Obituaries
Jacob Blumer
Jacob “Jay” Blumer was born on Oct. 30, 1947, in Iowa City, Iowa, and went peacefully to his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Hot Springs, surrounded by loved ones.
He was a loving and giving person who believed that love is a verb. He was a powerful leader, compassionate counselor and a well-rounded, self-educated man with varied interests. He considered himself blessed to support many charitable institutions, including Wycliff Bible Translators, World Vision and Garland County Jail Ministries. He was a longtime member of Lake Valley Community Church, as well as the founder and CEO of Precision Lighting Systems Inc. His employees were like his second family. He was loved and respected for the personal attention and consideration he showed each one.
He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Blumer, of Hot Springs; his son, Kevin Blumer, of Tampa, Fla.; his daughter, Tasha Blumer-Hermann, of Hot Springs; his daughter-in-law, Cleo Blumer, of Tampa, Fla.; his son-in-law, Jason Hermann, of Hot Springs; and his grandchildren, Anjholena and Sean Blumer, of Tampa, Fla., as well as Miles, Andie and Isla Hermann, of Hot Springs; and numerous other family members and friends.
Jay enjoyed watching football and was an especially longtime fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Razorbacks and the Dallas Cowboys. He also loved vintage automobiles, U.S. history and business, but his greatest loves were his faith and his family.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Lake Valley Community Church officiated by Dru Dodson.
Interment will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Guests may register at http://www.caruth-hale.com.
Charlotte M. Bright
BISMARCK — Charlotte Marie Bright, age 84, of Bismarck, passed away Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Hot Springs. Charlotte was a member of DeRoche Missionary Baptist Church and retired from the Monroe Shoe factory.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Orville Bright, and one granddaughter, Amanda Eve Bright.
Survivors are three sons, Rodney Bright and wife, Anna, of Hot Springs, Michael and Mackey Bright, both of Bismarck; two grandchildren, Casey Bright and Felecia Bright, both of Hot Springs; and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. today at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home. Interment will be in DeRoche Cemetery.
Online register is available at http://www.ruggleswilcox.com.
Anne Cosgrove
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Anne Cosgrove, 89, of Hot Springs Village, died Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church with the Rev. Bill Elser officiating.
Interment will be in CedarVale Cemetery.
Arrangements are with CedarVale Funeral Home.
Danny R. Crawford
Danny Ray Crawford, 69, of Hot Springs, passed away Monday, Oct. 23, 2017.
He was born Jan. 14, 1948, in Hollis, Ark., to the late Birtie and Hazel Jones Crawford. He was a self-employed truck driver and a U.S. Army veteran serving during the Vietnam War era. He was a member of Valley Home Baptist Church.
He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Wade and B.L. Crawford; and two sisters, Floy Foundern and Juanita Whiley.
Survivors include one son, Shannon (Angela) Crawford, of Jessieville; one daughter, Keena (David Bryan) Taylor, of Hot Springs Village; two brothers, Dean Crawford and Benny Crawford, both of Hollis, Ark.; three sisters, Ina Lynch, of Hot Springs Village, Brenda Mize, of Alexander, and Wanda Dickson, of Hollis; and three grandchildren, Allie Kennett, Anna Taylor and Lincoln Crawford.
Memorial services will be noon Friday, Oct. 27, at Valley Home Baptist Church with Brother Jimmy Scott officiating.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.
Neal E. Graves
Neal Edwin Graves, 56, of Hot Springs, Ark., went to be with the Lord Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, at St. Vincent hospital in Hot Springs.
Mr. Graves was born Dec.
10, 1960, in Pine Bluff, a son of Ed Graves and Peggy Graves Ralstin. He was reared and received his education in Pine Bluff, where he graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1979. After high school, he attended and graduated from the University of Central Arkansas at Conway.
Neal worked as a certified public accountant.
When he wasn’t working or spending time with his family, Neal enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Sheila Conrad Graves, whom he married Aug. 8, 1986, in Pine Bluff; his mother, Peggy Ralstin, of Hot Springs; sister, Teresa Carman (Bruce), of Grady; sister-in-law, Pam Monk (Jeff), of Woodlawn; father-in-law, Morris Conrad, of White Hall; three nieces, Sara and Allison Carman, of Grady, and Nicole Monk, of Woodlawn.
Neal was preceded in death by his father, Ed Graves, in
1985.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017, at Good Faith Cemetery, Pine Bluff, with the Rev. Bill Hilburn officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the cemetery.
Online condolences: http:// www.ralphrobinsonandson. com.
Richard M. Harper
Richard M. Harper, 66, of Hot Springs, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at his home.
He is predeceased by his parents, William E. and Doris A. Harper; and a brother, Douglas Harper.
Loving survivors include his wife of 34 years, Gaye Harper; daughter, Brandy Harper and grandson, Jordan Harper; brother, Don (Jan) Harper; sisters, Judy Harper, Lisa (Larry) Duranleau and Susan (Charles) Wakefield; niece, Laine Harper; nephews, Darren Harper, Robbie Bennie, William Wakefield and Drew Wakefield; and goddaughter, Sarah Washborn.
Richard graduated from Hot Springs High School and Henderson State University with a BA in Business. He was co-owner of Harper Furniture until 2000. He loved his country and served in the Army and Arkansas National Guard. He served two tours in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Metal, a Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Metal, Vietnam Campaign Metal and other awards. He was on the Arkansas State Pistol team and retired from the guard with over 21 years of service. He was an avid hunter and shooter. He was so proud of his grandson Jordan’s first deer. He had a big influence on so many lives from teaching gun safety, shooting skills and hunting. He also had a witty sense of humor and could embellish on his story telling.
He will be missed by many more than he ever realized.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017, at Desoto Park on Park Avenue with military honors by VFW Post 2278.
In lieu of flowers, donate to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are with Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.
Donald Kelley
Donald Kelley, 74, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away Oct. 23, 2017.
He was born May 29, 1943, in Cedar Glades, Ark., to Lawrence and Jessie (Graves) Kelley.
Don was an avid golfer, hunter and fisherman. Grampy, as he was affectionately called, enjoyed spending time with his family and teaching them the important things of life.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Leon Kelley.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Kelley; daughter, Neriza Oseguera (Miguel); grandson, Enrique Oseguera; brother, Darrel Kelley Sr. (Virginia); sister, Judy Powers; nieces and nephews, Greg Kelley, Darrel Kelley Jr., Angie Covey, Shelley Clingan, Sean Garrett and Scott Garrett.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.
A celebration of Don’s life will be 10 a.m. Friday in CaruthHale Funeral Home chapel.
Burial will follow at Crestview Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Darrel Kelley Jr., Sean Garrett, Scott Garrett, Dalton Covey, Cortlin Covey and Justin Bailey.
Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Fred Heinemann, Dr. John Featherston and Miguel Oseguera Jr. Guests may register at http://www.caruth-hale.com.
Donnie R. Kilgore
Donnie R. Kilgore, age 79, of Hot Springs, died Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017.
He was born on June 11, 1938, in Hot Springs, the son of Adious Royal Kilgore and Mattie Marnett Handlin Kilgore. On April 29, 1961, he married Eileen Scott. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Bobby Kilgore.
Donnie was a Christian in faith. He served in the 223rd Radio Unit of the Air Guard from 1956 to 1962 and was a member of the Garland County Historical Society. He enjoyed fishing on Lake Ouachita with his best friend, Sonny Wynn.
He is survived by his wife of
54 years, Eileen Kilgore, of Hot Springs; two sons and daughters-in-law, Kevin and Kristen Kilgore, of Farmington, and Brian and Vickie Kilgore, of Hot Springs; five grandchildren, Lauren, Landen, Colton, Spencer and Savannah; one brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Terri Kilgore, of Bryant; three nieces, Jenna Kilgore, Sara Kilgore and Teresa Whitt; two nephews, Chris Kilgore and Todd Kilgore; and a host of wonderful friends.
Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home chapel, Hot Springs, with Brother J.B. Evans officiating, with military honors provided by the United States Air Force Honor Guard.
After the memorial service, the family and friends will gather at Meadowview Missionary Baptist Church, 1760 Highway
270, Jones Mill, Ark. Memorials may be made to the Garland County Historical Society, 328 Quapaw Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901.
Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.
Michael Magby
The memorial service for Michael “Mike” Magby, 63, of Hot Springs, who died Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, will be 10 a.m. Thursday in Prairie Bayou Church of Christ with Brother Alan Cansler officiating
Arrangements are with Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.
John C. Mays
A memorial celebration of life for John Carlton Mays,
84, of Hot Springs, who died Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, will be
10 a.m. today at Hot Springs Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Attn: Tribute Program.
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — David Novak, 74, of Hot Springs Village, died Oct. 23, 2017.
Arrangements are with Caruth Village Funeral Home.
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Lucille Ann Rodden, 95, of Hot Springs Village, died Oct. 23, 2017.
Arrangements are with Caruth Village Funeral Home.
Alyce R.K. Sproat
FARMINGTON, MO. — Alyce R. Sproat, 87, of Farmington, Mo., passed away Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, at Camelot Skilled Nursing Center.
She was born Friday, Dec.
6, 1929, in Chicago, Ill., to the late James and Vlasta (Kubat) Kotlan. In addition to her parents, Alyce is preceded in death by her husband of over
40 years, John Sproat. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. She sewed for Spiegel’s Department Store before marrying her husband in 1954. In her retirement years in Hot Springs, Ark., she volunteered her time and energy in several organizations including; Elks Lodge Ladies Auxiliary, Women’s Welcome Club, Garland County Republican Women, and the ER Toys Sewing Club.
Alyce is survived by her children, Jay Sproat and wife Jackie, Jesse Sproat and wife Marla, and Sharon Smith and husband Brian; grandchildren, Emily Bell, Jacob Sproat, Jessica Sproat and Amelia Sproat.
A graveside service at the Old Trace Creek Cemetery in Bollinger County on Highway DD, with Pastor Bradford Laubinger officiating was held today, Oct. 25, 2017.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Parkland Pregnancy Resource Center, located at 815 E. Main St., Park Hills, MO 63601.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home in Desloge. View obituary and share condolences online at http://www.czboyer.com.