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 — Ralph

James Lemmeyer, 67, of Bella Vista, Ark., died after a struggle with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Thursday, July 13, 2017, in Bentonville, Ark. Mr. Lemmeyer was born Oct. 9, 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio to Earl and Christine Lemmeyer.

In 1992, he married his soulmate, Carla Grimes. He is also survived by four children, Paul, Penny, Timothy, and Tracey, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was a Navy radioman and served in Vietnam. A memorial service will be held Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. at Bella Vista Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made in Ralph’s name to Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 NE Legacy Pkwy. Bentonville Ark. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeral mation.com.

BENTONVILLE —

DeLois (Lois) M. Philpott

left this world on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, to join her loved ones that have been preparing a place for her with them and our heavenly family. Lois was born Sept. 11, 1935, in Erbie, Ark., to Toy and Ruth Burdine.

They lived there until 1947 when they moved to Cave Springs, Ark. Lois attended school at Villines Chapel in Jasper, then Center Corner in Lowell and Rogers High School. Lois worked at Munsingwear for 14 years from 1935–1967 when it closed, then went to work at Bear Brands for 10 years from 1967–1977 when it closed. She then went to work at CTS in Bentonville and worked there for 20 years form 1977–1997 at which time they also closed their doors. After this she decided it was time to retire.

She married Shirley Philpott on April 3rd, 1954 at the First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Ark. Shirley and Lois lived on the Farm in Cave Springs from 1957–1982. Shirley passed away in 1982 and in 1982 Lois moved to Bentonville.

Lois joined the Eastern Star in 1957 and received her 50-year pin in 2007. Lois and Shirley had a good life together, in 1979 for their 25th anniversary they traveled to Hawaii. They also had many good trips to Florida and loved the beach and fishing trips. Lois loved her home, but working in the garden especially with her flowers was her favorite hobby. Lois was saved in 1981 and was baptized on April 1, 2012, at Lake View Baptist Church where she was a member.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 27 years Shirley Philpott, sisters Betty Evans and Mary Vanderpool.

Survivors include three nieces, Karen Evans of Seligman, Mo., Carol Vanderpool of Bentonville, Ark., and Paula Olden of Lowell, Ark.; one nephew, Steve Vanderpool of Lowell, Ark.; four great-nieces, Renee Aitken of Tucson, Ariz., Amanda Stamper of Pea Ridge, Ark., Sarah Olden and Samantha Olden of Lowell, Ark.; three great-great-nephews, Brian Aitken and Logan Aitken of Tucson, Ariz., and Jordan Muller of Pea Ridge, Ark.; and one great-greatniece, Halie Muller of Pea Ridge, Ark.

Visitation and services will be held beginning at noon, Monday Aug. 7, at Lakeview Baptist Church, Cave Springs, Ark., with interment at Benton County Memorial Park in Rogers, Ark.

FAYETTEVILLE — Virginia Ann Fedosky, 87, of Fayetteville, died Sunday, July 30, at her home. Funeral services are being planned for Monday, Aug. 21, with Heritage Funeral Home and details will be announced.

FAYETTEVILLE — Donald Killough Fitzgerald,

age 79, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017, at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. He was born on July 9, 1938, in Fayetteville, Ark., to Austin N. and Josephine Killough Fitzgerald.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Lepine Fitzgerald; his daughter, Lynne Fitzgerald; his son, Randy Fitzgerald and wife Sherry; two grandchildren, Austin Cole and Alexa Morgan Fitzgerald; and his beloved dog, Lily.

Don attended Fayetteville Public Schools. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BSBA in business and a BA in architecture. He went on to graduate with an MA in architecture from the University of New Mexico.

He was a licensed architect in Arkansas and Florida, as well as a member of AIA. He enjoyed designing both residential and commercial designs and was an associate broker at Lindsey and Associates in Fayetteville. He liked building and flying model airplanes, snow skiing, oil painting, was an avid Razorback and Dallas Cowboy fan, and held an instrument rated pilot license.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Willard Walker Hospice Home at 325 E. Longview St., Fayetteville, Ark., 72703, or the Fayetteville Animal Shelter at 1640 S. Armstrong, Fayetteville, Ark., 72701, or a charity of choice. Cremation was by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. A private burial will take place at a later date.

KINGSTON — Robbie

Rita Ficht, 78, of Kingston, died Aug. 3, 2017.

Survivors: son, James G. “Jim” (Corey Russo) of South Yarmouth, Mass.; brother, William Stepp Jr. of Huntsville, Ala.; sister, Opal Williams of Clarksville, Ark.

