Captain Joe E. Ewers, a decorated fighter pilot with the 27th Squadron of the 1st Fighter group stationed in Italy during WWII, passed this life on Friday, October 27, 2006 at his home in Welch, OK at the age of 83. He was born on a farm near Welch, OK on June 14, 1923 to T.B. and Nellie Mae (York) Ewers. He attended Plateau Elementary School and Altamont, Kansas high school. While he was in the military, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 6 Medals. He is a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason with the Tulsa Valley of the Scottish Rite. He was very active in degree work for more than fifty years. He served as postmaster at Welch, for fifteen years and a Route 2 rural mail carrier for twenty-five years before retiring. He was a member of the Welch Baptist Church, Life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vinita Masonic Lodge and the National Assoc of Federal Employees. Joe and Helen Nofflet met in Welch while she was a teacher at the high school and while he was postmaster. They were married on Aug. 22, 1948 in Richland, WA. To this marriage, two daughters were born. Joe was preceded in death by is parents and a brother who died in infancy. Joe is survived by his wife-Helen, Daughters; Lisa Madewell of OKC, Gina and Gary Hohenberger of OKC. One brother-Zack Ewers of Welch. Six grandchildren; Scott Chowning, Derek Chowning, Travis Hohenberger, Kacie Hohenberger, Lexi Hohenberger and Keely Hohenberger. Two great grandchildren; Hunter and Brooke Chowning. Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at the First Baptist of Welch. Rev. Sam Wilson will officiate. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery of Vinita, OK. Casket Bearers will be Bill Burgess, Delbert Lovelace, Kenneth Weaver, Ray Jinks, Kenneth McKinzie and Lee James. Honorary Casket Bearers will be; Kenneth Sooter, Roy Reavis, Wallace Allen, Oscar Cooper and Herman Jinks. Services are under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita, OK.
Service Details
Wednesday, November 1st, 2006 2:00pm, First Baptist Church - Welch
Interment Details