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 — Clara Ann Elkins, age 94, a resident of Fayetteville, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017, in Fayetteville surrounded by many of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was born Aug. 19, 1922, in Fayetteville, Ark., the daughter of John and Dollie E. (Estep) Atterberry.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and four sisters.

Survivors include 10 children: James Trollinger and wife Kay, Johnny Trollinger, Frank Trollinger and wife Linda, Ronnie Trollinger and wife Kate, Joe Trollinger and wife Debbie, Marolyn Aurand, Carolyn Jungels and husband Rodney, Pete Trollinger and wife Patty, John Trollinger, and Lee Hood and wife Sherry; 26 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; and 22 great-great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Monday, May 22, 2017, 6-8 p.m. at the Luginbuel Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove. Graveside service will be at 4 p.m. at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville, Ark.

Online guest book, www. luginbuel.com.

FORT SMITH — Frank Earl Simpson, 73, of Fort Smith, Ark., died May 17, 2017, at Mercy Hospital-Fort Smith. He was born Jan. 31, 1944, at Huntsville, Ark., the son of Wayne and Edith Tankersley Simpson.

He was a machinist for Design Action Machine and an avid golfer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Ken Simpson and Joe Wayne

Simpson and his stepfather, Herbert Smith.

Survivors include his wife, whom he married November 1969, Joyce Jean Vanhook Simpson of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Anthony and Jennifer Simpson of Lowell, Ark., and Eric and Julie Simpson of Fort Smith, Ark.; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Virginia and Harvey McLoud of Forum, Ark., and Mary Bess Jackson of Huntsville, Ark.; five grandchildren, Tyler Simpson, Patrick Simpson, Grayson Simpson, Avery Simpson and Zay Simpson.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, in the chapel of Brashears Funeral Home with Reverend Larry Montgomery officiating. Interment will be in the Marshall Cemetery under the direction of Brashears Funeral Home www.brashearsfuneralhome. net at Huntsville.

Pallbearers will be Tyler Simpson, Patrick Simpson, Grayson Simpson, Clayton Simpson, Greg Simpson and Shaun Vanhook.

Memorials may be made to: 1st Tee-Fort Smith, 6100 Golf Course Loop, Fort Smith, Ark. 72916.

GARFIELD — James Alexander, 57, of Garfield died May 15. Survivors are one son, Jeremy Alexander of Fort Wayne, Ind., and his love of 17 years, Carolyn Wall. He enjoyed riding his Harley with friends. A memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20, at NEBCO Community Room in Garfield.

HARRISON — Wayne Tucker, 95, of Harrison, died Friday, May 19. Visitation will be Monday, May 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. with the funeral service on Tuesday, May 23, at 2 p.m. both will be held at Holt Memorial Chapel, in Harrison. His wife, Gracie, preceded him in death.

ROYAL — Donald Jule Clark was called home to our Lord in his home on Thursday, May 18, 2017. He was born on Feb. 22, 1934, to Tom and Millie Clark in Muskogee, Okla., where he grew up in Goose Neck Bend.

As a child, he helped his dad grow watermelons to make a living earning the nickname Plug (because of plugging watermelons).

He married Margie Roselle O’Neal on Feb. 9, 1951, and together they raised four loving children.

He began his career working in construction at Standard Industries in Tulsa, Okla., as a blade operator. In 1965, he moved to Fayetteville, Ark., with his family where he worked with McClinton Anchor for 31 years as a supervisor in charge of excavating road building operations. He was part in constructing the development of large commercial property around Fayetteville which included landmarks such as the mall, Walton Arts Center and the University of Arkansas stadium. He helped build the first leg of the I-40 interstate leading to Fayetteville and many roads from Oklahoma to all over Arkansas.

He retired in 1996 and later moved to Hot Springs, Ark., in 2004 where he had the opportunity enjoy things he loved such as fishing and hunting with his children and grandchildren and spending time with his family. Margie and Donald were members of Baldwin Christian Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Millie Clark; brothers, Thomas Clark and Milton Clark; and sister, Thelma Clark Emmons.

He is survived by his wife, Margie Roselle Clark; his beloved dog, Coco; children, Donna Sue Clark, Robert Joe Clark, Annette Brickell and her husband, Randy, Teri Slavens and her husband, Rocky; grandchildren, Shannon Hughes, Joe McKnight, Jennifer Teague, Logan Slavens, Scott Brickell, Cody Brickell, Beau Brickell, Casey Audrey and Christopher Clark; great-grandchildren Sabrina Hughes, Austin Hughes, Delaney Teague, Emmy Teague, John Gregory, Madison, Olivia Slavens, Kingsley Brickell, Tatum Brickell and Tori Bennett.

Funeral services are under the direction of Beards Funeral Chapel located at 855 South Happy Hollow Road in Fayetteville, Ark. The visitation will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2017, from 2-4 p.m.

A celebration of Donald’s life will be held on Monday, May 22, 2017, at 11 a.m. at Beard’s Chapel with Pastor Ray Baggett officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Beau Brickell, Scott Brickell, Cody Brickell, Logan Slavens, Joe McKnight and Jason Teague will be serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Rocky Slavens and Leon Drain.

The celebration will continue with family and friends immediately following the graveside service at Tim’s Pizza East located at 1813 East Mission Boulevard in Fayetteville, Ark. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel. com.

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. — John Paul Bierman, 55, of Jerseyville, Ill., passed away May 17, 2017, at the Siloam Springs Regional Hospital. John was born on July 10, 1961, in Jerseyville, Ill., a son of John F. Bierman and Anna Belle (Ontis) Bierman Holliday.

He was married to Janice (Fountain) Bierman, who preceded him in death. John worked for Amsted Rail in Granite City as a sand mill operator.

He is survived by his mother, Anna Belle Bierman Holliday of Jerseyville, Ill.; two sons, Clayton Long of Marianna, Ark. and Wade and wife Tracey Long of Wasilla, Alaska; one daughter, Doni Jo Long of Siloam Springs; two sisters, Vicky Taylor of Watts, Okla., and Pennie Steele of Jerseyville, Ill.; four brothers, Lester and wife Robin Bierman of Jerseyville, Ill., Eric and Judy Bierman of Medora, Ill., Dennis and Shelly Bierman of Jerseyville, Ill., and Pat Bierman of Jerseyville, Ill.; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, his wife and a brother-in-law, John Taylor.

Visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Siloam Springs on Sunday, May 21, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visitation and funeral service will be held at the Targhetta & Woolridge Funeral Home in Medora, Ill. with burial being conducted at the Medora Cemetery.

To sign the online guest book, visit www.BackstromPyeatte.com.