Friday, June 21, 2002

Melva Jo Henson

Melva Jo Henson, 68, of Abilene, died Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at a hospital in Dallas.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at Southwest Park Baptist Church with Reverend Mike Woodard officiating, directed by Community Memorial Funeral Home, 1443 N. 2nd St. Burial will be at Tuscola Cemetery.

Mrs. Henson was born in Rule, TX on January 6, 1934 and lived in Abilene most of her life and attended school in Wylie. For a few years, she lived in Grandview, MO and in 1970, moved back to Abilene. She married Leonard C. Henson in Abilene on July 21, 1961 and worked as a nurse's aid at Hendrick Medical Center before retiring. She was a devoted and caring servant of others.

She is survived by her husband, Leonard, of the home; two sons, Walter Eugene Royall, and his wife, Joetta of Houston, and Dr. Bob Royall, and his wife, Debi of San Francisco, CA; two daughters, JoAnn Cowie and Judy Royall both of Abilene; three sisters, Ann Tucker and Modine Moody both of Independence, MO, and Juet Olhausen of Tuscola; one brother, Eldon Rock of Midland; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd E. Rock and Clemmie J. Rollins Rock; one sister and a brother.

Visitation will b Friday, June 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home, 1443 N. 2nd St.

Mable C. Alls Ulmer

HAMLIN -- Mable C. Alls Ulmer, 80, of Hamlin passed away early Wednesday morning in an Abilene hospital. Services will be Friday, June 21, 2002 at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Hamlin with the Reverend Lynn Money and James Clawson officiating. Burial will follow in the Belvieu Cemetery under the direction of Weathersbee Funeral Home of Rotan.

Mrs. Ulmer was born August 14, 1921 in Hamlin, Texas to Louis A. and Donie (Greenway) Hill. She married her late husband Raymond Alls on January 19, 1947 in Hamlin. He preceded her in death on August 4, 1990. Mrs Ulmer married her present husband, Tommy Ray Ulmer on December 14, 1991 in Hamlin, Texas. She was a member of the First Baptist Churches of Rotan and Hamlin.

She is preceded in death by her parents and first husband.

She is survived by her husband, Tommy Ray Ulmer of the home; three sons, Richard Alls of Sweetwater, Larry Alls of Runaway Bay, and Charlie Alls of Sweetwater; one brother, Albert Hill of Big Spring; and nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchildren.

Arthur William Pope

MERKEL -- Mr. Arthur William Pope, 49, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2002, in a Lubbock hospital. No services are planned. His body will be cremated. Arrangements are under the direction of Starbuck Funeral Home of Merkel.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Pope of Merkel; three daughters, Crystal Pope, Colleen Pope, and Tiffanie Pope all of Merkel; and two grandchildren, Brandon Hamilton Pope and Crystal Lynn Douglas Pope both of Merkel.

Janet I. Coleman

Janet I. Coleman, 68, of Abilene, died Wednesday, June 19, at a local nursing center.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, at the Community Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 1443 N. 2nd St., with Chaplain Bernie Summers officiating. Burial of the cremains will be in Coleman County.

Janet Weaver Green Coleman was born July 23, 1933 in Dallas, TX and was a 1951 graduate of Abilene High School. She was active in volunteer work for the different veterans organizations. She was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Unit 36; member of the VFW Auxiliary Unit 6873; the Military Order of the Cooties Auxiliary, Puptent 36; and a lifetime member of the NCO Association Auxiliary of the USA, Excalibur Chapter.

Survivors include her husband, John Coleman of Abilene; two step-daughters, Juanita Brown of Chattanooga, TN, and Ina Mae Coleman of Anchorage, AK; four grandchildren and three great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Grady Glenn and Bernice Forman Weaver; and a son, Sammy Seastrunk.

Visitation will be from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21, at the funeral home.

Billy Leo Standard

TUSCOLA -- Billy Leo Standard, 82, died Thursday, June 20, 2002, in an Abilene nursing center. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2002, in First United Methodist Church with Reverend Bill Alexander officiating. Burial will be in Tuscola Cemetery, directed by Fry-Bartlett Funeral Home.

Mr. Standard was born to Leo and Bernie Standard on February 18, 1920 in Tuscola. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1936 and attended John Tarleton University in Stephenville. He married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Hare, in Abilene on May 24, 1941. He was a farmer and was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Tuscola.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, David Standard in 1970.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy of Tuscola; and one daughter, Jeanne Standard-Killough and husband, Danny Killough of Tuscola.

