Wanda Dean Brown Benson

Wanda Dean Brown Benson, 63, of Heavener, OK passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2008 in Poteau, OK. She was born February 15, 1945 in Hontubby, OK to Walter Owen & Maggie Delena (Watson) Brown. Wanda was a homemaker. She was a member of Royal Oak Free Will Baptist Church; church pianist for the majority of her adult life and a former member of the Heavener Round Up Club. She was the owner of Sugar Creek Arena where she provided youth equestrian events and a proud member of the Choctaw Nation. She was preceded in death by her parents; 5 sisters, Sarah Morton, Louise Sanders, Alma Brown, Velma Brown & Helen Lovell; 4 brothers, Earl, Floyd, J.D., & William Brown. She is survived by her husband, Eugene Benson of the home; 2 sons & daughters in law, Steven & Marie (Davis) Benson of Heavener, OK, Joe & Joanna Benson of Okemah, OK; daughter, Gina McKinney of Sheridan, AR; grandchildren, Marrissa McKinney of Magnolia, AR, Tiffani McKinney of Sheridan, AR, Andrea Benson, Christy Woodral & Laurie Ray of Heavener, OK, Brian Davis of Moore, OK, Bradly Borges & Laura Borges of Norman, OK; great grandchildren, Tiffany , Krista, Martin & Sammie Taylor Heavener, OK, Kyle Davis of Moore, OK, Tyler Ray of Heavener, OK; brothers & sisters, Jewell Holmes of Sallisaw, OK, Laverne Maxwell of Pocola, OK, Delbert Brown of Pocola, OK, Otis Brown of Heavener, OK, Mildred Carl of Dustin, OK, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services: 2 pm, Saturday, November 1, 2008 at Royal Oak Free Will Baptist Church - Poker Bend, OK with Rev. Jimmy Waldrop officiating. Interment in Royal Oak {Poker Bend} Cemetery - Poker Bend, OK. Pallbearers: Jim Jones, Dan Taylor, Jimmy Dean Jones, James Barnett, Wayne Armstrong, Curtis Nixon, Junior Ray & Rocky Shupert.

Howard Lee Raines

Howard Lee Raines Howard Lee Raines, 72, of Fanshawe, OK passed away Thursday, October 30, 2008 in Poteau, OK. Howard was born on December 19, 1935 in Wagoner, OK to Herbert Leland & Suvella Pearl (Jackson) Raines, who preceded him in death. Mr. Raines was a member and evangelist of the Community of Christ Church. He was a veteran of the US Army serving during the Korean Conflict. He retired from DHS after 30 years of service. He is survived by his wife of 49 ½ years, Janet Raines of the home; 2 sons & daughters in law, Russell & Danette Raines, Brett & Stefanie Raines of Fanshawe, OK; 9 grandchildren, Brandon & wife Shawna Raines of Panama, OK, Dustin & wife Heather Raines, Dennis & wife Shanna Raines of Poteau, OK; Krystal Raines of Norman, OK, Brittan Raines, Hailey Raines, Kacie Raines & Jordan Barton of Fanshawe, OK; Christopher Barton of Stigler, OK; 5 great grandchildren, Scimber Raines, Kennedee Raines, Preston Raines, Cayton Raines, Gunner Raines; sister & brother in law, Norma & Ed Woods of Tyler, TX; numerous nieces & nephews, cousins, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services were held 10 am Saturday, November 1, 2008 at Fanshawe School Auditorium, Fanshawe, OK with Greg & Sally McGowen officiating. Burial followed in Fanshawe Cemetery with pallbearers being Brandon Raines, Dustin Raines, Dennis Raines, Wes McGowen, Christopher Barton, Bob Graham, & Jordan Barton. Flower girls were Krystal, Kacie, Brittan & Hailey Raines.

