WELCH—Lloyd Dale Pease, of Welch, passed away, Feb. 3, 2012, at St. Francis Hospital after a sudden illness. Lloyd was born Feb. 16, 1963, to Clarence and Lillie Pease. They preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Ray and Carl.

Lloyd is survived by two brothers and their spouses, Roger and Sherry Pease of Welch and Wayne and Stephanie Pease of Chetopa, Kan.; one sister, Mary Byrd of Broken Arrow, Okla.; and several nieces and nephews.

He will be cremated.

In Lloyd’s memory, a gathering of family and friends will be held Sun., Feb. 12, 2012, at the Mae Lessley Community Center in Chetopa, Kan., from noon until around 5 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to Jim Thomas, Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.

See also: Wynnsight: Lord, How We Will Live! A Tribute to Justin Berry

MIAMI, Okla.—Justin Tyler Berry passed away Mon., Dec. 12, 2011. He was born in Miami, Okla., on April 30, 1987.

Justin graduated from Miami High School in 2006 and was currently attending Pittsburg State University earning a degree in agriculture marketing.

Justin was what God intended the true southern gentleman to be. His faith in God was strong and real. He lived his life for God and is flying high up in heaven. He loved life and basketball. His family was the center of his world. He was always willing to do anything any time of the day for his friends, which included anyone he had ever met. Everywhere he went, he had to stop and say hi to every single person he knew.

Justin was loved by everyone who met him because it was easy to love him. He had a great sense of humor and had a way of lightening the mood in any situation. Justin was dedicated to his family and friends and was such a great son, brother, grandson, cousin, and friend. Free-spirited, fun-loving, and sincere describes our Justin. We will miss him greatly!

Mother: Shanna Cox-Woods
Father: Steven Berry & Stepmother Jerrie Shelton-Berry
Sisters: Josie Berry & Abigail Woods
Brothers: Maverick Berry & Jericho Berry

Grandparents: Joe & Diane Cox of Welch; Lillian Berry of Commerce; and the late John Berry of Bartlesville

Survived by aunts and uncles: Sandi Langley & Jason Martin, Cody Cox, Jay & Kelly Berry, Tracy & Bill Pierce, Mary Berry, Eric & Sue Berry, Phillip & Heather Shoultz

Survived by cousins: Macee, Jasper & Brynlee Langley & many more

Proceeded in death by cousins Christian Stout & Quinton Berry

Visitation will be held Thur., Dec. 15, 2011, at Miami First Christian Church from 6-8 p.m. The funeral will be held at Miami First Christian Church at 10 a.m. on Fri., Dec. 16, 2011. Interment will be at Welch Cemetery, Welch.

In lieu of flowers, Justin’s family suggests that donations be made to the Justin Berry Memorial Scholarship at Welch State Bank.

WELCH—Lifelong Welch rancher, Wilbur Joe “Bill” Tallman, 68, passed away Sat., Dec. 3, 2011, at his home after a long battle with cancer with his family was at his side.

Bill was born Oct. 31, 1943, in Welch, to Willard Woodrow and Lucille Beatrice (Vadder) Tallman. He was a graduate of Welch High School and attended NEO A&M College in Miami, Okla., obtaining his Associate’s Degree in Agriculture. He later attended OSU, furthering his education in agriculture.

He proudly served his country with the United States Army Reserves during the Vietnam Conflict and was honorably discharged. On Sept. 6, 1968, he married Patricia Lorraine Elliott in Vinita, Okla. The couple made their home west of Welch where they enjoyed farming and ranching together. Bill enjoyed his family to the fullest. He found great excitement in spending time with his grandchildren, watching them show pigs at the surrounding county fairs.

Active in his community, Bill was a member of Sunshine Baptist Church, serving on the board of directors. He also served on various other boards, such as ASCS Conservation Board, Craig County Fair Board, and the Welch School Board. He was known for his loyal support of the Welch Volunteer Fire Department.

Bill was survived by Pat, his loving wife of 43 years; one son, David Wayne Tallman and his wife Cheryle Jean “CJ” of Welch; two daughters, Cheryl Leann Riggins of Welch and Jennifer Deann Mathis and her husband Jay of Elkhart, Ia.; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Richard Lee Tallman and his wife Beverly Ann of Tulsa, Okla.; two sisters, Willene Sanders and her husband Jack of Oklahoma City and JoAnn Goins and her husband Don of Big Cabin, Okla.; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will received at the home, 436757 E Hwy 10, Welch.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m., Tue., Dec. 6, 2011, at the Welch Civic Center. Minister Bill Lee officiated. Pallbearers were be Dusty Goforth, Greg Tallman, David Tallman, Larry Layton, VO Morgan, Jay Mathis, Joe Haskit, and Morgan Riley. Honorary pallbearers were be Grady Poole, Jeremy Poole, Josh Poole, Cody Riggins, Charles Riggins, Shane Granger, and Layne Mathis.

