Obituaries
David Coston
David Edwin Coston, 82, of Benton, formerly of Malvern, passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2022. David was born August 11, 1939 to Lester and Gertrude Taylor Coston. He spent his childhood years in Hot Springs, Lonsdale, Gourdneck, and Magnet Cove communities. David attended school in Magnet Cove until he had to help support his family. David began working in the fields at an early age and followed the harvest each fall.
In the late fifties, he came home one night and told his mother he had met the girl he was going to marry even though he was dating someone else at the time. In October of 1959 he did marry that girl, the love of his life, Joyce Ann Hall. Shortly after they married, David was called into active duty for the United States Army during the Cuban Crisis. While stationed in Fort Bennings, GA, David excelled in marksmanship and mechanics. After returning from active duty with a newborn son, David and Joyce eventually made Malvern their home.
David was a good mechanic with a salesman’s personality. Using those gifts, he worked at several local auto dealerships before finding his calling in heavy equipment sales. David sold equipment for Ditch Witch, Vermeer, where he won the Silver Shovel Award for being one of the top ten salesmen statewide and finally Bobcat equipment for Hugg and Hall. David was recognized several times for sales and customer service by these companies.
If you knew David well, you probably spent some time with him in a coffee shop. No matter the time of day, David always had a cup of coffee in his hand. He enjoyed sharing a cup with old friends or total strangers. He enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing with his family. Lots of great memories were made on the campgrounds and islands of Lake Ouachita. David was also a motorcycle enthusiast. He and his son spent many hours on dirt bikes in his younger years and made several memorable road trips later in life.
David would tell you his greatest accomplishment was his family. He and Joyce were married more than sixty years and he was extremely proud of his son and grandchildren. Along with spoiling all of them just a little, David made sure they knew the Lord and His word. He was a man of great faith and lived the life of a Good Samaritan. David helped many people in the area who were down on their luck and some who never knew their benefactor. In his last months of life, he became very vocal concerning his wish to be with the Lord. David fought a long battle with multiple health issues, but never complained. He continued to count his blessings until the very end.
David was preceded in death by his parents, wife, infant son Jerry Edwin, a sister, Carol Gage Cooper, in-laws Carrol and Imogene Hall, brothers-in-law Elwood Gage, Larry Hart, Elvin Hall, and Coy Cozart. He is survived by his son, David Alan Coston (Pam), granddaughter Sydney Farmer, and great grandson Jaxon Farmer, all of Benton, sister Gail Hart, brother Warren
Coston (Linda), brother-in-law D.C. Cooper all of Malvern, brother-in-law Richard Hall (Pat) and sister-in-law Carolyn Muns (Rick) both of Hot Springs. David leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews with a special place in his heart for niece Nicole Turpen and nephew Mike Coston. The two of them spent many hours with David throughout his life and he thought of them as his own.
In honor of David’s wishes, the family will meet for a private viewing with a private graveside service following in the Upper Antioch Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, be a Good Samaritan and help someone with your time, resources or friendship.
Arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guest book at regencyfuneralhome.com.
Melvin Whitley
Melvin Whitley, 83, of Malvern passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at his home. He was born on February 5, 1939, in Hot Spring County, the son of the late Grady and Addie Chancellor Whitley. He was a retired millwright. Melvin was an avid hunter and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. He was a member of Second Baptist Church. Other than his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Thurman Whitley.
Melvin is survived by his wife, Betty Lou Helms Whitley; sons, Terry Whitley (Theresa) of the Reyburn Community and Wayne
Whitley (Kim) of Maumelle; daughter, Tami Murphy (Ken) of El Dorado; brother, Herman Whitley of Bismarck; sisters, Louise Hancock of Hot Springs and Melba Buck (Pete) of Caney; sister-in-law, Shirley Whitley of Caney; grandchildren, Stephanie Honold (Zack), Kristen Wilson (Ryan), James Whitley, Tyler Whitley, Zach Whitley, Chance Murphy (Sage), Clay Murphy (Taylor), Colby Murphy (Madison Hightower) and great-grandchildren, Caden Honold, Rhett Wilson, Ruby Wilson, Roman Murphy, Noah Murphy, Chloe Murphy and Jack Murphy.
Visitation will be Wednesday, June 15 from 6:00-8:00pm at Regency Funeral Home.
Services will be held on Thursday, June 16 at 10:00am at Regency Funeral Home with Brother Pat Greer and Brother John Chandler officiating. Burial will follow at Caney Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Zack Honold, Ryan Wilson, James Whitley, Chance Murphy, Clay Murphy and Colby Murphy. Honorary pallbearers will be Zach Whitley, Tyler Whitley, CB&W Hunting Club members.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Second Baptist Church Food Pantry, 210 West Mill Street, Malvern, AR 72104.
Arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guest book at regencyfuneralhome. com.