Obituaries

BELLA VISTA — James

N. Reeves, 79, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away Monday, March 20, 2017, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Ark.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, at Wilsons Funeral Home in Wellsville, Kan. Memorial services will be at 12 p.m., with interment to follow at the Wellsville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Circle of Life Hospice or the Bella Vista Animal Shelter care of Wilsons, P.O. Box 486, Wellsville, Kan. 66092.

James Nathaniel Reeves was born Feb. 23, 1938, in Bucklin, Kan., the son of Emery and Elsie (Caldwell) Reeves. On Aug. 30, 1959, he married Janet (Hrabe) Reeves in Wellsville, Kan. They were married 57 years.

Jim spent his career in education in Kansas, and was a teacher at El Dorado High School for over 30 years. After retiring from El Dorado High School, Jim and Janet moved from El Dorado, Kan., to Arkansas, to be closer to their children. Jim was an avid golfer, enjoyed hunting and fishing and spent many days cheering on his KU Jayhawks.

Jim will be dearly missed by those that knew him and loved him including his wife, Janet of the home; son, Jim (Leslie) Reeves of Olathe, Kan.; son, Jarrod Reeves of Bella Vista, Ark.; grandchildren Erin (Mike) Bronner, JD (Sarah) Reeves, Quintin Reeves, Porter Adams, Braegen Adams, and Cohen Adams; great-grandchildren Paxton Bronner, Rylen Reeves, and Avery Swemke; three brothers, Merle (Doris) Reeves of Husum, Wash., Donald Reeves of Richmond, Kan., Curtis Reeves of Ottawa, Kan.; two sisters, Janet (Bob) Bouse of Wellsville, Kan. and Juanita (Dennis) Shay of Linn Valley, Kan.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Cletis, Jerle, and Kenny Reeves.

DUTCH MILLS —

George Vernon Hale, age 81, of Dutch Mills, Ark., passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2017, at Willard Walker Hospice Home, after a short stay in the hospital. He was surrounded by family and friends.

He was born Aug. 5, 1935, in Prairie Grove, Ark., the son of Troy Evan Hale and Clara Gladys Walker Hale. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church, where he has served as deacon, teacher and a mentor to many. He was a member of the Rustic Relics Tractor Club of Morrow, Ark., and enjoyed showing his cockshutt tractors. The majority of his life was spent as a farmer, which was his passion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Mary Lou Baughman, and one brother Troy (Butch) Hale.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carlene Hale; two sons, Wayne Hale and wife Jennifer of Evansville, Ark., and Jim Hale and wife Diana of Dutch Mills, Ark.; two daughters, Jayne Kopacek and husband Terry of Plano, Texas, and Vicki Sizemore and husband Dwayne of Springdale, Ark.; two brothers, Robert Hale of Dutch Mills, Ark., and Ronnie Hale and wife Brenda of Stilwell, Okla.; and four sisters, Willa Dean Villines of Dearborn, Mo., Carol Collins of Lincoln, Ark., Linda Yates and husband Jim of Huntsville, Ark., and Troylene Perry-Lincoln and husband of Mountain Home, Ark.; nine grandchildren, Trina Hale, Kimberly Osburn, Michael Hale, Kaylee Russell and husband Ryan, Sai Kopacek and wife Bronwyn, Kane Kopacek, Ashley Sizemore, Kim White and husband Jeremy, and Jima Jetton and husband Jimmie; and nine great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6-7 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held Saturday, March 25, 2017, at 10 a.m. at Liberty Baptist Church in Dutch Mills, Ark., with Jason Taylor officiating. Burial will be in the Bethesda Cemetery; no graveside services will be held. Pallbearers will be Terry Kopacek, Michael Hale, Ryan Russell, Jeremy White, Jimmie Jetton and Billy Ryan Groves.

Memorials may be made to Liberty Baptist Church at 22361 Dutch Mills, Lincoln, Ark. 72744, or Willard Walker Hospice Home at 325 E. Longview St., Fayetteville, Ark. 72703. Online guestbook: www.luginbuel.com.

FARMINGTON —

Diane Pharris Cates, 52, died March 20, 2017, after a brief illness. She was born in Fayetteville, Ark., on May 11, 1964.

Diane is survived by her parents, Loren Cates and Sue Robbins of Farmington; a daughter, Jessica Pharris; two brothers, Ken Cates and Jeff Cates; an uncle, Gerald Cates of Farmington; and two granddaughters, Aubrey and Rebecca Pharris of Kansas City, Mo.

