Alene King

Alene (Sunshine) King, 91, of Paris died Friday, Dec. 28, 2001, in Paris.

She was a native of Hartman and a member of the Assembly of God Church.

Survivors include one grandson, John King of California; several nieces; and one nephew.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at Murry Funeral Home Chapel in Paris with burial Monday, Dec. 31, at Nixon Cemetery in Charleston.

Memorials may be made to the Valley View Lodge in Paris.

Father Meinrad

Father Meinrad Marbaugh, O. S.B., oldest monk of Subiaco Abbey, died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2002, at the Abbey Health Center at the age of 94.

He was born in Monterey, Ind., the son of Joseph and Mary Follmar Marbaugh and was the second youngest of eight children (four boys and four girls). He was baptized Joseph Henry at St. Anne Parish in Monterey.

He began his preliminary studies for the priesthood at the Pontifical Josephinum College in Columbus, Ohio, where priests from Subiaco Abbey served as chaplains during his time at the seminary. In 1934, he professed his vows as a monk of Subiaco Abbey receiving the name Meinrad. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John B. Morris at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Little Rock. After ordination he taught one semester of Greek at Subiaco Abbey.

In 1941, Father Meinrad was appointed assistant pastor at Immaculate Conception Church in Tyler, Texas. During his time in Tyler, he also served as chaplain at Mother Frances Hospital. In 1947, he was assigned to the mission parish of St. Edward in Athens, Texas, and to St. Anthony in Longview, Texas.

From 1948-49, Father Meinrad served as assistant pastor of All Saints Church in Fort Worth, Texas, before being assigned to St. Mary Church in Fort Worth where he remained until 1978.

When Father Meinrad retired to Subiaco Abbey in 1978, he began ten years of service as a substitute priest in various parishes where the Abbey ministered. In 1988, he became chaplain to the Abbey’s infirm monks in the Health Center.

A Christian Wake service was held at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, and the Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at Saint Benedict Church at Subiaco. Interment was in the Abbey cemetery under the direction of Roller Funeral Home of Paris.

James Edgar LaRue

James Edgar LaRue Jr., 48, of Dover died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2002, at his home.

He was a native of Dover, employee of Tyson Foods for 21 years and was currently in the maintenance department of the Tyson Protein Plant at Clarksville. He was preceded in death by his father, James Edgar LaRue Sr.

Survivors include his widow, Barbara LaRue of Russellville; four children, Evan LaRue and Paula Burgess, both of Dover, Chandra Mitchell of Ohio, and Roy LaRue of Plainview; mother, Geneva LaRue of Dover; two stepchildren, Tonya Smith of Dover and Bradley Smith of Russellville; two brothers, Jerry LaRue of Dover and Kenny LaRue of Lamar; two sisters, Brenda Freeman and Linda Allen, both of Dover; and seven grandchildren, Heather and Holly Burgess, Tony, Jarod and Tiffany LaRue, and Ayla and Gunter Mitchell.

Graveside services and burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the Pollard Cemetery at Dover with Rev. Edwin Brewer officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service of Russellville.

Active pallbearers will be Kevin Hickey, Kenny LaRue Jr., Jason Freeman, Lee Freeman, Mark Wadkins, Lee Eddings, and Jeremy LaRue.

Honorary pallbearers will be employees of the Tyson Protein Plant at Clarksville.

Luis Armando Garza

Luis Armando Garza, 15, of Clarksville died Thursday, Jan. 3, 2002, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Mexico.

He was a native of Mexico but had lived in Clarksville the past eight years and was a sophomore at Clarksville High School where he played soccer.

Survivors include his parents, Eutiquio and Irma Garza of Clarksville; and two brothers, Alejandro Garza of Clarksville and Octavio Garza with the U. S. Army stationed in Germany.

Funeral was at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church with Rev. William Wewers, O. S. B., officiating.

Burial was in Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Marco Robledo Jr., Alvin Robledo, Lud Elizondo, Juan Elizondo, Juaquin Acosta, Jose Zamora, Alturo Medina, and Juan Pena.

Mamie H. Griffin

Mamie H. Griffin, 92, of Hartman died Friday, Jan. 4, 2002, in Johnson Regional Medical Center.

A native of Plainview, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Lela Horton Howell, widow of Olen Griffin, member of Hartman Baptist Church, former cook at Hartman School for several years, and was preceded in death by one daughter, Jolene Thompson.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Rita Griffin of Hartman and Howell and Jolene Griffin of Coal Hill; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Graveside services and burial were at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, at the Salem Cemetery at Plainview with Rev. Vernon Bass officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.

Paul Marion Opper

Paul Marion Opper, 80, died Dec. 20, 2001, at Washington Hospital in Fremont, Calif.

He was born at Altus, former member of the Knights of Columbus, World War II Navy veteran, and an active Pro-Life advocate. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Johanna Glanzman Opper; six brothers; and four sisters.

