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 — Shirley Jean Jurgensen passed away June 28, 2018. She was born to Henry and Lillian Van Osten in Kensett, Iowa, on Sept. 6, 1936.

She graduated from Mason City High School in Mason City, Iowa. She attended NIAC in Mason City and earned her teaching certificate.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Jerald; her parents; a brother, Berdell Busick; and a sister, Sharon Van Osten.

She is survived by two sons, Scott and Steven; two grandchildren, Ryan and Alisa; and two sisters, Sylvia ( Fred) Hardwick of Bella Vista, Ark., and Julie (Dennis) Templeton of Mason City, Iowa.

Burial will be at Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.

Online condolences may be made at www. funeral mation.com.

BELLA VISTA — Nileen L. Smith, 70, Bella Vista, Ark., died June 28, 2018. Born Feb. 9, 1948, in Orange, Calif., to Nile Robert and Dorothy (Koroly) Smith.

A memorial service will be held Monday July 2, 2018, at 6 p.m. at the Bella Vista Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www. funeral mation.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Edward L. Ash, 80, of Fayetteville passed away Thursday, June 28, 2018, at his home. He was born Dec. 29, 1937, in Temporary, Ark., to Elmer and Viola Thorton Ash.

He was a retired machine operator for the Washington Co. Road Department. Edward enjoyed gardening and keeping his yard mowed.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Faye Poplin Ash of the home; a son, Louis Brian Ash and wife, Sandra of Goshen; daughters, Laura Stowe and husband, Clayton of Alma, Laverne Cole of West Fork and Lorraine Stuthers and husband, Billy of Decatur; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Monday, July 2, 2018, at Baptist Ford Cemetery under the direction of Beard’s Chapel. There is no scheduled visitation. Condolences at www. beardsfuneralchapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Michele Marie Stepps, 69, of Fayetteville passed away Friday, June 22, 2018. She was born July 23, 1948, in Oakland, Calif.

She loved decorating her home and spent many hours finding, refinishing and repurposing items while decorating.

She was preceded by a brother, James Plummer Jr.

Survivors include her mother, Jeni Alexander of Sulphur Springs; her daughter, Misty Stepps of Georgia; her sons, Paul Hughes and Tyler Hughes of Fayetteville, Norman Hughes of Alaska and Beau Hughes of Bentonville; her brothers, John Plummer of Fayetteville, Frank Plummer of Little Rock, Charles Plummer of Rogers, Richard Plummer of Hiwasse and Mark Plummer of Texas; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; numerous extended family members and dear friends.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville.

Condolences may be expressed at www.CallisonLoughFH.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Joe Weimann, 72, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away Monday, June 25, 2018, in Fayetteville. He was born April 29, 1946, in St. Joseph, Mich., to Alfred and LaRose Zich Weimann.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Debra ( Deb) Weimann of the home; his children, Mark Weimann and wife, Amy, Abby Anderson and husband, Bobby and Kathryn Daniell and husband, Stacy, all of Georgia; his stepchildren, Robin and Kerry Klemm, both of Georgia; two sisters, Patricia Strickland of Georgia and Judy Ford of Florida; and six grandchildren.

Joe loved to travel, enjoyed music, debating politics and watching Fox News. He had a great sense of humor and never met a stranger. Joe passionately loved his family, children and grandchildren.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date and will be held in the Atlanta, Ga., area. Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Chapel.

Condolences at www. beardsfuneralchapel.com.

PRAIRIE GROVE — Priscilla Charlene “Char” (M ob ley) Shumate , age 80, a resident of Prairie Grove, Ark., passed from this life on June 24, 2018, at Prairie Grove Health and Rehab. She was born in Prairie Grove, Ark., on Jan. 11, 1938, to Charles and Alma (Harden) Mobley.

She was a member of the Prairie Grove Christian Church.

Charlene graduated from Prairie Grove High School in 1955 and attended Draughon’s Business College in Springfield, Mo. Charlene worked for Preferred Risk Insurance in Tulsa, Okla., for 26 years. She worked in billing for Polar Express Trucking Company and retired from Highlands Oncology in Fayetteville, where she worked in medical coding.

She married James Warren Shumate on May 30, 1958. He preceded her in death on April 21, 1992. She also was preceded in death by her parents and a baby brother Tommy.

Charlene is survived by one brother, Jerry Mobley and wife Betty of Webb City, Mo.; two nieces, Terri Hennis and husband Randy, Nikki Lawhon and husband David, both of Carthage, Mo.; one great- nephew, Justin Pavy and wife Melissa of Carthage, Mo.; two great-nieces, Alisha Bryant and husband Adam of Oviedo, Fla., and Kaitlyn Lawhon of Carthage, Mo.; three great- great-nephews, Lincoln, Lex, and Ranger Bryant of Oviedo, Fla.; and one great-great-niece, Iyla Pavy of Carthage, Mo.

