Janice Marie (Collins) Shafer

Janice Marie (Collins) Shafer, 69, of Norman, OK passed away Monday, July 5, 2021 at OU Medical in Oklahoma City.  Janice was born October 9, 1951 in Poteau, OK to Henry & Velma Mae (Irvin) Collins.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents; and brother in law, George Johnson.

 Survivors include her husband, Ron; daughter, Alisha Shafer & her son, TJ “Bubby” of Norman, OK; son, Justin Shafer & wife Yasmin from Alta, IA & their sons, Drake “Buddy” & Finn “Bubba”; and a little pea in the shell due January 2022; sisters & brothers in law, Anna Johnson of Howe, OK, Pat & Herman Wright of Broken Arrow, OK, Ella & Paul Williams of Little Rock, AR, sisters in law & husbands, Mattie &  Larry Adams of Poteau, OK, Pat & Kevin Singleterry of Harrison, AR; numerous nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews; cousins, other relatives, loved ones and friends.

 Viewing and visitation will be Monday, July 12, 2021 from 8 am until noon followed by services at 2 pm at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau with Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow at Oakland Cemetery, Poteau.  Pallbearers will be Rodney Johnson, Joe Donathan, Michael Wright, Darin Sides, George Johnson & Hunter Johnson. 

 In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to your favorite charities.

 

Jeromy Don Akers

 “They say the best things take time. That’s why I’m always late.”

 Jeromy Don Akers, 43, of Wister, OK passed away Thursday, July 1, 2021 in Panama, OK.  Jeromy was born July 4, 1977 in Poteau, OK to Jerri & Donald Akers.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ruth & Hilard Akers, Margaret & J.C. Donaho; aunts/uncles, Nita Vaughn, Dennis Donaho & Ronald Akers.

 Survivors include his children, Kinsey & Kempton Reynolds, Alex, Javin & Zeke Akers; siblings, Ragan & Rip Robbins, Zach & Angela Akers, Mahalee  & Colton Newton, Treaver Pennington, Chad & Sancee Akers, Charissia Akers, Teresa & Tony Foster, Patrick & Tamara Goggin, Claircy Pennington; parents, Jerri & Mark Pennington, Donald & Roxane Akers; aunts/uncles, Denise Donaho, Don & Duane Donaho; grandchildren, Laila Linn, Constance Hope and KJ Reynolds; numerous cousins, other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Memorial services will be 2 pm, Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Church of God 7^th Day in Wister, OK

Linda Carol Grissell

Linda Carol Grissell, 79, of Wister, OK passed away Sunday, July 4, 2021 in Poteau, OK.  Linda was born May 16, 1942 to Theodore and Maurine (Claiborn) Keys in Wister, OK.  Linda & her husband Mel ran the Office Cafe in Wister and the Bunkhouse Restaurant in Heavener for several years.  She loved gardening, her rose bushes, but most of all Linda loved spending time with her son, Dan.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Mel; son, Mike Cook; brother, Jimmy Keys and sister, Donna Jackson.

Linda is survived by her son, Dan Cook of Wister, OK; special niece & nephew, Denisa & Larry Kimble of Amarillo, TX; other relatives from Amarillo as well as Wister and many loved ones.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Oaks Nursing home for the love and care they gave during her time there.

Graveside services will be 2 pm, Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at Ellis Chapel Cemetery, Wister, OK.

David Spiller Sr.

David Allen Spiller Sr, 81, of Poteau, OK passed away Friday, July 2, 2021 at his home.  David was born November 10, 1939 in Portland, Maine to Walter Frank Ernest Sr. & Margaret Ann (Turner) Spiller.  David proudly served in the US Army from 1959-1963. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion & served on the LeFlore County Veterans Assoc. Parade Committee.  He was a dedicated and active member of the First Free Will Baptist Church; always ready with a pocketful of candy and a friendly handshake.           David was a bus driver for Poteau Schools & church.  Often previous students (now adults) would come up to him and say do you remember me?  He would chuckle and say, “I don’t remember having anything that big on my bus.” 

          David loved his family unconditionally and took pride in working hard to provide for them even at 81 years old.  His grandchildren & great grandchildren loved referring to him as Opa, reflecting his German heritage.  David was saved at the age of 26 and made sure his children had a firm foundation in faith and the church.

          Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; daughter, Marie Spiller-Cravens; sons & daughters in law, David Jr. & Jamie Spiller, James & Shellie Spiller; brother, Gary Stokes; grandchildren, Elizabeth Chadrick, Jennifer England, Robert England, Kendra Merrick, Spencer Sinclair, Charlie Sinclair, Shiloh Spiller, Liz Pippenger, Megan Chancellor, Coleman Chancellor, Brandon Fortune and Kalin Cravens; great grandchildren, Stormi Chadrick, Zaylee Chadrick, Sylas Gibbins, Quinlan Smith, Maddox England, Azelya England, Jaymion England, Jax Pippenger, Athena Pippenger, Hazel Forehand, Melony Chancellor and Brinleigh Cravens.

          Memorial services will be 10 am, Friday, July 9, 2021 at the First Free Will Baptist Church, Poteau.

Wanda Fore

Wanda Lee Fore, 84, of Mansfield, AR passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2021 in Poteau, OK. Wanda was born May 3, 1937 in Vida, MO to Clyde & Octavia (Hayes) Overlease.  Wanda loved to cook, sew and quilt.  She was a great mother and grandmother.  We want to thank the Oaks Nursing Home and Heart of Hospice for taking care of our mother. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Fore; sons, Rocky & Ricky; her parents; and grandson, Earon Moody.

Survivors include her daughters, Tammy Fore & Kathy; Terri Richmond & husband, James; daughter in law, Sandy Hubbard ; grandchildren, Missy Carmack & Dusty White; great grandchildren, Garrett, Maddie & Malayna Carmack, Leo & Kayzer Richmond, and Jaycee White; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

 Private graveside services will be held at Pilot Knob Cemetery in Vida, MO.  Our mother is now at home with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We will miss you Mom.

 

Jimmie Lee Walker Jr.

Jimmie Lee Walker Jr., 88, of Pocola, OK passed away June 13, 2021 in Pocola.  Jimmie was born January 28, 1933 in Rochelle, GA to Jimmie Lee Sr. & Mary (Price) Walker.  He was retired from the US Army. 

 Services will be 10:30  am, Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at Evans Memorial Chapel, Pocola, Ok.  Burial will be at Noon at Fort Smith National Cemetery, Ft. Smith, AR.  The family will be at the funeral home in Pocola from 6-8 pm  visit with relatives & friends.