Otoe-Missouria News Archive

Geary L. Watson, Ponca City resident, passed away on Thursday, April, 22, 2010 at his home. He was 57. Geary was born the son of Owen and Iva Watson on March 27, 1953, in Oklahoma City. Geary was an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and was a fluent speaker of his native language. He grew up in the Oklahoma City area and graduated from Mid-West City High School and later attended Rose State College. Geary and Mildred L. DeRoin were united in marriage on January 17, 1975, and made their home in Red Rock. Geary was an active member of the Ponca Chapter Native American Church. He was a big sports fan and loved watching OU and OSU football. Geary enjoyed going to local tribal dances, events and playing golf, but his greatest enjoyment was spending time with his beloved grandchildren.

Geary is survived by his father, Owen Watson of Oklahoma City; sister, Lori Anderson of Oklahoma City; son, Norman Bernal of Taos, N.M.; daughter, Antoinette Hopper of Ponca City; adopted son, Oliver Littlecook, Sr. of Ponca City; sister-in-law, Rosella DeRoin of Red Rock; in-laws Doris Hunter of Shawnee and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stoneroad of Oklahoma City; eight grandchildren – Little Bear Littlecook, Tara Littlecook, Ophelia Botone, Angela Botone, Cleve Botone, Ava Botone, Rebecca Botone, Kirsten Thompson; one great-grandson, AJ Aguilar, and numerous nieces and nephews. Geary is preceded in death by his mother, Iva Watson; wife, Mildred Watson; daughter, Ophelia Bernal and son, Perry Botone, Jr.

Casket Bearers will be Little Bear Littlecook, Cleve Botone, Brian Harragarra, Quinn Harragarra, Paul White and Steven Littlecook. Honorary casket bearers will be Dwight Buffalohead, Don Patterson, Oliver Littlecook Sr., Edwin Littlecook, Norman Bernal and Preston Walkingsky. The traditional meal to be held at noon on Sunday, April 25 at the Oliver Littlecook Sr. residence, with burial services to follow at 2 p.m. at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery with Oliver Littlecook, Sr. officiating.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Tony Arkeketa, Ponca City resident, died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at his home. He was 67.

The Traditional Indian Feast will be held at 12 p.m. Thursday, March 25, at Ponca Indian Tribal Cultural Center followed by a service at 2 p.m. with Mr. Tony Killscrow officiating. Burial will be at Ponca Indian Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory.

Tony was born on March 7, 1943, in Pawnee to Freeman and Myrtle Roy Arkeketa. His grandparents were Charles and Ella Arkeketa and Ed and Beulah Roy. Tony was a member of the Buffalo Clan of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. Tony was raised on the Ponca Indian Reservation were he had a deep knowledge and abiding respect for Ponca traditions and customs, including dance and song. He has sung the sacred songs of his people for 55 years.

He completed his education in Lithography at OSU-Okmulgee in 1962 and retired from that profession in 1982. He drafted the first tax code for the Ponca and spearheaded litigation efforts to defend the code, which was ultimately successful in the 10th Circuit Federal Court. He devoted his energy to preserving tribal languages; recognizing that one of the most important elements of Indian heritage is language. Tony is considered an expert in the field of Ponca customs and traditions, providing compelling testimony in the Ponca Tribe vs. Continental Carbon Company case filed in federal court.

Tony is an enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma and has participated as a dancer from his earliest recollection and became a champion dancer, winning many competitions across Indian country. In his years as a teenager, he became a singer of the “Ponca Drum,” his place being acknowledged by elders in previous years.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Arkeketa of the home; daughters, Toria Arkeketa of the home, Deliah Moses and her husband Berwyn of Pawnee, Tonette Ponkilla and her husband Gordon of Stroud, Sylvestine Franklin and her husband Steven of Stroud; son, Charles Eddy Arkeketa and his wife Sheila of Okmulgee; adopted children, Rita Poorbuffalo, Thomas Franklin, Michelle Franklin, Lisa Franklin, Steven Franklin, Shannon Franklin, and the late Jaime Franklin; 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His siblings include Peggy Harris, Marcella Morgan, Melissa Cornell, Freeman Arkeketa, Tony Killscrow and the late Fred Arkeketa.

