Lorene Palone

Lorene (McKee) Palone, age 93, a longtime resident of Delaware, OK, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 9, 2024 at Medicalodge in Coffeyville, KS. Lorene was born on October 30, 1931 in Craig County, Oklahoma to Lester and Florence (Tebo) McKee. She grew up on a small farm in Craig County, just South of Edna, KS, in the Thompson school district. She attended the Thompson school as well as Edna and Lenapah, graduating from Lenapah in 1950.

On June 25, 1950, Lorene married Robert Palone in Bartlesville, OK. They lived briefly in Collinsville before settling in Delaware where Robert was a barber. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in June of 2020. The couple had three sons, Nicholas Cleve, Robert Kenneth and John Michael.

Lorene began working at Landers Bros. Grocery Store in Delaware in the early 1960s. She later managed the store before her and Robert eventually purchased the business. Lorene was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Delaware. She loved her Lord and Savior and looked forward to the day that she would finally see Him face to face. She loved to read and quilt, gifting numerous quilts to friends and family. Lorene took care of many elderly residents of Delaware over the years, bringing them groceries, taking them to appointments, or whatever they needed.

Preceding Lorene in death are her parents, Lester and Florence McKee, her sister, Darlene Hathcoat, and her husband, Robert, in August 2020. She was also preceded in death by two daughters-in-law, Kaye Palone and Pam Palone.

Lorene is survived by her sons, Nick Palone of Bentonville, AR, Ken Palone (Diana) of South Coffeyville, OK, and John Palone (Karen) of South Coffeyville, OK, grandchildren Beau Palone (Crystal) of Murfreesboro, TN, Noah Palone of San Antonio, TX, and Kate Palone (Marina) of Boulder, CO; and great-granddaughters Mackenzie and Emily Palone of Murfreesboro, TN.

A private service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata.