Pulaski County

MICHAEL LAWRENCE BIERLE, MD, moved into the eternal presence of His Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 18th, 2017. With The Lord’s strength, Michael fought a long, courageous battle with cancer, and is now perfectly healed in Heaven!

He was born on March 12, 1959, in Yankton, S.D., the fourth of seven children to Donald and Patricia Bierle. Michael suffered health challenges as a child that required hospitalizations away from his family and friends. God used the suffering and pain in Michael’s life for good to serve others so they may be comforted. Many whom Michael touched had no idea that Dr. Bierle had endured so much as a patient himself, but all would say how kind, compassionate and sincere he was in their times of need. He was humble and knew the Lord is in control of all.

Michael’s early childhood challenges did not keep him from living life to the fullest. He was an excellent student while participating in marching band, chorus, school plays, basketball, golf, and baseball. Michael was inspired by the doctors and nurses who cared for him, and chose to minister to others through his own medical career. He completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry and German at the University of South Dakota, pledging his father’s fraternity, Delta Tau Delta. He graduated from USD Medical School in 1985 and completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Nevada Affiliates Hospital in Reno, Nevada. He continued his training in nephrology at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California. He was board certified in both nephrology and internal medicine and practiced over 30 years. He joined Nephrology Associates in Little Rock in 1992. One of his many professional activities included serving as the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the Arkansas Kidney Foundation.

Michael was married to his soul mate of more than 30 years, Anita (Wendt). Together, they raised two beautiful children, Collin and Lindsey. More than any professional accomplishment, Michael was proudest of his children! He frequently praised Collin’s perseverance and strength in becoming a United States Marine and his passion for our country. Michael also shared a deep bond with his daughter as he encouraged her during her medical training to become the next Dr. Bierle.

Michael shared his passion for sports with his children, and made beautiful memories to cherish by taking them to special events like the Talladega 500 and a Lakers-Grizzlies game. He loved the outdoors and taking his family snow skiing and mountain climbing in Colorado. He also enjoyed hunting and watching his Labrador dogs retrieve. Michael introduced friends and family to the joys of South Dakota pheasant hunting every autumn, and he delighted in the fellowship that it brought. He wanted his friends and family to have the best experience, and many times would not take the opportunity to shoot. He was like that … Michael put others before himself.

Michael participated in Bible Study Fellowship for many years, and he was passionate about sharing God’s Word with others. He and Anita would often discuss what God was teaching them, often reading to each other while traveling. It gave Michael such great peace and joy that both of his children are believers of Jesus Christ and that someday his wife and children will all be reunited in Heaven with him. Michael and Anita attended St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Little Rock, finding great comfort in God’s Word.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Brad Baltz, who lovingly cared for Michael and his family. We are forever grateful and thankful to Dr. Baltz and his compassionate staff. We would also extend our gratefulness to a special Hospice nurse, Geraldine Clarke, who cared for Michael like he was her own in his final hours on earth. We feel so blessed!

Michael was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents, his parents, five uncles and aunts. He is survived by his beloved wife Anita, his son Collin (Cristena) of Maumelle and daughter Lindsey of Corinth, Mississippi, as well as one brother, five sisters, and many nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by his friends, colleagues, patients and their families. Our hearts are broken, but we know we will see Michael again! He is no longer in pain and is in the presence of Jesus Christ, his personal Savior. The visitation will be held from 4-6PM on Sunday, May 21 at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W Markham St., Little Rock. A celebration of Michael’s life will be Monday, May 22 at 11 a.m. at St. Andrews Anglican Church, 8300 Kanis Road, Little Rock. Donations may be made to Bible Study Fellowship, 10001 Huebner Road, San Antonio, Texas, USA 78258-4019 or www.bsfinternational.org.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

“Well done, my good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:21.

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IRIS LEE CLARK, 92, of Little Rock and Hot Springs, born August 28, 1924, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017 at home.

Iris was born in Glendale, Arkansas to Robert Lee and Callie Raney Rodgers. She completed school in Glendale where she was an outstanding basketball player. She worked at Ben Pearson Archery, the Pine Bluff Commercial, spent many years as a housewife; and, served at Lions’ World Services for the Blind where she was a dormitory supervisor until she retired in 1994. She was selected as employee of the year in 1990.

Iris loved to garden and after her retirement, continued gardening for 20 more years at the Pulaski Garden Center at Two Rivers Park. No one could grow vegetables and flowers like Iris. Many relied on her for advice and assistance, and she gladly offered her wisdom, as well as her bounty, to fellow gardeners.

Everyone loved Iris. She served for 13 years as the door duchess at the Little Rock Bop Club. Never a dancer herself, she admired others’ grace and ability. People of all ages in the dance community from throughout the region became her life-long friends. Ever ready with a quick smile and a gleam in her eye it was easy to understand why everyone had a place in their heart for her.

She is survived by her daughter, F. Lee Clark; sister, Lela Mae Culpepper of Fayetteville; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; an infant brother; infant sister; brother, Havis N. Rodgers; sister, Retha Jewel Anderson; and her husband, Richard Morrison Clark. Her ability to love and be generous was unequaled. No daughter ever had a finer mother.

Visitation will be held Sunday May 21, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway. Little Rock, Ark. 72211, (501) 224-8300 with memorial service following at 3 p.m. Family requests no flowers, but request memorial donations to Garvan Woodland Gardens at P.O. Box 22240, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71903. Burial will be a private ceremony. Online guestbook: www. rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

–––––❖––––– RUDOLPH (RUDY) DEL DONNO, 90, of North Little Rock died May 19, 2017. He was born June 30, 1926 in Peekskill, New York. He graduated from Peekskill High School and attended New York State Teachers College and the Arkansas Law School in Little Rock.

Rudy was a WWII army veteran. After basic training he was sent overseas to the Philippines and then to Japan. For his service Rudy received two bronze stars, WWII Campaign and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medals, the combat infantryman badge and paratrooper’s insignia.

Rudy came to Little Rock in January 1947 and married Rose Spinelli whom he had met while stationed at Camp Robinson. Rudy started his career in real estate mortgage banking in 1947 which lasted about 40 years. He worked for such companies as Jack Collier East, Fausett & Co., Chas F. Curry & Co. and Twin City Bank. He was president of the Board of Realtors of Little Rock and North Little Rock in 1961 and of the Mortgage Bankers of Arkansas in 1957.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where he served on the Building Committee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Lena and Carmine Del Donno, his brother, Carmen and his wife Rose Spinelli Del Donno. He is survived by his daughter, Donna Vosper (Rod), granddaughter, Abby Vosper, grandson, Andrew Vosper, brother-in-law, Leonard Spinelli (Linda), nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Baptist Hospice and Baptist Hospital at Springhill for their excellent care.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 22, 2017 from 5-6 p.m. with Rosary at 6 p.m., at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with entombment at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– PATRICIA P. (PAT) SIPES, R.N., died peacefully May 18, 2017, in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was born August 29, 1926, in Goshen, Indiana, to the late Howard E. and Mildred O. Payne.

She was also preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Dr. Frank M. Sipes, Sr.; her beloved son, Frank M. Sipes Jr.; brother, John O. Payne, and nephew, Douglas J. Payne. She is survived by her children, Steve Sipes (Gayle), Susan Freeman, and Melissa Owens (Tom); nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one niece and three nephews.

Funeral services include a visitation from 6-8 p.m., Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211 (501) 2248300 with a memorial service led by Reverend Jim Munns, at 10 a.m., Monday, May 22, 2017 at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church. Interment will be at 2 p.m, at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Special thanks to the caring staff at Hickory Heights Health and Rehab and Arkansas Hospice. Memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 2200 Kavanaugh Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 or to a charity of one’s choice. The complete obituary and online guestbook may be found at www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/chenal.