Lonnie Ray Brooks

Lonnie Ray Brooks, 73 , of Poteau, OK passed away Monday, February 27, 2017 in Poteau.  Lonnie was born October 19, 1943 in Poteau to Robert "Bob" & Ola (Holson) Brooks.  Lonnie was a general contractor until 1984 when he opened Mazzios in September.  He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce; was Poteau Man of the Year.  He helped start the PARC and was a fairgrounds supporter.  Lonnie was inducted into the Poteau Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.  He sponsored many school and community events - just to many to list or remember!!  He was preceded in death by his parents; 4 sisters & 2 brothers.

Survivors include his wife Jolene of the home; sons, Rodney & Juleah Brooks of Poteau, Chad & Paula Brooks of Sewickley, PA; stepsons, Dustin & Rachal Reddin of Wister, OK, Kyle Reddin of Alma, AR; grandchildren, Luke, Ava & Zeke Brooks of Poteau, Sam, Henry & Lucy Brooks of Sewickley, Katelynn Reddin of Wister, OK, Kaleigh Reddin of Darden, TN; sisters, Debbie & Pat Hays of Stroud, OK, Betty & Kenneth Looper of Blanchard, OK, Carol & Ted Salisbury of Prague, OK, Shirley & Harold Bullard of Ft. Smith, AR, Jackie McCracken of Stroud, OK; mother in law, Patricia Essman of LeFlore, OK;   Brothers in law, Paul Graham of Washington, OK,  Casey & Diana Warren of LeFlore, OK, Mike Warren, Johnny & Julie Warren of Wister,  Haskell & Tammy Allison of Jenks, OK, Fred & Kim Allison of Poteau, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Friday, March 3, 2017 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Phil McGehee & Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow in Red Oak Cemetery, Red Oak, OK.  Pallbearers will be Don McMillin, Jack Hornbuckle, Roy Aldridge,  Trenton Hokit, Kenny Hokit Sr., Kenny Hokit Jr.  Honorary pallbearers will be Mazzio Employees.

The family will be at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with relatives & friends.

Mike Kennerson

Michael Allen Kennerson, 67, or Poteau, OK passed away Sunday, February 26, 2017 in Poteau.  Michael was born October 28, 1949 in El Centro, CA to George & Lillian (Stacy) Kennerson.  He was a retired US Navy Commander. 

Survivors include his wife, Jackie Kay (Bewley) Kennerson of the home;  father, George Kennerson of El Centro, CA; brothers, Matt Kennerson of Heavener, OK, Bill Kennerson of CA; sisters, Mary & Deborah of CA; brothers  & sisters in law, Travis & Faye Loggains, Bill & Darlene Bewley, and Annette Ramsey all of Poteau; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 10 am, Friday, March 3, 2017 at First Baptist Church in Heavener, OK with Rev. Sam Dyer officiating.  Interment will follow in Monroe Cemetery, Monroe, OK.

The family will be at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with relatives & friends.

Gordon Semore

Gordon R. Semore, 81, of Poteau, OK passed away Saturday, February 25, 2017 in Poteau.  Gordon was born November 2, 1935 in Hulbert, OK to Roland & Hurley (McFarland) Semore.  He graduated from Howe HS, obtained a B.S. at  Oklahoma State University & a M.A. from Michigan State University.  Gordon was a member of Southside Baptist Church, Poteau.  He served in the US Navy  from 1954-1958.  Gordon was a teacher for 30 years, teaching Voc. Agriculture in Oklahoma, chemistry & science in  Arizona and Alaska.  He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Janet Semore; sister, Dulsena Kreie; 5 brothers, D.B., Kenneth, Earl, Russell & James Semore.

Survivors include his wife Norma Jean (Sliger) Semore; sons, Russ Semore & wife Sheila of Poteau, OK, Bart Semore of Oklahoma City; daughter, Shelia Bailey & husband Kevin of Muldrow, OK; 5 grandsons, Chris Semore & wife Meagan of Queen Creek, AZ, Jason Semore of Missoula, MT, Dustin Smith of Muldrow, OK, Eric Smith & wife Courtney of Muldrow, OK, Brian Smith & wife Natalie of Sioux City, IA; granddaughter, Madison Bailey of Muldrow, OK; 7 great grandchildren; sister in law, Lavon Semore of Ridgecrest, CA.

Services will be 1:00 pm, Thursday, March 2, 2017   at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Reed & Sgt. Major Jim Glenn, US Marine Corp. Retired officiating.  Interment will follow in Howe Cemetery, Howe, OK.  Pallbearers will be his grandsons.  Honorary pallbearers will be Lynn Lockhart, Neal Carrick, Andy Weant, Neil Brannon and Rusty Tennison.

Mike Howard

Michael Leroy Howard, 59, of Pocola, OK, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2017 in Pocola.  Mike was born November 1, 1957 in Poteau, OK to Logan & Virginia (Bowden) Howard.  He retired from  Baldor after almost 40 years & was retired from Pocola Fire Dept.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids.  Mike was an avid Sooner fan.  He was preceded in death by his father; son in law, Stuart Jeremiah; and father in law, Edgar Woods.

Survivors include his wife, Debbie (Woods) Howard of the home; mother, Virginia Howard of Pocola; mother in law, Wanda Faye Woods of Spiro; daughters & sons in law, Amanda & Jamie Allen of Alma, AR, Tiffany & Travis Chumley of Pocola, Crystal & Stacy Richmond of Ft. Smith, AR; son, Jason Gist & Miranda Taylor of Spiro; grandchildren, Ashton & Jesse Pointer of Greenup, IL, Lane Jeremiah of Alma, AR, Logan Burg Chumley of Pocola, Alyssa Gist of Ft. Smith, AR, Hadlee Taylor of Spiro, OK, Cy Allen of Alma, AR, Bentley Bob Gist of Spiro, OK; great grandchild, Conner Pointer of Greenup, IL; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Rock Island Free Will Baptist Church, Rock Island, OK.  Interment will follow in New Hope Cemetery, Spiro, OK.  Pallbearers will be Cody Flynn, Frank Moschner, Larry Bass, Scotty Walker, Randy Riggs, Ronnie Bedwell, Mike Winters, Nick Stockton.  Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Jensen, Tommy Kemp, Billy Rowe, Ernie Beck, Marvin Inge, Joe Yates.

The family will be at the funeral home in Pocola on Monday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with  relatives & friends.

Mildred Brand

Mildred F. Dedmon Brand, 73, of Poteau, OK passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2017 in Ft. Smith, AR.  Mildred was born June 20, 1943 in Monroe, OK to Raymond & Annice (Gregory) Dedmon.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her husband, Ovil Brand; children, Kimberly & John Albert of Poteau, OK, Mark & Kally Brand of CO; 5 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren; sister, Melba Barnes of Monroe, OK; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 10 am, Monday, February 27, 2017 at Howe Missionary Baptist Church, Howe, OK with Larry Stacey officiating.  Interment will follow in Vaughn Cemetery, Monroe, OK.  Pallbearers will be John Albert, John David Albert, Mark Brand, Edward Brand, Melford Brand, Don Crandall, Justin Brand.

The family will be at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon from 2-4 pm to visit with relatives & friends.