Emile Cellier a longtime resident of Henryetta passed away on March 23, 2009 in Henryetta at the age of 86. Born October 5, 1922 in Henryetta to Romaein and Amelia (Barcellano) Cellier. Emile served with the Us Army in the Pacific Theater in the jungles of New Guinea. He married Gertrude Williams on June 9, 1951 in Van Buren, Arkansas. Emile graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science from Northeastern State University. He served faithfully at the First Baptist Church being in the choir for 58 years, Member of the Gideon Sunday School Class, serving as the Jr. High Boys Sunday School Teacher driving the bus and was most noted as “The Bubble Gum Man” to many children that he would visit and bring to church. Emile retired from Pittsburg Plate Glass after 35 yeas in which PPG awarded him their Distinguished Service Award. Some of organizations that he belonged to include the American Legion, VFW, Officer and Secretary in the AFL/CIO labor union, Henryetta Band Parent, Volunteer for the American Red Cross and a donor to the program and a Income Tax preparer. In the community Emile was instrumental in founding the Henryetta Federal Credit Union and was awarded the Community Hero Award in 2000. Emile was very active in the Dewar Senior Citizens program and drove their bus for many years. He will be missed by many including the cats, dogs and ducks that he feed daily at Nichols Park. He had many hobbies; walking his dog, riding a bike, fishing and grafting pecan trees. Emile is preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters: Marguaret Cellier, Edna Basden and Sylvia Clement. Two brothers Alfred Cellier and Hurben Cellier.
Survived by:
Wife Gertrude Cellier of the home
Daughters: Peggy Dee Tipton and husband Steve of McLoud, OK
Penny Sue Townley and husband Curtis of Butler Missouri
Grandchildren: Matt Tipton of Edmond
Michelle Townley Hankins and husband Garrett of Bixby,OK
Services will be 10:30 am, Thursday, March 26, 2009 at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Curtis Townley officiating and Rev. Jim Paslay assisting. Interment will follow at the Westlawn Cemetery with Military Honors by the VFW and American Legion. Services are under the direction of the Rogers Funeral Home.