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.

BENTONVILLE — Ellen Ruth Benton, 83, of Bentonville passed away Oct. 15, 2017, at Circle of Life Hospice, Bentonville. She was born Feb. 9, 1934, in Willow Springs, Mo., the daughter of Lyman and Charlotte Pottle Spence.

Ellen was an administrative assistant and a homemaker.

She is preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence and Wayne Spence. She is survived by her husband, Raymond O. Benton; her daughter, Toni R. Hyde of Bentonville; her son Bradley A. Benton of Warren, Pa.; her sister, Rita Stonner Alberty; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Ellen was a devoted wife of over 61 years to Ray as they moved around the country with his job to numerous cities, each with its own challenges and rewards, always making the happiness of her family her top priority. She was a beloved mother devoted to making her children happy and secure in each new city and every new situation. She had an infectious passion for nature photography that she passed along to Ray and her daughter. She shared that passion with her peers in the Bella Vista Photography Club for several years.

Ellen was also a steadfast friend, aunt, grandmother, and sister who kept everyone connected with her frequent correspondence as she traveled the nation. She enjoyed golf, photography, hiking, nature and all her grandkids and great-grandkids, always projecting an upbeat and cheerful attitude toward life.

Visitation will be 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, with services at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Memorial contributions may be made to Circle of Life Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences to www.bentoncounty funeralhome.com.

BENTONVILLE — Dearl K. Roberts, 82, passed away on Oct. 15, 2017, in Springdale. He was born on Nov. 23, 1934,

to the late Grover and Alice (Johnson) Roberts in Amarillo, Texas.

He was the loving husband, of 60 years, to Carolyn (Powell) Roberts.

Dearl worked at TRW for many years before retiring. Dearl and Carolyn had a passion for stray dogs and would care for them in their home. He enjoyed visiting with people and never knew a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gwynneth and Kenneth Roberts, and four nephews. Dearl is survived by his wife of Bentonville and several nieces and nephews.

A special thank you is given to the wonderful nurses and doctors, (especially Dr. Swindell and nurse, Jennifer), that cared for Dearl over the years, as well as, the staff at Mercy Home Health and Earlene Howard Hospice House.

A visitation will be on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, from 5 until 7 p.m. in Rollins Funeral Home Chapel, Rogers. Online condolences can be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Harold S. Feinberg, age 88, a resident of the Arkansas Veterans Home in Fayetteville, passed away Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, in Fort Smith, Ark. He was born Jan. 18, 1929, in the Bronx, New York City, the son of Irving and Clara Jonas Feinberg.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, David Barry Rothman, and his wife, Margaret Norma Feinberg.

He worked as a scientific assistant for the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and in his free time taught birdwatching groups in Central Park for many years. He was a Korean War era veteran.

He is survived by his two children, a son, Glenn Paul Feinberg, and a daughter, Karen Ruth Hutchins, both of Fayetteville.

A graveside service will be held 12 noon, Friday, Oct. 20 at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. A visitation will be held 1 p.m-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct, 21 at the Fayetteville Veterans Home in Fayetteville. To sign the online guest book visit www.mooresfuneral chapel.com.

HARRISON — Elsie Rue Cope, age 92, of Harrison, died Oct. 16, 2017. Funeral is 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at Olvey Bible Church, under the direction of Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Daughters, Ann Mason, Linda Cantrell, and Jan Oliphant; and brother, Martin Scott; survive her. Online Guestbook: rollerfuneralhomes. com/harrison.

HARRISON — Vernon Eugene Maxwell, age 91, of Harrison, died Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Memorial service is 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church, Harrison. His son, David E. Maxwell, survives him. Arrangements by Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Online Guestbook: roller funeralhomes.com/harrison.

HARRISON — Karen Spence, age 67, of Harrison, died Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. Graveside memorial service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Harrison, under the direction of Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Her daughter, Chere’ Samuelson, survives her. Online Guestbook: roller funeralhomes.com/harrison.

PARIS — Norma Mullen passed away on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Paris. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris. Online guestbook, www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/paris.

PRAIRIE GROVE — Barbara Jean Hendershot, 87, a resident of Prairie Grove, previously of Springdale, passed away Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Prairie Grove. She was born March 28, 1930, in Springfield, Mo., the daughter of Bert and Anna (Derrick) Gaston.

She was preceded in death by husband, Jim Hendershot, one son, James Michael Hendershot, her parents, and one brother, James Gaston. Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews and three grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove. Burial will be in the Bluff Cemetery, there will be no graveside service held at the cemetery. Online guest book, www.luginbuel. com.

