Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

05/28/2026

05/26/2026

Albert Dorton
October 4, 1940 — May 21, 2026
Cherokee

Albert Edward Dorton

Albert Edward Dorton was born October 4, 1940, in Carmen, Oklahoma. His parents were Joseph William Dorton and Violet Marie McConnell Dorton. Albert was the fourth child born to this union. He was delivered by his grandmother, Florence McConnell. Albert and Gayle (Reed) Dorton were married June 23, 1962. After 63 years together, Gayle has lost her husband, their children their dad, the grandchildren and great grandchildren, their Grand Dad. We will grieve for him but those of us that knew and loved him will celebrate his life with wonderful memories. To this union two children were born; Jeff Allen Dorton and Diane Rene Dorton Highfill. As a young man, when they were married, Albert was working as the parts man at Holderby Ford. Albert worked at many jobs, trying to make a living for his growing family. In 1964, he was appointed to service with the United States Postal Service, an appointment he held until his retirement in 1998. During that time, he worked as a clerk, a city letter carrier and occasionally as a rural substitute mail carrier. All of his postal employment was served in Cherokee, Oklahoma. He was very dedicated to his job. When he retired, he had accumulated many hours of vacation and sick days. He just didn't miss work. While Jeff and Diane were in high school, Albert became interested in photography after taking a photography class at NWOSU in Alva. He took many pictures of the students in all activities. When the high school burned in 1981, all of the school's yearbook pictures were lost. Many of the pictures of the student's activities for the year book that year were provided from his pictures.

Albert was also a farmer/rancher. He loved working with the animals but not especially horses!

He retired from farming and ranching in 2015. That business is still in the family, now in the hands of his granddaughter, Taylor Fielder, who took it over from her father, Boyde Highfill who passed away in 2023.

After his retirement, Albert and Gayle hooked up their 5th wheel and had many wonderful trips together. Their first trip as retirees was to Alaska, a trip they had been planning for a long time. That trip lasted one week short of three months.

Later, Albert also found another hobby, building and refinishing furniture. Some of his grandchildren were the recipients of cedar chests, a toy box, rocking horse and refinished pieces. The tools wore out about the same time Grand Dad began looking to taking time for himself to crappy fish, which he enjoyed for a long time.

Albert was a serious, quiet, hardworking, gentle and loving husband and father. He very seldom lost his temper or raised his voice. He had a very dry sense of humor and liked to tease, especially Gayle.

He loved is grandchildren beyond measure, he often took them fishing even if they were "girls". (The Highfill girls)

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Violet Dorton; two brothers, Bobbie Joe and Claud; one sister, Vera May Dorton Bell; his wife's parents, Hubert and Edna Reed and his son-in-law, Boyde Jack Highfill; two sisters-in-law, Susan Dorton and Louise Dorton.

Albert is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gayle, of the home; his two children, Jeff Allen and wife, Julie of Stillwater, Oklahoma and his daughter, Diane Rene Dorton Highfill of Cherokee; seven grandchildren, Shayla Swain (Adam) of Cooper Landing, Alaska, Jacklyn Highfill of Ketchum, Idaho, Taylor Fielder (Zack) of Cherokee, Kathryn Milincovich (Laurence) of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Alyxandra (Brent) Ramos of Peculiar, Missouri, Claire Wampler of Mustang, Oklahoma and Caleb (Krisie) Manning, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Logan Wampler, Jack, Walker and Clay Swain, Avery, Caroline, Carson and Vivian Ramos, Albert Milincovich, Boyd Fielder, Kamryn and Harper Manning and Jadyn Moody.

Others survivors are two brothers, Vernon (Linda) of Mustang, Oklahoma and Donney of Piedmont, Oklahoma.

Albert was a member of the Cherokee Methodist Church.

Albert's service will be a private family gathering at Lanman Funeral Home on Friday, May 29, 2026 and following the service a private family gathering at the cemetery. Interment will be in the Cherokee Cemetery under the direction of Lanman Funeral Home. Viewing will be Thursday, May 28, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cherokee Voluntary Fire Department, the Cherokee Methodist Building Fund or a recipient of your choice through Lanman Funeral Home.

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

On this Memorial Day, we extend our gratitude to those who served and our heartfelt support to the families who carry their memory forward.

05/21/2026

Althea Edna Bell
September 14, 1943 — May 19, 2026
Alva, Oklahoma

Althea Edna Anderson Bell, 82-year-old resident of Alva, Oklahoma, passed peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday morning, May 19, 2026. She was a much-loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many, who was always planning grand adventures, plotting business ideas, and offering opinions and advice in her own unique ways. She was a big dreamer, a very resourceful woman, and was not afraid to speak her mind! She will be deeply missed and remembered for her presence at family gatherings, during which she always told stories, and loved to watch her brood of grandchildren and great grandchildren grow. She enjoyed the simple life, including taking care of children, plants, and animals, and her family meant everything to her!

