Obituaries

BELLA VISTA — Elda Lois Purinton, 89, formerly of Be ll a Vista, passed away May 12, 2015. She was born April 17, 1926, to Evan and Margorie Hughes in Danville, Iowa.

She wa s a loving and caring person who enjoyed singing in her church choir as well as with the Sweet Adelines. She also enjoyed cross-stitching.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Purinton; a son, Stephen Hayes and a grandson.

Survivors include her sister, Wilma Brown of Florida; two daughters, Kim Jensen ( Martin) of Centerton and Kathy Arnold (Johnny) of Bentonville; three stepchildren, all of Kansas City; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 18, 2015, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Newsong Church in Centerton. Funeral services will be held at the church Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Clyde Brummett officiating the service. Burial to follow at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery under the direction of the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Springdale.

To sign the online guest book visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com.

BENTONVILLE — Helen Baker, of Bentonville, died Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville. She was born Dec. 31, 1930, in Cave Springs, Ark.

Helen enjoyed quilting, gardening, cooking, and music. She was a lifetime resident of Northwest Arkansas and a loyal member of Eastside Assembly of God in Bentonville.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lillian Gaston; one daughter, Jeanie Smith; and one brother, Clyde Gaston.

Helen is survived by her husband, James Baker whom she married July 19, 1948; three daughters: Brenda Dover of Pea Ridge, Connie Stephens and her husband, Willis of Washburn, Mo., Pamela Boling and her husband, Jack of Bentonville; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; and many other loving relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Monday, May 18, at Eastside Assembly of God Church of Bentonville.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 19, at Eastside Assembly of God Church. Interment will follow at Cave Springs Cemetery.

Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home of Bentonville. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

BENTONVILLE — Doris Earlene Mather O’Hair, 86, of Bentonville died Friday, May 15, 2015, at Circle of Life Hospice House in Bentonville. She was born Nov. 15, 1928, in Wichita, Kan., the daughter of Mary Earlene Tietz and Glen Mather.

She enjoyed crocheting and reading. She was a school teacher for many years in California, before retiring with Bentonville Public Schools. She had lived in the Northwest Arkansas area since 1972.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Bentonville. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Red O’Hair, and one brother.

Doris is survived by one son; John O’Hair, of Bentonville; two daughters, Kathleen Hunt and her husband Lonnie, of Rogers, Patty Sue Vicknair and her husband Kevin, of Fayetteville; two siblings; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A private interment was at Bentonville Cemetery.

Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home of Bentonville. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Mary Catherine Auslam, 67, of Springdale, died May 13, 2015.

Survivors: daughters, Krystan Herring and Amy ( Dean) Hayes; stepsons, Paul Auslam, Jr. (Luann) and Timothy (DeDe) Auslam and Phillip (Jeraldine McKinney) Auslam; mother, June Devine; and two brothers.

Services: 10 a.m., Tuesday, Fayetteville National Cemetery by Brashears Funeral Home-Huntsville (www. brashearsfuneralhome.net).

FAYETTEVILLE — Josephine Killough Fitzgerald, age 100, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away peacefully at the Willard Walker hospice Home in Fayetteville, Ark., on Thursday, May 14, 2015.

Josie was born on Dec. 4, 1914, in New York City and was adopted by Roy D. Lafayette and Lucille Killough in Vernon, Texas, when she was 4 years old.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Austin N Fitzgerald.

She is survived by her son, Donald Killough Fitzgerald and wife Frances, her granddaughter, Lynne Fitzgerald, her grandson Randy Fitzgerald, wife Sherry and great-grandchildren Austin Cole Fitzgerald and Alexa Morgan Fitzgerald, and several nieces and nephews.

She attended Principia College in St. Louis, Mo., and the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

She enjoyed teaching oil painting classes at Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale for many years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Washington Regional Friends of Hospice c/o Washington Regional Foundation 325 Longview Drive, Fayetteville, Ark. 72703-4618 or Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St., Springdale, Ark. 72764

Per her final wishes, she was cremated under the direction of Nelson Berna Funeral Home with burial in her niche at Memorial Gardens in Tulsa, Okla., in a private family service.

To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Benton Armstrong Vizzier, age 96, of Fayetteville passed away, May 11, 2015, in Fayetteville. He was born Dec. 25, 1918, in Gillett, Ark., to James and Aveline Bergschneider Vizzier.

As a WWII Navy veteran, he attended the University of Arkansas, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering. Through the years he worked in dam construction and flood control followed by many years in electronics manufacturing where he authored multiple patents for processes used to produce parts for the U.S. Space Program. During this time, he earned an MBA degree at Alabama A&M. After retiring, he entered the poultry industry where he stayed for an additional decade before his final retirement. He was an active member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club in Huntsville, Ala., for 20 years and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy Byrd Vizzier, his sister, Marguerite Bieger and his brother, James Vizzier, his son-in-law J. Paul Thaxton, and his daughter-in-law, Gloria Vizzier. He is survived by his daughter, Yvonne Thaxton of Fayetteville, sons, Michael (Leigh), Rick, Benton Jr. ( Jackey); brother, Norval Vizzier of Minneapolis, Minn., his three grandchildren, Paige (Sharkey) Burke of Brandon, Miss., Alexandra (Drew) Stephenson of Virginia Beach, Va., Chase (Elyssa) Vizzier of Jacksonville, Fla., six great-grandchildren, Sharkey III, Lillian, Bradley and Thaxton Burke, Janet and Chris Stephenson along with many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Mass will be at 10 a. m. Friday, May 22, at Saint Raphael’s Catholic Church in Springdale. Both he and Dorothy, generous in death, donated their remains to medical science through the University of Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St Raphael Catholic Church’s Food Pantry, 1386 S. West End Street, Springdale, Ark. 72764 or the charity of your choice.

