Jannell (Tech) Ridenour

Jannell Ridenour was born January 29, 1939 to Arthur F. and Ina Louise (Sand) Tech in Calumet, OK.  She passed away September 9, 2023 at her home in Calumet at the age of 84.  Jannell graduated from Calumet High School and graduated from Draughn’s Business School in Oklahoma City.  She was united in marriage to Eldon Ridenour June 27, 1958 in Calumet.  She stayed at home and raised her girls and drove a school bus after she and Eldon were married.  They enjoyed square dancing together, and when she and Eldon would go on vacations he would tell Jannell the family history and she would write it down and they’ve given each of their girls hand written copies of their family history.  Jannell helped grow Ridenour Farms into the farming operation it is today, working as a cashier at the Cherokee Restaurant along the way.  She enjoyed gardening and canning and was an excellent seamstress, making her girls wedding dresses, Eldon’s suits for each wedding, Christmas stockings with each child, grandchild, and great grandchild’s name sewn with sequins, quilts for each as well, and making numerous teddy bears making them out of clothing for people in the community.  At Christmas time, Jannell would make homemade candy and distribute it to all their family and friends.  She was famous for her cinnamon rolls and taught her granddaughters Felicia and Julie how to make them.  Brendon her great grandson had a school project and was going to get extra credit for a recipe, and he took it upon himself to call his GiGi and ask her to make his class cinnamon rolls not knowing what all was involved, he asked her the day prior to the assignment being due; Jannell went and purchased all the supplies needed and made the cinnamon rolls for Brendon’s class.  Whatever GiGi was asked to do, she would stop what she was doing and make it or help with the task.  The family would take vacations with many different friends and family and the ladies would organize all the food preparations while the guys took the kids out on the boat.  She loved playing games (and would sometimes make the rules up as she went along) and always had her fridge stocked with Coke and Dr. Pepper.  Jannell was a longtime member of Red Rock United Methodist Church where she served as secretary and treasurer as well as serving many years as secretary and treasurer for the Red Rock Cemetery. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Ina Tech, and sister, Carrol Jean Mason.

Jannell is survived by her husband Eldon Ridenour of the home; two daughters, Lynda Johnston and husband Randy of Pocasset and Laura Whitebead and husband Sammy of Calumet; grandchildren, Logan Whitebead and wife Candace of Calumet, Stewart Whitebead and Galen of El Reno, Brandon Johnston and wife Samantha of Minco, Felicia Blackwood and husband J.P., and Julie White and husband Riky, all of El Reno; great grandchildren, Brendon, Riley, and Micah Whitebead, Sutton, Blakely, and Stockton Johnston, Camden Blackwood, Isabelle and Diana White, and Brailynn, Cory, Jacob, and Bevin; sister, Shirley Bright and husband Kenneth of Calumet; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. 

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations to Red Rock Cemetery, 4005 S. Cedar Road, Calumet, OK 73014. 

Services:  Red Rock United Methodist Church, Wednesday, 10:00 am, September 13, 2023, Calumet, OK

Officiating:  Rev. Mary Irby

Burial:  Red Rock Cemetery, Calumet, OK services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, Hinton, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).

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