Nora Ruth Johnson

Nora Ruth Johnson, 91, of Poteau, Oklahoma passed away on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 in Poteau. Ruth was born on December 30, 1918 in Boswell, OK to Walter & Ora Radford. Ruth was a hard worker, working in hospitals & restaurants in California until her retirement then working at the Care & Share in Poteau. Ruth’s husband, Albert “Cleve” Johnson; 4 brothers, 1 sister, 3 grandchildren, Darren & Tina Robison & Jay Pyle & her parents preceded her in death. Nora is survived by a son & daughter in law, James & Margie Robison of Texas, 3 daughters & a son in law, Wanda Allen, Nancy Olson, & Janet & Howard Pyle, all of Poteau; 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones & many beloved friends.. Funeral services for Ruth were held at 2:00 pm, Monday, March 1, 2010 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, OK with the Reverend Jimmy D. Cook officiating. Interment followed the services in Oakland Cemetery with arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK. Pallbearers were her grandsons.

Leo Joe Rose

Leo Joe Rose, 55, of Wister, Oklahoma passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2010 in Wister. He was born on January 22, 1955 in Denver Colorado to A.J. & Mae (Pitman) Rose. He was a welder. Joe is survived by his mother, Mae Rose of Wister, OK; a son, Joe Lynn Rose of Cedarville, AR; 2 daughters, Jamie Dawn Rose and Jackie Dion Rose, both of Van Buren, AR; a sister, Donna Matthews of Wister, OK; 2 brothers, Johnny Rose of Emory, Texas & Jack Rose of Howe, OK; 6 grandchildren, a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; and many beloved friends. Memorial services for Joe were held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at the home of his sister, Donna Matthews, 501 Wigginton, Wister, OK. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.

Thomas W. Greene

Thomas W. Greene, 70, of Poteau, OK passed away on Monday, February 15, 2010 in Poteau, OK. Tommy was born on January 4, 1940 in Tulsa, OK to John M. & Lura G. (Robertson) Greene. Tommy was the LeFlore County Tax Assessor for many years until his retirement in 1992 and a member of Southside Baptist Church of Poteau. Shortly after Tommy’s retirement he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and his health problems kept him homebound for the past several years. Tommy was preceded in death by his mother, Lura; brothers, John, Ewing, Joe, Charles, & Daniel; and sisters Helen & Hazel. Tommy is survived by his wife, Sue Greene of the home; a daughter Renee Greene of Van Buren, AR; a son & daughter in law, Tim & Sam Greene of Spiro, OK; grandchildren Richard, Kris, & Suzie McGehee and Kelcie Greene; brothers Bill & Leonard Greene of Poteau, OK & Ed Greene of Oakley, Kansas; sisters Lois Whitney of Tulsa, OK, Jean Potts of Poteau, OK & Cathy Baker of Halton City, TX; very special friend, Jacquie Gaither of Poteau, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones and many beloved friends. Funeral services for Tommy were held at 10:00 am Thursday, February 18, 2010 at Southside Baptist Church in Poteau, OK with the Reverend Garry Haskins officiating. Interment followed the services at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, OK with arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK.

Thomas W. Greene

Thomas W. Greene, 70 of Poteau, OK passed awsy Monday, February 15, 2010 in Poteau. He was born in Tulsa, OK on January 4, 1940. Tommy began working at a young age and spent several years in sales before working in the LeFlore County Tax Assessor's Office and retiring from there in 1992. Shortly after retirement he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Health problems kept him homebound for the past several years. Tommy was preceded in death by his mother, Lura; brothers, John, Ewing, Joe, Charles, and Daniel; and sisters, Helen and Hazel. Survivors include his wife, Sue of the home; daughter, Renee of Van Buren, AR; son and daughter in law, Tim and Sam Greene of Spiro, OK; grandchildren, Richard, Kris and Sizie McGehee and Kelcie Greene; brothers, Bill Greene and Leonard Greene of Poteau, OK, Ed Greene of Oakley, KS; sisters, Lois Whitney of Tulsa, OK, Jean Potts of Poteau, OK, Cathy Baker of Halton City, TX; special friend, Jacquie Gaither of Poteau, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 10 am, Thursday, February 18, 2010 at Southside Baptist Church with Rev. Garry Haskins officiating. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK The family will be at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6-8 to visit with relatives & friends.

Jerry Dean Townley

Jerry Dean Townley, 72, of Poteau, Oklahoma passed away Saturday, February 13, 2010. He was born May 26, 1937 in Deering, MO to Albert & Zelma Townley. He was a feed store manager. Jerry was a veteran of the US Navy. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Betty, Martha & Brenda Townley; and brothers, Albert Jr. & Jacky Townley. Survivors include his wife, Carol Townley of Panama, OK; sons, Dannie G. Townley Sr. of Poteau, OK, Dennis J. Townley of Van Buren, AR, Jerry R. Townley of Panama, OK; sisters, Shirley Armstrong of Poteau, OK, Linda Ryan of Fairfield, TX; brother, Marlin "Sonny" Townley of Fairfield, TX; 4 grandchildren, Deana Oakes, Dannie G. Townley Jr., Sarah Townley, Jonathan Townley; 5 great grandchildren, Matthew Townley, Madison oakes, Micah Oakes, Lacey Oakes, Mya Townley; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services were held 10 am, Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, OK with Rev. Jerry Townley and Rev. Jim Cook officiating. Burial followed in Fort Smith National Cemetery, Fort Smith, AR. Pallbearers were Jack Armstrong 2nd, Dannie G. Townley Jr., Jonathan Townley, Jeremy Oakes, Jack Armstrong, and Dennis Townley. The family will be at the funeral home from 6-8 Tuesday evening to visit with relatives and friends.

Patrick Jay Shankle

Patrick Jay Shankle, 35 of Poteau, OK passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2010 in Poteau. Jay was born on October 2, 1974 in Fort Smith, AR to Forrest Lynn & Katherine June (Hayes) Shankle. He was a carpenter. Jay’s father; his grandparents, Paul & Derotha Shankle; Troy & Rosa Pyland, & Clarence Hayes; and an uncle Gary Shankle precede him in death. Jay is survived by his wife, Jennifer of the home; a daughter Jadyn Shankle of the home; a son, Jaxyn Shankle of the home; his mother & stepfather, Kathy & Terry Tolbert of Broken Arrow, OK; sister & brother in law, Devin & Sean Covey of Monroe, OK; 2 nieces, Brooklyn & McKenna; a nephew, Andruw; uncles & aunt, Robert & Connie Shankle of Monroe, OK & Dennis Shankle of Monroe, OK; numerous other relatives & loved ones and many beloved friends. Memorial services for Jay were held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, OK with the Reverend Frankie Harris officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK. Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Meisenheimer, Bryant Weaver, Sean Covey, Micah Webb, Cliff Ryburn, Wayne Hall, Gary Morris, Bill Pate, Scott Griffis, & Cliff Neland.

Mary Ellen Berry

Mary Ellen Berry, 92, of Wister, OK passed away Saturday, February 13, 2010 in Wister. She was born in Edmond, OK on March 8, 1917 to Morman V. & Helen Mable (York) Goodrich. Mary was a homemaker. She was a charter member of Ellis Chapel Church in Wister. She loved to cook and sew. She was a great mother, raising all the kids, grandkids, great and great great grandkids. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Eual Berry Sr.; son Oscar Berry Jr.; her parents; and brothers, Alpheus Goodrich, Norman 'Vic' Goodrich and George Goodrich. Survivors include her sons, Orville Lee & Joann Berry of Paden, OK, Norman Joe Berry of Wister, OK; 7 grandchildren, Leslie Covey of Wister, OK, Eddie Berry of Shawnee, OK, Mary L. Mendoza of Harrah, OK, Joe Wayne Berry of Wister, OK, Traci Harmon of Sallisaw, OK, Kelly White of Arcadia, OK, Dana Miller of Tecumseh, OK; 12 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Mable Craun of Edmond, OK and Shirley Anderson of Harrah, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be held 10 am, Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at Ellis Chapel Church in Wister, OK with Rev. Jack Covey officiating. Interment will follow in Ellis Chapel Cemetery, Wister, OK

