All Obituaries

  Charles Francis Chair, 84, of Nowata, Oklahoma passed away May 11, 2022, at his residence. He was born to Robert LaMarr and Edna (Hamil) Chair in Claremore, Oklahoma on January 1, 1938. Charles grew up in the Nowata area. While in high school, he was an exceptional and standout football player, being recruited from numerous colleges. He joined the United States Army in December of 1958. On December 30, 1963, Charles married Jennifer Louise Jones in Nowata, Oklahoma. Charles was...

Sarah Jewel Secondine, 88, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2022, at her home in Claremore, OK. She was born on September 2, 1933, in Nowata, Oklahoma to James Truman and Virginia Eliza (Dunn) Smith.  On November 5, 1950, Sarah married the love of her life, Donald Henry Secondine Sr. in Camp Polk, Louisiana. Sarah excelled working as a licensed practical nurse for numerous Tulsa area hospitals and facilities. She was dedicated to her work and committed to her patients, caring for...

Charles Frederick “Fred” Miller, 86, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2022, at the Journey Home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Fred was born on November 24, 1935, to Walter and Opal (Sutherland) Miller in Nowata, Oklahoma. He grew up in the Nowata area and began working at a very young age. He met Laurel Lea Leighty and the couple married in Bartlesville, OK on July 16, 1956. The couple first made their home in Dewey, OK. They then moved to Vinita, OK for about 3 years, and finally...

Velda Marie “Hilta” Gorby, 87, of Foyil, OK and formerly of Nowata, OK, passed away Saturday night, May 23, 2022, at Porta Caeli House of Tulsa. Hilta was born in rural Chatauqua County, Kansas, on August 27, 1934, to Clarence F. Finney and Martha M. (Hann) Finney. She graduated from Caney Valley High School in Caney, Kansas in 1953. On May 6, 1954, Hilta married Kenneth E. Gorby, Sr. in Caney, Kansas. Shortly after, the couple moved to Nowata, finding employment, and starting a...

Michael Dale Ketcherside, 73, passed away April 13, 2022 at his Royse City, TX home surrounded by his family.    Mike was born July 16, 1948 to Paul Slater and Jeanne Florene Ketcherside in Topeka, KS. He was raised in Nowata, OK and graduated from Nowata High School in 1966. After high school, Mike served in the United States Air Force in Vietnam, loading bombs on B-52s.    Mike’s greatest joy was his family. He married the love of his life, his wife Laverne,...

David Brent Clay was born July 14,1970 and left his family and friends to join his grandma, grandpa, two uncles and a cousin on March 31, 2022.  Brent leaves behind his wife of 22 years Diana Clay, and his daughter Riley Clay, both of the home.  He is also survived by his mother Velma Clay of Claremore, brother Joseph Clay and nephew Jesse Clay also of Claremore, mother-in-law and father-in-law Elmer and Patsy Duty of Sand Springs, brother-in-law and friend Rick Duty and his wife...

Harvey Junior Futhey, 68, passed away Sunday March 27, 2022, at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, OK. He was born on June 8, 1953, in Nowata, Ok. to John Harvey and Dixie Lou (Ryan) Futhey. Harvey grew up in Nowata and graduated from Nowata High School. After high school, he worked in the oil fields. On February 18, 1977, he married Doylene Toney, in Osage County. They made their home in Nowata, OK., where he got his Jouneyman License and went to work for Maggard Plumbing in Nowata. The...

Billy Joe Lindersmith, Sr., age 84, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2022, at his home. Bill was born June 21, 1937, at Lenapah, Oklahoma to Earl Lindersmith and Audie (Stubllefield) Lindersmith. He grew up in Lenapah and Alluwe and graduated from Alluwe High School, where he excelled in basketball, earning All-State honors. Billy was also selected to Boys State and was valedictorian of his senior class. He was a member of the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff...

Jensen Josue Gonzalez, 1, passed away on March 4, 2022, at Ascension St. John Nowata. He was born on December 17, 2020, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Byron Gonzalez and Kayla Heitger. Jensen was born a “heart warrior“ and spent much of his life in the hospital. He was well known and the favorite patient of the nurses in the PICU and the CVICU. His favorite thing to do while he was at the hospital was take off his pulse oximeter, so the nurses would be alerted and come in and see...

Derek Joseph McGovern, 40, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born September 20, 1981, in Wichita, Kansas to Michael and Marygrace (Gudenkauf) McGovern. He attended Collinsville High School. On October 1, 2004, he married Charee Spaid in Nowata, Oklahoma, where they made their home with their two children, Ty and Chesnee McGovern. They later divorced but, remained life-long friends. Derek enjoyed spending time...