Obituaries

BELLA VISTA — Donald

Lynn Taylor, age 68, of Bella Vista, Ark., went home to be with the Lord on March 24, 2017. Don was born on May 6, 1948, in Haynesville, La. He called Shreveport his home.

He is survived by his loving wife, Karleen Thomas Taylor of Bella Vista; and daughters: Donna Michelle Hickey of Chesapeake, Va., and Brandy Taylor Dick of Vivian, La. Don has three grandchildren. Karleen’s daughters include Peggy Smith Feazel of Honduras, and Lisa Renee Parker of Lebanon, Tenn. Additional family includes six grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Alice Corine Metcalf Taylor and Johnnie A. Taylor, of Haynesville, La.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017, at Village Baptist Church, 380 Glasgow Road, Bella Vista. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Don’s name to Village Baptist Church for the Landscaping Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Roger

Henry Widder, age 93, of Fayetteville, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017, in Fayetteville. He was born Sept. 9, 1923, in Milwaukee, Wis., the son of Roland and Louise Guenther Widder.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother John Mark, and a sister, Carol Louise Benn.

He graduated from Rufus King High School in Milwaukee, and attended the University of Wisconsin (extension) in Milwaukee. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1942, was stationed at Camp White in Medford, Ore. After promotions to staff sergeant, he was accepted in the Army Specialized Training Program and sent to the University of Idaho in Moscow to study German.

While there he was able to play in the university orchestra and band, where he met his future wife, Kathryn Horner. They were married Sept. 24, 1944, at the home of the bride in Weiser, Idaho. They lived in Neosho, Mo., Battle Creek, Mich., and finally at Fort Sheridan, Ill., where he worked with German prisoners of war at Camp Skokie Valley, Ill.

After an honorable discharge from the Army, he enrolled at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where he studied oboe with Alfred Barthel, retired member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1947, and a Master of Music degree in 1948. The school year of 1948-49 was

spent teaching at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater, Okla., where he taught woodwind instruments and led the ROTC band.

In September,1949, he was hired as woodwind instructor and assistant band director at the University of Arkansas, where he remained until retirement in 1950, progressing through the ranks to full professor and acting as chairman of the Music Department for nine years.

For many years he was a Boy Scout leader of Troop 102 in Fayetteville, where he helped shape the lives of many boys. He was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Westark Area Council. He was a longtime member and past-president of the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club.

Roger Widder is survived by his wife of 72 years, Kathryn, of Fayetteville; a brother Neal Widder of West Bend, Wis.; sons David (Cheryl) of Blacksburg, Va., Stephen (Wendy) of Xico, Veracruz, Mexico, and Neosho, Mo., Mark (Carol) of Fayetteville, John (Livona) of Elkins; nine grandchildren: Jennifer Quakenbush, Janice Blakeney, Kathryn Henriksen, Heidi Widder, Lucas Widder, Elijah Widder, Kaniel Widder, Ashleigh Wall, Megan Lahay; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Moore’s Chapel, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 30. A private family burial service will be held at Fayetteville National Cemetary on March 31. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Central United Methodist Church, Westark Area Boy Scout Council in Fort Smith, or to a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be planned at a later date. To sign the online guest book visit www.mooresfuneral chapel.com.

PARIS — Lavinia Louise

Smith, 51, of Paris, Ark., passed away on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 in Paris. Visitation will be from 9-10 a.m., on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris, followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m., with burial in Oakwood Cemetery in Paris.

SCRANTON — Larry

G. Jackson, 80, of Scranton, passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017, in Paris. Visitation: 5-7 p.m., on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris. Funeral service: 10 a.m., Wednesday, at Roller Funeral Home Chapel, by Roller Funeral Home in Paris. Online guestbook at www.roller funeralhomes.com/paris.

SPRINGDALE — Ancel

Lee Turner, 63, of Springdale, Ark., died Thursday. He served in the U.S. Army. Survivors: four children, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Visitation: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Epting Funeral Home, Bentonville. Graveside service: Wednesday, 10 a.m., Fayetteville National Cemetery. Condolences: www.eptingfuneral home.webs.com.

SELIGMAN, Mo. — Ann

Richard, 70, of Seligman, died March 26 at her home. She is survived by her husband, Douglas Richard of the home. Cremation arrangements are by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge. A memorial service will be held at a later date.