Obituaries

BETHEL HEIGHTS —

Christine Patton Weiss, 84, passed away at Circle of Life in Springdale on Nov. 17, 2017. She was born Feb. 10, 1933, in Lowell, Ark., to Cecil and Lillie Pace Patton. Christine was a beautician. She graduated from Harrison Beautician School in 1950. She was a Navy wife, loved skeet shooting, and was a member of The Eastern Star. She enjoyed being a housewife and looking after her family and their friends.

She was a world traveler. When she was 20 years old, she left on a train and traveled to Africa. After her husband James Robert “Bob” Weiss retired from the Navy, they moved to Florida where they would call home for 40 years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Aldine White and brother Robert Patton.

Survivors include her husband, James “Bob” Weiss of Lowell; two sons, Charles Weiss of Cave Springs and David Weiss and wife Betty of Yorktown, Va.; three grandchildren, Jeremy Weiss, Emily Silvia, and Brad Davis; three great- grandchildren, Sloan and Virginia Weiss, and Charlie Celeste Davis; brother, Kenneth Patton from Bethel Heights; two sisters, Katherine Patton, also of Bethel Heights and Joyce Alley of Springdale; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale on Tuesday, Nov. 21, starting at 2 p. m. with Charlie Foster officiating. Burial will follow at Bluff Cemetery.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to service at the funeral home starting at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Earlene Howard Circle of Life, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark., 72762.

To sign the online guestbook, visit www.siscofuneral. com.

FAYETTEVILLE — James Buckingham Pinkerton

Jr., 80, of Fayetteville, Ark., died on Nov. 16, 2017. Born in West Palm Beach, Fla., to James B. and Helen S. Pinkerton, he grew up with younger sister Susan Pinkerton Haines roaming the citrus groves of City Point and Cocoa, Fla., and fishing in the Indian River Lagoon.

He attended Bolles Military Academy in Jacksonville, Fla., which prepared him for the rigors of Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. Upon graduation in 1959, he joined the U.S. Navy. Transitioning to the Naval Air Reserve, he continued to serve with distinction for over 30 years attaining, the rank of captain.

One of his fellow officers said he had the most integrity of anyone he had ever met.

In civilian life, he became a technical writer and eventually went into business for himself as a consultant. During this time he married his first wife, Karen and became the proud father of two children, Alyssa and Jay.

Soccer was a shared interest as was hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. He also taught his children to body surf, making many trips to Cocoa Beach and the Canaveral Seashore. Regular running and swimming kept him in great shape and gave him the chance to enjoy the Florida sunshine.

His love of nature caused him, along with his second wife, Linda, to travel the U.S., visiting the national parks. He hiked mountains in the Smokies; with daughter Alyssa the goal was the summit of Mount Le Conte in Tennessee, and with son Jay he conquered Mount Washington in New Hampshire.

For decades, he served as a faithful board member, fundraiser, and caretaker of Georgiana Cemetery in Merritt Island, Fla. He used his ability to pay close attention to detail in checking all contracts for his condo complex board in Cocoa, Fla., and helped make sure all major maintenance projects were carried out according to the specs. He continued to stay in touch with military friends, helping to establish Senior Old Friends Association, a local retired military group which met once a week to have lunch and socialize.

In 2016, he and Linda moved to Butterfield Trail Village in Fayetteville, Ark., Linda’s hometown. Even though he hadn’t lived there long, he loved the hills and the BTV community.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; his daughter, Alyssa and her two children, Otis and Lulu; his son, Jay; and nephews, Jim and David.

His smile and sense of humor will be missed by all of his family and friends.

Cremation was by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home.

Condolences may be given at www.nelsonberna.com.

FAYETTEVILLE —

Judith (Judi) Ann Walker,

a ge 6 3 , o f Fayetteville passed away p e a ce f u l ly at her home Friday Nov. 17, 2017, in Fayetteville. She was born Feb. 5, 1954, in Hinsdale, Ill., the daughter of Charles Lester and Helen Catherine Meyer Callentine.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Tom Callentine of Springdale, Ark.

Judi embraced and loved life, her family and her friends.

Judi loved children, especially playing with and teaching her grandson, Aiden, and her granddaughter, Emerie. She was proud of her 20 years directing Fayetteville’s Community Preschool. Judi loved outdoor adventures. She sailed and raced sailboats on Beaver Lake, and cruised on her sailboat in Florida, the Bahamas, Virgin Islands and West Indies.

