OBITUARIES
Billy Ray Howell
Billy Ray Howell, 84, of Bentonville died Dec. 31, 2020, in his home. He was born Aug. 8, 1936, in Short, Okla., to Lester Meranda Howell and Melva Marie Crow Howell.
He married Marjorie Irene Morgan Dec. 3, 1955, and worked for Bentonville Casting for 40 years. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting and was a bluegrass fan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Bobby and Timmy Howell; and siblings, Darial Howell, J.B. Howell, Juanita Wilson, Linda Howell and Mary Trentham.
Survivors are his wife of 65 years, Marjorie Howell of the home; siblings, Harold Howell of Bentonville, Jimmy Howell of Decatur, Lillie Morgan of Pea Ridge and Bonnie Clark of Pea Ridge; five grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date in Antioch Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made at siscofuneral home.net.
Andrew Todd Keeling
Andrew Todd Keeling, 39, of Fayetteville, died in his home in Fayetteville, on Dec. 15, 2020, due to undiagnosed congestive heart failure. He was born Nov. 25, 1981, in Joplin, Mo., to Bill and Marty (McCoy) Keeling while the family was in the process of moving to Rogers, where Andy grew up.
He attended Rogers Public schools from elementary through high school, graduating in 2000. He participated in youth baseball, basketball and football leagues. He played percussion in the school band. He completed an associate of arts degree.
He had worked hard to pursue a bachelor of arts degree in anthropology and computer science from the University of Arkansas while working full time. He was short of reaching this goal by two courses.
Andy liked the discipline of martial arts. He built a community of friends through the study of Mong Su Dom Ti. His hard work earned him a black belt.
He was a long-time member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Rogers where he attended with his family since infancy. He made a personal decision to follow Jesus and was baptized there in 1988. He participated in many activities of the church as a child and young man. He later volunteered in many of those same ministries and anywhere else that help was needed.
Andy loved outdoor activities including camping, sitting by the fire pit, hiking, and hunting. He ran several 5Ks, a half marathon and a Spartan Race over the last five years. He was an avid reader and history buff and would passionately debate current events. He was a writer of short stories and poetry which he would share with his close friends.
It was easy to walk away with a smile from time spent with Andy. He was fun, quick with one-liners, a great storyteller, and enjoyed every opportunity to gather with family and friends. He was employed with Rocket Software as an IT support team member. It was a job he truly enjoyed. His team has been very complimentary of his work ethic and his easy-going likeable personality. They have expressed deep regret at his loss.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents as well as stillborn sister, Shelby Renee.
Survivors are his parents, Bill and Marty of Rogers; brother, Brian Keeling and wife Heather of Pea Ridge; a niece, Finley Renee Keeling; and numerous beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.
Cremation was under the direction of Epting Funeral Home of Bentonville.
The family plans to scatter his ashes at the muchloved deer camp with his friends.
A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Immanuel Baptist Church, 2555 S. 26th St., Rogers.
It will be a casual, relaxed time to honor Andy’s memory and the joy he brought to so many. All friends and family able to attend are welcome. The family will be available to receive friends immediately following the service.
Richard Wesley Leach
Richard Wesley Leach, 39, of Pineville, Mo., departed this life suddenly on Monday,
Dec. 28,
2020, in his residence.
He was born Oct.
12, 1981, in
Borger, Texas, to Robert Dean and Theresa (Hodges) Leach.
He was raised and attended school in Pineville, Mo. He worked in construction throughout his life and was a talented framer. He enjoyed visiting with his family and friends, working on old cars and driving around with his beloved dog scrappy.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mandolin.
Survivors are his six children, Tyler Leach of Joplin, Destiny Dark of Pineville, Claira Martin of Gravette, Levi Neale of Pineville, Wesley Leach of Pineville and Cameron Leach also of Pineville; parents, Theresa Leach of Pineville and Robert Leach and wife, Elizabeth, of Pineville; two brothers, Robert Thomas Leach and Charles Duane Leach and wife, Cassandra, both of Pineville; a sister, Nicole Jessen and husband, James, of Pineville; three step-siblings, Maria Sabelfelt of Rogers, Jacob Arnold of Alaska and Kimberly Arnold of Florida; maternal grandmother, Elaine Montgomery and husband, Bob, of Pineville; an aunt, Pam Hodges of Pineville; a close cousin, Elizabeth Patience and husband, Will, of Pineville; as well as a host of other family and friends.
