Ike was a man of strong faith and devoted service. A longtime member of Bethel Baptist Church in Wister, he served faithfully as a deacon and was always willing to lend his time and talents wherever needed,especially through his woodworking skills, which he used generously to serve his church family.
He graduated from Wister High School in 1950 and later attended telegraph school. Ike began his career as a telegraph operator for the Rock Island Railroad. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a clerk in France during the Korean Conflict. During his time in service, Ike was honored to participate in a 21-gun salute ceremony at the grave of General George S. Patton, where he had the memorable experience of firing one of the salute rounds over the General’s grave. Upon returning home, he attended Poteau Junior College and was later employed by the Department of Transportation.
Ike was well known in the community for his friendly smile and kind nature. He was the owner and operator of the Wister Dairy Hut for 12 years. He later retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier. His sense of civic duty extended beyond his work, he served as a volunteer firefighter with the Wister Fire Department for 17 years and as the City of Wister Treasurer for 20 years.
On February 7, 1957, Ike married the love of his life, Barbara, in Plainview, Texas. Together, they shared 68 wonderful years of marriage, raising a family and building a life centered around faith, service, and community.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bill Caudell, his son-in-law Jeff Shockley, his sister Fern Whitby, bother in law John Peerson, and niece Linda Loper.
Ike is survived by his loving wife Barbara Caudell; his son Ikie Caudell and wife Kathy of Wister; his daughter Connie Shockley of Poteau; grandchildren Tyler Shockley and wife Sidni of Park Hill, Taylor Shockley and wife Taylor of Park Hill, Brooke Mason and husband Paul of Seguin,TX., Laura Baldwin and husband Caleb of Wister, and Steven Caudell of El Reno; great-grandchildren Treven and Holden Shockley, Joel, Jenna, and Liam Mason, Jacob Baldwin and wife Katie, Jessa Browne and husband Colt, Jim Baldwin and wife Kacie; great-great-grandchildren Blake and Luke Baldwin, Charlie Baldwin, and Reed Browne; and his sister Joye Peerson of Houston, Texas.
Ike deeply loved his family, his church, and his community. He never met a stranger and always had a warm smile and kind word for everyone he encountered. His legacy of faith, service, and love will live on in the many lives he touched.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, August 18, 2025, at Bethel Baptist Church in Wister, Oklahoma with Josh Effinger officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Ricky Crane, Caleb Moore, Bud Morgan, Jacob Baldwin, Jim Baldwin, and Colt Browne.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Men’s Bethel Sunday School Class, Jess Akins, Tim Pedan, Bill Bullard, Jerry Tamplin, Rocky Crane, Carl Moore, Steve Walden, Joe Skinner, Doug Horne, Jerry Harmon, and Simon Billy.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Bethel Baptist Church’s Food Pantry, PO Box 368, Wister OK 74966.
Friends and family may leave online condolences at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.
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