Claude Joe Phelps, 68 of Muldrow, Oklahoma passed away on October 6, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was born on November 21, 1948 in Berkley, California to Elizabeth Ellen (Seabolt) Phelps and Manuel Faye Phelps. He was married to Marlene Blackburn Phelps on December 6, 1971 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Mr. Phelps was a Muldrow High School graduate and a Vietnam veteran with 23 years of service in U.S. Navy CB's. He was a heavy equipment operator, retiring from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department 5 years ago and worked at Ft. Chaffee on the roads and grounds for 2 more years..
Survivors are:
wife: Marlene of the home
1 daughter: Bambi Phelps of Brushy Mountain, OK
2 sons: Kenneth Sturm of Muldrow, OK and Claude Heath Phelps of the home
6 grandchildren: Sheena Ross of Howe, OK, Sondra Sturm of Muldrow, OK, Nyle Sturm of Muldrow, OK,
Megan Pratt of Muldrow, OK, K.T. Sturm of Nicut, OK and Justin Lane Shofner of Muldrow, OK
6 great grandchildren
2 sisters and brothers in law: Sue Ann and Alvie Halliun of Tahlequah, OK and Jill and Mark Coiner of Sallisaw, OK
1 brother and sister in law: Rev. Lawrence Dale Phelps, Sr. and Kathy of Roland, OK
3 brothers in law: Gene Blackburn and Fran of Phoenix, AZ, Scott Hauck and Jodie of Mill Creek, WA and Dana Hauck of Las Vegas, NV
5 sisters in law: Suzette Sumner and Frank of Brimfield, IL, Victoria Richard and Gene of Phoenix, AZ,
Teri Mundy of Phoenix, AZ, Tracy Schumacher and Don of Peoria, IL and Mimi Hauck of Phoenix, AZ
Father in law: Spencer Blackburn, Sr. of Phoenix, AZ
other relatives and friends
He was preceded in death by 1 daughter: Kim Sturm, 1 sister: Kaye Ellen Phelps, and his parents: Manuel and Elizabeth Phelps
Services will be at 1 pm on Friday, October 13, 2017 at Stilwell First Baptist Church in Stilwell, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Seabolt Cemetery in Muldrow, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc. in Sallisaw, OK.
Active pallbearers will be Daniel Stowe, Dennis Rowe, Rance Shaver, Lawrence Seabolt, Ronnie Curry and Lawrence Dale Phelps, II.
Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Sanders, Sam Ross, Vonnie Jones, and Navy CB's .
Viewing will be 10 am - 8 pm Thursday at Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw, OK where the family will greet 6 - 8 pm.
