Obituaries

ALMA — Dr. Jean Miller

Medlock, 79, of Alma, Ark., passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at a local hospital.She attended the University of Houston College of Optometry where in 1966 she was the first woman to graduate from the College of Optometry. In 1968, she opened her practice in downtown Alma and practiced in Alma with the Eye Group until she retired 49½ years later.

She served as Executive Secretary of the Southwest Council of Optometry, on the Arkansas Council of Optometry Board, served on the Stepping Stone School Board since its beginning in 1972, was named Arkansas Optometrist of the year in 1989 and 1996 and was involved in many other activities such as the Good Samaritan Clinic, Crawford County Parks Board and Alma Friends of the Library. In 2010, she received the Lifetime of Excellence Award from the Arkansas Optometric Association. She was a member and elder of Central Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith, Ark. She was a member of the Crawford County EHC Alma Chapter, The Methodist Village Auxiliary. She coached girl’s softball for many years in Alma. Although she was not from Alma, she adopted Alma as hers and Alma adopted her.

Dr. Medlock was born Jan. 27, 1938, in Joplin, Mo., to the late Edward and Nettie (Johnson) Miller. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Larry Medlock; two sisters, Virginia Patterson and her twin, Jessie Suhor; and a brother, Eddie Miller.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, at Central Presbyterian Church. Cremation is under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Alma. Burial of cremains will be at the U.S. National Cemetery at a later date.

Survivors include two sisters, Jeanette Loris of Fayetteville, Ark., and Judy Loux of Fort Smith, Ark.; and two brothers, Harry and Richard Miller, both of Sallisaw, Okla.; plus many nieces and nephews.

The family will visit with friends Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, from 3-5 p.m., at Ocker Chapel of Alma, 917 Hwy. 64 East, Alma, Ark.

Memorial contributions may be made to Stepping Stone School, P.O. Box 2389, Alma, Ark., 72921 or Central Presbyterian Church, 2901 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, Ark., 72901.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.ockerfuneralhome.com.

BELLA VISTA — Larry

L. Beasley, 81, passed away on of Oct. 9, 2017, following a long and valiant fight with illness. He passed away at his home in Bella Vista, Ark. He was born on March, 18, 1936, in Leon, Iowa to Hubert and Ruth Cook Beasley.

Larry grew up in Iowa where he attended Leon High School in Leon. He joined the Air Force in 1954 serving for eight years, receiving Good Conduct Medals and the National Defense Service Medal. Larry also received the Air Force Commendation Medal as he distinguished himself by meritorious service as a Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Special Interpretation Section, Photo Intelligence Branch, 544th Reconnaissance Technical Group, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He was discharged in 1962 achieving the rank of Staff Sargent.

Larry began an Apprenticeship Program with then UA Local #387 and graduated in 1971. His opportunities in his work allowed for multistate travel and experiences. His varied roles included Project Management/Engineering. He had a passion for that role and enjoyed his years with US Engineering in Kansas City, Mo. Larry retired in 2004 and continued to work as a consultant utilizing his vast knowledge to lead and assist with projects. He retired in 2005 and moved with family to several states including Florida and Nevada.

Larry married Mary Ellen Feddersen in 1968 in Davenport, Iowa. Larry was a member of the American Legion, Post #341 and “the Naughty Nineteen White River Fishing Group”. He enjoyed fishing, boating and his many friends and family. While in the Air Force, he showed great skill and enjoyment working on his spectacular ’57 Chevy and the occasional drag race.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Hubert and his sister, Mary Andrew.

Larry is survived by his mother, Ruth Beasley, Leon, Iowa; his spouse, Mary Ellen Beasley, Bella Vista, Ark.; his remarkable children: sons, Christian Beasley, Frisco, Texas, Scott (Patti) Beasley, Lincoln, Neb.; his daughters, Lynn (Chris) Paschen, Castle Rock, Colo., and Annette (Joe) Denniston of Colorado; his brothers, Gary Beasley, Oskaloosa, Kan., Terry Beasley, Grandview, Mo., Michael (Georgia) Beasley, Des Moines, Iowa, Kenneth (Debbie) Beasley, Colorado Springs, Colo.; and, two special brothers-in-law, Bob Andrew, Leon, Iowa & Mike (Rebecca) Feddersen, Davenport, Iowa; his 12 Amazing grandchildren, Hunter Beasley, Harrison Beasley, Gabriella Beasley, Cole Beasley, London Beasley, Jack Paschen, Ava Paschen, Patrick Beasley, Alex Beasley, Christopher Beasley, Becky (Tim) Driscoll, Colo., Eric Denniston, Calif.; great-grandchild, Jackson Driscoll, Colo.; and his many nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Larry loved his family and he loved life. He loved his friends like family. He was always ready to have fun and go fishing.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 18, at Trinity Christian Church, Decatur, Iowa. Cremation rites have been accorded.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, Humane Society of America, ASPCA or the Bella Vista Animal Shelter, Bella Vista, Ark. Larry’s heart held a special place for all animals but always for dogs.

Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

BELLA VISTA — Ross

Eugene Hildreth, 95, formerly of Fairbury, Ill., passed away on Oct. 11, 2017, in Bella Vista, Ark. He was born on July 4, 1922, in Fairbury to the late Delbert Ross and Chloe (Fugate) Hildreth. He was the loving husband of the late Mary M. Chriss.

He went to the Bee Hive Grade School and graduated from Fairbury Township High School. He ran the Lodemia Elevator grain and feed unit, was the Manager of Honegger Feed and Farm Store, and worked at the main office in public relations and in sales for Honegger Building Division. He then moved to Huskee Built Building Sales Division of Tractor Supply and retired from the Tip-Pax Egg Plant in Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Susan Clary; his parents; and his wife, Margaret.

Ross is survived by his daughter, Barbara (Dale) Nunemaker of Bloomington, Ill.; stepson, Michael (Bonnie) Chriss of Bella Vista; stepdaughter, Cathy (George) Poffenberger of Portage, Wis.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at 1 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bella Vista Courtesy Van, www.bellavistacourtesyvan.com or the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista, www.pcbv.org.

Online condolences can be made at www.callisonlough.com.

DURHAM — Leo Ward,

Dec. 12, 1927 to Oct. 16, 2017.

On this morning, fresh clean dew was spread in the early dawn and the start of a glorious fall day was in the air. “This is my most favorite time of year,” Leo Ward used to say during his 40 years as the Bluebird Man here in the Ozarks. Our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and dear friend, Leo passed during the crisp Monday morning of Oct. 16 at 7 a.m. This was the time he would always be up and ready to work, to step out and venture to create something new. Now he rests calmly for eternity.

Leo grew up impoverished, struggling to stave off the jaws of the Depression, being raised by his aunt in the hills of eastern Kentucky. His life was hard, yet he had focused energy for education and developed skills for survival. His mind was good (he was called a “Philadelphia lawyer” in high school due to his sharp debate skills), and he was extremely creative, learning how to build and make the things he could not buy. During this time Leo gained many skills that would later aid him in building Terra Studios into a great artistic business, his second career.

In the late 1940s, Leo joined the Army for two hitches, which helped him find a road out of poverty and gave him the opportunity to experience other cultures and religious beliefs. His time spent in Korea kindled a passion for the study of Zen Buddhism, and though he wasn’t an active practitioner, Zen proverbs remained interspersed in his thoughts and conversations forever after.

Leo met Rita, his wife of 67 years, while stationed at Fort Knox, Ky. Rita brought love into Leo’s life, and together they had three children, Bill, Lyn, and John. Through decades of raising a family and pursuing educational and entrepreneurial endeavors on the side, they ended up in southern California as educators. Leo taught English and creative writing at Palomar College, where he enjoyed helping young minds express their emotions through words.

During the heart of the ’60s, Leo’s search for the meaning of existence led him to more expressive ways of finding purpose in life. He decided to exercise his artistic side, which had taken a back seat, and enrolled in art classes at the college where he taught. He discovered a passion for glassblowing and, after taking a class three times and bonding with many young artists, the seed was set for his new life’s work. Rita studied ceramics and pottery during this same period, and together, they changed paths.

They spent four years developing their skills in California before heading to Arkansas to create Terra Studios in 1975. This was a big jump for them, as it meant turning from financial security and social acceptance to take a road fraught with many bumps and hardships. Fortunately, however, the outcome couldn’t have been better — Leo and Rita built new lives filled tenfold with excitement, good friends, creative adventures, and a lasting legacy. Leo created the “Bluebird Of Happiness” in 1983, and that sparkling blue glass figure sparked a huge wave of success for Terra Studios. Leo enclosed a message of hope with each carefully crafted Bluebird and brought much joy and comfort to millions of people across the country and abroad.

He also helped many people by creating jobs in his rural community and giving monetary gifts and loans to folks in need. He was a very bright man with knowledge in many subjects and was sought out by friends for engaging conversations. He’ll be missed greatly and leaves a hole in the world he tried to improve.