Interment was at Walker Cemetery, west of Welch.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Craig County Cancer Outreach, Hospice of Owasso, or Sunshine Bible Church c/o Thomas Funeral Home, P.O. Box 231, Welch, OK 75469.

Services were under the direction of Jim Thomas, Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.

[Editor's note: One of the problems of functioning with such a small staff is that an illness can put us way behind, and that's what has happened in this instance. We apologize that we were not able to publish this obituary until after the fact, but we do want to make it part of the public record here on WelchOK.com. Our condolences to Mr. Tallman's friends and family.]

[We received corrected information from Tomas Funeral Home. This is the updated version as of 2:30 p.m., Aug. 8, 2011.]

WELCH—Lifelong Welch resident Ruth Miller Rice passed away Thur., Aug. 4, 2011, at her home. She was 81 years old.

Rice was born Sept. 8, 1929, to Dave and Laura (Mills) Miller. She grew up and attended school in the Welch area. At a young age, Rice was employed at Newman’s Café in Welch. It was there that she met and fell in love with Joe Rice. The couple was soon married and their union lasted until Joe’s death in 1991.

Throughout her life, Ruth loved the Welch area and was very active in the community. She served as a Boy Scout leader, in the VFW Ladies Aux., Grange Ins., and Gateway for seniors. She served as historian of Welch and was a long-time member of the Redbud Garden Club.

Ruth was very proud of her Native American heritage and was a member of the Cherokee, Shawnee, and Delaware nations. Ruth and Joe loved taking their children to pow-wows and spent many days in their travel trailer going from place to place.

Ruth was very active with her children in school. She especially enjoyed the time spent doing arts and crafts with them. Ruth loved being a grandmother and enjoyed each minute spent with her grandchildren.

A Christian from an early age, Ruth was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Welch.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Gene and Bill Miller; and two sisters, Patsy and Wilma Jean Miller.

Ruth is lovingly survived by her two children, Michael Rice of Welch and Debbie Unap of Skiatook, Okla.; six grandsons, Robert A., Joseph, and Andrew Unap and Matt, Derrick, and Cody Rice; one granddaughter, Haley Rice; six great-grandchildren; and many other loving relatives and a host of dear friends.

A visitation for family and friends will be held Tue., Aug. 9, 2011, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Welch United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Wed., Aug. 10, 2011, at the Welch United Methodist church.

Rev. Robert VanHouse will officiate. Serving as pallbearers will be Bobby Unap, Jr., Joseph Unap, Andrew Unap, Matt Rice, Derrick Rice, and Larry Fenco. Roger Cunningham will serve as honorary pallbearer.

Ruth will be laid to rest next to Joe at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa, Kan.

Family and friends are invited to visit at Mike’s home in Welch.

In lieu of flowers Ruth may be remembered with gifts to the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Awareness.

Services are under the direction of Jim Thomas, Thomas Funeral Home, Welch OK

WELCH—Former Welch resident, Alice Marie (Julian) Brown of Bartlesville, Okla., passed away Thur., July 28, 2011, at Bartlesville Care Center. She was 86.

Alice was born Jan. 19, 1925, in Treece, Kan., to Harry and Grace (Humble) Gold. She was a graduate of Welch High School. She married Cecil Julian on June 2, 1945, in Welch. He preceded her in death on July 17, 1966. Alice owned and operated Alice’s Gift Shop in Welch for over 14 years. She was also an employee of the United States Postal Service, working as a postal clerk in the Welch Post Office until her retirement on Jan. 1, 1990.

On June 14, 1987, she married Billy George Brown in Welch, where they made their home and played an active role in the community. Alice was a charter member of the Redbud Garden Club and was a continuous member for fifty years. She was also a member of Welch Baptist Church. Billy George preceded her in death on Nov. 18, 2007. She moved to the Bartlesville area to be close to her family.

She was also preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Barbara Julian.

