Emma Jane (Schoonover) Rager

Jane was born on January 1, 1938 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas to Loren “Buster” Schoonover and Iris (Schonebeck) Schoonover. In the early 1940’s her family left Arkansas and moved to Roland, OK where Jane started public school at the age 5 graduating in 1954. Her dad’s Civil Service Job allowed them to save enough that she attended Northeastern State University graduating in 1958.

Her teaching career began in Stigler, OK, where she met Chuck Rager while volunteering to assist with a Boy Scout of America (BSA) Explorer Post. She earned a Master’s in Natural Science from Oklahoma State University in 1969. That same year she married Chuck.

As Chuck’s BSA career gained stature her teaching jobs followed his moves. She taught at Roland,

Poteau, Lawton, Rogers Middle School in OKC, and Ponca City for over 30 years retiring in 1993.

While in Lawton, Jane continued advising an Explorer Post. This experience led her to organizing and advising an explorer post at Rogers Middle School for which she was awarded the Silver Beaver from the Last Frontier Council.

In 1988, Chuck and Jane were asked to be Godparents to Brittany Bull. This friendship grew to be a life-long commitment, as Terry, Diane, and Jacob became caretakers for Jane following Chuck’s passing after 46 years of marriage. Brittany and Jane kept a close relationship even after she moved to Maryland with her husband Brandon and son Charles Ryder Hamlin. Ryder called Jane “GIGI”. Jane considered the Bull family to be her family.

While Jane and Chuck had no children of their own, they were blessed to have a part in many families’ lives through Scouting. In 2000, Jane joined Kiwanis and served as Lt. Governor in 2014. As a member of Ponca City Albright UMC, a church that she loved dearly, she worked Friendship Feast. Other favorite activities were “Character Critters” with Fran Long (Jane’s best friend) at the Child Development Center and working Tourism shows for the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee.

A memorial service to celebrate Jane’s life will be held 10:30 am on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at the Albright United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to one of the following organizations that Jane had a passion for; Ponca City Kiwanis, 1125 S. 8th, Ponca City, OK 74601, Cimarron Council of the BSA, 317 N. Grand Ave. Enid, OK 73701 or to Ponca City Albright UMC, 128 S. Palm, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Cremation Services are entrusted to Advantage Funeral Home, 7201 S. Penn, Oklahoma City, OK.