Bertha Myers
Bertha Myers, 80, of Altus died Friday, Sept. 26, 2008, at her home.
A native of Altus, she was a daughter of the late John and Sophie Sax Post, widow of Fred Myers Jr., member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Mothers Society, and Quilting Club, employed as a registered nurse at Turner Memorial Hospital for 19 years and the Franklin County Health Department for 27 years, and was preceded in death by four sons, Dennis, James, Fred III, and John Myers; and four brothers, Louis, Alfred and Norbert Post, and Father Cletus.
She is survived by three daughters, Vickie Wiederkehr and husband, Gary, of Altus, Zita Parker and husband, Tom, of Alma, and Barbara Goodman and husband, Terry, of Lamar; three sons, David Myers and wife, Sandra, and Ted Myers and wife, Janice, all of Ozark, and Greg Myers of Altus; seven sisters, Martha Hoyle and Fronie Evans, both of Ozark, Rita Evans of Chicago, Ill, Lucille Johnson of Wichita, Kan., Gertrude Vaught of Altus, Hermina Falck of Aurora, Iowa, and Trenna Kremers of Clarksville; one brother, George Post of Memphis, Tenn.; 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and seven stepgreat-grandchildren.
Rosary was recited Monday, Sept. 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church at Altus followed by funeral mass at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, with Father Hilary Filiatreau and Deacon Matt Post officiating.
Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home of Ozark.
Pallbearers were grandsons, Brian and Adam Wiederkehr, Nathan and Aaron Myers, Andrew Bailey, Zach Myers, James and Dustin Goodman, Joshua Myers, Fred Myers IV, and Joseph Myers.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Church or Restoration Fund, 5132 St. Mary's Lane, Altus, AR 72821.
Gail Newman
Gail Newman, 65, of Russellville died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center.
She was a native of Lamar, daughter of the late Claude Cecil and Macie Ila Selby Childers, employed at Eye Warehouse in Russellville for ten-plus years as an optometrist, and was preceded in death by three brothers, Argus, Carl and Wayne Childers.
Survivors include her husband of 26 years, Gene Newman; one son and daughter-in-law, Bart and LeeAnne Langley of Russellville; one stepson, Robert Eugene Newman and wife, Heather, of Minneapolis, Minn.; four brothers, Kenneth Childers and wife, Rita, of Clarksville, William Childers and wife, Margaret, of Van Buren; and Duane Childers and wife, Mary, and James Childers, all of Lamar; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Helen Bouchard of Nashville, Tenn., Susie and Chuck Francis of Orlando, Fla., and Donna and Bill Jackson of Mountainburg; five grandchildren, Jonathan, Hunter, Caleb, Chelsea, and Sarah Newman; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Bethel Baptist Church at Knoxville with Rev. Lee Cording officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.
Honorary pallbearers were her brothers and Myles Newman.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, 2405 East Parkway, Suite 3, Russellville, AR 72802, or March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, N. Y. 10605.
Gary Lee Vire
Gary Lee Vire, 38, formerly of Clarksville, died Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, in Overland Park, Kan.
A native of El Paso, Texas, he was a son of the late Armil Clayton and Carmen Rodriquas Vire, attended Clarksville High School, Baptist, and employee of Wal Mart Stores.
Survivors include uncles, aunts, and cousins.
The body was cremated and memorial services were held in Overland Park, Kan.
Harvey E. Young
Harvey E. Young, 74, of Coal Hill died Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, at his home.
He was a native of Dale, son of the late August and Bonnie Yarbrough Young, employee of Greenville Tube, and was preceded in death by one son, Billy Earl Young; two sisters, Mable Duncan and Gladys Troxell; and three brothers, John Young, Clyde Young, and George Young.
Survivors include his wife, Alta Patrick Johnson Young; one son, Randall Dean Young of Coal Hill; eight stepchildren; two sisters, Bertha Young and Nancy Young, both of North Little Rock; two brothers, Junior Young and Ray Young, both of Clarksville; and seven grandchildren.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Kindrix officiating. Burial will be in Minnow Creek Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Justin White, Jessie Johnson, Charlie Johnson, Leon Hill, Tony Harderson, and Martin Boen.
Honorary pallbearers will be Patrick Johnson, Randall Johnson, Travis Johnson, Raymond Johnson, and Cecil Zolliecoffer.
Jerry P. Stumbaugh
Jerry Paul Stumbaugh, age 58, of Little Rock, Arkansas was reunited with the Lord Tuesday, September 30, 2008. He was born October 27, 1949, in Clarksville, Arkansas.
Jerry was remembered by his family and friends as a giving, loyal and loving man. He enriched all of our lives and will be greatly missed.
