Evans Miller Funeral Home Poteau Oklahoma

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell you about a place that's as much a part of Poteau, Oklahoma, as the muddy Arkansas River or the town's famous annual Fiddle Festival. I'm talking about the one, the only, Evans Miller Funeral Home.

Now, don't go running off, this isn't a horror story!

I mean, sure, it's a funeral home, but it's also a place filled with history, quirks, and even a touch of humor. You see, Evans Miller has been serving Poteau since 1923, and let me tell you, they've seen it all. From the town's early days as a bustling coal mining hub to its current status as a charming, close-knit community.

So, who's this Evans Miller fella, anyway?

Well, he was a man of many talents. A funeral director, sure, but also a justice of the peace, a notary public, and even a part-time photographer. Talk about a Renaissance man! He'd marry you, bury you, and capture your wedding day all in one stop. Now that's what I call customer service!

And get this, folks, Evans was also a bit of a magician. Not the rabbits-out-of-hats kind, but the kind that could make a body disappear. No, no, not like that! I mean, he was known for his ability to, ahem, relocate the dearly departed when space got tight. You see, back in the day, the funeral home was also the town's only mortuary. So, when bodies started piling up, Evans had to get creative. He'd move them to the nearby icehouse (yes, you read that right) until they could be properly buried. Talk about a cool gig!

But enough about Evans, let's talk about the place itself.

The Evans Miller Funeral Home has seen countless changes over the years, but it's still standing proud at its original location on Monroe Street. It's been added onto, remodeled, and even had a few ghosts (allegedly) move in, but it's always remained a staple of Poteau.

Evans & Miller Funeral Home - Funeral Home Pages

Now, I've heard some folks say that the place is haunted. But I say, if you're going to be haunted, at least have the courtesy to haunt a place with some history, right? And boy, does Evans Miller have history! From the original 1923 building to the modern additions, every inch of that place is steeped in Poteau's past.

And speaking of history, did you know that Evans Miller was once a speakeasy?

Yep, you heard me right! During Prohibition, the funeral home doubled as a secret watering hole. I mean, who wouldn't want to knock back a few while surrounded by the town's dearly departed? It's the perfect place to, ahem, raise a glass to the good old days!

SFLIC awards OK funeral home Outstanding Funeral Home 2022. | Press

But don't worry, folks, those days are long gone. Today, the Evans Miller Funeral Home is a modern, respectful, and dignified place. It's still got that old-time charm, though. You can feel it in the creaky floorboards, see it in the antique furniture, and hear it in the stories the walls could tell.

So, why should you care about Evans Miller Funeral Home?

Well, aside from the fact that it's a fascinating piece of Poteau's history, it's also a testament to the town's resilience and adaptability. It's seen Poteau grow and change, and it's grown and changed with it. It's a place that's seen laughter and tears, weddings and funerals, and everything in between. It's a place that's as much a part of Poteau as the people who live there.

And besides, who doesn't love a good ghost story? Or a tale of a man who could marry you, bury you, and photograph you all in one stop? That's entertainment, folks! That's Poteau, Oklahoma, in a nutshell. And that's the Evans Miller Funeral Home.