Stories from Thursday, January 3, 2008

VIRGEL BLEEKER, 63, of Zapata, Texas, died Dec. 23, 2007. He was born June 10, 1944, in Okemah, Okla., to Albert & Agnes (Campo) Bleeker. Virgel is survived by his wife, Shirley Jean Bleeker, of Zapata, Texas; sons Kenny Sidham of Houston, Texas, David Roop and wife Judy of Houston, Texas, Billy Roop of Berryville, Wade Roop and wife Susan of Gillette, Wyo., and Rodney Brehm of Tuttle, Okla; daughters Deana Bleeker of Oklahoma City, Okla., Gayle Russell and husband Jim of Golden, Mo., Hazel Jean Hubby and husband Chris of Zapata, Texas, and Carrie Louise Miller and husband Curtis of Pottsboro, Texas; brothers Dewayne Bleeker of Harrison, and Frank Bleeker and wife Shirley of Cronwell, Okla.; sister Claudine Parker and husband Van of Haskell, Okla.; mother-in-law Hazel Shindler of Clinton, Okla.; brother-in-law Bobby Joe Shindler and wife Sandra of Rockwall, Texas; brother-in-law Eddie Shindler and wife Jenny of Arapaho, Okla.; sister-in-law Sandy Shindler of Bonham, Texas; 13 grandchildren; two special children; three great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews who were very special to him.. ...

J. C. HOBBS, 80, of Republic, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 24, 2007, in St. John's Hospital -- Springfield. He was born April 9, 1927, in Berryville, to Rev. Gaile "Jack" and Ruth (Howard) Hobbs. He married Mary R. Owen, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage in August 2007...

B.J. SMITH, a resident of Berryville, was born Aug. 28, 1943, in Berryville, a son of Earnest Joseph and Walcie (Herd) Smith. He died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at his home in Berryville, at the age of 64. B.J. enjoyed visiting the Antioch Church and loved being a member of the Town & Country Lanes Men's Bowling leagues...

DR. WILLIAM W. WOODWARD, a resident of Holiday Island, was born Sept. 22, 1931, in Parsons, Kan., a son of Farris Savoy and Katharine (Wirt) Woodward. He died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, in Holiday Island, at the age of 76. Dr. Woodward was a veteran, having served in the Air Force Reserves. ...