Locally, she kayaked swift rivers, biked, camped, and hiked throughout the Ozarks. Judi loved books, always wanting a “you have got to read this book!” recommendation. For 30 years she discussed books and authors with her book group members. Judi loved music, dancing with delight to live music, and playing the ukulele and singing with her ukulele group. Judi loved learning about the world’s cuisines, cooking and sharing food with members of her international supper club. She was a committed Weight Watcher member and leader.

The family thanks everyone who helped them during Judi’s illness

She is survived by her sailing and soulmate husband, Johnny Walker; a son, Kyle Berry of Lowell; a daughter, Shawna McFatrich and her husband Larry of Farmington; a stepdaughter, Sacha Walker of Chicago, Ill.; one sister, Livit Callentine of Maui, Hawaii; a brother, John Callentine and his wife Deb of Tucson, Ariz.; one grandson, Aiden; one granddaughter Emerie; and a niece, Sara Sprague and nephew, Zach Hudson.

Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Tuesday, Nov. 21, with music prelude beginning at 1:45 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Magdalene Serenity House, P.O. Box 3394, Fayetteville, Ark., 72702.

Cremation under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.

To sign the online guest book visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

FORT SMITH — Toni

Dee Merritt, 70, of Fort Smith, Ark., died at UAMS in Little Rock, Ark., on Nov. 14, 2017. She was born on April 7, 1947, in Abilene, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Norman “NF” Merritt and Barbara Prothro Merritt and her beloved fur babies, Ivy and Holly.

She is survived by her brother, Ken Merritt of Fayetteville, Ark.,; her nieces, Stacey Smith of Fayetteville, Ark.; and Rachel Merritt of Aurora, Colo.; and nephews, Skylar Merritt of Fayetteville, Ark.; and great-nephew, Preston Smith.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sebastian County Humane Society, 3800 Kelley Hwy, Fort Smith, Ark., 72904.

Cremation Arrangements Entrusted to Arkansas Cremation. www. Arkansas Cremation.com.

PARIS — Warren G.

Holden Jr., 87, a resident of Paris passed away Friday.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, at the First Assembly of God in Paris. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris. Complete obituary available at www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/paris.

SPRINGDALE — Howard

Lee Neal, 81, of Springdale, passed from this life on Nov. 16, 2017, in Springdale. He was born on June 22, 1936, in White Oak, Ark., to Clifford

Neal and Agnes ( Teague) Neal.

He would go on to marry Virginia (Newton) Neal. who was “the prettiest girl at the skating rink”, on Dec. 10, 1956.

Howard was a loving husband and father. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt. He spent many years as a truck driver for Walmart. Howard had a special place in his heart for Quigley who was truly a man’s best friend.

Howard is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Neal; and his parents, Clifford Neal and Agnes Jones.

Left to cherish Howard’s memory are his daughter, Rebecca Lynn Neal of Springdale; and sisters, Mary Sue Hodge of Snellville, Ga., and Francis Newsome of Henderson, Ga., and numerous loving cousins.

Visitation services will be held from 5-7 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home. Howard’s final resting place will be at Elm Springs Cemetery in Elm Springs.

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

SPRINGDALE — Rita

Ellen Winters, 61, of Springdale, passed away Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, at her home. She was born July 8, 1956, in Huntsville, Ark., to Wilford and Jessie Sullins Garrison.

Rita had worked for several years at Northwest Medical Center and Springdale High School. She loved music, funky clothes, spending time with her grandchildren and relaxing outside on the porch.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Winters and her father, Wilford Garrison.

Survivors include one son, Nathan Winters of Springdale; one daughter, Natasha Dennis and husband Scott of Witter; two sisters, Jena Cagle and husband Terry of Springdale and Yvonne Huskisson and husband Glen of Texas; four grandchildren,

Maci Winters, Drew Winters, Chloe Dennis and Cash Dennis.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, from 5-7 p. m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale.

Online guestbook is available at www. siscofuneral. com.

SPRINGDALE — Marcia

Jane Yates, 57, of Springdale, passed away on Nov. 17, 2017, in Fayetteville. She was born on June 26, 1960, in Aurora, Mo., to Reuben Pettit and Betty (Davis) Pettit.

She is preceded in death by her father, Reuben Pettit.

Left to cherish Marcia’s memory are her mother, Betty Pettit; a son, Ryan Bogart; two daughters, Natasha McDaniel and Ashley Frost; five grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Hope Cancer Resources.

