past president. She was an avid stamp collector, loved animals, and had many pen pals she corresponded with.

Survivors include her husband, Bill R. Keeley of the home; two sons, Richard Mardis of Ponca City, and John Mardis of Blackwell; three daughters, Shirley Shelton of Blackwell, June Vermillion of Blackwell, and Bonita Runge of Orovilla, California; one sister, Opal Sevier of Oklahoma City; 23 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Vernon and Roscoe Black; and three sisters, Tris Vandiver, Violet Taylor and Thelma Ervi.

Casket bearers will be Don Storck, Joe Soloria, Vernon Steelmon, Clayton Armstrong, Tom Cannon and Bob Cronin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.

Obituaries

Mary M. Janda

NEWKIRK — Mary M. Janda, longtime Newkirk area resident, died late Sunday afternoon, Oct. 24, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City. She was 87.

A Prayer Service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26 in Miller-Stahl Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Newkirk, with the Rev. Richard Beckman as celebrant. Burial will follow in Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.

Those serving as casket bearers will be Andy Pearman, Ted Pearman, Chris Janda, Marvin Wayne Janda, Burl Sheppard and Todd Robinson.

A memorial fund has been established with the Center of Family Love in Okarche. Contributions may be made in Mrs. Janda’s memory through Eastman National Bank, P.O. Box 468, Newkirk, Okla. 74647-0468.

Mary M. Janda was born June 25, 1912, at Kildare, Okla., the daughter of Stephen and Marie (Pester) Horinek. She grew up on the farm and attended Liberty Rural School. After finishing her education she worked for a time at St. Joseph Hospital in Ponca City.

On Aug. 13, 1935, she and Joseph Frank Janda were married at Ponca City. They established their first home in Chickasha, moving to Kay County in 1936.

She was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and had been a member of St. Francis Alter Society. She loved her life on the farm, growing a garden, and raising cattle and chickens. She loved to walk in the fields. When she went to town, items to her didn’t cost money, they cost so many bushels of wheat.

She loved her Czechoslovakian heritage. She spoke Czech, cooked good Czech foods, and enjoyed the polka music. She taught her children and grandchildren these things and made it an important part of their lives. The after dinner tradition at Grandma’s house was to push back the kitchen table, turn on the Czech music and dance.

She is survived by three sons, Daniel S. Janda of Newkirk, Benedict Janda and Marvin Janda, both of Kildare; one daughter, Mary Jo Pearman of Edwardsville, Illinois; one brother, Arnold Horinek of Ponca City; eight grandchildren, Mary Sheppard of Ponca City, Anna Wirtz of Perry, Julia Robinson of Kildare; Chris Janda of Kildare, Lisa Free of Ponca City, Marvin Wayne Janda of Ponca City, Andy Pearman of Walters, Okla., and Ted Pearman of Wichita; and five great-grandchildren, Ross Wirtz, Jessica Free, Magan Robinson, Brexten Janda and Brailey Janda.

She was preceded in death by her husband on April 19, 1977; her parents; five brothers, Joseph, Albert, Thomas, George and Victor; and one great-granddaughter, Nichole Leann.

paid obituary

NEWS BRIEFS

Retirees Meet — Cities Service and Sequoia retirees will meet 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Furr’s Cafeteria for dinner. All interested persons are invited to attend.

McCord School’s 18th annual Arts and Crafts Festival, Saturday, October 30, 1999. 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Over 70 exhibitors. Concessions available. Free admission. adv.

Juvenile Cited — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 100 block of West Fresno Avenue at 9:06 a.m. Saturday that a 12-year-old boy was being held for third degree arson. The juvenile was released to a parent on a promise to appear in court.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Bicycle Stolen — A woman from the 700 block of North Sunset Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:21 p.m. Saturday that a bicycle had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Super Clean centrally located one bedroom apartment with appliances. $250, lease, no pets. 765-1166. adv.

