Ellen Beathard

     Ellen Moslene Sockey Beathard, 86, of Bokoshe, OK passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2015 in Ft. Smith, AR.  Ellen, known to everyone as "Granny Eeen" born November  6, 1928 in Bokoshe, OK  to Edward & Emiline Jackson Sockey.  Ellen used to sing in a gospel quartet "The Smiling Four", loved to crochet, eat chicken and dressing and chicken and dumplings.  She quilted and loved to work in the yard with her flowers.  But most of all she loved to have her family around her while watching the kids play.  She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Alma Lawanda Sutton; grandson, Gary Lynn Beathard II; sister, Marjorie Katherine "Tish" Atkinson; brothers, Wyland Dean, Eddie Joe and Charles "Tiny" Sockey;  adopted daughter/niece, Leisa Atkinson.

       Survivors include her son,  Gary Lynn Beathard and wife, Kay, of Eufaula, OK; daughter, Marilyn Lou Beathard Culwell and husband, Larry, of Bokoshe, OK; 3 grandchildren, Stacy Culwell Hall and husband, J.J., of Park Hill, OK, John Culwell and wife, Autumn, of McCurtain, OK, Keith Beathard and Sharon Kay Tackett of Bokoshe, OK; 11 great grandchildren, Landon, JoHanna and Alexa Beathard and Emma Attig all of Fletcher, OK; Jagger and Caz Hall of Park Hill, OK; Stone Beathard of Wister, OK, John Daniel Culwell of Bokoshe, OK, Alli Culwell, Trace and Makenna Murdock all of McCurtain, OK and one great granddaughter on the way ; nephews, Ty & Clint Statham; nieces, Janet Kay Sockey Taylor, Phyllis Ann Sockey Hogan; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

       Services will be 2 pm Friday, June 26, 2015 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Leroy Orr officiating.  Interment will follow in Old Bokoshe Cemetery, Bokoshe, OK.  Pallbearers will be her oldest great grandchildren, Landon Beathard, John Daniel Culwell, Stone Beathard, Jagger Hall, JoHanna and Alexa Beathard.  Honorary pallbearers will be great grandchildren, Alli Culwell, Caz Hall, Makenna and Trace Murdock, Emma Attig; and very special friends,  Gladys Doussett, Effie Minks, Elaine Reed, Angela Stewart, Linda Bowden and Sue Turner; cousin, Dr. Gene Sockey.

Austin D. Riley

Austin Dewey Riley,  81, of  Panama, OK passed away Monday, June 22, 2015 in Tulsa, OK.  Austin was born July 9, 1933 in Lone Wolf, OK to Dewey & Birdie (Wright) Riley.    Austin was an ordained minister  with  the Pentecostal Church.  He pastored churches down in southeast Oklahoma, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City.  His life was lived around his ministry.  He and his wife Wanda moved to Panama, OK for retirement.  He touched and made a difference in many people's lives.  He was loved by family and friends.  His hobby was woodworking.  He never met a stranger.  He had many, many friends.  Austin served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict.  He was a man of honor, and a man of God.  He  was preceded in death by his siblings, Lena Mae Florence McCloud, Verna Rose Dickerson, Carl Forest Riley, W.O. Riley and Molly Fay Sawyer.  

Survivors include his wife, Wanda Crutchfield Riley of the home; son, Ronnie & Carolyn Riley of Shady Point, OK; stepsons, Kenny & Elaine Cloud of Oologah, OK, Ronald Cloud of Idabel, OK, Danny & Traci Cloud of Tulsa, OK; 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren; 2 great great granddaughters; 2 sisters, Georgia & Garland Boykin, Bonnie & Rex Smith all of Oklahoma City; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 10 am, Saturday, June 27, 2015 at Solid Rock Pentecostal Church, Panama, OK with Rev. Vernon Stone officiating.  Interment will follow in Old Bokoshe Cemetery, Bokoshe, OK.  Pallbearers will be Harold and Dean Arter, Johnny Painter, Anthony Jiminez,  Leon Potts & Harlan Boykin.

