Pulaski County

DR. MELVIN “LANNY” BELKNAP was born Oct. 11, 1935, in Ranger, Texas, to Melvin and Lora Belknap and died at his home in North Little Rock, Ark., Jan. 5, 2013. He grew up in North Little Rock where he graduated from NLRHS in 1954. Following graduation, he spent four years in the US Navy.

He married his beloved wife, Jean Ann Forbes Belknap, June 4, 1955. He always said that Jean worked so hard to help him go to college and medical school that his degree certificates should have her name on them as well as his. Dr. Belknap graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas) in 1963 and from UAMS in 1967, followed by an internship at St. Vincent Hospital. Upon completing medical school, he joined Dr. Amail Chudy and Dr. Bruce Schratz at the North Little Rock Family Practice Clinic where he continued to serve for his entire professional medical career. He served on numerous committees at Memorial Hospital, including a term as Chief of Staff. He was a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He retired from active practice in 1997.

A devout believer, Dr. Belknap was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church from 1968 until his death, where he served on the vestry, chaired a capital campaign committee, and served on various other committees. He went on a medical mission sponsored by Christ the King Catholic Church to Honduras with Doctors Without Borders in 1999.

In addition to his wife Jean, he is survived by two sons and their wives, Jim (Tammy) Belknap and Michael (Shelia) Belknap, both of Maumelle. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Jeremy, Dalton, and Madison Belknap, and Brittany and Brandon Keathley; a sister, Letha (Naylor) Mills of North Little Rock; nephews, Eric Mills of Little Rock and Charles Mills of Denton, Texas; aunts, Jo Hans of San Antonio, Texas, and Norma (Ken) Jetton of Clovis, N.M.; numerous cousins and his close and dear friend of 65 years, Roger Taylor of Conway.

When Dr. Belknap married Jean Forbes, he married into a family of four girls; so he became the first beloved “brother” of the following: Shirley (Loyd) Thomas; Laura (Bob) Lester; and Judy (Stan) Wildman. He also leaves a goodly number of nephews and nieces on that side of the family, as well as a host of extended family and friends. The memorial service, conducted by the Reverend Carey Stone, Rector, will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, at 10 a.m. A Reception will follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 4106 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Ark. 72116. Online guestbook www. rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.

DEBRA KAY LINNEMAN, 57, Mabelvale, died Saturday. She was born Nov. 11, 1955, in Kokomo, Ind. Debra was a homemaker and a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Survivors, husband, Robert Louis Linneman, Mabelvale; daughter, Jennifer Rose Linneman, Mabelvale; parents, J. W. Churchwell and Aletha Juanita Patton Churchwell, Little Rock; brother, Jerry Wayne Churchwell and his wife Rebecca Louise Herring Churchwell, Eldorado; sister, Lavida Sue Churchwell Whitson and her husband William Asa Whitson, Lonsdale; grandchildren, Robert Edward Linneman and Justin Louis Linneman. Memorial services, 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, Seventh Day Adventist Church, 8700 Rodney Parham Rd. in Little Rock. Online guest book at www. ashbyfuneralhome.com.

MR. HERMAN LOESCHER was born July 28, 1924, and passed away on Jan. 5, 2013. He served his county in the Army where he received two Purple Hearts in WWll and retired from the Post office at age 70. He was known as the “Candy Man” because every Christmas he made divinity and fudge for all of his friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Fred and Nattie Loescher as well as a brother Fred Jr. and a sister Nannie. He is survived by his friends whom considered him a gift, Margie Plunkett Daniels, Nan Diaz and her children Maegun and Anna, Edna Kilpatrick, Pat Stapleton and Yvonne MacArthur. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home in North Little Rock, Ark. from 5-7 p.m. www.griffinleggettresthills.com.

CARLIE MARCELLE MCCAIN, age 86, of North Little Rock, passed away Jan. 5, 2013. She was born on Dec. 7, 1926 in Wilmar, Ark. She was the daughter of the late Leroy and Mary Vesta Rhodes. Marcelle worked for Sears McCain Mall before retiring. She was a member of First Assembly of God Church North Little Rock. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 54 years, Randall McCain, a daughter, Linda McGhehey, and one granddaughter, Jessica McGhehey. Survivors include her daughter, Pam Cate of North Little Rock; her son, Randy Eddy-McCain and his spouse Gary of North Little Rock; four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Also, by Bobby Rankin, her “adopted” grandson who took good care of her. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 8, in the chapel of Huson Funeral Home Sherwood Ark. A big Thank You to the staff at Fox Ridge Assisted Living in North Little Rock for their care of our mom. Burial/entombment will be held at 3:30 p.m. the same day in Oaklawn Cemetery, Warren, Ark. Visitation will be Monday, Jan. 7, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Huson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation 904 Autumn Rd. Ste. 500 Little Rock, Ark. 72211 or, Open Door Community Church 709 West Lee Avenue Sherwood Ark. 72120. Sign an online guest book at www. husonfuneralhome.com.

––––– ––––– SHIRLEY ANN MCGILL, 79, of Little Rock, passed away Jan. 2, 2013. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, two sons and two daughters. She leaves one daughter, Melody Weldon of Ga.; one son, Tim McGill of Fla.; two grandsons, seven granddaughters, one great-granddaughter, and one great-grandson. Private services will be held for Mrs. McGill. Please share your stories of Shirley at www. griffinleggettforesthills.com.

