WELCH—Joshua Thomas Earnest Easley of Oswego, Kan., passed away Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, at St. Francis Health System in Tulsa, Okla., after an illness. He was 17 years old.

Joshua was born June 21, 1992, in Miami, Okla. While attending Bethany Public Schools, he enjoyed art work, playing music, and being with people.

He is survived by his parents, Thomas and Leatha Easley of Oswego, Kan., and Jeff and Lisa Gilman of Miami, Okla; four brothers, Cody and Treg Easley of Oswego, Kan., Eli Gilman of Miami, Okla., and Donavin Gilman and his wife Lyndsey of Welch; one sister, Tabitha Gilman of Joplin, Mo.; grandparents, Alvin and Pauline Krumrey and Linda Harris, all of Miami, Okla.;  great-grandmother, Rosa Camp of Miami, Okla.; one niece, Alyssa Gilman of Welch; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; loving and dedicated caretakers; and a host of friends.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wed., Feb. 17, 2010, at Thomas Funeral Home, Welch. Serving as pallbearers will be Lonnie Gilman, Donavin Gilman, Kevin Horn, Jeremy Hailey, Joe Pease, and Jeff Pease. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Blair and Jeff Barg.

Interment will be at Rogers Cemetery, west of Welch.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Children’s Center of Bethany, Okla., c/o Thomas Funeral Home, PO Box 231, Welch, Okla. 74369.

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

NOTE: INFORMATION IN SUNDAY’S MIAMI NEWS-RECORD WAS INCORRECT. BOTH VISITATION AND MEMORIAL SERVICES WILL TAKE PLACE AT WELCH CHRISTIAN CHURCH, RATHER THAN THOMAS FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL AS REPORTED.

WELCH–Janice Ann (Swango) Taylor-Singleton passed away Feb. 4, 2010, at her home in Hickory Point in Grove.

She was born Aug. 15, 1955, in Bartlesville to Andrew Lee “Buddy” Swango and Donna Lee (Willis) Swango. She was a 1973 graduate of Welch High School and graduated from the Missouri School of Cosmetology in Joplin. She began a journalism career at the Grove Sun and worked at the Miami News-Record for a time. For over ten years, she worked for the Vinita Daily Journal and The American. She received numerous awards for her journalistic efforts.

Janice loved taking pictures, gardening, music, cooking, family get-togethers, Grand Lake, and good times with her friends. She was known for her quick smile and for always being up-beat and optimistic.

Janice decorated her home extensively for every holiday.

Janice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

Janice is survived by her husband and loving partner of 15 years, Ron Singleton; her daughter, Kelli (Beaty) Biggs and husband, Shannon, of Welch; her son, Dustin Taylor, of Welch; two sisters, Carol (Swango) Webb and husband, Michael, of Big Cabin; Susan (Swango) Woolman and husband, Roy, of Vinita; special granddaughters, Morgan Lynn Cook and Bryndl Biggs, of Welch; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Paula (Singleton) and Howard Pidcock, of Sand Springs, and Cheryl (Singleton) and Ian Crane, of Berkley, Calif.; her mother, Donna Raus, of Welch; grandmother, Mae Fugate, of Welch; and numerous nieces, nephews, and host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Andrew Lee “Buddy” Swango; her grandmother, Muriel Swango; grandfather, Albert Andrew “Bud” Swango; and her great-grandmother, Lucille VaNess.

Services will be held at Welch Christian Church, Tues., Feb. 9, at 2 p.m., with pastor Brad Canham officiating.

Visitation for family and friends will be at Welch Christian Church, Mon., Feb. 8, from 6-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Ottawa County 4-H in care of the OSU Extension Center, 123 E. Central, Ste. 101, Miami, Okla. 74354.

My late cousin was a poet. In his memory, here is one of his works.

Prayers for Broken People

I am broken among the broken…

Lord, deliver me from my despair.
Give me strength that I might continue to fight.
I am tired, I am lonely and I feel I am alone among the mad.
I know I am not alone but my heart breaks.
Help me, save me… I try so hard, yet I know I should try harder and that there is much I could do but do not…
Have mercy on me, help me be a better instrument, a better servant and a better healer for those that come before me.
Save me from pride, from arrogance, and help me remember that I am broken among the broken.
Give me wisdom to discern what I can and cannot do, and what I must walk to and away from.
Lord, save me.
Amen.

—Travis “Gideon” Addington, January 20, 1979-December 12, 2009