January 2026

Jordon Heppler

Grace Memorial Chapel

Jordon William Heppler (43), was born December 28, 1983, in Sulphur, Louisiana to the late Deborah Lynn (Smith) Heppler. Jordon passed away at home on January 30, 2026, in Ponca Ci…

Earline Strom

Trout Funeral Home of Perry

Earline Carpenter Strom, 96, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026, at her home in Stillwater, surrounded by family. A celebration of her life will be held Friday, February 6,…

Terry Laughlin

Grace Memorial Chapel

Terry James Laughlin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on January 29, 2026, in Midlothian, Texas, at the age of 74. Terry was born on February 1, 1951,…

Charles “Keith” Gilbert

Trout Funeral Home of Tonkawa

Charles “Keith” Gilbert, age 92, of Tonkawa, Oklahoma, passed away on January 29, 2026. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Christian Life Churc…

Linda Wildgrube

Roberts & Son Funeral Home

Linda Lu Liles Wildgrube, 84, left her earthly home on Saturday, January 24, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma, Sept. 17, 1941, to Winfred (Do…

Ponca Playhouse’s Production of A Year with Frog and Toad opens on January 16!

• •Ponca Playhouse presents "A Year with Frog and Toad" January 16-25 with family-friendly performances.
• •Shows run Friday-Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees at 2 pm in the intimate black box theatre.
• •Director Ryan Brown stars as Toad alongside Chris Schelp as Frog in this heartwarming musical adaptation.

A New State of Mind:Inside the Vision, Heart, and Growth of Aesthetic State of Mind’s Stunning New Home

• •Aesthetic State of Mind opens stunning new med spa facility on Lake Road in Ponca City.
• •Founder Shannon Puetz-Somers combined nursing expertise with aesthetic passion over 14-year career.
• •New building designed with five years of journaled ideas for patient care and comfort.

Margaret “Joan” Dick

Trout Funeral Home & Crematory

Margaret Joan “Joan” Burrow Dick, born October 3, 1931, in Sedalia, Missouri, passed away on January 11, 2026, at her home in Bedford, Texas. A graveside service will be held Frida…

Oxford House:

• •Oxford House provides addiction recovery homes governed democratically by residents in drug-free environments.
• •Ponca City has four Oxford Houses total: three for men and one for women serving the community.
• •Former resident Paige Johns now leads recovery efforts locally and nationally on the Oxford House World Council.

With These Boots, I’m Gonna Tackle the World The Redemption Story of Bill Powell and Powell Electric From the Projects to Prison

• •Bill Powell transformed his life from poverty and prison through faith and electrical work expertise
• •Powell Electric became a respected Ponca City company built on second chances and redemption
• •Fifteen years in federal prison led Bill to spiritual healing and discovering his life's greater purpose

Richard Montgomery

Grace Memorial Chapel

Richard Montgomery, known fondly as Rick, was born on November 19, 1956. He passed away on January 4, 2026, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He leaves behind a legacy that will forever be…

From Ponca City to Milan: Raven Thomas

• •Raven Thomas advanced from local Ponca City modeling shows in middle school to international runway work in Milan and Switzerland.
• •She honors her Ponca and Tonkawa heritage through cultural dance, regalia, and selecting modeling roles that reflect her Native identity.
• •Thomas credits her success to finding her spark, hard work, and staying grounded by remembering her humble beginnings and supportive community.