Herbert Fortney

Herbert Lincoln Fortney, resident of Ponca City, passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at his home surrounded by his family. He was 75. Herbert was born the son of James Otis Fortney Sr. and Irene Jeanette Smith Fortney on October 23, 1932 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. He grew up in Oklahoma and attended schools in Nelagoney and Pawhuska. He married Mary Lee Sawyer in Bartlesville, Oklahoma at the court house on March 5, 1953, and to this union, four children were born. Herbert was employed with construction companies Evans and Troop in Oklahoma, C K Bulldozer in Newkirk, Oklahoma and Kell Construction in New Mexico. He was also a truck driver, jailer and deputy security guard in New Mexico. Herbert was a foreman at White Mountain Ranch in California, but he was first and always a gold prospector in the mining business. Herbert hauled food for Food Share in Golden Valley, Arizona as well as Dolan Springs, Arizona. He was in a bowling league and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary of Ponca City, Oklahoma; children, William Bill Fortney and wife, Margie of Grants, New Mexico, Roy Fortney Sr. and wife, Karen of Shidler, Oklahoma, David Jake Fortney and wife, Rosemarie of Golden Valley, Arizona and Peggy Sue Todd and husband, Craig of Kaw City, Oklahoma; brothers, James Fortney of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Lonnie Fortney of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, David Fortney of Nelagoney, Oklahoma and Darwin Fortney of Pawhuska, Oklahoma; sisters, Dorothy Hope of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Sue Jones of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Mavis Redeagle of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Dee Dee Miller of Wynona, Oklahoma, Nancey Penland of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Sissy Niblack of Nelagoney, Oklahoma, Cotton Briggs of Nelagoney, Oklahoma as well as numerous foster children; grandchildren, Amy, Aaron, Heather, Laura, Renee, Dwight, Melissa, John, Sedona and Aaron Todd who is currently in the Army National Guard serving in Iraq; five great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews as well as many great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leo Merchant and Harry Merchant; sisters, Maxine, Lou Ann Washington, Billie Redeagle and Jean Meek; and grandson, Roy Jr. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, August 22, 2008 at the First Christian Church in Kaw City, Oklahoma. A meal will be served after the service at the church. The family will be at the home to receive other family and friends at 3606 D Street, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74604.