Submitted by
Vicki Ebert

D J Mourer

TONKAWA — D J Mourer, 87, of Tonkawa died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006, at Via Christi Oklahoma Regional Medical Center.
He was born Nov. 16, 1918, in Bartlesville to Dave O. and Ethel Bashor Mason Mourer. After moving to Tonkawa, Ethel and an infant son died and D J was abandoned. The family of Jesse and Lucy Williams and their three daughters, Mabel, Ruby, and Bertha, took D J to raise as part of their family. They moved to a farm three miles east of Tonkawa on old highway 60 and one mile south. He attended Union District 98 rural school and Tonkawa High School where he excelled in track and field events setting district and state records.
He loved the farm life and liked to tell the stories and relive the events of family, harvesting, riding his pony to school and to the homes of his rural friends.
He met Melba Montgomery of Nardin, and they married on Aug. 2, 1942, at the Presbyterian Church in Blackwell. D J enlisted and was drafted twice but never passed eye exams for entry in the military service during the war years and served his county in Wichita, Kan., where he and Melba both worked at Beech Aircraft. During this time two children were born to the couple. In 1949, the family moved back to Tonkawa where D J worked for Wetmore, H. Gruner and Company in Ponca City, the Tonkawa Foundry and, in 1964, he sought employment at Dorsett's IGA. He was employed there in the produce department until his retirement in 1986, That had been his favorite job because he liked the family atmosphere and knew a lot of area people and loved to see his old friends come in and buy "his" produce.
He was a life long member of the Tonkawa Presbyterian Church where his services will be held on Thursday Jan. 19, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Phillip Erwin officiating. Burial will follow at the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Anderson Funeral Home of Tonkawa. D J had the honor of being the second longest living member of this historic landmark church.
Casket bearers will be Troy Lansdowne, Gerald Sober, Lawrence Crow, Lonnie Bray, Joe Brining and John Ramey.
In 1979, he was awarded Outstanding Salesmanship in the Tonkawa Community by the Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce. He thoroughly enjoyed reacquainting with old friends and neighbors. With the help of his good friends and childhood neighbors, he organized the Union 98 school reunions that were held in Tonkawa for many years until health forced them to retire their efforts.
Survivors include his wife and companion of over 63 years, Melba; his two children, Ron Mourer and wife Nancy of Henderson, Nev.; his daughter, Phyllis and husband Lloyd Lansdowne of Ponca City. He has four grandchildren; Rhonda Lansdowne of Ponca City, Troy Lansdowne and wife Robin of rural Depew, Darrin Mourer and wife Alicia of Mission Viejo, Calif., and Marissa Mourer of Gregory, Mich.; and one great-grandson, Eric Peeples, a junior at OCU in Oklahoma City. Also two nieces, Lois McMillan and her husband Harry of Bristow and a nephew's wife, Louise Mclntire of Wichita, Kan.; and several great nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his three sisters; his half-sister, Juanita Mason Cowden; nephews and one niece.
A memorial is established in his name at the First Presbyterian Church and contributions may be sent to the church at 4th and NOC Drive, Tonkawa Okla. 74653. The family will be at the home on 307 N. 6th in Tonkawa. Online condolences may be sent to funeralplan.com/andersonfh.