OBITUARIES
Abel Waddill Cline, Jr.
Abel Waddill Cline, Jr.
July 24, 1925 – February 25, 2016
LOUISIANA – Abel Waddill Cline, Jr., 90, died Feb. 25, 2016.
According to his wishes he was cremated. He requested no service or memorial be had. His ashes will be spread in the same location as those of his late wife, Jane.
He was born July 24, 1925 to Abel Waddill Cline and Florence Wilbert Cline in Plaquemine, LA where he spent many happy summers. He was raised, with his older brother George in Bowie. He attended Bowie High School and graduated in 1943.
He enlisted in the U. S. Army, was assigned to an engineering unit, and trained at Texas A&M before being deployed.
His unit built roads and bridges for Allied advancement and helped in the start of the rebuilding of Europe. He mustered out a Sergeant in communications in 1946.
He attended North Texas State College in Denton where he received a bachelor of accounting and later a master of education. While there he met Jane Loftis whom he married in 1949.
He and Jane built a house on Idiot’s Hill in Denton and during the years filled it with children. He taught both math and driver’s education at Denton Junior High School and was part owner of The Denton Commercial Print Shop.
He spent many years as a sofa referee for the high school football games in Denton County. Until his health disallowed it, he was an avid pilot and flew his own Piper Tri Pacer.
In 2015 he created the Anton Wilbert foundation to give back to the city of Plaquemine, LA and named it in honor of his great grandfather whose legacy enriched his life. He loved dogs and public television.
He is survived by all his children, Sarah (Sally), Kay, her husband, Steve and their children, Christa and Mark, Abel III and his children, David and Pam, Martha, Virginia and her son, Michael, Gretchen, Amanda, Priscilla and her husband, Noel, and their children, A.J., Zac and Ethan, and, David and his children, Austin and Alaina.
His family wants to thank and is deeply grateful to Dr. Emmanuel Desai in Lewisville for his extensive care and treatment of their father/grandfather through the years; and also to thank Dr. Gregory F. Kozielec in Denton for helping him keep his eyesight.
In lieu of flowers his family requests any donations be sent to one’s local animal shelter, local public television station, or to the Anton Wilbert Foundation, P.O. Box 694, Plaquemine, LA 70764.
Paid publication
Arrangements entrusted to
Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home
740 S. Edmonds, Lewisville, TX | 972.436.4581
December 26, 1942 – August 28, 2026
BELLEVUE – Jimmie Dale Johnson, 83, died on Aug. 28, 2026 in Wichita Falls.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue Life Center.
He was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Fort Worth to James Jeffrey and Nellie Mae (Frazier) Johnson. He worked in the oilfield and for Robert’s Radiator Shop in Bowie for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Arlene Denton; brothers, Bill Lewis and Bob Lewis; sisters, Betty Huber, Mary Goodner, and twin sisters, Jessie Mayo and Peggy Ferrin.
He is survived by his stepson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
August 8, 1972 – September 5, 2026
BOWIE – LaDonna Mae Howell, 54, died on Sept. 5, 2026.
A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
She was born on Aug. 8, 1972. She was a graduate of Kinta High School in Kinta, OK where she graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian.
She continued her education at East Central University in Ada, OK earning her bachelor degree in accounting with honors in 1994. That same year, she became a certified public accountant.
She worked for Beverly Industries and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma before serving as vice president of business affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. Later, she became the comptroller at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. She also served as the treasurer of the Bowie High School Mighty Marching
Maroon Band Boosters for many years.
She is survived by her son, Andrew Charles Howell, Longtown, OK; daughter, Amanda Rae Howell, Bowie; her children’s father, Michael Ray Howell, Saginaw and three grandchildren.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
January 26, 2026 – September 4, 2026
NOCONA – Bobby (Jerry) Orrell, 87, died on Sept. 4, 2026.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
He born in Decatur on Jan. 26, 1939 to Elizabeth and Willie.
He was a United States Army veteran who served his country in Germany. He worked for ARCO National Supply in Gainesville as a supervisor. He worked for Bell Helicopter, Otis Elevator and General Dynamics. He also worked for Boeing as an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Willie; sister, Norma Morby and brother, Bill (Buster) Orrell.
He is survived by his sons, Hannan and Caton; three grandchildren and brother, Leo Orrell.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home, Nocona.
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