Services 11 a.m. Tuesday, Boxley Baptist Church. Interment Pine Grove Cemetery by Brashears Funeral Home-Huntsville www. brashearsfuneralhome.net.

PRAIRIE GROVE — Loyd

“Tom” Taylor Jordan, age 98, a resident of Prairie Grove, passed away Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, at the Veteran’s Home in Fayetteville. He was born June 6, 1919, in Fayetteville, the son of Jesse Taylor and Anna Mae (Shearer) Jordan.

He served in the United States Army in Italy and North Africa during World War II and Korea. He was a member of the Prairie Grove Masonic Lodge and retired from the United States Postal Service in 1981.

He was preceded in death by wife, Lucille Frances Cook.

Survivors include five children, Linda Kelley and Buford Hand, Karen Pershall and husband Butch, Ron Jordan and wife Gail, Pat Prater and husband Darrell, all of Prairie Grove, Tessa Rhodes and husband Danny of Guthrie, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; and one niece Frances Lee Dockery.

The family will receive friends Monday morning from 9:30-10 a.m. prior to the funeral service.

Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, at Luginbuel Chapel. Burial will be in the Prairie Grove Cemetery, there will be no graveside service held.

In lieu of flowers, family request memorials may be made to the Prairie Grove Library.

Online guest book, www. luginbuel.com.

ROGERS — Tommy Mac

Crouch, 78, passed away at Jamestown Health and Rehab on July 31, 2017, from the effects of Lewy Body Dementia. He was born in Hector, Ark., on Sept. 29, 1938, the only son of Floyd and Susie McAlister Crouch.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents and older sister, Sue Borgelin.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rebecca Harper Crouch; his only child, Carla Crouch Tate and her husband, Vince; and the three most beautiful, talented, smart, and wonderful granddaughters, Ellery, Willa Rose, and Lucy, all of Rogers; two sisters, Linda Tucker (Sonny) and Carol Moyers (David) all of Hamburg: and nephews, David Lyons, Mark Lyons, Edward Tucker, and Michael Moyers.

Tommy was raised in the Freewill Baptist Church and became a Methodist as a teenager. He spent his childhood in Hector but moved to Rison when he was in the 11th grade, graduating with the Rison High School class of 1956. He began his college career at Arkansas A& M where he joined the National Guard. His formal education was interrupted when his Guard Unit was called to action. During his two years of service as a cryptographer in the United States Army, he was stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C.

After returning from the Army he moved to Hamburg where his parents lived and met a striking, tall, blond Home Extension agent, Rebecca Harper at a cafe. Within a year, he talked her into marriage under the condition that he returned to college. They married June 8, 1963. He returned to A& M and graduated with a degree in Accounting in 1965. His grades and conduct in college greatly improved after marriage.

Tommy began his accounting career at Russell Brown Accounting Firm in Little Rock, Ark. After a couple of years, in the big city he decided that corporate life was not for him. In 1967 he and Becky moved to Hope, where they lived for over 30 years. Carla Rebecca Crouch was born there in 1969. As an independent accountant he took on Paul Klipsch as a client. Within a few months, Mr. Klipsch convinced Tommy that he needed to come on board as his financial guy and leave the accounting business behind. At the time of his retirement from Klipsch and Associates, he was Vice President of the company, and it was the producer of the finest loud speakers in the world.

After leaving Klipsch, he found himself with time on his hands so he loaded his family in his Good Times van for a road trip to the east coast. While on vacation, he became interested in the boom of the miniature golf courses in resort areas. Upon returning to Hope, he shared his ideas with his friend, Jimmy Lester. Together they designed and built the first miniature golf course in Branson, Mo. Gator Golf, Inc was born. This gave him the freedom to use his accounting and business skills, as well as to drive a Kabota tractor. Tommy went on to build Gator Golf miniature golf courses in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Kissimmee, Fla., Fayetteville, Ark., Fort Smith, and Hot Springs. His final project was Gator Park in Little Rock, which included go-carts and games which he ran with his nephew, Eddy.

During the 1970s he built a swimming pool and tennis court on their land in the country which their friends referred to as The Crouch Compound. During the summers the compound was full of friends enjoying tennis tournaments, potlucks, swimming, and July 4th fireworks displays. Tommy also enjoyed spending times with his friends hunting and fishing, however the only deer that he ever killed was one that was attacking his friend, George Wright. This was actually reported in the local paper.

After being diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2012 Tommy and Becky moved to Rogers to be closer to their daughter and the grands. Due to early diagnosis, he was able to begin a medical regimen that slowed the progression of LBD allowing him several years of attending the granddaughters’ activities and performances. He also enjoyed frequent phone calls and visits from old friends.

