Obituaries

BATESVILLE — Joann Thompson passed away on Jan. 4, 2017. She was born April 19, 1955. She was the daughter of Marvin and Blanche Keller of Bethesda, Ark. She is survived by her sister, Mary Lee Kennedy of Fayetteville, Ark.; a brother, Jerry Keller of Batesville, Ark.; and a niece, Belynda Ann Hagar of Batesville. She has slipped the surly bonds of earth and touched the Face of God. Services will be private. Memorials may be made to the Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 E. Longview St, Fayetteville, Ark., 72703. Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.

BELLA VISTA — Clyde D. Cheek Jr. of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away at Circle of Life on Jan. 5, 2017, at the age of 78. Clyde was born in Seelyville, Ind., May 15, 1938.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ruth Rader Cheek and Clyde D. Cheek Sr. and a son, Raymond Cheek. Clyde is survived by his wife, Carol, of the home; sons, Dan and his wife, Janet of Monmouth, Ill., Ken and his wife, Vickie, of Lake City, Fla., and Jim and his wife, Rosie, of Bella Vista; brothers, Charles of Brazil, Ind., and Don and wife, Betty, of Pass Christian, Miss.; 10 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m., Jan. 9 at First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista. A reception will follow service. Interment will be held in Brazil, Ind., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 20 Boyce Drive, Bella Vista, Ark., 72715. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation. com.

BELLA VISTA — Howard LeRoy Johnson, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, at Concordia Skilled Care Center. He was born Aug. 13, 1933, in Topeka, Kan., the son of Harold and Pearl Johnson.

He served in the U.S. Army where he earned an Honorable Discharge. He had lived in the Northwest Arkansas area for over 10 years, after moving from Olathe, Kan. He was self-employed for many years.

Howard was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista. He was preceded in death by: his parents, one son, one sister, one brother, one grandson, and one granddaughter. Survivors include: his wife Mary A. Johnson whom he married May 1, 1985, two sons; Paul Johnson of Topeka, Kan., Donald Johnson, of Topeka, Kan., one step-daughter; Cindy Valdez, and her husband Daniel, of Fort Scott, Kan., his sister-in-law; Anita Johnson, of Springfield, Mo.

A celebration of Howard’s life will be Saturday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista. Full military honors will be provided by the Bella Vista Honor Guard. Memorials may be sent to: First United Methodist Church, Bella Vista. Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home Bella Vista. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

BELLA VISTA — Lenny Schulz, 91, of Bella Vista, Ark., born Dec. 24, 1924, died Dec. 20, 2016. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Ellen (Hill) Schulz. He is survived by sons, Bruce and Timothy Schulz and daughter, Gretchen Bussman; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

CLARKSVILLE — Larry Gilbert, 62, of Clarksville, passed away Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017. Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at the Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel. Arrangements by Roller-Cox Funeral Home, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clarksville.

FORT SMITH — Dr. Theodore Skokos passed away Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, in Fort Smith. He was born in Perth Amboy, N.J., to Angela Menedes and Sarantos (Sering) Skokos on July 11, 1920. He would say 7/11 was a lucky day. At age 11 his family moved to the famous seaside resort of Asbury Park, N.J., where his father opened a bustling hamburger joint across the street from the boardwalk.

He attended Washington and Jefferson College on a basketball scholarship and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Dental School in Philadelphia, where Betty was a Navy officer decoding messages. After meeting at a soda fountain, they went for one dance at a nickelodeon, and she knew he was the one for her.

Their marriage in 1945 was blessed by the Archbishop Athenagoras, who had come to Asbury Park to conduct Ted’s father’s funeral. Athenagoras would later become the Archbishop of Instanbul, supreme in the Greek Orthodox Church.

After being stationed in postwar Germany as a captain in the Army, Ted and Betty moved to Fort Smith, across the river from her hometown of Van Buren, where they raised five children. He practiced dentistry for fifty years.

