OBITUARIES
MARY ELAINE HANEY
Mary Elaine Haney, 94, of New Braunfels, TX formerly of El Dorado, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. She was born on May 19, 1928 to Ruben Howard and Betty Fletcher Hamilton in Florence, AR.
Before her retirement, she was a
Librarian for the El Dorado School
District, and she was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Preceding her in death are her parents; husband of 65 years,
Robert Justin “R.J.” Haney, Sr.; son, Ronald Harvey Haney; brothers, James, Ruben, and Earnest
Hamilton, sisters, Irene Sheiron and Betty Waller; and grandson,
Will Haney.
Survivors include her son,
Robert Justin Haney, Jr. (Tina) of Pea Ridge, AR; three grandchildren, Ryan Haney (Johniece),
Matt Haney (Priscilla) and Lauren
Haney West (Brian); five great grandchildren; and her great niece and great caregiver, Stacy Norris.
A private entombment will be under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Haney family.
CHARLES H. LEHWALD
Charles H. Lehwald, 87, of Magnolia, formerly of El Dorado, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. He was born April 11, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois to Marie and John W. Lehwald.
He attended Oak Park River Forest High School and later studied geology and philosophy at the University of Oklahoma. His
Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers remained dear friends his entire life. He served as Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corp. and married his high school sweetheart,
Sarah McGreevy in 1961 at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park, IL. For eight years he worked in advertising in Chicago primarily on the United Airlines and Alberto Culver accounts. In 1965 he started his own oil and gas exploration company and spent the remainder of his career in that field. Charles served a variety of Episcopal churches, enjoyed spending time at El Dorado Country Club and serving in pro-life organizations.
He is survived by his two sisters, Mary Lofgren and Carol Dull, sister-in-law Jane Lehwald, two children, Margaret Philbrick and Carly Lehwald, four grandchildren: Ben Lehwald, Caleb, Jessie (Yero), and Nathaniel Philbrick, and with great joy a new grandson-in-law, Michael Yero. His seventeen nieces and nephews delighted him over the course of his lifetime as did his beloved dog, Chance.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 11, 2023 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
Condolences may be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
JUNE MAXINE MURPHY (MAW)
June Maxine Murphy (Maw), age 89, passed away on February 2, 2023. This is 16 months after her husband of 70 years, Fred Bruce Murphy (Paw) passed. Their marriage was a life-long partnership of bringing God’s will and living presence to the lives of their congregations, communities and children of the many pastoral assignments they took in ministering to the rural communities of south Arkansas.
The family lived in El Dorado, Arkansas, Pasadena, California, Huttig, Arkansas and Stephens, Arkansas before moving back to El Dorado for her last 50 years.
In El Dorado, she was employed and served the school district for 43 years. She was known as a child as “June Bug”, a name that stuck forever.
June Murphy at the age of 18 married the pastor of her church then supported her husband and children through his theological education in California and Texas. She had 5 children, Bruce (Teresa), Fred (Leanne), Tim (Rita), Todd and Tammy (Steve), who she raised after her husband started his full time ministry. One of her children was very special, Todd and she cared for him daily for 60 years as a permanent resident of their home. They had a unique bond.
Known as bossy she was quick to give biblical or personal advice to her family and friends. She specialized in events that would build memory in her children, grandchildren (12) and great grandchildren (16). Her script for these family events started with prayer, the pledge of allegiance to America and roll call followed by talent shows from all the families represented. She managed all with her short bull horn or cow bell. During the first 2 years of the pandemic the family had a weekly Sunday morning devotional on Zoom digital, with 12-15 locations and 35-45 people attending. Her order of service and family participation was published by her before every service and there was little doubt who was in charge.
She was a cook and a comforter to her family and made sure that everyone had all they could possibly hold before quitting the table. Her recipes for chicken and dumplings, banana pudding, corn bread dressing, and hot water corn bread were so esteemed by her family that videos of her making them without a written recipe were made. Everyone maintains there was an absent secret ingredient she left off because they aren’t exactly the same.
Her devotion to the primary family of over 45 members was unparalleled. She kept up with everyone’s business, birthday, anniversary, graduation, or special event and politely attended or encouraged. Every family member got a phone call around 7 am on their birthday with a trio chorus of Maw, Paw and Todd singing Happy Birthday to them. It was very special. After her children left home for careers, she lived with Paw and Todd for many years. Their care was her specialty. She met Paw at Ebenezer Baptist Church in El Dorado to marry and move away, but after attending many churches and congregations they returned to Ebenezer to finish His work. Life came full circle back to its starting place and she will be greatly missed.
There will be an open service at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Monday, February 6 at 10:00 am for visitation, open service at 11:00 am and a family only graveside burial to follow.
Memorials may be made to Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1942 N. Wyatt Dr., El Dorado, AR 71730.
Condolences can be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com