July 12, 2025 Issue, Page 2 of 12

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NEWS 2• SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025 The Elk City News Alternatives to Guardianship offered by Oklahoma Human Services and Advocates of the Aging and Disabled Communities OKLAHOMA CITY (July 3, CDD). The Oklahoma State Alliance Randle said that while many fam- that maintain a person’s autonomy they can curate a legal plan tailored how they can best support and care 2025) – Oklahoma Human Services Team, which is comprised of many ilies think that guardianship is the whenever possible. to the strengths and limitations of for their loved one. The site offers recently debuted a new website — organizations and individuals from only path to support their loved one, The site provides information on the aging individual without strip- additional resources from organi- Guardianship and Alternative Op- across the state, also officered sup- it can be a costly and complex option supported decision making, repre- ping them of all legal rights with a zations dedicated to empowering tions, to equip Oklahoma families, port for this project. for families. The wishes and needs of sentative payees, advanced direc- general guardianship,” said Direc- caregivers including The Arc of people with disabilities, and profes- “People are living longer and a person with disabilities or some- tives, power of attorney, limited tor of Legal Empowerment for the Oklahoma, Oklahoma Insurance sionals in the caregiving field with healthier lives because of better one who is aging can be supported guardianship and general guard- Oklahoma Access to Justice Founda- Department, and the National Re- essential information about caregiv- healthcare and technology,” said through a variety of plans that are ianship, while urging caregivers to tion, Tiffani Armendariz. “It is also source Center for Supported Deci- ing options that promote indepen- Executive Director of the Develop- both simple and less restrictive. consider a person’s strengths and imperative that they are informed sion Making. dence and self-determination. This mental Disabilities Council of Okla- While Guardianship and Alter- limitations before choosing which of their legal rights and options in “This partnership is a critical site was constructed with support homa, Jenifer Randle. “We need to native Options is not legal advice, type of care may be best for their plain language and have timely, ver- lifeline,” said Oklahoma Human from a Bridging Aging and DD Net- think carefully about how to best it does provide caregivers with clear loved one. ified, and vetted resources readily Services Programs Administrator, works grant awarded through the support our loved ones when they definitions of the kinds of supports “It is integral that this community available.” Talena Ford. “Together, we are en- National Association for Councils may need assistance with decision they can secure for their loved ones, – people with intellectual and devel- Guardianship and Alternative hancing access to services across the on Developmental Disabilities (NA- making.” demystifying complex legal con- opmental disabilities, their caregiv- Options serves as a landing page lifespan for people and their dedicat- cepts and highlighting pathways ers, and loved ones – is aware that for any Oklahoman seeking to learn ed caregivers.” OBITUARIES Moorman of Claremore, Oklaho- (USPS # 173-020) PIKE WORD JR ma. He is also survived by nephews Wayne Woltman of Ada, Oklahoma, and Casey Froese of Stillwater, Okla- 580-225-3000 Pike Word Jr. was born on Novem- ging technician, a role that took him homa; niece Cari Fischer and her hus- ber 9, 1949, to Lucille Stroebel Word across Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Okla- Is published once weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC band, Danny, of Stillwater; sister-in- and Pike Word Sr. in Elk City, Oklaho- homa, Louisiana, and even offshore in 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 law Barbara Froese of Stillwater; five ma. He passed peacefully