Obituaries

Frank Joseph Zitkovic, Jr., 78, of Hemphill, Texas passed away Monday, March 6, 2023 at Hemphill Care Center. He was born in Lafayette, on May 11, 1944 to Frank Joseph Zitkovic, Sr. and Maryanne Crouchet Zitkovic. He served his country as a member of the United States Air Force and later earned his associates degree at the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He worked for many years as a Directional Driller in the oil industry for several companies, the last being Schlumberger. He moved from Casper, WY to Sabine County in 2016. He was an adventurous man who loved to travel. He was also an outdoorsman who loved fishing, boating and camping.

Bobby Wayne Weatherford, 81, of Broaddus passed away Monday, February 20, 2023. He was born July 26, 1941, on the family homeplace in the Hebron community to Enoch Daniel Weatherford and Ollie Mae Williams Weatherford. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Ann Kingsley, on June 21, 1963. He was a log truck driver for 48 years. Everyone knew him as 'Santa Claus' on the CB radio. He enjoyed his retirement being outdoors and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed deer hunting and killed his last deer at the age of 79.

Lillie “Fay” Johnson Joliffe passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family at the age of 85. She was born January 15, 1938 in Lake Charles, to Ivan L. Johnson, Sr. and Noely M. Hawkins Johnson. She was a long time resident of the Toledo Bend Fairmount area. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Noely Johnson and grandson, William Kyle Blanton. She is survived by her husband, Ron Joliffe; brother, Ivan Leon Johnson Jr.; her six children and their spouses: Mark Blanton and wife, Carmen. Kevin Blanton and wife, Carolyn, Terri Hiaumet and husband, Paul, Sylvia Blanchard and husband, Glen, Christopher Blanton and John Blanton; grandchildren Felix Patxot, Jason Anderson, James Kyle Blanton, Katrisha Smith, Andrea Hernandez, Stephani Dalhaus, Haley McCorkle, Sara Blanton and Ivan Dylan Blanton; and she also had 13 (soon to be 14) great grandchildren.

Norman Leon McMurry (known as Leon) was born March 7, 1926, in Roganville, and died peacefully in Chicago, IL, on February 21, 2023, at the age of 96 years. He travelled the world first in the US Merchant Marines (WWII), then on numerous pipeline jobs. He was a much loved father of eight children (Ronald McMurry, MD; Judy Hutchinson; Sue Davenport; Debra Zugaro; Terry McMurry; David McMurry; Sarah McMurry Hogue, MD; and Amy Taylor, DVM) and grandfather of 23. He was a beloved husband of 50 years to Amanda McMurry (nee Wiggins) of Great Britain. Amanda preceded him in death on Sept. 3, 2018.

Karon Sue Wooldridge was born on July 12, 1949 to Billie L. Wooldridge and Dorothy J. Wooldridge (Mangrum) at Methodist Hospital in Paragould, Arkansas. She spent most of her growing up years in the St. Louis, MO area. She moved with her daughter, Leslie, to Friendswood, in 1991. She was preceded in death by her parents and beloved niece, Sarah Louise Wooldridge. She is survived by her loving daughter, Leslie Wright and grandson, Joshua Davis Wright, her sister Clara Anne Dittmar and wife Jill, and brother Samuel Wooldridge and wife, Sheree. She was loving and proud of her numerous nieces and nephews.

On Friday, January 27, 2023, Richard Elvin Deason, loving father of 3, passed away peacefully at the age of 72 in Orange, TX. He was born on March 28, 1950, in Deridder, La. to Elvin Deason and Ruth (White) Deason. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1968-1972, receiving The National Defense Service Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. After honorable discharge from the military, Richard worked as a sheet metal fabricator and was a member of Union Local 196.

Deolan Steptoe, 79, San Augustine, died Feb. 25, 2023, at his residence. He was born March 25, 1943, in San Augustine County. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Steptoe; children, Mary Lynn Renfroe, Michael Steptoe, Jena Boyette; siblings, Doyline Bennefield, Tommy Joe Steptoe, Margaret Chambless, and Linda Runnels; three grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren.