Irl Deane Carver Cheatham was born January 16, 1934, in Frankfurt, Kansas, to Marceta Valentine and Paul Wayne Carver. She passed away on March 10th, 2025, in Elk City, Oklahoma, at the age of 91. Irl Deane grew up in Kansas, graduating from Shawnee Mission High School in 1952 at Shawnee Mission Kansas. She continued her education at the University of Kansas in Lawrence for the next two years, where she majored in physical education.

Irl Deane Carver married Larry Duane Cheatham in Colonial Presbyterian Church on February 1st, 1954, in Kansas City, Kansas. While Larry served the country in the Navy, Irl Deane returned to Beloit, Kansas. There she had their first child, Randie Carol. The couple then followed his naval career around the country. They had their second child, Sheryl Lynn, in Great Lakes, Illinois, and after serving six years they settled in Colorado Springs. It was there that they welcomed their third child, Scott Brian.

As Larry began his career with Sears Roebuck, Co., Irl Deane created a home for the family as a stay-at-home mother. The family moved to Ft. Worth, Amarillo, Texas; Omaha, Nebraska; Oklahoma City, and Phoenix, Arizona. Upon Larry's retirement they moved back to Colorado Springs and then settled in Elk City to make it their final home.

Irl Deane spent her time taking care of Larry and began working outside the home., She worked parttime at Carnegie Library, Whinery's Funeral Home, Elk City Regional Adult Learning Center, and served as a substitute teacher at Elk City High School. She loved her time working in the schools where she got to know the students and teachers.

She was active throughout her life. She loved to play tennis, golf, and bridge. Irl Deane was passionate about cooking and entertaining. As Irl Deane spent her youth being raised on Star Lane Ranch in Kansas, she rode and eventually showed horses in the Kansas City Royale. She played the piano and inherited her parent's singing abilities. She was an avid hostess for her gourmet group and loved her time in PEO. She was a member of the Elk City United Methodist Church and enjoyed their outreach program at Bell Avenue Rehab and Nursing Home.

Irl Deane was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Duane, her parents and brother, Paul Crosby Carver.

She is survived by Randie Carol and her husband Sean Lush of New Berne, NC; Sheryl Lynn and husband Javier Ponce of Elk City; Scott Brian Cheatham of New Berne, NC, her sister Joyce H. and Earl Boykin of Crosby, Texas; grandchildren Randie Elizabeth and husband Luke Carpenter of Leedey; Jacquie Cheatham of Stillwater; Danielle and Jerry Ray Kimball of Elk City. She has six great-grandchildren, Ledger and Liam Carpenter, along with Cristiana and Joy Smith, and Jada and Jonathan Kimball. In addition, she has numerous nieces and nephews from across the country.

Memorial service will be held March 29th, at 2 p.m., in Whinery Funeral Services and Cremation Center's Chapel. Pastor Terry Jordan will be officiating. Services will be live streamed on Whinery Funeral Services and Cremation's Facebook page.