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 — Brandon Lee Vargas, age 24, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. Brandon was born April 5, 1994, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Joseph and Teresa Vargas.

Brandon attended Bentonville High School and worked at AMC Theaters. Brandon was father to Gianna Brynleigh Vargas-Revolorio.

Brandon enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was a best friend to many. Brandon was best known for his ability to make everyone around him laugh, and he absolutely loved and adored his daughter, Gigi.

Preceding Brandon in death were his grandmother, Allen Lee Malone; great-grandmother, Dorothy Lee Coffman; uncle, Robert Eugene Jenkins; and grandfather, Ronald Eugene Jenkins.

Survivors include his parents, Joseph Salvatore and Teresa Karen Vargas of Bella Vista, Ark.; sister, Dawn Marie Hedrick of Harrison, Ark.; sister, Christen Renee Gallardo of Gravette, Ark.; brother, Joseph Salvatore Vargas, II of Bentonville, Ark.; daughter, Gianna Brynleigh Revolorio-Vargas; grandfather, Arthur T. Malone of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; grandparents, Randal and Karen Vargas of Independence, Mo.; grandmother, Kathleen Jenkins of Stover, Mo.; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Brandon Lee Vargas was held Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, at 1 p.m. at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home in El Dorado Springs, Mo., with Rev. Ron Marsh officiating. Interment followed in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Joseph Vargas II, Christopher Hedrick, Juan Gallardo, Henry Jones, Juan Vielma, and Theodore Brown. Honorary pallbearers were: Dawn Hedrick, Christen Gallardo.

Online condolences may be left on our website at: www.blandhackleman.com.

BENTONVILLE — Opal (Heape) Hatch, 94, of Bentonville, Ark. Opal was born Aug. 21, 1924, in Mound Valley, Kan., to Charles and Lillie Lawrence Heape. She graduated in 1943 from Hutchinson, Kan., high school and was a member of the Bentonville Seventh Day Adventist Church. Preceded in death by her husband Delford; siblings Charles Jr., Paul and Elmer Heape, Ethelyn Dunham, Estella Nevitt, Alma Jean Miller, Alpha Myers, Dorothy May Kauffman and Esther Miller. Survived by several nieces and nephews. Graveside service 11 a.m. Thursday; Feb. 28, 2019, at Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, Kan. Memorial contributions to the church. Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N, 4th, Rogers. www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.

BOONEVILLE — Theresa (Dart) Hurt, 73, a resident of Booneville passed away Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Graveside services will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Booneville. Burial will follow under the direction of Booneville Funeral Service.

Online obituary and guest book are available at www.booneville funeralservice.com.

LITTLE ROCK — George Olin Jernigan Jr., 79, of Little Rock passed away Feb. 24, 2019. He was born Sept. 22, 1939, in Little Rock to the late George Olin Jernigan and Ann Morrill Jernigan.

He was predeceased by his brother Ed Crocheron and niece Marci Crocheron.

George leaves behind many close lifelong friends.

George graduated from Little Rock Central High before attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he was a Sigma Chi and a Drum Major in the Marching Band. After receiving his JD from the University of Arkansas Law School, he joined the U.S. Army and obtained the rank of Captain. After serving his country, George returned to Little Rock and entered the private practice of law. He was a distinguished attorney and served as general counsel for Ward Industries in Conway as well as general counsel for the Arkansas Health Care Association.

Always active in politics, George believed it was a way for him to serve his state which he so dearly loved. He helped many friends succeed within the political arena. In 1975 he was appointed the Arkansas Secretary of State by then Governor David Pryor. He served in this position for two years fulfilling the term of Kelly Bryant. George later served from 1991-1994 as the chair of The Democratic Party of Arkansas, during the time of President Clinton’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention.

George always maintained his love for the Sigma Chi Fraternity serving as a mentor to many Sigma Chi members as well as Chapter Advisor to Omega Omega Chapter and served as Grand Praetor of the national Sigma Chi Fraternity and Grand Trustee. He was nationally recognized for his many years of service to the Fraternity.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Ruebel Funeral Home with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sigma Chi Central Arkansas Alumni Chapter, P.O. Box 7591, Little Rock, Ark. 72217-7591.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebel funeralhome.com.