Cremation arrangements were handled by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home of Fayetteville, Ark.

To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.

HUNTSVILLE — David Marcus “Mark” Lewis, 55, of Huntsville, died May 15, 2015 at home. He was the son of Everett Benjamin and Mary Ruth White Lewis and a mechanic.

Services: 1 p. m., Tuesday, Brashears Funeral Home- Huntsville ( www. brashearsfuneralhome.net). Interment: Green Mount Cemetery at Star City, Ark. Visitation: 6-8 p.m., Monday at Brashears.

HUNTSVILLE — Debra Ann Sloan, 57, of Huntsville, died May 2, 2015. Survivors: children, Chris ( Tiffany) Loghry, Sarah ( Josh) Jackson, and Rachel Adams; mother, Floy Sloan-Easley; siblings, Lee (Sandra) Sloan and Dena (Dewain) Bradley. Services: 2 p. m., Monday, Brashears Funeral Home- Huntsville (www.brashearsfuneralhome. net). Interment: Drakes Creek Cemetery. Visitation: 2-4 p.m., today (Sunday) at Brashears.

MIDWAY — Iva Marie Horne, 92, of Midway, Ark. died May 15, 2015, in Midway. Visitation: 2 to 4 p.m., May 17 at Roller Funeral Home Chapel-Paris. Service: 2 p.m., May l8 at Midway Assembly of God Church. Burial: Horne Cemetery in Midway under the direction of Roller Funeral Home-Paris. Online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

ROGERS — Sharon Carroll, 54, of Rogers, passed away May 13, 2015. Born Dec. 28, 1960, in Medford, Ore., to Robert and Lela Jones.

Survived by her children Rosealy Anne Merrall, Donna Lorraine Biggs, Shauna Lorrene Rushing and Roxanne Marie Carroll; sisters Kathleen Owen, Lydia Cristianson and Pamela Kloor; 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers.

SPRINGDALE — Renee Burleson, 46, of Springdale, passed away May 8, 2015. Born Nov. 19, 1968, in Huntington, Calif., to Jerry and Sharon Watson Enos. She was a registered nurse.

Survivors her husband Stephen; her father Jerry; children Angel Davis and Michael Chavez; siblings Charee, Mitch and Nick.

Memorial services 7 p.m. Monday at Ray of Hope Community Church in Nob Hill Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers.

SPRINGDALE — Melvin Leroy “Roy” Kannady, 90, of Springdale, Ark., passed away Thursday, May 14, 2015. He was born Aug. 11, 1924, in Collinsville, Okla., to Walter A. and Celia Kannady.

He worked 35 years as a service technician for IBM. He was a member of Tulsa Central Nazarene Church for approximately 70 years. He was a Veteran of the Korean War and WWII. He collected and repaired antique clocks.

He is survived by his second wife, Betty Jo Burney Kannady; daughter, Beverly Woodward and her husband, Larry of Fayetteville, Ark.; grandsons, Scott Woodward and his wife, Robin of Roge r s , Ark . , B rad Wo o dwa rd and his wife, Lisa of Farmington, Ark.; great- grandchildren: Isaac, Abigail, and Macy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Loyral Kannady; four brothers; and four sisters. Memorial contributions may be made to Central Church of the Nazarene or Washington Regional Hospital Hospice, Fayetteville, Ark.

Visitation: 1 p.m., Tuesday, Moore’s Eastlawn Chapel.

Service: 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2015, Moore’s Eastlawn Chapel, 1908 S. Memorial Dr., Tulsa, Okla.

Interment: Floral Haven Cemetery.

Moore’s Eastlawn Chapel, 918-622-1155.

SPRINGDALE — Patsy L. Love, 73, of Springdale passed away Friday, May 15, 2015, in Springdale. She was born Sept. 27, 1941, in Madison County, the daughter of Henry Roy and Inez James Stufflebeam.

She was a loving homemaker and mother.

Survivors include her children, David Janes of Farmington, Ark. and Carrol Janes of Valparaiso, Ind.; five grandchildren, Travis Janes, Carrie Squires, Cindel Worthey, Jennifer Squires and Tyler Miller; one great-grandchild.

Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at Moore’s Chapel with Pastor Jasper Hankins officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2015, at the funeral home.

SPRINGDALE — Sabra Fay Crutchfield Miller, born May 2, 1936, in Monroe, Mich., went to dance with “Pappa” in Heaven on Jan. 30, 2015.

Sabra “Grams” was a great wife to Ronald K. Miller Sr., “Pappa,” for 56 years until his death in 2008.