Items Missing — A man from the 300 block of South Oak Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:47 p.m. Saturday that some Halloween decoration and yard equipment had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Bicycle Stolen — A woman from the 700 block of North Pine Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:06 p.m. Saturday that a bicycle had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from East Terrace Apartments at 9:15 p.m. Saturday that a 19-year-old man was being held for possession of drug paraphernalia and a Kay County warrant.

Vehicle Towed — A minor accident in the drive-thru lane of a business in the 2100 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:53 p.m. Saturday. Two officers were assigned and a vehicle was towed from the scene. A 39-year-old man was held for DUI, driving under suspension and careless driving.

Subject Held — Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 100 block of South Palm Street at 3:14 p.m. Sunday that a 24-year-old man was being held for domestic assault and battery.

Fire Out — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 1:30 a.m. Monday that a fire was in the yard in the 400 block of South Perry Street. A unit from the Ponca City Fire Department responded and put a fire out that involved some trash and furniture.

Shots Heard — A man reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:06 p.m. Saturday that he had heard shots fired in the 700 block of South Eleventh Street. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of East Grand Avenue and Second Street at 2:36 a.m. Monday that a 21-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension and careless driving.

Items Found — A woman from the 800 block of North First Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department that she had found three cellular phones in the trash barrel within the past three days. An officer was assigned and the items were brought to the police department. A report was taken.

Accident — Several 911 calls were received by the Communications Center at 1:57 p.m. Sunday that an injury accident had occurred in the 400 block of North Fourteenth Street. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded as did four units from the Ponca City Fire Department. A report was taken.

Accident — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 11:16 p.m. Saturday that a two-vehicle accident had occurred in the Ponca Twin parking lot. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Fire Out — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 1:30 a.m. Monday that a fire was in the yard in the 400 block of South Perry Street. A unit from the Ponca City Fire Department responded and put a fire out that involved some trash and furniture.

Strange Odor — A man reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:26 a.m. Sunday that a strange odor of gas was coming from the Oklahoma Natural Gas, 2205 North Ash Street in the pump area. An officer was assigned to check on the situation, and ONG was notified to handle the situation.

Beer Missing — A clerk at E-Z Mart, 2225 North Fourteenth Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:08 a.m. Sunday that an underage juvenile had taken a 12-pack of beer and left money on the counter. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.

Door Broken — A person at the V.F.W., 4900 East Prospect Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:14 a.m. Sunday that someone had just broken the door to the business. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of West Grand Avenue and Peachtree Street at 1:50 a.m. Sunday that a 50-year-old man was held for DUI and transporting an open container.

Requests Assistance — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 3:05 a.m. Sunday from the 100 block of South Ash Street that a subject was needing some assistance. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department were assigned and a 26-year-old man was held for a city warrant and domestic assault.

Accident — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 9:30 a.m. Sunday that an accident had occurred in the 2900 block of North Union Street. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken.

LIFESTYLES

Prairie Preserve Program Topic For Unit III Meet
PCHS Graduate Inducted Into WSS Hall of Fame
Little News
Xi Gamma Sigma Chapter Attends Show

Prairie Preserve Program Topic For Unit III Meet

Unit III of the Ponca City Mother’s Club met Oct. 15 at the home of Wauneita Burger, 2202 Kyme Drive, for a luncheon. Co-hostesses were Ann Kennedy and Esther Bolding. Maxine Manering, docent for the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve, presented the program. The Preserve is part of The Nature Conservancy, which is a private, non-profit, conservation organization with over 900,000 members. The Conservancy’s goal is to recreate a functioning tallgrass prairie ecosystem using fire and bison — fire removes dead vegetation, and the bison graze, which plays an important role in maintaining a dynamic prairie ecosystem by altering the amount an composition of vegetation.

The Nov. 19 meeting will be at the home of Gloria Harris, 2325 Glenmore Place, with Kim Klosky telling the members about Massage Therapy.

PCHS Graduate Inducted Into WSS Hall of Fame

Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Edwards of Salina, Kan. were in Sacramento, Calif. recently where Mr. Edwards was inducted into the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame.

