Edith Donnette Stauffer

Edith Donnette, the oldest child of Maxine (Ole) and Orie Beryle Stauffer, was born July 12, 1947 in Cherokee, Oklahoma and passed away on February 3, 2023 in the care of Mercy Hospice, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A celebration of Donnette’s life will be held February 7, 2023 at 1 p.m. in the Wharton Funeral Home Chapel. Her final resting place will be at Short Springs Cemetery near her family. (Edith) Donnette was named after her maternal grandmother Edith (Crawford) Ole and paternal Aunt Phyllis Donnette (Stauffer) Beck. Very few people could get by calling her anything other than “Donnette” but when the nephews and niece came along, they seemed to get by with a challenging “Edith” every now and then. Although her given name was how we knew her best, she was also known as sister, aunt, friend, partner-in-crime, caregiver, and confidant. As a life-long resident of Alva, Donnette was a member of First Christian Church and graduated from Alva High School in 1965, worked several years at TG&Y, and retired from the Alva Farmer’s Co-op in 2014. While at the Co-op, she seemed to have a knack for being successful at the various positions she held—from the fertilizer plant to the office. There weren’t many local farmers who could get one over on Donnette. Family was very important to Donnette. She attended more ballgames and stock shows than most parents, cheering on her niece and nephews and continuing that support with the great nieces and nephews. As the family historian and keeper of the family photo boxes, Donnette knew most of the people in the pictures and made a scrapbook for each of her niece and nephews. Bowling was a pastime Donnette enjoyed and spending time with her bowling buddies was an important part of her life. Although the bowling might not have been the primary focus, the friendships she developed along the way certainly were. She was also a fix-it person and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty whatever the project. Although the outcome was not always what she expected, she was always ready for the next time. Donnette was preceded in death by her parents Orie and Maxine; brothers Craig and Kurt; nephews Dustin Graves and Clayton Stauffer; her partner Jarilyn Link; and bonus niece Hallie Link. She is survived by her sister Jeannette and husband Roger Graves; brother Kim and wife Arlene Stauffer; and sister-in-law Sharry (Stauffer) and husband Brad Thompson. But perhaps the most important people to carry her legacy forward are her niece and nephews: Derick (April) Graves; Damon (Janette) Stauffer; Brian Stauffer; Carol Stauffer; Kevin (Nick) Stauffer-Rossi; Kyle Stauffer; Kelly (Amanda) Stauffer; and bonus nephews Daryl and Dusty McCormick. The list continues with great nieces and nephews: Sylus, Clyce, and Myah Graves; Braden, Katelyn, and Colette Stauffer; Gauge, Axel, and Coulter Stauffer; and Hunter and Aspen Stauffer. Donnette is also survived by her extended family and many friends she considered family. In honor of Donnette’s life, please consider a gift to the Dustin Graves Memorial Scholarship Fund or to the Clayton Stauffer Memorial 4-H Scholarship Fund. Gifts may be made in care of Wharton Funeral Home.

Edith Donnette Stauffer

July 12, 1947 - February 3, 2023