Pallbearers will be Art Brown, Cody Cross, Darrell Cross, Charles Egger, Bill Terry, and Loy Stockton.

Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Rutledge and W.K. Rutledge.

Memorial may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Find, Tuscola, Texas, 79562.

Mary Lipham

Mary Ellen Lassetter Lipham, 74, died Wednesday, June 19, 2002 in a local hospital. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Hwy 36 Church of Christ, with Dr. Ed Hedrick officiating. Burial will be in Dudley Cemetery, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 hickory. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Lipham was born August 10, 1927 in Abilene to A.T and Annie Teague Lassetter. She married Billie D. Lipham in Anson, July 15, 1945; he preceded her in death in 1997. She has been a teacher in the Head Start program with Abilene Independent School District before retirement. She was a member of Hwy 36 Church of Christ where she served as part-time secretary, and American Legion, Post 57.

Survivors include on son, Barry D. Lipham of Fort Worth; two daughters, Zan Blount of Columbus, OH and Delores Loedel of Leaucadia, CA; on sister, Margret McClung of Lubbock; four grandchildren, Zack Lipham of Fort Worth, Shawna Blount and Alisa Blount both of Austin, and Michael Loedel of Leaucadia, CA.

Memorials may be made to the Mission Dept. of Hwy 36 Church of Christ.

Roy S. Lanham

SAN ANTONIO -- Roy S. Lanham, 89, a former Abilene resident, died Tuesday, June 18, 2002, in San Antonio, Texas.

Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday at Elmcrest Baptist Church, with Brother T.C. Melton and Brother Joe Stansell officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Hwy 277 South. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Mr. Lanham was born April 5, 1913 in Potosi to Charles and Maybelle Cameron Lanham. He married Pauline Higgins in Potosi, June 19, 1938. Before his retirement he was the general manager of the View-Caps Water Line. He was a member of Elmcrest Baptist Church, where he had been a deacon for 40 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Claudia Barclay, two brothers, Burton Lanham and Jack Lanham, and a sister, Thelma Shelton.

Survivors include his wife, Pauline; two sons, Bob Lanham of Amarillo and James and wife, Linda Lanham of Belton; two daughters, Pam and husband, Bill Briley of Brenham, and Beverly and husband, Joe Stansell of San Antonio; four sisters, Edna McGlothlin of Houston, Lela Pearl Lagal of Sweetwater, Charlie Mae Swan of Alabama, and Claudie B. Wiggins of Abilene; nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Donna Smutzer

Donna Smutzer, 59, died Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at her home. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday in the Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories, with Chaplain David Mickey officiating, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Hwy 277 South.

Ms. Smutzer was born July 14, 1942 in Buffalo, New York to Andrew and Marie Smutzer. She was a nurse at Hendrick Medical Center where she was also the leader of the Arthritis Support Group.

Survivors include one son, Ron Vastola and wife, Sue Tishelman of Buffalo, NY; a brother, Ronald Smutzer of Almond, NY; and one grandson, David Maggio.

Memorials may be made to Arthritis Foundation, 3145 McCart Ave., Ft. Worth, TX, 76110.

Helen Louise Reese

Helen Louise Reese, 81, died Thursday, June 20, 2002 in a local hospital. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Elliott-Hamil Chapel of Faith, 5701 Hwy 277 South, with Reverend Joe Welsh officiating. Burial will follow at Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Reese was born June 11, 1921 in Abilene, the daughter of William and Ella Winstead Fannin. She married Merrill (Ras) Reese in Baird, November 25, 1940; he preceded her in death March 17, 1998. She was a homemaker and a member of Beta Sigma Phi and St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Survivors include four daughters, Sandra K. Phelps of Abilene, Nancy Roberson of North Richland Hills, Jackie Abel of Abilene, and Margie Lind of Abilene; one brother, W.D. Fannin of Abilene; one sister, Ella Mae Johnson of Madrid, Spain; ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Abilene Area Dialysis Center, 1802 Pine, Abilene, TX 79601, or Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene, TX 79604.

Wesley William Pearce

CLYDE -- Wesley William Pearce, 68, died at his home Tuesday, June 18, 2002.