Jo Ann Chinn

Jo Ann Chinn, 51, of Poteau, OK passed away Sunday, June 21, 2015 in Ft. Smith, AR.  Jo was born January 28, 1964 in Tahlequah, OK to James S. & Wanda Louise (Morris) Chinn. 

   Survivors include her sister, Jaynie Chinn of Cherokee County, OK; guardian, Mandilyn Mabala of Poteau, OK; roommate, Michele Brown of Poteau; TEAM of KiBois Employees; other loved ones and friends.

     Services will be 10 am, Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating.

Don Hutton

 Millford K. “Don” Hutton, 82, of Oklahoma City, OK (formerly of Dog Creek, OK) passed away Sunday, June 14, 2015 in Oklahoma City.  Don was born March 24, 1933 in Porum, OK to Thomas B. & Jeanne (Kennedy) Hutton.  He  retired  in 1993 as an engineer for Conoco.  He was a Warner High School graduate;  he attended Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater where he was a boxer in the ROTC and received a Bachelor degree in Engineering.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Hutton & Jeanne (Kennedy) Reed; and parents in law, Elvin & Juanita Davis.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Frieda Jo (Davis) Hutton of the home; sons & daughters in law, Mike & Mary Hutton of Oklahoma City, Pat & Waunetta Hutton of the home; daughter & son in law, Shara & Randy Sargent of Newkirk, OK; 17 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; brothers, Bob & Deanna Reed of Poteau, Tom & Karen Hutton of San Angelo, TX; sisters, Christie & Ted Reed-Williams of Hot Springs, AR, Barbara & Ron Thompson of San Angelo, TX, Patty & Lee Newton of Copperas Cove, Tx; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at the Poteau Church of Christ with Don Cherry officiating.  Interment will follow in Dog Creek Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Kurtis Cain, Michael, Zachary, Sam & Nick Hutton, Karl Finkenbinder.  Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Cain & Sean Michael Cain (Active Marines) John & Isaac Hutton.

Mary Jo Logan

Mary Jo Logan, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, passed away in Shawnee, OK on the morning of June 14, 2015 at the age of 87.  Born on December 5, 1928 in Tarby, OK, she was the daughter of Fred H. & Mary Leva (Baker) Cowan.  A lifetime member  of the First Baptist Church, Mary Jo lived most of her life in Poteau, OK, raising her children and working in the pharmacy of the Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Gene Cowan, her eldest son, Dr. Mike Logan and grandchild, Jacob Shepherd.

She is survived by her daughters & son in law, Jackie & Nick Shepherd of Shawnee, OK;  Kathy Logan of Oklahoma City, OK; her youngest son, Jon Logan of Stillwater; Daughter in lay, Celia Kay Logan of Sallisaw, OK; grandsons, Jonathan Shepherd of Shawnee, Greg Shepherd & wife Dr. Katie Shepherd of Tulsa, OK

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 19 at 2 pm, at Evans & Miller Funeral Home Chapel, Poteau, OK with burial at Oakland Cemetery.

Lenora Ellen Gibson

Lenora Ellen Gibson, 78, of Joinerville, TX (formerly of Pocola, OK)  passed away Friday, June 12, 2015 in Tyler, TX.  Lenora was born December 12, 1936 in Pocola, OK to Al & Juanita (Perkins) Johnson.  She was a homemaker.  Lenora was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carroll E. Gibson; son, Charles; daughter, Joyce; grandson Albert & great grandson, Alex.

Survivors include her daughters, Wanda & Ronnie Couch of Poteau, OK, Viola Hayse of Henderson, TX, Jodi & Rob Holladay of  Lewisville, TX; sons, Randy Brown of Henderson, TX, Ronnie Brown of Joinerville, TX, Frankie & Pam Brown of Sherman, TX, Don Brown of Joinerville, TX; 28 grandchildren; 52+ great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 10 am, Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Revs. Clyde & Shirley Hess officiating.  Interment will follow in Macedonia Cemetery, Pocola, OK. 

