LCJ newsletter 3-20-2025

Wednesday's newsletter

Daily Bible verse

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

Judy Hall funeral service planned

Judy Hall funeral graveside service is 11 a.m. Friday at Heavener Memorial Park with Reverend Shana Dry officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home in Heavener.

Judith “Judy” Lynn (Bain) Hall, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully with family at her side on March 18, 2025 at the age of 78. Judy was born in Heavener to Maurine June and Charles Elmo Bain.

She got her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and completed her Master’s as a Reading Specialist at NSU. She later got a Master’s in Counseling at SEOSU at Durant. She taught 10 years in Tulsa Public Schools. Then she and Jim returned to LeFlore County and made their home in Poteau. Judy was a first grade teacher and school counselor at Poteau Schools for 37 years, a total of 47 years of excellent service to school children. She was nine9 years old when she asked Jesus into her heart, and her love and trust in our Lord has sustained her throughout her life.

Judy especially will be remembered for her beautiful smile, giving heart and her fiery spirit that served to strengthen everyone she met.

Survivors are her children Joshua James Hall and wife Stacy, and Joey Maurine Hall and husband Matt Muechel; four grandsons, who were the highlight of her life:

Jagger Hall, Hudson Muechel, Caz Hall and Charlie Muechel; her special sister Kathy Bain Dunn and husband Harry; numerous other loved ones and friends.

She is preceded in death by James “Jim” Hall, husband of 38 years.

Viewing is from noon until 7:30 p.m. Thursday with family visiting with friends from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

To sign Judy’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

Loren Ray Barker

Loren Ray Barker, 94, of Heavener was born Jan. 15, 1931 to Herbert, Sr. and Lucy Marie (Goley) Barker and went home to be with the Lord on March 17, 2025 in Heavener.

Funeral service is 2 p.m., Thursday at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener, with Brother Sam Dyer officiating. Burial will follow in Heavener Memorial Park under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

After one year of high school, Dad joined the Navy when the Korean War broke out in July, 1950. He was discharged in May 1954. Ray went through boot camp in San Diego. After boot camp, he married his high school sweetheart, Marlene Gribling.

Dad spent nine months at the Naval School of Music Anacosta, Washington D.C. He spent two years aboard the air craft carrier U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard C.V.A. 31, which was doing duty with Task Force 77 in the Sea of Japan. His last tour of duty was at the Naval Base in San Diego, California. While in the Navy, Marlene gave birth to a daughter, Rayna. Dad and family returned to Los Angeles, California nd he went to work for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in the water division. She gave birth to a son in 1956. Marlene divorced dad in 1958 where she gained custody of the children, but she let Dad have his son in 1960. Marlene passed away in 1986 of heart failure.

In 1965, Dad and his son, Joe along with his parents packed up everything they owned and moved to Poteau. Dad had bought a small grocery store. He helped them get set up with a lot of repairs and restocking. Folks named the store “Cottage Grocery”. Dad moved to Heavener where he went to work at a coal mine. He worked in the shop as a repairman and welder. When the mine closed down seven years later, he went to work for the Department of Public Safety as a patrolman in the lake division. Dad married Sue Cron Meeh on Nov. 23, 1975.

While working at the mine, Dad had bought a small ranch just outside of Heavener. He raised, broke and trained horses and had a herd of cattle. Dad was a patrolman at Lake Wister until the Department wanted to move him to a larger lake in Tulsa because they were short a patrolman there. With the cattle and horses, his folks living now on the ranch and his wife’s business in Heavener, he had to say no and he quit the Department.

In speaking of Sue’s family business, it was the T&M Pharmacy and Gift Shop. If you needed to see an official in Heavener in the morning during the work week, you’d find them at the T&M having a cup of coffee. There would be the mortician, the county commissioner, the newspaper editor, the police chief and the bank president. They started their day with a good cup of coffee and good fellowship at the T&M Pharmacy and Gift Shop.