Margaret Jeanita (Nixon) Knapp

Margaret Jeanita (Nixon) Knapp, 82, of Poteau, OK passed away Friday, February 12, 2010 in Wagoner, OK. Margaret was born in Calhoun, OK on September 26, 1927 to Luther & Grace (Painter) Nixon. She was a business owner; beautician, grocery and restuarant. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Knapp; her parents; and brothers, Robert, Vernon, Jody and Jimmy Nixon. Survivors include her son, Mark Knapp of Tulsa, OK; sisters & brothers in law, Hazel Partain of Spiro, OK, Dimple & Andrew (Buddy) Rogers of Poteau, OK, Oteka & R.D. Bryant of Milton, OK, and Thelma Mae Whitmore of Bokoshe, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be held 2 pm, Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at Evans Chapel of Memories with Rev. Jim Cook & Rev. Joe Pierce officiating. Interment will follow in Old Bokoshe Cemetery, Bokoshe, OK. Pallbearers will be Rodney Bryant, David Black, Randy McKinney Josh Lovett, Jeremy Oliver, D.J. Hicks. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joe Henderson, Randy Wayne Bryant, Ronald Rogers, and Dud Henderson.

Lawrence Loton Dickerson

Lawrence Loton Dickerson, 73, of Poteau, Oklahoma passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 in Tulsa, OK. Lawrence was born on May 30, 1936 in Poteau, OK to Lawrence Elmer & Euna (Pickel) Dickerson. Lawrence served for 22 years on the Poteau Fire Department, was a charter member of the Poteau Lions Club, a former member of the Poteau Board of Education and Poteau Junior College which during his tenure was instrumental in separating the college into its own entity. Lawrence was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church of Poteau. He and his wife, Nan owned and operated Dickerson/Poteau Flower Shops for approximately 50 years. He is preceded in death by his only son, the late Senator Larry Dickerson; his only sibling, Doris Miller & his parents. Lawrence is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Nan (Deaton) Dickerson of the home; a daughter & son in law, Nan Lea Dickerson & Walt Haskins of Tulsa, OK; a daughter in law, Dee Ann Dickerson of Poteau, OK; 4 grandchildren, John Lawrence Dickerson of Poteau, OK; Emily, Zachary, & Amy Caroline Haskins, all of Tulsa, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; and a few friends. Memorial services for Lawrence were held at 2:00 pm, Saturday February 6, 2010 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, OK with the Reverend Phil McGehee officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK.

W.C. Kitchens

W.C. Kitchens, 78, of LeFlore, OK passed away Friday, February 5, 2010 in LeFlore. W.C. was born November 17, 1931 in LeFLore, OK to Jesse & Ellen (Ferguson) Kitchens. He was a veteran of the US Navy and the Army. He served in both Korea and Vietnam. He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 sisters and 4 brothers. Survivors include his stepdaughter, Patty Scott of Bentonville, AR; granddaughter, Alexis; brother, James Marion Kitchens of Rushford, MN; 3 nieces, Marjorie Powers-Shoup of Cameron, OK, Mary Chronister of Poteau, OK, Wanda Roden of Wister, OK; 4 nephews, Tony Matney of LeFlore, OK, Michael Morrow of Houston, TX, James M.Kitchens of Rushford, MN and Joe Powers of Wister, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services were held 2 pm Monday, February 8, 2010 at LeFlore Baptist Church in LeFlore, OK with Rev. Jeff Little officiating. Interment followed in LeFlore Cemetery.

