Obituaries

Local Obituaries for Shawnee, OK and Pottawatomie County

Paul William Simpson

Paul William Simpson

Sep 22, 2025

Paul William Simpson passed away on Monday, September 22, 2025, in Meeker, Oklahoma, at the age of 70. Paul was born on December 26, 1954, in Shawnee, to his parents, Bill and Dorothy Simpson.

Paul graduated from Shawnee High School in 1973. On January 14, 1978, Paul married Ruth Ann Fowler at the First Christian Church in Meeker. He served as...

John Ralph Smiley Irelan

John Ralph Smiley Irelan

Aug 30, 2025

John Ralph Smiley Irelan, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Castle Rock, Colorado, cared for by his loving family. He lived a full life to 89 years old.

He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 8, 1935, the son of Ralph and Ruby Irelan. He grew up in Amarillo, Texas.

In his youth, Smiley was curious and active...

Martha Jewel Gallaher

Martha Jewel Gallaher

Sep 1, 2025

Martha Jewel Gallaher, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025, in Fredericksburg, Texas, at the age of 100. Born on August 8, 1925, in Fort Worth, Texas, she was the daughter of Wiley Monroe Hester and Letha Moore Austin. Martha lived a life filled with kindness, warmth, and a deep love for her family.

A...

Laura Jean Pennock

Laura Jean Pennock

Sep 16, 2025

Laura Jean Pennock, a beloved member of her community and cherished family matriarch, passed away on September 16, 2025, just shy of her 68th birthday. Born on October 7, 1957, in Pawnee, Oklahoma to William and Genevive (Meeks) Pennock.  Laura was named in honor of her great aunt, Laura (Manatowa) Carter.  She was a member of the Sac and Fox...

Michael Beau Lawson

Michael Beau Lawson

Sep 16, 2025

Mike was born in Shawnee, OK, January 22, 1944, to Robert Ezra Lawson and Theresa Vashti Goodson Lawson.

Much of his early childhood was spent in small towns in northeastern and western Oklahoma where his parents taught school.

In 1956 Mike and his mother returned to Shawnee where he completed his primary and secondary education.  Mike graduated from Shawnee High School in...

Jewel Dean Jones

Jewel Dean Jones

Sep 10, 2025

Jewel Jones was born to Leora Green Webber and William Webber on July 5, 1931, in Hotulka, Oklahoma.

She grew up in Hotulka, Oklahoma, and attended school there and in Shawnee, Oklahoma at Dunbar High School.

She married Calvin Jones III in Shawnee on Oct 27, 1947. From this union four children were born: Calvin Jones IV, Loretta Jones Maxie, Bobby Ray...

Miyoko Strong

Miyoko Strong

Sep 7, 2025

Miyoko Strong, resident of Shawnee, passed away on Sunday, September 7, 2025. She was 92 years old. Miyoko was born on April 6, 1933 in Gauji, Japan. She married Robert Lee Strong in Tokyo, Japan on November 4, 1952.

Miyoko was an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church. She loved caring for children and volunteered much of her time at the...

Ann Nicely

Ann Nicely

Sep 3, 2025

Elva “Ann” Nicely, resident of Shawnee, passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. She was 92 years old. Ann was born on May 25, 1933 in Sweet Water, Oklahoma to her parents, Tommy and Maggie Cole.

Ann married Merel E. "Buddy" Nicely on April 23, 1953 in Van Buren, Arkansas. The couple lived in Shawnee before moving to Ark City, Kansas...

Josephine Leister

Josephine Leister

Sep 3, 2025

Josephine Bryce Leister passed away peacefully on September 3, 2025. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend whose warmth, strength, and quiet grace touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, Lavell and Carrie Pinkston; all twelve of her siblings; her first husband, Dorice Bryce; her second husband, Bill Leister;...

Lela Evelyn Rutledge-Clark

Lela Evelyn Rutledge-Clark

Aug 21, 2025

Lela Evelyn Rutledge-Clark passed away peacefully in her home August 21, 2025. Lela, also known as "Lee" or "Chubby", was a strong woman to the end as she battled lung cancer for a year and a half.

Lela was born on November 20, 1938, to Johnie William Estep and Izetta Caldonia Butler Estep. She was born at the Carter Grisso Camp...

