Nancy Tucker Downing McCallie

In Memory of Nancy Tucker Downing McCallie

Nancy Tucker Downing McCallie, age 85 formally of Wilburton, Oklahoma passed from this life

on April 12, 2024 at her home on Lake Eufaula. Nancy was a devoted wife, mother, sister,

daughter, and friend. 

Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Waldrop Funeral

Home in Wilburton, Oklahoma.

Services will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist in

Wilburton, Oklahoma with Rev. Randy Waldrop officiating. Interment will follow at Wilburton

Masonic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Downing, Jarod Downing, Jake Downing, Robert Watters, Chris

Watters, and Tristan Fashier. Honorary Pallbearers will be Paul Equihua and Trent Davis.

Nancy was born on December 15, 1938 in Hobart, Oklahoma to Kensel and Dortha Lee Tucker.

She married Gerald Downing on March 2, 1957. They were married until his passing on April

16, 2006. She married Jim McCallie on May 24, 2015. 

Nancy was a graduate of Wilburton High School. She attended Eastern Oklahoma State College

and East Central University in Ada. Her professional accomplishments include: licensed real

estate agent, licensed insurance agent, manager of rural water district #1. She was the recipient of

the Oklahoma Rural Water Association Manager of the Year. 

Nancy lived in Wilburton most of her adult life. She was instrumental in helping to raise funds

for the new library and the new fire station. She was a member of the Wilburton Methodist

Church, Daughters of the American Revolution, The Red Hat Society, and began a women’s

grief group after Gerald’s passing. She instilled a good work ethic, honesty, and the importance

of family and community in her children and grandchildren.

Nancy had a great sense of humor. She had a unique smile and laugh. She loved to travel,

adventure, and new experiences. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, reading, golf, and lots

of camping in the family R.V. when her children were small. Most of all, she enjoyed being part

of her grandchildren's lives.  

She is survived by her husband, Jim McCallie of the home; three children, Cliff Downing and

wife Jeana of Wilburton, Bryan Downing, D.D.S. and wife Phyllis of Pocola, and Blake

Downing and partner Debbie King of Tulsa; sister, Jenny Tarrant; brother, Keith Tucker and wife

Carla; nine grandchildren, Jerod Downing and wife Heather of Bentonville, AR, Brandon

Downing of Pocola, Rachel Equihua and husband Paul of Stigler, Robert Watters and wife

Kelsey of Frisco, Texas, Kala Davis and husband Trent of Stillwater, Chris Watters and partner

Nancy Duff of Tulsa, Jake Downing of Tulsa, Tristan Fanshier and partner Gracie Nimrod of

Edmond, and Baylee Downing of Wilburton; six great-grandchildren; along with one niece and

three nephews.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Kensel and Dortha Lee Tucker, first husband, Gerald

Downing; and granddaughter, Jaimie Lee Downing.

Don Lee McClain

In Memory of Don McClain

Don Lee McClain, 93, of Wilburton, OK, passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Tulsa, OK. 

Don was born July 9, 1930, in Wilburton, OK, to Corbett and Iva (Terry) McClain.  He married

Rachel (Davis) McClain on March 18, 1950, in Wilburton, OK.  They celebrated 74 years

together this past March.

Don is survived by his wife, Rachel, of the home, daughter Linda and husband Kenny Fazekas,

and daughters Joyce McClain and Carol McClain all of Wilburton, OK.  Two grandchildren,

John Fazekas, of Wilburton, OK, and Julie Green and husband, Jody Green, of McAlester, OK. 

Two great grandsons, Steven Sanders of Guthrie, OK, and Jacob Green of McAlester, OK.  One

brother-in-law, Marion Davis and wife Margaret of McAlester, OK, and several nieces and

nephews.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Corbett and Iva McClain, an infant brother, Arthur Allen

McClain, and an infant grandson, Jeffrey Joe Fazekas.

Don began his teaching career in 1950 at a one-room school in the Highbridge Community near

Wilburton.  He then taught in Tularosa, NM, Gowen Rural School, Wilburton Middle School,

and Eastern Oklahoma State College.  He achieved a Master's Degree and his teaching career

spanned 42 years.

