Maerene Bales

Maerene (Gaylor) Bales was born March 21, 1937 in Tahlequah, OK to Levi Joseph & Mallie (Monholland) Gaylor and passed from this life on April 16, 2022 at the age of 85.

Church played a large role in Maerene’s life. She was a Sunday School teacher, Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, and was active in the bus ministry for years at her church. During the later part of her life, she was a member of Memorial Drive Church of Christ. In addition, Maerene volunteered her time at Muskogee Veterans Hospital and was active in the Disabled American Veterans.

She loved to travel with her husband and anyone else that could go. They would drive their motor home all over the country and would travel for 2 or 3 weeks at a time. She enjoyed nature, early mornings, and drinking her coffee. She loved to attend her children's, grandchildren's and even great grandchildren's school activities. She was always ready to lend a hand and worked hard all her life. She leaves a huge hole in the lives of all her family.

Maerene is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 50 plus years, John Harvey Bales; her son, John H. Bales, Jr.; her brothers, Marvin Gaylor and Fred Gaylor; and her infant sister, Betty Jo Gaylor. She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Connie & Cesar Morales and Debbie & Michael Rae; her grandchildren, Tamara (Billy) Sadler, Victoria Rae, James Rae, Stephen Rae and Samuel Rae; and her great grandchildren, Joshua Sadler, Madison Sadler and Camden Sadler.

Maerene will lie in state Thursday, April 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family receiv ing friends from 5-7 p.m. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 22 at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens.