OBITUARIES
Ernest Wilbern Cook
Ernest Wilbern Cook, age 83, died on April 21, 2017, at Palm City Hospital in Melbourne, Fla.
He was born Feb. 26, 1934 in Waurika, Okla., to Elmer Ottice and Fannie Morea Cook. He was a father of six when he married Gloria Medina in 1987 and added three step-children and two step-grandchildren to his family. He was devoted to his family.
He was a social, active man who was involved in The Seventh-Day Adventist churches at Beacon Hill, Gentry, Springtown Cowboy Church and Siloam Springs Spanish church for the majority of his life. He enjoyed camping, waterskiing, bicycling, cake decorating and roller skating.
He was preceded in death by six siblings, Elva Rucker, Ethel Corcoran, Delmer Cook, Nina Lapp, Ora Lee Deal and Sonny Cook.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria, of Melbourne; six children, Lydia Seiden and husband Dwayne, of Gentry, Ark., Steve Cook of West Fork, Ark., Lisa Watkins and husband Jody of Gentry, Edward Cook and wife Michelle of Stilwell, Okla., Glenda Royal of Lincoln, Ark., and Brenda Chrusciaki and husband Everton of Burleson, Texas; three siblings, Delbert Cook of San Antonio, Texas, Marjorie Yeates of Keene, Texas, and Flora Smith of Story, Ark.; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Beacon Hill Seventh-Day Adventist Church located at 1452 Red Bridge Road, De Queen, AR 71832.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pedal It Forward NWA, 3902 N.W. Wishing Springs, Bentonville, AR 72712.
Edward “Ed” Ericson Jr.
Edward E. Ericson Jr. (“Ed”), 77, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, died April 29, 2017, at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehab. Born October 19, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, he was the son of Edward E. Ericson Sr. and Ethel Marie (Hall) Ericson. Ed and Janice Marie Kemp were married on August 27, 1960.
A professor of literature for many years at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Ed was the recipient of the Faith and Learning award given to faculty for their long-term influence on students. He was a scholar of seventeenth-century literature and one of the world’s leading experts on Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Ed was a faithful attendee at First Presbyterian Church, Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Jan; sons, Edward Ericson III and daughterin-law Melinda of Siloam Springs, Arkansas and William “Bill” Ericson of St. Louis, Missouri; five grandchildren Ethan Ericson, Monica Green, Matt Green, Dalton Robbins and Rachel Robbins; brothers, Terry Ericson of Chicago, Illinois, and Randy Ericson of Portland, Oregon; sisters, Jerri Turner of McKinney, Texas, and Ruthie Claybaugh of Prescott, Arizona.
Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
To sign the online guestbook, visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Edward E. Ericson Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Calvin College, Development Office, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 or online at www.calvin.edu/ giving or The Ericson Family Endowed Scholarship, John Brown University, University Advancement, 2000 West University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761.
PAID OBITUARY
Ricky Dean McNeely
Ricky Dean McNeely of Midlothian, Texas, lost his life on Saturday, April 8, 2017, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Rick, son of Archie and Gail McNeely, was born December 12, 1963, in Beaumont, Texas. His family moved often from Texas to Mississippi, Alabama, Louisianna in his early years due his Dad’s work in the sawmill business, until settling down in New Boston, Texas, in 1980 where Rick graduated high school in 1982.
He married Melissa Jolly on April 24, 1985, and together they had three children, Teri Kayla, Dillan and Kyla. His family and his work defined Rick’s life.
After high school he attended and graduated from Texarkana Community College and worked alongside his brother at Franklin Electric in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
In 1995, Rick moved his family back to New Boston, Texas, where he worked for Alumax and Southwest Printers. In 2001, Rick moved his family to White Oak, Texas, where he took a job with Alcatel Technologies and went back to school at LeTourneau University to work towards his Bachelor’s degree in business. Later, Rick worked at Exelon Power Plant, Mountain Creek, Grand Prairie, Texas.
Rick dearly loved his job and life. Rick was actively involved with his children and grandchildren, from cheerleader Dad with Teri Kayla, boy scouts leader with Dillan’s pack, to coaching Kyla’s softball team for many years. Rick was a dedicated Christian and influenced many people by his loving passion for God.
Rick is survived by his parents, Archie and Gail McNeely; brother, Rob McNeely; and sister, Shelly McNeely Jordan, all of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; his wife Melissa Jolly McNeely and daughter Kyla McNeely, both of Midlothian, Texas; daughter, Teri McNeely Thetford and husband Chase of Denver, Colorado; son Dillan McNeely of Longview, Texas; and three grandchildren, Clayson, Kynslee and Cashe of Denver, Colorado; as well as many nieces, nephews and a host of great friends.
PAID OBITUARY
Ernest “Ernie” Sixkiller
Ernest “Ernie” Sixkiller, 48, of West Siloam Springs, Okla., died April 30, 2017, at Siloam Springs Regional Hospital in Siloam Springs, Ark.
He was born March 6, 1969, in Claremore, Okla., to Taylor Sixkiller and Ruby Chewie Sixkiller. He married Christi Dunlap on March 24, 1992. He was a warehouse associate for Cherokee Casino.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bobby Chewie.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Brian Sixkiller of West Siloam Springs; a daughter, Kaitlin Reinhardt and husband Matthew of Manhattan, Kan.; his stepmother, Joan Sixkiller of Tahlequah, Okla.; a brother, Richard Sixkiller and wife Joann of Twin Oaks, Okla.; a sister, Karen Caler of Winslow, Ark.; and sisters-in-law, Lori Clark of Siloam Springs, and Melani Conkling of Bella Vista, Ark.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, May 4, 2017, at Elm Cemetery in Leach, Okla.
To sign the online guestbook, visit www.wasson funeralhome.com.
Wasson Funeral Home of Siloam Springs is in charge of arrangements.