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.

BELLA VISTA — Rena Dee Stephenson passed from this life to join her Heavenly Father on March 29 in Bella Vista, Ark. She was born in Leslie, Ark., on May 22, 1931, to Hobah and Ora Stephenson. She and her identical twin sister Demo Lee demonstrated their strength and determination early on, surviving a birth weight of 2 pounds and 2 pounds 4 ounces, respectively, without hospitalization.

She attended Leslie Public Schools through high school, before enrolling at Arkansas State Teachers College with the aid of an academic scholarship: a one-time payment of $50. After graduating with a degree in Home Economics, she taught school in Chidester, Ark., and East St. Louis, Ill., before assuming her role as the world’s greatest stay-at-home mother to her four children in Aurora, Mo. She was a talented cook and home decorator. She was a wise Sunday School teacher, and she served on the local school board before being appointed to the Missouri State School Board.

Rena was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Fowler Stephenson.

She is survived by her children, Thomas Arthur Morrison (Rhonda) of Aurora, Mo., Stephen Kem Morrison (Debbie) of Bentonville, Ark., Vivian Lee Norman (David) of Little Rock, Ark., and Fowler Thaddeus Morrison (Elizabeth) of Van Buren, Ark. She is also survived by her three sisters, Dorothy Chadwick, Mae McDaniel and Wordna Freeman of Leslie, Ark., and Demo Lee Hampton of Benton, Ark. She had nine grandchildren and one great- grandchild. She will be fondly remembered, and sorely missed by all who knew her.

There will be no public service. Donations may be made in her name to her church, Village Bible Church, or to the church of your choice.

Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home Bella Vista. Condolences: www.epting funeralhome.webs.com.

HARRISON — Glenda Marie Greenhaw, 71, of Harrison, died April 1, 2018. Visitation is Wednesday, April 4, at Holt Memorial Chapel, Harrison, at 6 p.m. Funeral service is Thursday, April 5, at Evangel Assembly of God Church, Western Grove, at 1:30 p.m. Survivors include four sons: Jacky, Randy, Mark and Brent.

LITTLE FLOCK — Charles Vere Marshall of Little Flock, Ark., passed away on Marc h 2 9, 2018. He was born on July 7, 1938, in Clarksburg, W.Va., to the late Gerald and Sylba (Varner) Marshall.

Charles graduated from Cedarville HS in 1956, and from Grand Valley State in 1963 with a B.S in Education and a major in industrial arts. His began his career as a teacher and transitioned to Buildings Maintenance roles at Los Angeles Baptist College and Wheaton College, from which he retired after 27 years in 2003.

Charles married Genola Rose Tettaton in Amherst, Ohio, on Jan. 25, 1964. They celebrated 52 years of marriage in 2016 before Genola’s passing on April 29, 2016. They had three children: Lisa (Leonard Watson), Steve (Erin), and Aaron (Jaye T.).

Charles was a faithful follower of Jesus and was always devoted and active in a local church, serving often as Sunday school teacher, deacon, or committee member. His dedication, consistent church attendance, and involvement impacted many lives, and served as an example to all who knew him. His intense work ethic and sense of responsibility characterized every aspect of his life.

He is survived by all three of his children and

their spouses, along with his five grandchildren: Lisa and Leonard Watson, Steve and Erin Marshall, (Paxton and Calianne); Aaron and Jaye T. Marshall (Jackson, Lily, and Emma Grace). He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Dick (Linda) Lapp, and his nieces Karen (Kim) Gerber and Laura Lapp.

He was preceded in death by his Wife, Genola, and his sister, Linda (Lapp).

All are invited to visit with Charles’ family from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, April 5, at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Pinnacle Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boundless Grace Baptist Church Building Fund by making checks payable to Boundless Grace Baptist Church, and sending them to Boundless Grace Baptist Church, 222 Little Flock Drive, Rogers, Ark. 72756.

LOWELL — Stephanie N. Gafford (Graen), 34, of Lowell, Ark., passed away suddenly on Marc h 2 9, 2018. She was born on Jan. 19, 1984, in Cincinnat i , Ohio, to parents Michael Richard and Ruth Ann (Stall) Graen.

Stephanie moved to Arkansas in 1989 after living in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Stephanie was a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt and granddaughter.

She is preceded in death by her grandmothers, Joan A. Graen and Bonnie Stall; her grandfather John (Skip) Stall; and her cousin Lauren Ashley Graen.

Stephanie is survived by her husband of three years, Marcus R. Gafford; her brother, Andrew Martin Graen; her parents; her grandfather, George Bearnard Graen; as well many other loving relatives.

A memorial service will be held on April 5, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Fellowship Bible Church of NWA, 1051 W. Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers, Ark. 72758. For more information, please go to http://www.nelsonberna. com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency or Humane Society for Animals, Benton County. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.

ROGERS — Ivan Martin Marsh, 83, of Rogers, passed away on Saturday, March 31, 2018, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark. Ivan was born to Blanche and John M. Marsh of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.

Ivan is preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Carolyn (Evans) Marsh in 2009; and his brother, John Marsh.

Ivan is survived by his loving family: Mark (Janet), Michael (Paula), and Scott ( Kim); and grandchildren, Danielle, Trevor, Matthew, Taylor, Hannah; and his loving niece, Vicki, and her family.

Ivan attended Martins Ferry H. S. where he was class president, and was a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a degree in metallurgical engineering. Ivan and Carolyn spent their years raising their busy sons and following Ivan’s career from coast to coast. Ivan was a coach and mentor to the many associates that he worked with throughout his career, and well respected as a leader in the metals industry, especially related to the recycling of aluminum. As his career was coming to an end, he retired from Coors Brewing in Golden, Colo., as Vice President of Engineering Technology, but continued to consult for several years after.

Ivan loved spending time with his family, attending the numerous school activities and sporting events of his sons as they grew up, and then his grandchildren later in life. He was an avid golfer and always enjoyed a day on the golf course.

At age 62, Ivan received a gift from God, as he was a recipient of a heart transplant. He enjoyed every day of the 21 years the new heart had given him. In that 21 years, he had the opportunity to see all five of his grandchildren graduate from college and enjoy some great days of golf at the various courses around Arkansas.

A service will be held in Rogers, Ark., at a future date, after the family finalizes those arrangements. Email condolences can be made at eptingfuneralhome@gmail.com, in c/o Ivan Marsh.

SPRINGDALE — John Allen Stephens, 57, was born in Fayetteville, Ark., on Sept. 19, 1960, the son of Lloyd Wesley and Wanda Brewer Stephens. He pa ss e d away peacefully in his home in Springdale sometime Tuesday, March 27, and was found there Thursday, March 29, 2018, after his family could not reach him for two days. He apparently had experienced some coronary event and seizure, probably in his sleep. Thankfully he was not alone, as his cat and very loving dog were with him.

His childhood was during a time when it was safe to let kids run free in the neighborhood, and he took full advantage of that. He was the only boy in the family with three sisters. That, of course, brought some challenges. His lifelong friend, George Alison, became the brother he never had, and they certainly were adventurous. They were avid bicycle riders and went all over Northwest Arkansas.

John was active in Boy Scouts, and his design was chosen for the patch commemorating the 25th year of Camp Orr. He was a member of Central United Methodist church and the youth choir with whom he appeared on a vinyl album. He studied civil engineering for two years at the University of Arkansas remained a proud Razorback fan. He was very intelligent, yet chose to move in a new direction.

His first professional job was with the Arkansas State Highway Department, where he was very involved in the earliest stages of what has become Interstate 49 from the north end of Fayetteville. During his surveying, he had to brave the elements, the rough terrain, huge spiders, angry cattle and sometimes even angrier landowners. He also served as an inspector, and was responsible to see that the paving materials were up to specifications.

The biggest part of his career was with Dayco, which deals with automotive parts, especially belts and belt tensioners. He began there when the company was in its infancy in the Genesis incubator program of the College of Engineering that helped jumpstart tech based companies. John was proud of his over30-year career with them, serving them in several areas and traveling to their suppliers many times to represent the company. His vehicles were a joy to him, having had a juiced-up sports car, a limited edition Fire Bird Trans Am GTA, and an amphibian 6-wheeler, among others. Of course the faster, the better.

John is survived by his mother; sisters, Donna Stephens of Fayetteville, Susie Edwards and husband David of California, and Ruth Soller and husband Steve of Colorado; nephews, Justin Edwards, Steven Soller and Jeremy Soller and wife Dai Zhu; niece Sara Edwards and husband Khail Smith; and four first cousins and their families.

Visitation will be at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville on Wednesday, April 4, from 5-7 p.m., and the funeral will be at Nelson-Berna on Thursday, with doors open at 10 a.m. and the service beginning at 11 a.m. A brief graveside service will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville.

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