Obituaries

OBITUARIES Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas

Democrat-Gazette Advertising Department by funeral homes. For more information including cost and deadlines contact the advertising department at (501) 378-3889.

BELLA VISTA — Richard M. Wirth, 100, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Nov. 18, 2016, at his home. He was born Nov. 12, 1916, in Sandusky, Ohio, to Fred Wirth and Alma Hassenplugh.

He graduated from high school in Cleveland, and from Cleveland State University with a Mechanical Engineering Vocation. He worked at Weldon Cutting Tools in Cleveland.

He was in the U. S. Air Force as lieutenant and B-24 pilot during World War II. After an honorable discharge, he moved to Rochester, N.Y., to work at and help build Morgood Tools from the beginning. He was primary owner and president of Morgood for 34 years before retirement in 1977.

He married in 1948 to Elaine Campbell of Caledonia, N.Y. He had three children, Thomas Wirth of Shortsville, N.Y., Patricia Huselton, of Rochester, N.Y.; and Robert Wirth of Fort Collins, Colo. He was preceded in death by parents, wife Elaine, brother, Frederick of New York City and sister, Janet Falcone of Westfield, N.J., and step-daughter Nancy Fitzgibbons of Highlands Ranch, Colo.

He married a close family friend Sally Tompkins (Longbine) of Kansas City in 1973 before retiring in 1977. They moved to Bella Vista, Ark., in 1980. He and Sally enjoyed many years in Bella Vista enjoying retirement, playing golf, boating, fishing and traveling to see the kids.

He was a life time member of American Society of Tool and Mfg. Engineers, Masonic Lodge No. 1032 in Rochester, N.Y., past president and long time member at Brooklea golf club, and a church member at St. Theodore’s Episcopal Church of Bella Vista.

He is survived by wife, Sally Wirth, two sons, Thomas Wirth of Shortsville, N.Y., Robert Wirth of Fort Collins, Colo.; one daughter, Patricia Huselton of Penfield, N.Y.; two step-daughters, Marty Longbine of Pacific Palisades, Callf., Joan Ghani of Joplin, Mo.; 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

In remembrance a small memorial get together of family and friends will happen at the house at 71 Mayfair Drive in Bella Vista on March 4, 2017, at 3 p.m. All are welcome to come and share memories of his life.

FARMINGTON — Alvin Neal, age 82, of Farmington passed away Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in Fayetteville. He was born in Houston, Miss., to Robert and Madge Abbott Neal. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Shirley Neal. Our dear father was a wonderful, loving Dad. He was devoted to his family and always a faithful provider. He had a big heart and a friendly personality. He never met a

stranger. He loved helping out his neighbors and friends. He lived as a widower for the last four years of his life which we’re sure was not easy for him to do. But, we are confident that he is in heaven with our mother.

He is survived by two daughters, Margie Keyes and her husband Rick of Winslow, Ark., and Kathy Neal of West Fork; one son, David Neal of Goshen, Ark.; six grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

Family will receive friends at the home of Alvin Neal 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Moore’s Chapel. To place an online tribute visit www. mooresfuneralchapel.com.

MOUNT JUDEA — Carl Louis Cook, 75, died Feb. 23. Visitation is Feb. 27 at Holt Memorial Chapel at 5 p.m. Funeral is Feb. 28 at the Mount Judea gymnasium at 10 a.m. Survivors include sons, Craig and Rodney Cook; mother of his children, Linda Talbert and many other family and friends. ROGERS — Carol Elaine Davidson, 35, of Rogers, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 18, 2017. She was born March 12, 1981, in Fayetteville, Ark., the daughter of George and Patricia Butcher Davidson.

She was of the Christian faith.

Carol was the mother of four children, RoseMarry Davidson, Dyllan Raye Byrd of Cave Springs, Halley Ann Skye Davidson and Summer Rayne Davidson of Rogers. She is also survived by her parents; George William Davidson Sr. of Hogeye, Ark., and Patricia Davidson of Rogers, Ark.; one brother; George William Davidson Jr. and wife Alyce of Rogers, Ark., and two sisters; Michelle Rene Keys of Springdale, Ark., and Terri Lynne Russo and husband Jason of Bentonville.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, in the chapel of Memorial Funeral Home, 3926 Willowood Ave., Springdale, Ark., 72762. Funeral services will be at 10 a. m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Memorial Funeral Home with Todd Stephans officiating, with burial following in Mt. Comfort Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Online condolences may be made to www.memorialfhspringdale.com.

SHERWOOD — Allen Wright Berry, 72, passed away Feb. 22, 2017, at Methodist Germantown Hospital in Germantown, Tenn. He was born on Sept. 30, 1944, in Memphis, Tenn. He was the older child of Alonzo (AA) and Lois (Wright) Berry.

