Audrey Zirbel

Audrey Louise Zirbel, 93, of Wells, ME (formerly of Howe & Poteau, OK) passed away December 3, 2019 at Fort Smith, AR.  Audrey was born March 24, 1926 in Chester, WV to Bernard & Ada (Swisher) Bailey.  She worked as a riveter in the 1940’s in California where she met and married Paul Pennington (US Navy).  After his tour Paul worked for the railroad and they moved to Barstow.  They were blessed with three boys.  After Paul’s death, Audrey married Arthur Zirbel and they moved to Howe, OK where they lived for 20 years.  Audrey was a dog breeder who raised poodles and fox terriers and sold many in the area.   After Arthur passed away ( 12/15/1984)  Audrey moved to Wister and later to Maine near her son, Jeff.  At the age of 88 Audrey wanted to “move back home to Oklahoma; which she did so that when she passed she could be buried near Arthur.

Audrey is survived by her sons, Paul Vernon Pennington of Eureka, CA, Jeffrey Lee Pennington of Wells, ME and James Mark Pennington of Wister, OK; numerous grandchildren; siblings, Tom Bailey of Fresno, CA and Doris & Dusty Rhodes of Mission Viejo, CA; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Private services were held Thursday, December 5, 2019 at Fairhill/Knothole Cemetery, Cameron, OK.