Obituaries

Marvin Ward Hembree, born December 30th, 1955 at Blackwell Hospital and passed at home September 8th, 2023. He was a fourth generation farmer who carried on the Hembree tradition in Oklahoma since 1893. Marvin was the youngest of four children, born to Eddie and Wilma (Miller) Hembree. He went to union school and Tonkawa High School. He was very mechanically inclined and loved cars. His talent carried him on too many jobs, including M&R Services, Bowker Ford, Evans & Associates as well as Hembree Spraying Services. Marvin married Ruth Anne Welch July 8th, 1989 and continued farming while raising two sons Michael Adam Stanley and Joel Dylan Hembree as well as his grandson Ryder Allen Hembree. Marvin enjoyed helping others and his positive outlook on life will always be remembered and cherished by his family and many friends.

Charles Wayne (Charley) Clegg, died peacefully on September 7, 2023 in his room in Memory Care, Spanish Cove Retirement Community, at the age of 84. Charley was born in Weir, Kansas, January 8, 1939 to Glenn Frank Clegg and Lavon Ernestine (Cignetti) Clegg.

Larry “Jack” Avey, 84 of Tonkawa, OK passed gently away Sunday September 10, 2023, at his home in Ralston, OK. He was born on February13, 1939 in Tonkawa, OK to William Cleveland and Mary Evalina (Blankenship) Avey, the last of twelve Avey children. Jack grew up in Tonkawa and went to Tonkawa Public Schools, proudly graduating from Tonkawa High School with the Class of 1957.He was the President of the local FFA chapter his Senior year. He also attended Northern Oklahoma College for a short time.

Bettie Jean Collins died on September 5 at 81, but her remarkable penchant for details and charming ability to out-argue anyone will not be forgotten. Born on September 27, 1941, Bettie Jean was the only child of Loranzo and Imogene McJunkin, who raised her in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Ty Joseph LeClair, 26, resident of Los Angeles, California, left this world unexpectedly on Sunday, August 27, 2023. Ty was born on December 9, 1996, in Ponca City, the son of Joseph and Tiffanie LeClair. He attended Ponca City Schools and graduated from PoHi in 2015. During his time at PoHi, he was active in baseball, track and cross country, lettering in all three sports. After graduation, Ty attended NOC in Tonkawa. He later decided that college was “not his thing.”

Shelly Wilhelm, 70, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, sister, and aunt, was called to her eternal resting place on September 4, 2023. She entered this world on March 10, 1953, in Pawhuska, OK. Born to Herbert L. Roe and Sharon I. Martin Roe.

Our dear, beautiful mother, Dorothy Jean Nottingham- Morgan, of Ponca City, OK, who graced this world for 86 years, left this life on September 3, 2023. A Private Family Graveside Ceremony will be held at Round Grove Cemetery with Dr. Bob Ryan officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK, 74601 Dorothy’s life began in Kaw City, Oklahoma, on October 12, 1936, born to John and Mary (Howell) Nottingham. On September 28, 1957, she married the love of her life Thomas Morgan, in Sallisaw, OK and remained happily married for 61 wonderful years. Dorothy and Tom lived in Dallas, TX, with their family for many years before returning to Ponca City.