Heavener area newsletter 11-3-2026

Craig Hall from Heavener area newsletterNov 3, 2026

Heavener area newsletter 11-3-2026

Tuesday’s newsletter for Heavener and LeFlore County.

Nov 3

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Daily Bible verse

Obits

Donna Joy (Rymer) Parker

Donna Joy (Rymer) Parker, 78, of Heavener travelled to Heaven on Oct. 31, 2026 after complications with cancer treatment. Donna was born on Aug. 26, 1948 to Devert and Polly (Tipton) Rymer in Shattuck.

The family will hold a private interment at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction and care of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home in Heavener.

She departed this life on the anniversary of her parent’s wedding day, surrounded by family.

Donna graduated from Western Heights High School in 1966 (OKC). She was employed as a secretary at Heavener First Baptist Church, Heavener Medical Center and Heavener First National Bank. She was a licensed beautician with her own shop for several years. But what she loved most was being “Nonna Donna” to everyone she came into contact with. She loved JESUS and she loved people. She did her best to ensure that everyone felt that love.

She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, music, traveling, reading, and cheering for her children and grandchildren at their many activities. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Donna was a committed Christian, a member of First Baptist Church and past member of Trinity Baptist Church.

When the young Parker family moved to Heavener in 1971, the community welcomed them warmly and treated them as family. We are so grateful for those enduring friendships and feel blessed to have lived here during such a wonderful time. We appreciate your continued prayers and love.

Donna didn’t want anyone to make a fuss and left specific directions that there not be a memorial service (especially at this time in our family’s journey).

Survivors are two beloved daughters Diane and husband Terry Lynch of Heavener, and Sherri and husband Edwin Carter of Little Elm, Texas; her treasured grandchildren Melyssa Lynch and her family, Jacob and Auroara Poole of Krebs, Malory (Lynch) Hutson and husband Brinley and their children Hayden and William of Pauls Valley; Elijah Carter of Little Elm, Seth Michael Lynch of Heavener/Lawrence, Kansas, and Amaya Carter of Little Elm; her siblings and their families Dee Hoover of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Dewayne and wife Christine Rymer of Littleton, Colorado, and Dedra and husband Dale Cole of The Villages, Florida; her husband’s brothers and families Whit and wife Cecelia Parker of Blair, and Gary and wife Myung Clements of Arlington, Texas; a host of cherished extended family and friends. Her kindness, ready smile, and big hugs endeared her to many.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband Donald “Don” Eugene Parker, and her parents.

Her favorite charities were the Gideon Bible ministry, youth and children assistance, and programs for veterans. Words she lived by: “Treat everyone with kindness and respect because we are all made in GOD’s image”.

To sign Donna’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

Laura Ray Kosal

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Laura Ray Kosal, who passed away on Oct. 2, 2026, in Ankara, Turkey.

Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate Laura’s life on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener, with Denton Mead officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

Laura was a proud graduate of Heavener High School, class of 1969. Following graduation, she continued her education at Draughon’s Business School in Tulsa. It was during this chapter of her life that she began the journey that would lead her to the love of her life, Nejat Kosal. The two were married and eventually made their home in Ankara, Turkey, where they spent most of their married life building a life together and raising their family.

Though Laura lived much of her life far from her Oklahoma roots, the love she shared with her family remained an important part of her story. She leaves behind a legacy of family, cherished memories, and a life that connected loved ones across oceans and generations.

Survivors are her loving husband, Nejat Kosal, of Ankara, Turkey; her son Murat Kosal and his wife Pinar of Ankara, Turkey; and her daughte Dilara Eristiren and her husband Yalim of Medfield, Massachusetts; grandchildren Ayla Kosal, Selin Eristiren, and Melis Eristiren, who will forever hold a special place in her heart; brother John Ray and his wife Linda; sister Shirley Jenkins and her husband Kenneth; nephews Scott Hansen and Wesley Ray; nieces Andrea Sixkiller and Stephanie Sealy; along with many extended family members and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

Waiting to welcome Laura home in heaven were her mother, Marilyn Ray Wyatt; her stepfather, Glenn Wyatt; her two brothers David Ray and James Anthony Ray; her niece, Julie Michelle Hansen; and so many other beloved friends and family members who went before her. Oh, what a reunion that must have been.

Although Laura’s passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in the hearts of those who loved her, her memory will live on through the family she cherished, the memories she created, and the love that will continue to connect those she leaves behind. Distance could never diminish the bonds of family, and her life will always be remembered by those fortunate enough to have shared in it.

Laura will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever held in the hearts of her family and friends. May she rest in peace, reunited with those who were waiting to welcome her home.

To sign Laura’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

News

Voters decide local, state elections

Voters across LeFlore County head to the polls today to decide key local legislative representation, county leadership, statewide executive seats, and constitutional state questions.

See the whole story HERE.

Election Board tips and reminders

The State Election Board offers these tips and reminders to Oklahoma voters ahead of the General Election Tuesday.

ELECTION DAY VOTING

Voters are encouraged to make a plan to vote. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Lines at the polls are typically longest early in the morning, during lunchtime, and after 5 p.m. If turnout is heavy at your precinct, be prepared for possible wait times.

Sports

Brock wins Week 9 pick-em contest

Drew Brock won the Week 9 Heavener.news/Monument Bank pick-em contest in a tiebreaker with four other pickers.

They all went 7-2 on the week with Brock coming closest to the points OU scored against South Carolina.

He wins a grab bag prize from Monument Bank.

Jesse Sutmiller leads in the overall contest at 64-15.

👉 MAKE YOUR WEEK 10 PICKS.

Calendar

Community

Today in history

2014

One World Trade Center opens in New York City, on the site of the Twin Towers

The gleaming glass skyscraper, along with the rest of the World Trade Center complex, replaced the Twin Towers, which were destroyed by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Read More

1970s

1979

Communists and Klansmen clash in Greensboro

Arts & Entertainment

1844

William Makepeace Thackeray completes his novel ‘Barry Lyndon’

1962

The Crystals earn a No. 1 hit with “He’s A Rebel”—which they did not sing

Cold War

1957

Soviet Union launches a dog into space

Crime