She will be dearly missed by all who loved her. No services are planned. Online condolences may be made to www.beardsfuneralchapel. com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Rita

A. Conner, 75, of Fayetteville, died on March 22, 2017 at the Willard Walker Hospice Home. She was born Sept. 21, 1941, in Caruthersville, Mo., to Earl and Norma Davis McNiel. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother.

Rita retired from Walmart after 15 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Roger McNiel and Mike (Frye) McNiel; and sister, Susan McNiel Brashears.

She is survived by her husband, James (Bob) Conner of the home; two sons, Randy Conner of Tennessee, and Richard Conner and wife Sonja of Bentonville; daughter, Robin West and husband Joseph of Nashville, Tenn.; brother, Johnny McNiel of Nixa, Mo.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

No services are planned at this time. Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made to www.beards funeralchapel.com. FAYETTEVILLE — Bill R.

Kisor, 75, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Fayetteville. He was born Oct. 14, 1941, in Fayetteville, Ark., to Felix David Kisor and Ella Rose (Counts) Kisor.

Bill was devoted to his family and loved his wife, children, and grandchildren dearly. He was an avid bass fisherman who pursued this passion all over the country. He was also a lifelong Razorback fan who attended countless Arkansas sporting events, with baseball being his favorite.

Bill was a Christian and member of University Baptist Church. He was the owner and operator of Fayetteville Mechanical Contractors, Inc. He had been active in The Salvation Army, Fayetteville Planning Commission, Sertoma Club and Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. He loved to study God’s Word, and was a regular attender at Bible Study Fellowship.

He is survived by his wife Doris Ann (Coger) Kisor; three daughters, Cindy Summerlin and her husband, Mark, of Fayetteville, Ark.; Rebecca McCredy and her husband, Larry, of Fayetteville, Ark.; and Melinda Kisor of Fayetteville, Ark.; four grandchildren, Zac Summerlin, and Anna, Cade, and Lauren McCredy; three brothers, his identical twin, Bob Kisor, of Fayetteville, Ark.; F.D. Kisor of Fort Worth, Texas; and Jim Kisor of Kailua, Hawaii; one sister, Susie Ramsey, of Deer Park, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at University Baptist Church on Monday, March 27, 2017, at 11 a.m. The service will be preceded by a visitation at 10 a.m. just outside the Church’s sanctuary. Pastors Brad Wheeler and Chuck Sackman will officiate. Burial will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to University Baptist Church Second Mile Ministry. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www. nelsonberna.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home and Crematory of Fayetteville.

PRAIRIE GROVE —

Sibyl Gambill Stroup, age 97, of Prairie Grove died on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at the Prairie Grove Health and Rehab.

She was a member of the Pilot Oak Church of Christ in Kentucky, where she had lived for many years before moving to Arkansas. She was a massage therapist.

Mrs. Stroup is survived by her three children, Larry Gambill of Greencastle, Ind., Patricia Gore of Farmington, Ark., Genola Ayers of Cornith, Miss.; a stepson, Johnny Stroup of Fulton, Ky.; 10 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, six step-great-grand-children; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two husbands, Moulton Gambill and Connie Stroup; her parents, Horace Elton and Mamie Ola Overby McCord; a daughter, Sandra Allen; two stepsons, Connie Gayle Stroup and Dewayne Stroup; four brothers; and a sister.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Hornbeak Funeral Chapel in Fulton, Ky. Burial will follow at Obion County Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 1 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Pilot Oak Church of Christ, 5545 State Route 94 W, Water Valley, Ky. 42085, or Smith Street Church of Christ, 411 Smith Street, South Fulton, Tenn. 38257.

ROGERS — It was a dark and stormy night in Rogers, Ark., when Steven Clarke

Ludlow, 67, died, in bed at home, surrounded by women who loved him. Life chapters begin in Toledo, Ohio, born on June 5, 1949, to Dean Ludlow, a WWII Navy Air Rescue Navigator and Dorothy Spranger Ludlow, RN, and English Feminist Historian. Steve was the middle child, between Sister Lin and Brother Bill. Cute Cousin Denise Spranger was usually found with this gang.

Toledo Chapter (42 years): Here’s what happened… Steve graduated Rogers High School and University of Toledo. In his youth, he golf caddied, participated in Pershing Rifles and later joined Students for a Democratic Society.

