Obituaries

BELLA VISTA — JoAnn Kay Shaver, age 75, of Bella Vista died Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at Circle of Life Hospice House in Bentonville. She was born Sept. 15, 1943, in Altamont, S.D.

She was the second of eight children born to Clarence and Sylvia Hartsel. She went to school in Clear Lake, S.D., and graduated in 1961. She married Eugene Lee Shaver on May 24, 1964, in Clear Lake, S.D. They were married for 42 years before Eugene passed away in 2012.

In August 1966, she began her family with Tammy, then Scott in 1969. There were only two children until 1982 when Nathan was born. She, Eugene, and Nathan moved to Bella Vista, Ark., in 1996 where she lived until her passing.

She worked bringing “her babies” into the world as a nurse on the obstetrics ward until she retired in the mid 2000s. She was a great person and was always helping others.

When time allowed, she enjoyed going to Branson, Mo., to watch the entertainment and traveling to visit her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by husband Eugene and her parents.

She is survived by son Nathan and wife Jen of Bella Vista; son Scott and wife Diane of Albuquerque, N.M.; daughter Tammy and husband Alan of Aberdeen, S.D.; grandchildren Christopher, Tanya, Zachary, Brittany, Nolan, Christian, Joshua and Alexis; great-grandchildren Charli, Carter, Hayden and Aviyah; and her siblings.

Words can not express how much the family loves JoAnn, and she made her children the people they are today. The family loves you, always. Till we see you again some day. We love you. A celebration of life will be Friday, Oct. 11, 2019, at 1 p.m. at Fayetteville National Cemetery. Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home Bella Vista. Condolences: www.eptingfuneral home.webs.com.

FARMINGTON — Brenda D. Edgar Ramsey,

57, of Farmington, Ark., died Aug. 28, 2019, in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born May 15, 1962, in Van Buren, Ark.

Brenda found a real passion in nursing and helping other people, establishing a 20-pluse year career in the field. Brenda was a loving mother and grandmother; she will be missed dearly.

She was preceded in death by sister Kathy Nelson; brother Danny Ray Edgar and grandparents Johnny and Emogene Jones.

Survivors include her daughter, Jessica Hayes (Jason); life companion Dave Ramsey; two loved bonus

children, Kevin Ramsey (Christa) and Stacy Ramsey; mother Velma Darrow; six siblings; adoptive parents Bob and Mauria Aspell and their four children; 14 grandchildren and beloved childhood friend, Barbara Oliver.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time.

Condolences: stockdalemoodyfs.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Steven Ernest Burris

died suddenly Aug. 14. He was born Oct. 19, 1956. Steven had many friends, more than most anyone would. He was preceded in death by his father, James R. Burris, and by his beloved maternal grandparents, George and Frances Lewis. Steven is survived by his mother, Carol Brodnax, and by his sister, Dawn Holland of Brookings, Ore. Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home of Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE — Carolyn Williams

DeLille, age 91, passed away Aug. 27, 2019, in Fayetteville, Ark. Ms. DeLille was born Aug. 6, 1928, in Leslie, Ark., to her late parents, Robert E. Williams and Lola M. Williams.

She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where she worked for more than 25 years as the librarian in the chemistry department.

During her more than 40 years in Fayetteville, she was a long-time member of the Friends of the Fayetteville Public Library, the 20th Century Book Club, and the Central United Methodist Church.

Ms. DeLille was preceded in death by her husband, John B. DeLille, son John R. DeLille and sister Marjorie Hines.

She is survived by sister Suzanne Brockmeier; daughters Kymberly Patterson and Bianca DeLille; son-in-law Rogers Patterson; grandchildren Olivia Patterson, Jacob Patterson, Justin DeLille and wife Angela; and great-grandson Jackson DeLille.

The funeral service will be held at the Central United Methodist Church on Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. in Fayetteville, Ark. A graveside service will be held in Clinton, Ark. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Friends of the Fayetteville Library. To place an online tribute, visit www.nelsonberna.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Clifford Blaine Grisham,

age 49, passed away on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, at his Fayetteville home surrounded by family. Cliff was born Oct. 12, 1969, at Fort Knox, Ky., to William Garrett and Jan Evelyn Puckett Grisham.

He joined big sister Gael Elizabeth and much later welcomed baby sister, Ruth Marie.

He was an adventurer from the beginning, running everywhere and leaving chaos in his wake and earning himself the nickname “Cliff the Blur.” He was notorious for getting “lost” and other misadventures

which continually kept his parents on their toes.

He loved dogs, bikes, balls, and friends. In first grade, he became the defender of girls on the playground, often coming home with bloodied knuckles for downing the class bully and a sad heart for having to resort to such action. That character trait of fighting for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves followed him throughout life.