Edna Faye Scyrkels

Edna Faye (Pettigrew) Scyrkels, 83, of Cameron, OK passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2010 in Cameron. Edna was born July 21, 1926 in Plunkettville, OK to James & Jenny (Dixon) Pettigrew. She was a homemaker. Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey Scyrkels and her parents. Survivors include her daughters, Janette & Marion Haynes of Heavener, OK, Marsha Scyrkels & Bill McMurry of Cameron, OK; son, Lou Gary Scyrkels and Pam Hanna of Spiro, OK; grandchildren, Tony & Misty Scyrkels of Shady Point, OK, Amanda Scyrkels of Greenwood, AR; great grandchildren, Ethan Scyrkels, Aidan Scyrkels, and Logan Bryan; other relatives & loved ones; a host of beloved friends. Services will be held 10 am, Saturday, February 13, 2010 at the Oakland Cemetery Pavilion in Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating. Interment will follow.

Christie Janeen (Cook) McCaslin

Christie Janeen (Cook) McCaslin, 35, of Poteau, OK passed away Saturday, February 6, 2010 in Poteau. Christie was born June 29, 1974 in Fort Smith, AR to Jimmy D. & Janice Rae (Worley) Cook. She was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Poteau. She was a loving precious daughter that if you needed her she would always be there. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Dean Worley & her paternal grandparents. Survivors include her husband, Lee McCaslin of the home; daughter, Whittney Way of the home; parents, Jim & Jan Cook of Poteau, 2 brothers & their wives, JD Cook & Morgan, Dave "Zac" Cook & Chrissy all of Poteau; mother in law & father in law, Roy & Kathleen McCaslin of Muskogee, OK; maternal grandparents, Steve & Gloe Worley of Houston, TX; nephews, Kodi, Dillon, Jake, Ben & Cedar; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives & loved ones; a host of beloved friends. Services will be held 2 pm, Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Poteau with Revs. Jack Covey, Jr. Phillips, & Jim Cook officiating. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK. Pallbearers will be JD Cook, Zac Cook, TJ Holt, Rusty Griffis, Mack Armstrong, & Jay Sommers. Honorary pallbearers will be John Locke & Jim Sommers.

George Montgomery

George Montgomery, 58 of Heavener, Oklahoma formerly of Poteau, OK passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2010 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born on May 16, 1951 in Shady Point, Oklahoma to JF & Gracie (McClain) Montgomery. He worked for the candy factory in Spiro, OK. George’s father & a sister Betty Ann Montgomery precede him in death. George is survived by his mother Gracie Montgomery of Heavener, OK; 4 brothers, Charles Montgomery, Tommy Montgomery, Jerry Montgomery, & Bill Montgomery all of Poteau, OK; 3 sisters, Mary Ellen Amos of Shady Point, OK, Mary Jane Montgomery of Henryetta, OK & Helen Sterling of Poteau, OK; 4 nieces, 4 nephews, 2 great nephews & 4 great nieces; numerous other relatives & loved ones and many beloved friends. Graveside memorial services for George were held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at Shady Point Cemetery in Shady Point, Oklahoma with the Reverend Brad Sumpter officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.

Dale Ray Baxter Jr.

Dale Ray Baxter, Jr., 44, of Spiro, OK passed away on January 17, 2010 in Spiro. Dale was born on July 23, 1965 to Delmer Granville “Dale” Baxter & Nadine Smith Painter. He was a landscaper. Dale’s parents; a sister, Anita Kay Baxter; and his father in law, Eddie Smith precedes Dale in death. Dale is survived by a stepdaughter, Marie Smith of Nacogdoches, TX; a stepson Dale Dean Baxter Jr. of Nacogdoches, TX; 3 sisters, Veronica Ritter of Spiro, OK; Sherrie Lynn Coker of Mulberry, AR, & Angela Dawn Baxter of Spiro, OK; 3 brothers in law, Lawton Ritter & Tommy Coker, both of Spiro, OK; & Wayman Dearing of Oklahoma City, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones & many beloved friends. Graveside memorial services for Dale were held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at Oakland Cemetery Pavilion in Poteau, OK with the Reverend Jimmy D. Cook officiating. Interment followed the services with arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK. Honorary pallbearers were “Stoney”, Lawton Ritter, “Bear”, Tommy Coker, Lloyd Grogan, & Steve.