After quitting the Department of Public Safety, Dad went to work at Heavener High School as a janitor and bus driver for a year. He bought an 18 wheeler and started driving everywhere. During the 11 years, he drove and owned three trucks. Because of health reasons of both him and his family, he had to quit trucking and help out at home. Sue’s brother Harry, the pharmacist, was diagnosed with colon cancer and had to quit working. They sold the store in 1998 and Harry passed away in May of 2000. In 2005, Sue was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Dad went to work at a grocery store in Poteau and worked there for almost 11 years. He had to quit to take care of his wife. In 2013, while recovering from a stroke, Sue was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. They had to sell their ranch and move into Heavener in 2015. Sue passed away in October of 2017. Dad and Sue were married for 42 years. They never had a lot of money, but they had a lot of love for each other and their Lord.

Dad was very proud of his Indian heritage. His grandma Barker was a full blood Delaware Indian and his granddad Barker was Cherokee and English. Granddad Barker was a deputy Sheriff and great-granddad Barker was a U.S. Marshall. Dad loved to tell about their lives as lawmen. Now that Ray is gone, the stories are gone with him.

Dad survived two bouts with bladder cancer. He had PTSD from his time in the service and he suffered from COPD.

He was a member of Heavener First Baptist Church and the American Legion Post 188 for over 30 years. Dad worked hard all of his life. He gave his life to the Lord at the age of 14. He loved music and began playing the trombone at the age of 13 and played it for over 70 years. While in high school, he played first chair in the orchestra, swing band, ROTC, and first chair in the Los Angeles City Orchestra. Dad plated first chair in the ships band aboard the carrier. After he joined the First Baptist Church of Heavener, he played solos for many years.

Survivors are one daughter, Rayna Gayle, of Los Angeles, California; one son Joseph Leroy Tyler, Texas; two great-grandchildren Victoria and William Wilson; five nieces and five nephews; numerous cousins and a host of friends whom loved him very much.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marlene; his second wife, Sue Barker; three brothers Herbert, Jr., Norman and Keith Barker; and one nephew, Bruce.

Pallbearers are Hank Stripling, Donnie Killion, Pat Cogburn, Harold Sanders, Robert Swinford and Bill Pitchford. Honorary pallbearers are John Glinski, Joey Clubb, Gary Bunney, Jim Presley and Stephen Goodyear.

Viewing is from noon until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. until service time, Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease Foundations in memory of his wife, Sue Barker.

To sign Ray’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

Ronnie Fifer

Private services for Ronnie Fifer, 61, of Spiro will be held at a later date with cremation under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in Spiro.

Ronnie was born Nov. 1, 1963, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Georgia (Cahill) Milsap and Larry Fifer and passed away March 14, 2025, in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Ronnie had a love for the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was known for being a hard worker, along with his generous spirit, and willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

He is survived by his spouse of 28 years, Debbie Davis; brothers Edward Fifer and wife Nancy of Spiro, Larry Fifer and wife Tammy of Spiro, John Fifer of Sun City, Arizona, Tommy Coker and "sister in love" Melinda "Pumpkin" Coker of Spiro, Deon Coker of Antlers; his sister, Karen Fifer; "sister in love", Shelia Coker; "second mother", Annette Coker; his aunts Erma Cahill, and Wendy Debill; special niece Misty Coker; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, loved ones, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Messages of condolence may be left at www.MalloryMartinFuneralHomeSpiro.com.

Norma Jean Fox

Norma Jean Fox of Heavener, 69, was born March 7, 1956 in Heavener to Stanley and Loretha (Staley) Oglesby and passed away March 14, 2025 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Graveside service was Tuesday at the Hontubby Cemetery with Brother Brian Harris officiating. Interment followed in the Hontubby Cemetery, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

Norma was a long-time resident of the area and a homemaker. She loved her friends and family and was greatly loved by them. Norma was of the Pentecostal faith. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Survivors are her husband, Dwayne Hudlow, of the home; four sisters DeLoyce Thurman and late husband Joe of Heavener, Marilyn Grantham of Poteau, Dena McGee and husband Mike of Heavener, and Rebecca Simpson and late husband Sam of Heavener; two brothers Stanley Oglesby, Jr. and wife Glenda of Ada, and Steven Oglesby of Poteau; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Stanley and Loretha Oglesby; one infant son, Donnie Gene; and two brothers Ronald and Mark Oglesby.

