Longtime Chandler residents Willie Criss and Dortha May Vorhis would be proud that the reunion they started so many years ago has continued to be carried on by their family for 62 years. The two decided in 1959 that they wanted to have their family get together on the fourth Sunday of each August at Chandler Park which is now Tilghman Park in Chandler, Okla.
The American Legion Post #64 in Tilghman Park was rented again for the Vorhis reunion, which was held August 22, 2021, with 58 family members present to celebrate.
Before beginning the buffet style meal, Susan Kedigh led everyone in the Lord’s Prayer. Those attending provided a variety of foods and desserts.
The air-conditioned American Legion Building made it possible to enjoy the meal and the games to follow. Bingo was led by Kay Odom’s daughter, JoeJean Danker, for the children to play and win prizes of school supplies and various other items donated by Mary and Lacy Amen and Jesica Cannon.
Prizes were given out as follows - the oldest member attending, Mary Amen daughter of Jess and Ethel Vorhis Hopkins daughter; the youngest person six-month-old Lincoln Douglas Bennett, son of Chelsey Reading and Ashton Bennett; grandchild of Lynda and Doug Reading; great-grandson of Leona May Vorhis Dillon. The one that traveled the longest distance was T.J. Dillon from Columbia, Tenn., son of Roy and Sharron Dillon, Leona May Vorhis Dillon’s grandson. Kay Odom, Leona May Vorhis Dillon’s daughter, won the prize for attending the most family reunions and for having the most children and grandchildren in attendance. Leona May Vorhis Dillon’s daughter and son-in-law Dortha and Jando Vela won the prize for being married the longest. Winning the prize for the newest married couple was Eli and Kierra Kedigh, Leona May Vorhis Dillon great-grandson. Kenneth Dillon son of Leona May Vorhis Dillon, won the prize for the bushier beard. The final prize was given to the fashionista of the event, Alietia Golightly daughter of Kay Odom. Gifts were provided by Dortha and Jando Vela. A talent contest was held for the children to show their God given gifts. Some of them participated by dancing, racing, doing pushups and singing songs such as “Yes, Jesus Loves Me.” Participants were asked to choose a prize provided by Kay Odom.
In place of a silent auction, a Raffle of donated items and a 50/50 pot was held. Proceeds will go toward the rental of the American Legion Building with the remainder to be donated to Star Valley Cemetery in Chandler. The many items donated included homemade quilts, afghans and doll clothes; home canned foods; gifts cards and more.
Individuals came from Tennessee; and Seminole, Harrah, Choctaw, Del City, Yukon, Oklahoma City, Wellston, Chandler and Guthrie, Okla. Family members joining in the festivities of this year’s family reunion were: Jess and Ethel Vorhis Hopkins daughter, Mary Amen and grand-daughters Jesica Cannon and Lacy Amen all from Oklahoma City; Vernon and Leona Vorhis Dillon’s daughters, sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; Dortha and son Mike Vela and Mike’s friend Kari Stevenson all from Oklahoma City; Kathryn Odom and her daughters and sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandsons;
Also attending were JoeJean, Jeff, Riley Danker and Samantha Jordon and her children Wyatt and Briar June Jordon; Amanda and James Lynch and son Kolt Lynch; Alietia and her children, Jett, Chesney and Wytt Golightly from Wellston; Rainy Odom and sons, Rowdy and Luke Odom and Luke’s girlfriend Mckayla Lee from Seminole; Mary Lou Thomas from Wellston and her grand-daughter Kaitlyn Culbertson from Chandler; Craig and Susan Kedigh from Choctaw; their son and daughter-in-law Paul and Sheila Kedigh, grandson Eli and Kierra Kedigh and their children, Kylie Frazier and Zane Kedigh from Del City; Paul and Sheila’s son-in-law Scott Winter with his children Isaiah and Zaykia Winter from Yukon.
T.J. Dillon traveled from Columbia, Tenn., and brought his mother Sharon Dillon from Nicoma Park, to celebrate with the family. Ronnie Dillon’s daughters, Jonna Dillon-Albertson and Amy Dillon Schellenberg came with their families; Jonna’s daughter Marie Ellen Albertson; Amy’s husband Abe and two of their children, Heaven Marie and Jassymon Schellenberg from Guthrie. Zach Dillon came with his grandfather Kenneth Dillon. Kenneth’s youngest son Joseph and his wife Jennifer Dillon and their daughters, Jenna and Juliana Dillon from Wellston. Lynda Dillon Reading and husband Doug Reading along with their daughter Chelsey Reading Bennett and husband Ashton Bennett and Chelsey and Ashton Bennett’s six-month-old son Lincoln Douglas Bennett, all of Jones.
According to Susan Kedigh, everyone’s attendance and those who helped made the reunion a wonderful celebration. Mary Ethel and Lacy Amen and Jesica Cannon opened the building and set up for the reunion. Lacy Amen was the photographer for the family.
Kedigh encourages family members to mark your calendars and reserve the 4th Sunday in August for the 63rd Vorhis Family Reunion on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at the American Legion Post #64 in Tilghman Park, Chandler.