Memorial services will be held at the Prairie Grove Christian Church at 1 p.m. on July 6, 2018, with Minister Monte Shoemake officiating and Luginbuel Funeral Home providing arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Washington County Animal Shelter in Charlene’s memory.

Online guest book: www. luginbuel.com.

ROGERS — Junior D. Fletcher, 89, passed June 27, 2018. He was born on Nov. 13, 1928, in Bentonville, to the late Homer and Georgia (Thomas) Fletcher.

Junior was married to the late Mirl Fletcher.

He is survived by his son, Derek Fletcher; daughter, Tina Clark; three siblings, Doug Fletcher, Bob Fletcher, and Peggy Brown; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson, Hayden Fletcher.

A visitation will be on Friday, July 6, 2018, from 1-2 p.m. in Rollins Funeral Home with a Memorial Service to follow at 2 p.m.

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

ROGERS — Joseph C. Weber, 69, of Rogers passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife/caregiver, Linda on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s. He fought it courageously and was determined to never give up. He was born Sept. 18, 1948, in Great Bend, Kan., to Cassilda Schartz Weber.

He was baptized at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ellinwood, Kan. Joe grew up on a farm in Claflin, Kan. He graduated from Claflin Rural High School in 1966 and Fort Hays Kansas State College, Hays, Kan., in 1970.

Joe was preceded in death by his loving grandparents, Paul and Mary ( Helfrich) Schartz; biological father, Hurley Weber; mother, Cassilda ( Schartz) Moran; stepfather ‘Dad’, John ‘Jack’ Moran; brother-in-law, Jack Brown.

Left to cherish Joe’s memory are his loving wife of 22½ years, Linda Brown Weber and cat, Hershey of the home; sons, Chris and Curtis Weber of Springdale; grandson, Brody Weber of Rogers; Joe’s Kansas siblings, Jan Weber Hardten (Gerald); Steve Moran (DeAnna), both of Claflin; Mary Moran Doyle (Randy) of Great Bend; Kala Moran Moeder (Mike) of Ellinwood; Jeni Moran Siemsen (Roger) of Salina; John Moran (Joni) of Bushton; many nieces and nephews; his Rogers, Ark., family, mother-in-law, Alma Brown; sister-in-law, Deborah McDaniel (Myles); brothersin-law, Bob Brown (Teresa); Jerry Brown (Debra).

Joe’s career was spent working in management. After graduating from college, he worked for Great Bend Mfg. in Great Bend, Kan. His love for Beaver Lake drew him to Rogers, Ark., in the summer of 1976. Within a week of moving to Rogers, he accepted a job at Crane Co. which required him to work long hours and travel on company business to many countries around the globe. In late 1987, he accepted a position with Clayton Mark in Rogers where he worked until the plant closed in 1996. In 1996, he formed MAFCO, a contract manufacturer in Rogers. He retired in 2008.

He enjoyed being with Linda, the love of his life, sharing their “loving cup” mug of coffee early every morning, watching her plant and tend to their flowers; watching the birds and doing his bird whistles; boating and fishing on Beaver Lake; camping trips in Colorado with his family after wheat harvest; trips back home to visit his family who loved staying up all night playing cards; memories of his Grandpa Schartz playing the violin and his Mother playing the piano; talking on the phone with his sister, Jan, recalling childhood memories; the annual Walk To End Alzheimer’s, which he was very passionate about; playing tennis in his younger years; he always felt so special when Alma and Deb made a pecan pie for him; eating at his favorite restaurants JJ’s Grill in Rogers, Sassy’s Red House in Fayetteville and Gusano’s Pizza in Bella Vista, where the wait staff treated him like royalty and never made him feel like he was suffering from late-stage Alzheimer’s.

A celebration of life will be held in Claflin, Kan., at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, etc. Joe’s wish was to encourage everyone to help in the fight to End Alzheimer’s. Donations may be made online (Alz.org) or sent to Alzheimer’s Association, 5506 Walsh Lane, Suite 212, Rogers, Ark. 72758. Please specify donations for Walk To End Alzheimer’s in Bentonville, Sept. 8, 2018, Team Jan and Dean, Team Member Joe Weber.

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th Street, Rogers, Ark. 72756. Online registry at www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.

SILOAM SPRINGS — Desmond Dean Kerns was born to Clyde and Daisy Kerns in Logan, Okla., Beaver County, on Sept. 18, 1933.

One night when Dean was 8 years old he attended a revival being held at the town school house. Pastor Maynard Campbell “scared him into heaven” that night and Dean was forever grateful. Dean’s experience with the Lord impacted him greatly from that moment on.

Dean spent his early years living in the country and traveling two and a half hours each way on a bus to get to school in Laverne, Okla. Dean always loved the outdoors and had a passion for fishing. He was also athletic and enjoyed competing in all sports.

He graduated from Laverne High School in 1951 and entered Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., where he studied for the ministry. While in Greenville, Dean had his first sermon opportunities, preaching to prisoners on a chain gang. After two years, Dean transferred to Pasadena Nazarene College in California, where he played basketball and earned a Divinity Degree in 1956. During Dean’s junior year of college he met his wife, Ruth Walsh. Dean served as student body president his senior year, along with Ruth, who was also a member of student council. Dean and Ruth were married on April 11, 1957, in Pasadena, Calif.

After college graduation, Dean and Ruth moved to Kansas City, Mo., where Dean attended Nazarene Theological Seminary. After completing seminary, Dean and Ruth returned to California and founded the La Mirada Nazarene Church in the summer of 1960, where Dean served as senior pastor.

Also in 1960, Dean met fellow minister, Don Leetch. As their friendship grew, they asked the question, “If we had 10 years left to live, would we keep doing what we are doing?” This led to resigning their respective pastorates in 1963 with the vision of “doing what we can in our generation to make Christ known.” A business and ministry partnership was formed that lasted more than 50 years. Together with their wives, they co-founded Outreach Center Church and DaySpring Cards, which they moved from Southern California to Siloam Springs, Ark., in 1979. Dean was an active influence in both the business and church community in Northwest Arkansas.

Dean and Ruth were married for 35 years until Ruth passed away in 1992. The following year, Dean married Carol Atkins at Outreach Center Church in Siloam Springs, Ark. Dean and Carol were married for 25 years.

Dean loved God with his whole heart and he invested his life pursuing Him. He was an authentic example to all of his family and friends of what that meant. He will be missed greatly by his wife, Carol, and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde Kerns and Daisy ( Baxter) Kerns; his first wife, Ruth ( Walsh) Kerns; his sister, Shirley Smalley; and stepsons, Paul and Dan Atkins.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; his son, Darren Kerns and wife Lori of Siloam Springs, Ark.; his daughter, Karen (Kerns) Morris and husband Drew of Springdale, Ark.; his stepdaughter, Catherine (Atkins) Carrion and husband Luis of Siloam Springs, Ark.; stepdaughter-in-law, Valbona Batchelor of Springdale, Ark.; his sister, Pat Wynn of Follett, Texas; his sister, JoAn Stevens and husband Wes of Gold Canyon, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren and three great- grandchildren. He also leaves behind a host of cherished friends.

Dean’s family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and other acts of kindness shown to Dean and his family during his illness. Truly, “we thank our God upon every remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3.

Visitation will be 6 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 6, 2018, at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs. Burial will be private. A celebration of life service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 7, at the Cathedral of the Ozarks at John Brown University in Siloam Springs.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Outreach Center Church Building Fund, c/o Outreach Center, 21181 Oak Ridge Road, Siloam Springs, Ark. 72761.

SPRINGDALE — Dick David Lester, age 84, of Springdale, died of complications of multiple myeloma on Monday, June 25, 2018, at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. He was born Oct. 11, 1933 in Sulphur Springs to John Faubian and Nona Raye Stout Lester.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings John “Bud” Lester, Mary Lou Thompson, and Virginia Wilson; his companion Jean Taylor; and his former wife, Margaret Becker Lester.

He graduated from Springdale High School in 1951 and attended the University of Arkansas and the University of Tulsa. He served in the Air Force. He was a farmer and land developer, owned historic Rabbit Foot Lodge from 1973–1983 and was an avid golfer, hunter, and fisherman.

Survivors include his children, Lizabeth Lester and partner Susan Raymond of Fayetteville, Dick Lester Jr. and wife Tina of Springdale, and Danny Lester of Springdale; five grandchildren: Stephen Lester of Springdale, Gale Raymond of Fayetteville, Lindsay Lester of Huntsville, and Madilyn and Sarah Littlefield of Springdale; his sister, Jean James of Rogers; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial reception will be held Thursday, July 5, 2018, from 3–5 p.m. at the Springdale Country Club and private interment will be at the Fayetteville National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Washington Regional Hospice and Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation.

Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral. com.

WICHITA, Kan. — Jerry Lyle Thompson, age 6 5, pa ss e d away on June 28, 2018. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Centerton, Ark. Committal services at 1 p.m. in the Fayetteville National Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home. www.rollinsfuneral.com.

