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 — Robert Carol Sykes, 86, of Bella Vista passed away Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018. Mr. Sykes was born in Tulsa, Okla., on Aug. 14, 1932, to the late Alfred and Dora Franklin Sykes. Robert was also preceded by his wife of nearly 65 years, Irene Sykes; his three brothers and two sisters. Following graduation, he proudly served in the U.S. Army and then began his career as an offset printer until his retirement. He enjoyed playing guitar, singing bluegrass and barbershop and cheering the Razorbacks, Cowboys and Braves. Robert was a longtime member of Rogers First Church of the Nazarene where he was very active in their choir and ensembles. Survivors include his sons, Daryl Sykes (Lynette) of Bella Vista, Jeff Sykes (Jeane) of Oklahoma City and Ron Sykes (Doronda) of Harrah, Okla.; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren (and two more on the way); extended family members and dear friends. Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. His funeral will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 7, at Rogers First Church of the Nazarene with interment at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Fayetteville National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at RollinsFuneral. com. BENTONVILLE — Velma Mary Gildehaus, 92, journeyed home on Jan. 4, 2019, to join the Lord and her beloved family that preceded her. Velma was born to Joseph and Cecilia Klenke, Feb. 13, 1926 in Union, Mo. She moved from Union to Grain Valley, Mo., in 1985, and then moved to Bentonville in 1990, where she resided 29 years. She was born into the Catholic faith and remained a devout member of the church, (most recently St. Stephen’s of Bentonville), until her passing. A new family began from Velma when she married Walter August Gildehaus of Washington, Mo. They met in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he was stationed for the Army and training to be a combat engineer prior to serving in World War II; she was volunteering with the USO at the time. They married on June 8, 1946, after he returned from the War. Velma was preceded in death by Walter, her husband of 44 years; her parents, Joseph and Cecilia Klenke; her brother, Ralph, Clarence and Elmer; her sister, Grace and Alma; her eldest son, Michael W. Gildehaus; and son-in-law, Tom D. Fleer. She is survived by eight of her nine children (and in-laws), Donna Fleer, John (Carrie) Gildehaus, Steve (Debbie) Gildehaus, Roger (Christie) Gildehaus, Marsha Campbell, Lynn (Dan) Mechura, Pam (Tony) Corbett, and Craig (Sharon) Gildehaus; her 22 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. Velma Mary Gildehaus will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother whose life was filled with faith and family. A visitation will be held on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, from 3-5 p.m. at Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville. A second visitation will be in Union, Mo., on Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Oltmann Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church in Union. Burial to follow at Midlawn Memorial Gardens. Online condolences can be made at www.callisonlough. com. BENTONVILLE — Edna Myrle Verser Harmon of Bentonville passed away in her home on Jan. 4, 2019. Edna was born at home in the Brownsville Community near Heber Springs on Oct. 13, 1919. She was the daughter of William Ernest and Blanche Files Verser. She graduated from Heber Springs High School in 1938. On May 19, 1945, Edna married Dennie Avril Harmon of Heber Springs. Edna had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Rogers. She taught school in a one-room schoolhouse in the community of Shiloh near Heber Springs, worked with the war effort as a Rosie the Riveter during WWII in Oklahoma City, Okla., and worked alongside Dennie on their Bentonville farm that they purchased in 1960. She retired from Bentonville Public School food service. She was an active member of the Morning Star Home Extension Club, and enjoyed cooking and gardening. Edna’s current home, located in Bentonville, has one of the largest Black Walnut trees in the state. She was known for picking kernels out of the walnuts to make cakes and pies. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers, Wayne and Wendal Verser; and sister, Della Mae Verser. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her, including her three sons and daughters-in-law: Dennis and Barbara Harmon of Bentonville, James and Sandy Harmon of Jonesboro, Rodney and Janie Harmon of Thompson Falls, Mont.; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jeremy) Sharpshair, Dustin (Dawn) Harmon, Mackalynn (Chris) Davidson, Kyle (Mayra) Harmon, Heath (Aubry) Harmon, Jacily (Tyler) Baugh, Lindsey (Adam) Franklin, Trent (Sarah) Harmon; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters, Freeda Cothren of Heber Springs, Norma Lynn Bailey of Mountain Home; brother, Bryce (Mary Lou) Verser of Conway; and sister-in-law Willene Verser of Heber Springs. A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, at Benton County Memorial Park in Rogers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Edna’s name to Grace Baptist Church at www. gbcrogers.com/giving.html or to the Cleburne County Historical Society at 102 East Main St., Heber Springs, Ark. 72543. BENTONVILLE — Chief Petty Officer Edward L. Patchell, 80, passed away Jan. 3, 2019, in Rogers. He was born March 10, 1938, in Rogers, the son of Robert and Opal Hegwood Patchell. Edward served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. He was also a member of the D.A.V., the V.F.W., and he enjoyed playing the guitar and reading. Edward supported many organizations. He is preceded in death by his parents; one son, Ricky; his siblings, Mary Ellen Williamson and Leslie McDaniel. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Patchell, of the home; children, Kevin and Mark Patchell, Laura Powers; stepchildren, William Moore, Gene Ann Mason and Don Maxey; several grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends. Visitation Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, from 2 to 3 p.m. with services beginning at 3 p.m. at Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Military honors will follow service. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneral home.com. PADEN, Okla. — Clinton “Clint” Alan Jones, age 40, was born in Fayetteville, Ark., on Dec. 11, 1978, and departed this life in Shawnee, Okla., on Dec. 30, 2018. Clint was the son of Curtis “Alan” and Laura Sue (Posey) Jones. Clint grew up in Northwest Arkansas, graduating from Siloam Springs High School. He and his wife, Sara, made their home in Paden, Okla., and have two children together. Clint was a loving husband and father and enjoyed watching his children grow up. Clint loved being outside. Clint was an avid calf roper, team roper and hunter. He and his family hosted a turkey hunt where they were honored to be involved with the Foundation for Exceptional Warriors. Clint had a great impact on many and will be missed. Clint is survived by his loving wife, Sara; his daughter, Lilly; and his son, Cashton of the home. He is also survived by his father, Alan Jones and wife Brenda Jones of Farmington, Ark.; his mother, Laura Jones of Paden; his brother, Curt Jones of Paden; and his father-in-law and mother-inlaw, Mark and Christy Spears of Cincinnati, Ark. Clint’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Foundation for Exceptional Warriors. Donations can be made at www.exceptionalwarriors. org. A fund has also been set up for Clint’s children at BancFirst. HOUSTON, Texas — On Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, Patricia Kay Clark, loving wife and mother of two children, passed away surrounded by family at the age of 62. Pat was born on July 15, 1956, in St. Francis, Kan., to David Joe Bush and Dianna Fern (Tofflemoyer) Clegg. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Kearney State College, her master’s degree in Food Science from the University of Arkansas and worked as a food scientist in product development for 20-plus years. On June 12, 1982, she married the love of her life, Timothy Hunter Clark and they raised two daughters, Rachel and Naomi. Pat had a passion for bird watching, staying active and traveling, and spent the last few years of her life RVing around the country with Tim. She was known for her infectious smile, her fight and love for life and her kind and compassionate spirit. Pat was preceded in death by her father, Dave. She is survived by her mother, Dianna; husband, Tim; her two children, Rachel and Naomi; three brothers; and several cousins; nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, at Sequoyah United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Ark. at 1 o’clock p.m. Please send donations to metavivor.org in lieu of flowers.