It was Tommy’s wish to have his body donated for medical research concerning LBD. A celebration of his life will be planned in the spring when his ashes are returned to Hector. All are welcome and Miller Lite will be served. Memorial contributions may be made to Walnut Grove Cemetery c/o Janice Mitchell, 1464 Welcome Home Rd., Hector, Ark., 72843. ROGERS — Ronald Dean

Douglas, 86, of Rogers, Ark., died on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, at Circle of Life Hospice, Legacy Village, Bentonville, Ark.

He was born on April 30, 1931, in Wichita, Kan., to Joseph and Francis (Gilbert) Douglas.

Ron loved to fish, hunt and bowl. In fact, he bowled a 700 series before he bowled a 600 series. Ron loved being with his grandchildren, teaching them to fish and swim.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Bret Douglas.

He is survived by his wife, Shiela, of 58 years; children, Ronald J. Douglas and Georgia Tackett; grandchildren, Joseph Douglas, Delia Goff, Leslie Tackett, Lacy Jo Cardwell, Taylor Douglas, Trey Douglas; great-grandchildren, Jackson, Stephen, Isabella, Conner and Zaydyn.

Military Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, at 1 p.m. in the Fayetteville VA National Cemetery, Fayetteville, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ron’s name to the Circle of Life Hospice, Legacy Village, 1201 NE Legacy Pkwy, Bentonville, Ark. 72712.

Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. Online condolences may be made at www. funeralmation.com.

ROGERS — Henley Grace McKenna Hopper,

infant daughter of J.T. and Savannah Hopper, entered into Heaven July 29, 2017, at Mercy in Rogers.

Henley is survived by her parents J.T. and Savannah Hopper; brother, Easton Hopper; grandparents, Guy and Donna Frix; grandmother, Sandy Hopper; and many extended family members. Henley is preceded in death by her grandfather, Bob Hopper.

Henley gave us a lifetime of happiness, joy, and love during her short life and we are at peace knowing she deserved more than this Earth could provide her. Now she has it all.

Private services will be held.

Arrangements have been entrusted to StockdaleMoody Funeral Services of Rogers.

ROGERS — Doris Mae Urich, of Rogers, Ark., passed away July 28, 2017. She was born Sept. 11, 1930 in Toledo, Ohio the daughter of Virgil and Lois Turner. Her parents passed away in 1936 and she then lived with her grandmother Waterfield until 1941. When she and her sister Mary went to live at Luella Cummings home in Toledo.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Benson “Ben” Urich in 1995; her brother, Virgil Turner Jr. in 1984; and her sister Betty Web in 1983.

Doris is survived by her children: Steve Urich, Kathy Bauer, Russell Urich and Suzie Allen; her grandchildren, Amy, Ciera and Justin, Tabitha, Hannah, Abigail, Crystal, Chris, Nick, Marissa; her step-grandchildren; and her many great-grandchildren.

Doris worked for the Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Wal-Mart, she and Ben owned and operated Custom Cabinet Tops and she later owned Simply Stenciled both in downtown Rogers. She enjoyed singing and sang in the church choirs and the “Toledo Choral Society.” Doris was a member of First United Methodist Church in Rogers. She loved her family and liked to camp, swim and hike. She and her husband were youth fellowship leaders for several years at their church in Ohio and taught Jr. high Sunday school. Doris volunteered at the St. Mary’s Hospital ER, Ozark Natural Science Center, Adult Wellness Center and the Rogers Riding Club.

Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday; Aug. 15, 2017 at First United Methodist Church, Rogers. Memorial contributions to the Rogers Adult Wellness Center. Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306. N 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncounty funeralhome.com. ROGERS — Carl D.

Walter, 95, of Rogers, Ark., died on Monday, July 31, 2017 at Circle of Life Hospice, Bentonville, Ark.

He was born on Jan. 17, 1922, in Newton, Kan., to Arnold Benjamin and Dorothy Glennis (Steele) Ratzlaff. After high school, Carl worked for an oil company and in 1945 enlisted in the Army and was shipped to Nagasaki soon after the bomb dropped. He served on 361st Engineering Battalion, a unit that constructed many of the airfields in Japan.

Carl returned to the U.S. in October 1946. He started his internship with an uncle doing shoe repair and in 1947 started his own shop in Hillsboro, Kan. He married Dorothy Lee Wilson in Aug. 1949.

