Larry Ashenfelter, 42, of 1701 Rosewood died after a brief illness at 10 p.m. Wednesday, December 29, at Hendrick Medical Center. Services were at 3 p.m. Friday, December 31 at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Ron Keener of Hendrick Home for Children officiated. Burial was at Elmwood Memorial Park.

Born December 6, 1940 in Coffeyville, Kansas, he moved to Abilene in 1956. He was a sales representative for Central Texas Iron Works. He was a member of the Abilene Jaycees and was a volunteer at the West Texas Rehabilitation Center. He was a Baptist. He married Janna Rideout October 30, 1981 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

His parents and a brother preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Channing of 2001 South 20th; a granddaughter, Chandy of 2001 South 20th; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbeaeres will be Max Warford, Don Barr, Ed Kerley, Glen Tallant, Bill Vass and Jimmy Don Bourland.

The family requests remembrances be made to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center or to the Kidney Foundation, 1802 Pine.

Bonnie Marie Box Haffley Thomas
June 23, 1941 to April 4, 2002


Bonnie Marie Box Thomas, 60, went to be with the Lord at 12:30 a.m. Thursday, April 4, 2002, at her daughter's home in Abilene.

Services were at 10 a.m. Saturday at Second Baptist Church with Joseph Prim officiating, assisted by James McKinnon. Burial was at Bethel Cemetery, at Funston, directed by Abilene Funeral Home.

Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, 3349 N. 12th.

Born in Stamford, TX June 23, 1941, to Bonnie Jones (Buddy) and Dorothy Box. She grew up in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School in 1959. She was a waitress for many years at the Dixie Pig and the Royal Inn. She married Alton Wayne Thomas in December 1979. She was a member of Second Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her father, Buddy Box; a daughter, Debra Kaye Love; a great-granddaughter, Heather Marie Love; and a sister, Linda Lang.

Survivors include her mother, Dorothy McCraw of Abilene; her husband, Alton of Abilene; a son, John Michael Haffley of Brownwood; a daughter, Michelle Marie Bullard and husband, Richard of Abilene; a stepdaughter, Shanda TaRae and husband, Cecil Tijerina, of Abilene; a brother and sister-in-law, Gary Lee and Gail Box of Weatherford; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Nancy Jo and Jim Rouse of Abilene and Sandra Gail and Joe Martin of Abilene; nine grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.

The family was at 874 Victoria.

Abilene Reporter-News

William Lowe Burke, Jr.
December 16, 1940 to July 23, 2018


William Lowe Burke Jr. 
1940 - 2018 Obituary

Abilene, TX

William Lowe "Dub" Burke, Jr. passed away on Monday, July 23, 2018 at Abilene Regional Medical Center. He was 77 years old.

Dub was born on December 16, 1940 in Dallas, Texas, to W. L. "Pete" Burke, Sr. and Sibyl Robertson Burke. He had one sister, Katharine Burke Hayes.

Dub graduated from Abilene High School in 1959 (known there as W.L.), McMurry College in 1963, and the University of Texas School of Law in 1966. He received his license to practice law in 1966. His legal career began in Abilene, TX, where he continued to practice for over 50 years. Dub loved and appreciated all the judges, courthouse staff, and professional assistants that he knew personally, and he developed life-long friendships with many. Nothing gave Dub more pride and personal satisfaction than the countless opportunities he was afforded to try cases all over the Big Country and the State of Texas. Anyone who ever saw Dub in Court could easily sense his passion and commitment to the art of courtroom advocacy.

Dub resided in western Jones County, Texas, and attended Bethel Assembly in Anson.

Dub is survived by his son, W.L. "Tres" Burke, III and wife, Terry of Abilene and daughter, Molly Burke Felfe and husband, Sidney Felfe of Rockwall, TX. Grandchildren are Will, Cole, and Elle Burke, and Annemarie and Burke Felfe. Dub was preceded in death by both parents and his sister.

According to his wishes, a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

A very special thanks to Dr. Vic Hudman for his friendship over the years, and the love, care, and devotion he showed Dub. In addition, a special thanks to the incredible nurses and staff on the Med Surg floor at Abilene Regional Medical Center who willingly and compassionately cared so deeply for Dub in the last hours of his life. The kindness in their hearts cannot be underestimated.

The staff at Kindred Hospice is also much appreciated by his family.

Finally, Dub wanted to express his love and appreciation to Michelle Stevens and Karmen Johnson for always being there to lend a much-needed hand or just "keep him lined out."
 

Charles F. Burleson
April 30, 1938 to July 14, 2000


Services for Charles Frank Burleson, Sr., 62, Canton, were held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Eubank Funeral Home Chapel, Canton, with the Rev. David McNary officiating. Burial was at Haven of Memories Memorial Park.

Mr. Burleson died July 14 in Canton. He was born April 30, 1938, in Purdon to Murle and Oderra Smith Miller Burleson. He grew up in Abilene and lived in Dallas prior to moving to Canton in 1982. He was a self-employed clock and watch repairman, and a Baptist.

He was preceded in death by a son, James Edward on July 21, 1989. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Margie Burleson, Canton; sons, Robert Burleson, Charles "Chuck" Burleson, Jr. and Don Burleson, all of Canton; mother Oderra Burleson, Abilene; and eight grandchildren.

Pallbearers include Larry Starling, Ron Perkins, Kevin Dilbert, Virgil McAnally, Ricky Martin and Chris Adams.

Tyler-Courier-Times Telegraph, Sunday, July 16, 2000, Section 1 page 14
 

Ronnie Lynn Cheek, 82, passed away on the morning of January 7th, 2024, in Mesquite, Texas. Ronnie was born in Baird, Texas on August 8th, 1941, to Charles Roy Cheek and Clara Pearl Young Cheek.