Don also raised cattle, worked as a building contractor, plumber, and electrician.  He loved

working with his cattle, fishing, and raising a garden.  He enjoyed greeting people with a hug and

always had a story to tell.  He was a member of the Lion's Club for a number of years where he

served as the Tale Twister.  He was a member of the Church of Christ where he taught Bible

classes for many years as well as serving as an elder.

Don was a friend to all and will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be on Monday, April 15, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Waldrop Funeral

Home in Wilburton, OK.

Services will be on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Waldrop Funeral Home Chapel

with Mr. Kevin Hathorn officiating. Interment will follow at Center Point Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Kenny Fazekas, Jody Green, Steven Sanders, P.D. O'Hair, Rob Lungstrum,

and Dennis Lungstrum.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Morris Foster, Ken Southard, Gary Dickerson, Tommie Green,

Jacob Green, John Shero, Rocky Dollins, Darrell Bagwell, and Wilburton Lions Club.

Jamie Danel Deela

In Memory of Jamie Deela

Jamie Danel Deela was born to Reuben and Cyndi Deela on August 5, 1975 in Clinton, Oklahoma. She

passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at her home in Wilburton at the age of 48. She is a graduate of

Wilburton High School.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024 at Waldrop Funeral Home

Chapel with Rev. Randy Waldrop officiating.

Jamie is survived by her mother, Cyndi Deela; daughters, Courtney Deela and Aja Deela; brother,

Dawayne Deela; uncles, Danny Ferkins and wife Brenda, Frank Holliman, and Dennis Deela and wife

Brenda; aunts, Donna Durkee and husband Wayne, Sharon Pogue and husband Rick, and her favorite,

Suanne; her constant companion, “Sophie”; along with numerous other cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Reuben Deela; uncles, Henry, Ralph, Charlie, Glen, John, and

Phillip; aunts, Debbie and Ginger; as well as her paternal and maternal grandparents.

Elizabeth (Shon) Ann Crouch

In Memory of Elizabeth Crouch

Elizabeth (Shon) Ann Crouch, 77 of Wilburton, Oklahoma passed away on Tuesday, April 9,

2024 in McAlester, Oklahoma.

Elizabeth (Shon) was born on March 3, 1947 in South Euclid, Ohio to Herbert Shepherd Riley

and Betty Gene Riley. She was married to Joe David Crouch. After his death in May of 1986, she

raised their daughter as a single mother. 

She has spent the last 25 years helping raise her 3 beautiful granddaughters. She enjoyed

watching them grow into strong young women who are accomplishing their dreams. She was

their biggest cheerleader and roughest critic. She also enjoyed going junking and to yard sales;

always looking for a bargain but free was best.

She is survived by daughter, Crystal Wilcox and her husband, Shawn of Wilburton, Oklahoma;

granddaughters, Andria Crouch of Wilburton, Arianna Garcia and husband, Garrett Hill of

McAlester, and Mariah Kirkland of Wilburton; great grandson Baby Hill due in August. 

Elizabeth (Shon) was preceded in death by both parents and husband Joe Crouch.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to

Waldrop Funeral Home.

Vince Edmond Hiatt

Vince Edmond Hiatt

Vince Hiatt, 76, of Red Oak, Oklahoma, affectionately known as Papa or Coach, went to be with

the Lord on April 9th in his home surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 13th, at 10:00 a.m. at Red Oak First Baptist Church.

Honorary Pallbearers - Members of the Red Oak Masonic Lodge #66

Vince was born February 25, 1948 in the small community of Hughes, Oklahoma to Jack and

Oleta (Muse) Hiatt.

Vince was an Air Force Veteran, and served in the Vietnam War. He was a retired Coach,

Educator and Volunteer Fireman. He was also an active member of the Red Oak Masonic Lodge

#66. He loved to hunt and fish and to spend his time outside piddling and doing whatever Donna

asked of him.

He was the absolute best husband, dad and papa. Always so involved in the activities that his

grandkids and great grandkids were participating in. He was coaching up to the last few years of

his life, even if it was just for his great grandkids.

In high school he played baseball and basketball. He was quite the ball player, and he continued

his love for the games later on through coaching.