The family requests that, in lieu of any gifts, you share what you can with the Willard Walker Hospice House. They were magnificent in their care and concern for Leo’s comfort, and gave fabulous support to all family members who were present during this difficult time. Please take a quiet moment to remember our beloved Leo’s passing spirit. He was less than two months from his 90th birthday.

FAYETTEVILLE —

Mary Sybil (Raffaele-Dorey-Golden) Akins went home to be with our Lord Monday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m., at her home in Fayetteville, Ark., just 29 days after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Mary was born on a farm, as were her seven siblings, on the first day of summer, June 21, 1927.

Mary left school at an early age to work the family farm but later in life completed school and received her diploma with her husband and all her children present to witness her accomplishment. Mary continued her education taking art classes and a class in floral designing which became her profession until her retirement.

Mary’s hobbies were socializing, fishing, planting flowers and trees; but she was most passionate about sketching and painting, which she encouraged in all her children and grandchildren.

Mary was also a proud and longtime member with the American Legion and VFW organizations.

Mary loved her family dearly and endlessly and wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Most of all she loved the Lord. She showed many the way to a relationship with God. She loved to read her Bible and lived her life by God’s Commandments.

Left to honor Mary and remember her love and gentle heart are; one sister, Beaulah Fuller (Jack); her children, Alan Dorey, Eric Dorey (Sharen), Lynn Reese (Pete), Gwen/Goldi Berends (Bruce), Gary Golden (Kathy); daughters-in-law Alicia and Cynthia Dorey; 12 grandchildren: Erica, Jessica, Reianna, Trevor, Skylar, Amber, Anneka, Elaina, Melissa, Mark, Sean, Becky; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Akins; her parents, Joseph and Mary D. (Roughton) Raffaele; four sisters, Iduma, Jeanette Agnes Patricia, Catherine; two brothers, Joseph and Reginald; a son, Mark Dorey; and daughter, Judy Riggleman.

All whose lives were touched by Mary are invited to Moores Chapel Funeral Home, 206 W. Center St., Fayetteville, from 5-7 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 24, to reminisce, grieve, support each other and of course just chat.

Graveside service will follow Wednesday morning at 10 a.m., at Fairview Memorial Gardens, 1728 Mission Blvd., Fayetteville with Dr. Douglas Falknor, Pastor officiating.

To sign the online guest book, visit www.moores funeralchapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Billy

Boone Hankins, age 90, of Fayetteville, died Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. He was born July 21, 1927, in Asher, Ark., the son of John Nolen and Edith Patrick Hankins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Fern Hankins; and five brothers, Coy Hankins, Lona Hankins, Wayne Hankins, Bob Hankins and Jim Hankins.

He was a fruit farmer and a member of Crystal Hills Family Fellowship.

He is survived by a son, Bradley Hankins of Chelan, Wash.; a brother, Bud Hankins and his wife Darlene of Elkins; two grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, at Crystal Hills Family Fellowship. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Crystal Hills Family Fellowship and burial will be in the Fayetteville National Cemetery, under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crystal Hills Family Fellowship, 10602 North Highway 16 East, P.O. Box 66, Elkins, Ark., 72727.

To sign the online guest book, visit www.moores funeralchapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Ella

Madeline Yessman peacefully went to be with the Lord on Oct. 16, 2017. She was born March 15, 1943, in Belleville, N.J., to David and Rita Reid.

Ella was a loved mother of two and had three grandchildren; she will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

In her professional life she served the people of Pembroke Pines, Fla., achieving many awards including Employee of the Year before retiring in 2007. After retirement, she found joy volunteering at the Fayetteville Animal Shelter and local fundraising events. Ella enjoyed spending time in her garden surrounded by angels, birds and butterflies.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Georgia, Thomas, Beverly, Mary June, Rita and Joey.

She is survived by her daughters, Debi Glass and son-in-law Rich of Cooper City, Fla., Kelly Perreault and son-in-law David; and grandchildren P.J., Megan and Corinne of Fayetteville, Ark.; and by her brothers David and Archie and sister Patricia.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Fayetteville Animal Shelter or The American Cancer Society.

No services are scheduled at this time.

Condolences at www. beardsfuneralchapel.com.

PRAIRIE GROVE —

Carol Sue Bursey

(Hester), of Prairie Grove Ark., passed from this life to the next surrounded by her family on Sept. 17, 2017. She was 68 years old. Carol is survived by her husband of 49 years, Gene Bursey of Prairie Grove Ark.; her son, Eric Bursey, daughter-in-law, Molly Bursey and grandson, Shephard Bursey, all of New Braunfels, Texas; her mother, Una Dell Hester of Prairie Grove, Ark.; her brother, Rod Hester, sister-inlaw, Cathy Hester and nephew Jason Hester, all of Prairie Grove Ark.