James Kenneth "Kenny" WIlliams

James Kenneth “Kenny” Williams, 78, of Grand Prairie, TX passed away Friday, October 24, 2008 in Ft. Smith, AR. Kenny was born in March 2, 1930 in Poteau (Tarby), OK to Reginald Bell & Nancy Ann (Willis) Williams. Kenny graduated from Goodland Indian School (HS) in Hugo, OK, Eastern State College in Wilburton & Central State College in Ada. He spent many years as a welder & retied after 25 years with the US Postal Service. Kenny was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian; a daughter, Kennetha; brother, Harrell Williams, & his parents. He was a veteran of the Korean War; proud to have served his country in the US Air Force from which he retired. He enjoyed participating in the Tushka Homma (Red Warrior) Choctaw Nation Veteran’s Day Ceremonies. Survivors include his daughter, Regina Georgette & husband, Dr. Tony Black of Tecumseh, OK; 2 granddaughters, Shelley & Whitney; 1 great granddaughter, 2 sisters, Virginia Johnson of Poteau, OK, Ramona & husband, Dr. Bill McCready of Joplin, MO; 4 brothers, Robert F. Williams of Hugo, OK, David B. Williams & wife Sue of Pocola, OK, Neal Williams & wife, Joan of Gilmer, TX, Reggie Williams & wife, Barbara of Idabel, OK; special friend, Billie Klug of Grand Prairie, TX; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services were held at 11 am, Tuesday, October 28, 2008 in the First Presbyterian Church, Poteau OK with Jan Christiansen Dittmar officiating. Burial followed in the Willis Cemetery, Poteau, OK. Pallbearers were Robert Williams, Neal Williams, Reggie Williams, Rich McCready, Ken Braden & Jacky Connelly. Honorary pallbearers were David Williams & Dr. Bill McCready. Arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home, Poteau, OK.

Bertha Mae Boitel

Bertha Mae Boitel, 91, passed away Friday, October 24, 2008 in Ft. Smith, AR. She was born in June 25, 1917 in Panama, OK to William “Billy” C. & Laura (Wiles) Thomas. Bertha was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Voyd “V.T.” Boitel; 1 son, Billy W. Boitel; 1 grandchild, Anna Jean Shepard, 1 sister, Pauline Tackett & 1 brother, Gerald Thomas. Survivors include 2 daughters, Norma Hanna & Kathy Shepard both of Panama, OK; 4 sons, Charles Boitel of Cameron, OK, Larry Boitel of Keota, OK, Gary Boitel of Osceola, MO, Mickey Boitel of Panama, OK; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 4 sisters, Ocie Brown of McCune, KS, Mary Stubblefield of Lindsay, OK, Barbara Dolph of Tulsa, OK, & Eva Sue Morgan of Poteau, OK; 1 brother, Calvin Thomas of Upland, CA; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services were held at 2 pm, Monday, October 27 2008 in Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating. Burial followed in New Hope Cemetery, Spiro, OK. Pallbearers were Terry Boitel, Randy Boitel, George Vincent, J.T. Boitel, Joe Hanna, Jim Hanna; honorary pallbearers were Darryl Vincent, Jeff Hanna & Harold Morgan.

ERNIE GENE WOOTEN

Ernie Gene Wooten, 74, of Shady Point, OK passed away Friday, October 17, 2008 in Fort Smith, AR. He was born November 11, 1933 in Murry Spur, OK to Ernie L. & Lela (Clark) Wooten. Ernie was a veteran of the US Navy. He retired from the US Postal Service and attended the Pentecostal Church. Ernie is survived by his father, Ernie Wooten of Spiro, OK; 4 brothers, Jim of Spiro, Roy of Spiro, Billy Joe of Roanoke, VA, & Carl of Spiro; a host of nieces & nephews; other relatives & loved ones; and many beloved friends.

Hunter Garrett Jacobson

Hunter Garrett Jacobson, 4 days old, passed away Friday, October 17, 2008 in Tulsa, OK. He was born in Poteau, OK on Monday, October 13, 2008 to Randi Mead and Michael Jacobson. Though his life was short he touched many hearts. Survivors include his mother and father, Randi Mead of the home and Michael Jacobson of Broken Arrow, OK; one sister, Hailey Nichole Mead of the home; maternal grandparents, Glen & Diane Christenberry of Bokoshe, OK; paternal grandparents, Steve & Cindy Jacobson of Broken Arrow, OK; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services were held 10 am, Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at the Assembly of God Church in Shady Point, OK. Rev. Chuck Engles officiated. Burial followed in Old Panther Cemetery, McCurtain, OK under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home in Poteau, OK.