He married his high school sweetheart Donna (Sides) Hiatt. They started dating in November of

1963, and got married August 26th 1967, and have been married ever since. They went on to

have two children, Russell Hiatt and Kellie (Hiatt) Young.

He is preceded in death by both of his parents, brothers; Gene Hiatt, Jack Hiatt, and James(Jim)

Hiatt.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Donna Hiatt; his two children, Russell and

wife Brandy Hiatt of Wister, Ok. and Kellie (Hiatt) Young and husband Kenneth Young of Red

Oak, Ok.; Sister, Judy Hiatt of Red Oak, Ok.; Half-Sister, Linda (Hiatt) Hill of California;

Grandchildren, Tia (Young) Powers and Clayton Powers of Greenwood, Ar., Tori Young of Red

Oak, Ok., Taylor and Geneva Young of Westville, Ok., and Josh Lewis of Wister, Ok.;

Great-grandkids, Mikaiah Robberson, Talon Robberson, Rain (Powers) Patton, Skyler Powers,

Aubree Young, and Juni Young; And many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements entrusted to Waldrop Funeral Home.

Clarence Isom Thornton

In Memory of Clarence Thornton

Clarence Isom Thornton, Jr., 79, of Joshua, Texas passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 in

Burleson, Texas.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 10, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Waldrop

Funeral Home in Wilburton, Oklahoma.

Services will be 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Waldrop Funeral Home Chapel with

Rev. Elijah Aduh officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Wilburton.

Clarence was born on December 29, 1944 in Wewoka, Oklahoma to Clarence and Helen

(Crosby) Thornton. He married Janice (Dugger) Thornton on May 3, 1975 in Oklahoma City,

Oklahoma.

He is survived by his wife, Janice Thornton of the home; children, Marty Thornton of Joshua,

Texas, Darren Thornton of Judsonia, Arkansas, Lana Norris of Cave City, Arkansas; brothers,

Michael Thornton of Spiro, Oklahoma and Larry Thornton and wife, Virginia of Fort Smith,

Arkansas; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Clarence is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Helen Thornton; son, Rickey

Thornton; daughter, Sandra Self; along with 3 sisters and 2 brothers.

T.J. Chronister

In Memory of T.J. Chronister

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

TJ Chronister, 84 of Wilburton, Oklahoma passed away at his home on Friday, March 29, 2024

He was born at home on March 27, 1940 to Charles Burton and Clara Ethel Chronister in the

Bowers Community. TJ’s elementary education began in the Bowers School where the Bowers

Community Center is now located. He graduated in 1958 from Wilburton High School where he

was awarded many Science Awards. He attended college at Eastern Oklahoma State College

where he proudly served in ROTC. He worked for a while in Wichita, Kansas at Cadahy and

then moved to Chicago, Illinois where he worked for Bar S company before returning home to

Wilburton. He married Rose N. Moore on June 18, 1962 and they settled in Bowers to start a

family. He was a member of Bowers Baptist Church since 1977.

TJ is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Rose (Moore) Chronister; his parents, Charles

and Clara Chronister; brothers, Charles Chronister and Fred Chronister; along with one baby

sister, Della Jane Chronister.

He is survived by one sister, Claris Ann Poor of Tulsa; his sons, Ross Chronister of Hartshorne,

Kevin Chronister of Hacket, Arkansas, and Rex Chronister of Wilburton; his favorite daughter,

Cendy Chronister of Wilburton; five grandchildren, Sarah and Justin Wartick of Wilburton,

Nicholas and Angie Dennis of Tulsa, Jewelie Moore and Robert Larsen of Nowata, Shenae

Chronister-Sanders of Greenwood, Arkansas, and Bailey and Ryan Smith of Hacket; nineteen

great-grandchildren, Ashley, Pyper, KK, Ishy, Isaac, and Eugene Wartick, Murphy and Gabriel

Dennis, Stormy, Heaven Leigh, Brother, Little TJ, and Creek Moore, Lily Dyer, Parker, and

Olivia Sanders, Kaisley, Kylie, and Kensley Smith; one great-great grandchild, Eliana Grace

Beldon; as well as a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Pallbearers are Nicholas Dennis, Justin Wartick, Brother Moore, Jason Lawrence, Ryan Smith,

and Brandon Isom.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Waldrop Funeral

Home in Wilburton, Oklahoma.

