Today's Obituaries (Oct. 29, 1998)

Autry, Coleman civic leader, publisher, dies

By ROY A. JONES II

Regional Editor

COLEMAN - Milton Robert Autry, a tireless civic leader who preferred to publish good news but also reluctantly published the bad throughout a Coleman County newspaper career spanning 60 years, died Tuesday at the Coleman County Medical Center after a long illness. He was 83.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Baptist Church with the Rev. Roger Hammonds officiating, assisted by Collier Watson.

Burial will be in Coleman City Cemetery under the direction of Walker Funeral Home.

Autry, a third-generation editor, sought balance in his reporting, and his honesty and integrity earned the respect of even those he sometimes had to lean on in his editorial columns.

"If Milton says it, you can go out and etch it on the front of the courthouse," Sheriff Wade Turner said when Autry retired as local publisher in 1992.

Autry did not retire from his civic involvement, however, even when poor health caused him to limit his public appearances. In March of this year, the city changed the name of Memory Lake to Milton Autry Memory Lake in honor of his decades of public service.

In a retirement interview, Autry offered a glimpse into his philosophy that a small town newspaperman must be a drum-beater for the community.

"I think we have a real obligation for the betterment of the community," he said. "(The newspaper) is a service organization."

Autry died in the hospital he had fought unsuccessfully to keep open, but successfully to revive. Without a hospital, he argued, the town, too, would die. At one time the Overall-Morris Memorial Hospital did close, and a tax district to support it was voted down.

But with Autry organizing the support, a second attempt to create a district was successful, and the hospital now is not only financially sound, but has four physicians on staff and is making plans to expand.

Hospital board President Roy McCorkle called his longtime friend "a great man," and added, "I have never met a man that had the promotion of Coleman in the center and the citizens of Coleman in his heart, more than Milton did."

McCorkle said, "At one time when the hospital was having a very difficult time, and had not been able to meet payroll for six weeks, Milton, in his love for the people of Coleman... went before another board in Coleman, presented the problem and, by the end of the day, had secured $50,000 to help the hospital."

"Milton was a very intelligent man, and he knew $50,000 was not going to keep the hospital open, but like Davy Crockett, he knew it would buy some time. That is what it did and it worked," McCorkle added.

Born Aug. 4, 1915, in Kerens, Tex., Autry began working in the local newspaper office while he was in high school when his father, Roy A. Autry Sr., established the Coleman County Chronicle.

He graduated from Coleman High School in 1933 and, after attending the University of Texas and Texas Tech briefly, he returned as editor when his father suddenly became ill.

He was a long-time partner with his late father and brother, Roy Autry Jr., who survives him.

From 1935 until his retirement, Milton Autry's only time away from the Chronicle, - later the Coleman Chronicle and Democrat-Voice,- was during World War II, when he served 34 months overseas in the Army Air Corps, 1942-45.

He served with the 14th Air Force in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, India and China, earning six battle stars and a Bronze Star before his discharge with the rank of major. He married Clementine Smith in 1946.

Autry's editorials and volunteer service on committees were credited with helping bring many improvements to Coleman County over the years - new and resurfaced highways and farm-to-market roads, a Texas National Guard armory, and Lakes Coleman, Hords Creek Lake and Ivie Reservoir.

Autry was named Citizen of the Year by the Coleman Chamber of Commerce in 1988 and also received a "Golden 50 Award" from the Texas Press Association as a 50-year newspaper editor.

He was president of the Coleman County Centennial Committee in 1958, and was president of the Coleman Country Club and Coleman Museum board of directors, the latter from 1960-74. He was United Fund chairman in 1962-63.

Autry was a charter member of the Coleman Rotary Club and was president of the club in 1963. In 1985 he was named a Paul Harris Fellow for his unselfish community service as a Rotarian.

He was a member of First Baptist Church for 70 years and was chairman of its building committee in 1979-82. He also served with the Coleman Rodeo Association and the Coleman County Historical Committee. He was a director of the Industrial Foundation and the Coleman Development Company for many years, serving as its president for three years.

