Today’s Bible verse
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Be inspired
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."
- Steve Jobs
Blast from the past

Guess who
Here is this week’s Guess who. If you can identify this young woman, send an email identifying her to craig@heavenerledger.com and your name will be mentioned in our next guess who. Our last Guess Who was Dick Roberts. Congratulations to Kristi Branscum, Betty Ford, Sharon Hornbuckle, Margaret Scroggins, Millie Bergandohl, Bob Laval, Fran Benton, Joey Clubb and Terry Smittle for identifying Dick.
Bob Burns
Funeral service for Bobby Jerald “Bob” Burns, 82, of Wister is 10 a.m. Thursday at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Gene Heflin and Darren Burch officiating. Burial will follow in Heavener Memorial Park, with military honors provided by Poteau D.A.V. Chapter 63. Arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.
He was born Feb. 23, 1942 in Neosho, Missouri to Fred and Barbara “Burbie” (Harris) Burns and passed away Jan. 6, 2025 in Wister.
Bob was a life-long resident of the area and a veteran of the United States Navy, serving his country in the Vietnam era, earning several military awards. He married Marki, the love of his life, on May 29, 1963. Bob became a long-haul truck driver and drove about 42 years before owning his own trucking company. He received numerous driving safety awards as well as Oklahoma driver of the year. Bob was ordained to be a Deacon at Victory Baptist Church in 1983, where he served until his death. He loved spending time with his family as well as his church family. Bob always looked forward to the get-togethers he and his brother and sisters enjoyed nearly every month.
Survivors are one daughter Roberta Burch and husband Darren of Howe; one son Mark Burns and wife Dana of Wister; three sisters Barbara Thompson of Heavener, Bettye Glinski and husband John of Poteau, and Pauline Fowler and husband Wayne of Heavener; one brother, Harold Burns, of Heavener; three grandchildren Jesse Burch, Jake Burch and wife Mallary, and
Brennon Burns and wife Catelyn; one great-granddaughter, Magnolia June Burns; numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of nearly 59 years, Marki Burns; his oldest brother, L.J. Burns; two sisters-in-law, Delora Burns and Gayle Burns; and one brother-in-law, Donnie Burns.
Pallbearers are Bob Fowler, Kelly Burns, Jimmy Wells, Brennon Burns, Jesse Burch and Darrel Dodson.
To sign Bob’s online obituary, please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
Jim Thacker
Robert James “Jim” Thacker, 91, of Fort Smith, Arkansas (formerly of Howe) was born Sept. 23, 1933 in Barnsdall to Garrett and Fannie (Leffler) Thacker and passed away Jan. 3, 2025 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Funeral service was Wednesday at Springhill Baptist Church with Brother Larry Stacy and Eldon Dugan officiating. Burial followed in Lovings Cemetery, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.
Jim was a long-time resident of the area, a member of the Springhill Baptist Church, and worked for Arkansas-Oklahoma Gas for 32 years as a meter technician. He was also a two-time President of the Heavener Kiwanis Club and served on the Howe #5 Water Board, the P.V.I.A. Water Board, and the Salvation Army Board.
Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Survivors are a daughter, Alice Wyatt, of Ponca City; three grandchildren Wendy Watkins and husband Bill of Ponca City, Ashley Thacker of San Antonio, Texas, and Tim Thacker and wife Michelle of Inez, Texas; five great-grandchildren Hannah Hartness, Wyatt Watkins, Garrett Watkins, Thomas Thacker and Zoee Thacker; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Frankie; and one son, Monty Thacker.
To sign Mr. Thacker’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
Janice Falkner
Janice Sue Falkner of Panama, 67, was born Feb. 17, 1957 in Panama to Everett Edward and Inez (Waller) Gollihare and passed away Jan. 2, 2025 in Panama.
Janice’s memorial service is 2 p.m. Saturday in the Dowden-Roberts Cremation Center Chapel in Poteau, with Jay Falkner officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Cremation Center of Poteau.
Survivors are one son Jay Falkner and wife Kelly of Panama; one sister Judy Claborn and husband Morris of Panama; two brothers Donnie Gollihare and wife Kay of Panama, and Ronald Gollihare of Panama; two grandchildren Mikaila Fout and husband Daniel of Kiefer, and Aidan Falkner of Tahlequah; and one great-grandchild,
Anderson Fout; numerous other relatives and a host of friends
Janice was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Danny Falkner; and three brothers, Otto Gollihare, Jerry Gollihare and Rickey Gollihare.
She was a life-long resident of the area and a homemaker. She loved to sing and enjoyed music and arts of all kinds. Janice was a loving mother who enjoyed spending time with her family, as well as appreciated the time spent with her friends.
To view Janice’s online guestbook, visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
Winter weather warning issued
The National Weather Service has now issued a winter weather warning from 6 a.m. Thursday to noon Friday.
Heavy mixed precipitation is expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between four and six inches are expected in LeFlore County, eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
Travel could be very difficult with the hazardous conditions possibly impacting the Thursday morning and evening commute.
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