at the age of the Gulf of Mexico. He worked for Pe- Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 great-nieces and nephews; Aunt Tere- 75 on July 5, 2025, at Mercy Hospital troleum Well Logging before joining sa Word of Elk City and his beloved in Oklahoma City, with his wife, Shel- three friends who started Universal POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO Box 964, Elk City, OK 73648 cousins, with whom he remained ley, and special friend, Larry Klutz, by Well Logging in 1973. It was there in close throughout his life. his side. 1974 that he met the office manager, He was preceded in death by his He was born and raised in Elk Shelley Balman. They were married parents; his son, Pike Word III; his SUBSCRIPTIONS Sheryl Ponce, City, Oklahoma, and spent countless on December 12, 1977, in Sayre, Okla- memory for restaurants—often recall- brother, John Word; his sister, LaDon- hours at Word Radiator Shop during homa. ing, years later, exactly where they ate Deliverd by mail: Sheryl Staff Writer Writer Ponce....Staff his childhood. His grandparents lived Pike worked his way up through na Denslow; and his nephew, Michael and what was on the menu during va- Woltman. $50/ Yearly Print Only next door to the shop, and Pike loved the industry, eventually owning and $60/ Yearly Print + Online Neva Pyatt, Director Neva Pyatt....Advertising cations. He loved sharing stories about Pike’s graveside service will be In to share stories of growing up there. operating his own business—Word his youth in Elk City and his adven- $40/ Online Only ZadieAdvertising Director Eakins...Advertising Director Elk City, Oklahoma at 11:30 on Satur- He graduated from Elk City High Well Logging—in Tyler, Texas, and tures in the oilfield. day July 19th at the Calvary Cemetery. School in 1967. Perkins, Oklahoma. Pike is survived by his wife, Shelley, No refunds on subscriptions. Nancy Gina Jones, Karnowski.......................CSR Please share a memory of Pike at Pike spent most of his career in the He retired in February 2015. Pike of Edmond, Oklahoma; his grandson, [email protected] Advertising Director the service. He loved telling stories Tina Dobbs.........................Delivery oil and gas industry, working in the enjoyed watching NASCAR and Trey Word of Conroe, Texas; and [email protected] of growing up in Elk City and the oil- well logging sector. He began as a log- loved good food. He had an incredible his adopted granddaughter, Emma (&1FODVVLÀHGV#JPDLOFRP Nancy Karnowski, field. CSR dren, many grandchildren and BURK McCURDY great-grandchildren, his siblings, and extended family. He was pre- August 2, 1950 – June 30, 2025 as,” but he built a life that gave his ceded in death by Debbie and other Burk McCurdy, 74, of Elk City, family more than he ever had. cherished loved ones. Oklahoma, passed away on June Burk was known for speaking A service will be held July 7, 30, 2025. his mind, standing firm in what he 2025, at Emmanuel Baptist Church Born in Stanton, Texas, Burk believed, and loving his people with in Weatherford, OK. In true Burk was the oldest of seven siblings. He his whole heart. To his grandkids, fashion, dress comfortably—and proudly served in the U.S. Marine he was “Poppy,” and he lit up telling come ready to laugh, remember, Corps and was a Vietnam veteran. stories about them as kids. and love big. After the military, he spent most Above all, he loved his wife, Deb- Lockstone Funeral Home of his life working in the oilfield— bie aka Mimi. After she passed, the PO Box 547 hard, honest work he took great home they shared became his an- Weatherford, OK 73096 pride in. He often said he came up chor. Louella Vaughan as “just a poor boy from West Tex- He is survived by five chil- (580) 772-5535 Erick until present. Norma always NORMA LOIS REED enjoyed raising plants, gardening, crocheting, crafts, researching ill- nesses on the internet, reading, and Norma Lois Reed was born De- uated in 1940. After graduation, she spending time with her family and cember 29th, 1921 in Mayfield, furthered her education at Weather- especially her grandchildren and Oklahoma to Callie (Copeland) ford, Oklahoma and was able teach great grandchildren. and Ernest Sifford Prock. She school on her associates degree. She is preceded in death by her passed away at her home in Er- She was married on July 10, 1943 parents; husband; grandson, Na- ick, Oklahoma on Saturday, June to Leldon Mancil Reed in Erick, than Reed; sisters, Lorraine Griffin, 28th, 2025 at the age of 103 years, Oklahoma. Following their marriage and Shirley Anderson. 