Obituaries

BELLA VISTA — John Ryland Edwards of Bella Vista passed away on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville. He was born in Lexington, Mo., on Sept. 29, 1931, son of John and Mary Elizabeth (Lankford) Edwards.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

John graduated from Wentworth Military Academy and the University of Missouri. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army for 20 years retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. While stationed in Washington D.C., John was Director of the Armed Forces Professional Entertainment Office scheduling USO shows for all Armed Forces Overseas and Department of Defense Project Officer for 1972 Bob Hope Christmas Show.

In 1973 he was the Army Project Officer for the presidential reception honoring returning Vietnam Prisoners of War. Director of U.S. Army Sports Program coordinating and supervising all phases of the Army Sports Program including inter-service, national and international. He was Officer-In-Charge, U.S. Armed Forces basketball team participating in the Council International Sports Militere (CISM) competition held in Greece. He was the Army representative to the 1976 Olympics serving on the boxing, basketball and wrestling Olympic committees. Also in 1976 the Chief of Delegation for the U.S. boxing team participating in matches held in Poland.

John received the following awards during his military career: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal w/oak leaf cluster, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After retirement from the Army, he returned to Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Mo., where he served for 22 years as Athletic Director, Operations Officer and Superintendent.

In 2000, John and Marilou moved to Bella Vista to work on his golf game. He became active in the Bella Vista/Bentonville Noon Lions Club, numerous church activities and committees.

In 2003 he was elected to the Gravette School District Board of Directors where he served for 15 years. In 2015 John received the Dr. Daniel Pilkinton Award for outstanding service to public education for the State of Arkansas. As a school board member he was instrumental in developing the Annual Gravette Golf Tournament which supported school groups and activities. He helped develop a fund for children in need and served on The Bright Futures/Gravette Administrated Board. He created a handicap accessible garden area for the middle school students with special needs.

John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilou; three children, Susan, Robesonia, Pa.; Russel (Sue) of Old Hickory, Ark., and Douglas (Jenny) of Olathe, Kan.; four grandchildren, Clint, Kelsey, Jacob and Delaney and three great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Lou Lieneke of Wellington, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be held at Highlands United Methodist Church, 371 Glasgow Road, Bella Vista on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Highlands United Methodist Men (Hummers), 371 Glasgow Road, Bella Vista, Ark. 72715 or Wentworth Military Academy Museum, 1128 Main Street, Lexington, Mo. 64067.

Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home of Rogers is handling the arrangements.

GARFIELD — Jackie Allen, 60, of Garfield died Oct. 20. A graveside memorial service is set for 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, at Pace Cemetery in Garfield with Brother Jamie Cope and Brother Scott Lay officiating. Arrangements are by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge. Online condolences may be made at siscofuneral home.net.

PEA RIDGE — Sharon Armour, 48, of Pea Ridge died Oct. 18 at her home. Arrangements are by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made at siscofunerlahome.net.

PRAIRIE GROVE — Bryan Hoyt Reed. On April 7, 1925, John Hoyt and Rosa Sinks Reed welcomed a son into their home. They named him Bryan Hoyt Reed. He was born in Cane Hill, Ark., where he lived most of his life.

Since his graduation in 1943 from Cane Hill High School, now known as the historic Cane Hill College, where he was the oldest living graduate until his death.

Bryan was probably best known as the “Apple Man” in his red pickup truck. He had owned and operated apple orchards in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas and was the owner and operator of Apple Town Fruit Stand in Lincoln. Bryan was a farmer and had received awards for the farmer of the year and best turkey producer. He had served on the Lincoln School Board, Farmers Cooperative Board and was co-founder of Today’s Bank.

Bryan passed away Oct. 21, 2019 at the age of 94. His big smile, loud voice and uncompromising honesty and integrity will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Ruth; one son, Billy Joe Reed; one daughter Gloria Gibbs; and one sister Billie Kidd.

Survivors include his wife, Jane Waters Reed; two daughters, Janice Martin of Prairie Grove and Carlita Drennan of Fredericksburg, Va.; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, 6-8 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24t, 2019, at First United Methodist Church in Prairie Grove, Ark. Burial will be in the Cane Hill Cemetery. There will be no graveside service held.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 E. Longview Drive, Fayetteville, Ark. 72703 or the charity of your choice.

Online guest book, www. luginbuel.com.

ROGERS — Jimmy Wayne McCorkle, 76, of Rogers passed Oct. 13, 2019. He was born March 24, 1943, in West Monroe, La. Survivors include his wife, Linda McCorkle; daughter, Kimberly Sue Finley; and nephew, Mike Sasser (Sandra). Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers.