Alice is survived by one son, Darrell Julian of Bartlesville; two granddaughters, Christina Mayo of Edmond and Stephanie Burgess of Oklahoma City; five great-grandchildren, Delaney, Dylan, and Daylee Mayo, all of Edmond, Okla., and Jacob and McKayla Burgess, both of Oklahoma City; and a host of friends.

There will be a visitation for family and friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Mon., Aug. 1, 2011, prior to services at 11:00 a.m. at Welch Baptist Church. Pastor C.G. Gillmore will officiate. Men of the church will serve as pallbearers.

Interment at Welch Cemetery, Welch.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Redbud Garden Club.

Services under the direction of Jim Thomas, Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.

Mayes dressed as "Express Mail" for Harvest Days

LaJuanta Sue Mayes, 55-year-old resident of Welch, passed away Sun., July 24, 2011, at her parents’ home.

Mayes was born Nov. 28, 1955, in Miami, Okla., to Nancy Sue (Goins) and Carroll Elton “Kato” Mayes.

Mayes graduated high school in Riverbank, Calif., and earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Fresno State University and Master’s degree at California State University Stanislaus. She worked her entire adult life and had a long career with the United States Postal Service. November would have marked her twentieth anniversary with the post office, the last 10+ years of which were spent as postmistress in Welch.

Before her health began to fail, Mayes was very active in the community as a member of the Lions Club and the Welch Kappa Nu sorority, and she was a member of Welch Christian Church. In spite of her health problems, Mayes was a conscientious and helpful postal employee, as well as an avid reader. She may be best known for her love and care for children, whether those in her own family or in the community. Mayes has coordinated Christmas gift donations for needy children for many years, and she shopped continuously for items she knew she could eventually use to bless a child. Her absence will be both large and evident in the community.

She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Herman and Marie Goins of Vinita, Okla.; step-father, Lloyd Shadbolt of Welch; and paternal grandparents, Euell and Sadie Mayes of Miami, Okla.

Mayes dressed as a baby for Halloween visitors from the school

She is survived by her father, Kato Mayes of Miami, Okla.; her mother, Nancy Shadbolt of Welch; two brothers, John Mayes and wife Renee of Commerce, Okla., and Richard Mayes of Lexington, Okla.; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Mayes of Welch, and Lauretta Coker of Noble, Okla.; three nieces, Hannah Ditzler, Jennifer Schmidt, and Shaylee Smith; two nephews, John Elton Mayes, Jr., and Chris Franks; five great-nieces; five great-nephews; many friends; and a community who loved her.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Wed., July 27, 2011, at the Luginbuel Funeral Home in Vinita, Okla.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thur., July 28, 2011, Welch Christian Church, with Pastor Brad Canham officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully suggests donations either to Welch Christian Church or the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org). Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com.

WELCH—A memorial service for former PTL Trucking employee and 1987 Welch High School graduate, Christopher Lynn Williams, 42, of Miami, Okla., will be held at 10:00 a.m., Sat., July 23, 2011, at Thomas Funeral Home in Welch. Pastor John Dorsey will officiate. Interment will follow at Walker Cemetery, west of Welch.

Christopher is survived by his mother, Diane Gormey, of Miami, Okla.; aunt, Judy Collins of Grove, Okla.; uncle, Ben Gormey of Miami, Okla.; and cousin, Linnie Marsh of Grove, Okla.

Services entrusted to Jim Thomas, Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.

WELCH–Betty Jean Koger of Welch passed away Wed., July 6, 2011, at Quality Living Residential Care in Bluejacket. She was 83.

Betty was born Nov. 27, 1927, in Bluejacket, Okla., to Charley and Orpha (Mitchell) Nigh. She was a graduate of Bluejacket High School. After graduation, she attended classes offered at Eastern State Hospital in Vinita, obtaining her certification as a licensed practical nurse. She worked for Craig General Hospital and Eastern State Hospital in Vinita for many years before retiring.

On Apr. 8, 1958, she married Elmer Vernon Koger in Miami, Okla. The couple made their home in Welch, where Betty was active in her community and her church. She was a member of Welch Christian Church, where she taught children’s Church for many years. She was also a member of the Welch Senior Citizens. Betty was a talented seamstress and gardener. She enjoyed messin’ with her flowers and going for walks. Her friends were as dear to her as her family; she enjoyed just “hangin’” out with them.

