Alva Ellis
Alva Ellis, 79, of Bentonville, whose son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Anna Ellis, reside in Clarksville, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at Bentonville.
He was a native of Braggs, Okla., son of the late Robert Franklin and Jessie Katherine Hall Ellis, retired from the U. S. Air Force after 22 years of service, and was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Van Zandt Ellis; and four brothers.
Survivors include his other children, Glen Ellis and wife, Barbara, and Susan Pilgram and husband, Joe, all of California, Larry Ellis and wife, Brinda, of Washington, Leroy Ellis of Bentonville, and Gene Ellis and wife, Michele, David Ellis, Ronnie Ellis and wife, Vivian, Kathy Frost and husband, Jack, and Loretta Farmer, all of Oklahoma; one sister, Lorene Ellis Pierce and husband, Bill, of Oklahoma; 26 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Graveside services and burial were at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at South Bethel Cemetery in Braggs, Okla., with Brad Smythe officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Millsap Funeral Service of Fort Gibson, Okla.
Cledis T. Cox
Cledis T. Cox, 70, of London died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008, at his home.
He was a native of Missouri, son of the late Lester and Dora Jones Cox, and was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Fay Roe Cox; and one daughter, Rhonda Fay.
He is survived by three daughters, Sharon Brown and husband, Bobby, of Sonora, Calif., Tina Conner and husband, David, and Tricia Pruitt and husband, Jason, all of London; one son, Jim Cox and wife, Pam, of Knoxville; two sisters, Frances Gryder and Nola Harris, both of Aurora, Mo.; two brothers, Chester Cox of Ozark, Mo., and Howard Cox of Hoberg, Mo.; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at Hardwicke Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gary Willcutt officiating. Burial was in Brock Cemetery at London.
Pallbearers were Jason Pruitt, C. J. Shaffer, James Cox, Bobby Brown, Robbie Wey, and Casey Conner.
Garland W. Cotton III
Garland William Cotton III, 21, of Clarksville died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.
He was a member of Trinity Chapel Pentecostal Church of God and was preceded in death by grandparents, Mark Howe Trusty, Garland Cotton Sr. and Emma Cotton; and one brother, Ross William Lee.
Survivors include his wife, Whitney Stewart Cotton; two sons, Pierce Lee Cotton and Cyrus William Cotton, both of Clarksville; parents, Ronnie Reed and Wanda Trusty Reed of Clarksville; three brothers, Shayne Lee of Paris, Ron Reed of Charleston, and Nathan Reed of Mountain Home; and grandparents, W. G. and Lorene Bell and Ora Mae Trusty, all of Paris.
Funeral was at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Trinity Chapel Pentecostal Church of God with Rev. Terry Schlinker officiating.
Burial was in Oakland Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers were Mike Burris, Drew Downs, Ryan Kiethly, Nathan Reed, Ron Reed, and Nick Summers.
Honorary pallbearers were Steve Farris and Matt Pledger.
Glenn R. Perdue
Glenn R. Perdue, 80, of Lamar died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, at Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith.
A native of Ohio, he was a son of the late Dennis and Olivine Lambert Perdue, member of Jamestown Assembly of God Church, retired cook, and member of Pittsburg Masonic Lodge No. 362 at Lamar.
Survivors include his wife, Pearl Johnson Perdue; two daughters, Karin Perdue of Elsinore, Utah, and Shirley Freeman and husband, Jack, of Lamar; three sisters, Marie Littrel of Missouri, Barbara Lapp of Florida, and Ann Collins of Utah; five brothers, Paul Perdue of Clarksville, Jimmy Perdue of California, Lewis Perdue of Georgia, Vernon Perdue of Idaho, and Charlie Perdue of Lamar; four grandchildren, Jeremy, Jason and Jonathan Freeman and Jessica Hanson; and eight great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Nathan Carlson and MaKayla Freeman, Destiny and Makalla Turner, Cassidy and Ted Hanson and Autumn Minor.
The body was cremated. Arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Homer Gilbert
Homer (Blackie) Gilbert, 86, of Clarksville died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, at his home.
