Bonnie Merriott Stellman

Funeral service for Bonnie Merriott Stellman will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 14, 2011 at the First Christian Church in Claremore. Pastor Mark Newman will officiate. Burial will follow at Chelsea Cemetery under the direction of the Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service and Crematory. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 13, 2011 from 1-7. Family will greet friends from 5 -7 and Eastern Star Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Chapel.

Bonnie passed away July 9, 2011 at the age of 92.

The daughter of William and Sarah Risenhoover Armstrong was born August 11, 1918 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. She was the oldest of 3 children. Raised in rural Sallisaw. She attended Brushy and Sallisaw schools. Graduating from Sallisaw High School in 1934 at the age of 16. At the age of 20 Bonnie and her cousin moved to California. Bonnie began working at McDonnell-Douglas building airplanes to help support the war. While in California, she became reacquainted with Haskell Merriott. They were married January 26, 1944 in Tijuana Lower California Mexico. Bonnie had four children, Shirley, Ron, Jody, and Kathy. Bonnie worked hard as a homemaker taking care of her family until her husband suffered a heart attack in 1959. She then enrolled in beauty school, and opened her own salon in Chelsea. In the early 1980's Bonnie and Haskell moved to Claremore. There she opened a new salon named Hair Encounters. She was active in the VFW, and American Legion Auxiliary, until her husband passed in 1984. She continued in the Eastern Stars serving as Worthy Matron in Claremore. Several years later she decided to attend a singles group. There she met Vernon Stellman. They were married June 25, 1999. Her hobbies included traveling,reading westerns and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Sarah, Husbands, Haskell and Vernon, and brother Eugene Armstrong.

Survivors include her children, Shirley Ann Harper and husband Harry of Hastings, Ron Merriott and wife Laura of Erie,PA, Jody Guilliams and husband Jim of Claremore, and Kathy Locke and the late Jim of Claremore; step-children, Virginia Anne Aitson and husband Richard, Marilyn Verna Stellman, and Vernon Thomas Stellman Jr. and wife Fran; grandchildren, Tammy Beadles and husband David, Mark Darnell and wife Tina, Robert Darnell and wife Mary Jane, Scott Merriott and wife Michelle, Angie Merriott, John Merriott, and Jason Merriott, Brett Mason and wife Catherine, Davis Mason and wife Rosa, Jayme Cincotta and husband David, Lezly Orf and the late Jason, Sarah Beth Locke; 21 great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, Amy Myers and husband Chad, Christopher Stellman and wife Marci, and Taylor Stellman; 4 great-great grandchildren; brother, Jack Armstrong and wife Lois; sister-in-law, Clara Armstrong; cousins, Essie Webb, Raydemay Faulkner, Olta Risenhoover, Beatrice Risenhoover, Jimmy Randall, Katie Rogers, Janet Sparks and Barbara White, special niece Katona and her parents Don and Mary Jo Taylor, and several, nephews, cousins, and many special friends.