A Sallisaw teenager is not only grieving over the loss of his mother, but is also having to worry about paying for her funeral arrangements.

Rick Oberste of Sallisaw said his daughter's 18-year-old boyfriend, Donald Sanders, recently lost his mother to cancer, and Sanders is left to pay for the funeral by himself.

In an effort to help defray costs of the funeral, Oberste has set up an account, the Donald Sanders' Special Account, at National Bank of Sallisaw for people to donate to defray costs.

Sanders' mother, Deborah Peterson, 52, died Saturday in Tulsa after losing a battle with cancer. Her funeral is set for 10 a.m. Friday at Greater New Bethel Baptist Church.

Oberste said Sanders has two older sisters, but they do not have the financial means to pay for the funeral either.

"An 18-year-old kid can't cover expenses like this," Oberste said.

Oberste said Sanders is a 2004 graduate of Sallisaw High School and will be attending the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith on a scholarship. He hopes to eventually go to dental school, Oberste said. Sanders currently works for National Bank of Sallisaw.

"He's a very good kid," Oberste said.

Oberste said he can't imagine his daughter having to make arrangements after his death, and then have to worry about paying for it. He said he hopes the community will respond.

"Everyone loves him (Sanders)," Oberste said. "It's for a good cause."