Obituary for Sara Jane Bechtel

Sara Jane Bechtel

August 16, 1936 – March 3, 2021

Sara Jane Bechtel left this earth peacefully on the morning of March 3, 2021 in her home at the age of 84. A funeral service officiated by Pastor Jeff Koch will be held at the First Christian Church in Blackwell, Oklahoma on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 1 p.m., followed by a graveside service at the Blackwell Cemetery. Services are under the guidance of Roberts and Son Funeral Home of Blackwell. A private viewing will be available for the family of Sara Jane prior to the funeral service, at which time her casket will be closed per Sara Jane’s wishes. The family respectfully requests guests in attendance to wear masks and practice social distancing. Following the services, the family will receive friends at R.C. and Sara Jane’s home in Blackwell.

Pallbearers will be Sara Jane’s grandsons (Chad Bechtel, Blake Bechtel, Bryce Bechtel, Ben Bechtel, Jack Newsome, and Jake Vanatsky). Honorary Pallbearers will be her granddaughters (Lindsey Toscano, Lesley Yarnell, Sara Beth Newsome, Anna Newsome, and Katy Vanatsky).

Sara Jane Bechtel was born on August 16, 1936 in Blackwell, OK to Fred Allen and Sarah Adele Bell. She grew up in Blackwell and graduated from Blackwell High School in 1954. On November 24, 1956, Sara Jane married the love of her life, R.C. Bechtel, and they made their home here in Blackwell. During their 64 years of marriage, Sara Jane and R.C. raised 4 children together, who have blessed them both with 12 beautiful grandchildren and 15 precious great-grandchildren. Sara Jane cherished each and every one of them.

During her life, Sara Jane kept herself very busy. She worked for the family business, Shebester-Bechtel, Inc., from 1971-1988 as the bookkeeper, was an active member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, volunteered for the Blackwell Regional Hospital for 13 years, served as President of the Blackwell hospital volunteers, volunteered in the Blackwell hospital gift shop for many years, was an active member of the First Christian Church, an active member of the PEO Sisterhood – Chapter AB, and was a founding board member of the Blackwell Public School Foundation.

Sara Jane was known for her generous heart. Throughout her lifetime, she continuously gave selflessly to her community. Not only was she a wonderful volunteer, but she donated to her community in many ways. When she saw or heard there was a need, Sara Jane helped fill it. One of those needs being the new equipment at Bagby Park. She wanted the community’s children to have a safe, enjoyable place to play. So, she made it happen. The park is now heavily used throughout the year by our community’s families. Another need Sara Jane helped meet for our community’s youth was paying for private music lessons. It was important to her that our youth get to experience and learn the things they love.

When Sara Jane was not busy being a loving mother and grandmother, working at the family business, or volunteering for her community, she was supporting her Oklahoma Sooners, loved taking her friends and family to Lyric Theatre, enjoyed traveling (her favorite places being Red River, New Mexico, and Disney World), and she treasured her flowers and water garden at her home.

Sara Jane is survived by her husband, R.C. Bechtel of the home; 4 children: Brad (wife Lea Ann) Bechtel of Blackwell, OK, Greg (wife Brenda) Bechtel of Blackwell, OK, Beverly (husband Jeff) Newsome of Blanchard, OK, and Sandy (husband Rich) Vanatsky of Cincinnati, OH; 12 grandchildren: Chad (wife Ashley) Bechtel of Edmond, OK, Blake (wife Natalie) Bechtel of Edmond, OK, Lindsey (husband Anthony) Toscano of Broken Arrow, OK, Lesley (husband Sean) Yarnell of Tulsa, OK, Bryce (wife Elizabeth) Bechtel of Skiatook, OK, Ben Bechtel of Blackwell, OK, Sara Beth Newsome of Norman, OK, Anna Newsome of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Jack Newsome of Norman, OK, Katy Vanatsky of Cincinnati, OH and Jake Vanatsky of Cincinnati, OH; 15 great grandchildren: Adyson Bechtel, Haley Bechtel, Emma Bechtel, Kyler Bechtel, Tegan Bechtel, Ainsley Bechtel, Berkley Bechtel, Caroline Toscano, Maura Toscano, Josephine Toscano, Luciana Toscano, Shane Yarnell, Avery Bechtel, Annalee Bechtel, and Jace Bechtel; her brother-in-law, Terry Bechtel of Joplin, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sara Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Virginia Moore and Barbara Harwell, her brothers Robert Bell and Richard Bell, and one grandson, Brady Bechtel.

The family of Sara Jane would like to thank her Caregivers, who were a blessing not only to Sara Jane but also to R.C. and the entire family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the First Christian Church of Blackwell and Blackwell Public School Foundation in honor of Sara Jane Bechtel.