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Lucille was born in Burbank, Oklahoma, the eighth of nine children, to Walter Cheetham and Lillian Smith Cheetham on March 7, 1923 and passed from this life on October 11, 2021 in Wakita.
Lucille attended Maple City, Kansas grade school through eighth grade. She received her private pilot’s license in 1944. In addition, she achieved instrument pilot’s rating, flight instructor rating, ground instructor rating, and parachute rigger’s license. Lucille packed her own parachute on the first of her parachute jumps with thirteen jumps to follow. She didn’t attend high school but received her G.E.D. in Enid in 1964. In 1970 ‘s she received her LPN in nursing from Autry VoTech in Enid, then Associate RN Degree from NOC in Tonkawa. In 1979 she received a Bachelor’s Degree in P.E. from OSU and in 1981 a Master’s Degree in HPELS from OSU.
Lucille was a welder near Winfield, Kansas at Strother Air Force Base. While she was there, she took flying lessons in Arkansas City, Kansas. She flew a paper route to many surrounding towns for the Winfield Courier. During the 1950’s in Loch Haven, Pennsylvania she ferried airplanes for the Ferry Service Company delivering planes all over the U.S, Canada, and Central America. She crashed in Costa Rico, receiving two broken legs, one broken arm, and serious facial trauma. Later, while crop dusting in west Texas, she crashed causing more serious leg and facial injuries. Lucille started the Four Winds Flying Service in Mortan, Texas, but it closed due to lack of students. In 1964 she came to Enid, Oklahoma, but was unable to make a living at flying. After receiving her nursing degrees from NOC and OSU, she worked as an RN at Bass Hospital in Enid and hospitals in Ponca City and Blackwell. She concluded her nursing career at Community Health Center in Wakita, where she worked for 26 years.
She was a member of the Ninety-Nine Club, a women’s flying club. She was most proud of her 50-year flying career. Lucille had a deep love for animals, especially horses, cats, and geese. However, she didn’t care for monkeys.
Lucille is preceded in death by her parents, and her eight siblings.
Lucille requested that no service be held. She asked that her ashes be scattered from a high hill during a strong, north wind, so she’ll be headed to Texas.
Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Medford. www.lanmanmemorials.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.
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