Bob Edwards attended public schools in Ponca City, graduating from Ponca City High School in 1955. He played in the high school orchestra under the direction of Pete Long.

Edwards received a bachelor of music education degree with a certificate in Viola from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., and a master’s of music education from Wichita State University.

He taught orchestra in the public schools in Liberal, Kan. for seven years and finished his teaching career with 26 years in the public schools at Salina, Kan. While in Salina, he served as principal chair in the viola section of the Salina Symphony Orchestra and performed as a soloist with the orchestra. He also served as guest conductor for the Salina Youth Symphony.

Little News

Brandon Lee McKee is the name chosen by Tracy and Liesa McKee of Lamont for their son born Sept. 22, 1999, at the Stillwater Medical Center. The baby weighed 9 pounds, 4 ounces, and measured 23 inches long. He has a sister, Shelby, and a brother, Andrew.

Maternal grandparents are Jerry and Nella Schneeberger of Lamont, and paternal grandparents are Jonnis and Carrol McKee of Ponca City. Great-grandparents are Ira and Alma Schneeberger and Emma Anderson of Ponca City, and the late Annie Miller.

Xi Gamma Sigma Chapter Attends Show

Xi Gamma Sigma chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 12 at North Park Four Movie Theater with eight members present. The group also went out for ice cream. A brief business meeting was conducted by Juni Parks, vice president.

The next meeting will be the annual Halloween Party, with members coming in costume and bringing a snack to be enjoyed by the group. The meeting will be in the home of LaRannah Bartlett. It was announced that a contribution was made to Hospice.

SPORTS

Monday Evening Quarterback
Lady Cat Harriers Set Firsts

Monday Evening Quarterback

Tonkawa’s 36-game regular season win streak is the current longest in the state, almost double the 19 straight nation power Tulsa Union has going.

But coach Steve Love is more interested in another streak he hopes the Buccaneers will start soon.

“We don’t talk much about the (regular season) streak,” Love said after his team blitzed Wellston 48-0 Thursday to wrap up the District A-5 title — again. “We would rather have a streak in the playoffs.”

Despite the winning streak that goes back to the first game of the 1996 season (a loss to Class 3A Deer Creek-Edmond, which the Bucs avenged the following year), the Bucs have not had a lot of success in the post season. Last year they lost 13-12, to Colgate in the quarterfinals. They year before, Tonkawa also reached the quarterfinals, before losing to Wyandotte. In 1996, the Buccaneers were tripped up by Luther in the second round.

The Bucs are off this week before wrapping up the regular season against Woodland. They’ll use it to also get in the right mind-set for a run at the state finals. Tonkawa won back-to-back state title in 1952-53. They haven’t reached the finals since.

Love would love the see his Bucs break that streak this year and start a longer streak of state crowns.

It’s won’t be easy. Love figures the Bucs’s first playoff foe, from District A-6 could be either Oklahoma Union, Kansas or Wyandotte. Should Tonkawa win there, District A-6 champion Commerce (currently 8-0) awaits.

Down the line are No. 1 Terpin, No. 2 Thomas and No. 3 Apache, all rated in front of the Bucs.

But Tonkawa will take some formatible statistics into the playoffs. The Bucs are averaging 59 points a game will giving up 10 per outing.

Tonkawa also has a one-two offensive punch that would be the envy of any team. Against Wellston, Scott Klufa had three touchdowns while Koby Simpson had two, raising their touchdown totals on the season to 21 and 13, respectively.

Simpson rushed for 120 yards on 10 carries against Wellston while Simpson was 24 for 105. On the season. Klufa had 989 yards rushing, Simpson 705.

And Tonkawa is not a one dimensional team. Quarterback McClain Brown is 34-of-66 passing for 509 yards and eight touchdowns.

But football is a team sport and only a good program can produce good teams. That program is intact at Tonkawa and it just keeps producing talented players and good numbers.

“You have to have the numbers,” Love said. “At this level if you don’t have good players at each position, opponents will find that out an attack your weakness.”

Love also admits that winning begets winning.

“A streak like this gives the kids confidence and pride. They know they have to work hard in the off season and in practice to keep it going. They don’t want to be the team that sees the streak end.”

It also helps to keep the players from taking for granted teams they are favored against.

Love knows that someday the streak will end. but he wants to enjoy it as long as he can.

He notes that a new 2000 schedule will be tough. The non-district schedule include Class 2A foes Newkirk (in the season opener), Chisholm and Fairview.

District A-5 will once again become an eight-team district with Depew dropping to eight-man play, Wellston going up to 2A and Kiefer going to a different district. Replacing them will be Hominy and Crescent.

“But that’s all right,” Love says. “You need to play good people to play better.”

Lady Cat Harriers Set Firsts

Ponca City’s Lady Wildcat cross country team set a number of firsts in the region meet in Tulsa over the weekend, just not the one coach Kelly Chaney was hoping for.

This is the first time a Lady Cat (sophomore Jessica Jorgensen) has qualified for the state meet two years in a row.

It is the first time two girls (Jorgensen and Laura Chaney) qualified for state in the same year.

It is the first time a Lady Cat (Jorgensen) has been named to both the All-Conference and All Region teams.

Jorgensen holds the fastest time by any Ponca City girl at the conference and regional meets.

Jorgensen ran a 12:12 in the two-mile run at Mohawk Park in Tulsa to finish fifth individually. Chaney was 30th in 13:23.

Carol Stangeland, running with a heel injury, was 52nd in 14:08, Mandy Backer was 59th in 14:26, Melissa Stangeland 60th in 14:27. Nancy Taylor 65th in 15:08 and Adriane Hines 75th in 15:55.

But coach Chaney was hoping the entire team would qualify for the state meet at ORU Saturday.

However, a couple of late-season injuries kept the Poncan from that goal.

Stangeland’s injury slowed her by nearly a minute over her previous best time.

And the Lady Cats were without the services of No. 4 runner Krystal Stephens, who suffered a knee injury just before the conference meet two weeks ago.

“If those two girls had been okay and had run their usual times,” Chaney said. “We would have qualified the whole team.”

The top seven teams in the regional meet qualify. The Lady Wildcats finished ninth, with 206 pints.

Jenks, which had four of the top 10 individual finishers, ran off with the regional title, finishing with 38 points. Second-place Bartlesville had 70 points.

Sapulpa and Stillwater, two teams Ponca City had beaten earlier, were sixth and seventh, respectively, in the team standings, with 164 and 174 points.

“If Carol had been at full strength and if Krystal had been there, I figured we would have had 150 points,” Chaney said. “That would have tied us with Union for fourth place.

The youthful (five freshmen, one sophomore and one senior) Wildcat boys’ team gave Chaney something to look forward to.

“Freshman Kyle Karnish did the unbelievable when he knocked 1:13 off his best previous time,” Chaney said. “He finished the (5-K) race in 18:09 for 35th place.

“That is the second fastest time for a freshmen in the nine years I’ve been a coach here.”

Karnish missed qualifying for the state meet by seven seconds.

Ronnie Campbell was second across the finish line for the Wildcats in 18:37. followed by David Corn (20:06), Jon Kimpenich (20:28), Graden Hardy (20:33), Trevor Viljoen (20:41) and Garrett Hardy (21:30)

———

In the Junior High All-Star Meet in Oklahoma City earlier last week, Ponca City’s Chelsie Baldwin took first place among the Class 5A girls in the time of 8:55 for the mile-and-a-half run. Lady Cougar Jennifer Mena finished in 11:28.

For the Ponca City boys, Noah English was fourth overall in 11:04 for the 2-mile run.

He was followed by Matt Drouhard (28th in 12:21), John Wheeler (31st in 12:32), Todd Gingerich (37th in 12:42) and Adam Gibson (48th in 13:04).

Derek Viljoen, who was 15th after the first mile, sprained an ankle and did not finish the race.