Mr. Pearce was born March 2, 1934 to John and Ora Mae Pearce in Three Rivers, Texas. He attended school in Three Rivers. He married Wanda Sue Medlock, March 17, 1956, in Coolidge, Arizona. They moved from Globe, Arizona to Clyde in 1983. Mr. Pearce served in the United States Army in the Korean War and worked as a diesel mechanic following his years of service.

Mr. Pearce is survived by his wife, Wanda Sue Pearce of Clyde; one son, Wesley Glen Pearce of Rockledge, Florida; four daughters, Sheryl Ann Pearce of Kennewick, WA, Sandra Sue Brown of Potosi, Julie Marlene Wilson of Abilene, and Brenda Denice Monson of Abilene; four brothers, James Earl Pearce of Globe, AZ, Joel David Pearce of Albuquerque, NM, Norman O. Pearce of Clyde, Doyle A. Pearce of Sacramento, CA; two sisters, Deborah W. Cramer of Abilene, and Marilyn Carpenter of Abilene; 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Bailey Funeral Home, Sunday, June 23, at 2:00 p.m. with Brother James Radford officiating, under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home.

Fred Cummings

CLYDE -- Fred Cummings, 87, of Clyde, Texas passed away at 6:20 a.m. Thursday, June 20th at his home. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 22nd at Ross Cemetery Annex, Reverend Riley Fugitt will officiate, under the direction of Parker Funeral Home.

Mr. Cummings was born April 24, 1915 in Annona, Texas. He was a heavy equipment operator for Texas Department of Highways and worked for Abilene Paving Co. and E.F. Smith paving contractors. He married Annie Merle Cummings in Baird, TX in 1934.

Survivors include one daughter, Mona and her husband, Don West of Alvin, Texas; three brothers, Truman Cummings of May, Texas, William Cummings of Baird, Texas, and Donald Cummings of Brenham, Texas; one sister, Bertha Mary Cummings of Abilene, Texas; three grandsons, Randy Cummings of Clyde, Texas, Don Paul West and Steve West both of Alvin, Texas; one granddaughter, Rhonda Pfeffer of Cedar Park, Texas; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Merle Cummings on May 30, 2002, and a son, David Cummings in December of 1991.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Parker Funeral Home in Baird.

Dr. Pete Palasota

Dr. Pete Palasota, 78, died Tuesday, June 18, 2002 in Abilene.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Faith, 5701 Hwy 277 South, with Chaplain Mike Patrick officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Born in Bryan, Texas, in 1924, and raised in Houston, Pete Palasota graduated from Lamar High School in Houston. He earned his B. S. Degree in Chemistry from Sam Houston State in Huntsville and his M. D. from the University of Texas Medical in Galveston, where he also did his residency in Psychiatry. Pete and Venie were married during his junior year at Medical School, September 19, 1948.

His musical education began at an early age with violin and was stimulated by his own natural love of music, parental interest and the encouragement of sincerely dedicated teachers. While in high school, he played oboe in the Houston Symphony under Maestro Ernest Hoffman. In high school he broke a state record by earning First Place in five categories in State Interscholastic League Competition-oboe, English horn, violin, percussion and voice. He has been in music most of his life. After college, he went into the U. S. Navy and while in San Diego, played in the San Diego Symphony, and directed the Navy stage band for the first Bob Hope entertainment for the military, while serving in the Navy Medical Corps.

His military stints included the U. S. Navy, after graduating from Sam Houston State, and the U. S. Air Force, after receiving his M. D. and doing his internship. After two years in the Air Force, he returned to Galveston to do his psychiatric residency at U.T.

He established his medical practice of psychiatry in Kingsport, Tennessee in 1955, but returned to Texas in 1957. Both he and Venie had ill parents, so they moved both sets of parents to Abilene, where Pete established his practice to become the first psychiatrist in Abilene in 1957.

Pete served on numerous national, state and local organizations: National - Amer. Psychiatric Assn. Board of Trustees; two terms, 6 years, Amer. Psychiatric Assn. Assembly - Texas; representative for 20 years, Amer. Psychiatric Assn. Joint Council on Public Affairs; several years, APA Committees - too many to list, Fellow of Amer. Psychiatric Assn.;1969, Life Fellow of the Amer. Psychiatric Assn., member of College of Psychiatry, Southern Psychiatric Assn.; former President.

State - State Commission for the Blind, State Board of Mental Health & Mental Retardation; former Chairman and served over 9 years on the Medical Advisory Committee, Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians; President '69 - '70, Editor - Texas Psychiatric Physicians Newsletter - 25 years, Texas Representative to the APA for 20 years.

