Cemetery Photo

Adair County, Oklahoma

Photographed & Submitted by: Martha Real

John Rufus CASTEEL

© The Stilwell Democrat Journal

February 23, 1950

Submitted by: Wanda Elliott

John Rufus CASTEEL, well known former Stilwell jeweler, died late Sunday in the Eastern Oklahoma State hospital, Talihina where he had been undergoing treatment for more than a year.
Funeral rites, with the Stilwell Masonic Lodge participating, were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Roberts Chapel, with Rev. W.M. ISAACS, pastor of the Chalk Bluff Baptist church, officiating, assisted by Henry WALL.
Burial was in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery.

Mr. CASTEEL was born November 3, 1908, at Delaney, Ark., and was 41 years, three months and 12 days of age.

He came to Oklahoma with his parents, when he was eight years of age, and had lived in the Chalk Bluff community for the past 25 years.
On July 17, 1927 he was married to Miss Etta SMITH at Stilwell and to this union six children were born.
He was converted and became a member of the Missionary Baptist church at the age of 14 years. Later he was ordained a Deacon and lived a devoted Christian life. His devout faith in God during his long illness was an inspiration to all who know him.

Surviving are his wife, Etta, two sons, Ivan and Ronnie of the home; four daughters, Mrs. Elaine RALEIGH, Mrs. Joan KESTER, both of Stilwell, and Johnnie Ruth and Linda Sue of the home; two grandchildren; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.L. CASTEEL of Stilwell; three brothers, Ralph, Owensboro, KY., and Ermon and Herman of Stilwell; and three sisters, Mrs. Lily GORDON of Washington, D.C.; Mrs. Essie NIESWANDER of Tulsa and Mrs. Ethel BARKER of Stilwell.

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