Gwen Collins Cloninger passed into the hands of her Lord and Savior Saturday morning, January 26, at OU Medical Center from complications following an automobile accident earlier this month. Gwen was born in Claremore, OK, to pioneer residents James Franks Collins and Ethel Scott Collins. Her father moved with his family by covered wagon from Idaho to Afton, Indian Territory in the 1880's, a trip which took over 100 days. Mr. Collins was one of the first registered pharmacists in the Indian Territory prior to statehood. Gwen was educated in Claremore schools and was a graduate of both Christian College in Columbia, MO, and the University of Arkansas, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She married Gene Cloninger after his service in World War II, and they recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Gwen was the epitome of the loving, caring "stay-at-home" mom whose primary interest was her family. Her incredible strength, optimism and love of life were inspiring to all who knew her. After raising her family, Gwen dedicated many hours to the enrichment of others as a pre-school teacher at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Tulsa and through her volunteer work with numerous organizations. She was also an avid bridge player and a veteran traveler who covered the globe over the last forty years. She was pre-deceased by: her parents and two sisters, Wilma Collins Scott (Claremore) and Melva Collins Byer (Oklahoma City). She is survived by: her husband of sixty years, Gene, of Oklahoma City; 3 daughters and sons-in-law, Carole and Terry Jacobs of Midland,
TX, Cynthia and Robin Tems of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and Beth and John Bovaird of Tulsa, OK; and son, Jeff Cloninger and his wife, Anne of Palm Beach, FL. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 30 in the Chapel of the Cross at the Church of the Servant, 14343 North MacArthur Boulevard, Oklahoma City. Graveside service will be Thursday at Woodlawn Cemetery in Claremore. Smith & Kernke.