Ted became very active in the community, serving as school board president, and most proudly, founding and leading the church League baseball program, now with eight ballfields (the second of which was named in his honor), and participation of over a thousand children a year. He received Fort Smith’s most prestigious honor, the annual Golden Deeds award of the local Exchange Club.

Like the town’s ambassador, Ted served as marshal on the 18th green, during the ten years of the local Nationwide PGA tour event. He delighted children for years playing Santa Claus at the Boys’ Club, and he entertained crowds as referee of Harlem Magicians basketball games. This led to his appearing on a nationwide telecast of ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Remarkably, he nailed a 30-foot shot live, after having been unable to sink a single one in pre-game taping. The camera crew followed him backing down the court, a novel reaction shot for that time, as he grinned ear-to-ear in disbelief.

Over the years he would book numerous marquee names of the big band era for the Fort Smith Cotillion dance club, among them Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton and Count Basie.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Jennie Elizabeth (Betty) Campbell Skokos last March; and by his brother, George of Asbury Park, his sister, Connie of Huntsville, Ala., and his brother, Pete of Freehold, N.J. He is survived by five children, Ted C. Skokos and his wife Shannon of Dallas, Leslie Cange and her husband Bill of Greers Ferry, Dr. Kemp Skokos and his wife Tawnya of Little Rock, Doug Skokos of Fort Smith, and Stacia (Shuggie) Peebles and her husband Brent of Decatur, Ala.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at First United Methodist Church with private burial to follow at Alma Cemetery, all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Active pall bearers will be Teddy Skokos, Jacob and King Williams, Scott Wilmoth, Campbell and Greyson Skokos, Jonathan and Samuel Winstead, and Robert Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Aldersgate Sunday school class.

The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be sent to Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs, 4905 North “O” St., Fort Smith, Ark., 72904, or First United Methodist Church, 200 North 15th, Fort Smith, Ark., 72901. To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com

PRAIRIE GROVE — Dorothy Jeanne Hays, age 92, of Prairie Grove, Ark., died Jan. 2, at the Willard Walker Hospice Center in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born in Kansas City, Kan., on July 1, 1924.

Jeanne was preceded in death, by her parents, John Hays and Dorothy Mae Hays and two stepbrothers, John Hays and Bob Hays, of Kansas.

Jeanne retired from Southwestern Bell after 35 years of dedicated service. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Prairie Grove and a member of the Senior Democrats of Northwest Arkansas.

Jeanne is survived by Marie Clark, friend of the home, and two nieces, Belinda Clark, Debbie Phipps, and husband Danny Phipps.

Friends and family are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life service, honoring Jeanne, at the First Presbyterian Church in Prairie Grove, Ark., on Jan. 22, following the 11 a.m. church service. No other services are scheduled. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 208 E. Bush, Prairie Grove, Ark.; Friends of Prairie Grove Pound, 314 E. Parks St, Prairie Grove, Ark.; or the charity of your choice.

ROGERS — Billy Ray Bogh, 81, of Rogers, Ark., passed away at Circle of Life Hospice on Jan. 3, 2017, after a short illness. He was born on Nov. 14, 1935, to Raymond and Emilia Bogh (Miller) in LeMars, Iowa.

He married Lynne Sonksen in 1956. They raised seven children, Stephanie (Ed) Knolmayer of River Falls, Wis., Kim Schroeder (Scott Rohmiller) and Chris (Melanie) Bogh of LeMars, Iowa, Deb (Loren) Mongan of Aurelia, Iowa, Barb Hansen (Paul Bergin) of LeMars, Iowa, Patricia (Henry) Shear of Elgin, S.C., and Charles (Lisa) Bogh of Iowa City, Iowa. In 1991 he moved to Rogers, Ark., and later met his partner, Carol Gittings.

Bill was a man of many talents and passions. In his life he was a dairy farmer and the inventor of the first hydraulic lift trailer. When he needed a new crane for his grain storage construction company, he built one from scratch. He was an entrepreneur, metalsmith, designer and carpenter. He reveled in making projects to share with his family and friends.