The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday in the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Homes.
Graveside services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in Pea Ridge Cemetery in Pea Ridge, with Brother Hank Gorman officiating.
A memorial service will follow the graveside at 11 a.m. in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Jane, Mo.
On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www. ozarkfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Mo.
Sue Morrison
Sue Morrison, 84, of Garfield, died Dec. 29, 2020, in her home. She was born Jan. 17, 1936, in Vaughn.
She was preceded in death by parents, Leland and Leona Severs; brothers, Donald Severs and Wayne Severs; husband, Clyde Morrison; son-in-law, Scott Beitz; and daughter-in-law Tracy Morrison.
Survivors are her son, Rick and his spouse Shelly Morrison of Garfield; daughter, Peggy and spouse Terry Reeves of Garfield; daughter, Jane and spouse James Rusher of Garfield; daughter, Sherri Beitz of Rogers; son, Tim Morrison of Little Flock; 17 grandkids; 35 great-grandkids; and a great-great-granddaughter.
Visitation was from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Ruddick Cemetery, Garfield.
Graveside services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Ruddick Cemetery in Garfield.
Arrangements were by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.
Ronnie Plunkett
Ronnie Plunkett, 61, of Garfield, died Jan. 1, 2021, in Mercy Hospital in Rogers. He was born July 10, 1959, in Guin, Ala., to William Herman
Plunkett and Nellojean Randolph Plunkett.
He married Lisa Kay Collins June 4, 1983, and worked as an electrical engineer.
He enjoyed tinkering on computers and small engines. He loved to garden and his grandbabies.
He was preceded in death by his mother and two brothers, Wayne and Jerry Plunkett.
Survivors are his wife, Lisa Kay Plunkett of the home; his father, Bill Plunkett of Tupelo, Miss.; three daughters, Cassie Plunkett of Rogers, Carla Wordleman (Raymond) of Anderson, Mo., Candace Plunkett of Garfield; siblings, Tommy Plunkett (Tina) of Mickey, Tenn., Tony Plunkett of Amory, Miss., Mickey Plunkett (Tanya) of Memphis, Tenn., Donnie Plunkett (Becky) of Amory, Miss., Ricky Plunkett of Amory, Miss., Bertha Akins of Rogers, Lynda Clardy (Ernest) of Tupelo, Miss., Brenda Faughn (Terry) of Forest City; and five grandchildren.
No services are set at this time.
Arrangements were by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge.
Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.
Janita Prophet
Janita Prophet, 88, of Pea Ridge, died Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Innisfree Nursing and Rehab Center in Rogers. She was born Dec. 5, 1932, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Florence Esther Scurlock Beguin and Philip Morris Beguin.
Her family moved to Pea Ridge in 1948 where she attended Pea Ridge High School. She worked at her family business, Florence’s Café, as well as Webb’s Hatchery and Patterson’s Dry Goods. She married George Waymon “Rusty” Prophet on May 9, 1953.
She worked at home for 18 years while raising her three kids and babysitting many others. She began working at Union Carbide in 1973 where she retired in 1995. She was an active member of Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church in Pea Ridge where she taught Sunday school more than 50 years and served many years on the Board of Deacons. She was a member of the Presbyterian Women’s Association, acting several years as chapter treasurer.
She was a member of TOPs weight-loss group. She sewed countless quilts for Arkansas Children’s Hospital as a longtime member of Granny’s Quilts of Love.
Her greatest joys were being grandma and cooking Sunday lunch for her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1974, her father in 1975 and her mother in 1998.
Survivors are one daughter, Patsy Prophet Hurd (Ronnie) of Pea Ridge; two sons, Randy Prophet of Pea Ridge and Danny Prophet (Clem) of Bentonville; siblings, Julaine Ogden of Ponca City, Okla., Jim Beguin (Margie) of Ponca City, Okla., Joanne Yarbrough (Kenneth) of Broken Arrow, Okla., John Beguin (Judy) of Burlington, Iowa, Jack Beguin (Kathy) of Ponca City, Okla.; sistersin-law, Jane Beguin of Ponca City and Beulah Prophet of Pea Ridge; six grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren; two greatgreat-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and church family.
Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, in Sisco Funeral Home, Pea Ridge. All covid-19 guidelines will be in place.
Graveside services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, in Buttram Chapel in Pea Ridge.
Arrangements were by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge.
Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.