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

PINEVILLE, Mo. — Brenda

Lynn McNelly, 59 years, of Pineville, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo., from injuries received in an automobile accident.

Brenda was born on Dec. 22, 1957, in Bentonville, Ark., born to Jerry and Lavina (Sigler) McNelly.

She proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy for 16 years.

Brenda enjoyed crafting, thrift store shopping and gardening. She did catering with Cedar Valley event center. The love of her life was her daughter and grandchildren and she cherished time spent with them.

She is survived by her parents, Jerry and Lavina McNelly of Pineville, Mo.; her daughter, Jerran Winn of Neosho, Mo.; ex-husband, Leo Warren of Powell, Mo.; step-daughter, Jessica Powell of Bonafey, Fla.; brother, Jerry Kent McNelly and wife, Diana of Denton, Texas; two sisters, Carolyn York and husband, Terry of Flower Mound, Texas, Danna Sands and husband, Dale of Rogers, Ark.; two grandchildren, Tacey and Atreyu; nephews, Carter York, Ryan and Adam West; along with a host of other relatives and friends who will dearly miss Brenda.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, at the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark funeral home. A private burial of the cremains will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website www. ozarkfuneralhome.com. Funeral services are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Southwest City, Mo.

loved a lot, and laughed a lot.

A memorial service will be held graveside at Bentonville City Cemetery on a date to be announced.

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

DENTON, Texas — Loan

Thi Nguyen Gage, 77, past away at Willard Walker Hospice, Fayetteville, Ark., on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cause was incurable cancer.

Born Feb. 20, 1940, in Hanoi, Vietnam, she lived in many cities, states and countries. Her favorite place was Seoul, Korea. She was a federal employee as a fork operator for over 20 years on several bases, the last one was at Yongsan, Korea. When she retired she traveled to China, Vietnam, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and United States to name a few.

Loan was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She devoted her time to her family.

Survivors include daughters: Christiana Miller, India; Angel M. Liberg, Kansas, and Alexis N. Gage, Australia, grandchildren: Christopher Miller, Virginia; Kiana Miller, Virginia; LeNae Liberg, Arkansas; Jaclyn Liberg, Arkansas, and great-grandchild Lillian Miller, Virginia.

Services will be held at 8 a.m., Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, at Willard Walker Hospice, at 325 Longview Dr., Fayetteville, Ark.

Memorial contributions are welcome at Willard Walker Hospice, 325 East Longview St., Fayetteville, Ark., 72703, (479) 463-7385, in memory of Loan Thi Nguyen Gage.

Arrangements: Epting Funeral Home.

Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

GREENVILLE, S. C .— Betty Ault, a 45-year resident of Bentonville, Ark ., died peace fully, surrounded by loving family, on Nov. 3, 2017, in Greenville, S.C., at the age of 96.

Betty was born Elizabeth Anne Mertz on July 25, 1921, to Edward and Elizabeth Torbert Mertz in Washington, D.C. She was raised in the Cleveland Park area of D.C. and graduated Woodrow Wilson High School.

She attended college as a home economics major before marrying John W. Ault on Aug. 24, 1921. Betty was happily married to John for 70 years until his death in 2012. They lived a life of love and adventure as world travelers for three decades before settling into their beloved “Dancin’ Rabbit” property in Bentonville.

They lived and traveled in five continents, spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. Betty was a pioneer, explorer, and adventurer who thrived on new experiences and new people. She made friends easily. She was a voracious reader, curious intellectual, and lively story teller known for her quick wit and creative talents. Betty was an avid gardener, talented chef, and excellent seamstress.

She experienced great joy and comfort from the many stray cats she adopted over the years.

In her 90s, Betty embarked on one more adventure when she moved to Greenville, S.C., to spend her remaining years with her niece and niece’s family.

She is survived by her niece Tracie Mertz McConnell, Tim McConnell, great nieces Aubrey Keffer and Sydney Keffer, and sister-inlaw Joan Mertz, all of Greenville.

To the end, Betty was fiercely independent and strong-willed. She lived life on her own terms. She was known by all to be “quite a character.” Just a week before her death, when asked about her history by a new caregiver, Betty responded “I can’t tell you anything about me. I’m undercover.” She will be lovingly remembered as someone who lived a lot, loved a lot, and laughed a lot.

A memorial service will be held graveside at Bentonville City Cemetery on a date to be announced.

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