Coleen Hiner, age 93, went to be with the Lord on the morning of Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Claremore, OK.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 3 at 11:00 AM in the Catesby Community Church. Burial will be in the Laverne Cemetery at 9:00AM prior to the service.  Pastor Jeff Ralston will be officiating.

Coleen was born in the home of parents Glen Roy and Thelma Irene Stevens, on the Beaver-Harper County line, west of Laverne, OK, on August 9, 1930.   She attended the Bluegrass (one room) Country School, and Laverne High School. She used to tell that she learned to dance by standing on her dad's toes, as he danced.  On November 6, 1946, she married Herbert Junior Hiner.  To that union was born three sons and one daughter:  Jimmy, Jack, Rodney, and Peggy.  Coleen and Herb lived on a farm in the Catesby community as they reared their children.  Not only did Coleen help with work on the farm-milking cows, hauling wheat, checking cattle, running for parts, and endless chores-she also worked in Shattuck, 21 miles away.  She worked in several businesses in town, as well as selling Mary Kay Cosmetics as a side job.  She retired from Texaco, after working several years in the Shattuck office, then in Booker, TX.   After retirement, she finally did a few things just because she wanted to, such as getting her GED, taking college psychology classes and singing lessons.  She always loved decorating the house, and she was very good at it.  That became more exciting for her when Rodney started painting and sharing his beautiful artwork with them.  When Herb began to develop health issues, they found a house in Shattuck, and in 1999, began living in two places, since total retirement just seldom happens for men with farming and ranching in their blood.  One surprising thing that she did, was offer to babysit Reece Sconyers, so Annie could go back to work.  She and Herb enjoyed him so much until he started kindergarten; and he was a lifeline for her when Herb passed in 2003.

The most important thing that Coleen ever did was to give her heart to Jesus.  The Catesby Church was part of her life and she made sure her children had the solid foundation that comes from knowing the Lord.  She was involved in every aspect of the church for many years, and grew closer to her church family as they served the Lord together.

Coleen was also crazy about her grandkids and they knew it!  Jennifer, Justin and Jeff lived nearby, so they were woven into her daily life in such a good way.  Joshua and Tracy would come for a few weeks in the summer and she loved to let them all entertain her.

When Peggy and Larry married, Coleen moved to Vinita with them.  Dementia was taking hold, but the three of them enjoyed many miles of travel and meeting new people and getting settled into a new life.  After only a year, it became evident that she needed the care of professionals in that disease.  The Lord led them to Brookdale Memory Care in Claremore, and immediately it was obvious this was the place where she should be.  The RN in charge told Peggy "You can be her daughter again" (instead of a caregiver) and that is exactly how it felt.

Those who took care of her all seemed to adore her; most of them said "I want to be just like her!" She was feisty and combative for a long time, but they loved her anyway.

The Brookdale "family" provided excellent care and a beautiful place for her to call home for her last six years.

Coleen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son, Rodney, 3 brothers, Gerald, Gale & Allen Stevens, her sister Darlene Scott.

Those left to carry on her legacy are her sons, Jim (Frances)Hiner of Garland, TX; Jack (Janice)Hiner of Grove, OK; Peggy (Larry)Sutton, of Vinita, OK.   Her grandkids Jennifer (Jerry) Statton of Grove, OK, Josh (Beth) Hiner of Wylie, TX, Justin Hiner of Shattuck, Jeff (Sheree) Hiner of Catesby, Tracy Hiner (Mike) of Palm Desert, CA.  Also, Garrett (Chelsie) Sutton of Bluejacket, OK, Grayson (Brittany) Sutton, and Gentry Sutton.  17 Great Grandkids, and 10 Great-great grandkids.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association or the Shattuck Senior Citizens Center

c/o Shaw Funeral Home

P.O. Box 276

Vici, OK 73859