He married Linda Farr at Aldersgate Methodist Church in Abilene on June 21st, 1963. They were married for 60 years until Linda’s passing this last October. She was a life-long educator, as well, with Abilene ISD. They had two children, Randy (1966), and Jennifer (1971). After living in Abilene, the first 13 years of their marriage, they moved to the Wylie community where Ronnie built a home on land that had been in the Farr family for generations. They lived there for the next 44 years until failing health compelled them to move into assisted living.

Ronnie grew up in Abilene. He attended Abilene public schools and graduated from Abilene High in 1959. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from McMurry College in 1965. In 1970 he received a National Science Foundation scholarship to attend Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He spent three summers there completing a Master of Science in Mathematics. It was at Drake that he learned Calculus.

Ronnie taught at Bay City High School during his first year of teaching from 1965-66. His growing family then moved back to Abilene, where he taught at Cooper High School from 1966 to 1977. In 1977 he ventured out on his own creating Cheek Computer Service, which remained in business for 3 years. In 1980 he felt the call to go back into public education. He loved mathematics but also loved the students and being a positive influence on them. He taught zero-hour Calculus at Wylie High School in 1980, which then turned into a full time position the following year. He taught Algebra, Calculus I and II, and Computer Programming at Wylie High for the next 20+ years. He also taught Calculus I and II to airmen at Dyess Air Force Base through McMurry College in the 1980s and 90s. He commented on several occasions that they were some of the best students he ever had. They were serious about furthering their education and wanted to improve themselves. Many went on to earn commissions. Dad received many honors and accolades from “his” airmen students. He treasured the time he was able to teach them.

Dad was a fairly accomplished baseball player. He was a pitcher for Abilene High School from 1957 to 59. He played for coach Blackburn, who he considered to be the best baseball coach who ever lived. Ronnie also played semi-pro ball for a few years after high school. An old newspaper clipping recorded the best outing on the mound he ever had, going the distance, striking out 17 batters while also hitting 2 homeruns himself. He threw a mean knuckleball.

In 1977, Ronnie chartered Boy Scout Troop #260 with Wylie United Methodist Church. He remained the Scoutmaster for approximately 20 years. This troop produced several dozen Eagle Scouts of very high quality. You were expected to diligently live the scout oath and law. You had to earn each and every merit badge. Troop 260 was a “camping” troop. A boy could expect to be able to log 100+ nights camping, if he desired to, before attaining Eagle. Ronnie ran a tight ship. He took the task of helping to turn boys into young men very seriously while also allowing the boys to enjoy their scouting experience. Ronnie was the scoutmaster of the Chisholm Trail Council contingent that attended the 1985 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. In 1993, Ronnie and two of his scouting buddies travelled to the country of Ukraine, and started the first Boy Scout Troop in that country, post-Soviet Union era, in the city of Kiev.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Clara Cheek, and his sweetheart of 60 years, Linda Farr Cheek. He was also preceded by a sister-in-law, Gelora Farr.

He is survived by his sister Clara Cheek Thompson of Abilene, son Randy Cheek and his wife Dorthea of Bryan, daughter Jennifer Russell and her husband Joseph of Kaufman, grandson Mackenzie Russell and wife Lou of Dallas, grandson Jacob Cheek of Madison, Wisconsin, granddaughter Emily Cheek Womack and husband Zack of Harker Heights, granddaughter Haley Russell Linn and husband CJ of Dallas, and a great-grandson Judson Womack, whom dad was able to meet and hold 10 hours before he passed.

Finally, Ronnie was a Christian. He received Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was a boy. In his final hours, we spoke with him about holding on to Jesus and to receive him into Heaven as his Lord. He blinked several times and gently nodded his head yes and attempted to smile. We know that he is in Heaven with Linda.

Pallbearers will include Randy Cheek, Joseph Russell, Kerry Frazier, GT Ward, Mackenzie Russell, Larry Farr, Duane Farr, and Wesley Wood.

Honorary Pallbearers will be all of the former scouts of Troop 260.

Published in Abilene Reporter News

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Burial: Elmwood Memorial Park, Abilene.

William Lewis "Bill" Davis II
June 27, 1941 to February 28, 1991
Heart attack

William Lewis "Bill" Davis, 49, of 2826 Edgemont Drive, died Thursday, February 28, at a local hospital.

Services were at St. James United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Black officiating. Burial was in Elmwood Memorial Park, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St.

Mr. Davis was born in Abilene, graduated from Abilene High School in 1959 and Hardin-Simmons University in 1965.

He was the general manager of F&M Electronics and had worked there for 27 years.

A member of St. James United Methodist Church, he was a member of the Methodist Men and worked at the church's booth at the West Texas Fair. He was on its board of trustees, a member of Open Door Sunday school class and an usher.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene Rees Davis of Abilene; his mother, Mary Davis of Abilene; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorials may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, 3100 Barrow St., Abilene, 79605.

Carolyn was born 21 Jun 1941 in Queens, NY and moved to Texas with her mother, Florence, where Florence and Thomas Chase were married. She graduated from Abilene High School in 1959 and attended Rice University. While at Rice, she met and eventually married Vern Karl Benson on 20 May 1961.

Carolyn and Karl had two children, Robert Karl Benson, on 14 Apr 1970, and Catherine Elizabeth, on 9 Dec 1973. For some period of time Carolyn and Karl resided in Venezuela where he was employed. They divorced in 1983 in Collin Co, TX.

Carolyn was an active member of the First Unitarian Church on Normandy Ave in Dallas, TX at the time of her death on 15 Dec 1991. Her death was the result of a stroke.

Carolyn’s remains were cremated and are interred at the First Unitarian Church in Dallas, TX.