Jeff Gelona
(May 23, 1956 - July 26, 2011)
On the evening of July 26th, 2011 at the age of 55 Jeffrey “Cap” Gelona passed away comfortably at home surrounded by his family and friends. There will be a “Life Celebration of Jeff Gelona” at the Ardmore Convention Center Monday, August 1, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following. Jeff was born in Norfolk, Virginia on May 23rd, 1956 to John A. Gelona Jr. and Lois A. Gelona. He graduated from Westport High School in Louisville, KY. Jeff was a graduate of Oklahoma Christian College where he met his soul mate Vicki McElroy. He and Vicki were married on August 26th, 1977 in Oklahoma City, moving to Ardmore in 1982. Vicki gave birth to their son Nick in 1984 and as a family, adopted Joshua in 1997. Jeff worked in the insurance industry in many different venues. His first job was with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company where he stayed for several years until moving to Ardmore to begin his association at The Bramlett Agency. Jeff loved to try his hand at many different things and was always successful at every endeavor. He began lecturing in Sales and Marketing throughout the United States and United Kingdom, and was an expert witness for insurance litigation. In 2004 he joined forces with Pete Fennell. When Jeff wasn’t traveling, he created his own virtual office so he could work from home. This was only possible through the assistance of his partner, Kelly Hitt. Jeff was involved in many different activities in Ardmore. He was a familiar face at The Goddard Center where he served as President of the Primary Board. As a member of Ardmore Little Theatre, he not only performed in shows but served on the board, directed, built sets, and did lighting designs. In 1998, Jeff along with several people, founded Carousel Productions, Inc. Jeff believed in the Arts and wanted to share the Arts and his talent with many people. Because of his vision and love for others, Carousel has helped raise over $1, 000, 000.00 for not for profit organizations in and around the community. In July of 2000, he and Vicki opened The Brass Ring Center for the Performing Arts. This provided a permanent home for Carousel Productions and a school for children to cultivate their talents in the performing arts.
Jeff was truly a renaissance man. Educated and an extraordinary educator himself; a man of letters and the arts; a student of the law. He has touched the lives of thousands and enriched those who came to know him. He brought understanding to complicated issues. He encouraged and enabled people to better their lives personally and professionally. He helped them raise their own standards to seek the higher ground...personally and in their careers. He entertained. He created. We have lost an extraordinary friend. Jeff was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents John and Velma Gelona and his maternal grandparents Bluford and Eunice Logan. Jeff is survived by his wife, Vicki; his sons Nick, Joshua, Whitney Brown and Seve Sanchez; his parents Jack and Lois Gelona; his brother John Gelona; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends that he considered his family. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Team Gelona for The Mercy Cancer Center, Carousel Productions or The Oklahoma School for the Deaf Foundation for Excellence in Education. “There Will Be Light”
Floyd L. Richardson
(July 24, 1931 - July 21, 2011)
Memorial services for Floyd L. Richardson will be Monday, July 25, 2011 10:00 A.M. at Craddock Funeral Home with Rev. David Allen officiating. He will be assisted by Rev. Stephen Harris. Services are under the direction of Craddock Funeral Home. Floyd was born July 24, 1931 at Achille, Oklahoma to Adrian L. Richardson and Vinita Lievsay Richardson. He passed from this life on July 21, 2011 in Ardmore at the age of 79. Floyd and Bobby Charlene Jones were married in Oklahoma City, OK on April 30, 1976. He retired as sales manager after 40 years of service with McKesson Pharmaceuticals. Floyd was an avid OU fan, watched television, played video poker, and loved working with his group of ladies at the Ardmore Village. He was a member of the Grace Baptist Temple Church. He was preceded in death by his father Adrian; mother Vinita; daughter Molly Cheryl Hutchinson; and father in law Charles Haskell Jones. Survivors include his wife Bobby of the home; sons David Lee Richardson of Oklahoma City, Michael Scott Richardson and wife Cindy of Pennsylvania, and Douglas Lawson and wife Allyson of Choctaw, OK; sister Martha Lynn Wolfenbarger of Pryor, OK; seven grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association 6465 South Yale Suite 206 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136-7804.
Gary Lee Allen
(August 5, 1947 - July 13, 2011)
Funeral services for Gary Lee Allen will be Friday, July 15, 2011 10:00 A.M. at the Craddock Memorial Chapel with Rev. Stephen Harris officiating. Interment will follow at Rosehill Cemetery. Gary was born August 5, 1947 at Holdenville, Oklahoma to Bill L. Allen and Oletha Harper Allen. He passed from this life on July 13, 2011 in Ardmore at the age of 63. He and Karen T. Wagner were married at Gainesville, Texas on March 9, 1970. Gary has lived in this area the past 20 years. He proudly served in the Army at Vietnam and was a supervisor and mechanic at General Motors. He enjoyed Skywarn, S.E.T.I., fishing, metal detecting, and coin collecting. He was a member of the Lone Grove Masonic Lodge #25 where he was a past Worshipful Master, and also served a a chapter dad of Templars Chapter Order of DeMolay. Gary is survived by his wife Karen T. Allen of the home; daughter Amanda Watson and husband Richard; son Shawn Allen; mother Oletha Allen; sister Connie Grant; grandchildren Emma, Kaelyn, Amaris, and Gabe. Pallbearers will be his Masonic Brothers. Honorary bearers are Raymond Stembridge, Danny Barnett, and Doug Blocker.
