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.

BENTONVILLE —

Samuel Hayes Ruckle, infant son of Blake and Kayla Ruckle, was born on Sunday, July 9, 2017, at 1:57 a.m. and went home to be with Jesus on Sunday night.

Samuel was named for God, and now he gets to be with Him. For four years, his parents prayed for a son, and they were blessed to hold him for as long as they did. He is, and always will be, deeply loved.

He is survived by his parents; his sister, Keely Grace Ruckle; grandparents, Rob and Misty Ruckle, Sandy McDonald, Robert McDonald; great-grandparents, Bob and Jean Ruckle, Margaret and Wayne Pattillo, Karen and Bobby Stewart, Phil Miner, Frances McDonald; aunts Morgan Ruckle, Nicole McDonald; uncles, Steven McDonald, Jacob McDonald; and a large, loving extended family.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 14 at Hunt Chapel on the grounds of Pinnacle Memorial Gardens. Burial will follow in that cemetery.

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.” – 1 Samuel 1:27.

BERRYVILLE — Gary

Dean “Flash” Ivie is now 6 foot 5…donning his steel toe, tapped, genuine leather Acme Boots; rolled up Levi 501’s; crew cut hair slicked back with Tiger Balm; dancing the peppermint twist and high fiving into Heaven.

Gary was born prematurely on Aug. 9, 1944, to C.D. and Nadine (Shahan) Ivie, thus resulting in his lifelong bondage of cerebral palsy. He proudly graduated high school in 1964 with a whole lot of encouragement, shenanigans, and love from his classmates earning the nickname “Flash.”

Gary was a member of Southern Heights Baptist Church, I.O.O.F., Berryville Lodge No. 82 and Kingston Lodge No. 116. He was proud to visit with Bill Clinton on two occasions and was sad his girl, Hillary, didn’t win. Gary loved to read the Bible, watch CNN and anything on the History Channel. He had a lifelong affair with Vienna sausage, egg salad, yellow cakes with chocolate frosting, cottage cheese, and Pepsi (with a straw).

Gary had a great disdain for phoniness, loved to talk politics, was quick witted and would laugh at your jokes before you started telling them.

He was preceded in death by his father, Cargile Dewey Ivie. Gary is survived by his mother, Nadine Ivie, of Berryville, siblings, Mava Fout of Springfield, Mo., David Ivie and spouse, Lisa, of Rogers, Ark., Pat Jones of Springdale, Ark.; C.D. Ivie of Little Rock, Ark., Gail DeWeese and spouse, Bill, of Berryville; and adored by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and many friends.

Gary’s dad, Cargile, built their house on Freeman street for the purpose that he could walk to school and church. He received his last ride down Freeman street on Saturday night.

If his family has ever been sure of anything it is this, Gary was sent here on this Earth to work through us to inspire others, to change people, to open people’s hearts to endless possibilities, to inspire hope and healing. The family would like to thank anyone that ever gave “Flash” a ride from Poynor’s Drug Store, the Main Theatre, or Wilson’s TV. He appreciated your patience and time. The family would like to give thanks to the staff at Autumn Hills Nursing Home and Mercy Hospital, where he received such love, peace, and respect.

Funeral service was at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at the Charles M. Nelson Memorial Chapel, Berryville with Pastor Alan Brown officiating. Interment followed the service in the Berryville Memorial Park Cemetery, Berryville, Ark., under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Memorial donations may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 2222, Little Rock, Ark., 72203-9984, or the Berryville Community Restoration Project, P.O. Box 367, Berryville, Ark. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com.

ELKINS — Pat sy

Berniece Wilson, 71, of Elkins, Ark., passed away Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at the Peachtree Village in Farmington, Ark.

Patsy was born on June 5, 1946, in Stigler, Okla., a daughter of Adolphus Wilson and Gueilda Delk Wilson. She was a retired social worker for the Arkansas Head Start Program. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and crafts including painting, garage sales and having fun at a casino. She was a Baptist with a very firm Christian faith. She loved spending time with her granddaughter Gracie and was known to many as being a great and kind person.