Michael Duane Anderson

Michael Duane Anderson was born on June 30, 1948 in Fort Smith, AR to the late W.C. (Bill Anderson and the late Dorothy Williams Anderson. He passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Mike was always a hard worker, having learned good work ethics on numerous jobs while in high school and after graduating when working for Duel Drilling Company on gas rigs around Oklahoma & Arkansas while attending Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. He married Darla Tobey in 1971 and worked several years as a maintenance supervisor at Modern Carpets in Poteau before he and Jim Nobles started J & M Carpets at 604 Dewey in Poteau. In 1979, across the street from J & M he and his brother in law, Larry Hamilton, began what was to be a long partnership in a new business called Quality Electric Supply. With their hard work the business grew and they moved in their new building at the present location at 5017 N Broadway in 1982 and are now Rexall Quality Supply. When not working Mike loved being outdoors, riding four-wheelers in the mountains, working in his tomato garden, driving his backhoe, and jet skiing or fishing at the lake were some of the things he liked to do. But; being at the softball fields with his pride and joy, daughter Casey, born in 1981 was probably his greatest enjoyment. Coaching many years of summer league softball with Doug Lockaby, he spent many more hours teaching and helping Casey become a college fast pitch softball player. Mike is survived by his wife of 37 years, Darla Tobey Anderson; a daughter & son in law, Casey & Billy Leaptrot, a brother & sister in law, Rick & Becky Anderson; 3 sisters in law & their husbands, Dana & Larry Hamilton, Debra & David Bradberry, Denise & Steve Wagner; brother in law & sister in law Dearl & Cindy Tobey; mother in law Delores Tobey, nephews, Chris Anderson & family, Terrick Ragan & family, & Trey Tobey; nieces Laney Anderson, Taira Wilson & family, & Kalee Tobey; numerous other relatives & loved ones and many beloved friends. Funeral services were held at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 18, 2008 at First Assembly of God Church in Panama, OK with the Reverend Brian Smith & the Reverend Jimmy D. Cook officiating. Interment followed at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, OK with arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK. Pallbearers will be members of the Panama Fire Department. For 43 years Mike was a fireman with the department and he still wanted to put his name on the book every time he heard the pager go off. Honorary pallbearers will be Donny Gollihare, Bug Williamson, Coy Simpson, Dick Klahn, Hazel Mabry, & Mark Cox.

Gerald Herman Sitton

Gerald Herman Sitton, 60, of Cameron, OK passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Gerald was born on December 1, 1947 in Ada, Oklahoma to Oscar Herman & Sylvia M (Smith) Sitton. Gerald was a school teacher and a lawn care specialist. He taught at Cameron Public Schools for 19 years and loved to mow grass and do lawn work. His father precedes him in death. Gerald is survived by his wife of 39 years, Doris Ann Sitton of the home; 2 sons & daughter in law, Gerald Herman (Jerry) Sitton II of Winslow, AR & Barry Lee & Crystal Sitton of Poteau, OK; 7 grandchildren, Shyla Gullick, Kaylee Sitton, Araisha Sitton, Tyler Sitton, Alissa Sitton, Marisol Sitton, & Andrah Sitton; his mother, Sylvia M. Sitton of Kansas City, MO; 3 sisters, Maxine Richards, Margaret Nobles, & Charlene Vogel all of Kansas City, MO; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives & loved ones; and many beloved friends & church family. Funeral services for Gerald will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at First Church of the Nazarene in Poteau, Oklahoma with the Reverend David L. Gordon II officiating. Interment will be at Fanshawe Cemetery, Fanshawe, Oklahoma. Pallbearers will be Lawrence Erguson, Ellis Sumpter, Steven Fischer, Bruce Fields, Dewayne Clinton, Raymond Brasher, & Brian Nobles. The family will be at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with relatives & friends. Arrangements are under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK.

Thomas Harrington Taylor

Thomas Harrington Taylor, 73, of Poteau, OK passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 in Poteau. He was born on January 8, 1935 in Waco, Texas to James & Nannie Velma (Holt) Taylor. He was retired from the US Army. His wife Cindy Taylor preceded him in death in 2005. His parents; a brother; and a sister also precede him in death. Thomas is survived by 4 daughters & a son in law, Tammy & Bob Yeargan of Benton, AR; Regina Taylor of Fort Smith, AR; Lisa Taylor & Melanie Potter, both of Poteau, OK; a son & daughter in law, Thomas H. Jr. & Kathy Taylor of Buford, GA; 4 grandchildren Ashlea Crane, Matthew Corley, Jennifer Vogel, & Nathan Taylor; 3 great grandchildren, Jayden Thomas Taylor, Claire Taylor, & Nyklos Vogel; 2 brothers, William Taylor & Donnie Taylor both of Waco, Texas; numerous other relatives & loved ones; and many beloved friends. Funeral services for Thomas were held at 11:00 am Friday, October 10, 2008 at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas with the Reverend Jimmy D. Cook officiating. Interment followed the services with arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK. Pallbearers were Kendall Ballew, Bob Yeargan, Jimmy Garcia, & Matthew Corley. Honorary pallbearer was Jayden Thomas Taylor.

Grady C. Ollie Sr.