Ellen C. Mitchell
(April 12, 1923 - May 25, 2011)
Services for Ellen C. Mitchell will be Friday, May 27, 2011 2:00 P.M. at the Craddock Memorial Chapel with Dr. Alton Fannin officiating. Interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Ellen was born April 12, 1923 in County Down, Northern Ireland to David and Ellen Coulter Cooke. She passed from this life on May 25, 2011 in Norman, Oklahoma at the age of 88. She and Claude Mitchell met during WWII, and were married June 6, 1946 in Northern, Ireland. Ellen was a homemaker and a piano teacher. She played the organ for many churches in town over the years and was a member of The First Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Claude; son Dickie Mitchell; one brother; one sister; and two grandsons Michael and David Mitchell. Ellen is survived by her sons David Mitchell of San Antonio, TX, Dennis Mitchell of Tyler, TX; sister Adeline Johnson of Henryetta, OK; and grandchildren Amanda and Laura Mitchell.
John William Kriet
(December 6, 1917 - June 6, 2011)
John William Kriet, 93, passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2011. A family memorial celebration of his life will be held at a later date. John was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 6, 1917 to John Kriet and the former Ella Eiseman. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 1939 with a Liberal Arts degree. He married Mildred (Millie) Brewer on September 28, 1940. They were married 58 years until her death in 2008. He began his business career in Chicago as a partner with Brewer and Kriet Packaging and Assembly Company. In 1948 they moved the family to San Antonio, Texas and he joined Dewar, Robertson and Pancoast. This began a long and successful career as a stock investment broker. In December 2008 he moved to Ardmore to be closer to family and resided at the Ardmore Village Lodge. John loved all sports including fishing and hunting. His life-long interest was tennis, having won Chicago and San Antonio City Championships as well as Texas and Illinois Men’s State Championships. There were also many other tennis titles beginning during his college days. He was an avid reader and until his death, he read three newspapers daily and at least three to four books a week on his I-Pad. He remained interested in the U.S. economy and financial markets. He was preceded in death by his wife, three sisters, and a son, Robert W. Kriet. Survivors include one brother, Paul Kriet and wife Shirley, San Diego, California; a son, John N. Kriet and wife Marilyn of Ardmore, Oklahoma; daughter in law Laurie Kriet, Spokane, Washington. Three grandsons are Jeff Kriet and wife, Stefanie of Ardmore; Dr. David Kriet and wife Dana of Overland Park, Kansas; Bryan Kriet and wife Marla of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Great grandchildren are Paige Kriet, Lauren Kriet, Matthew Kriet, Sarah Kriet and Natalie Kriet. Laura Williams, San Antonio, was a special family friend who worked with the family for over 45 years. Memorials may be made to Mercy Memorial Hospital Foundation, 1011 14th Ave. N.W., Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401.
Annie B. Meyers
(October 14, 1921 - June 2, 2011)
Private Family Services for Annie B. Meyers were held Thursday, June 2, 2011 at Rosehill Cemetery. Annie was born October 14, 2011 in Cheyenne, OK to Eugene Amos and Mary Lou Kolb Dovell. She passed from this life on June 2, 2011 at a local hospital at the age of 89.
Tomas Jimenez
(May 24, 2011 - May 24, 2011)
Graveside services for Tomas Jimenez are scheduled for Friday at 10:00 am in St. Mary’s Cemetery with Father Thomas Dowdrell officiating. Tomas was the infant son of Juan and Maria Jimenez. He was born and passed from this life on May 24, 2011 in an Ardmore Hospital. He is survived by his loving parents and siblings, Vanessa, Destiny, Juan Daniel and Gabriel Jimenez.
Hetty Frances Arnold
(September 12, 1919 - July 26, 2011)
Graveside services for Hetty Frances Arnold will be 10:00 A.M. Friday at Lone Grove Cemetery with the Rev. Stephen Harris officiating. Services are under the direction of Craddock Funeral Home.
Hetty Frances was born September 12, 1919 in McAlester, OK to the late Evan Eugene and Mary Emelie Mueller Holder. She passed from this life on July 26, 2011 at her daughter's residence in Desoto, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Artie Aaron Arnold, son Thomas Eugene Arnold and a brother Mueller Eugene Holder.
Hetty Frances graduated from OSU in 1941, and later she married Artie Aaron Arnold in Gainsville, TX on July 30 1945. She retired from Social Security as a Data Review Tech and she was of the Methodist faith.
She is survived by her daugther Sue Xan Tunnell and husband Art of DeSoto, TX and granddaughter Chrissy Arnold of Tulsa, OK.