Mavis Jean Lupton

Mavis Jean Lupton

Aug 19, 2025

Mavis Jean Lupton (Campbell) went to her heavenly reward on August 19, 2025. Mavis was born in Shawnee on November 6, 1928 to Marvin Royce and Myrtle Inez Campbell. She graduated from Shawnee High School in 1947 and that same year married the love of her life, George "Allen" Lupton. They raised four children.

In her youth, she was the track...

Meghan Kathleen Jackson

Meghan Kathleen Jackson

Aug 18, 2025

Meghan Kathleen McCormick Jackson, age 44, of Norman, passed away on Monday, August 18, 2025, in Oklahoma City.

She was born on Feb. 9, 1981 in Shawnee to Michael and Patricia (Gray) McCormick. She was raised in Shawnee, graduating from high school in 1999.

After high school, Meghan, following in her father's footsteps, pursued her passion for journalism at St. Gregory's College.

She...

Diane Loraine Lawerance

Diane Loraine Lawerance

Aug 18, 2025

Diane Loraine Lawerance, age 73, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away Monday, August 18, 2025 in Shawnee.

Diane was born November 6, 1951 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, a daughter of Donald and Lola May Duvall. She attended Shawnee schools and married the love of her life, Billy Lawerance on May 30th, 1969. After living in New Hampshire for a short time while Billy...

Alta Leann Gleason

Alta Leann Gleason

Aug 12, 2025

Alta Gleason peacefully passed away on August 12, 2025, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, leaving behind a legacy of faith and devotion to family.

Born on April 4, 1945, in St. Joseph, Missouri, Alta was the youngest daughter of Andrew and Eldora Ruark. She spent the majority of her adult life in Oklahoma City, where she dedicated herself to nurturing young minds as...

James "Jimmy" David Stephens

James "Jimmy" David Stephens

Aug 10, 2025

James David (Jimmy) Stephens, a resident of McAlester, OK died on August 10, 2025 at the age of 61 in Norman, OK after a hard fought health battle. Jimmy was born on March 24, 1964 in Denton at Flow Memorial Hospital. His parents were Joe Stephens and Judy Stephens. He married Kim Dorado on October 22, 2022 in McAlester, OK....

Alden Randall Rhodd Jr.

Alden Randall Rhodd Jr.

Aug 10, 2025

Alden Randall Rhodd, "Skush", age 66, of Stroud, Oklahoma, passed away Sunday, August 10, 2025, at his home. Alden was born July 7, 1959, in Pawnee, Oklahoma, a son of Alden and Laura Rhodd. He married the love of his life, Tereasa Clark, celebrating nearly 40 years of marriage before his passing.

Survivors include his wife Tereasa Ann of the...

David Leon Koehler

David Leon Koehler

Aug 9, 2025

David Leon Koehler, 70, of Shawnee, peacefully passed away on August 9th, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.

David was born on February 6, 1955, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He was the middle of 3 children to Paul and Jessie Koehler. He obtained a degree in Criminal Justice and worked as the Director of Security at Saint Gregory’s University until his retirement....

Les Godwin

Les Godwin

Aug 8, 2025

Leslie “Les” Godwin, 81, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, entered his Heavenly home on August 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Born in McLoud, Oklahoma, to Albert and Nellie Godwin, Les grew up with a strong work ethic, a generous heart, and a gift for bringing joy to those around him.

Les graduated from McLoud High School and built a...

Calvin Wayne Rowe Jr.

Calvin Wayne Rowe Jr.

Aug 6, 2025

Calvin Wayne Rowe, Jr. entered this worldly stage on December 7, 1991, born to Minnie Rochelle Masquas and Calvin Wayne Rowe, Sr. His final denouement occurred on August 6, 2025. Calvin was raised with traditional Sac and Fox beliefs and customs although he was enrolled with the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma. His beloved grandma called him Kisko as did many...

Dwyn Kathryn Zaharis

Dwyn Kathryn Zaharis

Aug 5, 2025

Dwyn Kathryn Zaharis, 59, of Shawnee, passed away at home with her family on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025.

Dwyn was born on December 18th, 1965, in Havre de Grace, Maryland to Dr. John Zaharis and Tula Lenoir Zaharis. She loved taking care of animals and spending time in nature. Dwyn enjoyed finding new trails to explore with her dogs, cherished every...