Grady C. Ollie Sr, 91, of Poteau, Oklahoma passed away on Monday, October 6, 2008 in Poteau, OK. Grady was born on April 9, 1947 in Calhoun, Oklahoma to George & Jesse Lee (Monks) Ollie. Grady was a member of First Baptist Church of Poteau, OK. He had also served as a deacon Panama First Baptist Church. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the US Army, a Mason, past president of the Mid America Lumber Association; and a partner in Ollie Lumber Company. His beloved wife Doris preceded him in death in 2001. Grady is survived by a daughter & a son in law, Dolores & Larry Brown of Poteau, OK; a son & daughter in law, Grady (Sub) & Judy Ollie of Fort Smith, AR; grandchildren, David F. Ollie of Hot Springs, AR, Brenda Ollie of Fort Smith, AR, Brent Brown Sr. of Cameron, OK & Kendra Haggard of Tahlequah, OK; his great grandchildren, Brent Brown Jr., Zane Chunn, Olivia Ollie, & Elisabeth Haggard. A sister & brother in law, Bernice & Jack Johnson of Stigler, OK; numerous other relatives & loved ones; and many beloved friends. Funeral services for Grady were held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at First Baptist Church of Poteau, OK with the Reverend Phil McGehee officiating. Interment followed the services at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, OK with arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK. Pallbearers were RL Sockey, Mike Pritchett, Bert Corr, Bob Dorey, John Williamson, Bob Lindstrom & Ovil Brand. Honorary pallbearers were First Baptist Church Deacons.

JIMMIE J JONES

Jimmie J. Jones, 77, of Rock Island, OK passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at his home. He was born in Rock Island on January 22, 1931 to Jimmie Sr. & Minnie (Drury) Jones. Jimmie swerved in the Korean War in the US Army. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Susan J. Jones of the home; 7 children,, Loyd Tatum of Ringold, OK; Jimmy & Donna Jones of Rock Island, OK, Christopher Jones of Uba City, CA, Anthony & Kim Jones of Hackett, AR, Carol & George Yandell of Rock Island, OK. June Jones of Rock Island, OK, Susan & Ryan Steele of Pocola, OK; 1 brother, Lenard Jones of Rock Island, OK; 29 special grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Graveside services were held 10 am, Monday, October 6, 2008 at Royal Oak/Poker Bend Cemetery, Poker Bend, OK with Rev. Gene Benson officiating. Pallbearers were Jimmy L. Jones, Anthony Jones, Jimmy D. Jones, Ryan Steele, Ivan Turcios, Arlie Jones, & George Yandell.

CHRISTYN RAELENE MUNOZ NELSON

Christyn Raelene Munoz Nelson, 26, of Poteau, OK passed away Tuesday, Sepember 30, 2008 in Poteau. She was born in Stockton, CA on December 20, 1981 to Norman William & Dalisa Darlene (Norman) Munoz. Christyn was a homemaker. Survivors include her fiance’, Jesse Green of Poteau, OK; 3 children, Tylor Allen Nelson of Murfreesboro, TN, Jacob Ashtyn Green of Poteau, OK, Caleb William Lee Green of Poteau, OK; parents, Norman Munoz of California; Dalisa Munoz of Hodgen, OK; grandparents, Tony & Bell LaFrenier of Murfreesboro, TN, John & Sharon Munoz of Lodi, CA; brother, Darren Munoz of Wister, OK; sisters, Destiny Munoz & Checotah Tomblinson of Hodgen, OK; nephew, Bryce Munoz of Heavener, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services were held 10 am, Saturday, October 4, 2008, graveside at Ellis Chapel Cemetery , Wister, OK with the Rev. Jack Covey officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home, Poteau, OK.

SYBIL MAE WAGNER

Sybil Mae Wagner, 66, of Poteau, OK passed away Thursday, October 2, 2008 in Katy, TX. Sybil was born September 22, 1942, to Boss T. & Vada (Wise) Sullivan in Poteau. She was a retired insurance agent. Sybil loved spending time with her family and friends. Her parents preceded her in death. Survivors include her beloved husband, William Wagner of the home; 2 sons, Billy Michael Wagner of Salt Lake City, UT & John Aaron Wagner of Katy, TX; daughter, Teresa Wagner of Katy, TX; 4 Grandchildren, Chase Edward Wagner, Aaron Wagner, Brittney Wagner, Courtney Wagner; sister & brother in law, Joan & Bill Thompson of Poteau, OK; brothers & sisters in law, Mike & Kay Sullivan, Jerry Sullivan Donald & Carolyn Sullivan, all of Poteau, OK; a very special aunt, Grace Wise Turner of Marshfield, MO; other relatives & loved ones; a host of beloved friends. Services were held at 2 pm, Sunday, October 5, 2008 in Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with the Rev. Jim Cook officiating. Interment was in Monroe Cemetery, Monroe, OK under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home, Poteau, OK.