Jani Myers-Coughlan | Kingfisher Times & Free Press
Jani Dean Myers-Coughlan, a lifelong resident of Oklahoma, died on December 10, 2022 at the age of 47 from complications from heart failure at Integris Health Canadian Valley Hospital in the Yukon.
Jani was born on April 25, 1975 at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City to parents Mark and Vicki Myers.
She graduated from El Reno High School in 1993.
She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2003 and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Oklahoma in 2008.
Jani practiced community work for DHS Canadian County in child welfare where she received a Longevity Award.
During her tenure, she advocated for and protected many children and played a pivotal role in several adoptions.
She has also practiced her profession as a social worker in the NICU at Mercy Hospital, as a social worker at Russell-Murray Hospice, and as a social worker at Heartland Hospice.
Later in her career, she was a dedicated social worker for Tinker Air Force Base, where she received awards for going above and beyond.
She has received awards for excellence from the Department of the Air Force and the 72nd Air Base Wing Wildcatters.
Jani later became an employee of the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System and the US Department of Veterans Affairs – VA Outpatient Clinic South Oklahoma City.
Influential in the development of Jani’s professional life was the commitment and work ethic she gained as a six-year member of the El Reno Public Schools Band Program, the Canadian Valley Technology Center’s Intergenerational Program, and the Future Homemakers of America.
Educational awards Jani received were FHA HERO, EHS Band Queen and President’s Honor Roll at SWOSU and OU.
Jani married Derek Jones in September 2001 in the Virgin Islands.
They were married for nine years and together they became the proud parents of their beautiful daughter Avery Dianne Jones.
On June 9, 2017, Jani married Edward Shannon Coughlan, the love of her life and her best friend. Together they have built a loving home and endured life’s challenges and enjoyed life’s blessings with dignity and love.
Jani had a strong spiritual nature with a passion for serving others.
She had a sacrificial heart and would often do anything to make others happy and meet their social and physical needs.
She entertained her friends, family and clients with her humorous manner and sharp wit. She loved babies and children.
Above all, she cherished her 13-year-old daughter Avery, for whom she lived and whom she protected with all her might.
Among those waiting to see Jani again is her husband Shannon; daughter Avery Jones; son Gage Coughlan and his wife Josie; daughter Audrey Coughlan and her wife Brittney; mother Vicki Dean Russell Myers; Sister Holli Nelson; brother-in-law to Ross Nelson; beloved aunt Carol Marie Russell Davis; Uncle John Davis; and mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law Carole and Dean Rayburn and John and Melody Coughlan.
Jani is also survived by many other family members and loving friends.
Jani is now reunited with those who have gone before her, including her father, Mark Myers; brother Cory Mark Myers; stepson Brock Coughlan; grandparents John and Marie Russell; grandfather Frank Myers; cousin John Timothy “JT” Davis; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends and co-workers.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses and doctors at Integris Health’s Canadian Valley Hospital and the staff at Russell-Murray Hospice who lovingly cared for Jani at her bedside.
Donations can be made to the Avery Jones Education Fund or the Russell-Murray Hospice Mark Myers Memorial Special Projects Fund.
For more information, contact Christina Ketter at 405-262-3088.
Jani’s life will be remembered Monday, December 19 at 2 p.m. at the Ingram, Smith & Turner Mortuary Chapel in the Yukon at 201 E. Main St.
Funeral services will follow at El Reno Cemetery.
