Lavona Mae Niles

Lavona Mae Pfleider Niles was born on August 18, 1931 near Lambert, Oklahoma, Alfalfa County at their family’ farm. Lavona was the daughter of George Edward Pfleider and Mildred Ella Pfleider.
She attended Dacoma Public Schools; graduated from Northwestern State College, Alva, Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Lavona was selected to the Delta Eta Chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi honor society. She was listed in the 1959-1960 Edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. She later taught school in Oklahoma City for seven years.
Lavona spent her life being a wife, mother, teacher, and caregiver to those she loved. She always said her greatest achievement was rearing 5 wonderful children! Lavona was known for her “pearls of wisdom”, positive attitude, and kindness to everyone she met. She enjoyed doing needlework, arts and crafts, reading, fishing, trips with her children, crocheting, golf, music, and gardening. She loved being outdoors enjoying all of Mother Nature’s gifts. She loved her cats like children. She was a member to the First Christian Church; and for several years sang in the church choir. Lavona helped style hair for several years at Green Valley Nursing Home. She also enjoyed a medical mission trip to Mexico and just wished she had started mission trips earlier in life.
She is survived by three children, Vicki Walker Ivester and husband Jack of Sayre, Oklahoma, a son Jeffery Charles Linihan and wife Louise of Edmond Oklahoma and Sandra Linihan Smith and husband Bob of Perry, Oklahoma. She is also survived by step-son, Benjamin Clayton Niles of California.
Eleven grandchildren: Jennifer Ivester Berry and husband Steve of Oklahoma City, Nikki Walker Alsabrook and husband Jeff of Mansfield, Texas, Amy Walker Vann and husband Matt of Yukon, Rachael Graham Johnson and husband Chance of Plano, Texas, John Lee Walker III of Oklahoma City, Will Linihan of Edmond, OK, Suzie Linihan of Edmond, OK, Sarah Smith Ward and husband Rusty of Luther, OK, Taylor Smith of Perry OK and Benjamin C Niles III and Caitria Niles of Sacramento, CA.
Eleven great grandchildren Destinie Alsabrook Irvin, Courtney, Kayla, Tristan, and Samantha Alsabrook all of Mansfield, TX, Maddox and Vivian Johnson of Plano, TX, Jayden Tanner of Yukon, OK and Hannah Vann of Yukon, OK and Brennley Ward and Keagan Ward of Luther, OK.
She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Carl Hartwig of Alva, Oklahoma, niece Michelle Hartwig Mapes and husband Jeff of Alva and children Courtney and Cathy of Alva, Ok., nephew Michael Hartwig and wife Marsha and children Spencer, Jansen, and Mitchell of Perry, Ok. Lavona has several cousins, friends, and all her other “kids” who called her Mom or Grandma.
She was preceded in death by husband, John (Johnny) Walker, husband, Ben Niles, her parents George and Mildred Pfleider, brother George Pfleider Jr, sister Genevra Jane Hartwig, son John Lee Walker Jr, daughter Patti Lou Graham, and granddaughter Jana Leigh Ivester.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 12 at the First Christian Church in Perry. Visitation will be at Dighton Marler Funeral Home on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with family greeting guests from 5-7 p.m. She will be buried in Alva, OK with family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Perry Wheatheart Nutrition