5 months and 30 days. they boarded a bus and returned Norma is survived by her 4 chil- Norma grew up on the family to Oklahoma City where Leldon dren, Sharon Riddle and husband, farm near Mayfield and attended had secured employment. While in Ed, Grand Junction, CO, Ken Reed school until the 8th grade. She trans- Oklahoma City, Norma was a stay at her bachelors degree in education and wife, Pam, Mayfield, OK, Alan ferred to Sweetwater where she grad- home mother until 1960 when they and formally began her teaching Reed, Erick, OK, and Barry Reed moved back to the family farm near career. She taught at Berlin, Weav- and wife, Carolyn, Woodward, OK; Mayfield, Oklahoma. er, and Vici where she retired and 11 grandchildren; 21 great grand- Providing comfort and support for End of Life choices In 1962, twenty years later, Nor- ma returned to college in Weather- moved back to the Mayfield com- munity. After the death of her children; 3 great great grandchil- dren and a host of other relatives, ford, Oklahoma where she received father in 2002 Norma moved to friends, and former students. Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual resources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. For questions regarding hospice service or eligibilty, contact: Carrie Perry, RN - Administrator Holli Brittain, RN - MANAGER OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES OKLAHOMA STATE TREASURER SOME OF THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS ARE: ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO • Cancer • Failure to Thrive • End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) “COOL OFF WITH A CLAIM” THIS SUMMER • End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) • End Stage Amyotrophic More than $1.4 billion in unclaimed property is waiting Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) • End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to be reunited with rightful owners • End Stage Liver Disease • End Stage Renal Disease • AIDS/HIV OKLAHOMA – As Oklahomans embrace the summer season, the Oklahoma State 7UHDVXUHU·V2IILFHLVHQFRXUDJLQJUHVLGHQWVWRWDNHDPRPHQWWRFKHFNIRUXQFODLPHG • End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s SURSHUW\ILQDQFLDODVVHWVWKDWPD\KDYHEHHQIRUJRWWHQPLVSODFHGRUVLPSO\ Professional, Passionate RYHUORRNHG Advance, Attentive ... 7KH7UHDVXUHU·V2IILFHFXUUHQWO\KROGVPRUHWKDQELOOLRQLQXQFODLPHGDVVHWV EHORQJLQJWRFXUUHQWDQGIRUPHU2NODKRPDUHVLGHQWV7KHVHIXQGVFDQLQFOXGH Our Difference is Our Care IRUJRWWHQEDQNDFFRXQWVXQFDVKHGFKHFNVLQVXUDQFH SURFHHGVXWLOLW\GHSRVLWVDQGPRUH Have you ever considered becoming a hospice volunteer? ´6XPPHUFDQEHDVORZHUVHDVRQIRUPDQ\VFKRRO·V A fulfulling experience in the spirit of RXWURXWLQHVVKLIWDQGSHRSOHILQDOO\ILQGWLPHWRFDWFK giving and receiving. XSRQWKLQJVWKH\·YHSXWRIIµVDLG2NODKRPD6WDWH 7UHDVXUHU7RGG5XVV´,W·VWKHSHUIHFWPRPHQWWRFKHFN DQGVHHLIWKHUH·VXQFODLPHGPRQH\ZDLWLQJIRU\RXRU VRPHRQHLQ\RXUIDPLO\µ <RXFDQDOVRVHDUFKIRUFORVHIDPLO\PHPEHUV LQFOXGLQJORYHGRQHVZKRKDYHSDVVHGDZD\DVVRPH DVVHWVPD\VWLOOEHFODLPHGE\WKHLUKHLUVRUGHVLJQDWHG 3KRWR&UHGLW7KH2NODKRPD UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV7KH8QFODLPHG3URSHUW\3URJUDPLV 6WDWH7UHDVXUHU¶V2IILFH RQHRIVHYHUDOZD\VWKH7UHDVXUHU·V2IILFHKHOSV2NODKRPDQVSURWHFWDQGUHFRYHU WKHLUDVVHWV6HDUFKLQJLVIDVWIUHHDQGVHFXUHDW\RXUPRQH\RNJRYDOO\RXQHHGLV \RXUQDPHWRJHWVWDUWHG7KHHQWLUHFODLPVSURFHVVFDQEHFRPSOHWHGRQOLQH )RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQRUWREHJLQ\RXUVHDUFKYLVLW\RXUPRQH\RNJRY Locally owned & operated. Proudly serving Carrie Perry, RN central western Oklahoma since 2011. Paid Advertisement