Casket bearers will be Berwyn Moses Jr., Anderson Watashe, Pete Coser, Jr., Bobby Howe, John Arkeketa, Houston Primeaux, Oliver Franklin and Berwyn Moses, Sr. Honorary Casket bearers will be George Coser, Pete Coser, Wayne Coser, Dean Welch, Ira “Poncho” Fields, Ron Cotner, John Sellers, Steven Franklin and Gordon Ponkilla.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Michael Eric Brown passed away Friday, March 20, 2010, in Del City. He was 49. Michael was born January 16, 1961, in Oklahoma City, the son of Alford Brown and Lawana Fern Kent Brown.

Michael loved music and his music took him all over the United States. He loved traveling with his family and friends to go to concerts or perform in them. He enjoyed entertaining and was a founder of the Oklahoma punk scene. He liked singing, drumming and living life to the fullest. Michael was currently enrolled at Rose State College where he was working toward an associate degree in communications. While at Rose State College he was listed on the Vice President’s Honor Roll. Michael was known as Little Bah-Kho-Je by his grandpa. Michael was a colorful representation of the creator’s blessing and he will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his sisters, Lou Brown, Suzette Ayala, Velvet Brown, Beverly Manley, Jami Warledo and Denise Bible; many cousins, nephews, and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alford and Lawana; grandparents, Gail Collier and Nina Lavers Kent; brother, Aaron Alford Brown; sisters, Karon Lowe and Mignon Warledo; and nephew, Mario Brown.

The graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 22, at Otoe-Missouria Cemetery in Red Rock with Gary Whitecloud Sr. presiding. Interment is under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Casket bearers for the service will be Terrence Manley, Vernon Manley, Chebon Henderson, Collier Henderson, Robert Harris Jr. and Joseph Loving. Honorary casket bearers are Philip Sanchez, Robert Harris Sr., Elliott Snyder, Jonas Jay Manley, Chris Harris and Teddy Jack Tyner.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Dolphus Roubideaux was born August 4, 1970, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Murray “Red ” Roubideaux and June Begay Roubideaux. He passed from this life Tuesday, February 2, 2010, in Oklahoma City, having reached the age of 39 years, 5 months, and 28 days.

He moved to Oklahoma City from Hanau, Germany, in November of 2007. He was affiliated with the Native American Church, the Otoe Chapter. He enjoyed researching tribal traditions, enjoyed books, and spoke fluent French, German, Spanish, and was learning Hungarian. He retired from the United States Army after 18 years of service, and received the Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and two Overseas Service Ribbons. He served in Bosnia along with Iraq.

Dolphus is survived by his mother: June Roubideaux of Oklahoma City; brother and sister, Ivan Buffalohead of Perkins, Murray Roubideaux Jr. of Oklahoma City, Sonya Roubideaux and Sean Roubideaux of Wichita, Kansas; and other brothers and sisters; an aunt, Gladys Brown of Missoula, Montana; an uncle, Andy Begay of Farmington, New Mexico; Leita Yazzie of Albuquerque, New Mexico; the Bassett family; plus a number of other relatives, and many friends. Dolphus was preceded in death by his father, Red Roubideaux; uncle Loren Littlecrow; and several other family members.

The funeral will be held at noon Friday, February 5, at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center in Red Rock. Interment will be at Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home in Pawnee.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Deland “Yancy” Ward Denny was born on January 12, 1959, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Harvey Hansen Denny and Constance D. Harper. He passed from this life on Friday, January 29, 2010, in Perry, Oklahoma, having reached the age of 51 years and 17 days.

He was given the name of Ski-Chne Lugela meaning Little Plays Lightning. He graduated from Tonkawa High School in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, and also attended Northern Oklahoma College of Tonkawa. He attended Haskell Indian College in Lawrence, Kansas, and North Eastern College in Tahlequah. He has worked for Conners State Correctional Facility in Hominy; Mertz in Ponca City, Iowa Casino in Perkins, Otoe Tribal Police Department and Dish Network. He worked on computers in his spare time.

Yancy is survived by son Joseph Denny, Red Rock, Oklahoma; daughter Goya C. Denny, Tulsa; grandson Bishop Denny; mother Constance D. Harper, Red Rock; brothers Darvin W. Denny, Red Rock, Dwight W. Denny, Red Rock, Dennis W. Denny, Nevada; sisters Debra D. Denny, Nevada, Delima D. Berman, Ponca City; nephews Shane Berman, Ponca City; Daniel W. Denny, California, Sanoe Denny, Nevada; nieces Cassandra Berman, Ponca City, Divina Denny, Fairbanks, Alaska; great grand nieces Breann Warrior, Ponca City, Alisa Warrior, Ponca City, Mai Lee Warrior, Ponca City; plus a number of other relatives and many friends. Yancy was preceded in death by his father, Harvey Hansen Denny.