He was a World War II veteran, retired, member of Oakland Street Full Gospel Church, son of the late Marvin and Della Wise Gilbert, and was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Green Gilbert; three brothers, Earl, Charles, and John; and five sisters, Florence, Mary, Ruth, Dorothy, and Pearl.
Survivors include three daughters, Sue Farmer, Diane Gilbert, and Joan Humphrey and husband, Bob, all of Clarksville; two sons, Wayne Gilbert and wife, Debbie, of Pettigrew and Gerald Gilbert and wife, Tricia, of Fort Smith; 12 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral was at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Oakland Street Full Gospel Church with Rev. Carl Sory officiating.
Burial was in Oakland Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers were Scott Gilbert, Wayne Gilbert, Robby Humphrey, Jody Humphrey, Jacky Gilbert and Dustin Humphrey.
Honorary pallbearers were Terry Farmer, Winston May, John Brown, Alan Brown, Doyle Farmer, Bob Humphrey, Jason Liles, Kent Humphrey, Robby Humphrey, Brody Humphrey, Alex Kemp, Steve Johnson, Davindry Gilbert, and men of Oakland Street Full Gospel Church.
John A. Wiederkehr II
John Andrew Wiederkehr II died at his home in Pensacola, FL, on November 27, 2008. He was 39 years old. Born August 31, 1969, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, John lived most of his life in Arkansas. He graduated from Subiaco Academy in Subiaco, Arkansas, where he made All-District in football and sang in the Men’s Chorus, and attended St Louis University in St. Louis, MO., where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and majored in business administration.
John was a beloved son to Al and Linda; a loving brother to Liesl, Heidi, and Katy; and a doting uncle to Joey, Ellen, Elizabeth, and Jimmy. John grew on a large working ranch in Wiederkehr Village, Arkansas. He attended St. Mary’s Elementary School in Altus, Ozark Middle School in Ozark, before going to Subiaco, where he graduated in 1987.
As a child, he loved to go “exploring” on the farm, an ideal place for a little boy with many creeks, ponds, and woods and vineyards. John always eagerly anticipated the first snow of the year (well really, ANY snow!) and was first one out of the house with his sled. Among all our pets, his best buddy was our German Shepherd dog Erika, who happily went with us on all our explorations on foot on bike or horseback. He especially enjoyed sleigh riding behind “Yodel” our favorite sleigh horse with the genuine “Swiss” sleigh bells jingling all day long. Many times we would have two sleighs going at once on our ranch and county roads, and John enjoyed tying his smaller sled that he received at Christmas on behind the horse drawn sleigh. John was the “pyrotechnical” expert for our family Fourth of July fireworks: every year, he planned a great show with a spectacular finale.
Fishing was another of John’s favorite hobbies, and the largest pond in front of our house on the ranch was the scene of many a fishing tournament with Dad, or grandpa Gene and uncles, Jimmy, John, and Bill. He really enjoyed going hunting with Dad; companionship and spending time together were more important than actually bringing any game home. From Mom, John learned to be an excellent cook; he especially liked preparing shrimp and eating just about any kind of dessert. He enjoyed working at the Weinkeller Restaurant and Weingarten with Swiss Maitre d’ George Remy where he learned more about Swiss Cuisine.
In school and throughout his life, John made fast friends with just about everyone he met. He loved the little league teams which Wiederkehr Weinkeller Restaurant sponsored and Dad helped coach. He was proud of their trophies. He loved playing football, which he started at Ozark and continued at Subiaco, where he made all-district as an offensive lineman. At six foot four inches tall and 235 pounds he was always the biggest guy on the team in football or track. In football they had to order an extra big helmet and shoes for John. He hated to have to tackle his friends when Subiaco played Ozark. Another lifelong interest of John’s was music, and he started playing piano at age 7, and accordion shortly thereafter. At Subiaco, he sang in the Men’s Chorus, played in Hand Bells Group, and also formed a band, Blind Vision, with some school buddies (John played keyboards). Blind Vision played at a lot of Subiaco dances, and events.
John loved playing and watching football; hiking throughout the area, especially on Mount Magazine; and was a big hearted guy who loved sharing humor with his family and friends. We will miss his friendly, outgoing nature, his big smile, and his kind and generous heart.