TULSA, Okla. — Joan E. Magie, 80, died on June 21, 2018, in Tulsa, Okla. She was born on Jan. 15, 1938, in Geneseo, Ill., to Harold and Mabel Lindquist Neuleib, the second of three children.

She graduated high school in Albia, Iowa, in 1955, with her soon to be husband George W. Magie. Together they lived in Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, Texas and Arkansas. They were married for 56 years until his death in 2014. They were loving parents and devoted to their extended family and friends.

Joan worked for various organizations including financial institutions, schools and churches. She was a lifelong Lutheran, active in the church, most recently at Holy Trinity in Rogers, Ark., where she and George spent their retirement years. She enjoyed neighborhood groups and card clubs, days at the lake, coffee with her friends and watching wildlife. She was a volunteer at Saint Mary’s Hospital/Mercy Medical Center in Rogers for many years where she served in the gift shop and knitted caps for the newborns.

She is survived by her four children: son, Timothy ( Samantha) of Tulsa and step-grandchild, Katelyn Williamson (Trevor) of Springdale, Ark.; son, Robert of Tulsa and grandchildren, Jessica and Ryan Magie of Sallisaw, Okla.; son, Joseph (Lisa) and step-grandchildren, Thomas, Gabrielle and Alexandra DeGeronimo of Lakeland, Fla.; daughter, Ann of Rogers, Ark., and grandchild, Cody McCarty of Denver, Colo.; sister, Jean Erickson of Atkinson, Ill.; brother, Richard (Patricia) Neuleib of Nashua, Mont.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Heartfelt thanks to the many friends and caregivers who made her later years comfortable. Arrangements have been entrusted to Moore Funeral Homes of Tulsa. Words of comfort may be expressed at Moorefuneral.com.

A graveside service will be held on Aug. 2, 10 a.m. at Oakview Cemetery, Albia, Iowa, where Joan will rest next to her husband.

The family requests that any memorials be directed to Saint Simeon’s Foundation, 3701 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Tulsa, Okla. 74106, or on line at www.saintsimeons.org.

OCONOMOWOC, Wis. — Gayle Frances Heckel, age 72, of Oconomowoc, Wis., lost her eightyear struggle with Lewy Body Dementia with her family by her side on June 21, 2018.

She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Robert Heckel; her children: Mark (Susan) Heckel Joseph Heckel, and Jennifer ( Chip) Hollman; her grandchildren: Sophia, Samantha, Gus, Wesley, Eva Rose, Chloe, Chase, Juliana and Parks; her siblings: Helen (Don) Minnick, Thomas McPhillips, and Mary (David) Butts; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Gayle is preceded in death by her mother, Eva Filson and stepfather Walter Filson; her father, James McPhillips; grandson, Jackson Heckel; and sister, Kathleen McPhillips.

Born in Chicago in 1946, Gayle grew up in Lake in the Hills, Ill. She graduated from West Dundee High School in 1964. After high school, she worked as a ticket agent and flight attendant for North Central Airlines. She met Robert Heckel at a wedding in 1966. She said he was handsome, smart and hard working, and he said she was good looking with a great pair of legs. The two were married in Algonquin, Ill., on Aug. 31, 1968. Early in their marriage they lived in Milwaukee, Wis., where they welcomed their first child, Mark, in 1970. Gayle and Bob moved to Rockford, Ill., in 1972, where Joseph and Jennifer were born and raised. They were fortunate to have made many lifelong friendships.

She enjoyed raising her family with her sisters and having big family get togethers. Gayle went back to school to pursue a nursing career. She became a registered nurse who started in dialysis but quickly discovered that she preferred babies and transferred to the neonatal ICU. She worked at Rockford Memorial and Northwest Regional. In the span of her 20-plus year career, she helped thousands of the smallest and sickest babies as a high-risk NICU nurse. After 24 years in Rockford, Gayle and Bob moved to Northwest Arkansas and built their dream house on Beaver Lake. They spent 16 years in Arkansas before moving back to Wisconsin to be closer to family when her grandkids were born.

She loved her dogs and was known for rescuing strays. She kept several and treated and found homes for many. Gayle was known for her love of chocolate. Cake and ice cream were not uncommon for breakfast; and her grandkids all knew that Nana had stockpiles of sweets. She also enjoyed swimming, boat rides, black and white movies, and playing cards and board games — she was a part of a bridge group for many years. She loved playing with grandkids and spending time with her family.

A celebration of Gayle’s life will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018, at Christ the King Lutheran Church (1600 North Genessee St. ( Hwy. C), Delafield, Wis. 53018) at 11 a.m., with a visitation beforehand starting at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at https://www.lbda.org/donate.

Gayle will be missed by many and forgotten by none.