Obituaries

Elena Ann Donald, 75, died Monday, February 15, 2010, in Amarillo.
Graveside services were held at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 17, 2010, in the  Goodnight Cemetery with Barry Owens, Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Pampa, officiating. Interment was held at Goodnight Cemetery. Services were under the direction Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Miss Donald was born July 31, 1934, in Pampa, to Steve and Zola Blankenship Donald and spent most of her early life there. She had lived in Pampa for approximately the past 30 years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in music from Hardin-Simmons University, and her Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.  She was a music and choir teacher in the Houston area and then in the Pampa schools for many years prior to her retirement.
She will be remembered as a loving, caring and generous person who loved to travel, who loved her ranch in Goodnight, and was an avid sports fan, especially of her beloved Houston Astros.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pampa.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, George and Lena Blankenship and Walter and Maude Donald; and an aunt, Inez Blankenship.
Survivors include an aunt, Isla Hooker of Garland; and numerous cousins and their families as well as many friends and former students, all of whom she considered her extended family.
The family suggests that memorial donations be to the First Baptist Church in Pampa; the Pampa Chapter of the Salvation Army; or to the Goodnight Cemetery Association.
Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Dorris Jo Denney, 81, died Monday, February 15, 2010, in Houston. Services were held at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 19, 2010, in the Clarendon Church of Christ with Eddie Hankins, officiating. Burial followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon. Dorris was born August 21, 1928, to William Edgar and Jocie Lea Worley Bolton in, Blum, Hill County, Texas. She married Marshall Denney on October 2, 1943 in Hagerman, New Mexico. She had been a resident of Lubbock before moving to Clarendon 35 years ago. She loved to crochet, quilt, and was a great homemaker. She was faithful member of the Clarendon Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, James and Wayne Bolton; and a sister, Joyce Brown. Survivors include her husband, Marshall Denney of Clarendon; three sons, Tyra Joe Denney of Lindsay, Calif., Carl Gene Denney of Clarendon, and Larry Earnest Denney of Grand Junction, Co.; two daughters, Marsha Lea Albert of Dalhart and Debborah Kay Spohn of Bakersfield, Calif.; three brothers, Rusty Bolton of Visali, Calif., Herbert Lee Bolton of Santa Maria, Calif., and Royce Bolton of Waco; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. The family requests that memorials be to the Clarendon Church of Christ Mission Fund, P.O. Box 861, Clarendon, TX 79226. Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Ernest Neal “Ernie” Johnston, 70, died Tuesday, February 9, 2010, in Clarendon.

Services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2010, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon, with Rev. Bill Hodges, Pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene, and Rev. Lance Wood, Pastor, officiating. Burial with Masonic Rites and Firefighter Honors was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Ernie was born November 7, 1939, in Hedley, to Walter and Inez Johnston. He grew up on the farm place in the Naylor Community of Donley County where he learned to farm. He attended Lelia Lake School from 1945 until 1956. He joined the Army National Guard in 1960 and served six years. He moved to Amarillo to work for Continental Panhandle Lines as a driver from 1961 until 1972. He married Beth Johnson September 14, 1962, in Clarendon. He then worked for Montgomery Ward Fleet from 1972 until 1986. Ernie worked for the City of Clarendon from 1989 until 1999 where he worked with the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission and was successful in getting the Recycling Plant built and helped educate the city residents about the importance of recycling. He served as Donley County Commissioner Precinct 1 from 2000 until 2008 were he had the opportunity to help get the Donley County Courthouse restored. He served as the Donley County Emergency Coordinator, was a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in Donley County, was a 32 year member of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department since 1978 where he served as 1st Assistant Chief as well as 2nd Assistant Chief, was named Firefighter of the Year in 1993, and was named 2009 Pioneer Man of the Year in Clarendon.

Ernie was also a member of the Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700 AF & AM as well as a member of the Al Morrah Shrine Club where he served as president for three years and other offices through the years. He was a member and attended First Baptist Church of Clarendon. Ernie has worn many hats – farm hat, grocery hat, service station hat, John Deere hat, National Guard hat, Continental Trailways hat, Ward Fleet hat, City hat, County Commissioner hat, Fireman hat, Shriner’s hat, husband hat, daddy hat, and papa hat. While wearing all of these different hats, he has always loved his family, his friends, his town, his county and his country. The word “love” does not have to be said, he has shown his love by his dedicated service to each and every one of us.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Charles Kenneth Johnston; and his sister, Dorothy Vaught.

Survivors include his loving wife Beth Johnston; his children, Neal Johnston and wife Tammie, and Donna Roys and husband Eddie all of Clarendon; his brothers, Billy Ray Johnston of Clarendon, Redell Johnston of Howardwick, Dan Foster of Little Elm, Gary Keith Johnston of Amarillo, and Don Johnston of Roswell, NM; his sisters, Cleta Wilkerson of Dimmitt and Pam Mason of Clarendon; six grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Casket bearers were members of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department.

