Obituaries

BELLA VISTA — Ewart Gene Scarff passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018.

He was preceded in death by his wife and soul mate, Elizabeth Scarff, in 2014. He is survived by daughters, Debbie Perdzock and LeAnn Smith, granddaughters, Hayley Perdzock and Lindsey Goza, and grandsons, Holt Perdzock and Aaron Smith. He is also survived by his sister Marianna McKee, and brothers, Tom Scarff and David Scarff.

Ewart and Liz enjoyed 55 years together. The lived in many different cities and states and made lasting friendships wherever they lived. They moved to Bella Vista in 2002. Ewart loved living on the lake, getting out in the boat and playing golf.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18 at the First United Methodist Church, 20 Boyce Drive, Bella Vista, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista.

Arrangements are provided by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

BELLE VISTA — Timothy Ryan McCauley, 41, passed away at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Booneville on Aug. 12, 2018.

He enjoyed riding four-wheelers and fishing. He was disabled and of the non-denominational faith.

Memorial services will be held in Bentonville, Ark., at River of Life Church at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018.

He is survived by his mother, Rhonda Jones McCauley of Arkansas; his father, Freddy McCauley and his wife, Sharon of Arkansas; (two) daughters, Kindra McCauley of Virginia and Marissa McCauley of Missouri; (two) brothers, Ben McCauley of Arkansas and Nathan McCauley of Booneville; step-brother, Brandon Morris of Mobile, Ala.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to Freedom Dream Center, P.O. Box 285, Mt. Vernon, Mo., 85712. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family @www.watersfuneralservice.com.

CENTERTON — Edward Allen Kincy, 66, of Centerton died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018. He was born Nov. 15, 1951, in Rogers, the son of Louise Helen McGinnis and Robert Kincy Jr.

He served in the U.S. Navy. Ed was an active member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. He enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals and the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was a lifetime resident of Northwest Arkansas. He worked for Walmart for 13 years, and retired working with AERT after over 10 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Ed is survived by his wife, Mary Austin Kincy; one daughter, Rebecca Michelle Kincy of Lincoln, Ark.; one sister, Debbie Huskey and her husband Randy of Rogers, Ark.; one grandson, three step-children, Sean Beach of Lakeland, Fla., Heather Beach of Nashville, Tenn., Jackie Beach May of Bentonville, Ark.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 at Epting Funeral Home Bentonville. A celebration of Ed’s life will be Saturday, Aug. 18 at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Centerton with Pastor Jheri Roberts officiating.

Graveside service will be Monday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. at National Cemetery in Fayetteville. Memorials may be sent to Billy Graham Association, or the Disabled American Veterans. Condolences: www. eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

FARMINGTON — Twila Jo Johnson, age 73, a resident of Farmington, Ark., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born Oct. 19, 1944, in Prairie Grove, Ark., the daughter of Hugh and Ruby (Allred) Wright.

She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband of 23 years, Jim D. Johnson; three sons, Billy Maughon and wife Patty of Bosier City, La., Mark Maughon and Donnie Maughon, both of Andalusia, Ala.; two stepsons, Jimmy D. Johnson and wife Laurie of Southhaven, Miss., and Dwight Johnson and wife Holli of Breaux Bridge, La.; one stepdaughter, Nicole Bynum; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Donald Wright of Lincoln, Ark.; one sister, Geraldine Kinion of Farmington, Ark.

The family will receive friends Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Luginbuel Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove, Ark. Burial will be in the Farmington Cemetery, there will be no graveside service held. Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com.

LITTLE ROCK — Ronald A. Robinson of Little Rock, veteran communications professional and namesake of the library theater in the River Market District, died Aug. 14 following a lengthy illness. He was 75.

Ron was former chairman and chief executive officer of CJRW, a full-service marketing and communications firm in Little Rock. His storied career at the agency began as a college intern. He then joined the firm full-time in 1970 and stayed until his retirement in 1996.

During his tenure, CJRW became the largest advertising agency in Arkansas and its list of clients read like a “who’s-who” in Arkansas business and politics. It is an understatement to say that his partnership with Wayne Cranford, Jim Johnson, Shelby Woods and Wayne Woods was highly successful.

Rising to the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force, Ron was awarded a Bronze Star in Vietnam and also received the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1969 for his support of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

He was a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism. While there, he served as editor of the school newspaper, The Arkansas Traveler.

In addition, the late Orville Henry, sports editor of the

Arkansas Gazette, hired Ron as a stringer to cover Razorback sports. It was probably the most enviable job on campus. Ron later studied public relations at Boston University’s Graduate School of Public Communications.

Ron kept a busy schedule at work, arriving early and staying late. What free time he had was spent as an avid collector of U.S. postage stamps, vintage movie posters and Arkansas political and historical memorabilia. He enjoyed showing his collection to friends at his home, which many friends compared to a cozy museum.

