Robert L. Fisher

Robert Louis (Bob) Fisher, 84, of Clarksville, publisher of the Johnson County Graphic for 32 years, died Sunday, March 30, 2003, at Clarksville.

He and his wife, Christene, bought The Graphic in 1971 and later merged the Herald-Democrat with The Graphic in 1974. He had been associated with newspapers either as an editor or a publisher for 59 years having owned the Yell County Record in Danville where he was publisher for 23 years; managing editor of the Jacksonville Daily News and a senior editor at the Oklahoma Daily Times in Oklahoma City, Okla. He was a member of the Arkansas Press Association and National Newspaper Association and served as president of the APA in 1955. He was honored as a 50-year recipient of the association’s Distinguished Service Award. He was a former mayor of Danville and a charter member of Chambers Memorial Hospital Board in Danville where he served on the board for approximately 20 years, served on the Johnson Regional Medical Center board in Clarksville for 16 years where the physical therapy unit was named in his honor, served 24 years on the Clarksville Housing Authority, served on the board of Johnson County Development Corporation, was a former member of the Clarksville Kiwanis Club, was a 32nd degree Mason and received his 50-year Masonic pin from Franklin Lodge No. 9 of Clarksville, graduated from Oklahoma A&M with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, earned a master’s degree in statistics and psychology and worked for Douglas Aircraft Company in Oklahoma City, Okla.

He was born at McAlester, Okla., son of the late Ward and Yvonne Fisher of Oklahoma City, Okla., and a member of the First Baptist Church in Clarksville. He was also a member of the Johnson County Chamber of Commerce and the recipient of the Chamber’s Pillar of Progress Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. He was an avid runner and supporter of the Johnson County Peach Festival annual 4-mile race in addition to he and Mrs. Fisher serving as the festival’s parade marshals in 1996 at which time the festival was dedicated in their honor.

Survivors include his widow, Christene Fisher; two sons and one daughter-in-law, David and Mary Fisher of Danville and Bobby Fisher of Plano, Texas; one sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Ervin Roe of Oklahoma City, Okla.; one brother, Dick Fisher of Oklahoma City, Okla.; two grandsons, Davy Fisher and wife, Shara, of Fayetteville, and Chris Fisher of Russellville; two granddaughters, Tamara Morris of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Teresa Osborne and husband, Steve, of Batesville; sister-in-law, Margaret Wylie and husband, Ron, of Clarksville; two brothers-in-law, Harvey George and wife, Sue, of Alma, and Chestene George and wife, Mary, of Clarksville; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews including Matt Wylie and wife, Megan, of Clarksville.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, at the First Baptist Church in Clarksville with Dr. Robert Brown and Rev. Dick Fisher officiating.

Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers will be Ken Wood, Jack Patterson, Lee White, J. D. Martin, Mike Jacobs and George Overbey Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Chambers, Bood Keathley, Scott Peek, Jake James, Fay Mathis, Lloyd George, Todd Sanders, Jack Wilson, Dr. L. Compton George and the staff of the Johnson County Graphic.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 525, Clarksville, AR 72830 or the Arkansas Press Scholarship Foundation, 411 South Victory, Little Rock, AR 72201-2932.

Ardella Willis

Ardella Willis, 73, of Kibler, died Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at Alma Health and Rehab.

She was a daughter of the late Roscoe Lee and Pearl Rylee Ship, widow of Vurn Willis; member of the Alma Full Gospel Church, and retired employee of Fort Smith Rim and Bow.

She was preceded in death by one son, Roy Dean Willis; one grandson, Justin Rockwood; one sister, Barbara Bridewater; and two brothers, J. M. Shipp and Alvey Shipp.

She is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, Everett (Ebb) and Edith Willis of Ozone, Claude and Louise Willis and James and Lorene Willis, all of Kibler, and Bill and Diane Willis of Van Buren; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Jean and Bob Wilkey and Mary Lou and Wayne Bowles, all of Kibler, Sue Bowles of Alma, and Brenda and Danny Rockwood of Van Buren; two sisters, Imogene Hobson of Van Buren and Ilee Wilmon of Alma; 16 grandchildren including Jamie Willis and wife, Kesha, of Clarksville; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Funeral was at 10 a.m. Friday, March 28, at Ocker Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with Rev. Willie Mooney and Rev. Howard Tillery officiating. Burial was in Hogan Cemetery at Hunt.

