Word has been received of the death of Monika U. Bayman 62, of Lawton, Oklahoma.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

She died February 18, 2008 in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home.

Monika U. was born on December 18 1945 in Böblingen West Germany to Konrad and Helene Schumacher Merkt. She grew up in Germany and moved to Lawton in 1987. Monika was very creative; she had a love for staying active and an insatiable sweet tooth. She was an avid artist and grand gardener. Monika experienced very proud moments on several occasions to include receiving her GED, when she received her United States citizenship, and when her backyard was declared a natural habitat.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law: Steven, Jr., and Angela Bayman, of Lawton, Oklahoma, Frank and Donna Merkt, of Albany, Texas and Michael Kuhnle, of Germany; a friend, David Walker, of Lawton, Oklahoma; four brothers: Wilfred Merkt, of San Diego, California, Franz Merkt, of Germany, Juergen Merkt, of Germany, and Rainer Merkt, of Germany; four sisters: Afra Sehr, of New Jersey, Rita Fitz, of Germany, Editha Merkt, of Germany and Waltraud Schumacher, of Germany; two grandchildren, Daniel Kuhnle, of Germany and Erick LeMaster, of Albany, Texas.

Mrs. Bayman was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Gunther Merkt.

Memorial contributions can be made thorough BancFirst, 2204 NW Ferris Avenue, Lawton, Oklahoma 73505. In care of, Monika Bayman Memorial Fund .