The family may be contacted at 1113 West 3rd, Clarendon or (806) 874-2269.

The family requests that memorials be to First Church of the Nazarene Fellowship Hall Fund, PO Box 790, Clarendon, Texas 79226 or the Clarendon Fire Department, PO Box 364, Clarendon, Texas 79226.

Robert Edgar “Bob” Moss passed away January 19, 2010, at Bakersfield, CA.

Memorial services were held at the Arvin Assembly of god Church on January 22. Private family services will be held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon at a later date.

Bob was born on December 8, 1933, at Goodnight to Oddie Allen Moss and Clarence Moss. He attended school at Goodnight and Clarendon. After school, he was employed as an auto mechanic for Gene Nolen at Clarendon. He later worked as an appliance serviceman at heath Furniture in Clarendon, Lemon’s Furniture in Memphis and Raymond Keith Furniture in Borger. He moved to California in 1964 and worked as a serviceman at Sears in Bakersfield until his retirement.

Bob and Dora were married in 1966 and lived in Lamont, CA. They enjoyed traveling, camping and cruises. They were also very active in their church, where Bob was a musician. He enjoyed many hobbies including photography. He was talented at taking photos and developing much of his own film. He also enjoyed motorcycles, panning for gold, and camping in the mountains and on the west coast with his wife.

While living in Borger, he became a diver at Lake Meredith. Airplanes had always fascinated him and at an early age, he started building model planes and later remote controlled planes. This led him to become a pilot of small planes and later building his own 2-seater airplane.

Survivors are his wife, Dora; three sons, Bill, Lary and Randy; one daughter, Candy; two sisters, Irene Gerner Williams and husband George, and Shirley Osburn; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild and numerous other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Citizens Cemetery, PO Box 983, Clarendon, TX 79226; or Saint’s Roost Museum, PO Box 781, Clarendon, TX, or to the American Cancer Society.

Billy L. Talley, 52, died February 10, 2010, in Amarillo.
Services were held at 3 p.m. on Friday, February 12 at the First Baptist Church of Canyon with Dr. David L. Lowrie, Jr., Pastor, and Rev. Paul Burwash, officiating. Services were under the direction of Brooks Funeral Directors. Burial followed at Happy Cemetery in Happy.
He was born on October 15, 1957, in Hollis, Oklahoma, to Haskell and Wanda Talley. Billy was a Hedley High School graduate. He married Lotte Collier on December 27, 1997, in Happy. Billy was full of passion for the Lord and known for his tireless sense of humor. In Billy’s own words, “He is definitely now doing better than he deserves.” He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Canyon.

Billy was preceded in death by his mother in 1995.
Survivors include his wife, Lotte, of the home; two daughters, Alisa and Micah, of the home; two sons, Josh Talley and wife, Candace, of Memphis, Matthew Talley and wife, LeeAnn, of Memphis; three grandchildren, Jaden and Emma Talley, Destiny Talley; his father, Haskell Talley, of Clarendon; two sisters, Mary Green, of Clarendon, Peggy Talley, of Dodson; one brother, Douglas Talley, of Hollis, OK; and many other friends and family.

The family suggests memorials to Family Life Ministries, PO Box 7111, Little Rock, AR 72223.

Luevella Sue Salmon, 65, died Wednesday, February 10, 2010, in Amarillo.

Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2010, in the First United Methodist Church in Memphis with Rev. Rob Blum, Pastor, officiating. Burial was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors, 1644 North 18th Street in Memphis.

Sue was born January 24, 1945, in Amarillo, to Thurmond Ellis and Osa Mae Tipton Keever. She married James Nolan Salmon on September 1964 in Perryton. She had been a resident of Hall County since 1973. He loved to travel and helping her husband on the farm. She loved doing for her family, and her grandkids were her life. She was a Baptist.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Luther Thomas Rideout; and a sister, Ella Louis Whisenand.

Survivors include her husband, Nolan Salmon of Memphis; a daughter, Linnie Crosnoe and husband Steve of Frisco; a brother, Douglas Keever of Warrenton, Virginia; two grandchildren, Bailey and Brayden Crosnoe of Frisco; her nieces and nephews, Cathy Moore, Dee Dee Abbot, and Russell Keever; and several great nieces and nephews.

The family requests memorials be to the American Heart and Lung Associations.

Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Marcus Eugene “Putty” Putman, 88, died Wednesday, February 10, 2010, in Clarendon.
Services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 13, 2010, in the First Baptist Church in Claude with Rev. Dick Gravley, Pastor, officiating. Burial followed at Claude Cemetery in Claude. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mr. Putman was born March 14, 1921, in Goodnight to Marcus Lafayette and Cornette Clementine Brunson Putman and was a resident of Claude most of his adult life before returning to Clarendon three years ago. He was a graduate of Clarendon High School and Clarendon College where he was a member of the Bulldog basketball team. Shortly after college graduation, he went to work for TXDOT where he was employed until enlisting in the US Army Air Corp during World War II. After his discharge, he returned to work at TXDOT until retiring after 35 years of service. He married Jean George Cook on May 20, 1942, at Amarillo. She preceded him in death on January 26, 1994. He was a 64-year member of the Claude American Legion and a member of the First Baptist Church in Claude.