He was a graduate of Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, Ark. Allen received his BSBA in 1966 and MBA in 1968 from the University of Arkansas. In 1969, he married Catherine Marie Fore and they raised two children, Gregory and Emily, in Sherwood, Ark.

Allen held the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at WEHCO Media, Inc. for 37 years. After retirement, he and his wife, Cathy moved to Germantown, Tenn. Allen was of the Methodist faith where he served on the Board of the Heifer Project and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. Being an avid cyclist, Allen was a member of the Arkansas Bicycle Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alonzo (AA) and Lois Berry. He is survived by his wife, Cathy, of 47 years; one daughter, Emily Hall (Michael) of Germantown, Tenn.; son, Gregory Berry of Germantown, Tenn. Allen is also survived by one grandson, Joey Taylor; one sister, Marilyn McCord Blackburn (Ron); two nephews and two nieces.

Collierville Funeral Home has been entrusted with his funeral arrangements. Visitation will be held Monday, February 27, 2017, from 10:30 a.m. until service time at 12:00 noon at Germantown United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Harrisburg Memorial Park Cemetery in Harrisburg, Ark.

Pallbearers will be Ray Gash, Lynn Hamilton, Buddy King, Guinn Massey, George Reagan, Paul Smith, and Charlie Van Deventer. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Hines and Gerald Kilpatrick.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jeffrey Lee, Dr. Hussein Tawbi, and staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center for their gentle and attentive care throughout his illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Melanoma Research, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas, 77210, or you may donate online at www.mdanderson.org/gifts. Donations may also be made to Germantown United Methodist Church, 2331 South Germantown Road, Germantown, Tenn., 38138.

SPRINGDALE — Linda Greenwood Taylor, age 71, of Springdale, Ark., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, in Fayetteville. She was born Aug. 18, 1945, in Little Rock, Ark., to Leonard Cecil and Laura Lydia (Fishcher) Davenport.

Linda was a lover of life. Her passions included floral and interior design, animal rescue, cats both large and small, going to the movies, fashion, friends and family, advocating for the unborn, her faith in God, and all things Elvis.

She was a lifelong Lutheran and was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville. She was a proud Tyson team member for sixteen years working as an accounting administrator. She loved her work family and was honored to be part of such a special organization.

Linda served on the board of directors for the Humane Society of the Ozarks for six years. Additionally, she held the office of secretary during her final two years on the board.

She is survived by her son, Michael Scott Greenwood of Fayetteville, Ark.; her daughter, Stacey Lynn Greenwood of Kansas City, Mo.; and one grandson, Colton Jon-Dawson Greenwood of Fayetteville, Ark.

A celebration of life will be held 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 26 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2925 N. Old Missouri Road in Fayetteville with Reverend Dr. Clint Schnekloth officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of the Ozarks at https:// hsozarks.org.

To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home and Crematory of Fayetteville.

PINEVILLE, Mo. — Sgt. Paul Eugene Hignite, 67, died peacefully surrounded by his friends and family on Feb. 22, 2017.

A veteran of two wars, Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm, he served his country in the U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division – the “Warriors” and Arkansas National Guard’s 1st – 142nd FA B/Btry (Field Artillery) unit.

Paul was born Dec. 24, 1949, to Paul Hignite Sr. and Helen Hignite in Scott City, Kan. The oldest of five children, he grew up and played football in his hometown of Hayes, Kan. At the age of 17, he volunteered for U.S. Army service in Vietnam. After boot camp, he furthered his skills in Advanced Infantry Training ( AIT) before deployment in 1968. Upon return, Paul traveled the U.S. and spent years shrimping in the Gulf of Mexico, even outrunning hurricane Carmine in 1974 by boat.

During Operation Desert Storm, Paul enlisted as sergeant in the Arkansas National Guard where his unit provided Howitzer artillery support for ground forces during the liberation of Kuwait City. Paul was a brave and loyal soldier and a loving husband.

In June of 1980, he married his soul mate, Mollie Long, and settled in Northwest Arkansas. He was the proud father of five children: Mike Hignite, James Hignite, Paul Hignite, Angie Hignite and Rachel Barton, and “Papa Bear” to many more he called his own.

He is survived by: His wife Mollie Hignite, three brothers, Frank Hignite, Steve Hignite, and Roger Hignite, one sister, Marilyn Cochran, three sons, Mike Hignite, James Hignite, and Paul Hignite, two daughters, Angela Hignite and Rachel Barton, 11 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

List of Military Decorations and Accommodations: Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, two Overseas Service Bars, Marksman Sharpshooter M14, Marksman Expert M16 rifle and hand gun, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Service is set for 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27 at The Ridge Church in Pea Ridge. Arrangements are by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge. Visitation will be from 2-4 Sunday, Feb. 26 at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Pea Ridge Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.