Dewey Crain

Dewey Crain, of Ponca City, went home to be with the Lord and his loved ones Sunday afternoon, November 18, 2018. He was 81 years old. Dewey was born November 22, 1936 to Cecil G. Crain and Blendena C. (Miller) Crain. Dewey attended Ponca City public schools. On October 13, 1954, Dewey married Loretta Delores StandsBlack in Shidler, OK. The couple celebrated 63 years of marriage October 13, 2017. They made their permanent home in Ponca City. At a young age, Dewey began working alongside his parents at the bottling company cleaning soda pop bottles. It was here that he started to develop his strong work ethic from the teachings of his parents. Later, Dewey became employed with Nickles Machine for over forty years. He also worked for OG&E south of Ponca City. After retirement, Dewey enjoyed working as grounds maintenance at Lou Wentz Golf Course during the summer months. Dewey loved to hunt, trap, and noodle catfish with his grandsons and buddies . His biggest fish was a 72 pound flathead he caught with Robbie Robinson. He also enjoyed exercising, lifting weights, swimming, walking, bowling, boxing, and being out on his air boat. Dewey spent a lot of time working in his garage and enjoyed feeding and watching wild birds. He was also called upon from time to time to trap and relocate wild animals. Dewey did not like to travel much but he did look forward to his annual summer trips to Buena Vista, CO to visit family and hike in the Rockies. Dewey was a member of Ponca Indian Baptist Church and the Ponca Gourd Dance Society. He respected Ponca tribal tradition and culture and enjoyed learning and singing Ponca tribal songs. Dewey was also known for his drum making. His drums have been shipped to people across the US and Canada. Dewey was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle who left a legacy of hard work and discipline. His teachings of hunting and fishing will be carried on by his grandsons and his work ethic by all his family. Dewey was a praying man who kept his "children, grand children, great grand children" constantly in his prayers. These prayers will be remembered and cherished forever.
He is survived by three daughters, Deborah Margerum (Michael), of Ponca City, Karen Howe, of Ponca City, and Susan Cornell (Michael) of Tonkawa, three adopted brothers, Douglas Eagle, Wilkie Eagle, and Lester Eagle, seven grandchildren, Sonny King (Teresa), of Ponca City, Deidre Sentel (Roger), of Ponca City, Christan Hinman (Sean) of Edmond, Kelsey Hinman (Herlinda), of Newkirk, Candace Myer (Braden), of Tonkawa, Jody Cornell (Maria), of Ponca City, and Angela Howe, of Ponca City. He is survived by great-grandchildren Jake Schultz of Greely, CO, Amanda Dronberger of Ponca City, Lucas Craft of Tulsa, Zachary King of Tonkawa, Jayden and Mikayla Myer of Tonkawa, Emilio and Cecil Hinman of Newkirk, and Brianna and Michea Jo Cornell of Ponca City. He also has two great-great granddaughters, Alexandria Dronberger and Celia Rose Miller, one uncle, Dean Crain of Shidler, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters of the Ponca Tribe. Dewey is preceded in death by his wife and parents. Wake services will be held nightly at Ponca Indian Baptist Church with supper at 5:30pm and services starting at 7pm. The traditional feast will begin at noon Wednesday, November 21, 2018 with funeral services at 2:00pm. Burial will follow in Ponca Tribe Cemetery. Casket bearers will be grandsons Sonny King, Kelsey Hinman, Jody Cornell, Zackary King, Jayden Myer and Jake Shultz. Honorary pall bearers are Ray Meek, Mike Self, Junior Godfrey, Billy Bussey, David Bussey, George Bussey, Jeff Littlewalker, and Roy Hinman.
The family would like to thank Johnna and Humanity Hospice for their love and support. Online guest registry is available at www.gracememorialchapel.net

Visitation

Ponca Indian Baptist Church
Ponca City, OK
Monday, November 19, 2018
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Ponca Indian Baptist Church
Ponca City, OK
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

Ponca Indian Baptist Church
Ponca City, OK
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
2 p.m.

Cemetery

Ponca Tribal Cemetery
White Eagle, OK  74601