Graveside service with full military honors for SFC (Retired) D. E. Bethune will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 20, 2025, at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma with Joe Price officiating.

Services are under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends after the service at 1:00 p.m. at Denton Baptist Church in Marlow, Oklahoma.

SFC (Retired) D.E. (Ed) Bethune, Central High, departed his earthly temple on Friday, October 10, 2025, in Lawton, Oklahoma. He was born March 29, 1939, in Portersville, Alabama to Delmar Bethune and Pauline (Parker) Bethune. He met his beloved wife, Florence (Weatherly) Bethune, in Lawton and married her on February 6, 1971. Ed and Florence established their home in Central High.

Ed entered the U.S. Army in November 1958 and retired as a Drill Sergeant after 20 years of service. During Ed's time in service, he served overseas in Germany and was assigned to the Pershing Missile. Upon retirement from the military, Ed worked as a machinist at Halliburton in Duncan, Oklahoma where he retired in 1994. Once again retired, Ed continued his service as a maintenance member and caretaker at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma and served as Sergeant at Arms for the Pershing Missile-BlackJack Chapter.

When Ed was not working you could find him fishing, doing the infinite honey-doo's for Florence, and working in his wood shop. He also enjoyed his quality time with grandkids, or avidly watching those Dallas Cowboys and Alabama Crimson Tide.

Ed is survived by his wife Florence, brother, James Bethune, of Rainsville, Alabama, sister, Patricia Nelms, of Crossville, Alabama, daughters, Angela Westbrook of Hardy, Arkansas and Alicia (Tee) Yust of Central High, Oklahoma, son, Vincent Bethune and wife Laurie of Central High, Oklahoma. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Timi Williams and husband Michael of Fallon, Missouri, Marque Butler and husband Darren of Grafenwohr, Germany, Kenzie Vargas and husband Luis of Webb City, Missouri, Kolten Bethune of Central High, Oklahoma, and Peyten Bethune of Central High, Oklahoma. Ed also has three great grandchildren, Wesley Williams, Zayne Williams, and Aria Vargas, and numerous friends, nieces and nephews. Ed's kind heart will forever be missed by those he leaves behind.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law, Judy Bethune, and brother-in-law, Rhaena Nelms.

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com