In college, he met and fell in love with the girl with the most beautiful eyes, Mary Elizabeth Palmer. Together they made talented, strong, good-looking children, Peter Steven, an actor, chef and restauranteur, and Jennifer Ruth, a fiber artist, sculptor, adjunct professor, and kitchen designer now living in Hawaii.

In his work life, chiefly he worked at The DeVilbiss Company, in Toledo, Ohio, starting out on the factory floor, moving into accounting, marketing, national sales, and ultimately general manager for the Automotive Aftermarket Refinishing Division. He did all of this while getting his MBA and working second jobs as stevedore, cement worker, pizza delivery and bingo caller. Throughout all, he gathered friends who became as loving and steadfast as brothers and sisters.

Next Chapter: Married his best friend Donna Grant. He said they made a great team. He gained another strong, talented good-looking stepdaughter, Julie Wahl, and entire Grant clan. The newlyweds moved to Santa Clara, Calif. Steve initially worked for an amazing friend, followed by a series of other professions. The main benefit was traveling the USA, England, Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Batter Up! Steve enjoyed any kind of baseball and his team was the San Francisco Giants. He also loved coaching his daughter, Jennifer’s softball team.

Travel adventuring was his passion. He apprenticed as a blacksmith, learned scuba diving, sailed lakes, traveled Route 66 three times, played blackjack and poker, cruised Alaska, and took day trips just to get lost.

Welcome to Arkansas! Donna’s mom, her husband, and brother, John Grant, World Class Walmart Greeter, lived in Rogers, Ark. Steve and Donna traveled to Rogers yearly. They fell in love with the area and John’s Walmart gang, who embraced them with open arms. They made more family friends while they lived at the Greens at Blossom Way. Last fall, they purchased their dream home in Rogers, and were enthusiastic about the life they would enjoy there. Sadly, Steve suffered a consistent series of illnesses, but even through this he made dear friends.

Steve suffered a devastating loss of his son, Peter, in 2000, and his father when Steve was 16. He explored many faiths. He was always ready to help his family and friends. Ultimately, he believed God works through how we treat and love each other in our life on earth. Afterlife is an awesome mystery and will take care of itself.

A memorial service will be on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at 1 p.m. in Rollins Funeral Home Chapel. Please wear Hawaiian or baseball theme clothing. Online condolences can be made at www.rollins funeral.com.

ROGERS — Randy Lee Spicer, of Rogers, passed away on March 20, 2017. He was born on June 30, 1948, to the late Russell and Betsy Spicer.

Survivors include Diane Spicer, his wife of 48 years; his children, Brad Spicer and wife Lisa of Wichita, Kan., Carrie Kanouff and husband Kevin of Rogers; grandchildren, Ben, Nick, Zoe, Logan, Lola; brother, Stan Spicer; sister, Linda Spicer Clay; and his loving dog Maddie.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, in Benton County Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to Mercy Health Foundation, Northwest Arkansas Reach Out and Read Program, or The Salvation Army. Arrangements are by Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers. Condolences may be made at www.RollinsFuneral. com.

SPRINGDALE — Adron

Graham Benton was born April 22, 2010. He entered the realm of the Lord on March 7, 2017. He was the beloved son of Ben T. Benton and Laurin C. Wallace. He was the light of their lives.

Adron woke up happy and went to bed happy. He loved watching NASCAR and playing with his own racing cars. He loved swinging in a special hammock with his father and enjoyed listening to music with his mother. He was loved by his grandparents, family members, friends, school teachers and classmates. He taught us that there are many ways to communicate love without words.

During his brief life, Adron came in contact with many caring health care providers. It is impossible to thank all of them. But to mention just a few, his family would like to thank the staff at the Elizabeth Richardson Center, Arkansas Regional Therapy Services, and his teachers at Vandergriff Elementary. His family also deeply appreciates all the medical personnel who provided care for Adron, including his pediatrician, staff at Washington Regional Medical Center, Angel One Helicopter Transport Team, and finally Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, Ark.

Adron’s family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of compassion expressed by the local community and the Vandergriff PTO. They are deeply grateful for this support. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Elizabeth Richardson Center, 3917 S Old Missouri Road, Springdale, Ark. 72764. If donating, please note it is in memory of Adron Benton, for the Infant Development Center in Fayetteville.

Services will be held on March 25, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Unity Church on 4880 W. Wedington Drive, Fayetteville, Ark. Rest in peace, my little boy.

