Christopher Dierene

Christopher Lynn Dierene, 38, of Clarksville died Aug. 9, 2003, at the scene of an apparent drowning near a commercial boat dock in the Spadra Creek Area near Jamestown.

He was a welder, Pentecostal, and son of the late Bernice Ann Hilbish.

Survivors include his widow, Kathy Lynn Boyster Dierene; one daughter, Megan Dierene Dixion of Clarksville; four stepchildren, Amber, Kayla, Steven and Phillip Boyster, all of Clarksville; father, Arlis Lee Dierene of Clarksville; stepmother, Bernice O. Champion of Altus; four sisters, Patrica Ann Atkins of Spring, Texas, Brenda Blake and Linda Dierene, both of Mesa, Ariz., and Robin Dierene of Clarksville; two stepsisters, Diann Martin of Clarksville and Jessica Barnett of Redfield; two brothers, Michael Ray Dierene and Arlis Jeffrey Dierene, both of Amarillo, Texas; and one stepbrother, Bobby Dewayne Langston of Bakersfield, Calif.

Private funeral and burial were held. Local arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.

Edward J. Neihouse

Edward Joseph Neihouse, 77, of Coal Hill died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at Ozark.

He was a retired carpenter, World War II Army veteran, member of VFW Eagles, American Legion and Catholic Church, son of the late George A. and Thersa M. Rinke Neihouse, and was preceded in death by three wives, Bernadine Neihouse, Lucille Neihouse and Helen B. Neihouse.

He is survived by two stepdaughters, Marsha Oehischlager of New Mexico and Diana Goad of Oklahoma; one sister, Geraldine Ball of Kansas City, Mo.; one brother, Gerad Neihouse of Coal Hill; six stepgrandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Rosary was at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Altus with Father Hilary Filiatreau officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Edward Cecil, Anthony Neihouse, John Bill Bartlett, Mark Cecil, Gary Neihouse, and Gary Neihouse Jr.

E. L. Sparks

E. L. (Sparky) Sparks, 84, of Clarksville died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at his home.

He was born in northeast Johnson County, son of the late George McKinley and Eula Curtis Sparks, Johnson County Clerk for 26 years, member of the Lions Club for 16 years and recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, Army Air Corp veteran, member of Franklin Lodge No. 9, 32nd degree Mason, and member and past worthy patron of Clarksville Chapter No. 172 Order of the Eastern Star. He served as president and member of Johnson County Peach Festival Association Board for several years, salesman for RMB Produce for several years, member of the First United Methodist Church, employee of Hardwicke Funeral Home for several years, and was preceded in death by one son, George Sparks; one granddaughter, Sara Beth Sparks; and one brother, Morris Sparks.

Survivors include his widow, Lillian Keith Sparks; two sons, Hank Sparks of Clarksville and Jerry Sparks of Hooks, Texas; and nine grandchildren, Curtis Sparks, DeDe Sparks, Kevin Sparks and David Sparks, all of Texas, Andy Sparks of Russellville, Todd Sparks of Pennsylvania, Randy Sparks of Colorado, and Sherri Rozwodowski and Robin Sacksteder, both of Florida.

Funeral was at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at Hardwicke Funeral Chapel with Rev. Steve Wingo officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were E. L. Jacobs, Gene Raible, Alvin James, Jimmy Dickerson, Wesley Kendrick, and Duane Steele.

Honorary pallbearers were members of the Lions Club, Franklin Lodge No. 9 and Clarksville Chapter No. 172 Order of the Eastern Star, and Hardwicke Funeral Home employees.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 535, Clarksville, AR 72830.

Jessie E. Baker

Jessie Evelyn Baker, 86, of Lamar died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, in Little Rock.

She was a member of Lamar Baptist Church, retired shoe factory employee, daughter of the late Tom and Lydia Hammons Hibbard, and widow of John W. Baker.

She is survived by one son, Clifford Baker of Lamar; three grandchildren and spouses, Wesley Baker of Lamar, James and Kathy Baker of Russellville and Marcia and David Applegate of Keiser; three great-grandchildren, Joshua Applegate, John Baker, and Hanna Applegate; three stepgreat-grandchildern, Tim Homan, Mark Homan, and David Patterson; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Lamar Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Fowler and Rev. Clyde Vire officiating.

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

Active pallbearers will be deacons of Lamar Baptist Church and honorary pallbearers will be great-grandchildren.

Mary Ethel Carter

Mary Ethel Carter, 92, of Clarksville died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003, at her home.

She was a Baptist, daughter of the late Alber G. and Mary Ellen Smith Ward, and widow of Wesley Carter.

She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Lawrence and Kim Carter of Casa; one granddaughter, Katelyn Carter of Casa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral was at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at Roller-Cox Chapel with burial in the Knoxville Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Jody Storms, Alvie Smith, Dustin Reynolds, Bob Nickles, Sherman Lee Smith, and Clinton Daniels.