Sabra and Ron had five children: Debra Grover of Munford, Tenn., Rebecca Gregory of Dewar, Okla., Ronald Jr. of Fayetteville, Ark., Rhonda Miller Ward of Springdale Ark., and Timothy, also of Springdale. She has 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death are her parents and 6 siblings.

Sabra was a great mother, “Grams” and friend & was adored by all who knew her. She loved outdoors, gardening and bingo and will be greatly missed.

Anyone who wishes to celebrate Sabra’s life, there will be a small ceremony on Sunday, May 24, 2015, at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale around 4 p.m.

SPRINGDALE — Martha Jo Moore, 91, of Springdale, died Thursday, May 14, 2015, at Northwest Medical Center.

She was born March 8, 1924, in Sonora to Henry Wilford and Olena Josephine Bramlett Scroggins.

Mrs. Moore was devoted to her family. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s sporting events, bird watching, and cooking and caring for her family and friends. She was a member since childhood of First Baptist Church, now Cross Church Springdale, where she taught preschool Sunday School for many years. She retired after more than 20 years as executive secretary from First State Bank of Springdale.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack L. Moore, in 2004, and by three brothers and four sisters.

She is survived by four children, Joy Moore Norwood and husband Tommy of Rogers, Michelle Thomas and husband Charles of Springdale, Kevin L. Moore and Carol Davis of Lowell, Elaine Taylor and husband Greg of Springdale; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, May 18, at Cross Church Springdale. Burial will be at Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday (today) at Heritage Funeral Home, online guest book at heritageofnwa.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cross Church, 1709 Johnson Rd., Springdale, Ark. 72762.

WILLIFORD — Kenneth Aubrey Wilson of Hardy, Ark., died May 13, 2015. He was 62.

Ken wa s born in Memphis, Tenn. on Aug. 11, 1952 to Aubry H. and Betty Wilson. He grew up in Jonesboro, Ark. where he graduated from Jonesboro High in 1970. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Thailand. In addition to being a veteran, he was retired from the restaurant industry.

Ken enjoyed cooking, fishing, bowling, golfing, football, and spending time with family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

He is survived by his companion, Traci Sharp, Hardy, Ark.; three daughters: Traci Benbrook ( Tony), Kristi Diffee, Fayetteville, Ark., Kerry Wilson, Jonesboro, Ark.; a stepson, Brent White, Greenbriar, Ark.; two sisters, Nancy Lacy, Batesville, Ark., Cindy Wilson, N. Little Rock; one brother, Craig Wilson (Sharon) Tallahasee, Fla.; seven grandchildren; one great- grandson; one niece; two nephews; and a host of family and friends from Thailand to Tennessee.

Memorial Service will be held on May 30, 2015 at Cedar Valley Park Pavillion, Cherokee Village, Ark. at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent for his memorial fund payable to Tony Benbrook, P.O. Box 280, Goshen, AR 72735-0280 or to gofundme.com/kennywilson.

UNDERHILL, Vt. — James Michael Hudson, of Underhill, Vt., died unexpectedly May 8, 2015, at the age of 24. He was born on Feb. 1, 1991, in Bartlesville, Okla.

James Michael is survived by his parents Mike & Debbie (York) Hudson of Underhill, Vt.; his sister Michelle Hudson of Fayetteville, Ark., Grandmother Birdie Hudson of Fort Smith, Ark. and numerous extended family members whom he loved dearly.

He had several friends with whom he enjoyed spending time, including his best friend Mike Bluto.

James Michael attended Root Elementary in Fayetteville, Ark. and Kells Academy in Montreal, Quebec prior to moving to Essex, Vt. in 2004. He was the Outstanding Pitcher of the Montreal West-Island Baseball league in 2004 and pitcher for the Champion team the same year. James Michael participated in Cub

Scouts in Fayetteville, Ark. and Point-Claire, Quebec and with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets also in Pointe-Claire. James Michael attended Essex Middle School and graduated from Essex High School, Vermont in 2010.

He held several jobs in Vermont, most recently working with Smugglers Notch Ski Resort.

James Michael loved travel and participated in volunteer service via Volunteers for Peace in Iceland and Denmark. He was passionate about aviation and piloting as a young child, and became an avid self-taught student of meteorology. He also loved to participate in improvisation. James Michael fell within the autism spectrum and was intelligent, remarkably kind, sensitive, caring, loving, funny, persistent as well as patient, an excellent communicator, honest to a fault, and was just fun to be around.

His family wishes to recognize the courage with which he lived his life and find solace in the knowledge that he is at peace.

There will be a 3 p. m. graveside ceremony at the Sugar Hill Cemetery, on Sugar Hill Road less than a mile east of Hwy 59, southwest of Lincoln, Ark. followed by a celebration of his life beginning at 5 p.m. at the Mount Sequoyah Retreat Millar Lodge at 151 N Skyline Drive in Fayetteville, Ark., Wednesday May 20, 2015 (both are casual attire).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests to please make a donation in James Michael’s honor to Autism Speaks ( www. autismspeaks. org.) The family also invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www. awrfh.com.