Vernon preceded her in death, Apr. 13, 2008. Betty was blessed with three children, who survive: son, Vernon Gene Koger and wife Vickie of Adair, Okla., and daughters, Jerri Harden and husband Mike of Welch and Kerri Charles and husband Stan of White Oak, Okla. Other survivors include eight grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; two sisters, Idaeda Cochran of Texas and Dean Crownover of Miami, Okla.; and a host of dear friends.

There will be a visitation for family and friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Fri., July 8, 2011, at Welch Christian Church.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sat., July 9, 2011, at Welch Christian Church. Minister Brad Canham will officiate. Family will serve as pallbearers.

Interment will be at Williams Timber Hill Cemetery, east of Welch.

Services under the direction of Jim Thomas, Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.

From Your Sad Executive Editor and Publisher:

We’re saying goodbye. Our community is collectively mourning the loss of a man who was almost universally admired and respected. I’m honored that I was able to call Delbert Lovelace my friend.

I didn’t know Delbert the way many others did. He wasn’t my coach or teacher. He retired as superintendent before I transitioned from the grade school building to the junior/senior high building. He was a member of my church, but I didn’t really know Delbert and Betty until I married Jeane Burgess.

The Burgesses were friends with the Lovelaces…and the Sooters…and the Smiths, etc. We were very blessed that in the ‘60s a great many people came to Welch to live and teach school–and they stayed. Many of them attended the same church. They became friends and fixtures of the community, and I benefited from that when I married Jeane. I’ve always hung out with folks older than me (I assigned myself to the youth group at church before I was a “youth,” and most of my good friends are older). The same is true for many of our friends now.

We’ve spent many an evening at card parties and visiting with our elders who we’re glad to call friends. Delbert and Betty Lovelace are just such a couple. Many has been the Sunday night when we’ve invited ourselves over to the Lovelace home for a game (or two or three) of pitch after church. Betty would buzz around setting out snacks and pops on TV trays next to the dining room table before she and I would take on Delbert and Jeane. I’d get frustrated that Jeane would play so badly, especially if she and Delbert won, and Delbert would be tickled at how personally I took it.

We’d laugh. Oh, how we’d laugh. Delbert liked a good joke. He delivered some good ones himself. In fact, when we visited him in St. John’s last Sunday, though he was laboring for breath and we all knew there wasn’t much time left, Delbert cracked a couple good ones. He and Betty have sat in the pew behind Jeane and me forever. While visiting with Delbert, Jeane told him that though no one else may know it, she sits in front of him at church and she knows he can sing really well. Betty replied that he should have sung a special, to which Delbert said, shrugging with that mischievous gleam in his eye, “It’s too late now.” As I write that now, it seems very sad, but in that hospital room, at that moment and the way Delbert said it, it was hilarious. He had also told us when we arrived that he was ready to go home, and he didn’t mean Welch. Jeane told him when he got to heaven he should find her mom and say hi. I joked with him that he might have to look for her for a little while. Without missing a beat even though he was on oxygen, he said, “I’ll just listen for her.” Some of you know just how truly funny that was.

But there were more than those jokes between us in that hospital room. It’s rare that we get to say everything we want and need to say to someone before they leave. My wife and I got that opportunity last Sunday. Jeane cried as she told Delbert how much he meant to her. I got misty eyed as I told him it was an honor to know him and to be his friend. He looked up and told us to take care of each other and love each other, and we reassured him that we would—and that we’d also make sure Betty was looked after. Though talking was a struggle, he told us he knew she would be because Welch was a wonderful community to live in and the people here really care about each other. We agree.

It was a heartbreaking thing for us walking out of St. John’s knowing that Delbert was leaving very soon. Our friend was going to the home that he wanted. And we’re staying here in the hometown he loved so much. I posted an update to Twitter that lamented that we’re having to say goodbye to lots of friends, which is hard, but I am sure glad that we don’t mourn like those with no hope. And I am. Oh, we mourn, and we hurt, but we don’t mourn and hurt because it’s an end. We mourn and hurt because our friend is gone for a while, awaiting the day when Christ reunites all of us who trust Him by faith and are eternally His. That Hope sucks all the power out of mourning, hurting, and death.

Delbert Lovelace was a classy guy. He was a smart, honest, trustworthy gentleman who taught us how to live well long after he retired from the school system. And he loved retirement. I remember hearing him tell of some administrators’ meeting where he learned they were offering early retirement. He got out of the conference as soon as possible, found Betty at the hotel and said, “We need to talk.” And that was that. He was good at his job, and he was really good at retirement. He loved the golf course, and I played a few rounds with him. I’m terrible at golf and quit going because I hate slowing it down for everyone else, but he never grew impatient with my lack of ability.