John is survived by his parents, Linda and Al Wiederkehr of Wiederkehr Village, AR; Three sisters, Liesl Wiederkehr of Herndon, VA, Heidi Massaro of Washington D. C., and Katrina Oskoui of Maryland; and two nieces and two nephews.
A rosary service will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday, December 19, and the funeral will be 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 20, both at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Altus, AR. under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith, AR.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Church Restoration Fund, 5118 St Mary’s Lane, Altus AR 72821 or flowers may be sent to Wiederkehr Wine Cellars, 3324 Swiss Family Drive, Wiederkehr Village, AR 72821.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.sympathytree.com/johnwied1969/
– Paid Obituary –
Karen S. Rutledge
Karen Sue Rutledge, 58, of Scranton died Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
A native of Lamar, she was a daughter of the late Everette and Eunice Burgess Holman, Baptist, graduate of Lamar High School, attended the University of the Ozarks, employee of Circle S. Bluff at Morrison Bluff, formerly employed at Bob Rogers Chevrolet in Paris as service manager, and was preceded in death by two brothers, Doyle Lee and Odell Holman.
Survivors include her husband, Danny Rutledge; one daughter, Danika Johnson and husband, Jerome, of Ozark; four sisters, Melba Mefford of Carmichael, Calif., Allene Asbury and husband, Bill, of Westminster, Calif., Frances Bridgeman and husband, Spencer, of Kansas City, Kan., and Wanda Hammar of Overland Park, Kan.; one grandchild, Brinttany Lyle; two stepgrandchildren, Hannah and Dalton Johnson; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Hardwicke Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kenny Maness officiating. Burial was in Holman Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Keith Kilburn, John Holman, Gayland Holman, Jerry Lovelace, Neil Wade, and Rodney Clayton.
Larry Dee Love
Larry Dee Love, 60, of Clarksville died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.
He was a native of Russellville, 1967 graduate of Russellville High School, son of the late D. L. and Virginia Sue Brewer Love, a Christian, and was preceded in death by one sister, Theresa Maxwell.
Survivors include his wife, Luraine Hamilton Love; two daughters, Laura Love of Russellville and April Fales and husband, Todd, of Clarksville; one son, Larry Love and wife, Tammy, of Dardanelle; one sister, Susan Kemp of Russellville; two brothers, Roger Love and wife, Kim, of Pottsville and Robert Love and wife, Sammye, of Dardanelle; ten grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The body was cremated. Arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Lucy Theo Bryan
Lucy Theo Bryan, 85, of Coal Hill died Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008.
She was a native of Hartford, daughter of the late Luke and Grace McLaughlin Snow, member of the Assembly of God Church, retired grocery store clerk, and was preceded in death by one son, Eddie Ford; and one stepdaughter, Janet Bryan.
Survivors include her husband, Roy Bryan; one daughter, Betty Aschoff of Parker, Colo.; one son, Ronald Ford of Keenesburg, Colo.; one stepdaughter, Patsy Bryan; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Graveside services and burial were at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Coal Hill Cemetery with Rev. Gerald Morris officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home of Ozark.
Willis A. Galentine
Willis Anderson Galentine, 87, of Lamar died Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, at his home.
He was a native of Hagarville, son of the late Dee and Cora Ann Freeman Galentine, retired farmer, former saw mill and shoe factory employee, World War II Army veteran, member of the Strawberry Assembly of God Church, and was preceded in death by his wife, Rosa Mae Galentine; two sisters, Lucinda Pitts and Mable Pitts; and one brother, Hillard Galentine.
He is survived by two sons, Earl Ray Galentine and wife, Donna, of Lavaca and Kenneth Galentine of Lamar; one sister, Clara Lievsay of Russellville; three grandchildren, Cathy Rushing and husband, Michael, and Lori Lacy and husband, Logan, all of Lamar, and Samantha Galentine of Russellville; and five great-grandchildren, Cassie Rushing, Caitlin Rushing, Summer Lacy, Samuel Lacy and Sean Lacy, all of Lamar.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Eddie Birdsong officiating. Burial was in Minnow Creek Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Larry Holben, Mike Morgan, Michael Dodge, Charles Dodge, Jackie Freeman, Stacey Tumbleson, and Ralph Freeman.
Honorary pallbearers were John Hull and Gary Crotts.