John Fleharty

John Nelson Fleharty, resident of Ponca City passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at his home. He was 84. John was born on June 14, 1925 the son of Bert Fleharty and Anna Marie Krulik Fleharty in Kaw City, Oklahoma. He grew up in Kaw and attended Kaw City High School. He was employed at the Conoco Oil Refinery and retired in 1987 after 41 years of faithful service. John was a simple man who enjoyed being outdoors, fishing and hunting. He was a fiddle player and in addition to playing the fiddle, he built and collected them too. John loved old western music and was a Bob Wills and Tanya Tucker fan. His favorite TV show was Ellen. John loved spending time with his family and his grandchildren and his two great grandsons were the world to him. He had a special place in his heart for his friend and caretaker Belva Randolph as well as all of the girls at Med-Corp. John will be greatly missed by those who knew him. He is survived by his son, David Fleharty and wife, Debby of Ponca City; grandchildren, David Fleharty and wife, Stephanie of Palestine, Texas and Heather Chavez of Ponca City; great grandchildren, Brock Anthony Chavez and Brody Michael Fleharty; and sisters, Thelma, Florene, Leona, Francis and Dorothy. He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Stephen Eugene Fleharty; wives; Aline Marie Blackorbay and Thelma L. Kramer, sisters, Geneva and Wanda; and his beloved dog, Dixie. Honorary casket bearers will be Forrest Boone, Steve Phillips, Frank Suess, Bobby Whitlock, Bob Burk and Richard Burge. A formal visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 21, 2009 at Grace Memorial Chapel. The graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Chaplain Mike Sweetman, Hospice of North Central Oklahoma will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 N. Union Suite 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.