Services will be held at noon Monday, February 1, 2010, at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Complex, Red Rock. Interment will be at Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home, Pawnee, Oklahoma.

» Originally published in the Stillwater NewsPress.

Sarah Skye Kihega, a 23 year old Otoe-Missouria tribal member, passed this life to be with her beloved relatives on Thursday, January 21, 2010, in Mescalero, New Mexico. Greeting her in glory are grandfather, Alfred Skye; brother, Richard White; and grandparents, Richard and Bernice Saunders Kihega. She is from the following families: White Cloud, Arkeketa, Wild Bird, Diamond and DeRoin.

She is survived by her loving parents, Charles and Mary Skye Kihega of Camp Verde, Arizona; companion, Nick Garcia; sisters, Rowena Kihega, Lena and Isaiah Klinekole of Mescalero, New Mexico, Andrea Kihega, Norman; brothers, Kyle Wilkerson, Harry Kihega, Eddie Gilbert Kihega, DeJohn Kihega, Anthony Kihega, George Kihega, Roman Kihega, Bryan Kihega, Brent Kihega, Michael Kihega, and Rock Kihega; grandmother, Florence Skye of Quapaw; uncles, Lenny Skye, Harold “Red” and Elaine Kihega, Carroll Kihega, Richard Jr. and Angela Kihega, Ronald Dean Kihega and Robert “Bobby” Kihega; niece and nephew, Mary and A.C. Kihega; and a great aunt, Lorena Kihega. She also leaves a host of other cousins, relatives and friends.

She enjoyed life and liked things simple. She loved participating in cultural activities and attending Native American Church. She was an avid basketball player and enjoyed the outdoors. She enjoyed her time as a firefighter with the Mescalero Apache Tribe. She loved all her brothers and sisters and their children. She had a good part in helping to raise her nephew and niece, A.C. and Mary. She also enjoyed her gift to make people laugh. She was a sweet and loving daughter, sister, and auntie and will be missed by all who knew her.

Wake services will be held both Monday and Tuesday night; a Native American Church Service will be held on Tuesday night, and traditional feast and services on Wednesday, January 27. All services will be held at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center near Red Rock. Burial will follow in the Otoe-Missouria Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Harrison Emery Roy, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed Friday evening, January 22, 2010 in Wichita, Kansas. He was 61. Harrison was born January 3, 1949, in Pawnee, the son of Emery Roy and Georgia Winifred Cries for Ribs Roy. He attended Ponca City schools. He was married to Molly Tannehill in 1982. Roy was a member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and his enjoyments were bead working, drawing, watching old movies and being with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his mother, Georgia Roy of Ponca City; two children, Jamison “Jammer” Roy and Heather Eraina Roy, both of Ponca City; two sisters, Eraina Pappan of Ponca City and Florence “Kitty” Clark of Kaw City; one brother, Wesley Roy of Ponca City; four grandchildren, Hannah Roy, Emery Jamison Roy, Mark Clark and Dana Clark. He was preceded in death by his father; his wife, Molly, on March 3, 2008; and one son, Emery Jess Roy.

A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, January 24, at Ponca Tribal Cultural Center at White Eagle. A noon meal will be served Monday, January 25, at Ponca Tribal Cultural Center with the traditional funeral service to follow at 2 p.m. The Rev. Louis Headman and Doug Eagle will preside over the services. Burial will be in Ponca Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers will be Jammer Roy, Mark Clark, Amos Simpson, Garland Pappan, Brenton Carney and Curtis Primeaux. Honorary casket bearers will be Dakota Kent, Solon Kent and Ben Waters Jr.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Audrea “Audy” Lucille Jeans was born on June 24, 2009, in Ponca City to Dillon Jeans and Shakota Ramirez Jeans. She passed from this life on Monday, November 23, 2009, in Ponca City, having reached the age of five months. She came with blessings and left with blessings. She will be greatly missed, and never forgotten.