Local - President of Taylor-Jones-Haskell Counties Medical Assn., Twice President of Abilene Philharmonic Assn., Twice President of Abilene Community Theatre Board, and many years as Vice- President in Charge of Production, President and a founder of Abilene Metropolitan Ballet Company, President and a founder of Abilene Opera Association, Twice President of Abilene Philharmonic Foundation, Orchestra Representative for Philharmonic for several years, Charter Member of the Board of Alcohol Council, Charter Member of Mental Health Association Board, Charter Member of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, Board Member of KACU Radio.

Pete also received many awards over the years: American Legion Award ( a national award), for outstanding honors on Scholarship, Leadership and Achievement, Citation from Gov. John Connally for work in Mental Health and Retardation as Chairman and for service on the State Board, Citation from Gov. Connally for work on the State Commission for the Blind, State of Texas, House of Rep., Joint Resolution # 214 for "tribute to the servant-hearted leadership of Dr. & Mrs. Pete Palasota...and fine community service."National APA Newsletter of the Year Award a few times, plus Honorable Mention many times over the years. Wandering Minstrel, awarded to Pete and Venie for their outstanding contributions, service, support, and participation in the Arts of the Big Country, 1983. "A Night in Honor of the Palasotas" by Abilene Community Theatre for outstanding service and support to ACT, held at Civic Center, 1984. A dinner honoring Pete and Venie at the Grace.

Many other local awards, i.e. Best Actor, etc. Many music awards as he grew up. Class favorite at Sam Houston State College for several years, Taylor-Jones-Haskell County Medical Society's Gold-Headed Cane Award, the organization's highest honor, 2001.

Pete is survived by his wife, Venie of Abilene; one son and wife, Thomas and Vickie Hood of Dallas, and one daughter and husband, Karen and Martin Cargile of Abilene; three grandchildren, Martin Peter Cargile of Denton, Laura Hood Ledbetter and husband, Troy of Garland, and Amy Hood Landman and husband, John of Fredrecksburg, VA; uncle, James Corte of The Woodlands; nephew, Carl Palasota, Jr. of Baton Rouge, LA, and cousin, Tommy Alfano of New Orleans, LA.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Cone Johnson, Dr. Keith Robinson, Dr. Jack Bargainer, Dr. Zane Travis, Dub Pritchett, Dr. Carey Cook, Dr. Harry Martin, and Bill Wright. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Taylor-Jones-Haskell Medical Society.

Memorials may be made to Abilene Community Theatre, Abilene Philharmonic, Abilene Community Band, or any medical organization or church of donor's choice.

BIG SPRING -- Mrs. Frank (Sue) Arner, 79, died Wednesday, June 19, 2002. Services are pending with Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Big Spring.

GRAHAM -- Dorothy Garretson, 79, died Monday, June 17, 2002. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Pioneer Cemetery, under direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

IRVING -- Dwight Griffen, 46, passed away. Services are pending with Walker Funeral Home.

MERKEL -- William Calvin "Cal" McAninch, 87, died Wednesday, June 19, 2002. Services will be 11:00 a.m. at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church, under the direction of Starbuck Funeral Home.

GARLAND -- Lattis Poindexter, 85, died Wednesday, June 19, 2002. Services will be 2:00 p.m. at Eubank Chapel in Canton; burial will follow in Myrtle Springs Cemetery.

CROSS PLAINS -- Elsie Porter, died Thursday, June 20, 2002. Services are pending with Higginbotham Funeral Home.

EASTLAND -- George Alton "G.A." "PAW PAW" White, 84, died Thursday, June 20, 2002. Services are pending with Edwards Funeral Home.

LAKE BROWNWOOD -- Floyd Botts, 80, 10:00 a.m. First Baptist Church in Rising Star; burial in Rising Star Cemetery.

LEWISVILLE -- Zelma Harrison, 85, 10:00 a.m. University Church of Christ Chapel; burial will follow in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories.

RANGER -- Mark Kincaid, 32, 2:00 p.m. Friday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel.

COLORADO CITY -- Johnny Macon, 72, 2:00 p.m. Loraine Cemetery.

Dr. Pete Palasota -- Dr. Pete Palasota, 78, 10:30 a.m. Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Faith; burial in Elmwood Memorial Park.

ALBANY -- Betty Williams, 70, 2:00 p.m. First Christian Church.

from the Reporter-News