PEA RIDGE — Barbara Carr, 82, of Pea Ridge passed away peacefully on Feb. 23 in Rogers. Services will be held in Normandy, Tenn., on March 23, 2019, and in California; location and date to be determined. Local arrangements by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge. Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.

SPRINGDALE — Roy Duane Evans, 64, of Springdale, died Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at Willard Walker Hospice in Fayetteville. A memorial service will be 6 p.m. this evening, Feb. 26, at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel. Online obituary and guest book at www.heritageofnwa.com.

SPRINGDALE — Paul Edgar Jones, of Springdale, passed away on Feb. 22, 2019, at age 90. Born Feb. 24, 1928, in Monte Ne, Ark., to George and Ethel (Pickenpaw) Jones.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Floyd Jones and Carl Jones.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen of Springdale; grandchildren, Shawn, John, James, Joe, Charles, and Jennifer; 18 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Wayne Jones.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 12 noon with funeral service at 1 p.m. at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Friendship Cemetery in Springdale.

Condolences may be given online at www.nelsonberna. com.

SPRINGDALE — Phillip Don Owens, 64, of Springdale passed away Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at Northwest Medical Center. He was born Sept. 16, 1954, in Springdale, Ark., to Oscar and Alma Owens.

Phillip worked at Schmeiding Produce for 36 years. He loved fishing and gardening flowers, his pride was taking care of his yard. Phillip also loved spending time with his grandkids and teaching them how to swim and play ball.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Steve Owens.

Survivors include his wife, Reba Owens; one son, Zac Owens of West Fork; and one daughter, Misty Seals and husband Chuck of Mulberry; two brothers, Larry Owens of Clifty and wife Barbara as well as Gary Owens and wife Carol of Springdale; three grandchildren, Mackenzie, Colin, and Carter.

The service will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Sisco Funeral Chapel at 11 a.m. The officiants will be Pastor Larry Chapman and David Mayhue. A visitation will be held Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sisco Chapel.

Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral. com

SPRINGDALE — Richard Stirling, age 82, of Springdale, died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Richard is preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Brenita Stirling. Richard is survived by two stepsons, Eddie Cox and Steve Cox. Richard was a truck driver and a Marine veteran.

Online condolences www. WestfieldChapel.com.

NOEL, Mo. — Cineca Spring Keck, 39, passed away on Feb. 23, 2019, in Little Rock. She was born on Dec. 20, 1979, in Rogers to Dennis Keck and Vickie (Presley) Theiss.

She owned and operated Dreamin’ in Detail and Roxx Productions in Fayetteville.

Cineca was preceded in death by her brother, Thomas C. Theiss.

She is survived by her loving son, Lennon Newburn of Rogers; father, Dennis and wife, Donna of Missouri; mother, Vickie of Rogers; sister, Savannah Theiss of Rogers; and many extended relatives.

Her visitation will be on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, from 5 until 7 in Rollins Funeral Home Chapel. A graveside service will be on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 10:30 a.m. in Bluff Cemetery in Springdale.

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

SELIGMAN, Mo. — Mildred Faye Haught, 86, of Seligman, Mo., died Feb. 23, 2019, at her home. She was born Oct. 6, 1932, in Lamar, Ark., to Raymond Guy Whitworth and Eva Leona Chesser Whitworth.

She was a homemaker and enjoyed quilting, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, flower gardening and cooking. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Pea Ridge and later in Neosho.

She is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Floyd Rusher, second husband, Doyle Roller, third husband, Treva Haught; a son, Kenneth Rusher; a brother, Ronny Whitworth; two sisters, Lola Degler and Carolyn Whitworth.

Survivors are two sons, Keith Rusher of Avoca, Paul Rusher of Jacket, Mo.; a daughter, Paula Gilbertson, of Rogers; a brother, Charles Whitworth of Trafalgar, Ind.; two sisters, Doris Daugherty of Franklin, Ind., Juanita Thompson of Morgantown, Ind.; three grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Service is set for 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at Pea Ridge Church of Christ with Danny Boggs officiating.

Arrangements are by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge. Burial will be in Pea Ridge Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

TECUMSEH, Neb. — Mary Ruth Whitbeck, 90, Tecumseh, Neb., formerly of Lincoln, Neb., died Feb. 23, 2019. Funeral service: 10 a.m. Thursday (2-28-19) Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive, Lincoln, Neb.

Visitation with family present from 6-8 p.m. at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel.

Condolences online at Roperandsons.com.