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 — Edmund

Joseph Barnoski, 90, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away April 24, 2018. He was born Jan. 26, 1928, to Roman Barnoski and Catherine (Konesca) Barnoski in Fond du Lac, Wis.

Edmund moved to Bella Vista in 1990. He worked as a groundskeeper for the POA area golf courses. He drove an 18-wheeler all over the country for over 40 years. He was an excellent baker and cook who also enjoyed playing the guitar.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 68 years, Jeanette (Koch) Barnoski, aka “Budgie”; daughters, Linda (Robert) Shinafelt, Cheryl (Rick) Beilfuss, Christine Lemke; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will held at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 28, at Bella Vista Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

BENTONVILLE —

EvaLena Reder Mayo, 88, passed away peacefully April 24, 2018, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark., surrounded by her family and only eight short days after the death of her husband, Benjamin M. Mayo. EvaLena was born Aug. 7, 1929, in Fayetteville, Ark., to George W. and EvaLena Reder.

Just like her husband, she grew up on a farm east of Springdale.

EvaLena met her loving husband, Benjamin Mayo, in downtown Springdale, Ark., and they were married for 71 faithful years. She was an amazing wife, mother, sister and community educator. EvaLena graduated from Springdale High School as valedictorian after only three years in 1946.

She enrolled at the University of Arkansas but decided to put her studies on hold to dedicate time to starting her family. She finished her bachelor’s degree many years later at John Brown University in 1970.

With passion and enthusiasm, she taught advanced placement math and physics at Bentonville High School from 1970 to 1984. When approached by Dr. Don White about the opening a community college to serve the region, she eagerly joined him. Soon after, Gov. Bill Clinton appointed EvaLena to serve on the founding NWACC Board of Trustees. She played an instrumental role of finding and leading the purchase of the land where the college currently stands.

EvaLena was a member of the NWACC Foundations Post Oak Society and was one of the college’s strongest supporters. In 2014, she received an Honorary Associate Degree of Educational Service. She was a faithful member of the First Christian Church of Rogers.

EvaLena was preceded in death by parents, George W. and EvaLena Reder; her loving husband, Benjamin Martin Mayo; sister, Martha Lankford, one son, Charles B. Mayo I and one daughter, Peggy Mayo. She is survived by one son, George Mayo and wife Sandy of Neosho, Mo.; five grandchildren, Charles B. Mayo II and wife Megan of Centerton, Ark., Jeremy Mayo of Joplin, Mo., Sarah Hegi and husband Matthew of Springdale, Ark., Malinda Trivitt and husband Chris of Lowell, Ark., Garry Ward of Lowell, Ark.; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, 2018, at First Christian Church of Rogers, officiated by Pastor Ronny Nowell. Please sign the online guest book at www.backstrom-pyeatte. com. The family would like to thank the nurses of Circle of Life Hospice for their care over the final moments of her life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Circle of Life Hospice at nwacircleoflife. com and Northwest Arkansas Community College at nwaccfoundation.org.

GRAVETTE — Angelo

Michael Scotillo Jr., 53, of Gravette died Monday, April 23, 2018, at his residence. He was born June 15, 1964, in Bakersfield, Calif. Survivors include his loving family members and a host of friends. Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home Gravette. Condolences: www. eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

HUNTSVILLE — Loren

Wheeler, 70, of Huntsville passed away in Fayetteville on April 24, 2018. He was born Oct. 12, 1947, in Dutton, Ark., to Jim and LouAnn Whittmore Wheeler. Loren worked in custodial/maintenance. He was active with the Springdale Senior Center and his church. He loved his wife, his family, and his cat.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Wheeler, of the home; two sons, Steven Wheeler and wife Amanda of Springdale; Denny Wheeler and wife Liz of Hindsville; six grandchildren, Robert Murphy, Blaine Wheeler, William Wheeler, Lauren Fortenberry, Ashlyn Wheeler and Caleb Wheeler; a great-grandson, Devin Fortenberry; one brother Leon Wheeler (Delta) of Fayetteville; three sisters, Leta Gregory (Robert) of St. Paul, Ark.; Sue Bibrey and Lora Skelton both of Prairie Grove.

Funeral services will be at the Living Water Baptist Church in Huntsville on Saturday, April 28, 2018, starting at noon with pastors Tim Gabbard, Joe Dorman, and Charlie Foster officiating. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery. A visitation will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the church prior to the service. www.siscofuneral.com.

LITTLE ROCK — Mary

Alyce Branch Brown, 90, of Little Rock, passed away Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Springdale, Ark., from complications from pneumonia. She was born in Little Rock, Ark., on Oct. 7, 1927, to the late Elma Mary Mead Branch and William Matthew Branch.

Mary Alyce graduated from Little Rock High School and attended Sullins College in Bristol, Va. She married William Douglas “Bill” Brown on Oct. 22, 1949. Bill passed away in 2011 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. They were married for 61 years. Mary Alyce was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She dedicated her life to her family. She had a very strong faith and raised her family with a Christian foundation. She was a member of Paschal Heights Garden Club.

She is survived by her children William Douglas Brown, Jr. and wife Michelle of Mount Pleasant, Texas; Janet Mefford and husband Donnie of Russellville, Ark.; Mary B. Pierson and husband Allen of Little Rock, Ark.; Sarah McKay and husband Allen of Rogers, Ark.; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; seven nieces and three nephews. She also leaves behind a sister, Marjorie Asbury of Lake Forest, Ill.

A graveside service will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park at 2:30 pm on Friday, April 27, 2018. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital or Circle of Life Hospice, Springdale, Ark. The family would like to thank The Meadows Assisted Living in Bentonville, Ark. for their loving care of Mary Alyce.