Survivors include one sister, Wilma Spier of Clarendon and several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews, all of whom were very special to him.

The family suggests that memorial donations be to the Clarendon College Scholarship Fund, the Donley County Senior Citizens Association, or a favorite charity.

Geraldine “Jerry” Hermesmeyer, 89, died Sunday, February 14, 2010, in Amarillo.

Rosary was held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Groom.

Services were held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Groom, with Fr. Raj Samala officiating. Interment followed at St. Mary‘s Cemetery in Groom. Services were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Jerry was born May 22, 1920, to Jake and Mary Finley Duncan in Moorefield, Independence County, Arkansas. Jerry married Phillip “Hunk” Hermesmeyer on April 28, 1972 in Pampa. She has lived in Donley County since 1972. She was a Certified Nurse’s Aide and was loved by many that she cared for. Jerry was a fantastic homemaker, a gracious hostess, and made all who entered her home feel welcomed. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Groom.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 18 brothers and sisters.

Survivors include her loving husband, Phillip “Hunk” Hermesmeyer of Clarendon; two daughters, Jeri Lynn McGowan and husband David of Dallas, Patricia Ann Coffey and husband Bob of Mabank; one sister, Betty Margaret Patterson of Olathe, KS; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren; special friends, Joan Gulde, Carolyn Hermesmeyer, and Virginia Patten; many nieces and nephews and especially Cindy Foster and her special great nephews Brody and Brady Hermesmeyer.

Casket bearers were David McGowan, Bob Coffey, Brit Patten, Bill Hermesmeyer, Pat Britten, Jeff Gulde, Henry Like, and Sam Hermesmeyer.

The family requests that memorials be to American Lung Association or American Heart Association.

Bryan Lovell Myers, 51, died Monday, January 11, 2010, in Amarillo.

Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2010, in the First Assembly of God Fellowship Hall in Clarendon. Cremation and arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Bryan was born September 30, 1958, at Selfridge Air Force Base in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. He was raised in and spent most of his life in Clarendon as well as in Missouri. He loved to fish and enjoyed hunting. He worked in Construction.

He was preceded in death by his son, Eric Michael Myers; his grandparents, Hester and Sue Shields, and Chester and Mary Myers.

Survivors include his father, Lovell Myers and wife Sylvia, of Woodbridge, VA; his mother, Patty Lemons and husband Jerry, of Clarendon; two sons, Chris Myers and his wife Courtney of Clarendon, and Jeremiah Myers of Springfield, MO; a brother, Andrew Myers of Virginia; four sisters, Vickie Rieken of Memphis, Cathy Myers and Janette Harrison both of Clarendon, and Larinda Myers of Virginia; three grandchildren, Dagon and Decylyn Worthington of Springfield, MO, and Emily Myers of Clarendon.

Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Jerome James “Jerry” Asher, 74, died Sunday, February 7, 2010, in Lelia Lake.

Services were held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, 2010, in the First Assembly of God in Clarendon with Rev. Matthew Stidham, Pastor, and Rev. Bill Hodges, Pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene in Clarendon, officiating. Interment followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Jerry was born October 19, 1935, in Durand, Wisconsin to Paul Henry and Elizabeth Ann McDonald Asher. He married Catherine “Kitty” Prokosh on June 1, 1957, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He had been a resident of Donley County since 1968. Jerry restored antique tractors and was a member of the antique tractor club. He was also a member of the blue grass association. He had been a carpenter, worked at Pantex for 15 years, and had worked at the Highway Department. He loved to play his guitar and he always loved to do things for everyone. He took care and loved all of his family and his wife, Kitty. He was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Clarendon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Donald Asher on Feb. 2, 1990; and a sister, Theresa Griffin; and a great granddaughter, Trinity Grace Brogdon.

Survivors include his wife, Kitty of Lelia Lake; a son, Robert “Bob” Asher of San Antonio; a daughter, June Franklin and husband Greg of Clarendon; four sisters, Lois Lotzer and Jeanette Olson both of St. Paul, MN and Patsy Hinz and husband Jerry and Bernadette Nelson and husband Mike both of North Broach, MN; five grandchildren, Shawn Brogdon and wife Tiffany of Clarendon, Theresa and Amber Asher both of San Antonio, and Nicholas and Corianne Hinojosa both of Clarendon; and one great grandchild to be.

The family suggests that memorial donations be sent to the First Assembly of God in Clarendon, Citizens Cemetery Association, or Odyssey Hospice.