Audy is survived by her father, Dillon Jeans, Red Rock; mother, Shakota Jeans, Red Rock; grandmother and grandfather, Lynn and Russell Jim, Red Rock; brother, Darnell Jeans, Red Rock; cousin, Cashlyn Shaw, Red Rock; grandparents, Anna and Floyd Iron, Ponca City; Paula and Chad Butler, Red Rock; April and Moran Bible, Red Rock; great-grandma, Norma Tohee, Red Rock; great-grandma, Rose Dent, Stillwater; uncles, Bubba Jeans, Red Rock, Charlie Hairyback, Ponca City, Wynston Tiger, Red Rock; aunts, Tashina Jeans, Red Rock, Tosha Warrior, Marland, Janice Warrior, Oklahoma City, Sheyenne and Kennetha Butler, Red Rock; plus numerous other relatives.

Audrea was preceded in death by her great-grandma, Thomasine Rhoten; great-grandma, Lucille Jeans; great-grandpa, Lewis Jeans; grandpa, Michael Lane; grandpa, John Jeans; and cousin, Jonathan Angel Deere.

Services will be held at noon, Friday, November 27, at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Building, Red Rock, with Pastor Jimmy Kenner and the Native American Church officiating. Casket Bearers will be Miles Hall, Charlie Hairyback, Troy Starnes, Josh Ramirez. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Bubba Jeans, Wynston Tiger, Jonathan Deere, Darnell Jeans, Cashlyn Shaw, and Gerald Pappan III. Interment will be at Cleghorn Cemetery, Red Rock, under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home, Pawnee.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Justin Royce Roubedeaux Sr., resident of Red Rock, passed away Friday, November 20, 2009, at St. John’s Medical Center in Tulsa. He was 31. Justin was born July 4, 1978, in Tustin, California, the son of Frank Roubedeaux and Toni Baglione Roubedeaux. The family moved to the Red Rock community in 1989.

Justin was a member of the Bear Clan of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. He attended the Frontier schools. Justin was employed at the Otoe-Missouria Travel Mart. He had also worked at the 7 Clans Casino and had done contract work for the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. His enjoyments included playing with his children, playing video games and powwows.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon of the home; two children, Justin Jr. and Jeffrey of the home; his parents, Frank Roubedeaux of Red Rock and Toni Roubedeaux of Charleston, South Carolina; one brother, Jade Roubedeaux and wife Tesa of Red Rock; maternal grandparents; Dan and Tricia Baglione of Forest Hill, California; paternal grandmother, Celeste Roubedeaux of Red Rock; eight nieces and nephews; other aunts, uncles, extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Joseph Richard Roubedeaux; uncle, Jody Roubedeaux; and one cousin, Joey Roubedeaux.

Prayer service to be held Sunday evening at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center. A noon meal will be served Monday, November 23, at the Cultural Center with the funeral to follow at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the Cleghorn Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers will be Eddie Roubedeaux, Jade Roubedeaux, Jeff Hornick, Willie Childs, Noland Grant, John Vasquez. Honorary casket bearers will be Jeremy Williams, Teddy “Boo” Collins, Stacey Childs and Sly Moore.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Michael R. Childs, resident of rural Red Rock, passed Sunday morning, September 27, 2009, at Ponca City Medical Center. He was 35. Michael was born December 26, 1973, in Lawrence, Kansas, the son of Roy Childs and Jolavon Butler Childs. He was a 1993 graduate of Frontier High School. He had been employed with the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Maintenance Department.

His enjoyments were his participation in the tribal straight dancing and bowling which he had just recently taken up. Michael was also an avid weight lifter since his teen years.

He is survived by his parents, Roy and Jolavon Childs of Red Rock; six children, Jennifer, Wendy, Ashley, McKayla, Nizhoni and Billy; three brothers, George Childs, Willie Childs and Stacy Childs; one sister, Cheyenne; and several other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, George and Virginia Childs, and maternal grandparents, Benny and Wilhelmina Butler.

The prayer service will be held Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center near Red Rock. A noon meal will be served on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Cultural Center with the funeral to follow at 2 p.m. The Native American Church and Randy Whitehorn will preside over the service. Burial will be in the Otoe-Missouria Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Casket bearers will be George Childs, Willie Childs, Stacy Childs, Justin Mehojah, Shane Turner and Vernon Tohee.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.