Obituaries

OBITUARIES Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Advertising Department by funeral homes. For more information including cost and deadlines contact the advertising department at (501) 378-3889.

FAYETTEVILLE — Kerry Allen, 46, died May 14, 2016, at his home in Fayetteville, Ark. He was a mechanical engineer and avid rock climber. He is survived by his father, Bob Allen, stepmother, Susan Walker Allen, brother, Kip Allen and niece, Nella Allen, and other family members. A memorial service is planned for June 4th near Jasper, Ark. Details and a complete obituary will be published online at www.anaturalstatefuneral service.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Mary E. Bernard, 90, Fayetteville, died May 22, 2016, in Fayetteville. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edmund Bernard, and her parents. She is survived by her son, Edward Bernard of Fayetteville. Share online condolences at www. WestfieldChapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Edward Gaskill, 85, of Fayetteville passed away Sunday, May 22, 2016, at his home. He was born May 4, 1931, in Huntsville, Ark., to John and Hester Guthrie Gaskill. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jim Gaskill.

Edward was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was a member of the Farmington Church of Christ for many years. He enjoyed trout fishing and hunting for diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Ark.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Tubb Gaskill of the home to whom he was married June 12, 1965, in Bakersfield, Calif.; a daughter, Cheryl Matthews and husband, Andy of Fayetteville; and grandson, Ben Matthews; two brothers, Bob Gaskill and wife, Penny of Huntsville and Johnny Gaskill of Huntsville; three sisters, Mary Neal of Wesley, Doris Williams and husband, Tom of Springdale and Ann Anderson and husband, Joel of Little Rock.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2016, at the Farmington Church of Christ. Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel. com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Jimmy D. Whittington, 63, of Fayetteville, died May 24, 2016, at the Willard Walker Hospice Home surrounded by his family. He was born May 27, 1952, in Magnolia, Ark., to Wyman B. and Bernice Simmons Whittington.

He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era. He was in law enforcement in Magnolia, Ark., and retired from the Washington County Sheriffs Department.

He is survived by two sons, Jason Whittington and wife, Susan, of Camas, Wash., and Michael Bradley and wife, Dawn, of West Fork, Ark.; two brothers, Wyman Whittington, Jr. and wife, Pam of Bentonville, Ark., and Michael Vaughan and wife, Kay of El Dorado, Ark.; two sisters, Judy Harper and husband, Bobby of Fort Smith, Ark., and Julia Whittington of Fayetteville; four grandchildren, Jasmine Whittington, Sean Whittington, Caylee Bradley and Garrett Bradley; numerous nieces and nephews.

No services are planned at this time. Online condolences may be made to www.beards funeralchapel.com.

ROGERS — Norman Chambers, 71, of Rogers, died May 22, 2016. Survivors two sons, Jason Chambers (Christine), Lewis Stout Jr.; five daughters, Theresa Wrazel (Mike), Karen O’Connor, Angel Slinkard (Bryan), Misty Underwood (Mike), Cindy Alford (Doug). A memorial is set for 10 a.m., May 27 at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Pea Ridge.

ROGERS — Paul Wade Tyree, 61, of Rogers passed away May 23, 2016, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville. He was born April 13, 1955, in Whittier, Calif., the son of John Kenneth and Carrie Lee Tisher Tyree.

He was a retired forklift operator.

Paul is preceded in death by his father, John Kenneth Tyree. He is survived by his wife, Linda Marie Green Tyree of the home; his daughter, Sarah Anne Link of Pineville, Mo., and his son, Anthony Justin “AJ” Tyree of Pea Ridge; his mother, Carrie Tyree of Rogers, his siblings, Kenneth Tyree of Pea Ridge, Johnny Tryee of Rogers, Vickie Monroe of Pineville, Mo., and Tony Tyree of Bentonville; three grandchildren, Andrew, Samantha and Noah Link.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Sunday with celebration of Paul’s life to follow at the Community Center, 293 South Curtis Ave., Pea Ridge, Ark. Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncounty funeralhome.com.

SPRINGDALE — Ronald Edward McGahhey, 69, of Springdale, died Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Circle of Life Hospice. He was born May 24, 1946, in Merced, Calif., to Tony Frank and Billye Lou ( Laffoon) McGahhey. Ron served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed fishing, reading westerns and helping others. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Mary (Phelan) McGahhey of the home; twin sons, Matthew and Patrick McGahhey both of Minnesota; a daughter, Kimberley Johnson of Springdale; another son, Dan Crabtree of Yelm, Wash.; two sisters, Judy McGahhey and Brenda Russell both of Springdale; 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim and Ken McGahhey.

A graveside service will be 12 noon Thursday, May 26, at Fayetteville National Cemetery. Arrangements are with Heritage Funeral Home. Online guest book at www. heritageofnwa.com.

VAN BUREN — Cathy Ann (Brasuell) Webb, 63, a resident of Van Buren passed away Saturday, May 21, 2016. A celebration of life will be at 5 p.m., Saturday, May 28, 2016, at Ralph Brasuell’s Farm, 3320, Ridge Road, Alma, Ark., 72921. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/paris.

WESLEY — Cuba Irene Fritts, 92, of Wesley, died May 23, 2016. Survivors: children, Steven ( Diana) Fritts and Glenda (Stephen) Davis; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren. Services 10 a. m. Saturday, Wesley Church of Christ. Interment Wesley Cemetery by Brashears Funeral Home www.brashearsfuneralhome. net of Huntsville. Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Friday at Brashears.

WEST FORK — Carman Earl Courtney was born at home on the family farm in Winslow, Ark., on Nov. 18, 1938. Earl was the 10th of the 12 Courtney children.

He worked the fa m i ly farm until he was 16. At age 16 he moved to Washington State to live with his sisters, Randolyn and Norma, to work the harvest. It was there that Randolyn taught him to play guitar. He used the money he earned that year to buy the first of his many guitars.

In 1956, after a year in Washington, Earl returned home to Arkansas and enlisted in the Army. After three years of service, he returned to civilian life in 1959 and made a decision that would shape the rest of his life. Earl’s brothers were working at the mine in Climax, Colo., and Earl decided he would go work with them. It was there that Earl met the love of his life, Shirley Kufeldt. Earl and Shirley were married on July 30, 1960. They were blessed to share 55 years of marriage and 56 years of friendship.

Wanting to provide for his new bride and their future family, Earl decided to return to the Army. Military life allowed Earl and Shirley to travel all over the world together. Both of their children, Charlene and Carmen, were born overseas in Germany while Earl was stationed there.

While in Germany, Earl had the opportunity to open for the U.S.O. and for many famous entertainers, including: Hank Snow, Brenda Lee, Faron Young, and The Willis Brothers. He was even offered a career in music in Nashville, but chose to continue serving his family and country instead.

Earl retired from the Army in 1978 after 22 years of service as a combat helicopter pilot. He served a remote tour in Korea and a tour of combat during the Vietnam War. He achieved the high rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 and received The Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.

After he retired, Earl and Shirley and their youngest daughter Carmen moved home to Arkansas to be with his family. He cared for his aging parents, his siblings, and his immediate family, all while working as many as three jobs at a time.

Earl was the man you wanted on your side. If you were a friend or family to Earl, you knew you would always be taken care of. When anyone needed anything, someone would always say, “Call Earl.”

Earl was a man of patience, who found pleasure investing his time in the things he loved, as is evidenced by the way he chose to spend his time. He was a flight instructor, charter pilot, FBO manager, carpenter, and welding instructor. He also loved gardening, fishing and hunting, teaching music, and playing music any chance he got. He played and sang in various bands ever since 1957, and was still performing regularly until March of 2016.

Earl lived a Christian life. He was a man of his word and he cared for the meek and the lowly. He was obedient to the Lord in the profession of his faith and in baptism on May 15, 2016. We rest in the confidence that he is now in the Kingdom of his Savior, where all is as it should be.

Earl’s life was defined by the things he loved. He lived his life to serve his country, and those dear to him. There is a large circle of lives he touched with his generosity; lives that are different and better for having known him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lillian Courtney, his brothers, Conrad ( Sonny) and Carlton Courtney and his baby sister, Charlene Lockett. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Shirley and his daughters, Charlene White and husband Steve, Carmen Rees and husband Christian, his siblings, Randolyn Kilpatrick, Leona Thurber, Shirley Pool, Charles Courtney, Norma Hill, Marilyn Lindsey, Carlma Jean Hodges, John Courtney, his grandchildren, Jeremy and Emily White, Billy and Nicole White, Christian and Cori White, Sommer and Luke Roller, Courtney and Anna Rees, Lydia White, Katharine Rees, Vandegrift Rees, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2016, at the First Baptist Church West Fork with Pastor Heath Clower officiating. Interment will follow in Blackburn Cemetery ( Winslow) with full military honors under the direction of Beard’s Chapel. An open visitation will be Thursday, May 26, 2016, from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Beard’s Chapel. Condolences at www. beardsfuneralchapel.com.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Our dearly loved William “Bill” E. Caris, age 94, died peacefully surrounded by his family on May 19, 2016 at Methodist Hospital in Hopkins, Minn. Bill lived at Summit Place in Eden Prairie, Minn.; formerly of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; Fairfield, Iowa; Albert Lea, Minn.; Burnsville, Minn., and Bella Vista, Ark.

Survived by loving wife of 71 years, Ruth Elaine (Lawrence) Caris, married Sept. 13, 1944, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Loving father of Michael Caris ( Deborah), Connie Boyd (David), Timothy Caris (Jane). Grandchildren: Jason, Jeffrey ( Christine), Joshua ( Stacey), Jonathan ( Melissa), Jennifer, Alex (Krista), Doug and Emma. Seven great-grandchildren: William, Ella, Adelyn, Caedon, Nolan, Grayson, and Theodore. Bill was the son of the late Merle Clifford and the late Anna Maxine ( Stewart) Caris of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Virginia; brother-inlaw, Richard Van Tuyl; brother, Stewart and sister-in-law, Dorothy (Shaw).