ROGERS — William Junior Smith, 82, of Rogers passed away Oct. 16, 2017, in his home. He was born Sept. 30, 1935, in Viola, Ark., the son of William Elmer and Edith Reynolds Smith.

He was a truck driver and served in the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Ashlock Smith; his children, Dianne Smith, Jane Breeden, Craig Smith, Steve Smith, Mark Smith, Barbara Hefley, Ina Chestnut and Fred Smith; his siblings Doug Smith, Deborah Hall and Anne Chanchellor; 27 grandchildren and 64 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday; Oct. 21, 2017, with services at 11 a.m. First Baptist Church in Garfield. Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncounty funeralhome.com.

NOEL, Mo. — Mr. Charles Randy “Coach” Cowger, 66, of Noel, Mo., formerly of Hiwasse, Ark., departed this life on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, while at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., after months of declining health.

Randy entered this life on Oct. 8, 1951, in Bentonville, Ark., born to the union of the late Charles Ronald and Irene (Holland) Cowger. He was raised in Hiwasse, Ark., and was a 1969 graduate of Gravette High School.

He furthered his education at the University of Arkansas, and Missouri Southern State University, receiving his bachelors degree in education. Coach Cowger was a dedicated educator and coach. He coached football in Arkansas for 32 years with the last twenty-eight years in the Bentonville School System. Being a proud University of Arkansas alumni, he always had a loud and boisterous “Woo Pig Sooie” ready anytime someone felt like starting the Arkansas cheer. He was also a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Randy was a longtime active member of the Hiwasse Christian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his grandparents, Will and Bertha (Spiva) Cowger of Hiwasse, Arkansas and Irvie and Ethel (Russell) Holland of Jane, Missouri. Randy is survived by his wife, Pamela (Boyd) Cowger of the home; a stepson, Adam Kalmbach and Cassie Fox of Edmonds, Washington; two siblings, Bill Cowger and wife, Karen, of Hiwasse and Diane (Cowger) Mann and husband, Bob, of Rogers; two nephews, Rick Fair and wife, Tonya, of Rogers and Cody Cowger and wife, Erin, of Rogers; two nieces, Kindra Fair Kilker and husband, Kerry, of Rogers and Cha-ney Cowger of Fayetteville; great-nieces and nephews, Jacob Fair, Karlee Kilker, Kaleb Kilker and Bennett Cowger; his fatherin-law, Frank Boyd of Noel; along with many other family member, former football players, coaches and friends.

Memorial services for Coach Cowger are 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at the Washington Junior High School Basketball Gymnasium (1501 NE Wildcat Way, Bentonville, Ark.) with Rev. David Presley officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorials are being directed to the Hiwasse Christian Church, c/o the Ozark Funeral Home, P.O. Box 520, Anderson, Mo., 64831. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website,www. ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Mo.

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Margaret Florence McGoodwin, age 88, of Carson City, Nev., passed away on Sept. 15, 2017. Margaret was born June 20, 1929, in Lone Elm, Kan., to Ed and Bertha Hansen.

Her father worked for the railroad and as a result they lived and traveled the country In 1950, she married John William McGoodwin Sr., in Henderson Nevada. She graduated in 1951 from the University of Nevada with a teaching degree.

John and her had four children; John Jr., Jim, Laura, and Jeff. They moved their family to Lincoln, Ark., where Margaret taught 6th grade at Lincoln school from 1967-1976. They moved back to Carson City, Nev., in 1976, where she opened a flower shop, “our Flower Shop,” with her son John.

Margaret enjoyed many activities including bowling, fishing (especially at the Ruby Marshes), and playing pinochle. However, her greatest joy in life was spending time with her kids and grandkids.

Margaret is survived by sons, John McGoodwin Jr. of Fayetteville Ark., Jim and Darlene McGoodwin of Westville, Okla., Jeff McGoodwin of Carson City, Nev., two grandchildren, Mylena Noble and husband Johnathan of Fayetteville, Ark., and Cody Beckerdite of Dayton, Nev., and three great-grandchildren, John Noble, Riley Masters, and Brooks Noble of Fayetteville, Ark.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John McGoodwin Sr, and her daughter, Laura (Lolly) Beckerdite.

Margaret was the best of the best, the kind of person that made you think, “well I must be a good person if I’m related to her.”

The family is planning a small remembrance celebration for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers her family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at alzfdn.org.