- Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 2:00
pm at Stufflebean Chapel of Remembrance officiated by Rev. Jim
Dehart. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery under the direction
of Stufflebean-Coffey Funeral Home.
Mr. Howard L Ahrend, longtime resident of Pauls Valley, Okla. past
away Wednesday March 5, at home surrounded by many loved ones.
Mr. Ahrend was born June 8, 1922 in Sasakwa, Okla. to James William
Ahrend and Mary Elizabeth McCall Ahrend.
Mr. Ahrend was the tenth of ten children. He spent his school days
in Sasakwa, Okla. and loved to share tales of memories of his days
in school. Known to many as “Hen”, Mr. Ahrend built quite a
reputation for himself as an all-around athlete particularly shining
in baseball. Throughout his life, he held friends from those hustle
bustle days very near to his heart.
Mr. Ahrend was a proud Veteran of the United States Army. He
enlisted on October 9, 1942 in Oklahoma City, Okla. He served during
World War II in the Southern Pacific as a Heavy Automotive Equipment
Operator 931- Driver and was one of “Mac’s boys”. Mr. Ahrend was a
Technician 5th grade with the 598 company Signal Aircraft Warning
Battalion when he was honorably discharged October 30, 1945 at Camp
Chaffee, Arkansas. During his time of service, he was decorated with
many awards and recognitions including; Good Conduct medal,
Philippine Liberation ribbon, one Bronze Star, GO 23Hq USAFFE 45AP
service ribbon, one Bronze Service Star.
Mr. Ahrend was a 32 degree Mason for fifty-three years and a long
time Shriner.
Mr. Ahrend took the hand of Miss Wanda Marie Radden in marriage on
November 14, 1947 in Wynnewood, Okla. The couple had three
daughters: Mary, Carolyn and Sharon. The family resided in the Texas
Panhandle for many years.
Mr. Ahrend worked for Phillips Petroleum Company for 25 years. He
was a Mechanical Maintenance supervisor in Pampa, Texas when he
retired in 1984. Mr. and Mrs. Ahrend retired to Pauls Valley, Okla.
where they lived for many happy years.
Mr. Ahrend was known for his love of fishing and the uncanny way he
always seemed to produce enough fish for annual family fish
fries…and more.
He was a member of a Baptist Church.
Mr. Ahrend was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of over 53
years, five brothers, four sisters, and one son, baby Ahrend.
He is survived by three loving daughters: Mary and husband Dallas
Meadows of Crossville Tenn.; Carolyn and husband Kenneth King of
Ringling, Okla.; Sharon and husband Talmer Huff of Fritch, Texas;
Brother-in-law Donald Radden of Pauls Valley, Okla.; Sister-in-law
Wilma Ahrend of Edmond, Okla.; eight grandchildren; seventeen
great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, friends and a
lasting legacy of unconditional love.