Bill received his BA degree from Iowa Wesleyan College, MA degree from the University of Iowa. He was a United States Navy Aviator and served in active duty from 1943-1946. Bill was a lifetime teacher and coach, a profession that he embraced whole-heartedly. He will be remembered for setting an example of fair play and devotion to family and a Christian life. Coach Caris was beloved by students, athletes, parents and coaches alike. Bill and Ruth enjoyed playing golf, Nordic skiing, bicycling and playing bridge with friends.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p. m. on Thursday, May 26 at Washburn-McReavy, Edina Chapel, 5000 West 50th Street, Edina, Minn., 952-920-3996. Visitation will precede funeral at 1 p.m. Reception to follow at funeral home.

Internment 11 a. m. on Saturday, May 27 at Forest Home Cemetery located at 1201 North Broadway Street, Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Luncheon to follow at Jerry’s Restaurant, 2105 East Washington Street, Mt Pleasant, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lions Club International, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes or National T.T.T. Society.

NORMAN, Okla. — Jo Elizabeth ( Beth) [ Huxtable] Michaels, died peacefully with her husband and daughter by her side on May 9, 2016. Beth was born Oct. 24, 1937 to Jo E. (Zimmerman) Huxtable and Lew Wallace Huxtable in Wichita, Kan.

She is predeceased by her parents, and her brother, Wally Huxtable. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 56 years, Kenneth B. Michaels; son, Jeffrey Alan Michaels, and his wife, Kim Truong, of San Marcos, Calif.; daughter, Elizabeth A. ( Betsy) [ Michaels] Morehead, and her husband Mike Morehead, of Norman, Okla.; brother, Thomas L. Huxtable of Wichita, Kan.; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

Beth suffered for most of her adult life from Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and various associated illnesses. While she suffered a great many physical debilities during her lifetime, she was, until the day she died, a warm, kind, loving woman, with a heart of gold and the patience of a saint. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a captivating smile; she was loved by all who knew her. She loved people and took great joy from nearly everyone she came in contact with.

After high school, she attended what is now known as Wichita State University and later, after she and Ken married, she moved with Ken to Manhattan, Kan., where she obtained her B.S. degree in Home Economics from Kansas State University, while at the same time starting her family. In 1965, the family moved to Connecticut where she and her husband raised their children. In 1988 she and her husband retired to Fayetteville, Ark., where they lived until mid2014 when they moved to Norman, Okla., to be closer to their daughter.

Beth was a member of the D.A.R., Clan Leslie Society International, and the Unitarian Universal Fellowship of Fayetteville, Ark. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that gifts in her memory be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at www. nmss.org. A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville, Ark., at 2 p.m. on June 11, 2016, 901 Cleveland Street, Fayetteville, Ark.

TULSA, Okla. — Mary Waters, 82, Tulsa, died May 15. Graveside service 2 p.m., Saturday, May 28, Maplewood Cemetery, Harrison, under the direction of Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. Visitation an hour prior to service at funeral home. Children, Jeri Lynn Waters, Greg (Nancy) Waters; brother, Robert Rogers; brotherin-law, Gene Waters, survive her. Online Guestbook: roller funeralhomes.com/harrison.

HOUSTON, Texas — James Roland Weiss passed away quietly on May 21, 2016. He was born in Maud, Okla., on Oct. 1, 1933, to Alfred Bailey We i ss and Osa Gardner Sheets.

Jim lived in numero u s towns throughout Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas as his father moved the family to various oilfield camps in the 1930s and 1940s. In early 1950, Jim moved to Springdale to live with his grandparents and attended Springdale High School where he met his future wife, Luellen Penzo.

Jim enlisted in the Navy on Jan. 5, 1952, and served in the submarine service for a total of eight years. Jim’s sales career took him around the world; visiting numerous countries in Europe, the Middle East and Japan. The Weiss family moved to Houston, Texas, in 1972. Jim worked for Vestal Laboratories, later purchased by Merck where he spent the remainder of this career. Jim loved to fish and enjoyed being outdoors. One of Jim’s favorite past times was taking his son and sons-in-law offshore fishing and then inviting the family to huge fish fries. He will be dearly missed by his family. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the National Parkinson Foundation.

Jim was predeceased by his wife, Luellen Penzo Weiss of 61 years, to whom he was married to on March 10, 1955; Survivors include his four children, Theresa Weiss Zapalac and husband David Zapalac, Lesa Weiss Rosinski and husband, Richard Rosinski, James Kevin Weiss and Karina Weiss Porter and husband, Harold Porter, two brothers, Leland Weiss and Monty Weiss, and one sister, Beth McKay, eight grandchildren, Harry Porter and wife, Amanda Porter, Stephen Porter, Ricky Rosinski and wife, Jordan Rosinski, James Michael Weiss, Matthew Zapalac, Kirby Weiss, Shelby Weiss, Corbin Weiss and several nieces and nephews.

Christian Burial will be Thursday, May 26, 2016. at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale, Ark. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be left at www. siscofuneral.com.