He was a graduate of Clarksville High School and the University of the Ozarks at Clarksville. He received his CPA Certificate in 1975 and in addition to his accounting career Jerry volunteered in several community organizations. He was a long time member of AICPA, Arkansas AGA, Sierra Club, C.A.R.E. and a founding member of the FuRR organization.
He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Winfrey Wright.
He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Wright Stumbaugh; parents, Levon and Eileen Stumbaugh of Clarksville; mother-in-law, Kathryn Wright of White Hall; two daughters, Rhonda Givens of Rogers and Stephanie Givens Trebbe and husband, Joe, of Springfield, Mo.; one brother, Alan Stumbaugh and wife, Donna, of Houston, Texas; one sister, Becky Clifton of Clarksville; one brother-in-law, Lawrence Wright of Arlington, Texas; two grandsons, Blake Trebbe and Dustin Trebbe, both of Springfield, Mo.; two nieces, Lisa Thomas and husband, Aaron, of Cypress, Texas, and Jenny Hering and husband, Zeb, of Waco, Texas; one nephew, Justin Plugge and wife, Amber, of Clarksville; two great-nephews, Joel and Jonathan Thomas of Cypress, Texas; and one great-niece, Kinleigh Hering of Waco, Texas.
Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church in Clarksville with Rev. David Hanshaw officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to FuRR Organization, P. O. Box 17048, Little Rock, AR 72222 or the charity of the donor's choice.
John W. Fowler Jr.
John William Fowler Jr., 57, of Hartman died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center.
A native of Fort Sill, Okla., he was a graduate of Hartman High School and the University of the Ozarks, Army veteran, and preceded in death by his father, John William Fowler; and one son, Joey Lee Fowler.
Survivors include one daughter, Amber Coop and husband, Kirk, of Wasilla, Alaska; one son, John William Fowler III of Hartman; parents, Zelma and Steve Stephan of Hartman; one sister, Vicki Southard and husband, Larry, of Hartman; one brother, Randy Fowler and wife, Debbie, of Hartman; one stepgrandchild, Joey Lee Patterson of Russellville; one nephew, Brandon Southard of Hartman; and one niece, Stephanie Fultz and husband, Wesley, of Hartman.
A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Bethlehem Cemetery with Rev. Burnett King officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
Kenneth K. Sanders
Kenneth K. (Peck) Sanders, 84, of Alix died Monday, Sept. 29, 2008.
He was a native of Denning, World War II Navy veteran, and son of the late John Walters and Florance Lee Scott Sanders.
Survivors include one daughter, Maggie Corley and husband, Bryan, of Booneville; one stepdaughter, Martha Clay and husband, Jimmie, of Springdale; three stepsons, David Moore of Oklahoma, Don Moore of Ozark, and Danny Moore and wife, Rhonda, of Etna; one sister, Margaret Wolfe of Riggins, Ind.; three grandchildren; and companion, Joyce Sanders.
Memorial graveside services and burial were at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Houston Cemetery at Alix.
Arrangements were by Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Margaret Ann Johnson
Margaret Ann Johnson, 52, of Clarksville died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, at Hot Springs.
She was a native of Little Rock, daughter of the late John Thomas and Pebble Metcalf Swayze, Baptist, and preceded in death by one son, Charles M. Johnson.
Survivors include her husband, Johnny R. Johnson; three sons, Travis Johnson and wife, Rena, Raymond C. Johnson, and Billy E. Johnson, all of Lamar; and one grandchild, Matthew Cole Johnson.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Payne officiating. Burial was in Lamar Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jessie Johnson, Bud Harmon, Kevin Baker, Kevin Gable, Leon Hill, Jimmy Cowell, Tony Goodman, and Ben Harris.
Honorary pallbearer was Brandon Main.
Rita C. Epperson
Rita Carolyn Becker Epperson, 67, of Hartman died Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, at her home.
She was a daughter of the late Charlie John and Eula Beatrice Ewing Becker, native of Hartman, attended the Assembly of God Church and the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Becker.
She is survived by three daughters, Rebel Lee Robertson White of Glenn Heights, Texas, Kimberly Carol Epperson of Independence, Mo., and Kalyn Epperson of Hartman; two sons, Phillip Douglas Robertson of Kansas City, Mo., and Daniel Leon Robertson of Converse, Texas; one sister, Peggy Beneux of Ozark; 11 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bill Milam and Rev. Eddie Birdsong officiating. Burial was in West Mount Zion Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jim Dahlem, Shaun Bailey, Gary Ledford, David Willis, and Mike Estes.
Wayne G. Jones
Wayne G. Jones, 79, of Mayfield, Kan., died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.
He was a native of Hagarville, son of the late Noah H. and Alpha Mae Allison Jones, AT&SF and BNSF railroad conductor-brakeman, and was preceded in death by one grandson, Jacob Wayne Jones; one granddaughter, Shannon Danane Bracken; one son-in-law, Capt. James F. Parslow, USMC; one brother, Noel Jones; and one sister, Lucille Steele.
