DEATH NOTICES - McIntosh Democrat

Obituaries

October 26, 2023

DEATH NOTICES

WARNER – Thomas Wayne Symonds, 82, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2023, in Warner with his family by his side. Graveside services will be held in the summer on June 29, 2024, at Bear Butte Cemetery, 1040 Harley-Davidson Way, Sturgis, SD 57785 with a get-together to follow in Sundance, WY.

EUFAULA – Robert (Bob) George Woehleke , 72, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. A memorial for family and friends will be announced at a later date.

EUFAULA – Timothy Lee Paul, 68, passed away on Friday, Oct. 13. 2023 in Eufaula, OK. No services are scheduled.

WARNER – Wanda Lee “Babe” Hood, 85 entered Heaven’s gates on Saturday, October 14, 2023 in Gore, OK. A funeral service was held October 18 at Warner First Assembly of God.

CHECOTAH – Alice Faye Pouncil, 84, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 14, 2023. Services were held Tuesday, October 24 at the First Free Will Baptist Church, Checotah. Burial followed at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery.

LITTLE ELM, TX – Paul Hamilton, 99, formerly of Eufaula, Oklahoma, passed away on October 15, 2023 in Carrollton, Texas. A memorial service was held on Monday,October 23 at Kelley Memorial Chapel in Eufaula, OK.

COUNCIL HILL – Steven “Steve” Wayne Kirby, 54, former 1987 Checotah graduate, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2023. A funeral service was held Monday, October 23 at First Free Will Baptist Church.

CHECOTAH – Dan Sisemore , 73, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2023. A memorial service was held Friday, October 20 at First Freewill Baptist Church in Checotah.

EUFAULA – Donald Dean Stites, 82, passed away Wednesday, October 18, 2023, in McAlester. A memorial was held Saturday, October 21 at Eufaula First Baptist Church.

MUSKOGEE – Easton Drake Morgan, 19, passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

CHECOTAH – Jerry Lemon Jeffries, 87, prominent business owner and Angus cattle rancher, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday, October 21, 2023. A memorial service will be held Friday, October 27 at 1PM at the First Baptist Church in Checotah, OK.

A: Main, News...

Goodbye to Gary Lee Nichols

By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER

March 12, 2026

There are men who build businesses. And there are men who build communities. Gary Lee Nichols did both. For more than five decades, Gary wasn’t just the owner of grocery stores; he was a steady presen...

A: Main, News...

Banning comments after tornado hits Beggs

March 12, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, RBixby, released the following statement after tornadoes hit northeast Oklahoma Friday night: “The severe weather that moved through Oklahoma this weekend resulted ...

A: Main, News...

Communities built through faith and determination

By STAFF WRITER

March 12, 2026

On a cool Saturday morning, Feb. 28, in the closing days of Black History Month, the steeple of Mt. Olive Star Baptist Church in Checotah rose above a quiet gathering devoted to remembrance, faith and...

A: Main, News...

5th Annual Green Run is March 14

March 12, 2026

The 5th Annual Green Run returns this Saturday at the Lake Eufaula Pavilion. This lively St. Patrick’s–themed event features a USATF-sanctioned 5K and a Fun Run, welcoming runners, walkers, families, ...

A: Main, News...

Former OSBI investigator sentenced for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor

March 12, 2026

MUSKOGEE – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jordan Francis Toyne, age 37, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 109 months in prison for ea...

A: Main, News...

An All American 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off success

By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER

March 12, 2026

The 18th Annual Checotah Chili Cook-Off hosted by the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery was a culinary showdown of steaming hot chili along with American patriotism for fun-filled evening of food an...

News

Deadline to change party affiliation approaches

March 12, 2026

Oklahomans who want to change their party affiliation must submit their change no later than March 31, McIntosh County Election Board Secretary Kim Limbaugh said today. Voters may change their party a...

News

Checotah Livestock aids tornado victims

March 12, 2026

Checotah Livestock Market announced they will be helping aid recent tornado victims in Beggs. “Our community has always stepped up when neighbors are hurting,” a Checotah Livestock spokeman said. “In ...

commentary

Oversight work and deadlines

By REPRESENTATIVE NEIL HAYS (405) 557-7302

March 12, 2026

This week has been especially active at the Capitol as oversight c ommit tees work through one of the most imp ortant stages of the legislative session. At this point in the process, all remaining Hou...

commentary, Opinion...

The ‘prose’ and cons of paragraphs

March 12, 2026

I miss the days of true creative writing – you know, when you could write a real paragraph and your readers could keep up with the story. You didn’t have to throw in a bunch of pictures or short and s...

News

C.A.R.D. Senior Nutrition menu

March 12, 2026

March 16 - March 20 611 N. Broadway, Checotah Please call 918-237-1118 for meal reservations by 12 p.m. the day before services. Monday, March 16: Cheeseburger w/ toppings; potato; veggie salad; cake;...