Benjamin Funeral Services

02/18/2026

We want to recognize the caregivers who show up every day with patience, strength, and compassion — offering comfort in the hardest moments and love in the smallest details.

To every caregiver: thank you for all you do.
You make a difference more than you know.

02/17/2026

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Mardi Gras!

02/16/2026

Some love stays with us forever.
And what we’ve shared deeply can never be lost, it becomes part of who we are.

If you’re missing someone today, may their memory bring you comfort in quiet ways.

02/14/2026

Have a happy Valentine's Day!

02/13/2026

Joyce Kay Hollister

Joyce Kay (Sellars) Hollister passed from this life to her Heavenly Home on Thursday February 11, 2026, at the Journey Home in Bartlesville, OK after a four-year courageous cancer battle at the age of 78. Joyce was born in Bartlesville, OK on March 25, 1947, to loving Newton John and Dorothy Jean (Paisley) Sellars. Joyce graduated from College High School in Bartlesville, OK.

Joyce was a devout Christian and credited her Aunt Flora Gordin (Tootie) for introducing her to the Church of God as a young child. Her faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, never wavered!

Joyce was married to Fred Wayne Tole, and from that marriage came Pamela Kaye (Tole) Pearsall and Christopher Wayne Tole. She later married Kellis Wayne Pierce and had a son, Jason Wayne Pierce. Joyce found another chance at love when she met Gene Hollister, a Nowata rancher, and they married in 2017, adding two bonus children to the family, Kyle Hollister and Kristen Topping.

Joyce and Gene enjoyed dancing, dining, and thrift shopping (Joyce more than Gene) but their greatest joy was family get-togethers! Joyce and Gene were inseparable until his passing in 2023. Joyce was best known for her caring and loving spirit and her desire to help family members. She was creative like her Aunt Fay (Paisley) Cook, a family wedding or other special event was planned down to the last detail and decorated beautifully. Joyce also enjoyed quilting and crocheting and produced many extraordinary pieces. Joyce worked in retail for many years and retired from Walmart/CMI.

Joyce is survived by her children: Pam (Tole) Pearsall (Donnie), Christ Tole (Ron), Jason Pierce (Amanda), Kyle Hollister (Janet), and Kristen Topping (David). Joyce is also survived by her grandchildren: Zac Pearsall, Brittany Pearsall, Bryce Tole, Madison Tole, Josh Pearsall, Patty Pearsall, Caleb Pearsall, Connor Pierce, Kipton Pierce, Jacob Topping, Adam Topping (Jessica), Kyla Sellars (Josh) and Jayce Hollister (Jennifer); Great Grandchildren Abigail and Zayden Pearsall; Drew, Dawson and Raigan Parrett; Rebekah and Re*****on Topping; and One Great-Great Grandchild, Hudson Parrett. Proceeding Joyce in death were her parents Newt and Dorothy Sellars; Spouses Fred Tole, Kellis Pierce and Gene Hollister; and Grandson Garrett Tole.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests remembrance to The Journey Home in Bartlesville, www.thejourneyhomeok.org.Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com.

View Joyce Kay Hollister's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/12/2026

Kevin Merle Gorby

Kevin Merle Gorby, 65, of Buckner, MO, passed at his home on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Kevin was born in Nowata on Dec, 23, 1960, to Kenneth and Velda Marie Hilta (Finney) Gorby. While he was at Nowata high School, he was a member of the FFA and enjoyed showing his calves at the county fair. He graduated from Nowata High School in 1979, and as he grew older; he participated in field trials with his bird dogs, winning many awards. "Jet" was his favorite dog he owned. He worked for many years in Tulsa and in 1988, moved to Buckner, working for the Watco Manufacturing Company for over 30 years. His primary duties were as a machine operator and a fork lift driver.

Kevin is survived by a sister, Glenda Robb and her husband, Charles B. of Chelsea; a brother, Kenny Gorby Jr. and his wife Diane of Collinsville; his nephews and nieces whom he held very dear, Martha Harper, Becky Hardesty, Josh Peak, Phillip Peak, Greg Peak, Jonathan Most, Jared Gorby, and Ryan Humphrey; as well as 20 great nieces and nephews, a host of other relatives and friends, and a lifelong friend, Randy Anderson, He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Linda Peak.

Funeral Services for Kevin will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at 1:00 pm in the Benjamin Funeral Chapel with Brother Wendell Abbott officiating. A privated family Interment will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Nowata, at a later date. Online condolences can be left at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com of the Benjamin Funeral Service page. Arrangements are under the direction of the Benjamin Funeral Service, 114 w. cherokee, Nowata.

View Kevin Merle Gorby's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/12/2026

Valentine’s Day can feel different when someone you love is no longer here.
This season, you can still honor their memory in meaningful ways.

There’s no right or wrong way to remember.

Read more: https://1l.ink/LSSQHHH

02/10/2026

Love means planning ahead.
Taking time to start the conversation now can ease the burden on the people you care about most and ensure your wishes are known.

Call or visit us today. We’re here every step of the way.

02/06/2026

Grief is not something to fix, it’s something to honor.
The depth of our grief reflects the depth of our love, and mourning is a natural response to meaningful connection.
In this thoughtful article by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, he explores why our capacity to grieve exists because we first had the capacity to love.
Read more: https://1l.ink/HFPNMZS

02/04/2026

We honor everyone who has been impacted by cancer, those currently fighting, those we’ve lost, and the families and caregivers who walk beside them every step of the way.

02/03/2026

Rebekah Ruth Bellatti

Rebekah Ruth (Burns) Bellatti, known as Becky, was born on July 18, 1943, at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. She passed away on February, 1, 2026, at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her daughter by her side. Becky lived a life of service to her Savior, her family, her friends, and her community.