A gathering with the family to celebrate her life will be held at the home of Mary and Allen Pierson, 34 Mirabel Ct., Little Rock, Ark., after the service. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home. www. ruebelfuneralhome.com.

LOWELL — Ruby Lea

Easter, 82, of Lowell, Ark., passed from this life into her Heavenly eternity on April 25, 2018. Ruby was the crowning jewel of her family. She was born Jan. 30, 1936, to Mildred and Raymond Allen and was the oldest of 14 children.

Ruby married the love of her life, Virgle Easter, when she was only 14 years old. Together they celebrated 67 years of marriage and spent their entire lives teaching generation after generation what God intended marriage to look like.

Ruby retired from Clorox. In her spare time, she could be found outside in her garden caring for her flowers and vegetables, sitting in a lawn chair watching birds, in her kitchen baking apple pies that her sons fought over or baking hot rolls that her grandchildren coveted. Her canned pickles served as the center piece for most family gatherings.

Ruby enjoyed trout fishing at Beaver Dam, camping, traveling across the country to bluegrass festivals, walking under the moonlight with her sweetheart, shopping with her daughters, cheering on the Razorbacks, and worshiping her Savior at Rogers First Assembly of God.

Ruby’s greatest accomplishment is the family she leaves behind. Ruby is survived by her loving husband, Virgle Easter, her five children: Larry (Ina) Easter of Pea Ridge, Carney (Reta) Easter of Lowell, Vicky (Tom) Harp of Fayetteville, Virlene (Lee) Bennett of Lowell, and Darrell Easter of Lowell. Ruby was “Grandma” to 19 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. There is no question that after walking into the arms of Jesus, Ruby quickly caught up with her daughter, Becky and her great-great granddaughter, Graceleigh.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark., or Rogers First Assembly of God in Rogers, Ark. A visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2018, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home in Springdale, Ark. Please join family and friends as we celebrate Ruby’s life at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 27, 2018, at Springdale First Assembly of God in Springdale, Ark. Her final resting place will be Spring Creek Cemetery in Springdale. Please visit Ruby’s memorial page at www.WestfieldChapel.com.

PARIS — Berl H. Rowan,

84, of Paris passed away April 23, 2018. He was born June 18, 1933, in Okfuskee, Okla. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., April 25, 2018, at Roller Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be 2 p.m., April 26, 2018, at First Assembly of God Paris. Online guestbook www.roller funeralhomes.com/paris.

PEA RIDGE — Billy

Lawrence Hall, 90, of Pea Ridge died Tuesday, April 24, at the VA Retirement Home in Fayetteville. He was born Aug. 27, 1927, in Mountain, Mo., to Cecil Boyd Hall and Esther Vaughn Hall.

Billy L. married Delores F. Wilkerson on April 12, 1952, in Pea Ridge, Ark., where they lived until September 2016. They moved to the Mt. Carmel Assisted Living in Rogers, Ark.

As a Korean War veteran, he was awarded the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged for his meritorious service from 1950-1952. He was a lifetime member of the Wood-Hall VFW post in Pea Ridge. From 1955 until 1975, Billy L. was a leading custom home builder in Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. He was also a commercial contractor building several churches including the United Methodist Church of Pea Ridge, as well as the first Radio Shack in the area.

When Sam Walton bought the Bank of Pea Ridge, Mr. Walton asked him to build the new bank at its current location in 1968. He loved to work and was very proud of his accomplishments; however, he was forced into medical retirement in 1975. He was a member of the Pea Ridge United Methodist Church and was the builder of the current church in 1974 and the educational building in 1963.

Proud of his family, Hall, Laughlin, Schell, Vaughn, and Clanton relations, he enjoyed family gatherings talking about old times. His grade school was spent at Antioch and Jacket. He graduated from Pea Ridge High School in 1945 and also an alumni member.

Billy L. is preceded in death by his parents and his dear cousin, Bonnie Hall Ester. Survivors are his wife of 66 years, Delores Hall; a son, Lester Hall and wife Barbara of Pea Ridge; a daughter, Penny Schwitters of Pea Ridge; a granddaughter, Savannah Swain and husband Erik of Kansas City, Mo., as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Service is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, April 28. at Pea Ridge United Methodist Church. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday before the service at the church. Burial will be at Buttram Chapel Cemetery with full military honors.

ROGERS — Bill Yousey,

88, of, Rogers, died April 22 at his home. Survivors are wife, Geneva Yousey of Rogers; a daughter, Joyce Moore; a sonin-law, Dave Montgomery, a brother and three sisters. Cremation arrangements are with Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge. No service. Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.

SPRINGDALE — Salvador

Arriaga Diaz, 58, Springdale, Ark., passed from this life April 24, 2018, at his home. Survivors include his wife, Rosalva; his children, Juan Carlos, Rosalva, and Nalleli; 11 grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. A family visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Friday, April 27, 2018, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home, Springdale.

AUSTIN, Texas — Marilyn Kay Brownfield Garing Cochran

changed her earthly address on Jan. 30, 2018, at the age of 86 for a much better alternative. She was our most beloved mother and friend to all who knew her. An advocate and volunteer for the classical arts (not rock-n-roll) in many forms. She also had four-star culinary prowess with a sharp eye for antique glass and furniture.

With Arkansas blood trailing, she moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1962 but was able to return to her beloved Arkansas in 1985.

She loved being a mother and a homemaker and fought for her children intensely when the need arose. She is survived by her two sons, Meriwether L. Garing, Jr. and David B. Garing, and her daughter, Katrina (Katy) B. Garing. She will be sorely missed.

A memorial service will be held at Fayetteville National Cemetery on Friday, April 27 at 11 a.m.