DePurda ”De” Willits, Jr., age 77, died peacefully at his home in Mustang on Saturday, June 7, 2014.

He was born June 28, 1936 at Big Cabin, Okla. to Depurda and Mabel (Ishmael) Willits, Sr. The family moved frequently, so growing up and attending school was spread from Tennessee, Arizona, Texas and finally back to northeast Oklahoma, where he graduated from Vinita High School in Vinita, Okla. De served proudly in the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed in the United States and Japan. He worked many years in the field of banking, retiring in 2003.  De was a member of Canadian Valley Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Leo and Delbert; and two sister,s Juanita and Velma.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Louise of the home; one son, David Willits and wife Christie of Mustang; two daughters, Dea Anna Mengers and husband Karl of Mustang and Sharon Louise Dillon and husband Allen of Blanchard.  Also by six grandchildren, Jessica, Kristine, Ashley, Arron, Jeneve and Matthew. De was looking forward to his first great grandchild in September.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at Mustang Cemetery under the direction of McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service. Online condolences may be made at www.mcneilsmustangfs.com.

David A. Abbey was born June 7, 1947 in Lapeer, Mich. to David Lewis Abbey and Myrtle Alta (Raymond) Abbey.

He passed away June 1, 2014, at his home in Mustang in the presence of family and friends. David grew up in Flint, Mich. and joined the U.S. Army in 1966, where he served actively for over 14 years. David moved to Mustang in 1981 and worked for the city of Mustang water/sewer department for more than 10 years.

David was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Judy Eastburn of Rocky Comfort, Mo.

David is survived by his wife, Patsy of 46 years; daughter, Diana Walker and husband Robert of Weatherford; son, Christopher Abbey and wife Stephanie of Bethany; youngest daughter, Marilyn Nichols and husband Chris of Mustang; eight grandchildren, Misty and Kevin Walker, David Abbey and wife Bre, Kirsten and Christopher Abbey, Angel Mowry and husband Ryan, Alex Boyd and Brett Johnson; two great grandchildren, Elijah and Maisie; brother, James Abbey and wife Sally of Dunnellon, Fla.; sister, Joyce LaBean and husband Al of Oklahoma City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 6, at Mustang Nazarene Church at 700 E. state Highway 152 in Mustang.

 

Betty Raye (Cope) Dolton, age 75, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Saturday, May 31, 2014.

She was born July 25, 1938 in Oklahoma City to Jesse V. and Betty R. (Clapp) Cope and grew up in Oklahoma City. She was a 1956 graduate of U.S. Grant High School and had taken several college programs. She was married to Ronnie Dolton of Mustang shortly after high school and became a resident of Mustang. Betty was a longtime rural mail carrier in Mustang and made a host of friends along her mail routes. She was a member of Mustang United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ronnie; and one sister, Doris.

Survivors include two sons, Rusty and wife Tanya and Jody and wife Deleshia, all of Mustang; four grandchildren, Dusty, Ashlee, Kristen, Virginia; five great grandchildren, Riley, Sara, Chloe, Brylee, Paisley; and one brother, Marvin Cope of Coca Beach, Fla.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 5, 2014 in the Chapel of The Good Shepherd at McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service with interment to follow in Mustang Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.mcneilsmustangfs.com.

René Monine Dennard was born in Odessa, Texas on Aug. 21, 1960 to her loving parents, Dale and Doris Smith.

On May 29,2014, with her family by her side, René overcame her battle with cancer when she went to be with her Heavenly Father. René grew up in Odessa, Texas, and graduated from Permian High School in 1978. She moved to Oklahoma in 1981, where she met and later married Michael Dennard on July 7, 1984 at 7:30 p.m. Mike and René had two children, and René often stated that raising two accomplished children was her greatest achievement.  René loved her job as business manager for the Federal Aviation Administration Power Services Group. She lived to inspire others with her kindness, generosity and genuine love for people. René was preceded in death by her grandparents. She is survived by her parents, Dale and Doris; her husband of 30 years, Mike; daughter, Ashley and husband Jazton Sale; son, Mitchell Dennard; and brother, Randy Smith and wife Sandy, all of Mustang. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Lou; two brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held June 4, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Mustang United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Mustang Cemetery, Mustang, under the direction of McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service. Online condolences may be made at www.mcneilsmustangfs.com.

