Obituaries

BELLA VISTA — Roy

Lewis Johnson (Feb. 25, 1926–Nov. 1, 2017) was born in Sharp County, Ark., the sixth of eight children of Leona Ida Salzbrenner and Lewis McCorbin Johnson.

He graduated from high school in Seneca, Mo., and was a Naval veteran, serving in Oahu, Hawaii from 1944 to 1946, and as a civilian employee until his return to the US in 1947.

Roy married Joyce Weldon in Neosho, Mo., in 1949 and they have three children, Doug, Kathy, and Roger. He was employed by General Electric for 18 years in Missouri and Kansas. In 1965, he became the Operations manager for Midland International in Kansas City where he eventually became a Vice President, helping to grow the company in many ways.

In 1975, Roy went to work for Wood Specialty Products as a Vice President, in Harrisonville, Mo., and then Rogers, Ark. He and Joyce moved to Bella Vista in 1988 where he retired in 1991. He is a past president of the Kansas Jaycees, and served as a precinct committeeman, campaign manager, and Police Commissioner in Overland Park, Kan. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista.

Roy’s greatest purpose and joy in life was contributing to the happiness of his family. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joyce; his children, Doug (Melissa), Kathy (the late Ron Martin), and Roger (Jill); four grandchildren and their spouses; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Gray (Bill) of Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

A Service of Worship and Gratitude will be held Wednesday, Nov. 8, 1:30 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista.

Memorials may be made to the church or a charity of your choice.

BELLA VISTA — Dr.

George Chauncey Sheldon

died Oct. 29, 2017, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Ark., from complications of prostate cancer. He was born April 6, 1934, in Dayton, Iowa, to Harold and Annetta Joy Patton Sheldon.

He was predeceased by his parents; two sisters (Margaret and Gwen); and an infant son.

George graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, with a double major in music and science. He taught K-12 instrumental and vocal music for two years. Then he attended and graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Ill., with a Doctorate in Optometry. He began practicing

in Bloomfield, Iowa, in 1961 and then moved to Fairfield, Iowa, in 1968 where he partnered with Dr. Roland Peaslee. Dr. Sheldon participated in several medical mission trips through the Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity examining and providing eye care and glasses to the needy in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. He practiced his profession for 32 years. In 1980, he married Joyce Christiansen Garlough and they retired to Bella Vista, Ark., in 1994.

George’s avocation had always been music. He sang as a child, played French Horn in the Southeast Iowa Symphony and sang in the choir in college, held a Musician’s Union Card and played with a dance band, sang in church choirs, men’s choruses, Barbershop Choruses, played trumpet in the Bella Vista Community Band, and was one of the original cornet players in the Ozark Mountains British Brass Band. He also acted in several plays and musicals.

Other interests included flying and he had a private pilot’s license, downhill snow skiing, canoeing, traveling, reading, good and bad jokes and lifelong learning.

Survivors include Joyce, his best friend and wife of 37 years; four children, Phillip Sheldon, David Sheldon, Joan Heguy, and Christine (Ron) King; four grandchildren, Tyson (Brittany) Sheldon, Britton Sheldon, Caroline Heguy, and Nicole King; several nieces, nephews, and friends. He loved them all dearly.

A special thank you to all the staff at Circle of Life Hospice who took such excellent and compassionate care of George these last several weeks. Your many kindnesses will long be remembered. His body has been donated to the Genesis Project of the Medical Education and Research Institute in Memphis, Tenn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Music Fund of Highlands United Methodist Church, Circle of Life Hospice, or the Ozark Mountains British Brass Band.

A Celebration of George’s Life will be held Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, at 10 a.m. at Highlands United Methodist Church, 371 Glasgow Rd., Bella Vista, Ark. The family request that those attending wear something colorful and bright.

BENTONVILLE — Dr.

Jim C. Kizziar passed away at the Circle of Life Hospice Center in Bentonville, Ark., on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.

The family will hold a memorial service at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, at Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, Ark. In recognition of his service in the Arkansas Air National Guard, he will be buried with full military honors at the National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Ark., at a date to be determined.

Jim was born on April 19, 1938, in Clovis, N.M., to Guy Kizziar, Sr. and Florence (nee, Main) Kizziar. He grew up in Fort Smith, where he and his siblings had a childhood that Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn would have envied. It was here that he found the first great passion of his life — guns. He and his brothers had a well-earned reputation for shooting any and all things that needed shooting, and a few things that didn’t. He started a gun and knife collection as a young man that was a great source of enjoyment for him for the rest of his life.