Pallbearers were her family

To sign Norma’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

Jackie Washington

Jackie Washington of Heavener was born Aug. 17, 1927 in Grandview, Texas to James Marvin and Eva (Morris) Lee and passed away March 14, 2025 in Heavener at the age of 97.

Funeral service was Monday at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener, with Brother Heflin officiating. Burial followed in Heavener Memorial Park, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

Jackie was a long-time resident of the area and a homemaker. She was a member of Victory Baptist Church, enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, and also going to estate sales and auctions. Jackie will be deeply missed by all whom knew and loved her.

Survivors are one son Alvin Black of Gautier, Mississippi; four granddaughters Nikki Eyman, Dr. Heather Volkman, Holli Patnode, and Melanie Marbut; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild Pat Smith and her children, who loved and devoted many years of caregiving for both Jackie and David; numerous other loved family and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents James and Eva Lee; her husband, David Washington; one son, William Marvin Black; and one granddaughter, Stephanie Huffman.

The family wants to give a special thank you to all of the home health and hospice providers who took care of her.

Pallbearers are Anthony Murry, Kendell Smith, Jeff Howton, Wendell Mayberry, Eli Holland and Mike Roby.

Viewing is from noon until 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

To sign Jackie’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

HUA, Council agenda

The Heavener Utilities Authority and Ciy Council will meet in regular business meetings 6 p.m. Thursday at Heavener’s City Hall at 103 East Avenue B in Heavener.

HUA

CALL TO ORDER – Chairman

ROLL CALL – Clerk

INVOCATION – Chairman

AGENDA

1. New Business / Public Comments (the public will be recognized by the chairman from a sign-in sheet where each citizen wishing to address the board of trustees shall sign their name and the request or purpose for being recognized).

2. Approval of minutes from previous meeting.

3. Approval of purchase orders presented for payment.

4. Consider, discuss, and take action to accept the proposed housing addition being developed by Ronnie Blake and to move forward with the needed water supply for this area.

5. Treasurer’s report and financial statements

6. City manager’s report

7. Water superintendent’s report

8. Trustee’s/chairman’s report

9. Adjourn

City Council

Immediately after conclusion after HUA meeting.

CALL TO ORDER – Chairman

ROLL CALL – Clerk

INVOCATION – Chairman

AGENDA

1. New Business / Public Comments (the public will be recognized by the Mayor from a sign-in sheet, where each citizen wishing to address the city commission, shall sign their name and the request or purpose for being recognized).

2. Approval of minutes from previous meeting.

3. Approval of purchase orders presented for payment.

4. Consider, discuss, and take action to nominate one new member to the Heavener Utility Board of Trustees.

5. Consider, discuss, and take action to begin accepting bids for the mowing of certain locations for the City.

6. Consider, discuss, and take action to approve and accept the FY 22-23 audit as

presented.

7. Consider, discuss, and take action to appoint City Commissioner Chris Bradford as a check signer for the City of Heavener, at First National Bank.

8. Consider, discuss and take action to declare surplus, and to have a reserve amount on Purple Wave, the following vehicles:

A. 2012 Ford Explorer SUV, vin # 1FMJU1G55CEF39894

B. 2000 Ford F250 Super Duty XLT pickup diesel, blue in color, vin # 1FTNX20F4YE094263

C. 2003 Ford F250 4x4 pickup, white in color, vin # 1FTNW21FX3EA32156

D. 2002 Ford Crown Vic vin # 2FAFP71W52X160340

E. 2004 Ford Crown Vic vin # 2FAFP71W04X129855

F. 2008 Ford Crown Vic vin # 2FAFP71V98X132380

9. Consider, discuss and take action on Wells & Wann for bookkeeping/payroll services.

10. Treasurer’s report and financial statements

11. City manager’s report

12. Trustee’s/chairman’s report

13. Adjourn