OBITUARIES
Gene Kroening
Gene Kroening, 89, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Ark. He was born June 23, 1927.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 26, 2017, at United Lutheran Church in Bella Vista.
Arrangements by Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home in Rogers, Ark.
William ‘Hayden’ Myers Jr.
William “Hayden” Myers Jr., 83, of Fort Smith, Ark., died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, at Chapel Ridge Nursing Home in Fort Smith. He was born Feb. 4, 1934, in West Fork, Ark., to Dorothea Louise Malone and William Hayden Myers Sr.
He had lived in the Northwest Arkansas area for over 30 years after moving from California. He was a graduate of West Fork High School.
He loved playing the piano and was a musician for many years. He played with the likes of Merle Haggard, The Buck Owens TV Show and Elvis. In his later years, he played at various clubs all over Northwest Arkansas.
He served during the Korean conflict as a medic with the U.S. Navy and later served in the U.S. Marines. He finished up his service of seven years with the U.S. Air Force.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Aaron Myers and Donald Myers; a sister, Kim Ivy; and a brother, Johnny Little.
Survivors include his children, Craig Myers, Mark Myers, Michael Myers, Alan Myers, Cheryl Stamps and Leanne Myers; two brothers, Raymond Bruce Myers and wife Judy of West Fork and Ron Myers and wife Dee Dee of Bella Vista, Ark.; a sister, Shirley Louise Compton of Washington; a stepdaughter, Marian Henry of Fort Smith; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Mineral Springs Cemetery in West Fork.
Arrangements are by Epting Funeral Home of Bella Vista.
Condolences can be made at www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.
Betty Jean Shepherd
Betty Jean Shepherd, 91, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers, Ark. She was born Jan . 4, 1926, in Rulo, Neb., to the late William and Elsie Moon.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, the Rev. Warren R. Shepherd; her second husband, William H. Story; her third husband, Conner H. Shepherd; her sister, Mildred Mitchel; and her brother, William “Bill” Moon.
Survivors include a daughter, Gloria Baker of Cabot, Ark.; three sons, Larry Shepherd of Bella Vista, Gary Shepherd of Bentonville, Ark., and David Shepherd of Rogers; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; plus many stepchildren, stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the Bella Vista Funeral Home, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd, Bella Vista.
Burial of ashes will be 10 a.m, Monday, March 6, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City, Mo.
Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.
Harry Francis Whalen
Harry Francis Whalen, 96, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, in Bella Vista, Ark. He was born Aug. 4, 1920, in Steelville, Mo., to Guy Francis Whalen and Addie Mae Halbert Whalen.
He married Hilda Pauline Glynn in 1963.
He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy from Oct. 7, 1942 to Dec. 1, 1945. He was an aviation machinist mate second class. He trained at Lambert Field Air Station in St. Louis, Mo., and Seattle and Whidbey Island, Wash. He saw duty in the Admiralty Islands and the Philippine Islands in the South Pacific.
He worked for Marathon Company of Neena Menasha, Wis., for 28 years as an account executive. The company had several mergers, first to Dixie Marathon, James River Co., then to American Can Co. He was transferred many times before retiring to Bella Vista.
He was a member of the Bella Vista Baptist Church and a strong believer in God.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Henrietta Irene Whalen and Erma Gladeen Whalen; and a brother, Guy Patrick Whalen.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Hilda Whalen of Bella Vista; a sister-inlaw, Norma Whalen of Sullivan, Mo.; many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
Graveside services were held Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in the Steelville Cemetery. The Rev. Kevin Farr officiated.
The family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Mo.