Survivors include six children, Dennis Rofkahr of Lakewood, Colo., Lisa Opper, Jennifer Kincheloe, Melanie Martin, and Timothy Opper, all of Fremont, Calif., and Philip Opper of Lafayette, La.; three sisters, Gertrude Worley of Independence, Mo., and Mary Pfeiffer and Christine Harris, both of Ozark; ten grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A Vigil service was held at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, followed by the funeral service at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, at Berge-Pappas-Smith Chapel of the Angels and a Mass of Resurrection at 11 a.m. at Saint Leonard-Santa Paula Catholic Church with burial at Irvington Memorial Cemetery in Fremont, Calif.

Memorials may be made to St. Leonard-Santa Paula Building Fund, 41933 Blacow Road, Fremont, CA 94538.

Russell Tolbert

Russell Tolbert, 96, of Clarksville died Monday, Jan. 7, 2002, at Clarksville Convalescent Home.

A native of the Ludwig Community, he was a member of a pioneer peach growing family. His grandfathers, J. R. Tolbert and J. J. Taylor, planted the first Elberta peaches in Johnson County. He was also a peach grower and businessman in Clarksville for many years having owned several service stations, an appliance store, grocery store, a real estate and insurance business, The United Farm Agency, and The 64 Hub motel.

He was active in local politics having the distinction of serving as an alderman on the Clarksville City Council representing every ward in the city at one time or another, and a long-time member of the Clarksville Light and Water Commission having served as chairman for many years.

He was a long-time member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Clarksville, a Mason, a past president and Paul Harris Fellow of the Clarksville Rotary Club and an honorary life member of the alumni association of the University of the Ozarks.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Gene and Mattie Taylor Tolbert; stepmother, Sallie McAlister Tolbert; two brothers, Horace Tolbert and Watts Tolbert; and three sisters, Mary Woodard, Lucille Norris, and Eileen Donnell Smith.

Survivors include his widow, Mildred Ogilvie Tolbert; two sons and daughters-in-law, James R. and Burni Tolbert of North Little Rock and George E. and Wanda Tolbert of Franklin, Tenn.; two grandsons and spouses, Brian and Kelly Tolbert of Little Rock and Thad and Connie Tolbert of Birmingham, Ala.; two granddaughters and spouses, Cheryl and Bill Kenner of Knoxville and Paige and Steve Holleman of Fort Worth, Texas; and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at Hardwicke Funeral Chapel with burial in Oakland Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Philip Taylor, Harve Taylor, Ted Young, Hank Sparks, Jackie Cline, and Wesley North.

Wayne Bennie

Wayne Bennie, 76, of Dover, formerly of Clarksville, died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002, at Legacy Lodge Nursing Home in Russellville.

He was a native of Walnut, son of the late T. L. and Ora Snow Bennie, graduate of Deer High School, attended the University of the Ozarks, World War II veteran, retired assistant manager of Dover Super Market, and was preceded in death by one brother, Wade Bennie.

Survivors include his widow, Opal Taylor Bennie; one daughter, Ora Jane Harrell of Dover; one granddaughter, Gretchen Brannon of Russellville; and a friend, Richard Young of Dover.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Hardwicke Funeral Chapel with Rev. Dwain Pritchard officiating. Burial was in Mount Airy Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Jon Harrell, Cliff Brannon, Jim Turner, Al Davis, Ashley Davis, and Charles Callahan.

William F. Shurley

William Franklin (Frank) Shurley, 76, of Clarksville died Monday, Dec. 31, 2001, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.

He was a native of the Springhill Community, son of the late Edward and Lillie Conway Shurley, graduate of Hartman High School, a long time employee of Hardwicke Funeral Home, a retired employee of Greenville Tube Company, member of the First United Methodist Church where he served as head usher for many years, and was an active volunteer in community affairs having served on the Johnson County Peach Festival Board, the Mustard Seed Ministries and the Kendall Cemetery Board.

Survivors include his widow, Hardena Whorton Shurley; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, at Hardwicke Funeral Chapel with Rev. Frank Clemmons officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Ewing Cline, Sid Kern, Kent Cecil, Phillip Jacobs, Lavon Stumbaugh, and John Howell.

William Lee Sull

William Lee Evert Sull, 64, of Clarksville died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2002, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.

He was a retired truck driver, son of the late Lillian Woods, and was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice Sull.

Survivors include two daughters, Leta Burris of Emporia, Kan., and Brenda Ward of Clarksville; two sons, Bill Buster Sull of Wichita, Kan., and Cliff Sull of Emporia, Kan.; one stepson, Bruce Demoss of Tulsa, Okla.; father and stepmother, Bill and Edna Woods of Clarksville; six sisters, Dorothy Kirk, Mattie Nichols, Zona Woods and Nancy Holman, all of Clarksville, Lillian Halsema of Hartman, and Florence Holt of Lamar; three brothers, Gwen Woods of Lamar, Dean Woods of Russellville, and George Woods of Van Buren; 11 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Roller-Cox Chapel with Rev. Mike Payne officiating. Burial will be in Hays Chapel Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Joseph Woods, Adam Woods, Richard Judah, Tony Nowotny, Brian Woods, and Gabriel Woods.

Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Woods, Martin Kirk, Robert Holman, and Walter Woodward.