Obituaries

BELLA VISTA — James Dennis Shields, 69, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Oct. 5, 2017, at home in his favorite chair. He was born Nov. 8, 1947, to Dennis and Betty Shields in Brooklyn, N.Y.

James attended Kansas Wesleyan College in Salina, Kan. He was a paint specialist for AWC and Sherwin-Williams in Springdale. James enjoyed music, the ocean and discussing history. His nieces and nephews loved to sit and listen to his stories and discuss history with Uncle James.

James is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Brenda Shields; sisters-inlaw, Connie (Don) Gempler, Sonja O’Brien, Vickie (Sam) Beasley; nieces, Kim Conway, Kristy Lemmon and Willow Stiles; nephews, Sean, Tim O’Brien and Stone Stiles; 9 grandnieces and grandnephews; and a cousin, Betty Carney.

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

FAYETTEVILLE — Vernon Ray Cooper, 85, of Fayetteville passed away Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, in Fayetteville. He was born Jan. 31, 1932, in St. John, Kan., to William and Frances Allen Cooper.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Rodena Cooper; a daughter, Pam Allen; three brothers; and six sisters.

Ray was a U.S. Army veteran having served during the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed going to the VFW.

He is survived by a brother, Paul Cooper of Bel Aire, Kan., and a grandson, Jimmy Ray Allen.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, at Beard’s Chapel. Interment will follow in the Fayetteville National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, at the funeral home. Condolences at www.beards funeralchapel.com.

HOT SPRINGS — Margery Irene Thornton was born Nov. 30, 1926, in Morrilton, Ark. She graciously accepted eternal life on Oct. 4, 2017, in Fairfax, Va. Margery was the daughter of W.I. Besett and Margery Sykes Besett of Morrilton, Arkansas.

She attended Morrilton schools and the University of Arkansas. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Duval C. Thornton, her youngest son, Kenneth D. Thornton, brothers Howard Besett, Kenneth Besett, Robert Besett, and a sister, Maxine McNamee. She is survived by her oldest son, Rick Thornton of Fairfax, Va., a brother-in-law, Neil E. Thornton and his wife, Joyce Thornton of Hot Springs, Ark., and many nephews and nieces.

Margery and Duval retired first to Conway, Ark., and later in Hot Springs, Ark. Margery was a member of the United Methodist Church in Hot Springs.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church in Hot Springs. In May 2012 Margery moved to Fairfax, Va., to be close to her son Rick and his wife Sandy. A memorial service is scheduled at Jerusalem Baptist Church in Fairfax Station, Va., on Oct. 15, 2017, at 3 p.m.

Margery will be buried in Clarksville, Ark.

A date and time haven’t been set for the burial service. Funeral arrangements are being provided by Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, Va.

WARREN — James Wayne Wisener Sr., age 73, of Warren, Ark., passed away

Thursday, Oct. 5 at his home after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Jim was a graduate of Warren High School and president of the Class of 1962. He received his bachelor’s degree in business from Henderson State University. He was a avid athlete achieving the honor of All State in basketball and All American in football and he was inducted into the Warren Lumberjacks Hall of Fame in 2016.

Jim was an outdoorsman and could often be found in the woods, in his shop or somewhere running a chainsaw. His other passion was following in his father’s footsteps by serving as a short order cook to friends and family who were always welcome in the Wisener home.

As a child, Jim learned the value of hard work by spending his time working in his father’s business including Wayne’s restaurant and Wayne’s sporting goods. The latter led him to a career in traveling sales. His travels took him all over Arkansas and the surrounding states where he made many friends and acquaintances.

He also owned and operated two clubs, a motel and restaurant called the Town House in Warren, Ark. He was a man of many interests but the thing that defined him the most was his generous heart. Jim was the kind of man who never turned away a friend in need. He gave freely and it brought him great joy to be able to help those he loved.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Wayne Wisener and Libby Hargis Wisener. Jim is survived by his wife, Karen Larance Wisener of Warren, Ark.; two sons, Jay Wisener and spouse Tish, of Bryant, Ark., and Jeff Wisener and spouse Becky, of Bentonville, Ark.; two grandsons, James Wisener, Fayetteville, Ark., and Rhett Wisener, Bentonville, Ark.; two step-grandchildren, Grace Bauer and Gavin Bauer of Bryant, Ark.; a brother John Wisener and spouse Brenda, White Hall, Ark. and a sister, Judy Wisener Burns, Little Rock, Ark.; along with countless other friends and family members.