Becky excelled in academics in the Nowata Public Schools, attending Oklahoma Girls State in 1960, and earning the distinct honor of Valedictorian in 1961. She was an accomplished musician playing flute and piccolo in the Nowata High School band, and studying piano under the tutelage of Mrs. T.R. McSpadden.

Following high school, she attended the University of Tulsa, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. After marrying Edward Harold Bellatti, she transferred to Oklahoma State University, where she was awarded membership in both the President’s Honor Roll and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology in 1965. She spent her years as a homemaker, keeping a meticulous home, cooking nutritious meals in rotation, and raising Chuck, Tom and Julie. She attended athletic events, school programs and music competitions, sewed clothing items, costumes and formal dresses, and stayed on top of all the laundry. Not ever working outside the home in the medical field, she often joked that her degree in microbiology helped her know when food had spoiled.

Becky loved Jesus; she taught Sunday School at the Presbyterian Church, participated in numerous Bible studies, and faithfully supported multiple Christian ministries and organizations. She used her gift of music playing the organ at multiple churches around town, including the Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church, First Christian Church, and Nowata Methodist Church. Becky served her community as the Secretary for the Executive Board and Newsletter Editor of the Nowata County Historical Society, and was a founding member of the Nowata Community Choir. Becky was a longtime member of La Kee Kon, serving both as President and Secretary,

Becky was thoughtful, often caring for others in little ways not seen by others. She was faithful to remember birthdays and anniversaries of various kinds, taking special care to select and send cards with the perfect verse or image. She loved being both “Gram” and “Nonna” to her grandchildren, hosting sleepovers and attending school programs, athletic events, musical productions, band concerts, graduations, and birthday celebrations. Becky moved to Legacy Village of Stillwater in November of 2024. She enjoyed playing bridge with residents, attending Coach Mike Gundy’s weekly taping of his radio show, and spending time with her daughter whether it was running errands, visiting doctors, attending concerts, dining out, or enjoying a home-cooked meal.

Becky is survived by her sister, Bonnie Vaughn, of Aurora, CO; children, Chuck Bellatti and wife, Melinda, of Ramona, OK; Tom Bellatti and wife, Doryss, of Bixby, OK; Julie Goodwin and husband, Allan, of Stillwater, OK; grandchildren, Nick Bellatti and wife, Madalyn, of Oologah, OK; Lauren Bellatti of Austin, TX; Nate Bellatti of Tulsa, OK; Abbi Edwards and husband, Landon, of Guthrie, OK; Glenn Goodwin of Laramie, WY; and Collin Goodwin of Waco, TX; niece, Elizabeth Pheteplace and husband, Pete, of Aurora, CO; great nephew, Cameron Pheteplace of Fort Collins, CO; great niece, Madison Pheteplace of Aurora, CO; and great granddaughters, Brooke, Paislee, and Khloe Bellatti of Oologah, OK.

Becky was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer R. and Barbara Cobbs Burns, her aunt, Wynema Burns Caswell, and the father of her children, Edward Harold Bellatti.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, February, 8th, 2026, at the Presbyterian Church in Nowata with Dr. Larry G. DeLay officiating. There will be a reception immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Nowata County Historical Society (P.O. Box 87, Nowata, OK 74048) or the Nowata Community Choir ( P.O. Box 493, Nowata, OK 74048).

View Rebekah R Bellatti's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/03/2026

Shane Trotter

“The steps of a man are made firm by the Lord, He delights in his way, though he falls, he will not be hurled down, for the Lord supports him with his hand.” -Psalm 37:23-24

Christopher “Shane” Trotter was born on November 8, 1981, to Kevin Trotter and Beth Ann Freedle-Trotter. He grew up in South Coffeyville, Oklahoma and graduated from Oklahoma Union High School in 2000. During high school, Shane attended Tri County Technology Center for Auto Service Technology. Shane later earned his associate degree from Coffeyville Community College. Shane shared a lifelong and inseparable bond with his twin brother, Shawn, a relationship marked by an unspoken understanding and love that only twins know.

Shane married Tara Loeffelholz (Stevens) in 2001, and together in 2009, they welcomed their greatest joy, their daughter, Addilyn Grace Trotter. Shane adored Addi with his whole heart. Being her dad was his proudest role, and his love for her was evident in every conversation, every sacrifice, and every prayer he prayed over her life.

Shane’s faith in Jesus was central to who he was. He spent countless hours reading and studying his Bible, seeking to live a life rooted in service, humility, and generosity. He was a friend to all, known for his kindness, steady presence, and willingness to give of his time, talents, and resources whenever a need arose.

Since 2014, Shane was employed as a machinist with Target Completions in Broken Arrow, where he was respected for his work ethic, integrity, and reliability. Outside of work, he enjoyed exploring the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and loving on his cherished pets.

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Addilyn Trotter of Bartlesville; his twin brother, Michael “Shawn” Trotter, and wife Jennifer of Nowata; Connie Trotter, step mother; his sister, Jaime Shelton; brothers Jeremy Anderson and wife Taylor, and Clint Hicks; along with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many many friends who were blessed by his life. Shane was preceded in death by his mother and father, grandparents, and aunt.

Shane’s legacy lives on through his daughter, his faith, and the many lives he touched through his generosity and love. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor Shane’s life to consider a memorial gift to causes that reflected his faith, compassion, and love for others:

Spirit CHURCH - spirit.church/give (list Shane Trotter in the memo)2121 S Madison Blvd Bartlesville, OK 74006

Hillside Christian Church of Nowata 1348 W Davis Dr Nowata, OK 74048

Washington County SPCA 16620 State Hwy 123 Bartlesville, OK 74006

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