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 — Marilyn R. Schmid, 88, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away July 25, 2017, at Highlands Health Ca r e . Th e daughter of the late Richard and Anna Rehn, she was born April 28, 1929, in the Bronx, N.Y.

Marilyn was a Cub Scout den mother, and den mother trainer. She was the recipient of the Silver Fawn Award, the highest award for female volunteer scouters in the Memphis area, where she served for 20 years. She was a past president of the Bella Vista German American Club. She enjoyed traveling, working with stained glass and Italian tile, needlepoint, cross stitch, ceramics, reading, and playing canasta. She had a big heart for animals. She enjoyed organizing parties for friends and was a wonderful German cook!

Left to cherish her memories are her loving husband, Herb; son, Richard ( Charlotte) Schmid; daughter, Debbie (Mike) Shane; four grandchildren: Jeremy, Ryan, Jennifer and Courtney; and six great- granddaughters: Morgan, Bailey, Avery, Brooklyn, Genevieve and Elisabeth.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 27 at Bella Vista Lutheran Church, 1990 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

BENTON — Theresa Kay Summers, 54, of Benton, Ark., died July 19, 2017. She was born Aug. 23, 1962. Memorial: 2 p.m., Saturday, July 29, Benton Four Square Church, 2722 Military Road, Benton. Graveside: 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 5, Mineral Springs Mountain Cemetery, West Fork, Ark. Services by Smith-Benton Funeral Home, www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

BENTONVILLE — Sandra Goodwin, 37, of Bentonville, Ark ., passed away July 23, 2017, in Bentonville, Ark. She was born Oct. 31, 1979, in Fort Smith, Ark., to Chantarangsy Thammavongsa and Vilayvanh (Xaypasith) Thammavongsa.

She is survived by her husband, James Goodwin of Little Rock, Ark., her parents of Bentonville, Ark., one sister, Aileen Thammavongsa of Bentonville, Ark., and one niece Neelia Jade Falcon of Bentonville.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, July 29, in the Chapel of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com.

BENTONVILLE — William Albert “Bill” Towner, 95, of Bentonville, Ark., passed away, Saturday, July 22, 2017, in Bella Vista. He was born Jan. 29, 1922, in Duquesne, Pa., to Albert Towner and Minnie Phillips Towner.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army from December 1940 to November 1945. During World War II, he served as a shipping and receiving clerk 1 & 6. Decorations and citations awarded include Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Easter Campaign Medal and World War II victory Medal. Bill became a member of the Bentonville Masonic Lodge in 1981.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Irene Johnson Towner in 2004; a son, Charles Towner; four brothers and two sisters. Bill is survived by his wife, Jenny Naydean Towner; three children, James Towner and wife, Sue of Alexandria, Minn., Robert Towner and wife, Mary of Bentonville, Ark., and Patricia Bice of Akron, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 29, 2017, at God’s Lighthouse Church in Bentonville with the Rev. Stacey Garr officiating. He will be laid to rest at the Bentonville Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers. Memories may be shared at stockdalefuneral.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Avis H. Powell of Fayetteville, formerly of Fort Smith, entered into his eternal rest on July 14, 2017. He was born Nov. 12, 1930, in Muldrow Okla., the son of the late Lige and Lyda Powell.

Avis served in the U. S . Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. During his lifetime, he enjoyed traveling, fishing, and golfing. Twice while golfing he achieved the elusive hole-in-one. Those who knew him will long remember his wonderful sense of humor. He loved to joke and make others laugh.

He is survived by Barbara Sue, his wife of 63 years; a daughter, Pamela Conner and husband Don of Fayetteville, Ark.; a son, Mark Powell and wife Julie of Fayetteville, Ark.; granddaughters Kaley Brydon and husband Tom, Rachel Powell, and Sidney Powell, all of Fayetteville; sister, Helen Ross of Broken Arrow, Okla.; brother, Willis Powell of Fort Smith, and six nieces and nephews.

A graveside service, with military honors, was held July 19 at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. Services were handled by Memorial Funeral Home, 3926 Willowood Ave., Springdale. To send the family condolences, please visit www.memorialfhspringdale.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Ernest Leroy Grim, age 82, of Fayetteville, passed away at his home on Thursday, July 20, 2017. He was born on March 26, 1935, in Siloam Springs, Ark., to Walter and Francis Davis Grim.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Michael Scott Grim; and his brother, Clarence “Tuffy” Grim.

Ernest served 30 years in the U.S. Navy as a jet engine specialist. He retired as a command master chief petty officer. He loved gardening and keeping up with technology. Most of all, he enjoyed life and helping people.

He is survived by his loving wife, Patsy Grim of the home; his daughter, Dawn Waldman and husband Dennis O’Keefe of Lancaster, Calif.; his grandson, Matthew Ernest Waldman of Clovis, Calif., and many extended family.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home and Crematory of Fayetteville. Condolences may be given online at www. nelsonberna.com.

GARFIELD — Mr. Cyril “Cy” Ellenbecker passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones on July 23, 2017. He was born in Cornth, Wis., on March 28, 1943, where he was one of 12 children.

He will be remembered for his sense of humor and love of nature. He was happiest watching wildlife, fishing, picking blackberries and most of all spending time with family.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia. He was blessed with six children, two stepchildren, 15 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

A private memorial will take place at a later date. Cy and his family were very blessed to spend his final days in hospice care. In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark., 72762. Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers, Ark.

LOWELL — Wilidean Trammell, 96, of Lowell, died Sunday, July 23, 2017, in Bentonville. Immediate survivors are children, Bob and James Trammell and Wanda Kay Kremers. Services are at 2 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2017, at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison with burial at Anderson Flat Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday from 5-7 p.m.

ROGERS — Miss Lloy Ann Myers, age 87, of Rogers Ark., passed away, Sunday, July 16, 2017, in her home. Miss Myers was born on May 18, 1930, in Pea Ridge, Ark., to Lloyd and Marie Myers.

She moved to the Grand Lake area of Oklahoma where she spent 46 years before moving to Virginia for 20 years, then returned to Northwest Arkansas in 2016.

Lloy wore many hats in the 35 years she spent working at Southwestern Bell where she worked her way up to a supervisory position, later retiring in 1987. Miss Myers was a member of the Church of Christ and the Southwestern Bell Pioneers Association. She was also an accomplished artist and enjoyed spending time with her family, working on cars, fishing, and especially bird watching.

Miss Myers was survived by her sister Jerray Morris of Rogers, Ark.; nieces, Pattie Waggoner of Bella Vista, Ark., Terri Morris Johnson (John) of Denville, N.J., Karen Rankin (Mark) of Richmond, Va.; one great-niece, Melanie Nichols (Matthew) of Bella Vista, Ark.; one great-nephew, Michael Waggoner (Crystal) of Grand Junction, Colo., and six great- great nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Miss. Myers will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 29, 2017, at Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home, with Jackie Chestnut officiating.

PARIS — Kay Rieder, 77, of Paris died July 24, 2017. The memorial service is at 10 a. m. on Friday, July 28, 2017, at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris. Burial will be private at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Paris under the direction of Roller Funeral Home. Online guestbook at www. rollerfuneralhomes. com/paris.

WEST FORK — Larry Wayne Grass, age 71, of Wes t Fork, Ark., passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2017. He was born April 9, 1946, in Venice Beach, Calif., to Donald and Marion Kelly Grass.

Larry is a member of First Baptist Church in Greenland, Ark. He is a devoted member of the Square Pegs Sunday school class where he is loved by many and will be greatly missed. He was one of the founding members of this class and considered the members of this class to be his family. He served in the Vietnam War in the U.S. Army.

He is survived by his wife, Kathaleen Ellis Grass; one daughter, Kathleen Piazza of Fayetteville, Ark.; one son, John Herndon of Malvern, Ark.; two grandchildren, Sara Cornwell and Jason Amos and several great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2017, at Moore’s Chapel. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Greenland First Baptist Church. To place an online tribute visit www. moores funeralchapel.com.

WARMINSTER, Pa. — Retired Army Lt. Col. Claude L. “Don” Donaldson, 87, formerly of Paris, Ark., died July 16, 2017. A graveside memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at McKendree Cemetery in Subiaco, Ark., under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris. Online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/paris.