His family later moved to Arkansas, and Cliff began his elementary years in Clarksville before moving to Pulaski County Schools in fourth grade. He graduated from Sylvan Hills High School in 1988 in the top 10% of his class. He enrolled that fall at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville where five weeks into his freshman year he met the love of his life, Laura Gibson.

After a three-year courtship, the two were married Dec. 29, 1991, at Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista, Ark., and spent the entirety of their 27-year marriage in Fayetteville.

He graduated with a BSBA in accounting in May 1992 and began a long, successful career with Tyson the same year as a sales controller. He held a variety of positions at the corporate headquarters over the next two decades until 2013 when he stepped into the role of senior manager of sales development, which he held until his death.

Cliff considered his greatest accomplishment in life by far to be his family. He and Laura were blessed with four sons and one daughter, and he never turned down an opportunity to cheer them on from the sidelines or coach one of their baseball or soccer teams.

Cliff was funny and fun-loving and was always the life of the party at any gathering where he happened to be present. He was a man of great character – solid, steady, dependable, loyal and wise. He was the most devoted and steadfast husband and father ever. When his and Laura’s firstborn child was born with special needs, he faced the new challenges with courage and patience.

After other children were added to the family, Cliff often oversaw Caleb’s care during family outings and vacations. His faith was also a very important part of life as well. Cliff professed faith in Jesus Christ at age 4 and was baptized at age 12. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Fayetteville for more than 30 years.

He was preceded in death by grandparents Blaine and Ruth Puckett of Sayre, Okla., and Olen and Gladys Grisham of Rockwall, Texas, and beloved uncle Clifford Garrett.

He is survived by his wife, Laura; sons Caleb, Bryton, Ethan and Soren Grisham; daughter Delia Grisham, all of Fayetteville; parents Bill and Jan Grisham of Fort Gibson, Okla.; sisters Gael Nichols (Therron) and five children of Morris, Okla., and Ruth (Brian) Garrison and two children of Oklahoma City, Okla.; mother-in-law Nancy Gibson of Fayetteville; brothers-in-law Anders (Julie) Gibson of Houston, Texas, and three children, and Brian Gibson and his four children of Virginia.

In addition, he leaves behind a large family of

Tyson coworkers known affectionately as “Cliffy’s Crew” who have supported the Grisham family through innumerable acts of kindness and generosity during Cliff’s year-long battle with liver cancer.

Visitation will be held Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, from 5-8 p.m. at First Baptist Church Fayetteville, 20 E. Dickson St., Fayetteville, Ark. A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at First Baptist Church Fayetteville.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Grisham Children Education Fund in care of Laura Grisham, and reference the account ending in 425. Donations can be left at Moore’s Chapel, deposited at any Arvest Bank with the above account name and number or sent to Grisham Family c/o Kristin Allen, Tyson Foods, 2200 W. Don Tyson Parkway, CP 581, Springdale, Ark., 72702. To place an online tribute visit www.mooresfuneralchapel. com.

LOWELL — John

Edward Martfeld of Lowell passed away Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at 8:26 p.m. in his home. John was born Nov. 9, 1941, to Bill and Merle Martfeld, and hopefully has now been taken up to the Lord.

Born in Bridgeport, Neb., at three years old John got out of there as fast as he could and moved to Northwest Arkansas with his parents, where he spent the remainder of his life.

John was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church for over 70 years. At age 17 he helped the church organize its first Catholic Youth Organization, of which his children were later members. He was also a charter member of the Knights of Columbus at the church.

In 1964 John married his wife, Roseann. Later, in 1975, John and Roseann bought a little drive-in restaurant together and the built the Prairie Creek Hickory House into one of the most prosperous restaurants in Northwest Arkansas. Over their 26 years of ownership, they had the privilege of serving three U.S. presidents and numerous notables from politics and entertainment. After selling the Hickory House in 2001, John went into real estate sales and then retired in 2012.

During the past six years, he had the pleasure of driving a school bus and enjoyed this time and his interaction with children.

John loved fishing, canoeing, and gardening. He and Roseann also enjoyed traveling to various countries over the years.

John is survived by his wife, Roseann, his three children and four grandchildren: Kimberly and Thor Larsen and daughters Kristin and Taylor; Shannon and Wally Samples; and John and Cathy Martfeld and their sons, Connor and Colton. He is also survived by six siblings and their families: Joyce and Don Barthman; Barbara and Monte Bell; Tom and Ronna Martfeld; Joe and Tess Martfeld; Jim and Judy Martfeld; and Chris and Sara Martfeld.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 6 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in

Rogers. Burial will follow in St. Vincent’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate, and to Circle of Life Hospice at nwacircleoflife.com/ donatesupport. Arrangements are by Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers. Online condolences may be made www.RollinsFuneral. com.

