Obituaries

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

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BELLA VISTA — Madeline “Maddy” Nicole Benyr, age 12, passed away on Sept. 12, 2017, from advanced liver cancer, which became symptomatic less than a month ago. She was born on Oct. 26, 2004, in Poway, Calif., to Todd and Kimberly Spinks Benyr.

Maddy was an honor student at Old High Middle School and had just begun the seventh grade at Washington Junior High School. A lover of animals, she wanted to become a vet or a zoologist when she grew up, and as a devoted Girl Scout for the past six years, she loved helping at the local animal shelter, protecting the environment, and learning new skills at camp with her friends.

Two years ago, she earned the G.S. Bronze award with her troop for her work in the Bella Vista community garden. She was also fond of Harry Potter, Pokemon and National Geographic.

Maddy is survived by her parents, Todd and Kimberly Benyr and younger brother, Jacob T. Benyr of Bella Vista, Ark., grandparents, Bill and Laurie Spinks of Cassville, Mo., and Ken and Vickie Benyr of Bentonville, Ark.; uncles and aunts, Chad and Sarah Spinks of Vista, Calif., and Jason and Christina Coburn of Harrison, Ark., and cousins, Mack Spinks of Vista, Calif., and Audrey and Cecelia Coburn of Harrison.

A celebration of Maddy’s life will be held at the pavilion at Blowing Springs Park in Bella Vista on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m.

A prayer memorial service will be held at the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista on Monday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maddy’s name to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter. Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers. www.rollinsfuneral.com.

BENTONVILLE — Kenneth Allen Childers, beloved husband, father and grandfather, shed his cancer-stricken body and went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. Ken was born Jan. 21, 1953, in Lincoln, Neb., to Harold Childers and Doris Armstrong.

He spent his earliest years in Wichita, Kan., then moved to Garden City, Kan., at the age of 14. He was selected as 1971 Outstanding Athlete his senior year at Garden City High School where he played football, participated on the track team as a pole-vaulter and was a member of the state championship wrestling team. He earned a wrestling scholarship to Garden City Community College.

He married Pam Holmes in 1974, and then in 1977, the couple bought a cattle ranch and moved to McDonald County, Mo. Soon after that, they started a family and Ken gave his life to the Lord.

Ken took up distance running in his late 20s, entering many local races ranging from 5Ks to marathons and even a mini-triathlon. He ran over 35,000 miles throughout his running career. His love for sports and competition were channeled back into the community where he impacted many young athletes as the president of the Bentonville Little League Association in 1987-88. He coached numerous youth baseball and softball teams over the years.

In addition to his love for athletics, Ken’s true passion was photography and hiking in the wilderness throughout western Arkansas and Oklahoma in search of diamondback rattlesnakes, which he photographed for his website, www.rattlesnakeman.com. He worked as a property claims adjuster for Travelers Insurance Company in Northwest Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Stuart Childers. Ken is survived by his wife Pam; a son, Michael and wife Courtney of Little Rock and their children, Marin, Whit and Libby; a son, Matt and wife Angie of Bentonville and their children, Landon, Leyton and Linley; a daughter, Sarah Phipps and husband Aaron of Centerton and their children, Parker and Peyton; his mother and step-father, Doris and Ray Cornelson of Garden City, Kan.; a brother, Doug Cornelson and wife Shari of Mundon, Kan.; two sisters, Cyndi Proffitt and husband Ron of Garden City, Kan., and Ramona Cornelson of Wichita, Kan.; many nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends.

Visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, at New Hope Assembly of God Church with Pastor James Longmate officiating. Burial will follow at Bentonville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the New Hope Assembly of God Building Fund, 2626 W. New Hope Road, Rogers, Ark., 72758. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers. Memories may be shared at stockdalefuneral.com.

ELKINS — Marilyn Jo Patrick, 79, was born on June 12, 1938, to Mark Allen and Reba Johnson Patrick in Flippin, Ark., and passed away on Sept. 13, 2017.

She was of the Baptist faith.

Her family moved to Elkins in 1950 when the oldest of her siblings was ready to start college. Marilyn graduated from Elkins High School and the U of A with a bachelor’s of science in math education.