Althea was born on September 14, 1943, to Arnold Melton Anderson and Rachel Edna Butts Anderson of Glasgow, Montana. She was homeschooled, then she attended Kalispell Business School, later working in various places such as Ferguson Electric and Heating Company and the hospital in Kalispell. At one point she took private lessons and learned the basics of flying a small airplane. She loved to sing little ditties throughout her day, such as “I’ve Got a Brand-New Pair of Roller Skates, You’ve Got a Brand-New Key.” She also played the violin, which her older children have fond memories of listening to. Another of her favorite things to do was escape into a good book, and she was a voracious reader! Some of her favorite authors included Louis L’Amour, Nora Roberts, Dean Koontz, Agatha Christy, John Grisham, and Tom Clancy.

June 3, 1962 Althea married James Esco Bell of Great Falls. They had three children - Timothy, Milton, and Rosanna. Althea and Jim eventually divorced, but they remained on friendly terms. In the early 1970’s Althea was in a relationship with René Richard Whitney of Townsend, Mt. They had one son, Nathan. Althea and her older children then lived for several years in the state of Washington, where she worked for Harshberger’s Dairy and visited her Aunt Vivian in Seattle as often as possible. Later, when her next life adventure took her through Denver, Colorado then on to Oklahoma, Althea had one son, Jeffery, with her companion, George Alared. A few years later she had two daughters, Tiffany and Rachel, with her common law husband, Robert Green of Tahlequah. While living in Tahlequah, Althea studied horticulture at Bill Willis Skills Center, worked in various jobs, including Greenleaf Nursery, and was involved with Boudinot Baptist Church. For most of the last few years of her life Althea lived in Kiowa, Kansas with her son Jeffrey in a cute little house she bought with a “a song and a dime,” as they say! There she enjoyed drinking tea and coffee while playing cards with Jeff late into the night, visiting with her children’s families, and assigning construction tasks to Nathan to shore up that cute little house! Her daughters took turns helping keep things in order. Most of her extended family were able to join her there for a wonderful celebration of her 80th birthday in 2023. Althea spent the last few years of her life at Beadles New Beginnings in Alva, Oklahoma, winning at bingo and instructing the staff on “the proper way to do things!” They appreciated her sense of humor.

Althea was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Rachel Anderson; firstborn son, Timothy James Bell; first husband, Jim Bell and brother-in-law, William (Bill) Bell of Montana, Aunt Vivian Nelson of Seattle Washington and several other loved ones.

She is survived by her six remaining children, Milton Bell of Helena, Montana, Rosanna and husband, Jim Jensen of Gentry, Arkansas, Nathan and wife, Patricia of Overland Park Kansas, Jeff Bell of Skiatook, Oklahoma, Tiffany and husband, Zach Nelson of Skiatook, Oklahoma and Rachel and husband, Bryan Jackson of Kiowa, Kansas; grandchildren, Mia and husband, Clay Cheatham of Magnolia, Arkansas, Raychelle and husband, Bryan Goldman of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Jael and husband, Ryan Brothers of Westford, Massachusetts, Arin Grace and Abigail Joy Whitney of Overland Park, Kansas, Jesse Bell, Andrew, and Lauren of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Faye (Avrey) and Audrey Rogers of Skiatook Oklahoma and Daniel, Matthew, and Freya Jackson of Kiowa, Kansas; step-grandchildren, Milo Dale of Seattle, Washington, and Rose and Liam Nelson of Skiatook, Oklahoma; great-grandchildren include, Colton and Landon Goldman of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Asher, Silas, Jeffery, and Simon of Magnolia, Arkansas, and Lilah, Jesslyn, and Jesse of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; nephew, Travis Bell and family of Tulsa, Oklahoma, former common law husband, Robert Green of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and a small number of extended relatives in Washington.

Althea’s family will have a private memorial and later lay her to rest in Montana next to her son Timothy.

Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Kiowa. www.lanmanfuneralhome.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

05/21/2026

Donald Ray Shoemaker
September 11, 1937 — May 18, 2026
Cleo Springs, Oklahoma

Donald Shoemaker, age 88, of Cleo Springs, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Born on September 11, 1937, in Cleo Springs, Donald was a man of integrity, warmth, and strong work ethic. As a self-employed HVAC and refrigeration expert, he spent decades serving his community with dedication, fixing problems with precision, and earning the trust and respect of countless local families and businesses. Outside of his work, Donald found his greatest joy in spending time with those he loved. His quiet strength, wisdom, and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew him and the community he spent his life building.

Donald is survived by his beloved wife, Zita Shoemaker; his children, Michael Shoemaker, Randy Shoemaker, and Donnita Walker; his ten cherished grandchildren; and his seven adored great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Mildred Shoemaker and his daughter, Melody Cecil.

A memorial service will be held on May 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Helena. Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc. Website: www.lanmanfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Donald’s memory to the American Cancer Society.