ROGERS — Reba Mae Love, age 93, of Rogers passed away Aug. 30, 2019, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Budd Love. Reba is survived by his son, Mark Love (Trish) of Rogers and her daughter Nancy Daniel (Rick) of Springdale; grandchildren Rick Daniel (Jenny), Justin Daniel (Chantale), Heather Edge (Brad), Michelle Madden (Aaron), Joe Love (Erin) and eight great grandchildren.

A true native of Rogers, Reba was born on North Third Street and was a faithful member of First Christian Church (DOC) of Rogers. She was executive secretary at Daisy Manufacturing until her retirement.

A private family gathering was held celebrating Reba’s life.

The family requests that memorial contributions my be made to Circle of Life, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark., 72762.

ROGERS — Laura Elizabeth (Doebele) McKibbon

of Rogers, Ark., passed away Aug. 21, 2019. She was born May 5, 1966, in Kansas City, Mo., to Gary Robert and Hannah Louise

Doebele.

Laura grew up with her parents and brother in Leavenworth, Kan., and graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1984, when she relocated to Farmington, Ark. She returned to Leavenworth for a few years before relocating to Alaska in 1988.

Laura married Gary McKibbon in 1993 and her sons Skyler and Jordan were both born in Alaska in 1999 and 2003, respectively. In 2005, Laura and her family moved back to Arkansas where she resided until passing.

Laura had an entrepreneurial spirit, and worked to startup a number of businesses over the years. She loved life and especially her boys, but also loved animals.

She took in many stray animals over the years and cared for them all. Laura was always young at heart and loved to see her boys grow and flourish.

She will be missed by her sons Skyler Alan McKibbon and Jordan Robert Joseph McKibbon; mother Hannah Doebele; brother Daniel Doebele and wife Amy; boyfriend Shelby Steele, all of Rogers, Ark., and Daisy English and family in Fayetteville, Ark., plus hundreds of friends and extended family across Kansas, Alaska and Arkansas.

She was preceded in death by husband Gary Alan McKibbon in 2008, and her father, Gary Robert

Doebele, in 2014.

Services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 7 at Keypoint Church, 3700 Medical Center Pkwy., Bentonville, Ark., 72712. Donations may be made to the Jordan Skyler McKibbon Memorial, at any Arvest Bank, account ending 9037.

ROGERS — Troy Jay

Grigg, 85, of Rogers, Ark., passed away Aug. 29, 2019, at his home. He was born Dec. 12, 1933, in Marble, Ark., the son of the late Dell and Villa Miller Grigg.

He worked as a plumber and enjoyed whittling.

He was preceded in death by siblings Larry Grigg, Roy Grigg, Mary Lou Rogers, Lavalle Grigg, Pauline Todd and Willard Grigg.

He is survived by his wife, Katherine Sue Payne Grigg, of the home; children Ricky Grigg of Rogers, Ark., Theresa Lynn Scott of Seattle, Wash., Joan Irene Johnson of Spokane, Wash., and Randy Dean Williams of Merced, Calif.; siblings James (Karen) Grigg, Clayton (Peggy) Grigg, Samuel Wesley (Linda) Grigg, and Linda Lou (Larry) Reley; and six grandchildren.

Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. Fourth St., Rogers, Ark. Online condolences can be made at www.benton countyfuneralhome.com.

TRUMBULL, Conn. —

Janice Caid Ryan, age 72, of Trumbull, Conn., formerly of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Born in Boston, Mass., the daughter of the late Robert and Virginia Carson Ryan Janice had lived in Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, and Arkansas.

After graduating with honors from Texas Woman’s University, she established a private practice as a family and marriage therapist.

A master gardener, Janice helped research and restore historical gardens. She was devoted to conservation, and as president of Master Gardeners helped to create an educational site devoted to teaching composting. She also was a lifelong dog lover.

A loving mother and grandmother, Janice is survived by son Gregory Janacek and wife Kaye Roe of Yuma, Ariz.; daughter Mary Janacek and husband Skylar Smith of Fairfield, Conn.; grandchildren John and Zach Janacek, Harper and Casey Smith and Jake Janacek; sister Molly McFall and husband Humphrey of Great Barrington, Mass.; daughter-in-law Lori Janacek; nephew Haldane McFall; niece Matilda McFall, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Janice was predeceased by son William.

Calling hours will be held Saturday from 3-5 p.m. in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield Center, with a time of remembrance at 4:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, www. alzinfo.org.

To sign an online register or to get travel directions, please visit www. LeskoPolkeFuneralHome. com.