Autry is survived by his wife of the home; two daughters, Ann Taylor and Leslie Midgley, both of Austin; one son, Stephen Autry, who serves as Coleman's city attorney; one sister, Othrene Steffens of Brady; one brother, Roy Autry Jr. of Coleman; and three grandchildren.

Family visitation will be at Walker Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. today.

Memorials may be made to Friends of the Library, 402 Commercial Ave., Coleman, 76834.

(Correspondent Billie Mercer contributed to this report.)

Ethyl Landers

Ethyl B. Landers, 95, charter member of Faith Baptist Church, died Tuesday in a local nursing home.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 542 Hickory, with Dr. Jack Hardy officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park.

Mrs. Landers was born in Quanah and moved to Abilene in 1922 from Slaton. She worked as a sales clerk for J.C. Penney for 25 years until retiring. She was the widow of Clyde Russell Landers, whom she married in 1920 in Post.

Survivors include one son, Ray Landers of Abilene; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. today in the funeral home.

John 'Jack' Schadle

John F. "Jack" Schadle, 71, died Monday in a local hospital.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today in North's Funeral Home Chapel, 4002 Buffalo Gap Road, with the Rev. Kevin Kennedy officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park.

Mr. Schadle was born in Dubuque, Iowa, where he grew up, and married June Goldsborough in 1949. He was in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and served in both World War II and the Korean conflict. He moved to Abilene in 1959 and worked for West Texas Utilities for 25 years until retiring in 1988. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2012 and, at the time of his death, was post commander. He also was a member of American Legion Post 57 and Non-Commissioned Officers Association.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; two daughters, Pamela Groezinger of Abilene and Vivian Finch of Dallas; and two brothers, Bill Schadle of Des Moines, Iowa, and Larry Schadle of Kansas City, Mo.

Memorials may be sent to Veterans Memorial Plaza Fund, acct. 883-16-480, Dyess Federal Credit Union, 3661 N. 6th, Abilene 79603; or American Cancer Society, 209 S. Danville Dr., Abilene 79605.

Harold Marsh

Harold H. Marsh, 76, died Tuesday in Abilene.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Pioneer Drive Baptist Church with Dr. Jeff Reid, and the Revs. Stan Allcorn and Jack Ridlehoover officiating. Burial will be in McBee Cemetery, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.

Mr. Marsh was born in Nemeha County, Kan., and attended school in Clay Center, Kan. He was in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years before retiring in 1960 as a first sergeant. He moved to Abilene in 1960 from Morocco. He worked at the Dyess Federal Credit Union for 27 years, with the last several as manager, before retiring in 1987. He married Betty Bryan in 1975 in Abilene and was a director of the Dyess Federal Credit Union for the last several years. He was a member of Royal Order of the Moose, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Aldersgate United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, of Abilene; one son, Francis H. Marsh of Memphis, Tenn.; one daughter, Linda D. Cooper of Belton; one brother, Wilbur Marsh of Hutchison, Kan.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1741 Sayles Blvd, Abilene 79605; or Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 S. Pioneer Dr., Abilene 79605.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

William Alfred 'Al' Hughes

William Alfred "Al" Hughes, 88, died Tuesday in a local care center.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. today in Elmwood Memorial Park with Dermott Thiel officiating, directed by North's Funeral Home, 4002 Buffalo Gap Road.

Mr. Hughes was born in Oklahoma, where he grew up, and began working, at a young age, as a baker and on a railroad construction bridge crew. He moved to Abilene in 1950 and opened Hughes Diesel Service, of which he remained in management until 1985. He was a member of Breakfast Optimist Club and was the widower of Mary Lena Prickett Hughes, whom he married in 1933 in San Angelo.

Survivors include one son, W. Terry Hughes of Elm Valley; one daughter, Mona O. Dennis of Houston; one sister, Naomi Alcorn of Plainview; one brother, Ernest Aldridge of Apple Valley, Calif.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene 79604.

