Griesel, Velta Cornelia (Siler) (paid)
On Feb. 9 we would have celebrated Velta’s 91st birthday, but instead we are now celebrating her wondrous and vibrant life. She was always a very classic and special woman whose beautiful spirit will forever live on in those she left behind. She departed this life into heaven on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Yukon.

She was born to Ernest Edward and Leora (Newman) Siler in the Frisco community, northwest of Yukon in the year 1917. She was the third oldest of eight children. She was raised in the Frisco community and on farms north of El Reno. She graduated from the original Darlington Grade School and later, El Reno High School in 1936. She married Byron Keith Griesel in 1937. They moved to Dalhart, Texas, where her two sons, Ronald Keith and Arnold Edward Griesel, were born. They returned to Yukon in 1943, where they later established the Griesel Ford Motor Company in 1951. In September 1956, Byron and Velta purchased the Ford dealership in Okarche, which remains as the family business today.

Velta was a member of First Baptist Church of Yukon, Yukon Roundup Club, Canadian County Democratic Party, where she served as a past chairman, the El Reno Rod, Gun and Development Corp., and various cattlemen and ranchers associations.

She was an accomplished equestrian and loved the outdoors. Her favorite pastimes included sewing, gardening, fishing, traveling and spending time at the Rod and Gun Club and the family farm north of El Reno. She was also an avid fan and supporter of OSU athletics. She truly enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was affectionately known by most as “Sis” and “Auntie Sis.”

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, Byron, in 1987; her parents; her brothers, Marvin, Melvin, Delbert and Dwight Siler; and a sister, ImaJean Crouch.
She leaves behind her sons, Ronald Keith and Arnold Edward Griesel of Okarche; her grandchildren, David Keith Griesel of El Reno, Keith Edward Griesel of Yukon and Meagan Elizabeth Griesel-Hansen and husband, Trey of Oklahoma City; a great-grandson, Owen Maddux Hansen; brothers, Wilford John Siler and wife, Murel of Poteau, and Donald Eugene Siler and wife, Corinna of El Reno; brother-in-law, Griffin Crouch of Texas; a host of loving and adoring nieces and nephews and their extended families, as well as beloved family friends, Dorothy McClendon and Sandra Kay Cushing.

Throughout her long life she was so blessed with many other special relatives and friends who are too numerous to mention, but not forgotten, because they were equally as important to her, for she loved them all.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Yukon, the Center of Family Love in Okarche, Meals on Wheels of Yukon, or any other charitable organizations of your choice. You may sign our online guest book at www.smithturnermortuary.com. Services are under direction of Smith and Turner Mortuary, Yukon.

Jones, Imogene
Funeral services for Imogene Rose Jones were held today at the Concho Community Center with Revs. Ramus Hicks and Dalford Whitecrow officiating. Burial was in the Concho Cemetery under direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Mrs. Jones died Monday in Oklahoma City. She was born May 11, 1927, in Clinton. She worked as a dietician with the Tribal Treat Center. She was a graduate of Clinton High School and attended Oklahoma State University at Okmulgee studying culinary arts. She was a member of the Pentecostal church.

She is survived by sons, Walter Jones Jr., Mark Fulsom, Bodine Fulsom, Ronald Fulsom and Vearl Fulsom: daughters, Debra Key, Cecilia Katkowski and Allison Fulsom; a brother, Gary Bighorse of Clinton; a sister, Brenda Scott of Long Beach, Calif.; and numerous grandchildren.

Kessler, Faron Louis (paid)
Funeral services for Faron Louis Kessler of Oklahoma City, formerly of El Reno, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Donald Hefta officiating. Interment will be in the El Reno Cemetery. Services are under direction of Wilson Funeral Home.

Mr. Kessler died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, at Integris Baptist Southwest Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was born May 5, 1958, in Okarche to Louis and Marjorie (Vietzke) Kessler. Faron was a lifetime El Reno area resident and a 1976 graduate of El Reno High School. He married Cindy Howard on Feb. 2, 2005, in Jamaica. He was a supervisor at Tinker Air Force Base and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a loving son, brother, husband and friend who was very loyal to those who knew him. Faron was a dear and special person to all of his in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his father, Louis Harvey Kessler.
Survivors include his wife, Cindy (Howard) Kessler of the home; stepdaughters, Rachel Howard of Oahu, Hawaii, and Mary Wikswo of Atlanta, Ga.; his mother, Marjorie Gilles and husband, Eugene of El Reno; sisters, Marcia Handley of El Reno and Kathy Wray of Edmond; numerous other relatives and friends.

Straka, Vernetta K. (paid)
Vernetta K. “Toots” Straka, 88, was born Oct. 13, 1919, the daughter of Thomas and Helen Novak, in Virginia, Minn., and died Jan. 25, 2008, in Oklahoma City. Vernetta Novak married Emil V. Straka on Aug. 26, 1938. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Vernetta enjoyed raising her children on the farm and was avidly involved in school activities, including serving as president of the PTA at Prairie Queen Elementary and U.S. Grant High School.

She was a wonderful homemaker and wife, who enjoyed celebrating her Czech heritage by attending polka dancing at the Yukon Czech Hall and baking kolaches and cinnamon rolls for her family and friends. Her active life also included playing the organ and accordion, going bowling, playing bridge and other card games and traveling.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Linda Schieber; her husband, Emil; sister, Helen Andeel; granddaughter, Shanah Schieber; and great-granddaughter, Emily Alhead. She is survived by her two sons, Tom Straka and wife, Carolyn of Oklahoma City and Gary Straka and wife, Margaret of Union City; seven grandchildren, John Schieber and wife, Jenny, Ginger Alhead and husband, Bill, Rick Straka and wife, Vanessa, Danny Straka and wife, Megan, all of Union City, Reneé Brown and husband, Troy of Knoxville, Tenn., Myra Straka of San Francisco, Calif., and Kimberly Straka of Shawnee; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Services to celebrate her life were held Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at Vondel L. Smith and Son Mortuary at South Lakes Chapel, Oklahoma City, with interment following at Czechoslovakian National Cemetery. Services were under direction of Vondel Smith and Sons Mortuary at South Lakes.

Todd, Juliet
Funeral services for Juliet Todd of Yukon are pending with Wilson Funeral Home.

Mrs. Todd died Tuesday at her home.