Pallbearers were grandsons Jimmy Willis, Jamie Willis, Dusty Willis, Tim Willis, Vernon Wilkey, and Roy Allen Bowles.

Barry Wayne Pyron

Barry Wayne Pyron, 52, of Clarksville died Wednesday, March 26, 2003, in Johnson Regional Medical Center.

He was a native of Clarksville, graduate of Clarksville High School, attended the University of the Ozarks and R. G. Le Turneau College in Longview, Texas, member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, and a truck driver.

He is survived by two sons, Gregory Pyron of Keller, Texas, and Jason Pyron of Euless, Texas; parents, Wayne and Bonnie Pyron of Clarksville; and two grandchildren, Alexandria Pyron and Sebastian Pyron, both of Keller, Texas.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Vernon Bass and Rev. Kenneth Ashlock officiating.

Burial was in Liberty Hill Cemetery at Hunt under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers were Jim Phillips, Brian Syfert, Don Warren, Fred Lewis, Bridges Crumrine, Ted Young, Mark Kraus, and Dickie Garrett.

Honorary pallbearers were Eddie King, Bill Driver, Roy Melson, Tim Mooney, Bennie Ross, Howard Clinton, Ken Miller, Larry Griffin, Jack Allen, Charles Clinton, Wendell Lee, James Jaggers, Rip Teal, Frank Hiles, Ted Laneer, Steve Willis, Bill Rosson, and Don Lafarlette.

Carl E. Berry

Carl E. Berry, 62, died March 25, 2003, in Tulsa, Okla.

He was a native of Oark, son of the late James and Lelar Wilson Berry, supervisor at Pacer Oils, and was preceded in death by one daughter, Connie Lee Berry; two brothers; and three sisters.

Survivors include his widow of 42 years, June Edith Smith Berry; one daughter and son-in-law, Carla and Dave Smith; one grandson, Russell Hyatt of Tulsa, Okla.; two stepgrandchildren, Landon and Clover Smith; three stepgreat-grandchildren, Hailey Hoffman, Taylor Smith and Destrey Smith; one brother and sister-in-law, Harl and Annie Mae Berry of Oark; four sisters, Wilma Clayborn and Willie Clayborn, both of Deer, Nova Vaughn of Houston, Texas, and Thelma McCarty of Hope; four half brothers and sisters; and mother-in-law, Lee Smith of Malvern.

Funeral was at 10 a.m. Friday, March 28, at Butler-Stumpff Funeral Home Chapel in Tulsa, Okla. Burial was in Resthaven Cemetery at Sperry, Okla.

Euna L. Loveless

Euna Louise Loveless, 82, of Russellville died Saturday, March 29, 2003, at AMI St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville.

A native of Russellville, she was a daughter of the late William Andrew and Hester Lucinda Chronister Bowden, widow of Clebert Loveless, self-employed child care provider, member of the Church of Christ at Gravel Hill, and was preceded in death by two brothers, Bobby Bowden and Bill Bowden; and one grandson, Timmy Martin.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, George and Martha Loveless and Dwight and Margaret Loveless, all of Russellville, and Donald and Jan Loveless of Dover; two daughters and sons-in-law, Clara and Ed Meyer of Fort Smith and Maxine and Marvin White of London; one brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence and Sibyl Bowden of Dover; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Elese Mackey, Hazel and Sam Duvall and Janie and Don Hudson, all of Russellville; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at the Church of Christ at Gravel Hill with Bill Roderick officiating.

Burial was in St. Paul Cemetery at Dover under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service of Russellville.

Grandsons, sons-in-law, and nephews served as pallbearers.

Jean E. Korbelic

Jean E. Livingston Korbelic, 81, died Wednesday, March 26, 2003, in Duquesne, Pa.

She was a former resident of Clarksville, daughter of the late Gurley and Sally Eichenberger Livingston, attended Holy Redeemer School, graduated from St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., as a registered nurse, widow of Stephen Korbelic, and was preceded in deathy by one brother, Bob Livingston of Highland, Ind.

Survivors are one son, Bob Korbelic of Quincy, Wash.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sallie and Ron Luna of Phoenix, Ariz., and Erma and Joe Scarfutti of Export, Pa.; three grandsons, Matthew Baker of Phoenix, Ariz., and Joseph and John Scarfutti of Export, Pa.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, James W. and Helen Livingston of Hammond, Ind., and Jack E. and Evelyn Livingston of Irwin, Pa.; one aunt, Muriel Eichenberger of Illinois; two nephews; two nieces, and numerous cousins including Mary Ann Farris, Don Eichenberger and Bill Eichenberger of Clarksville.

