Last Rites Held for Reece Vandruff |
Funeral services for R. Reece Vandruff, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Vandruff, 312 West Cleveland, Ponca City, Okla., were held in Cedar Vale Tuesday morning, conducted by W. Dale Pearson, minister of the Ponca City Church of Christ.
Vandruff, a resident of Ponca City since August, 1954, died Friday morning at his home. He moved to Ponca City from Cedar Vale where he was superintendent of schools for 17 years.
Pallbearers were Edward Voss, Arthur Kennedy, Clarence Northcutt, Jack Edwards and Kenneth McKee of Ponca City and George Beggs of Cedar Vale. Honorary pallbearers included Ray Foster, Clarence Marshall, R. D. Oltjen, C. C. Cable, all of Cedar Vale, and Halsey Davis and Bob Petty of Ponca City.
Songs were Sweet Bye and Bye; I Need Thee Every Hour and Guide me O Thy Great Jehova by quartet Maurice Smith, O. B. Stark, Kent West, and Pale Voss.
Royal Reece Vandruff, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Vandruff was born at Hewins, Kans., on April 17, 1901 and died September 2, 1955 at his home in Ponca City, Okla., at the age of 54 years, 4 months and 16 days.
Reece as a young man obeyed the gospel and was a member of the Church of Christ, Hewins, Kans. He was a good Christian throughout his entire life and was always eager to help in church work.
He attended elementary school at Hewins. Received his secondary education in Cedar Vale. He received a position as cashier at the Hewins Bank after graduating from High School and remained with the bank as cashier for four years.
However, he had a sincere interest in young boys and girls, their welfare and a better education in his community. Reece continued his own education by attending Southwestern College at Winfield, Kans. Received his Bachelor of Science degree from the Kansas State Teachers College at Pittsburg, Kans. His Masters degree at Kansas University and continued his education at Peabody College, Nashville, Tennessee.
Reece spent nearly one-half of his life teaching the youth of this community. He taught two years at Hewins, three years at Chautauqua, three years a principal and 17 years as Superintendent of schools in Cedar Vale, completing 25 years of teaching in Chautauqua County. He continued his teaching career by accepting a position in Alturas, California but resigned due to the illness of his father and returned to Cedar Vale.
His wisdom was demonstrated as he influenced the lives of many boys and girls that attended school under his supervision. His advice was always sincere and for the betterment of the many that came to him to seek assistance and encouragement. Whenever possible he stressed the importance of continuing an education and in many cases gave help where it was needed. His greatest enjoyment was the success and happiness of all those he taught and helped. Along with his education duties he was interested in raising purebred cattle and developed many fine Hereford cattle.
Reece leaves to mourn his departure, his gentle and loving father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Vandruff of Ponca City, Okla.; a number of relatives and a multitude of friends, who feel deeply grieved at his passing. He was a loving son; a good neighbor and friend who will be sadly missed both within and without the home.
Mr. Kirke Smith and Mr. Alfred Hopper of Bartlesville, Okla., were here Tuesday to attend the funeral of Reece Vandruff. Kirke and Alfred formerly lived in Cedar Vale and graduated from high school with Reece. |
Submitted by Gerald Hobson from The Cedar Vale Messenger, Thursday, 8 Sep 1955
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