Mary Sue Heltzel

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She loved reading and writing novels, and in 2020 she fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming an author when her book Sanctuary was published.

Mary Sue (Fleming) Heltzel, age 85, went into Jesus' loving arms on November 3, 2026, peacefully at her home in rural Rogers County, Oklahoma. Mary Sue was born January 9, 1941, in McCurtain, Oklahoma, to Webb Cecil Fleming and Jessie Laverne (Churchill) Fleming. She earned a double master's degree in science and mathematics from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and devoted her career to teaching math and science. She taught in the Challenge 86 program, serving students from Chouteau, Locust Grove, and Salina, then spent 18 years teaching at Salina Schools. She retired in 2012 from Tulsa Central High School, leaving behind generations of students who were challenged and encouraged by her.

A longtime, active member of First Baptist Church in Pryor, Oklahoma, Mary Sue found her greatest joy in serving Jesus Christ. She loved reading and writing novels, and in 2020 she fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming an author when her book Sanctuary was published by Christian Faith Publishing.

Mary Sue was a loving mother, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, great aunt, mentor and friend to more that we could ever list in this remembrance of her life.

She was married to Carl Dean Heltzel for 38 years.

Mary Sue is survived by her three daughters, Laurel D. (Heltzel) Matthews and husband Dan; Linda L. (Heltzel) Statham and husband John; and Cinda M. (Heltzel) Horner and husband Joe Horner; her sister-in-law, Susan Fleming; and her grandchildren: Jimmie J. Matthews and wife Maggie, and their daughters Anais and Camila; Michelle J. Matthews; Candice M. Balmer and her son Cail Braden; Celeste D. Sutton and her daughters Serenity and Aurora; Shelby Horner and her daughters Addi Jo and Maddi Mae Ervin and Everlee Steuber; Cole H. Horner; Colt J. Horner; and Mallory B. (Horner) Mercer and husband Reece, and their son Tripp.

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Mary Sue was a loving mother, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, great aunt, mentor and friend.

She was preceded in death by Carl; her parents, Webb and Jessie Fleming; her brother, Michael L. Fleming; and her grandson, Lucas D. Matthews.

A visitation will be held Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Shipman Funeral Home Chapel in Pryor, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Pryor, Oklahoma, with Dr. Mike Cox officiating. Private burial will be at Chouteau West Cemetery in Chouteau, Oklahoma.

Her faith in God's word led her throughout her life. One of her favorite Scriptures was 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

To leave a personal message, please visit her guestbook at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service of Pryor.