She is preceded in death by her father Clarence Hester of Fort Smith, Ark.

Carol was born on Sept. 25, 1948, in Fort Smith, Ark., to Clarence and Una Dell Hester. Her brother, Rod, soon made theirs a family of four and she grew up in Fort Smith. She married Gene on April 6, 1968, and became a mother to a son, Eric on April 5 1975. The family moved to New Braunfels, Texas in 1978 and planted their roots. Here they found their home at Community Christian Church and raised their son. Carol worked on the weekend for the Lord and as a librarian at Lamar Elementary during the week for close to 20 years. Gene and Carol retired and

moved to Prairie Grove, Ark., to take care of each of their mothers. However, their hearts would never leave truly leave Texas. In January of this year she started start her third and final fight with cancer.

Carol Bursey passed away in the early hours Sunday, the 17th, surrounded by family. She will be remembered for her work with children. Whether in Church or in school, this was her dream and passion.

A memorial service will be held Oct. 28, 2017, 11:30 a.m. at the Community Christian Church at 4210 N. Frontage Road, Fayetteville, Ark.

Flowers and condolences may be sent to this location at the appropriate time. Nathan Wainwright and Keith Mackey will officiate this service.

SPRINGDALE — Rosemary McClelland, 92, of Springdale went to be with the Lord Oct. 19, 2017. She was born July 27, 1925, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of the late Jesse and Eva Potter Numer.

She and her husband, William, moved to Springdale in 1954. She soon became a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Springdale, where she worked as secretary for the church for 10 years. She then worked as the secretary for the University of Arkansas ROTC office for 19 years. She was an avid University of Arkansas sports fan and she especially loved the Razorback baseball team.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William A. McClelland Jr.; and two brothers, Warren Potter Numer and Arden Lee Numer.

She is survived by her son, Gary McClelland, of Lawrenceville, Ga.; and her daughter, Linda Thomson, of Rogers, Ark.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m.., Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church, 100 S. Gutensohn, Springdale, Ark., 72762 with Reverend Kade Curry officiating. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home, 3926 Willowood Avenue, Springdale, Ark., 72762.

The family request that memorials be made to the First Presbyterian Church.

Online condolences may be made to www.memorialfhspringdale.com.

SPRINGDALE — Mattie Modine Wilhite, 85, of Springdale, passed away on Oct. 20, 2017, in Springdale. She was born on March 31, 1932, to Emory and Myrtle Sasser.

She was married to the love of her life, Hubert Wilhite, for 70 wonderful years.

Mattie is preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Wilhite; parents, Emory and Myrtle Sasser; one son, Denver Ray Wilhite; one brother, Richard Sasser; two sisters, Freida Mae Sasser and Justine Gardner.

Left to cherish Mattie’s memory are her daughters, Janice Nelson of Springdale, Betty Wilhite of Springdale, Kay Oxford and husband Gary of Springdale, and Fern Channel of Springdale; two grandchildren, Slade Wilson and wife Annette of Springdale, and Starr Austin of New York; one great-granddaughter, Olivia Austin of New York; two great-grandsons, Matthew Larue and wife Kayla of Fort Smith, and Adam Larue of Rogers; two sisters, Nita Wilhite of Evansville and Mary Wilhite of Elkins; and many nieces and nephews.

She was a loving wife and mother who spent her life devoted to her family and her Lord and Savior.

Visitation services will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 23, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home in Springdale. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home. Her final resting place will be at Farmington Cemetery in Farmington.

Please visit Mattie’s online memorial at www.WestfieldChapel.com.

WEST FORK — Roger Dale Dutton, age 69, of West Fork, Ark., passed away Saturday Oct. 14, 2017. He was born June 26, 1948, in Taft, Calif., to James and Flora Webb Dutton.

He was a U.S. Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Pat Dutton; one daughter, Michele Zupo; two sons, Roger Dale Dutton Jr. and Rodney Dutton; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville.

Memorial contributions may be made to DAV – Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301.

To place an online tribute, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Delores (Dee) Y. Prellberg, 88, passed peacefully with family by her side on Oct. 4. 2017, after a short illness. Born Nov. 3, 1928, in Chicago, Ill.

