A memorial service for Ralph Eugene Oathout, age 84, of Enid, will be at 10:00 A.M., Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, at Emmanuel Baptist Church with Rev. Wade Burleson officiating.  A private family burial will be at a later date in Mt. Vernon, IL.  Arrangements are by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory.

      He was born to Lester and Pansy (Hankle) Oathout on November 14, 1925, in Mt. Vernon, IL, and died  Saturday Jan. 30, 2010, in Enid, OK.

      Ralph grew up in Mt. Vernon, and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School.  He enlisted in the U.S.  Army Air Force in 1943, and served until 1946.  On April 2, 1947 he married Verna Ruth Richards, in Mt. Vernon and they made their home in Zion, IL.  He worked for Goodyear Tire, and then went to work for the VA Hospital in North Chicago, IL. as a heating and air tech.  Ralph and Verna moved to Enid in 1987.  Ralph was a member of Gideons International, and a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church.

      Ralph was preceded in death by his wife Verna on Oct. 17, 2006, his parents, and two brothers John Oathout, and Carl Oathout.

      He is survived by one son and his wife, Dr. Daniel and Jacqueline Oathout of Enid; one daughter Linda Diane Gann of Lincoln, Neb.; 5 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; one brother Paul Oathout of Sparta, IL; and one sister Laura Ford of Decatur, IL; and their relatives and many friends.

     Memorials may be made through the funeral home to Gideons International.