SPRINGDALE — Helen Sue Johnson, 53, of Springdale, Ark., passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at her residence. Sue was born on Aug. 23, 1963 in Monett, Mo. She was a homemaker and devoted to her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marilyn Drollinger and Martin “Vic” Drollinger, and a son, Jeffery Wayne Kolch.

Sue is survived by her husband, James Lee Johnson of the home; two children, Seth Dalton Johnson and Felicia LilliFaye Johnson both of Springdale, Ark.; five siblings, James Robert Myers, Michael Edwards Myers, David Lee Smith, Jessie Faye Herrera and Melinda “Mindy” Torix; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Chapel in Springdale from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Graveside service will be on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at 2 p.m. at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale. To sign the online guest book, please visit www. backstrom-pyeatte.com.

WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA — Susan Diane Jubenville, 65, of Windsor, Ontario, died March 10, 2017 at Detroit. Survivors: husband, Richard; daughter Jennifer Lynn (Nathan) Cowsill; brother, Jim Pierce; sister, Sharon Kay Byrd; grandchildren, Arianna Moreno, Avigail, Ashleigh, Matthew and Jordan Cowsill. Services: 2 p.m. Saturday, Brashears Funeral Home, Huntsville, www. brashearsfuneralhome.net. Interment: Bluff Cemetery, Springdale.

LITTLE ROCK — Stephen Guthrie Smith, 70, of Little Rock passed away on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born Oct. 10, 1946, in Little Rock, Ark.

He was raised in Stuttgart, Ark., and graduated high school from Columbia Military Academy in Columbia, Tenn. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi

Alpha Fraternity.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martha Ellen and Leavelle Smith, and his brother, Leavelle, Jr.

Steve was an avid, lifelong outdoorsman, and when he became the President of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation in 1989, his passion also became his job.

Steve did his best to spread the traditions of hunting, angling and outdoor recreation statewide. His true talent was educating young people about wildlife conservation for the great Arkansas outdoors he so dearly loved.

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Director, Jeff Crow, said there were no words to adequately describe what Smith meant to the agency. “A kind and gentle soul, his love for the AGFC and its employees was displayed in everything he did on our behalf,” Crow said.

Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation President Deke Whitbeck said the foundation was saddened by Smith’s death. “He was the leader of this foundation,” Whitbeck said. “More importantly, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He had a true passion for reaching out to young people and introducing them to Arkansas’s great outdoors.”

Fred Brown, AGFC chairman, said Smith was a dedicated outdoorsman. “He did his best to spread the traditions of hunting, angling and outdoor recreation for as long as I knew him,” Brown said. “His friendly smile and calm demeanor always let you know you had a friend willing to work with you to get people outdoors,” he added.

In 2003, he was inducted into the Arkansas Game & Fish Outdoor Hall of Fame and in 2015 he was named Arkansas’ Ducks Unlimited Sportsman of the Year. He was a Ducks Unlimited national trustee emeritus, and served two seven-year terms as an Arkansas State Police Commissioner, where he was known as a “troopers commissioner.”

Steve and the Foundation were driving forces of the 1996 successful campaign to pass a conservation sales tax to provide permanent and solid funding for the AGFC, Arkansas Parks, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, and the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. Smith guided many foundation projects, such as the purchase of the Robinwood addition to Wattensaw Wildlife Management Area, which used proceeds from several years of Outdoor Hall of Fame banquets. He played a leading part in the acquisition and development of Potlatch Conservation Education Center at Cook’s Lake, and the development of a firing range in Jacksonville. He also was a key link in the purchase of a 421-acre tract for Fred Berry Conservation Education Center on Crooked Creek.

While his friends are many, and he will be missed, the love for his family will always be remembered. Steve cherished his time with family and friends, fishing and enjoying the wildlife at the Little Red River.

Steve is survived by his wife of 39 years, Etta Irving Smith; his two sons, Stephen G. Smith II (Christa White) and William Bryant Smith (Sayward); and two grandchildren, Alexis Irving Smith and William Beckett Smith. He is also survived by his brother Mike Smith (Nancy), and former wife and friend, Susanne Hall.

There will be a celebration of Steve Smith’s life at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25, 2017, at Second Presbyterian Church. There will be a reception at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests the memorials be given to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, No. 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72207, or The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, Md. 21741-5014. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www. ruebelfuneralhome.com.