SPRINGDALE — Tommy Gene Downum, 84, of Springdale, went to be with the Lord Oct. 20, 2019. He was born Jan. 31, 1935, in Elm Springs, Ark., the son of William Lester Downum and Cora Jane Ellenbarger Downum.

Tommy had retired from Jones Truck Line.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie Downum; brothers, Max Downum, Ellis Downum, Wayne Downum, J.M. Downum, Cicil Downum, James Downum and sisters, Jo Dean Clark and Reda Pradziad.

Tommy is survived by his sons, Brian Downum of Rogers, Ark., Mark Downum of Broken Arrow, Okla.; sister-in-law, Della Downum of Springdale, Ark.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, in the chapel of Memorial Funeral Home 3926 Willowood Ave., Springdale, Ark. 72762 with Rev. Guy Durkee officiating. Burial will follow in Benton County Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Glen Canup, Cicil Whittle, Jerry Reed, Harold Downum, Gary Canup and Jim Canup. There will be no visitation.

Online condolences may be made to www.memorial fhspringdale.com.

SPRINGDALE — Joe McGuire, 80, of Springdale passed away Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. He was born Jan. 31, 1939, in Jasper, Ark., to James and Versa Stepp McGuire.

Joe worked as a forklift driver for Allen Canning company. He was a hard worker. He loved restoring old cars and trucks and loved to play his guitar. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, George McGuire.

Survivors include his wife, Alice Sizemore McGuire of the home; one son, Darrel McGuire and wife Shirley of Sonora; one brother, Harold McGuire and wife Sharon of Winslow; one sister, Osie Webb of Jessieville, Ark.; and one grandson, Daniel McGuire.

Graveside services will be Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Friendship Cemetery with Pastor Randall Galloway officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale.

Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark. 72762. Online condolences may be left at www.sisco funeral.com.

VINEY GROVE — Helen Hutchens, age 98, a resident of Viney Grove, Ark., passed away Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Prairie Grove, Ark. She was born July 23, 1921, in Hot Springs, Ark., the daughter of Howard and Meryl (Qualls) Hooker.

Helen was a longtime member of the Washington County Extension Club. As part of the club, she was active in numerous fundraising activities including cooking countless meals for the Prairie Grove Lions Club, the funds raised to help maintain the Viney Grove Community Building.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Veryl Hutchens; one son, Howard Boise “HB” Hutchens; two daughters-in-law, Janet Sue Hutchens and Una Raye Hutchens; two brothers, Howard Hooker Jr. and James Harvey Hooker; and one sister, Ona Marie

Hooker.

Survivors include two sons, James Roger Hutchens and his wife Doris of Lincoln, Ark., and Ronnie Hutchens of Fayetteville, Ark.; one sister, Doris Jean McConnell of Farmington, Ark.; five grandchildren, Liz Hutchens, Gary Hutchens, Terry Hutchens and his wife Cathy, Doug Hutchens and his wife Melissa, Mike Hutchens and his wife Rami; seven great-grandchildren, Miranda, Jared, Bryce, Brenna, Nathan, Alex and Chase; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, 6-7 p.m. at the Luginbuel Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove, Ark. Burial will be in the Prairie Grove Cemetery. There will be no graveside service held.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Viney Grove Methodist Church, 751 E. Parks St., Prairie Grove, Ark. 72753. Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com.

SCHERTZ, Texas — Esther Waver Young of Schertz, Texas, passed away Sept. 22, 2019. She was born March 6, 1935, in Brownington Village, Vt., to Edgar and Dorcus Kahlstrom.

Esther was a loving and supporting, yet feisty wife and mother who was happiest when her children were gathered together. She made many friends throughout her life and lived in a number of places. She and her husband Tommy, finally settled in Rogers, Ark., for 38 years. In 2016, she moved to Schertz, Texas, to be closer to family.

She is survived by her daughter, Kim Reeder (and favorite son-in-law, Randy) of Schertz, Texas; sons, John Welch of Lawton, Oklahoma, Shawn Young of Denver, Colo., and Wynn Young of New Durham, N.H.; stepsons, Barry Young of Sugarland, Texas, Larry Young of College Station, Texas, and Rick Young of College Station, Texas; brother, Edgar Kahlstrom of Westmoreland, Vt.; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Tommy Bramlet Young; parents Edgar and Dorcus Kahlstrom; sisters, Cora, Hattie, Hazel, Wanda and Elma; and brothers, Arvid, Bob and Doug.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at North Cemetery in Bells, Texas. Family and friends are invited to attend.

Arrangements are with Mullican Little Funeral Home, Bells, Texas. An online registry may be signed at www. mullicanlittle.com.