Funeral was at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Christ of the Light of the World Parrish. Burial was at Jefferson Memorial Park Cemetery in Pittsburg, Pa. Arrangements were under the direction of Shaunessy’s Funeral Home of Duquesne, Pa.

James E. Mason

James Evans (Jim) Mason, 80, of Clarksville died Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at Clarksville Convalescent Home.

He was a son of the late John Price and Laura Belle Foulke Mason, graduate of Clarksville High School, and former employee of the Fair Store prior to joining the U. S. Air Force where he was stationed at San Bernardino Air Force Base, Calif. While in the military he reached the top available rank as sergeant while serving as a weather observer. He was later employed as a salesman for a wholesale paper company in California prior to returning to Clarksville where he was employed at Farmers Bank and Trust Company for 20-plus years before retiring as head teller.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday school superintendent, chairman of the Evangelism Committee, youth director for three years, Friendship Sunday School Class teacher for many years, member of the choir, treasurer, chairman of the church’s Lay Witness Mission, certified lay speaker, and charter president of the Methodist Men.

He was a past president of Toastmasters International of Ontario, Calif., lifetime member of Kiwanis Club of Clarksville, Mo-Ark District, Kiwanis International, past president of the Clarksville Club, past lieutenant governor of Division 20 of Mo-Ark District, and a lifetime member of Bunch Walton Post No. 22 of the American Legion in Clarksville. He was preceded in death by two brothers, John Price Mason Jr. and Carl Houston Mason; and one sister, Bertha Ray Mason.

Survivors include his widow, Ruth Ellen Beesley Mason; one daughter, Carolyn Rae Mason of Jonesboro; three sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas Earl and Dottie Love Mason of Gallup, N. M., Carl David and Beth Hays Mason of Walnut Ridge, and George Edward and Lucinda Lowry Mason of Irvine, Calif.; two sisters, Mary Jane Allen of Texarkana and Anna Sue England of Ingleside, Texas; two brothers, Earl Foulke Mason of Clarksville and David Elbert Mason of Lamar; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two stepgrandchildren.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, at the First United Methodist Church in Clarksville with Rev. Steve Wingo officiating.

Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Ben Phillips, Harold Johnson, Lee White, Keith Lewis, John Frost, and Len Bradley.

Kevin D. Roper

Kevin Dwayne Roper, 36, of Clarksville died Tuesday, March 25, 2003, from injuries sustained in a one-vehicle accident on Highway 21 north of Clarksville.

He was a native of Ozark, graduate of Scranton High School, and employed as a truck driver for Kenny Milam Logging.

He is survived by one daughter, Tasheena Roper of Russellville; parents, Jerry and Mary Roper and Sue and Larry Pederson, all of Clarksville; one sister, Denise Marie Ralph of Clarksville; and one brother, James K. Roper of Clarksville.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Twin Oaks Baptist Church with Rev. Ron Owen and Rev. Troy Vaughn officiating.

Burial was in Wares Chapel Cemetery in Scranton under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Joey Piccirilli, Jimmy Ralph, Ty Roper, Greg Roper, Gene Adams, David Williams, Sammy Dorrough, and Mike Blackstock.

Virginia M. Watson

Virginia Morrison Watson, 77, of Hagarville died Friday, March 28, 2003, at Countryside Manor Nursing Home.

She was a retired postmaster with the U. S. Postal Service, widow of Holbert King Watson, daughter of the late Edward Dean and Lela Alice Casey Morrison, and was preceded in death by two sisters, Hazel Drummond and Laurie Jackson; and three brothers, Spencer Morrison, Argus Morrison, and Monty Morrison.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Guy and Jeanette Watson of Clarksville and Ricky and Linda Watson of Hagarville; two sisters, Ethel Harlan and Estelene Skaggs, both of Hagarville; four grandchildren, Michelle Taylor of Clarksville, Charles Watson of Maumelle, and Heath and Kaleb Watson, both of Hagarville; and one great-grandchild, Katelynn Taylor of Clarksville.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at Roller-Cox Chapel with Rev. Ira Taylor officiating. Burial was in Hagarville Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Bill Drummond, Leon Harlan, Gerald Johnson, Mark McFarland, James Burl Skaggs, and Lonnie Watson.