Dee graduated from Carthage College (Carthage, Ill.) with a degree in music and it was there she met and married Fred, who was her husband until his death in 2007. Married in 1950, they moved to Rockford, Ill., and then to Overland Park, Kan., where she worked as a psychiatric social worker, salesperson and Realtor until semi-retirement took them to Bella Vista, Ark.

Her lifelong passions included playing bridge with ‘the girls,’ listening to classical music (not popular music — “it all sounds the same” was an endearing saying of hers; she especially enjoyed hearing her grandson, Nate Carterette, a classical pianist, perform), beating her offspring in the word board games Scrabble & Anagrams (which she continued to do up until the end) and watching/playing tennis. So ardent was her love of tennis that when she suffered a serious shoulder injury late in life, she simply switched from right-handed to left-handed, teaching herself how to stroke, despite never doing anything ‘lefty’ her entire life.

She was a proud life member of Sigma Alpha Iota.

Dee is survived by four children: Mark (Kansas City, Mo.), Thom (Kay) (Lee’s Summit, Mo.), Fred III (Mahvash) (Mt. Prospect, Ill.) and Joanne (Scottsdale, Ariz.); seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by husband, Fred; daughter, Patricia; and brothers Delmar and Bruce Ronk.

Services will be held at Park Ridge Communities, 4309 E. Park Ridge Blvd., Lee’s Summit, Mo., on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 11 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Japanese Chin Care & Rescue Effort, www.japanesechinrescue.org, in honor of the many beloved Chins that Dee and Fred shared their home with.

DENTON, Texas — Janet Maud Hunter, 100, of Denton, Texas, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Denton, Texas. She was born on Jan. 1, 1917, in Howick Quebec, Canada to William Melville and Isabella Maud (Peddie) Kerr.

She met her husband-tobe, Allan Hunter, at Toronto Bible College, and they married in 1950.

She and Allan served as missionaries in Jamaica from 1962 to 1974. Following that, they were in the Community Church of Bella Vista, Ark., and the First Christian Church of Rogers. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Denton, for the last 15 years, while she resided at Good Samaritan Village. Her favorite activity there was to say the prayer in the dining room during meals.

Janet is survived by her three daughters, Shelagh Henson and husband Bill, Gael Phillips and husband Harvey, Shonah Hunter and husband Ralph Harnishfeger; one son, Bruce Hunter and wife Eva; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Janet requested that there be no memorial service. She felt that once she left her body she would be with the Lord and that we should remember her in our thoughts. To the last she had “all her marbles,” as she was fond of saying.

HOUSTON, Texas — Wilbur Barry Medlin III (Bobby), 60, of Houston, Texas, passed away while surrounded by family on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, after a hardfought battle with cancer.

Bobby was born in Waynesville, N.C., on July 14, 1957. The 1969 purchase of KAGH radio brought the Medlin family to Crossett, Ark. After graduating from Crossett High School, Bobby continued on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, MBA from the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) and Doctorate of Business from Louisiana Tech University.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Quendy Medlin (Gibbins Gaither); daughter, Kasey Medlin-Shook; son-in-law, Eddie Shook and grandson, Joshua Shook of Monticello, Ark.; stepson, Evan Gaither of Provo, Utah; stepdaughter, Emma Gaither of Conway, Ark.; and brother, Kevin Medlin of Crossett, Ark. He also is greatly missed by his beloved dog, Max and cat, Sam.

Bobby is preceded in death by his parents, Barry and Peggy (Smith) Medlin; sister, Cheri Medlin; and brother, Keith Medlin.

Bobby’s entire career surrounded business education at the university level. Always a student favorite, Dr. Medlin was a professor, committee member, dean and associate dean. He was fortunate enough to earn his living doing what he loved at Southern Arkansas University, the University of Arkansas Monticello, Henderson State University, the University of South Carolina Upstate, and the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith. At each of these institutions, he developed longstanding relationships with both students and colleagues.

When not working, Bobby adored exercise, particularly running with Max. No matter how exhausted he felt, he almost always could fit in a workout of some sort. Bobby found rejuvenation at the beach, and it was there he and Quendy learned to scuba dive together, something that he thoroughly enjoyed. Brilliant and competitive, Bobby was one of the best at trivia and “Name that Tune.” Before moving to Houston for treatment, he also volunteered as a mentor at Kimmons Junior High in Fort Smith and formed a special relationship with his mentee, Noah Sanabria.

A memorial service for Bobby will be in November at a location in Arkansas to be announced later.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to MD Anderson’s Moonshots Program (https://goo.gl/TAKBZi), or your local Humane Society.