Services for Stigler Editor Anita Reding

Anita Faye Reding, 68, of Stigler passed away on March 10, 2025, after a brief illness and surrounded by loved ones. 

A memorial service will be held on March 21, 2025, at Main Street Baptist Church in Stigler at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jerry Highfill officiating. 

Anita was born on Dec. 8, 1956 in Pryor, Oklahoma, to Bill and Juanita Reding. She grew up in Oklahoma and Arkansas, graduating from high school in Pryor, where she was introduced to the field of journalism serving as the editor of the school paper her senior year.  She attended Oklahoma Baptist University, graduating in 1979 with a BA in Journalism.

As a journalist she worked as a reporter, editor, managing editor, and publisher of various papers in Arkansas and Oklahoma.  She was named Small Business Journalist of the year in 2007 by the Arkansas Division of the Small Business Administration. Her most recent position was as editor of the Stigler News-Sentinel where she devoted herself to the staff, the paper, and the community.  She loved this field of journalism where she was able to invest herself in relationships.

Beyond her career, Anita was a devoted family member and friend. She enjoyed time with all of her family but especially looked forward to seeing her great-niece and great-nephew, Ada and Charlie.  She was also deeply committed to her church, Main Street Baptist, where she taught classes, sang in the choir, served on committees, and was present just about every Sunday. 

She is survived by her mother, Juanita Reding of Stigler, OK; her brother and sister-in-law, Danny Reding and Lynn of Lowell, AR; her nephew, Brian Reding of Bentonville, AR; her niece, Laura Gehrke and husband, John, of Elkins, AR; her great niece and great nephew, Ada and Charlie Gehrke of Elkins, AR. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Reding. 

Those wishing to make memorial contributions are encouraged to make them to Main Street Baptist Church in Stigler or Clarehouse Hospice in Tulsa.

Anita will be deeply missed, but her quiet spirit, devotion to friends and family, and her deep faith will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. 

STORY FROM STIGLER NEWS-SENTINEL:
By John Block

Our beloved friend and colleague, Anita Reding, passed away after a brief battle with cancer. 

She succumbed to her illness due to multiple complications on March 10.

Published in this issue is the “Advantage, Your Guide to Haskell County” magazine that she contributed greatly to since its inception in 2015. Even in this year’s Advantage, you will see her work in both layout and stories she wrote. She continued to work on the magazine through her illness.

“Anita was a great editor and will be sorely missed,” Jeff Mayo, publisher of the SENTINEL, said. “When we purchased the paper in October 2023, I was delighted that Anita was the editor. I remember her from way back when she was part of the Eastern Oklahoma Bureau for the Times Record. She always carried with her a great reputation for gathering news.”

Reding worked over 25 years in the newspaper industry with stops at the Southwest Times Record, Pine Bluff Commercial, Skiatook Journal, Muskogee Phoenix, Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Stigler News-Sentinel.

“Anita started at the paper the same time I started my tenure as city manager. It’s been a pleasure to work with Anita for the past 11 years. She showed extreme professionalism and had a knack for concise word placement. We developed a personal and professional relationship throughout the years. She has played an integral part in the city’s success. She will be sorely missed and from the City of Stigler employees, our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones,” Bobby Mouser, Stigler City Manager, said.

She started at the SENTINEL in September of 2014. She briefly left in 2018 to live near her family but after five months, returned to the SENTINEL because of her great love for this community. 

She served as the SENTINEL’s general manager and editor since October 2023.

“I appreciated Anita for her professionalism and her dedication to promoting our community and all of Haskell County. She was a true champion for the Stigler Haskell County Chamber of Commerce,” Janice Williams, retired Executive Director of the Stigler Haskell County Chamber of Commerce, said.

“Four years ago, I walked into the SENTINEL to start a job that I had no experience in before. Anita took me under her wing and taught me everything I needed to know about journalism. I admired her professionalism and willingness to teach,” John Block, Sports Editor and Staff Writer, said.

“Anita and I have spent many hours together and my trust for her and her writing was beyond measure. Anita was truly one of the good ones. She wrote the truth and made sure Haskell County was covered in any story. She always had great insight to make negative news positive, and she will truly be missed,” Tim Turner, State representative, said.

Anita, you will be missed by everyone that knew you. Your impact will never be forgotten.