A celebration of life for Jessie Ilene Van Meter, 88, of Fairview, Oklahoma will be held at 10 A.M., Thursday, May 25, 2023, in the Fairview First United Methodist Church, followed by graveside celebration at the Fairview Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Jessie Ilene (Crawford) Van Meter, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away on May 20, 2023 at the age of 88.

Ilene was born on December 12, 1934 in Hardesty, OK. She attended and graduated from Hardesty Public Schools. In high school she participated in basketball, softball, and was the salutatorian of her senior class. Growing up, her brothers had to work in the fields, so her job was milking the cows. She also worked in the Hardesty café and the ice cream and soda fountain in Gruver, TX.

Upon graduating high school, Ilene attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK. During her second semester, she met a boy from Dacoma named Bob Van Meter. They were engaged in December of 1953 and on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1954 they were married in Hardesty. They welcomed their daughter, Jeania Dianne, into the world on December 28, 1957. Bob's job took them to Adams, OK and then to Boise City, OK where their son, Mark Lee, was born on November 6, 1960.

After some time off from college traveling with Bob in the Army, Ilene graduated from Northwestern with a degree in Elementary Education. Ilene took her first teaching assignment in Renfrow, OK where she taught 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade in a two room schoolhouse. In the spring of 1966 Bob and Ilene had the opportunity to take teaching positions at Woodward, OK. After five wonderful years there, Bob was hired to be the superintendent of schools at Fairview Public Schools and Ilene was hired to teach third grade.

Ilene taught for 26 years until she retired from teaching in the late eighties. She and Bob had a love for travelling that took them to all 50 states, over 41 foreign countries, and all seven continents. Ilene was an avid golfer and was the Female Club Champion at the Fairview Golf Course and Country Club numerous times. They were fortunate enough to play golf in 23 states and 4 countries. Hot Springs, AR and Pendaries, NM were their favorite places to play and they went there every year for over 32 years.

Bob and Ilene were married for 68 years. Ilene enjoyed watching and supporting her grandchildren in their school activities. She and Bob were longtime members of the Fairview First United Methodist Church. Ilene taught Sunday school for several years, was a member of the United Methodist Women's group, and was a mentor to elementary girls in the community. She also volunteered her time visiting residents at the Fairview Fellowship Home.

Ilene believed that by having faith and giving your troubles to the Lord, you can overcome any of life's obstacles.

Ilene is preceded in death by her father and mother, Orley and Irene Crawford, and her husband, Bobby Lee Van Meter.

Ilene is survived by her daughter, Jeania (Rick) Luber of Oklahoma City, OK and Mark (Tammy) Van Meter of Fairview, OK, her grandchildren Bryan (Kate) Luber of Edmond, OK, Karissa (Bryan) Suchy of Oklahoma City, OK, Paige (Daylon) Krause of Okeene, OK, and Payton (Sam) Stephens of Elk City, OK, brother Dewayne (Carolyn) Crawford of Springfield, IL, brother Corky Crawford of Pauls Valley, OK, and brother Rex (Marilyn) Crawford of Woodward, OK. She was also blessed with seven great grandchildren, Heidi, Claire, Levi, Finley, Sloane, Suttyn, and Logan.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Fairview Schools Educational Foundation in honor of the Bob and Ilene Van Meter Scholarship fund.