––––– ––––– BURNIS ODELL NULL SR., 86, of Jacksonville, passed away Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013. He is survived by five children, Burnis Odell Null Jr., Donald Lee Null (Denise), Lynn Ray Null (Virginia), Nancy Pemberton (Stephen) and Gloria McKenzie; nine grandchildren, Carol Jo Morrison, Darrell Null, Cristina Eddy, Aaron Pemberton, Colleen New, Devon Meadows, Christopher Null, Carly Boehmer and Randy Null; 15 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Vernon Null and Wayne Null; two sisters, Evelyn Bright and Margaret Cullum. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lottie Null; son, Kenneth Null; brother, Joe Null and sister, Bessie Hensley. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the healthcare providers of the MICU at the V.A. hospital in Little Rock. A special mention to our adopted nurse, Brad Worley who not only took care of our father but was very supportive of our family as a whole. Memorials may be made to any charity that honors a veteran. Graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Arkansas Memorial Garden. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www. nlrfh.com.

DORIS JEAN TOWNSEND, age 75, of Little Rock, Ark., went to be with the Lord on Jan. 5, 2013. She was born in Little Rock, Ark., on Oct. 7, 1937. She is survived by a son, Randy (Lisa) Townsend of Little Rock; granddaughter, Heather (Eric) Thornberry of Bryant; great-grandson, Brody Thornberry of Bryant; granddaughter, Brandi Pierce; sister, Aileen Dunaway of Little Rock; brother, James Hartnett of Little Rock and four nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, BC and Louise Hartnett and daughter, Rhonda Pierce.

Doris was retired from the State of Arkansas after serving in the motor vehicle department for 28 years. She was a loving mother, sister, grandmother and friend. Doris was a member of Faith Spring United Methodist Church and her latest and greatest passion was being greatgrandmother to Brody. Family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at Little Rock Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services officiated by Pastor Brock Patterson will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Little Rock Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Ark. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Mrs. Townsend’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

ROBERT JOSEPH VINSON of Little Rock, Ark. was welcomed into God’s loving arms on Jan. 4, 2013. Robert was a devoted father, loving husband and a great friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, Annie May and Irl Vinson; brother, Jerry Vinson; and son, Robert (Bud) Joseph Vinson Jr. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Vinson and three daughters, Cheri Burke of Houston, Texas, Tamara Gunn of Lucas, Texas, and Teri Ponto of Greenville, Texas. He has one granddaughter, Keri Burke, attending Texas Tech University, and three grandsons, U.S. Air Force Sergeant Vinson Ponto, U.S. Air Force Sergeant Zachary Ponto, currently serving in Kuwait, and Matthew Ponto, attending the University of Texas at Arlington. Robert has two great-grandchildren, twins Jonah and Charlotte Ponto. As a young man Robert worked various railroad jobs leading to the position of Train Master on the Rock Island Railroad. He relocated to Greenville, Texas where he retired from the Cotton Belt Railroad as a Locomotive Engineer. Robert and Carolyn later moved to Pittsburg, Texas and built the “Round Tuit” on Lake Bob Sandlin where he fished, watched the wildlife and entertained family and friends. Visitation will be held in Little Rock, Ark., at Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth Funeral home, 5800 West 12 Street, on Tuesday, Jan. 8, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Funeral services will be there on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. with burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. A service to celebrate all the joy Robert brought others will be held on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at 1 p.m. at the 1st Presbyterian Church, 111 North Street, Pittsburg, Texas. Robert’s online guestbook is available at www. griffinleggetthealeyroth.com. A simple and devoted life ended on earth on Jan. 5, 2013, when REGINA ANNE PALADINO ROSS ZAKRZEWSKI, surrounded by all her loving children and grandchildren, joined her 14 brothers and sisters in Paradise. She was born to Rocco and Annie Paladino on June 15, 1929, in Center Ridge, Ark., married David Duke Ross, and moved to North Little Rock in 1947. There she raised her children, David Ross (Suzanne), Doris Cathey (Jim), and Donna Forrester (Dewayne). Of the Catholic faith, she became a lifelong member of Saint Anne’s Church, where she kept house and cooked for a succession of priests as she became a beloved member of the parish. She became a widow in 1965, when David died, and she finished raising her three young children, who never wanted for love. In 1977 her family grew when she married Clem Zakrzewski and was blessed with two additional children, Cheryl Zakrzewski (Brian Rodan) and Joe Zakrzewski (Marci). She became a widow for the second time upon Clem’s death in 1997. Thereafter she devoted her time and efforts in support of the faith and family, never forgetting a birthday or important occasion or neglecting her rosary. Hers was a simple life, well-lived and lovingly left. Her enduring legacy includes grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins “as numerous as the stars of the sky.” Grandchildren are Chris Cathey (Stephanie), Marc Cathey (Erica), Colby Cathey (Sarah), Tim Forrester, Wyatt and Eric Rodan, and David Zakrzewski. Greatgrandchildren include Brandon and Caroline Cathey, Savannah and Chase Cathey, Lizzy Cathey and Troy Forrester. Memorials may be made to Saint Anne’s Catholic Church, 6150 Remount Rd. North Little Rock, Ark., 72118. Arrangements are through North Little Rock Funeral Home where a rosary will be held on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be offered at Saint Anne’s Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, Jan. 8, 2013. Burial at Edgewood Memorial Park. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.