Guaranteed prize pool of $50,000

POCOLA, Okla. (Nov. 3, 2023)- Whether you’re an amateur or a seasoned veteran, the $50K Poker Classic Tournament hosted by Choctaw Casino & Resort – Pocola is the tournament for you.

Open to poker players of all levels, the Poker Classic Tournament will be held at the Pocola casino from Nov. 8-Nov. 12, and our championship event has a guaranteed prize pool of $50,000. It’s the third Poker Classic Tournament of the year, and there are five different no limit hold ‘em events, including a seniors only tournament.

All no-limit events in the tournament are played with a big blind ante structure, and the championship event has a $300 buy in with an optional $200 add on.

Players can register for the event at the Poker Room inside Choctaw Casino & Resort – Pocola with their Choctaw Rewards Club card. Event schedules and blind structures are available here, and all registration opens two hours before the start of each event.

About Choctaw Casino & Resort in Pocola

Choctaw Casino & Resort in Pocola, Okla. is a one-stop entertainment destination that offers distinguished amenities, premier dining and gaming throughout the Fort Smith metro area. The property features a spacious casino floor, oversized rooms, a lounge, more than 7,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and a variety of on-site restaurants. For more information, visit http://www.choctawcasinos.com/choctaw-pocola/.

Funeral Service for Cornelia Anne Frazier, 82 of Wister, Oklahoma will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, Oklahoma with Pastor Mickey Ellis officiating. Burial will follow at Ellis Chapel Cemetery in Wister, Oklahoma under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.

Cornelia was born on September 6, 1941 in Boswell, Oklahoma to Mary (Ribera) Darnell and Burl Darnell and passed away on November 3, 2023 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don Frazier; and brother, David Lenn Darnell.

Survivors include her sons, Randy Frazier and wife Kris-Ann, Ricky Frazier and wife Lisa; grandchildren, Brittany Matthews and husband Brandon, Hunter Frazier and wife Amber, Sabrina McDaniel and husband Brandon, Gabrielle Davis and husband Allen, Allen Wendling and wife Kristen, Alex Wendling and wife Brooke; great grandchildren, Huck and Courtney Matthews, Brynlee and Brooklyn Frazier, Benjamin McDaniel, Braylan McDaniel, Emily Davis, and Piper Davis; brothers, Chris Darnell; sister Lawanda Jo Heacock, Edwinna Lemay, Marlene Lewis, and Geraldine Tucker, Asa and Dax Wendling, Landon and Lexi Wendling; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives loved ones and friends.

Pallbearers will be Hunter Frazier, Brandon McDaniel, Allen Davis, Allen Wendling, Kevin Fout, and Brandon Mathews.

Visitation will be Monday, November 6, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home.

Memorial Service for Howard Edward Howerton, 71 of Stillwell, OK will be at 3:00pm on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Stillwell, OK with Reverend Jim Sanders officiating. Cremation will be under the direction of Grace Funeral Service of Poteau, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by four grandchildren.

Howard was born on December 16, 1951 in Muskogee, OK to Francis Howerton and passed away on October 25, 2023 in Stilwell, Oklahoma. He loved to fish, race cars, OU football, and Listening to music. The most important things he enjoyed the most were his church and his family. He was a good father, grandfather and man. He was always helping others and would do whatever he could for someone in need.

Survivors include his children Sonny Howerton and significant other Michaela Calvert. Daniel Howerton, Natalie Flaming and husband Brent, Taylor Hawkins and significant other Nedra Flynn, and Tanya Hawkins and significant other Patrick Marshall; Grandchildren Nicole Howerton, Summer Siharath, Jodeci Siharath, Abigail Flaming, Bravelyn Hawkins, Taylyn Hawkins, Trinity Hawkins, Dawsyn Hawkins, and Hannah Hawkins, Felicity Jackson, Troy Jackson, Zyhann Jackson, and Zaedynn Jackson; and a host of cousins, other loved ones and friends.

Memorial Services for Cathy Ann Gerdes, 70 of Heavener, Oklahoma will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Faith Community Church in Poteau, Oklahoma with Brother Michael Davidson officiating. Cremation is under the direction of Grace Funeral Service of Poteau, Oklahoma.