Jim graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1956. During his senior year, he enlisted in the Arkansas Air National Guard (ANG), which began the second of his lifelong passions — airplanes and flying. He started college shortly after high school, but was called to active duty three times over the next seven years (for the Little Rock High School Integration Crisis, the Berlin Wall Crisis, and the Cuban Missile Crisis). This delayed him completing college until 1963, when he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. He remained a proud alumnus and passionate Razorback fan to his dying days.

Later in 1963, Jim left the ANG and continued his education at Tulane University, earning a Master’s degree in biochemistry. In 1965, he started medical school at UAMS in Little Rock, graduating in 1969. Afterwards, he continued training to specialize in internal medicine and cardiology. He then served as an assistant professor at UAMS from 1973-1975.

In 1978, Jim re-entered the ANG, qualified as a flight surgeon, and served in that capacity for the next 15 years, during which time he was called up one last time for Desert Shield/Storm. He retired from the Arkansas ANG in 1993, at the rank of Colonel.

Jim entered private practice as a general cardiologist at the Little Rock Diagnostic Clinic in 1975, and joined the Cardiology Consultants practice in Little Rock in 1985. Along with his partner, Dr. Steve Hutchins, Jim started the heart transplant program at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, where the first heart transplant in Arkansas was performed in 1989. Jim retired from Cardiology Consultants in 2005, and continued to practice medicine part-time with the heart transplant program at Baptist Health for several years thereafter. He was a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Guy Kizziar Jr. of Fort Smith, and a granddaughter, Lydia Kizziar of Carrollton, Texas.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Betty Kizziar of Bentonville; stepson, Michael (Lisa) Holmes and their son Owen, also of Bentonville; a son, Max (Diane) Kizziar, of Carrollton, Texas; grandchildren, Emily (Triston) Perry of Paris, Texas, Ryan Kizziar, Abigail Kizziar, and Kathleen Kizziar, all of Carrollton; and a daughter, Holly Kizziar, of Carrollton. He is also survived by a sister, Gail Moody, of Garland, Texas; a brother, Harley (Kathy) Kizziar of Katy, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.

The family expresses our deep gratitude to Bobby and Nancy Fitts of Little Rock, the Clarity Pointe Memory Care facilities in both Little Rock and Fayetteville, and the Circle of Life Hospice Home at Legacy Village in Bentonville for making Jim’s last days comfortable.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Circle of Life Hospice at Legacy Village, 1201 NE Legacy Parkway, Bentonville, Ark., 72712.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Words of comfort or memories may be shared at Stockdale-Moodyfs.com.

BENTONVILLE — Trina

Darlene Pack, 54, of Bentonville passed away Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017. She was born June 29, 1963, in Conway, Ark., to Joyce Geraldine Carroll Beare and the late Robert Earl Beare.

She was a lifelong resident of Northwest Arkansas, a 1981 graduate of Springdale High and for many years worked for Levi and Walmart. Trina enjoyed gardening, listening to music and spending time near the water.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Pack; her mother, Joyce Thomas Beare of Centerton; her daughter, Lindsey Brown-Teff of Springdale; her sons, Micky Parker of Fayetteville and Jay Pack (Christy) of Neosho, Mo.; her grandchildren, Cooper Brown, Cheyenne, Jessica, Kenny and Brianna Pack; her brother, Robert Beare (Christina) of Prairie Grove; two sisters, Nina Thomas of Springdale; and her identical twin, Tina Beare; her sisterin-law Denise Hellman of Centerton; extended family and dear friends.

A Memorial Celebration will be from 5-7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, at Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville. www.Callison-Lough.com.

FAYETTEVILLE —

Donelle Patricia Fellows

passed away Oct. 31, 2017, in Fayetteville, Ark., after her courageous battle with elderliness at the age of 93. She was the only child born of Isabelle (Hindman) and John R. Dooley on Dec. 29, 1923.

After graduating high school in Baker, Ore., Donelle enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was active duty from May 1944-January 1946. While stationed at El Toro near Irvine, Calif., she met another Marine, Hobert A. Fellows. They were married almost 64 years when he passed away Oct. 31, 2009. Their married lives took them from California to Arkansas to Iowa to California and final residency in Northwest Arkansas.

