September 2022

Paul Michael Tonelli

Paul Michael Tonelli, 69, of Orange Grove, Texas, passed away on August 27, 2022 in Sherman. A Celebration of Paul’s life will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Dannel Funeral Home. Dr. Mike Lawson of First Baptist Church in Sherman will officiate. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Paul was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Mary Jo O’Dell Tonelli and Jerry A, Tonelli on November 11, 1952. He went to school at Sherman High School. Paul then attended and graduated from Stephen F. Austin with a degree in Education. He worked as a High School Science Teacher for Mathis ISD until his retirement in 2019. Paul is preceded in death by Grandparents, Clifton B. O’Dell and Lucille M. O’Dell and Uncle, Harry B. O’Dell. Paul is survived by Brothers: Stan Tonelli and wife Annie and Brad Tonelli and wife Brenda; Mother, Mary Jo Tonelli; Nieces and Nephews: Blake Tonelli, Rachel Rios and Joshua Tonelli; Cousins: Carla, Patrick and Stacy. Memorials may be given to Home Hospice of Grayson, Fannin and Cooke County. The family of Paul wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Home Hospice of Grayson, Fannin and Cooke County, Beacon Hill, and everyone that prayed for our Family. Paul would also like a Special Thanks to Teresa Ellett of Orange Grove who was a good friend to Paul and provided support and care and a comforting hand. She was Paul’s Angel. You may sign the online guestbook at www. Dannelfuneralhome.com.

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Jesse LaVon West

On Thursday, September 1, 2022, Jesse LaVon West, age 82, went home. He was surrounded by his loving family. Services were held at 10:00 am Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman, TX. Jesse was born in Lebanon, Missouri on March 26, 1940, to the late Jesse James West and Carrie Hami l ton We s t . He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1958. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1961 and honorably served until 1965. Then, he went to work for Anderson Clayton, who he later started driving a truck for in 1968 to 1992. After that, he fueled trains until he retired in 2008. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was known as Poppy to all that love him, courtesy of his grandson Spencer. On November 30, 1962, Jesse married the love of his life Martha Jane Howard in Sherman, TX, and now they have reunited. Surviving are his two sons Jeffrey West of Sherman, and Bradley and wife Merry West of Sherman; 6 grandchildren, Spencer West of Dallas, TX, Lori Stewart of Denton, TX, Bryan and Frances Stewart of Lawton, OK, Jessica West of Sherman, and Justin West of Sherman; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Helen Miles, Louise Gerard, Terry West, Bonnie Bohannon, Bertha Roberts, and his brothers Buck West, Charles West, and Cecil West. He is survived by his brothers Jerry West, Roy West, Jim West, and sister Violet West. The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.

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Ellis Lloyd Olmstead

Ellis Lloyd Olmstead went home to be with the Lord on September 2, 2022. Ellis was born in Galveston, Texas on April 3, 1935 to Erling and Edna (Holmes) Olmstead, both of whom immigrated from Norway. He graduated from Ball High School in Galveston in 1953 and went on to graduate from the University of Texas with a degree in business in 1957. Standing 6’10”, he had a successful four-year career playing college basketball and carried a love for the Longhorns throughout his life. On August 17, 1957, he married Patti Le Chapman at Central Christian Church in Sherman. They recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. After they married, they lived in Dallas for a short time, and then moved to Sherman where Ellis joined his father-in-law at Chapman, Inc., a wholesale Texaco gasoline distributor and subsequently a Shell distributorship. Ellis helped grow the business for almost 60 years and he continued to come into the office until the covid epidemic kept him at home. He was active in the Texas Oil Marketers where he served as President (1967) and also the National Oil Jobber Council where he served several terms. Ellis greatly enjoyed his civic activities. They included serving on the Boards of Trustees of Austin College and Wilson N Jones Hospital, serving as President of the Sherman Chamber of Commerce, serving as Chairman of the Grayson County Airport Board, and many others. He also received several civic honors including Sherman Outstanding Citizen (1988) and the Emmett Essin Community Service Award (2008). In addition, Ellis was an avid pilot for over 40 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, ranching and spending time with family. He was a member and elder at Central Christian Church for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Erlyn Efird. He is survived by his wife, Patti, his children Kay Ellen Kirby (Kevin), Lee Olmstead (Julie), and Andy Olmstead (Stacey), all of Sherman. Grandchildren are Emily Kirby of Ft. Worth, Lauren Kirby of Waco, Mi

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Woman concerned for nephew’s care by her younger sister

Dear Abby: My younger sister, “Fern,” gave birth to a son three months ago. Since she returned to work, it seems like all she does is dump her baby, “Ricky,” on others so she can sleep with her special someone. I watched Ricky a couple of times while they ran errands, even though they have someone living with them to keep an eye on the baby. Fern works nights and her S.O. works days, but all I hear is that Ricky is getting watched by someone else. She’s always in the parking lot at work 30 minutes before we open although she lives nearby. She also volunteers for extra work as often as she can. She has struggled with mental health and alcohol abuse, so I’m worried she may have postpartum depression.

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