DEATH NOTICES - McIntosh Democrat

Obituaries

September 26, 2024

DEATH NOTICES

TIGER MOUNTAIN – John Alexander Been, 73, passed away Thursday, August 15, 2024 at his home on Tiger Mountain. A memorial service was held Saturday, August 24 at the Dewar First Baptist Church.

WARNER –Norma Lee Scott (Jones), 79, passed away Monday, August 26, 2024. No service scheduled.

MUSKOGEE – Johnnye Gay Guerra, 73, formerly born in Checotah, passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2024. A memorial service was held Friday, September 6, 2024 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel.

EUFAULA – Steven K. Nelson, Sr. 64, passed away Wednesday, August 28, 2024. No services scheduled at this time.

OKTAHA – Brent E. Eller, 55, passed away on September 4, 2024. A memorial service was held Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Jimmy R. Eller Gymnasium in Oktaha, OK.

TAHLEQUAH – Remington Dale Sullivan, 3-month-old son of Matthew and Jessica Sullivan, passed away on September 5, 2024. A funeral service was held Wednesday, September 11 in the Sequoyah Memorial Chapel of Forever Memories Funeral Services in Sallisaw, OK.

CALIFORNIA – David Samuel “Tony” Spirlock, 80, formerly from McIntosh County, passed away September 5, 2024. A memorial service was held Saturday, September 21 at the Little Coweta Baptist Church in Stidham, OK.

OKTAHA – Joyce Faye Walker Fredrick Parker Stine, 89, died on Thursday, September 12, 2024 in Oktaha, OK. A celebration of Joyce’s life was held Thursday, September 19 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel.

COLLINSVILLE – Pamela Beth Steidley, 70, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2024. A graveside service was held Thursday, September 19 at Greenwood Cemetery in Eufaula, OK.

MUSKOGEE – Dustin Allen Robinson, 41, passed away September 15, 2024. A memorial service was held Friday, September 20 at Timothy Baptist Church in Muskogee, OK.

EUFAULA – Dwight Verlin (Butch) Young, 80, passed away Sunday, September 15, 2024, at his home. A memorial service was held Friday, September 20 at Kelley Memorial Chapel in Eufaula, OK.

EUFAULA – Donald Ray (Butch) Mitchell, 76, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, September 16, 2024, at his home. A graveside service was held Tuesday, September 24 at the Moore Cemetery in Eufaula, OK.

CHECOTAH – Joyce Arlene Cooper, 89, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2024. Graveside services were held Tuesday, September 24 at Greenlawn Cemetery in Checotah, OK.

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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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, ...

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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...

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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;...