Cathy was born on October 13, 1953 in Los Angeles, California to Lora Imogene (Billy) Hillebrand and Leland Fred Hillebrand and passed away on October 23, 2023 in Heavener, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Gerdes; parents, sister, Brenda; and granddaughter,Ashlyn Gerdes.

Survivors include her sons, Brian Hillebrand and wife Christe, Bruce Burleson and wife Kim, Brent Burleson and wife Pam, Brandon Gerdes and wife Rhiannon, Bill Gerdes and wife Holley; daughter, Janet Parkhurst and husband Charles; grandchildren, April Steffen, Dakota Burleson, Brianna Annaratone, Logan Hillebrand, Morgan Blair, Devin Burleson, Austin Burleson, Levi Burleson, Courtney Burleson, Kami Burleson, Devin Hart, Lance Hart, Dalton Hart, Samantha McClure, Braeden Gerdes, Alexia Gerdes, Brooklyn Gerdes, Zhane Gerdes, Briana McMullen, Madison McMullen, Riley McMullen, Baylee Gerdes, Laila Sprabery, Hadley Sprabery; great grandchildren, Iziah, Allie, Paizlie, Paxtin, Cole, Adalynn, Caius, Eliza, Kyle Keegan, Paisleigh; sisters, Barbara Roberts, Debbie Flagg, Tammy Mortenson, Linda Villarreal; brother, David Mortenson, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and loved ones.

You may leave an online message at www.gracemanorfh.com

Graveside Service for Susan Joann Jones, 86 of Cameron, Oklahoma will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 3, 2023 at Royal Oak/Poker Bend in Panama, Oklahoma with Jim Cook officiating. Services are under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.

Susan was born on February 28, 1937 in Valliant, Oklahoma to Evie Smith and Dave Upton and passed away on November 1, 2023 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie Jones; son, Loyd Tatum; and daughter, Carol Yandell.

Survivors include her children, Jim and Donna Jones, Chris Jones, Anthony and Kim Jones, Susan and Ryons Steele, June Jones, Valerie and Julie Samuels; 31 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.

Graveside Service for Bernard L Salyer, 83 of Howe, Oklahoma will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, November 3, 2023 at Howe Cemetery in Howe, Oklahoma with Jim Cook officiating. Services are under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.

Bernard was born on January 18, 1940 in Jenkins, KY to Maxine Viola Pannell and Clarence Leroy Salyer and passed away on October 30, 2023 in Howe, Oklahoma.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home.

You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com      .

Funeral Service for Mary Clark of Spiro, Oklahoma, will be 11:00am on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Murry Spur Free Will Baptist Church with Reverend Sid Ree officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Spiro, Oklahoma under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home. Viewing 9am-7pm Wednesday with the family visiting with friends from 5pm-7pm at the funeral home.

Mary Lavern Clark was born on April 10, 1937 in Pocola, Oklahoma to Ernest Tilbert Sr. and Norah Lorraine (Tedder) Stout and passed away on October 30, 2023 in Spiro, Oklahoma. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Norah Stout; her daughter, Shannon Tanksley, her son, Jamie Clark; and her siblings, Margaret Smith, Ernest Stout, Jr., Ed Stout, Charles Stout, Susie Phillips, and Bud Stout. Mary attended Murry Spur and Cavanaugh Free Will Baptist Churches. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, yard sales, and thrift shopping but her biggest love was for her family whom she loved dearly

Survivors include her husband of 69 years, Bill Clark; son, Billy Douglas Clark and Sara Folsom; grandchildren, Douglas Clark and Drew, Jeremy Clark, Matthew Clark, Rick Tanksley and Neiki, Chasiti Bishop and Jesse, and Jamison Clark; thirteen great grandchildren, one brother, Dale Stout and wife Wanda, sisters in law, Patsy Stout and Laura Stout, numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Steve Brown, Rick Tanksley, Jeremy Clark, Gabriel Dominic, Ethan Dominic, and Hunter Clark. Honorary Pallbearers will be Douglas Clark, Jamison Clark, Matthew Clark, Caleb Tanksley, Jacob Tanksley, Seth Dominic, Jaxton Clark, and Tyler Tanksley.