Services will be on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Bowers Baptist Church in Wilburton

with Rev. Kenneth Rouviere officiating. Interment will follow at Cambridge/Gowen Cemetery.

Services have been entrusted to Waldrop Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Baptist Children’s Home would be greatly cherished.

Dennis Keith Northam

In Memory of Dennis Keith Northam

Dennis Keith Northam, 73 of Wilburton, Oklahoma passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at

his home.

Dennis was born on September 12, 1950 in Ada, Oklahoma to AB and Helen (Kemp) Northam.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 1, 1974 as Sergent. Two years later on April 6 th he

married Saundra (Westfall) Northam in Basel City, Switzerland. He later attended votech in

Ardmore where he became a LPN and worked in the medical field for 30 years.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 48 years, Saundra Jean Northam of the home; son, Evan Keith

Northam and wife, Vanessa of McAlester; daughter, Allison Yvonne Cooley and husband, Justin

of Wilburton; daughter, Lori Ann Sightler and husband, Brian of Wilburton; grandchildren,

Zachary Northam, Ian Northam, Dalton Northam, Kylee Miller, Brylee Miller, Brystol Miller,

Ezra Cooley, Aubrie Sightler, and Konnor Sightler; along with his brother, Matthew Northam of

Alva.

He is preceded in death by his parents, AB and Helen Northam and sister, Elva Joe Northam.

A private graveside burial will be held at Fort Gibson National Cemetery at a later date.

Carol Donoley

In Memory of Carol Donoley

Carol (Shaffer) Donoley, born on December 2, 1945 in Checotah, Oklahoma, passed away on

March 26, 2024 in Wilburton, Oklahoma at the age of 78.

Services will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Wilburton

with Dr. Paul Brady officiating. The burial will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery in Kinta,

Oklahoma. Services have been entrusted to Waldrop Funeral Home.

Active Pallbearers will be Landon Taylor, Jax Taylor, Pete Sloan, James Dougherty, Annetta

Jones, and Sara Jones. Honorary Pallbearers will be the residents of Tidwell Living Center, her

grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Carol is survived by her sons, Steve Sloan and Kelly of Wilburton, Jeff Sloan and Susan of

Collinsville, and Jr Donoley and Sonja of Wilburton; sister, Shelia Nelson and Mike of Edmond;

grandchildren, Jessica Manning and Mark of Wilburton, Steven Sloan and Coty of Wilburton,

Phillip Sloan and Donna or Urbandale, Iowa, and Ashley Doughtery and Connor of Tulsa; as

well as many great great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Alta Shaffer; son, Billy Guy Donoley IV;

sisters, Margaret Tucker, Nellie Bowan, and Ruby Cloud.

Reta Wise Creel

In Loving Memory of Reta Wise Creel

Reta Wise Creel, age 89 of Wilburton, Oklahoma passed from this life on March 7 th , 2024.

Reta was born on April 28 th , 1934 in Wilburton, Oklahoma to Remel and Lee (Reid) Houston.

She married Charlie Wise in 1950 and raised five children. She worked many jobs in her long

life including the Green Frog Cafe, Congoleum carpet plant, Eastern Oklahoma State College,

and Latimer County Hospital. She finally retired at 2 months shy of 80 years old.

Reta was a sweet natured, good person with the greatest sense of humor. She never missed a

comeback. It was your own fault if you were ever hungry at her house because she was always

trying to feed you.  Her favorite pastimes were reading, crosswords, and bingo. She was a

fantastic mother and will be sorely missed.

Reta is survived by her daughters, Linda McCollum and Kathy Dukes; sons, Bill Wise and Mark

Wise; as well as 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Remel Houston and Lee Houston; brothers, Elmer

Houston and Lloye Houston; sisters, Mary Glenn and Lou Vera Houston; daughter, Karen Wise

Mathis; sons-in-law, Lynn Mathis, Eugene Dukes, and Mike McCollum; and grandchildren,

Andrea Barlow and Wade Dukes.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 30 th , 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Waldrop