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.

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Checotah Schools savor the holidays

By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER

November 27, 2025

All of Checotah Schools were a buzz as students, teachers and staff savored their last week of holiday events before Thanksgiving Break. Checotah School Choirs under Director Greg Spena performed thei...

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ODOT’s $54M investment funding highway projects

By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT

November 27, 2025

Driving on McIntosh County highways should be smoother by 2035, according to plans by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to resurface about 39 miles of I-40, U.S. 69 and other highways. ODOT ex...

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A ‘Golden Christmas’ to benefit residents

November 27, 2025

A “Golden Christmas” sponsored by the Checotah Art Guild will benefit residents at the Checotah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center again this year. Select an angel off the Golden Angel Tree located in ...

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A Thanksgiving message to our community

By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER

November 27, 2025

As we head into Thanksgiving, we find ourselves reflecting on what makes our community so special. This isn’t just about where we live; it’s all the simple moments that remind us that smalltown life i...

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Candidate filing begins for Board of Education

November 27, 2025

Candidate filing for the Board of Education begins Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, for McIntosh County school districts. Those who wish to file for a Board of Education office must submit a Declaration of Candi...

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Mural dedication honors Watts’ legacy and leadership

By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER

November 27, 2025

Friends, family and officials attended a powerful moment of community pride on Monday as a new mural honoring former U.S. Congressman and Eufaula native J.C. Watts is officially dedicated at City Hall...

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A hoe-lot is happening at The Happy Hoe Farm Market

By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER

November 20, 2025

Who says you can’t be a Happy Hoe? The Checotah Chamber of Commerce just had a ribbon cutting for The Happy Hoe Farm Market and the talk around town is there’s a hoe-lot of good things to eat or get a...

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Another successful Veterans Day Celebration

By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER

November 20, 2025

Another successful Veterans Day Celebration was hosted by Checotah Public Schools and honored all who served in the military especially local veterans on Tuesday, November 11. The special day started ...

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Upcoming Holiday Events

By 3rd Annual Feed the Community

November 20, 2025

3rd Annual Feed the Community Tuesday, Nov. 24 Dinner served from 5 p.m. until the food runs out Checotah Community Center Everyone is welcome! By TNT Power Washing Services In Memory of their mother,...

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Motorcyclist killed

November 20, 2025

A 36-year-old cyclist from McAlester was killed Friday when he lost control of his vehicle on U.S. 270 and Oil Well Road, rolled through a barbed wire fence and came to rest in a field. Zachary W. Pat...

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Ava Rose Johnson partners with businesses for Holiday Food Drive

November 20, 2025

Ava Rose Johnson is partnering with Community Counselors Group and True Value in a Holiday Food Drive that will help support families impacted by the recent government shutdown and cutbacks. “I am thr...