3/19/2008

Opal Mae Bennie, 80, of Clarksville died Friday, March 14, 2008, at Clarksville Convalescent Home.

She was born at Ludwig, daughter of the late Hiram and Ella Carter Taylor, widow of Wayne Bennie, graduate of Clarksville High School, and  preceded in death by one sister, Anna Marie Cooper.

Survivors include one daughter, Ora Jane Harrell of Russellville; one grandchild, Gretchen Brannon and husband, Cliff, of North Little Rock; and two nieces, Rhonda Mooney of Clarksville and Levade Cornellius of Nashville, Tenn.

A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, at Hardwicke Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Amos Pledger officiating.

Gerald Harold (Jerry) Olson, 68, of Clarksville died Friday, March 14, 2008, at Johnson Regional Medical Center.

He was a son of the late Harold Henry and Marie Barbara Bonn Olson, retired bus driver, and Presbyterian.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Catherine Sivertson Olson; one daughter, Jillion Amparo and husband, Jose, of Spooner, Wis.; one son, David Olson and wife, Angie, of Spooner, Wis.; one sister, Mary Jean Blair and husband, Dale, of Minneapolis, Minn.; and four grandchildren.

Graveside services and burial will be at  2 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Chokio, Minn. 

Pallbearers will be Dennis Koste, Bob Harshman, Bob Kolken, Tony Blair, Dick Robillard and Harold Sivertson.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at Larson Funeral Home in Graveville, Minn.

Local arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.

Gertrude E. Johnson, 84, widow of Herman H. Johnson of Lamar, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, in Lawton, Okla.

She was a native of Random Lake, Wis., daughter of the late Andrew and Clara Droetzmann Goetsch, lifetime member of the Lutheran Church, attended St. John Lutheran School and graduated from Random Lake High School in 1940, former resident of Tacoma Wash., Germany and Missouri, was employed in defense plants in Milwaukee, Wis., during World War II prior to being employed as a bookkeeper for many years, and was preceded in death by two brothers; one sister-in-law; and one niece.

Survivors include one brother, Herbert Goetsch and wife, Myra,; two sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services and burial were at 2 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Okla., with Rev. Richard Mayer of St. John Lutheran Church officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Whinery-Huddleston Funeral Service.

Dora Lelan Casey, 103,  of the Strawberry Community died Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at Barling.

She was a member of the Church of Christ, widow of Esther Casey, and was preceded in death by one son, Armand Mooney; three brothers; and six sisters.

She is survived by two daughters, Pauline Hamilton of Fort Smith and Christine Turner of Chico, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Nedra Thompson of Lonoke; five grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and ten great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral was at 10 a.m. Friday, March 14, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bill Hickman officiating. Burial was in Minnow Creek Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Jerry Gardner, Jim Gardner, David Lee Dunlap, Ronald D. Dunlap, Randall Young, and Dale Rowbotham.

Claudia Joan Holt, 69, of Lamar died Friday, March 14, 2008, at Countryside Manor Nursing Home.

She was a factory employee, daughter of the late Olvie and Mary Olson, widow of J. Dennis Holt; and preceded in death by one son, Arnold Holt; two sisters, Judy Martin and Evelyn Johnston; and three brothers, Don, Bob and Warren Olson.

She is survived by two sons, Paul Gleason II and wife, Julia, of Coal Hill and Joe Holt and wife, Patsy, of Lamar; two daughters, Sally Fitzjurls and husband, Bobby, of Magazine and Odetta Dietz and husband, Harry, of Warrenton, Va.; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Robbie Jackson officiating.

Ernestine Smith, 74, of Clarksville died Monday, March 17, 2008, at her home.

She was a daughter of the late Charlie and Ida Ellis Duncan, retired Ore-Ida employee, and was preceded in death by one son, Stephen Dobbs; three sisters; and eight brothers.

Survivors include her husband, Maxie Smith; four daughters, Brenda Dobbs of National City, Calif., Mary White and husband, Roger, of London, Gail Buchanan of Paris, and Linda Price and husband, David, of Clarksville; one brother, Jimmy Duncan of Mt. View, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Amos Pledger officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Franklin, Scotty White, Kent White, David Collins, Rodney Gibson, and Mark Price.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel.