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 — Jonathan David Fraka, 32, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away Jan. 1, 2019. He was born March 23, 1986, in Rogers, Ark. He was Catholic. Survived by his parents, Jon and Patti Fraka; brother, Jason Fraka; and his grandmother, Barbara Rountree. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com. BENTON — Jean Ann Moles, 74, of Benton, died Jan. 2, 2019, in the Saline Health System Hospice Unit. Predeceasing her were her parents, John W. and Matta Jean McDonald; paternal grandparents, Arch and Hallie Denman McDonald; maternal grandparents, Clarence and Grace Taylor Ratcliff. She is survived by her husband, J. Louis Moles, Jr., and three “critters” (Abe, Hu, and Little Bit) of the home; and her sister, Sue Ellen Montgomery (Ron) of Siloam Springs. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she enjoyed watching grow into adulthood as long as she didn’t have to change their diapers. Jean Ann was born in Gentry while her father was elsewhere engaged with the Battle of the Bulge. Following WWII, the family settled in Huntsville. She graduated from Huntsville High School in 1962, University of Arkansas Fayetteville (B.A.) in 1966, and LSU (Master’s in Library Science) in 1970. All her life, she had a love for books and reading, leading to a work history from librarian/associate professor at the Peabody School Library of the UAF College of Education to 30 years service at the UAMS Medical Library in Little Rock. Following her retirement from UAMS in 2004, she joined the Saline County Master Gardeners achieving SCMG Rookie of the Year in 2006, SCMG Master Gardener of the Year in 2010, and along the way three terms as SCMG president. She was on the board of the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show serving as secretary. She spent countless hours tending “her” corners in downtown Benton and digging plants to save them from approaching construction activities. And the educational training. And then the tours, domestic and foreign. Jean Ann loved every minute of it. A perfect retirement. Throughout her life, Jean Ann had strong mentors and friends, some of whom got her involved in the creation of the Arkansas chapter of the National Organization of Women (NOW) and later creation of the Little Rock Rape Crisis Center. She was justifiably proud of being one of the “founding mothers” of these two organizations. At the request of Jean Ann, the body will be cremated and the ashes scattered at appropriate locations in Arkansas. There will be no service. If you knew Jean Ann and wish to honor her, you can mentor someone; you can befriend someone; you can become involved. She was a ray of sunshine. Next time you meet someone else who knew Jean Ann, share a couple of “Jean Ann stories”. You will separate with smiles on your faces. Online guest book at www. ashbyfuneralhome.com. BENTONVILLE — William Welton, 72, of Bentonville passed away Jan. 2, 2019. Born Oct. 31, 1947, in Patuxent River, Maryland. He served in the United States Army and was a loving husband and father. Preceded in death by his wife, Judy Ann Welton. Survived by a stepson, Ryan Sunday and three grandchildren. Graveside service with full military honors 12 noon, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers; www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com. PARIS — Dessie Oxford, 95, of Paris, Ark., passed away on Monday. Visitation: 2-4 p.m. on Sunday at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris under the direction of Roller Funeral Home. Complete obituary at www.rollerfuneral homes.com/paris. GRINNELL, Iowa — Bob E. Christensen, 84, of Grinnell, Iowa, and formerly of Bella Vista, died on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, at his home following a short illness. Mass of the Resurrection has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Grundy Center, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will begin prior to the service at 9 a.m. at the church with a Rosary to be said at 10 a.m. PINEVILLE, Mo. — Dr. Carol Littrell Luhn (Ost), 93, of Pineville, Mo., passed away on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at her Big Sugar Creek residence with her loving family by her side. Carol was born in St. Louis, Mo., to the late, Carl and Ruth (Bainum) Schoen. She lived her early years in the Bainum family home in Fort Scott, Kan., with her beloved grandfather, “Bompie.” When Dink Littrell came into Ruth’s life they moved to Coffeyville, Kan., where she learned to love horses, football, cards, the outdoors and adventure. During World War II, inspired by the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), Carol joined the Civil Air Patrol, and learned to fly, soloing in 1945. As an undergraduate at the University of Arkansas immediately after World War II, she helped to reopen the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, where she made many lifelong friends. After graduation, Carol married Nolan Luhn in Coffeyville, Kan., spending their first year in Green Bay, Wis., where he played his final year for the Green Bay Packers. The Luhns eventually returned fulltime to their farm in Coffeyville, and along the way came son, David and daughter, Chrissie. In 1972, Carol married Dr. Mark D. Ost and his six children. She lived very happily in her wonderful Black Swan Lake home in Shawnee, Kan., until she moved with Mark to their retirement Pineville “cabin” in 2005. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Dr. Mark Dean Ost; her parents, Carl Schoen, Ruth and Warren “Dink” Littrell, a sister, Melissa Ann Littrell; and two stepsons, Christopher and Daniel Ost. Carol is survived by her two children, David Luhn and his wife, Kathy; daughter Dr. Christina Luhn, and Emily (Ost) Akers and husband, Jared; Kevin Ost and wife Connie; Lisa (Ost) Lasker; Jeff Ost and wife Ranae; and 15 amazing grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Share with us a celebration of Carol’s life, and what a life, on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Anderson Chappell of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Mo. Interment will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, at the Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville, Kan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to: CROW - Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, Florida http://www.crowclinic.org/ donate/tribute; Crowder College Foundation https://www. crowder.edu/foundation/ ways-to-give/; Alzheimer’s Association alz.org. 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 Anderson, Mo. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Venita Lee Baker, 76, of Springfield, Mo., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, in Springfield. She was born Oct. 19, 1942, in Fayetteville. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Edna Blair and husband, William Baker. Venita is survived by a daughter, Debra Craig (Darren); a brother, Bill Blair (Lois); a grandson, Matthew Rose; two nieces, Trish Jeffries and Tammy Stone; three nephews, Charlie and Jerry Huckaby and Ben Blair; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at Baptist Ford Cemetery under the direction of Beard’s Chapel. There is no scheduled visitation. Condolences at www. beardsfuneralchapel.com.