obituaries
Obituary for Roger Dale Risenhoover
Roger was born August 19, 1949 in Wynnewood, OK to Oren & Loretha Risenhoover. After graduating from Wynnewood High school in 1967, he went to barber school in Oklahoma City, OK. It was after he graduated from Barber school in 1968 that he followed in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Sandia Army Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico as an MP. In March 1969, while out with friends from the base, he met the love of his life, Brenda Spicher. On March 6, 1970 in Albuquerque they were married and so began their love story. In 1971, he was discharged and they relocated back to Wynnewood, Oklahoma where they would make their home and eventually raise both of their children.
Roger was a barber in downtown Wynnewood from 1971 until 1977. On July 7, 1977 he started working at Kerr McGee Refinery (which later became Gary Williams Energy) where he would work for 23 years until his health prevented him from working further.
Roger loved his Wynnewood Savages and traveled all over the state to watch football under the Friday night lights. If it was a big game, he would show up hours prior to the start of the game to save seats for his family. On Saturdays in the fall, he could be found in front of the TV either cheering or yelling (depending on who was winning) watching his beloved OU Sooners. Later in life, you would find him in the stands at the OU games (rain or shine or zero degree weather),not so much for the football, but to watch first his oldest daughter then was joined by his youngest daughter, march in the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band.
Roger was an avid outdoors-man. You could find him fishing in Ruppe's ponds, fishing off his boat at Arbuckle Lake, hunting, or playing 100 holes of golf (from sun up to sun down). He was known for his sense of humor and loved a good practical joke. But above all, his love for his wife, his family, and the Lord outshone them all.
Roger is survived by his wife, Brenda of Fort Worth, Texas; his daughters Amy Duke of Arlington, Texas; Carrie Cleaver and her husband Daniel of Fort Worth, Texas; his 3 grandchildren, Lauren Duke, Carson Cleaver and Cade Cleaver; his sister, Connie Fannon and husband Doyle of Moore, Oklahoma; his brother-in-law Russell Spicher and his wife Mary of Albuquerque, New Mexico; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Services will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 1pm at the First Baptist Church in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. Graveside service will be held after the service at the Elmore City Cemetery. The family asks in lieu of flowers that a donation be made in Roger's name to the Ardmore Veterans Center/ Patient Benefits located on Commerce Street, Ardmore, Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of DeArman Funeral Home of Wynnewood, OK.
Obituary for Ruby Ella Dillard
Ruby Ella Dillard August 2, 1927 – September 1, 2019 Longtime Wynnewood resident Ruby Ella (Howard) Dillard, passed away at her home on September 1, 2019, at the age of 92. She was born to John Abrum Howard and Ludia Clarissa (Woodall) Howard, in Roosevelt, OK, on August 2, 1927. Ruby Ella grew up on a farm near Katie, OK, and moved to the current family farm east of Wynnewood, when she was in high school. She graduated Salutatorian of her WHS class in 1946. During her senior year, she met Thomas Dillard, a handsome soldier returning from war. They married September 13, 1947. Ruby Ella and Thomas had three daughters; Luanne in 1952, Lawana in 1954, and Linda in 1956. When the girls were in middle school, Ruby Ella decided to pursue a college education. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at East Central University, Ada, and began teaching in the Wynnewood Public Schools. She eventually became a school counselor and taught math, science, and special education classes. Ruby Ella loved teaching and was always thrilled when one of her former students would see her around town and say hello. Ruby Ella was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Thomas, and her oldest daughter Luanne. She is survived by two of her daughters, Lawana Dillard and Linda Dillner, both of Norman; her favorite son-in-law Wayne Dillner, Norman; four granddaughters, Lindsay Kula (Jordan Champion), Norman; Lauren Kula Wheeler (Trey Wheeler), Bremerton, WA; Madeline Dillner, Norman; and Emily Dillner, Mountain Home, AR; as well as four great-grandchildren, Clarissa and Kennedy Champion, Norman; and Elaine and Cale Wheeler, Bremerton, WA. She is also survived by good friends and neighbors, Kathy and Randy Hodge, whom she loved like family. Special love and appreciation is also given for her dear friend, Tammy Goforth.
Services will be held at 11am, Monday, September 9, at the Wynnewood First United Methodist Church, 204 South Robberson. Visitation will be Saturday September 7, 2019 at DeArman Funeral Home from Noon to 6PM. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Wynnewood. Arrangements are under the direction of DeArman Funeral Home in Wynnewood. Ruby Ella leaves behind Luanne’s dog, Jack, and her kitties Bootsie, Lucky, and Little One in the care of family and friends. In lieu of flowers and in memory of Ruby Ella’s love for animals, please send a donation to Second Chance Animal Sanctuary, Inc., P.O. Box 1266, Norman, OK, 73070.