Donelle is survived by three children: David (Mary Linda) Fellows of Fayetteville, Laurie Fellows of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Amy (Alan) Brockhohn of Swisher, Iowa; five grandchildren: Alison (Mark) Rossington, Chandler, Ariz., Dana (Todd) Brown, Bryant, Ark., Dooley (Shannon) Meister, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Blair (Josh) Mayes, Henderson, NV, Blake (Brooke) Brockhohn, Fairfax, Iowa; 10 great-grandchildren: David and Caroline Rossington, Summer and Carsyn Brown, Calvin and Wyatt Griffin, Jackson and Parker Mayes, Elliana and Addelyn Brockhohn.

She enjoyed the Altar Guild, church choir, and sewing Barbie Doll gowns for the Newport, Arkansas St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Bazaar in the 1950s and 1960s. She crafted horse riding costumes and school clothes for her daughters. She performed in the Newport Follies with Hobert and Laurie. She was an excellent Bridge player and loved to swim. After raising her children, Donelle worked in Iowa City, Iowa and Sepulveda, Calif., culminating in an Honorary Doctorate at her retirement reception with the Medical Intern/Residency Program at Sepulveda VA Hospital in California.

She was a member of St. Theodore’s Episcopal Church in Bella Vista.

Donelle received wonderful care at Willard Walker Hospice, Morningside of Fayetteville, Veterans Womens’ Clinic, The Maples in Springdale, Concordia in Bella Vista, and Brookstone. The family thanks David and Mary Linda for the loving care they gave Donelle and Hobert over many years. Memorials may be sent to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 4507, Fayetteville, Ark., 72702-4507. A Celebration of Life will be held on the Pacific coast at a later date. “To God be the Glory!”

To sign the online guest book, please visit www. nelsonberna.com.

FORT SMITH —

Rosemary Meriwether

Rapley of Fort Smith passed away from complications as a result of Alzheimer’s Disease on Oct. 10, 2017, at Fianna Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation where she had lived for more than two years.

Rosemary was born in Paragould, Ark., on Aug. 10, 1929, to Rosalie and Bill Meriwether and was the younger sister of a brother she adored, Bob Meriwether. She graduated from the University of Arkansas and was proud to be a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Rosemary was a devoted member of St. John’s Episcopal Church where she served as chairman of the columbarium committee during its conception and construction in the garden of St. John’s in 1993. She also served as chairman of the altar guild and was a member of the Vestry of St. John’s.

Over the years, Rosemary served as president of the boards of the Junior League of Fort Smith, Bonneville PTA and Friends of the Fort Smith Library. Rosemary also served as a member of the boards of the University of Arkansas Alumni Association, Fort Smith Children’s Theatre, Fort Smith Girls’ Club, Leadership Fort Smith, Bonneville House, and the PTAs of Ramsey and Southside.

Rosemary had a passion for inspiring, mentoring and just having fun with children and young adults, including her time as P.E. teacher at the Bost School, where her students were rewarded for jobs well done by donning fur coats which she had collected from friends, or her stint as coach for the Fort Smith Girls’ Club swim team, loudly encouraging the girls from the side of the pool holding a cigarette between her red lacquered fingernails. In later years, Rosemary’s passion to support young adults ensured the endowment of a scholarship fund at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

Rosemary’s love for the outdoors was nurtured by her father in the fields and river bottoms of the St. Francis River in northeast Arkansas, and later matured among the rivers, streams and mountains of the Ozark National Forest. Canoeing, hiking, sailing or horseback riding were adventures Rosemary was always ready to experience with family and friends. One iconic characteristic of Rosemary was her whistle — a brash siren-like sound that could be heard across the entire neighborhood to call kids home, stop someone in their tracks if danger was near, quiet a large banquet hall or, in her final year, to call for a caregiver because her voice had been taken away. If you ever knew Rosemary, you knew her whistle.

In addition to her parents, Rosemary was predeceased by her brother Bob and his wife, Sylvia, who she loved like a sister.

Rosemary is survived by her husband of 66 years, Eugene G. “Gene” Rapley; her daughter, Nancy Fagan (David) of Scottsdale, Ariz. and their sons, Winston Fagan (Lauren) and Staff Sergeant Carter Fagan (USAF); and her son, E. Gilbert “Gil” Rapley Jr. (Leslie) of Atlanta, Ga., and their daughters, Anna Stephens and Nancy Rapley; and one great-grandson, Daniel Stephens.