All week long I have kept coming back to one part of Scripture over and over. In the Bible, Phillip wants his pal Nathaniel (also called Bartholomew) to come meet Jesus. John 1:47 (KJV) says, “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Jesus proclaimed Nathaniel to be guileless, and that’s the word that keeps coming to me as I think on Delbert. To be guileless is to be without deceit. I don’t know if I’ve ever met anyone who was as utterly guileless as Delbert Lovelace. There wasn’t an ounce of deceit in him. He was who he was, and he felt no need to impress anyone. That impressed us greatly. He was who he was, and in being so, he was admired and respected. So much so, in fact, that our church would have made him a deacon several times, yet each time he was approached he graciously declined. Ironically, it was that humility in declining that probably made him an even better choice to serve. For many, the notion of turning down such an honor would be unthinkable. For Delbert, it just wasn’t who he was. He knew it was deceitful to pretend to be something or someone you’re not…even for a good purpose. Guileless.

I’ve been fortunate to have many friends in this life, and some were truer than others. I have known what it is like to be abandoned by people who were only friendly so long as it suited their purposes. I have known so-called friends who were strangely absent when the storms came. But, thankfully, I have also known friends like Delbert Lovelace, who stuck like a brother—and enjoyed it. I’m truly better for having known Delbert. I hope to honor his memory by reflecting some of his good qualities with my life. But for right now I’m just sad my friend won’t be stopping by for coffee when he walks down to get the mail.

Ed.

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Please use our comments section below to share your memories of Delbert Lovelace.

Lovelace teaching Sunday School at Welch Baptist Church

WELCH—Longtime and well respected Welch resident, Delbert Leroy Lovelace, passed away early June 7, 2011, at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, Okla. He was 81.

Mr. Lovelace was born in Douthat, Okla., on Oct. 3, 1929. His parents were Jess and Willie McQuillen Lovelace. He grew up in the same area and was a great ballplayer in his youth. He was a team member of the famed Baxter Whiz Kids. After graduating from Picher High School in 1947, Delbert went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in education and a Master’s degree in education administration from Pittsburg State College in Pittsburg, Kan. He later proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a radio interceptor from 1952 until 1956.

On Aug. 26, 1950, Delbert married the love of his life, Betty Thompson, in Joplin, Mo. In 1957, the couple moved from Picher to Welch, where they raised their family. Delbert was employed by the Welch Public School system for 30 years. During that time, he was a wonderful mentor and greatly influenced many of the youth in this area. Students continue to remember Mr. Lovelace as being instrumental in making them the adults they are today. Delbert was also a longtime and active member of the Welch Baptist Church. He also stayed active with Gideons International throughout his life. All during his lifetime, Delbert enjoyed hunting and fishing. However, after his retirement, he took up the game of golf and became an avid golfer.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one half-brother, Marion West.

Delbert is survived by his loving wife Betty Thompson Lovelace, of the home; two sons, Mark Lovelace of Grove, Okla,. and David Lovelace and wife, Terri, of Miami, Okla.; three grandchildren, Dr. Brian Lovelace and wife, Dr. Kelli Lovelace of Owasso, Okla., Mike Lovelace and wife, Danielle, of Guthrie, Okla., and Mason Lovelace, of Pittsburg, Kan.; two great-grandchildren, Blake and Morgan Lovelace, of Owasso, Okla.; and many other loving relatives and a host of dear friends.

A visitation for friends and family will be held Thursday evening, June 9, 2011, from 6:00 until 8:00, at Welch Baptist Church.

Services for Mr. Lovelace will be held Friday afternoon, June 10, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Welch Baptist Church. Rev. Casey Whiteis will officiate. Serving as pallbearers will be Everett Johnson, Jerry Spaulding, Herbie Gamble, Doug Pitcher, Dwayne Wallace, Bob Eubanks, Lonnie Wynn, and Richard Smith. Serving as honorary pallbearers will the Loyal V Sunday School class, Jeff Harden, Bill Burgess, Senior Horner, and Dr. Steve Grigsby. Mr. Lovelace will be interred at the Welch Cemetery, west of Welch.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Lovelace may be remembered with gifts to Gideons International or Welch Baptist Church.

Services are under the direction of Jim Thomas of Thomas Funeral Home in Welch.