Funeral service 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 at Frazer’s Chapel. Burial in Oakland Cemetery by Frazer’s Funeral Home. Visitation: 12:30 p.m. till service time on Sunday, Oct. 8 at Frazer’s Chapel, 305 South Main Street, Warren, Ark., 71671. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the Donald W. Reynolds YMCA, 207 North Main Street, Warren, Ark., 71671. Online guestbook www.frazer funeralhome.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Gloria Alice Weeks Frybarger, 60, of Springfield, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, in Springfield, Mo. She was born June 7, 1957, in Laconia, N.H., to David James Weeks and Gloria Rose Patton Woods Weeks.

She loved fishing, animals, and spending time with her family.

She is survived by four children, Roger Buckner of Springfield, Mo., Chris Buckner and wife Kandice of Greenland, Ark., Christy Buckner of Albuquerque, N.M., and Angel Burkhart Seals and husband Timothy of Springfield, Mo.; her mother, Gloria Gilbert of Springdale, Ark.; five brothers, David Weeks of California, Joe Gilbert of Centerton, Ark., Jerry Gilbert and wife Kim of Springdale, Ark.; Lewis Gilbert of Fayetteville, Ark., and Billy Gilbert and wife Hope of Springfield, Mo.; three sisters, Robin Gilbert Webb of Colorado Springs, Colo., Patty Ann Gunn of Fort Worth, Texas; and Elizabeth Gilbert of Colcord, Okla.; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and three unborn great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, David James Weeks and one sister, Violet Weeks Castleman.

Graveside service will be held Oct. 10, 2017, at 2 p.m. at Holland Cemetery in Rogersville, Mo.

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas — Donald B. Heidebrecht, 90, died at Heritage Place in Fredericksburg, Texas, Oct. 3, 2017, after visits from his family over the weekend. Born on a farm in Burrton, Kan., on Feb. 11, 1927, he was the son of C. Lloyd Heidebrecht and Mildred Dole Heidebrecht.

On Feb. 12, 1950, he married Iva Fern Keesling in the Burrton United Methodist Church. She preceded him in death in 2013.

He graduated from Burrton public schools and the day after graduation, was on a bus headed to be trained to serve in World War II. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper. Because of his service, he was able to continue his education after the war on the GI Bill, and attended Emporia State University.

After college, his working life began in the telephone industry. Starting with the family business owned by his grandfather, A.Q. Heidebrecht, he began work at Consolidated Telephone Company in Central Kansas, retiring with 40 years of service from United Telephone System (now Sprint), which acquired the family business in the late 1960s. His career took he and his family to six states: Kansas, Washington, Oregon, Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas.

He retired as director of Government Affairs for United Telephone, serving as a lobbyist at the state and federal level.

He was a life-long Methodist and was a member of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. Throughout his life he served in many positions in his church, on various boards and committees and as Sunday School superintendent.

He served on the Burrton School Board for many years and was also president of the board. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially his place on Beaver Lake in Arkansas. Most of his time during retirement was spent playing golf, fishing, gardening, working in the yard and in his woodworking shop. He also enjoyed helping his friends and children with various household projects.

Don was a Mason for over 64 years. He received his 60-year pin at the Masonic Lodge in Fredericksburg in 2013. His Masonic involvement included one year as district deputy grand master in 1962. He was a member of the Scottish Rite of Free Masonry in Wichita, Kan. He was a member of the Za-GaZig Shriners International. He also was a member of the American Legion for over 60 years.

He served as president of the Kansas Telephone Association and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, a sister, Luella (Tookie) Unruh, and in 1979 his only son William Donald Heidebrecht. He is survived by three daughters, Peggy Heidebrecht Hannon (Joe) of Fredericksburg, Texas, and boys Joey, Dan and Pat; L. Maria Heidebrecht Sovich (Charlie) of Des Moines, Iowa; and Susan Heidebrecht Ambroson (Terry) of Urbandale, Iowa and children Rebecca, Emily, Nick, and Cecily; daughter-in-law, Jan Heidebrecht Cadenhead (Ed) of Seminole, Okla., and children, Jill, Jack and Scott; 15 great-grandchildren also survive.

Services will be held at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017. A graveside service and interment of ashes, next to his wife of 63 years and his son, Bill, will take place in Burrton, Kan., over Memorial Day weekend in May 2018. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Burrton United Methodist Church, Burrton, Kan., Choose Life Class of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, or your charity of choice.

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.