Norman Lee Peterman

Norman Lee Peterman, 75, of Shady Point, OK passed away Thursday, June 11, 2015 in Shady Point.  Norman was born November 8, 1939 in Kansas City, MO to Arthur and Marie (Hall) Peterman.  He was preceded in death by his parents& two brothers.

Survivors include his wife Ruby J. of the home; daughter Norma, and husband Kenneth Self of Panama, OK; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 10 am, Monday, June 15, 2015 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow in New Hope Cemetery, Spiro, OK. 

Mildred Sue Derrick

Mildred Sue Derrick of Keota, OK was called home to be with Jesus on June 12, 2015.  She was born November 11, 1936 in Summerfield, OK.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Lafe & Cleo Anderson; her sister Naun Earl ‘Naunie’ Barnes; her brother Kenneth Wayne Anderson; brothers in law. Herman D. “Hodo” Wylie & Aurmond “Butch” Watkins; nephews, Charles Martin “Dusty” Wylie & Joe Anthony “Butch” Barnes; and great nephew Jason Barnes.

She is survived by her husband, M.K. Derrick; three daughters, Debra Kaye Jennings and husband, Paul, Pamela Sue Hale & husband Lindsey of Cameron, OK, Wanda Faye Pickering & husband Chuck  of Summerfield, OK; 6 grandchildren, Robyn Gillham & husband Bruce, Lafe Hale  all of Cameron, OK, Josh Helmert of Ft. Smith, AR, Shawna Smith & husband Moody of Keota, OK, Ashley Pickering of Summerfield, OK, Crystal Jennings Schones & husband Gary of Tulsa, OK; great grandchildren, Alex, Megan & Copper Gillham of Cameron, Saylee, Chloee, Cage & Taft Smith of Keota, Bailey Helmer of Ft. Smith, AR; three sisters, Juanita Deloris Burnett & husband Jay, Nowatema Wylie all of Summerfield, Merzl Ann Watkins of Thousand Oaks, CA; brother in law Tony Barnes of Summerfield, Burell Shipman & wife Sandy of Poteau; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews, other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Monday, June 15, 2015 at Summerfield Baptist Church, Summerfield, OK with Rev. Charles Caughern, Lindsey Hale, & Paul Jennings officiating.  Interment will follow in Summerfield Cemetery, Summerfield, OK.  Pallbearers will be Ralph Gavitt, Lafe Hale, Josh Helmert, Bruce Gillham, Moody Smith, Alton Carpenter.  Honorary pallbearers will be Tony Barnes & Jay Burnett.

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

Wayne E. Lewallen

Wayne Elbert Lewallen, 77, of Poteau, OK passed away  Wednesday June 10, 2015 in Ft. Smith, AR.  Wayne was born September 27. 1937 in Pine Valley, OK to Marion “Jerde” & Lucinda Jane (Dunn).  He was a farmer.  Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; grandson, Tyler Lee Phillips; daughter, Linda Osteen; 2 sisters & 5 brothers.

Survivors include his wife, Sue of the home; 3 daughters, Penny Sue & Adrian Wheeler of Waxahachie, TX, Zoe Ann Mills of Muskogee, OK, Virginia Kay Lewallen of California; 4 sons, Faron Wayne & Jennifer Lewallen of TX, Jess Dee Lewallen, “Bill” William Ray Lewallen, Kenneth Cremeans all of Poteau, OK; 20 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; sister, Nora Steelman of Poteau, OK; numerous nieces, nephews; other loved ones and friends.

Services will be 10 am, Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Victor Sweet officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau.  Pallbearers will be Trey Willett, Ronnie Mills, Kenneth, Kenny, Jeremy & Chris Cremeans. 

