All Obituaries

Madeline Jean Nichols-Jones, age 74, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at St. Francis Hospital in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She was the beloved wife of Gary Jones of Council Hill, Oklahoma. Together, they shared 52 wonderful years, including 23 years at Paradise Point in Council Hill. Madeline was born on October 20, 1951, in Checotah, Oklahoma, to Gay Nichols and Helen (Fairchild) Nichols of Onapa, Oklahoma. She was the only daughter among four children. She attended Onapa Public School ...

Tamar Lynn Pruett, 67, of Checotah, Oklahoma, formerly of Moore, Oklahoma, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026, at her residence with her loving husband by her side. She was born on October 15, 1958, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Leon Lawson and Iva (McAllister) Lawson-Wilson. She attended Fox Senior High and later continued her education in court reporting. Tamar grew up in Arnold, Missouri, where many of her earliest memories were made. Tamar met the love of her life and ...

Leo Allen Utley, 92, formerly of Checotah, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2026, in Claremore, Oklahoma, surrounded by the legacy of a life well lived and deeply loved. Born on May 18, 1933, in Chetopa, Kansas, Leo was the cherished son of Leo Edmond Utley and Roberta (Allen) Utley. He grew up with strong values of hard work, faith, and family—qualities that would define his life. After graduating from Labette County High School, he continued his education at Kansas State ...

Wanda Faye Jones, 87, of Checotah, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Muskogee, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on August 22, 1938, in Warner, Oklahoma, Wanda was the cherished daughter of William Marzette McCormick and Mary Ann (Goodman) McCormick. She carried with her throughout her life a deep love for family, a strong work ethic, and a quiet, steady faith. On September 17, 1958, Wanda married the love of her life, Kenneth Dale ...

Frank “Allen” Luton, 75, formerly of Muskogee, Oklahoma, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026, at his residence in Cumming, Georgia. Allen was born on July 9, 1950, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Marley Allen Luton and Emily Ellwood (Flatt) Luton. He grew up in Muskogee and graduated from Muskogee High School. With a strong work ethic and a passion for learning, he continued his education at Muskogee Technology Center and Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology where he earned ...

David “D.A.” August Campbell, Jr., age 84, of Checotah, Oklahoma, entered eternal life peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, March 9, 2026, in Haskell, Oklahoma, after bravely battling COVID-19, pneumonia, and lung cancer. David was born on February 22, 1942, in Checotah, Oklahoma, to David August Campbell, Sr. and Bertha L. (Farmer) Campbell. He was raised in the Checotah area and graduated from Checotah High School in 1960, where he excelled in mathematics and ...

Bruce "Coconut" Littell, age 65, of Checotah, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Integris Baptist Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Bruce was born on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1960, in Tucumcari, New Mexico, to Edgar Littell and Shirley (Wise) Littell Norris. He grew up in Tucumcari and graduated from Tucumcari High School, carrying with him the strong values of family, friendship, and hard work that would guide him throughout his life. On ...

Zane “Bubba” D. McGwire was born on November 11, 1998. On February 28, 2026, Bubba entered the gates of Heaven walking, talking, and smiling, straight into the arms of his nap partner and birthday twin, Papa. Also there to greet him was his uncle Justin, ready with a joke and a knee slap, and his great‑grandmother Mary Lawhorn, patiently waiting with a hymn on her lips and a whisper in his ear: “Welcome Home.” Heaven rejoiced as he walked the streets of gold on his ...

Carl Dean Hicks, 73, of Wagoner, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Carl was born on October 9, 1952, in McAlester, Oklahoma, to Arlis and Opal (Eager) Hicks. He grew up with strong values of faith, family, and hard work—principles that guided him throughout his life. A 1971 graduate of Crowder High School, Carl married the love of his life, Jackie Faye Hayes, on August 21, 1971, in Crowder, Oklahoma. For 54 wonderful years, they built a life centered on ...

Jimmy Ray Lashley, age 89, of Checotah, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Jim was born on October 1, 1936, in Cowlington, Oklahoma, to Troy Quincy Lashley and Ruby "Jewell" (Dearmon) Lashley. His life journey took him from Oklahoma to California and back home again, shaping the man so many came to know and love. He graduated from East Bakersfield High School in Bakersfield, California, in 1955 and later attended Bakersfield College. In 1958, Jim ...