He repaired shoes, tents, saddles and anything leather. He was in business 36 years. Then moved to Rogers, Ark., in 1983 and started Walter Shoe Repair. He never retired until 2015 at 93 years old. He loved his work and loved people. He was Sunday School Superintendent of Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro and started Boy Scout program through American Legion and helped to build the American Legion building in Hillsboro. He started the baseball team. Carl enjoyed boating, water skiing, fishing and hunting.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Jason Sanders; one sister, Ester Olivit; and one brother, Harry Walter.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy; their two children: a daughter, Sandy Sanders; a son, Timothy (Sherry) Walter; grandchildren, Heather (Chuck) Chandler, Lindsey (Christopher) Strok; great-grandchildren, Rhys, Reyn, Chandler, Ashlee, Joshua, Jon, Abby, Jaiden and Jordan Walter; two sisters, Elsie Herrington, Dorine Hand; one brother, Clarence Walter.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist church, 307 W. Elm St., Rogers, Ark., 72756. Rev. Michael L. Mattox will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations for memory stone at Circle of Life Hospice, Legacy Village, 1201 NE Legacy Pkwy, Bentonville, Ark., 72712

Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

SPRINGDALE — Joseph

Louis “Joey” Fantinel, 36, of Springdale, died Monday, July 31, 2017, at his home. He was born Dec. 13, 1980, in Conway to Jerome and the late Lynne Goucher Fantinel.

Joey was an Army veteran and served two deployments in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He was admired and loved by his family and his brothers and sisters at arms. Joey was a proud patriot who loved his country.

He attended the University of Arkansas and was a doctoral candidate for computer science and engineering at the time of his death.

He is survived by his son, Ethan Fantinel of Springdale; his father, Jerome Fantinel and wife Barbara of Tontitown; two brothers, Jerry Fantinel of Huntsville, Jim Fantinel of Rogers; and two sisters,

Whitney Fantinel and Megan Fantinel, both of Tontitown.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a sister, Jacque Fantinel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at St. Raphael Catholic Church. Interment with military honors will be at Bluff Cemetery.

Memorial contributions for his son’s benefit may be made to The Ethan Fantinel Memorial Fund in care of Signature bank or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. fund for his son is being established. Arrangements are with Heritage Funeral Home, online guestbook at www. heritageofnwa.com.

SPRINGDALE — Colin Rae Reagan, 73, passed away in Springdale, Ark., on Aug. 4. He was born Sept. 17, 1943, in Tompkinsville, Ky., to Clurie and Bonnie Cropper Reagan.

Colin worked as a maintenance and construction specialist. He was a devoted husband and loved his family. He was a member of Gulley Creek Baptist Church in Tompkinsville, Ky.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Hazel Reagan; and daughter, Tammy Reagan.

Survivors include four sons, Robert Reagan and wife Beverly of Indiana, Gerald Reagan and wife Lee of Alabama, Steve Reagan and wife Tracey of Indiana, Greg Reagan and wife Casandra of Indiana; two brothers, Carroll Reagan of Kansas and Brian Reagan of Kentucky; two sisters, Freida Smith of Indiana and Colleen Peazler of Indiana; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Cremation services are under the direction of Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale, Ark.

To sign the online guestbook, visit www.siscofuneral. com.

AUSTIN, Tenn. — May his story never end and his music never die. Michael Ray Whiteley passed away Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, in Austin. Michael was born July 15, 1951, in Oceanside, Calif.

He grew up calling the “Hogs” in Berryville, Ark. But when the family moved to Jacksonville, Fla., he didn’t miss a beat as he eventually became a Seminole. When around Michael, you became entranced with his presence.

His intellect was equaled only by his humor. His writing took him all over the country (including, locally, at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette), but it was his artfully crafted words and candid style that drew readers into the journey. He was a true journalist throughand-through; he loved telling a story. Off the clock, he was an avid music enthusiast — always singing or playing the trombone, guitar or piano.

He was preceded in death by his son, Sean Whiteley; mother, Dorothy Blanchard Whiteley Hall; father, Bert Whiteley; and his former wife, Beverly Jones Whiteley Saunders.

Survivors: His daughter, Lexie Whiteley Worley; sonin-law, Doak Worley; his sister, Tiffany Whiteley Turner: and brother-in-law, Brett Turner. Service:

A memorial service will be held on Aug. 12, 2017, at Son’s Chapel, 5480 E. Mission Blvd., Fayetteville, Ark., 72701 from 11 a.m.–noon. Memorials:

The family created a scholarship in his honor to support investigative journalism students at Florida State University. To donate online:give.fsu.edu/cci. Please include Michael Whiteley in the Tribute Section. By mail/ check: FSU Foundation Fund #1704/In honor of Michael Whiteley, FSU Foundation, 2010 Levy Ave., Bldg. B, Tallahassee, Fla., 32306.