Butch Beitzell

Harold Ray “Butch” Beitzell  passed away June 7, 2015.  He was a retired carpenter, with a sense of humor that only his family could understand.  He is preceded in death by his mother,  Orpha Morford, and father Nicholas Beitzell and an older brother Gerald Beitzell.

He is survived by a sister, Shirley Harrison & brother in law Pat of Riverside, CA; brother Dennis Beitzell and sister in law Karen of Redding, CA; daughter, Kimberly Kennison and husband James; son, micheal Beitzell and wife Kathy all of Poteau, OK; 6 grandchildren, Kathleen Kennison of Heavener, OK, Jamie Kennison-Buck, Christina Kennison all of Poteau; Mykee Beitzell of Perris, CA, Jason McFarland,  Makayla McFarland of  Poteau;  4 great grandchildren, Austin, Emilee, Aydinn and Jordyn; many nieces and nephews.

Private services.

Rev. Eugene Benson

Rev. Eugene  Benson, 71, of  Heavener, OK passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at Poteau, OK.  Eugene was born April 9, 1944 in Hontubby, OK to Delmer Lee & Altie Mae Woodral.  He was pastor of the Royal Oak Free Will Baptist Church.  Eugene was preceded in death by his mother; wife, Wanda; brother, Jesse Benson; 1 granddaughter and 1 great grandson.

Survivors include his daughter, Gina McKinney of North Little Rock, AR; sons, Steve & Marie Benson of Heavener, OK, Joe & Joanna Benson of Okema, OK; 7 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; 5 sisters, Virginia Hickman of Reserve, NM, Peggy & Billy Terry of Poteau, OK. Carolyn & John Evans of Heavener, OK, Janis & Dewayne Tucker of Hackett, AR, Patricia Benson of Heavener, OK;  2 brothers, Bobby Benson of Heavener, OK, Kenneth & Virginia Benson of Pryor, OK; honorary daughter, Kari Olar; honorary son, Doug Cranfield; other special family members, Charles R. Lusk, Michael Lusk, Jody Carr, and Steven Lusk;  other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services  - 2 pm, Wednesday, June 17, 2015 graveside at Royal Oak Cemetery, Panama, OK with Rev. Jimmy Waldrop officiating.  Interment will follow.  Pallbearers will be Steve Benson, Doug Cranfield.

More Information later. 

Troy Edward Francis

Troy Edward Francis Sr., 88, of Panama, OK passed away Monday, June 8, 2015 in Ft. Smith, AR.  Troy was born February 13, 1927 to Reese & Ozie (Gibson) Francis in Barber, AR.    Troy was a veteran of the US Army.  Troy worked for Pontiac Motors for 23 years.  He was a carpenter, roofer, plumber and contractor.  He was preceded in death by his parents; great grandson, Christian Harper; 5 brothers & 2 sisters.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Sarah “Kitty”; daughters,  Royce Ann & husband Les Watson of Paris, AR, Kathy & husband Larry Milligan of Panama, OK; son, Troy (Eddy)  Francis Jr. & wife Barbara of Sallisaw, OK;  6 grandchildren, Michelle, Jennifer, Jason, Larry Bill, Kristy & Shawn; 18 great grandchildren,  Destiny (Troy & Kitty helped raise her), Anthony, Kendall, Katie, Bryson, Mallory, Ethan, Abby, Xander, Candace, Caleb, Tori, Tyler, Paige, Karen, Tanea, Shade & Jordan;    5 great great grandchildren, Jax, Walker, Scotty, Takoda, Adaleigh, other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Thursday, June 11, 2015 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau with Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow in Greenhill Cemetery, Cameron, OK.  Pallbearers will be Jason Townley, Larry Bill Milligan, Shawn Francis, Johnny Bruce, Scott Elbon, Billy Ray Cook.  Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Harper, Caleb Harper & Gary Wayne Francis. 

The family will be at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5-7 pm to visit with relatives & friends.