Roy Lynn Ward, age 54, died tragically on Thursday, May 29, 2014 in a truck accident in Blaine County.

He was born Nov. 14, 1959 in Borger, Texas, to GW and Alice (Martin) Ward and grew up in the Norman area. He moved as a teenager to Roosevelt, Okla., where he was a 1978 graduate of Roosevelt High School. He had worked in the oil field and trucking industry and presently owned and operated Ward Trucking Co. Roy lived in Mustang since 1986 and was a member of Lakehoma Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.

Survivors include his mother, Alice Ward of Ringling, and his wife of 34 years, Peggy of the home. Also by three daughters, Melissa Oakes and husband Kevin, Kimberly Lemley and husband Chris and Rebecca Collins and husband James, all of Mustang; five grandchildren, Jessica, Bryler, Westyn, Korbyn and Sofia; two brothers, Calvin Ward and wife Lesa of Hobart and Curtis Ward and wife Paula of Healdton; and one sister, Glynda Ward of Ringling.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3, at Lakehoma Church of Christ in Mustang, with interment following at 3 p.m. in Elk City Cemetery, under the direction of McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service. Online condolences may be made at www.mcneilsmustangfs.com.

Aaron Ross Hancock, 35, of Mustang died May 21, 2014 in Edmond.

Aaron was born Dec. 21, 1978 in Pordenone, Italy, when his father was stationed there. He moved to Mustang in 2009 and worked at Terracon. Aaron loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter. He enjoyed spending time with his family and dog, Sammie. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Aaron was survived by fiancée Lisa Woods and her children, Taylor and Takoda Ray, all of Mustang; parents, Stanley Hancock of Paliode, Neb. And Labeth Nall of Ardmore; siblings, Amy Hancock of Ardmore and Adam Hancock of Loveland, Colo.; nephew, Austin Hancock; and niece, Ali Hancock.

Memorial services were held May 24 in Ardmore under the direction of Harvey-Douglas Centennial Chapel.

 

 

Rowdy Jake Gray was born in Laguna Hills, Calif. on Aug. 23, 1994 to proud parents Rodney and Gayla Gray. Rowdy asked Jesus to come in his life and was baptized May 23, 2004 at Hazel Dell Baptist Church. Rowdy Jake went to be with his Lord Thursday, May 22, 2014 and was met by his grandparents Vernon and Wanda Gray of El Reno, Linda Perry of Oklahoma City and Judy Humphrey of Minco.

He is survived by his mom, dad and big sis, SPC Taylor Gray of Mustang; his grandpa Von, Levon Humphrey of Minco; grandparents Butch and Sue Ogilvie of Fort Cobb; grandpa Dean Perry of Oklahoma City; great grandparents Allan and Betty Moore of Cooperton; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends whom he loved greatly.

Rowdy moved to Mustang when he was just six months old, was a Mustang Bronco and graduated in 2013. Rowdy loved sports, fishing, and camping. He loved muddin’ and riding his quad out on the river.  He enjoyed working on the farm with his grandpa Von and was excited about fixing up his 1987 Mustang. He looked forward to the annual hunting trip with the Summers. He especially loved his buddy Lucky. When he laughed, it was with everything he had. He was not able to sit still for long and always had a friend ready to hang out.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 29 at The Bridge Assembly of God in Mustang, OK with interment following in the Sunny Hill Cemetery in Canadian County under the direction of McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service. Online condolences may be made at www.mcneilsmustangfs.com.

Mary Jane Polasek, age 89 and longtime resident of Mustang, died peacefully with her family at her side on Friday, May 23, 2014, at an assisted living facility in Round Rock, Texas.

She was born Nov. 7, 1924 in Weatherford, Okla. to parents Clarence and Edith McCormick. After graduating from Southwestern State College in May 1945, she served as a nurse in the U.S. Navy aboard a ship in the Pacific until the end of the war.  After the war, she pursued her Master’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma and worked as a bookkeeper for a few years before getting her certificate to teach commerce.  She took her first teaching job in Sun City, Kansas, where she met and married Ray Massey.  After Ray passed away, she took a teaching job in Mustang, moving there with daughter Edie in the summer of 1957.  In Mustang, she met and married Robert Polasek.  Mary Jane was active in the Mustang United Methodist Church, where she ran the nursery and periodically served as United Methodist Women president.  She served on the Canadian County Election Board and volunteered for years at Yukon Czech Hall, selling tickets at the Saturday evening dances and serving as rental manager.  She was a member and past officer of Sokol Czech Lodge and had written the “News from Mustang” column for the Yukon Sun newspaper for many years.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Herbert; and husbands, Ray Massey and Robert Polasek.