Please sign Mary’s online guest book or leave a message to the family at www.mallorymartinfuneralhomespiro.com

Helen May (Bell) Aishman, 101, of Spiro, OK was born February 21, 1922 in Hatfield, AR to Ivan Edgar and Maudie Celestie (Latch) Bell. She passed away October 26, 2023 in Mulberry, AR.

She was married to Thomas J. Aishman for 67 wonderful years. Helen was many things to many people…wife, mother, friend, and caregiver. During WWII, she became a “Rosie” in order to support her family and the war effort. Afterward, she dedicated her life to raising not only her four children, but also to caring for the various friends and relatives who spent time at the family farm. She loved to cook, bake, and work in her massive garden, canning and preserving what would become the next meal or treat to be served at her always-open table. Helen also enjoyed tending her flower beds and sharing the bounty with others. Helen was a dedicated member of Pocola First Baptist Church and loved the church quilting bees. She was a devoted Christian who loved her family dearly.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas “TJ” Aishman; grandson, Steven John Pierce; great granddaughter, Kara; sisters, Mildred Hamm and Margie Lawrence; and brother, Harold Bell.
Helen is survived by one daughter, Janie Kinnerson and husband, Jerry; as well as three sons: Tom Aishman and wife, June; Jack Aishman and wife, Zeny; and Pat Aishman and wife, Irene, as well as several nieces and nephews. Additionally, Helen and her husband, TJ, were blessed with 12 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be Monday, October 30, 10am at Mallory-Martin Funeral Home Chapel in Spiro, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Spiro under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home. Viewing hours will be 12pm-8pm Sunday, October 29, with the family visiting with friends from 6pm-8pm at Mallory-Martin Funeral Home located at 112 North Main Street, Spiro, Oklahoma.

Pallbearers will be Helen’s grandsons. You may leave an online message at www.mallorymartinfuneralhomespiro.com

Memorial Service for

, 77 of Wister, Oklahoma will be at 10:00 on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Fanshawe Public School in Fanshawe, Oklahoma with Sam Walden and Wes McGowen officiating under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.

Doyal, aka Papa Doyal was born on October 21, 1946 in Wister, Oklahoma to Ruth Anna (Keifer) Akers and Hillard Akers and passed away on October 21, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Papa Doyal said the school gave him the best birthday he had ever had. Doyal was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ronald Akers and Glenn Akers. After graduating from Wister High School, Doyal joined the Marine Corps where he served 11 years, and did three tours in Vietnam. Upon returning he worked as an instructor at Camp Lajeune Marine Base in Cherry Point, North Carolina and retired as staff Sergeant. Doyal was one of the proudest marines you would ever meet. He left North Carolina to return to LeFlore, Oklahoma where he worked as a mechanic for John Deere, owned a broiler farm, was part of the volunteer fire department, and greatly impacted many lives in the community. In 2000 Doyal became part of the Branscum family where he earned the name Papa Doyal. In 2002, he moved to Round Mountain, north of Fanshawe, where he found his forever home. In 2016, he joined the Fanshawe school family where he drove the bus and was Mr. Fix IT for Fanshawe school district and a role model in the community. Doyal loved many things including fishing, watching his deer eat, mowing his yards, sweets, and going to eat. Doyal touched many lives and will never be forgotten.

Papa Doyal is survived by MaryAnn and Bekkah of the home; daughter, Deanna Akers-Meadors and husband Eric; sons, Doyal Wayne Akers and wife Debbie, Russell Dean Akers and wife Susan, and Darrell Gene Akers; stepchildren, Anthony Borden, Kolter Borden and wife Jessie, Heath Ragland, and Erin Ragland; brothers, Lanny and wife Sue Akers, Don and wife Rocki Akers; sister-in-laws, Barasa Akers and Shirley Akers; sister, Michelle and husband Steven Powell, and Sharon Branscum; numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the Fanshawe School and Community.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeff Monks, Lee Shipman, Ben Shipman, Josh Shipman, Ronnie Wooten, Bradley Warren, Zach Moore, Pete Jackson, Wes Ward, Dallas Ward, and Steven Powell..

Visitation will be 4-6 pm Thursday October, 26.

Evans & Miller Funeral Home
411 Dewey Ave.
Poteau, OK 7495