Earline Petty Mayo

Earline Petty Mayo, 96, formerly of Dallas, died Wednesday in a local nursing home.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Grove Hill Cemetery in Dallas with the Rev. William Carl officiating, directed by North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange.

Mrs. Mayo was born near Turnersville in Coryell County and graduated from Coleman High School and Southwest Texas College in San Marcos. She married John Daniel Mayo in 1922 and worked as a school teacher, bank teller and insurance company administrator. She also was a homemaker and was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Dallas.

Survivors include one son-in-law, Jim McFalls of Portland, Texas; one daughter-in-law, Robbie Mayo of Abilene; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Michael Conlin

COLEMAN - Michael Conlin, 77, of Lake Coleman, died Tuesday in a local hospital.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Moran Cemetery with the Rev. David Cason and Jim Rushton officiating, directed by Henderson Funeral Home.

Mr. Conlin was born in Putnam and attended school in Fort Worth. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II and married Dorothy Louise Strickland in 1945 in Coleman. He worked as a freight company bookkeeper and retired from the commissary at Dyess Air Force Base in 1986. He lived in Abilene for 52 years before moving to Lake Coleman in 1998. He was a member of Disabled American Veterans and was a Baptist.

Survivors include his wife, of Lake Coleman; two daughters, Sandra Kirkpatrick and Susan Rushton, both of Abilene; three brothers, John Conlin of Odessa, Adrian Conlin of California and Paul Conlin of Wharton; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6-7:30 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Betty Jo Hart

EASTLAND - Betty Jo Hart, 74, died Wednesday at her home.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Bakker Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jim Andrews officiating. Burial will be in Eastland Cemetery.

Mrs. Hart was born in Rising Star and graduated from Eastland High School. She married R.D. Hart in 1958 in Abilene and worked as an operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. for 25 years until retiring in 1970. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Truitt Hart of Eastland; and two grandchildren.

Alvin Hitt

COMANCHE - Alvin D. Hitt, 74, longtime volunteer firefighter, died Tuesday in a local hospital.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Oakwood Cemetery with the Rev. Jackie Auvenshine officiating, directed by Comanche Funeral Home.

Mr. Hitt was born in Indian Gap and was a member of the Comanche Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. He was a Methodist and was the widower of Earlene McCarty Hitt, whom he married in 1946 in Hamilton.

Survivors include one daughter, Janis Chappell of Comanche; one son, Jerry Hitt of Wimberley; one sister, Faye Cottrell of Comanche; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Comanche Community Hospital Memorial Fund, 211 S. Austin, Comanche 76442; or Hendrick League House, North 19th and Hickory, Abilene 79601.

Visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. today in the funeral home.

James Robert Taylor

SWEETWATER - James Robert Taylor, 58, lifelong local resident, died Tuesday at his home.

Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Highland Heights United Methodist Church with the Revs. Norman Patton and Carl Thorell officiating. Burial will be in Sweetwater Cemetery, directed by McCoy Funeral Home.

Mr. Taylor was born in Corsicana and served in the U.S. Army. He taught school for 31-1/2 years and, at the time of his death, was teaching at the Temple Dickson Detention Center. He was active in the Kairos organization. He was a member of Highland Heights United Methodist Church and was the widower of Doris Sullivan Taylor, whom he married in 1960 in Sweetwater.

Survivors include two daughters, Robbie Jean Taylor of Arlington and Kimbra M. Froehlich of San Angelo; his mother, Aetna Taylor of Sweetwater; three brothers, L.B. Taylor and Doug Taylor, both of Sweetwater, and Dennis Taylor of Hurst-Euless-Bedford; one sister, Linda Wade of Midland; a companion, Angie Fullwood of Sweetwater; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Dusty Hutton

RISING STAR - Dusty Hutton, 7-week-old infant, died Tuesday in an Eastland hospital.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Higginbotham Funeral Home Chapel in Cross Plains with Bob Pipes officiating. Burial will be in Pioneer Cemetery in Eastland County.

Dusty was born in Eastland.