Survivors include his wife, Opal D. Clark Jones; three daughters, Linda Lee Parslow of Belle Plaine, Kan., Jill Bracken of Garland, Texas, and Julie Drake of Andover, Kan.; two sons, Greg Jones of Corbin, Kan., and Glen Jones of Wichita, Kan.; one sister, Ernestine Tumbleson of Clarksville; two brothers, Noah H. Jones Jr. of Midwest City, Okla., and Joe B. Jones of Salyer, Calif.; 16 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Burial was in Mayfield, Kan. Local arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Judy Rinke
Judy L. Hurst Rinke, 63, of Coal Hill died Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, in Coal Hill.
She was a native of Altus, member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Altus and the widow of Walter Rinke.
Survivors include one daughter, Yvonne Case of Coal Hill; one son, Joseph Rinke of Coal Hill; one brother, Donald Hurst of Altus; and seven grandchildren.
Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Shaffer Funeral Home in Ozark.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Altus.
Pallbearers will be Dee Yates, Buddy Beavers, Ronnie Garner, and Ricky, Randy and Dustin Hurst.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Shaffer Funeral Home.
Wanda Walker Coats
Wanda Beth Walker Coats, 69, of Clarksville, AR went to her home in Heaven on Sunday morning, October 5, 2008.
She was born in Decatur, TX, August 27th, 1939, as the only daughter of Rev. J. W. and Beth Walker and was the beloved wife of Earl James Coats, all of whom proceeded her in death.
She is survived by two brothers, Jimmie Walker & wife LaRue of Fort Worth, Texas, Rev. Kenneth Walker & wife Barbara of Norfolk, Nebraska, sisters and brothers-in-law Rev. Bill Coats and wife Louise and Jerry and Sue Guadagno of Moore, OK, Jim and Jerry Martin of Dell City, OK, Don and Linda Mueller of Oklahoma City, OK and Kay Coats, widow of Sam Coats, of Clarksville, AR.
Nothing was more important to Wanda than her large extended family. She was the much loved and trusted mother of four children, Theresa Pelton-White & husband T. F. White Jr. of Ozark, AR., Kelly Gustafson and husband Tony Gustafson of Valrico, Florida, Duane Norwood & wife Melinda Norwood of Coal Hill, AR, and Lori Norwood and husband Larry Gilbert of Clarksville, AR.
Known to most everyone as “Big Momma,” in her stronger days, you would find her at one of the many ballgames, choir concerts or any other activity she could get to of one of her fifteen grandchildren ; Jeff and Kara Hager, T. A. and Tyler Gustafson of Valrico, FL., Amanda Colvin and husband Kyle, Beau Norwood, and Charlie Gilbert of Clarksville, AR., Levi Gilbert and wife Brittany of Conway, AR., Rachel Brown and husband Bryan of Austin, TX, Tim Pelton of Russellville, AR., Ashlea Norwood of Fort Worth, TX., Dustin, Jake and Zachary Sexton of Coal Hill, AR and Tripp White of Ozark.
In more recent days, you could find her reading, working a puzzle, helping with homework, playing soldiers or simply sitting and talking with one of her five great-grandchildren, Auston Gilbert, 9, Colton Denton-Hopkins, 8, Matthew Colvin, 3, Zaydin Sexton, 3 and newest arrival Beatrice June Brown, 7 months.
Wanda worked at staying current and up to date with the lives of all of these listed as well as her many nieces, nephews, cousins and their spouses, healthcare workers, neighbors, close friends and acquaintances. She held everyone she met close to her heart and could regularly be found with her head bowed in prayer praying specifically for each of them asking her Heavenly Father to meet their need and bring peace to their situation. Everyone knew if they had a problem, Big Momma was available and would listen and oftentimes help with a solution.
Wanda and her husband Earl, moved to Clarksville, AR in the early 1980’s where she was founder of C&S Closing Company and became the first female abstract officer in the state of Arkansas. She was a bright, intelligent and successful woman who took great pride in her ability to solve problems and fulfill the dreams of those she served.
Wanda was a lifelong member of the Kings Highway Baptist Church of Fort Worth, TX where her father was pastor and she played the piano for many years. Oftentimes at local gatherings she would sit down at a piano and before long everyone in the room would be singing. She loved people and they loved her.
A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday morning, October 8, 2008, 10:00 AM at Woodland Baptist Church in Clarksville, AR, officiated by Dr. Todd Steffy, and visitation was Tuesday evening, October 7th, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Hardwicke Funeral Home in Clarksville, AR.
The family would like to express heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff of Lincare, Inc.of Russellville for the dedicated and constant supply of oxygen equipment and supports over the past six years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Arkansas Hospice, 2405 Parkway Dr., Suite 3, Russellville, AR 72801.