She began her teaching career in Missouri. Marilyn obtained her master’s degree in math from the University of New Mexico. After two years teaching in Montana she joined the Department of Defense Dependents Schools and taught in Japan three years, Labrador, Canada, for one year and Germany for 27 years until her retirement in 1996.

She then returned to Elkins where she served on the Elkins Library Board for several years helping to get the new library built. Marilyn traveled extensively and has retired friends from all over the U.S.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Kerry, Jerry and John Patrick; and three great-nephews, Drew McGill, Patrick Faubus and Grant Bell.

She is survived by two sisters, Martha Faires and Jacque Faubus and her husband, Jim, all of Elkins; sister-in-law, Linda Patrick Krieger of Denison, Texas; two nephews, Gary Faubus of Thornton, Colo., and Mark Patrick of Winfield, Kan.; six nieces, Leisa McGill of Elkins, Monique Harriman of Japton, Saundra Evans of West Fork, Holly Perry of Harrison, Karen Wittrock of Winfield, Kan., and Jessica Patrick of Fayetteville; 16 great-nieces and nephews; five great-great-nieces and nephews; and many cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, at Beard’s Chapel with Jeremy Evans officiating. Interment will follow in McCord Cemetery under the direction of Beard’s Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Elkins Public Library, 352 North Center Street, Elkins, Ark., 72727. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Dorthy Ann Drain, 81, of Fayetteville, died Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. She was born Jan. 19, 1936, in LeRoy, Kan., to Walter and Grace Wolford.

She is survived by daughters, Shyla Head, Rebecca Annis, Rhonda Bunch, Penny GrayEagle, one brother, two sisters and several grand and great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18, at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel. Online guestbook at www.heritageofnwa.com.

HINDSVILLE — Sandra Faye Barnard, 67, of Hindsville, Ark., went to be with the Lord on Sept. 14, 2017, in Fayetteville. She was born on Nov. 11, 1949, in Harrison, Ark., to Ercie and Fayrene (Hudson) Ramsey.

On June 28, 1969, she married the love of her life, Gene Barnard. They were married for 48 wonderful years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ercie Ramsey and Fayrene (Hudson) Ramsey. Left to cherish Sandra’s memory are her husband, Gene Barnard; a son, Kelly Barnard and his wife Kelley of Hindsville; a daughter, Carrie Farris and husband Trey of Cave Springs; a sister, Lynda Bond and husband Joe of Tontitown; a brother, Mike Ramsey and wife Ramona of Springdale; grandchildren, Maggie Barnard, Morgan Barnard, Abby Farris, Ellie Farris and Max Farris.

Sandra loved to spend time reading and playing games. One of her favorite things to do was to spend time with her grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, and “Memaw.” Sandra will be missed by all who knew her.

Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday at Westfield Chapel funeral home in Springdale. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. on Monday at Snow Cemetery in Wayton, Ark. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society. Please visit Sandra’s online memorial at www.WestfieldChapel.com.

NEW BLAINE — Arlis Eugene Horne, 70, of New Blaine died Sept. 12, 2017. He is survived by his step-mother, Claudean Horne; brother, Jerry Horne; step-brothers, Bobby Brannon and Michael Brannon; aunt, Pat Croom and nephew, Adam Horne. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris. Online guestbook, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/paris.

ROGERS — Shari Ray (Smith) Rumble, age 60, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, at Pinnacle Health and Rehabilitation in Rogers. She was born June 20, 1957, to William Clyde Smith and Carol Jeanne (Towner) Smith.

Shari was a 1975 graduate of Rogers High School. She served in the U.S. Army and later worked on military bases as a civilian employee.

Survivors include her two sons, Harold Rumble Jr. and Jeffrey Rowell; sisters, Janis Smith and Carla (Coy) Faulkner; brother Brian Smith; and three grandsons.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Memorial and potluck on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, 4 p.m. at Greenland Community Center, 170 N Letitia Ave., Fayetteville. Arrangements were under the direction of Moore’s Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Shari’s name to Circle of Life Hospice. To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.