Today's Record

Obituaries

Ellen "Annie" Cochran

Ellen "Annie" Cochran, 62, Nevada, died Saturday, July 10, 2004, at her home in Nevada following a lengthy illness. She was born March 13, 1942, in Nevada. She married Bryant Eugene Cochran on July 11, 1986, in Miami, Okla., and he survives of the home.

Mrs. Cochran graduated from Metz High School. She lived all her life in Vernon County. She was a member of the Church of The Nazarene and the Nevada Eagles Lodge. She worked at Cottey College as head of housekeeping for five years during the 1980s.

Survivors in addition to her husband, Bryant, include one son, Doug Pierce, Milo; one daughter, Lisa Hensley and her husband Jeremy, Nevada; three grandchildren, Dakota Stigall, Mercedes Pierce and Payten Hensley, all of Nevada; her mother, Virginia Wilt, Nevada; two sisters, Dorothy Good, Nevada, and Helen Owens, Lebanon, Tenn.; one half-sister, Janie Dean, Nevada; and one step-sister, Ginnie Burchell, Rich Hill. She was preceded in death by one sister, Mildred Helums; one brother, Charles Smith; and her father, Arthur D. Smith.

Private family services will be held. Arrangements are by Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

Memorials may be given in her memory to the Vernon County Cancer Relief Fund in care of Betty Easley, 167 Country Club Dr., Nevada, MO 64772.

Deaths

Karrie Dighero

Karrie Dighero, 25, Nevada, died Monday, July 12, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin. Family information and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Ferry Funeral Home.

Dora Alice Weir

Dora Alice Weir, 85, Springfield died Saturday, July 10, 2004, in Cox South Medical Center. She was born to the late Ward and Lottie (Jones) Warner in Milo, on Feb. 13, 1919. She married Paul Weir in St. Louis in 1968.

She moved to the Springfield area from St. Louis, in 1986. She worked as a postal carrier in St. Louis before moving to Springfield. She was a member of the Letter Carrier's Association and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; son, Alfred Allen Frye; and one grandson. She is survived by one son, Michael Frye of Springfield; and eight grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 14, at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Father Patrick Nwokoye as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Rivermonte Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be today, from 6 until 8 p.m. in the Rivermonte Chapel at Thieme-Shadel-Hicks Funeral Service.

David Martin Leonard

David Martin Leonard, 58, Schell City, died Saturday, July 10, 2004, at his home after a lengthy illness. He was born in Kansas City, on May 5, 1946, to Harold and Louise Leonard.

He worked with his dad as a carpenter, then helped his dad run a business in Nevada until his dad's retirement. Then he drove a truck for Phoenix Truck Lines out of Kansas City, Mo., until an accident forced him into retirement. Then he moved back to the farm where he helped care for his parents and the farm.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Johanna Louise; brother, Robert Leonard; and sister, Ruby Leonard. He is survived by his parents, Harold and Louise Leonard, Schell City; sisters, Karen Fast, El Dorado Springs, Virginia Williams, Kansas City, Claudine Mitchell, Peculiar, Mo., Fern Ayers and Marianna Houston, both of Parkville, Mo.; brothers Lloyd Leonard, Neosho, and Herbie Leonard, Grandview, Mo.; children, Jessica Hanson, Rivertown, Kan., Kasie Leonard, Independence, Mo., James Leonard, Centralia, Mo., and Justin Leonard, Lamar; and five grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 15, from 9:30 to 10:30 at Hackleman and Sons Funeral Home, with graveside services to follow at 11 a.m., in the El Dorado Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Audie Tash officiating. Pallbearers will be Zach Helvey, Brian Leonard, Paul Williams, Roy Dean Simmons, Tom Heathman and Joe Jones. Services are under the direction of the Hackleman and Sons Funeral Home.

Dennis Simmons

Dennis Simmons, 80, Muskogee, Okla., died Sunday, July 11, 2004, at his home. Dennis was born Aug. 5, 1923, in Western Grove, Ark., to Robert and Minnie (Barger) Simmons. He moved with his family in his teen years to Nevada, where he graduated from Nevada High School in 1942. He married Betty Foster on Dec. 14, 1946, in Torrance, Calif. He settled in Muskogee, Okla., on Feb. 14, 1952.

He enlisted in the United States Army and served in the South Pacific Theater of operations with the 27th United States Infantry, 156th Regiment. He was wounded on Makin Island in Okinawa, Japan, and received a Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster for his bravery in service. He worked for First National Bank and Trust Company. He retired as vice-president in 1988 after 36 years. He served as an officer with the Muskogee Jr. Chamber of Commerce, and as secretary of the Oklahoma Jr. Chamber of Commerce. He was also president of Muskogee Rotary Club in 1972-73 and was [resident of the board of directors for Muskogee YMCA from 1977-79. He was a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Woodrow P. Simmons. He is survived by his wife, Betty L. Simmons, of the home; son, Dennis E. Simmons, Dallas, Texas; two daughters, Gayle Paxton, Muskogee, Okla., and Samantha Newberry of Muskogee; three grandchildren; three sisters, Mildred Cartwright of Plainview, Texas, Opal Covey of Nevada, Faye Covey of Fort Scott, Kan.; sister-in-law, Helen Simmons of Pittsburg, Kan.; an aunt; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral Services were at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 13, at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Muskogee, Okla., with the Rev. Wirt Skinner and Steve Moss officiating. Interment was in Fort Gibson National Cemetery. Bob Dunlap, Bill Hearn, Bob Pennington, Carl Pierceall, Derek Gibson and Bob Haggard will serve as pallbearers. Friends may wish to remember him by making memorials to Bethany Presbyterian Church, 2000 E. Haskell Blvd, Muskogee, OK 74403, Boulevard Christian Church, 810 E. Okmulgee, Muskogee, OK 74403 or Hometown Hospice, 2307 S. York, Muskogee, OK 74403.

Funeral services are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home in Muskogee, Okla.

Audrey Jones

Audrey Jones, 78, died July 7, 2004. Services were held at Evergreen Memorial Chapel on July 10, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Glyn Davies officiating. Musical selections were "Dance With My Father," "This World Is Not My Home" and "Do You Remember The Time." Pallbearers were Joseph Davies, Gregory Garrett, Aaron Gideon, Grover Greer, Tony Hatfield and Dennis Noble. Interment was in Moore Cemetery. Arrangements by Evergreen Memorial Chapel.