If there was one important lesson that “Rosie” instilled in her children and grandchildren it was not to be bored. “If you’re bored, you’re a boring person.”

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church at a later date. Memorials to Rosemary can be made to Bost, Inc., 1801 S. 74th St., Fort Smith, 72903 or the Ozark Society, P.O. Box 2914, Little Rock, 72203.

Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

JUDSONIA — Dewey

Parks, 75, died Friday. Survivors: Sons, Scott and Todd Park; mother, Louise Parks; sister, Nancy Crook; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

Visitation: Sunday, 2-4 p.m., Powell Funeral Home. Graveside: Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, 11 a.m., White County Memorial Gardens by Powell Funeral Home, Bald Knob – Judsonia. www.powellfuneral home.net.

PEA RIDGE — Susie “Sue” Mae Henson, 80, of Pea Ridge, died Thursday, Nov. 2, at her home.

She was born Oct. 11, 1937, at Lanagan, Mo., to Roscoe Lee Reed and Rosa Kathleen Buchtel Reed.

She worked at Daisy Manufacturing in Rogers for 15 years and was a homemaker. She married Gene Henson Oct. 20, 1956, in Bentonville. Sue enjoyed hunting moles in her yard and going to the casinos to play the slot machines.

She is preceded in death by her husband Gene Henson; one son, Billy Henson; one daughter, Brenda Schooley; one grandson Matt Henson, one brother Robert, and three sisters, Louise, Evelyn and Jean.

Survivors are two sons, Gary Henson and wife Lisa of Pea Ridge, David Henson of Pea Ridge; one daughter, Donna DeWitt of Pea Ridge; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Graveside services are set for 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Pea Ridge Cemetery. Visitation is set for 5-7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 6, at Sisco Funeral Home Chapel.

Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome. net.

ROGERS — Guy Duncan, 73, of Rogers passed away Oct. 27, 2017. He was born Sept. 27, 1944, in Montclair, N.J., the son of Robert and Selma Schofield Duncan.

Guy was a former Police Officer and served in the United States Navy.

Survivors his wife, Joanne Sokolsky Duncan; three sons, Danial, Derek and Douglas Duncan; one brother, Bob Duncan; and five grandchildren.

Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences www.bentoncounty funeralhome.com.

ROGERS — JC “Jay” Ewing, 90, of Rogers, Ark., passed away, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, at Circle of Life in Bentonville, Ark. He was born Oct. 16, 1927, in England, Ark., to Joe Ewing Sr. and Julia Rose Ewing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; four sisters; and one granddaughter.

Jay is survived by his wife of 44 years, Linda Hood Ewing; his children, Joe Ewing (Ann), Carolyn Lee (Eddie), Shari Ewing, Joyce Hunt (Ron), Donna Ehde (Jan) and his children’s mother, Agatha Cauble Ewing; Linda’s children, Robyn Smith and Robert Locke; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He proudly served in the United States Army, World War II, as an ambulance driver in the Philippines.

He spent his adult years in California, returning to Arkansas after retirement. Jay was adventurous and was employed in the agricultural field, crane operating, and owned and operated two gas stations. He never met a stranger and enjoyed many friends, fishing and playing his guitar and singing. His positive outlook on life was endearing.

He will be laid to rest in the Chowchilla District Cemetery in Chowchilla, Calif., at a later date.

Memorials may be made in memory of J C Ewing to the Rogers Animal Shelter, 407 East Nursery Road, Rogers, Ark. 72758.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Memories may be shared at stockdale-moodyfs.com.

ROGERS — Delmer Gene Rusher Sr., 70, of Rogers was born Aug. 21, 1947, and passed away Nov. 2, 2017 in his home.

He is preceded in death by his first wife Barbara; his parents, Elmer and Viola; brother, Bobby; one granddaughter; one great-grandson.

He leaves his wife, Terry, of 34 years; eight children, Delmer Gene Rusher Jr. (Lori); Elmer Rusher (Sonya); Nathan Rusher (April); Rebecka Russell; Travis Rusher and (Cassandra), all of Rogers, Crystal Smith (Jeff) of Seligman, Angela Harvey (Eddie) of Tontitown, Charles Rusher (Crystal) of Avoca; his siblings, Hartsal, James and Johnny Rusher, Patricia Osterhout, Nora Thomas and Norma Stryffeler; 28 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; along with many friends and family.