Survivors include his parents, Jamie and Mary Hutton of Rising Star; one brother, Jesse Hutton of Rising Star; one sister, Janiesa Hutton of Rising Star; his grandparents, C.W. and Ladena Best of Cisco, and J.D. and Sandy Hutton of Rising Star; his great grandparents, Bessie Mitchell of Gentry, Ark., and Cowan and Laverne Hutton, and Lester and Jewel Linney, all of Rising Star; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Henry Milton Rogers Jr.

SWEETWATER - Henry Milton Rogers Jr., 85, of Odessa and formerly of Sweetwater, died Tuesday in an Odessa retirement center.

Graveside services with Masonic rites will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Sweetwater Cemetery, directed by McCoy Funeral Home.

Mr. Rogers was born in Sweetwater and moved to Odessa in 1956. He worked for Robin Riley United theaters for many years and later was a film processor. He was a member of McFarland Masonic Lodge 1338; Sweetwater Masonic Lodge 571; York Rite Masons; Suez Shrine Temple; Friendship Chapter 1008, Order of the Eastern Star, in Odessa; and Odessa First United Methodist Church. He was the widower of Marzelle Wallace Rogers, whom he married in 1937 in Sweetwater.

Survivors include three daughters, Eleanor Edmondson and Kathie Squyres, both of Odessa, and Barbara Mandry of Lubbock; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Alton 'Jack' Richey

LORAINE - Alton B. "Jack" Richey, 87, lifelong Mitchell County resident, died Wednesday in a Colorado City hospital.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Loraine Cemetery with Herbert Mearse officiating, directed by Kiker-Seale Funeral Home of Colorado City.

Mr. Richey was born in Mitchell County and served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked as a carpenter and was a volunteer firefighter. He was a member of First Baptist Church and was the widower of Dorothy Elizabeth Hock, whom he married in 1933.

Survivors include one daughter, Jackie Holman of Conover, N.C.; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Loraine Senior Citizens, 123 S. Main St., Loraine 79532.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Mary Lynn Collett

STRAWN - Mary Lynn Collett, 66, died Tuesday at her home.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Strawn First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tom Beaty officiating. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. in La Espuela Cemetery in Spur, directed by Edwards Funeral Home.

Mrs. Collett was born in Hope, Ark., and graduated from Levelland High School. She attended Draughons Business School in Lubbock and was a homemaker. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and was the widow of Morris H. "Toby" Collett Jr., whom she married in 1951 in Lovington, N.M.

Survivors include one son, Michael R. Collett of Victoria; three daughters, Connie Moore of Waxahachie, Christy Rogoski of Strawn and Cathy Hensley of San Angelo; two brothers, Walter Stark of Redding, Calif., and Carroll Stark of Hurst; one sister, Annette Barlow of Denton; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Strawn Meals on Wheels and First United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Betty Lou Morales King

BRECKENRIDGE - Betty Lou Morales King, 71, died Wednesday in an Eastland hospital. Services are pending with Melton Funeral Home.

Dorothy 'Dot' Sievers

ALBANY - Dorothy "Dot" Sievers, 82, died Wednesday in an Abilene hospital. Services are pending with Godfrey-Neese Funeral Home.

Mildred 'Mickey' Fiveash

BIG SPRING - Mildred "Mickey" Fiveash, 73, died Tuesday in a Pasadena hospital. Services are pending with Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.

Amos Shelton

MULLIN - Amos K. Shelton died Wednesday in a Goldthwaite care center. Services are pending with Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home of Goldthwaite.

Justin 'Doc' Henderson

BIG SPRING - Justin "Doc" Henderson, 74, died Tuesday at his home after a long illness. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Trinity Memorial Park, directed by Myers & Smith Funeral Home.

Billie Sloan

SAN ANGELO - Billie H. Sloan, formerly of Haskell, died Wednesday in a local nursing home. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. today in First Christian Church in Haskell. Arrangements were made by Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Norman Ward Hornsby

DUBLIN - Norman Ward Hornsby, 76, died Wednesday in a Temple hospital. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Whitepoint Cemetery near Comanche, directed by Harrell Funeral Home.