Ron’s public relations skills have left lasting legacies for Arkansas. In 1986, the year of Arkansas’ sesquicentennial, he arranged for his client Arkansas Power & Light Company (now Entergy Arkansas) to underwrite the writing and production of a commemorative song as a gift to the state. The song, Arkansas, You Run Deep in Me, was written and sung by Ron’s college roommate, Wayland Holyfield, now a country music writer and recording artist in Nashville, Tenn. Ron’s brainchild was an instant hit and in 1987, the Arkansas legislature named it an official song of the state.

In 1993, he was appointed to the U.S. Postal Service’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee by the U.S. Postmaster General. The group is responsible for providing recommendations of topics to be shown on all U.S. postage stamps. During his 15-year membership, he was involved in the creation and production of more than 1,750 postage stamp issues. Ron used his influence to make certain Arkansas was the subject of several new postage stamps.

At one time, Ron owned almost 18,000 movie posters featuring everything from silent movies to current motion pictures. Of those, 200 posters have an Arkansas tie, and many were donated by Robinson through the years to the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS).

In 2014, CALS opened a new $10 million, 315-seat state-of-the-art theater in the Arcade Building at Little Rock’s River Market and named the new venue Ron Robinson Theater in honor of Robinson’s generosity and his many years of service to CALS. Its grand opening spanned several days to accommodate Ron’s many friends.

The list of Ron’s awards and accolades are too numerous to list. Among them were “Business Executive of the Year” by Arkansas Business, and the Aluminum Award (now Crystal Award) by the Arkansas Chapter, Public Relations Society of America for lifetime service. He was also honored for his numerous professional accomplishments by the American Advertising Federation, North American Advertising Network, Public Relations Society of America, the International Association of Business Communicators and the National Public Relations Network.

The University of Arkansas Alumni Association honored Ron in 1997 with its Community Service Award, which is presented annually to a UA graduate whose volunteer leadership has contributed significantly to the advancement of civic, state and national progress. He was honored in 2005 as a “Distinguished Alumnus” of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and “The Ronald A. Robinson Scholarship” was established for deserving journalism students at UA.

Ron was predeceased by his parents, Edgar (Putt) and Martha Robinson. He is survived by a son, Reid Robinson; Reid’s wife, Jennifer; granddaughters, Lauren Greer and Arden Katherine Robinson; a cousin, Allen Scott of Jenks, Okla.; and a host of extended family, friends and professional acquaintances.

The family will hold a private graveside service Friday, Aug. 17, at Mount Holly Cemetery, followed at 5 p.m. by a celebration of his remarkable life at the Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), 100 Rock Street, Little Rock, Ark., 72201, or to the Ron Robinson Scholarship, c/o University of Arkansas School of Journalism and Strategic Media, 116 Kimpel Hall, Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. Arrangements under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

PRAIRIE GROVE — Chan Shafer, 69, of Prairie Grove passed into the Lord’s keeping Aug. 9, 2018, in Fayetteville surrounded by family. She was born Sept. 18, 1948, to Donald P. and Leota (Parscale) Sanders.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother; and her husband, Bill, the love of her life. She retired from Walmart as a customer service manager. Chan loved spending time with her family.

Chan is survived by a daughter, Michelle Leach (Tim Center) of Prairie Grove; a son, Troy Shafer (Julie) of West Fork; grandkids, Michael Leach (Audra White), Amber Leach (Shane Murray), Janalee Shafer (Matthew Canfield), Justin Shafer, Mary-Ann Holm and LeRoy Holm; great-grandkids, Jaiden Leach and Lainey Murray; a brother, Don and Rosalyn Sanders; and a sister, Rena and John Shafer, both of Kansas City, Mo.

The family would like to thank her caregivers, Alesha and Rachel and her home health nurse, Jeremiah for taking such good care of our mom. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, at Beard’s Chapel. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, at Beard’s Chapel with John Shafer officiating. Interment will follow in West Fork Cemetery under the direction of Beard’s Chapel. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel. com.

SPRINGDALE — Sandra Lee Perry, age 69, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, at Walnut Grove Nursing Home in Springdale. She was born on April 28, 1949, in Fayetteville, Ark., to Curtis “Pete” and Betty (McCoy) Fredrick.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Butch Fredrick.

Sandra had a heart of pure gold and shared a strong love with everyone she knew. She was a good leader and was very involved in her church. She was a caretaker for many people including helping her husband run a successful business. Sandra loved farming, gospel music, and singing, but most of all, she loved being a grandmother and poured her life into her family.

She is survived by her loving husband, Tom Perry of the home; her three daughters, Missy Clark and husband Gary of Winslow, Londy Sherrill and husband Tony of Springdale, and Loretta Jaro and husband Steven of Springdale; her sister and best friend, Vanessa Stevens and husband Larry; her six grandchildren, Nikki McCutcheon, Thomas McCutcheon, Cassie Cram and husband Jacob, Clay Sherrill, Mason Jaro, and Stevie Jaro; one great-granddaughter, Evyn Cram; a very special niece and nephew that she raised like her own children, Charlie Fredrick and Debra Clark; many other nieces and nephews; and a very special friend, Jenette Porter.

A visitation will be held from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. Interment will follow immediately at Zion Cemetery in Springdale. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America at www.dementiasociety.org/vascular-dementia. To place online tributes, visit www.nelsonberna.com.

SPRINGDALE — It is with great sadness that the family of Kenneth Lloyd Stith announces his passing on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, at the age of 56. Kenny was born in Springdale, Ark., a son of Lonnie Stith and Roberta (Croxton) Stith.

First and foremost, Kenny was a family man. He enjoyed dancing with this lovely wife, spending time with his little grandson Croxton, and was looking forward to the pending arrival of two granddaughters, Ella Jane Vest and Ayda Mae Stith.

He enjoyed working with his mother on their farm in Madison County. He worked tirelessly to improve the production of the farm and took pride in his many accomplishments — we all did. What started with a few chickens and a couple of pigs grew into a full-fledged working farm with a variety of animals and poultry. He and his mom could be found most Saturdays at the Huntsville Farmers’ Market selling eggs, chickens, and pork.

Kenny was a husband, son, brother, dad, grandfather, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend. With every role he had in life, he brought, kindness, compassion, dependability, wisdom and laughter. He could be relied upon to bring levity to every occasion.

There are no words to describe how Kenny’s loss affects his family and friends. There is a gaping hole in our lives. We won’t hear his laughter or see his sparkling two-tone green eyes again. The man we could turn to for any-and-everything — who quietly fixed every problem or concern presented to him — is gone.

He is preceded in death by his father and step-daughter, Holly Esther Hill. Kenny will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 12 years, Judy Diane (Hill) Stith of the home; mother, Roberta Stith of Wesley, Ark.; three children, Joshua Brenaman and wife Lauren of Springdale, Ark., Rebecca Vest and husband Josh of Fayetteville, Ark., and Zachary Stith of Springdale, Ark.; two step-children, Heather Travis and husband Jeremy and Shane Hill, all of Springdale, Ark.; brother, Gary Stith and wife Wendy of Springdale, Ark.; sister, Patty Stith and husband Kevin Early of Wasilla, Alaska; three grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Kenny will live on in our hearts and will be remembered fondly by everyone who ever met him.

Visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Homes in Springdale, Ark., Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, from 5-7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, at 2 p.m. Pastor David Dodson will officiate the service. Please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com to sign the online guest book.

CASSVILLE, Mo. — Cecil Raymond Treat, 92, of Cassville, Mo., passed away Aug. 14, 2018, at the home of his daughter and sonin-law, Donna and Howell Medders, in Fayetteville. He was born March 25, 1926, in Big Flat, Ark., to Arthur and Ethel Gray Treat.

He served in the Navy on the USS Freestone in the Pacific until the end of World War II. Before enlisting, he married his childhood sweetheart, Chlo Foster. She followed him by bus to San Diego and worked there until the war ended and he was discharged. They returned to Arkansas and he worked in the family stave mill business in various locations. He also owned and operated service stations in Marshall and Little Rock before beginning a 50-year career in the trucking business starting with Southwest Freight Lines in Little Rock. He moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1955 to work with Willis Shaw Express and then Jones Truck Lines until he retired. In 1976, the Treats moved from Springdale to Cassville where they owned the Park Road Court.

He was a member of the Mill Street Church of Christ, Cassville. He enjoyed playing guitar, especially songs written and sung by his wife. They traveled and camped in their RV across America.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years on March 24, 2018; his parents; four sisters; and five brothers. He is survived by one son, David Treat (Lori), Cassville; two daughters, Donna Medders (Howell), Fayetteville, and Chelle Treat Catron, Springfield, Mo.; two brothers, Alfred Treat, Branson, Mo., and Charles Treat, Springdale; five grandchildren, Corey Medders, Charlottesville, Va., Jon Medders, Fayetteville, Keisha Catron, Springfield, Mo., Tanner Thompson, Springfield, Mo., and Samantha Treat Woods, Cassville; five great-grandchildren, Chloe Joy Medders, Lara Bailey Medders, Adam Spencer Medders, Lexi Dawn Banks, and Lily Evelyn Woods.

Funeral will be Saturday, Aug. 18, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home, Springdale, with visitation at noon and service at 1 p.m. with Ken West of Mill Street Church of Christ, Cassville, officiating. Burial will be at Friendship Cemetery, Springdale. Memorials may be made to Mill Street Church of Christ, 1104 High St., Cassville, Mo., 65625, or the American Cancer Society.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Jared Randolph Pierce, 39, died Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at his home in Portland, Ore. Born in Pine Bluff, Ark., on Oct. 10, 1978, Jared was the eldest son of Evelyn Diane Schrantz and James Richard Pierce III. A celebration of Jared’s life will be held on Monday, Aug. 27 from 2-4 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home in Little Rock. A separate celebration will be scheduled in Portland, Ore., in October. Please visit www. holmansfuneralservice.com for the full obituary.