She is survived by two daughters, Edie Robertson and husband Don of Round Rock, Texas and Penny Allen of Tulsa; two granddaughters, Courtney Weatherton and husband Michael and Andrea Robertson of Austin, Texas; several brothers and sisters-in-law; and numerous nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mustang United Methodist Church or your favorite charity.  Visitation is open to the public from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, with the family in attendance from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. that evening.  Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 28 at Mustang United Methodist Church, followed by interment at Yukon Cemetery, under the direction of McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service.  Online condolences may be made at www.mcneilsmustangfs.com.

James Lewis Wilson, born April 26, 1929 in Watonga, Okla. to Everett and Ethyl (Deatherage) Wilson, passed away May 17, 2014 while at his home in Oklahoma City.

Jim was proceeded in death by his father and mother; two brothers, Everett Jr. and Stacy Wilson; one sister, Nadine Stanford; and one daughter, Tina Ann Wilson.

Jim is survived by his wife, Wanda Joyce (Wigington); two daughters, Deborah and James Bennett of Couer d’Alene, Idaho; Vicki Wilson of Snoqualmie, Wash; three sons, Mark and Sylvia Wilson of Renton, Wash., Scott and Sharon Wilson of Camarillo, Calif. and Rob and Tammy Wilson of Lamar, Mo.; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Jim grew up in Watonga during the Great Depression and then served in the U.S. Navy before marrying “Jo” Wigington on Sept. 2, 1948. They eventually settled in southern California and raised their five children. Jim always worked several jobs to provide for his family, eventually opening up Wilson’s Showcase and Fixture Company while working at Certified Grocers (Jim worked his way up the company ladder to finally retire as senior purchasing agent).

He loved golf and playing “pitch” with his family and friends. After his fall on an icy driveway that left him impaired he became an avid model ship and airplane builder. His other favorite past time was betting on NFL games with his nephew David Wigington, with the prize of a great dinner going to the winner after the Super Bowl. Jim was well read, knowledgeable on many topics and had an outspoken opinion on everything. He always was for the underdog and was generous to those that were looking for a hand-up and not a hand-out. He deeply loves his family and cannot wait for them to follow him into the presence of Jesus.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the First Baptist Church of Watonga, with interment to follow at Watonga Cemetery, Watonga, Okla. Online condolences may be made to www.mcneilsmustangfs.com

Verna Frances (Reisman) Hinshaw, age 82, died Saturday, May 10, 2014 at an Oklahoma City hospital after a time of declining health.

Verna was born May 21, 1931 at Mustang to Vern and Rosie (Long) Reisman. She grew up on a farm near Mustang and was a 1948 graduate of Mustang High School. She lived her entire adult life in Oklahoma City, working first at the lunch counter at Sheen Drug (later Veazey Drug), A & L Knot, Cain’s Coffee and Robinson Jewelers. She retired in the late 1980s as office manager for Dr. Paul Mitchell. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Yukon and was active in the “Young at Heart” Sunday School Class.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bruce; her infant twin brothe,r Vern, Jr.; and one sister, Phyliss.

Survivors include two sons, Ricky Hinshaw and wife Jamie and Steve Hinshaw, all of Yukon; three daughters, Carol Semtner and husband Richard of Oklahoma City, Dot Hill and husband Chris and Sue Baker, both of Yukon. Also by 15 grandchildren; 33 great- grandchildren; two brothers, Leon Reisman and wife Maria and Billy Ray Reisman and wife Ivy, all of Mustang; three sisters, Marjorie McDowell of Mustang, Shirley Mitchell and husband Dr. Paul of Frisco, Texas and Ann Peckman of Chandler, AZ.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 15 at Trinity Baptist Church in Yukon, with interment following at Mustang Cemetery, under the direction of McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service, Mustang, Oklahoma. Online condolences may be made at www.mcneilsmustangfs.com.