He loved the land and was an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing the bounty with his friends and neighbors. Billy Ray loved the Fellowship Bible Church and its people. He was seldom without his trademark orange and green hat!

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Peggy Mesman and brother, Keith Bogh. He is survived by Carol, his seven children, 23 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and his sister, Donna Roche of Rogers.

Bill’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at 1 p.m. at the Fellowship Bible Church, 1051 W. Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers, Ark. Arrangements by Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home.

ROGERS — Graveside services for Edith Ellen Onieda (Stewart) Otts, 86, formerly of Kilgore, are scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, at 11 a.m. at Chandler Memorial Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Chandler Memorial Funeral Home.

Edith passed away Jan. 2, 2017, in Rogers, Ark. She was born in Malvern, Ark., the daughter of Benjamin and Jessie Mae Stewart, on June 27, 1930. Her parents were hard working people and Edith was the baby child.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Benjamin Franklin Stewart Jr. and Coleman Mitchell Stewart, and a sister, Lucille Marie Stewart Lavender.

Edith married the love of her life Clarence Edwin Otts on Oct. 8, 1950. Ed died Oct. 23, 2004. Edith was a daughter, sister, wife and mother. She was a homemaker, secretary, florist, and was the life of her families.

Edith leaves three children, Allan Edwin Otts (Carol Pennybaker Otts), Patricia Ann Otts Free-Walker (Michael Walker), and Susan Carol Otts Hart (Kenneth Randal Hart). She also has seven grandchildren, Rodney Bryan Free, Daniel Jacob Hart, Heather Amanda Free-Stewart (Shane Stewart), Christopher Allan Otts (Janille Otts), Nicholas Allan Otts, Nathanal Grant B.E. Hart (Paige Hart), and Sarah Ann Free-Blood (Jason Blood). She is also survived by 18 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

ROGERS — Paul F. Pattison, Jr., 68, of Rogers passed away Dec. 30, 2016, in Rogers. He was born March 7, 1948, in Millington, Tenn., the son of Paul F Pattison, Sr. and Arnetta “Ordel” Bir Pattison.

He was a retired licensed clinical Social Worker.

Preceded in death by his parents and one sister JoAnn Kraft. Survived by his son Corey Pattison of Washington, D.C.; his sister Tanas Schmidt (Karl) of Sherwood, Ark., his brother-in-law Ken Kraft of South Carolina; nephews Kurt Schmidt, Aaron Schmidt, Kris Kraft and Scott Kraft (Crystal); niece Tanya Kaltenbach and many great nieces and nephews.

Visitation 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.

SPRINGDALE — Delbert Leroy Bass, 81, Springdale, passed away Jan. 5, 2017, in Springdale. He was born Nov. 24, 1935. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Mary Bass. Survivors include daughter, Tracey Mead; siblings, Bonnie Fifer, Betty Baker, Patty Lewis, and Don Neill; and four grandchildren. Share online condolences at www.WestfieldChapel.com.

SPRINGDALE — Our beloved Barbara Ann Davenport, 52, passed away at her home peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, in Springdale, Ark.

A proud Fayetteville, Ark., native and Fayetteville High School ‘82 Graduate, Barbara Ann is survived by her husband, Derek E Davenport of Springdale, her son, Brandon Boyd, and her beloved granddaughter, Layla Boyd, both of Fayetteville, Ark., Lyn Lashawe of St. Louis, Mo., her uncle Gerald Harriman of Fayetteville, her aunt Lily Faye Harriman, her Aunt Betty and Cousin Dee Ann Stowers, her Aunt Sondra Smith, her Aunt Rhonda Harwell, her Cousins Terry Harriman and Trent Harriman, all from Elkins, Ark., and her Aunt Carol Bennett of Springdale, Ark.

All through her childhood years she was an honor student, excelling in sports, especially basketball. She graduated from Fayetteville High early with honors, eventually accepting a Mechanical Engineering scholarship at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville, Ark. Condolences may be given online at www.nelsonberna.com.