Graveside service 10:30 a.m. Monday at Tucks Chapel Cemetery, Rogers, Ark. Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N 4th, Rogers. www.benton countyfuneralhome.com.

WEST FORK — William A. “Bill” Bates, 72 of West Fork, Ark., passed away Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, in Fayetteville. He was born April 28, 1945, in Florence, Ala., to John and Effie (Smith) Bates.

He was retired from Campbell Soup.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, William Gene Bates; and one brother, Maynard Bates.

He is survived by one son, Jimmy Bates; four sisters, Carolyn Boone, Margaret Fancher, Mildred Peel, Chris Nuendorfer; five brothers, Kenneth Bates, Donnie Bates, Ronald Bates, Jeff Bates, Glenn Bates; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service was held Saturday, Nov. 4, at Campbell Community Cemetery.

To sign the online guest book please visit www. nelsonberna.com.

WEST FORK — Roy Kenneth Wright of West Fork, Ark., passed away Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, at the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark. Roy was born July 9, 1937, in Sedgwick County, Kan., to Roy E. and Velma (Byers) Wright.

Roy enjoyed fishing, stock car racing, and wood working. He was a master carpenter working for Jack Burge construction and later working for Tyson Foods.

Roy loved his family. He loved his kids. He was so proud of them. Through the good times and the bad, he was always there for them. He will always be remembered as a loving dad. He didn’t leave them large sums of money or things, what he left them was the knowledge that they were loved unconditionally.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Velma; and two brothers, Dale and Jim Wright.

He is survived by his wife, Donna M. Wright (Drake); sons, Todd Wright of Fayetteville, Ark., and Tim Wright of West Fork, Ark.; and one daughter, Tonya Wright of Fayetteville, Ark.; four sisters, Betty Postier, Sandra Cole, Mickie (Chuck) Sawyer, and Treva Griffitts, all of Kansas; one brother, Ted (Marge) Wright of Washington; five grandchildren, Robert Wright of Iowa, Michael Wright, Amber Wright, Garrett Watts and Austen Wright; and one great-grandchild, Ian Wright, all of Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews across the country.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Robbin Dodson, 60, formerly of Springdale, Ark., was called to his eternal resting place on Oct. 27, 2017. He entered this world Nov. 21, 1956, in Apple Valley, Calif., to Edward and Jo Dodson.

Robbin loved being outdoors, sitting by a campfire, paddling a canoe, hunting or fishing with his family and friends. Robbin loved his family; one of his greatest joy was being called Papa by Darling, Angel, Precious and Buddy Roe. He dedicated 38 years to a successful career at various entities of Coca-Cola in Texas and New Mexico. He served as President for several years of the Soft Drink Association of New Mexico.

His brother, Tony Dodson preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Linda of the home; his mother, Jo Dodson Lindsey and husband, Uvalde, of Fayetteville, Ark.; his father, Edward Dodson of Springdale; his son, Josh Dodson and wife Brittany of Sherman Texas; his daughter, Serenity Hoover and husband Mark of Andrews, Texas; two sisters, Nora Hall and husband Jim, Linda Wallis and husband Tim all of Springdale, Ark.; four precious grandchildren, Parker and Collins Dodson, Tawney and Gauge Hoover; four nephews, Ethan, Kraege, Drew and Lucas Mabie; two nieces, Annaclaire Mitchell and Arden Hall; along with lots more family and friends.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, at First Baptist Church of Farmington, 589 Rheas Mill Road, Farmington, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Northwest, in Springdale, Ark.

Online condolences may be made at www.french funerals.com.

TULSA, Okla. — Chad Schlesinger, 40, of Tulsa, Okla., passed away on Nov. 2, 2017, in Tulsa. He was born on March 7, 1977, in Tulsa to Paul Schlesinger and Brenda Blaylock.

Chad was an incredibly loving person who would do anything to help his friends, family or even a stranger. He was also a lifelong fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Left to cherish Chad’s memory are his parents, Paul Schlesinger and Brenda Blaylock; his wife, Julie Schlesinger; a daughter, Kory Leonard; a sister, Chassy Cypert and husband Tink; nephews, Hunter and Garrett Cypert; and a niece, Kiley Cypert.

Chad will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Visitation services will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home in Springdale.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Westfield Chapel funeral home.

Please visit Chad’s online memorial at www.Westfield Chapel.com.