She is survived by two sons, Alex and wife Marie Blakemore of Elkins, Ark., and Brian and wife Melissa Blakemore of Farmington, Ark. three daughters Lisa and husband Howard McCoy of Springdale, Lori and husband Shannan Moseley of Lowell and Ginger Thomas of Springdale; one brother, Leon and wife Donna Wilson of West Siloam Springs, Okla.; five grandchildren, Summer and husband Brandon Windham, Destiny and husband Victor Sandoval, Allyn Blakemore, Isaac Hall and Gracie Blakemore; five and half great- grandchildren, Creiden Qualls, Trayton Qualls, Jovanne Sandoval, Waylon Blakemore, Brian Sandoval and one blessing on the way. She was preceded in death by one son, Roy Allen Blakemore and her sister, Velda Louise Burrell.

Funeral services will be held at the Backstrom- Pyeatte Chapel at 2 p. m. on Friday, July 14, 2017. Pastor Jack Graham will officiate the service with burial being held at the Wilson Cemetery under the direction of the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Springdale. To sign the online guest book, visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com.

EUREKA SPRINGS —

Mary Elizabeth “Beth” ( Caldwell) Manire

Short, aged 96, died peacefully July 11 at Brighton Ridge Nursing Home, Eureka Springs, Ark. Beth was born May 8, 1921, in Henrietta, Texas, the daughter of Frank E. and Zelda Faye (Jones) Caldwell.

Beth had a musical upbringing playing piano, French horn, trumpet, cello, piccolo and Scotch baritone. One of the highlights in her teen years was traveling and playing in the Kelties all girl marching band. She was also active in theater playing the lead in many plays in high school.

While attending Oklahoma City University she met the love of her life, Hubert B. Manire whom she married in 1940. They had four children together, Larry, Bryan, Jane and Steve. They settled in Oklahoma City while Hubert had a career in the YMCA but moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1957 to continue Y work.

In Corpus Christi, Beth developed a life-long interest in performing as a clown named Snookey. She has brought much joy and laughter to many people at parades, hospitals, nursing homes, parties, festivals and the like.

After another move to Milwaukee, Wis., for Y work, Beth and Hubert changed careers and moved to Hot Springs, Ark., to build KOA campgrounds in Hot Springs and Little Rock. Retiring from successful camping careers, they moved to Rogers, Ark., where she founded the Arkee Malarkee Clown Alley and was active in the First Methodist Church. After Hubert’s death in 1986, Beth married retired Col. Harold Short, the father of a fellow clown. After Harold’s death in 1996 Beth moved to Eureka Springs to be near her children.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Eureka Springs, chairman of the board for several years, an active volunteer for the Eureka Springs Hospital Guild, People Helping People and Help Hospitalized Veterans.

Beth is survived by her four children, her sister Rose Ann (Caldwell) Davis of Hot Springs, Ark., nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, and Harold’s children Joe, Jewel, Ron and Judy.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Eureka Springs on July 30 at 2 p.m. with reception to follow. Beth’s ashes will be interred aside Hubert’s at Crestview Cemetery, Hot Springs, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to the church at 195 Huntsville Road, Eureka Springs, Ark., 72632, (479) 253-8987.

Beth requests that, in memory of her, you “laugh long and heartily. Remember that laughter is healing.”

FAYETTEVILLE —

Gertrude Adel DesGouttes,

age 88, of Fayetteville, aka, Miss G, Gerts, or Gertie, passed away peacefully at home on Friday morning, July 7, 2017. She was born on June 18, 1929, in Westmoreland, Jamaica, to Marty and Louise Reynolds.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ignatius and her son, Alexis DesGouttes; her sister, Rose Reynolds; and her four brothers, Zachariah, Reginald, Percival, and Stanley Reynolds.

Gertrude lived the first half of her life in Jamaica. There she married and with her husband, raised her three children, and took care of other family members and anyone else who needed her help. She also had a successful retail career working for FW Woolworth & Co., from where she retired after 27+ years of service.

When her husband Ignatius died, she made the decision to move to the U. S. With her youngest daughter Karen they joined her oldest daughter Constance (Connie) and her husband in North Miami Beach, Fla. Once settled in her new home, she started the next phase of her life. She studied and became a licensed CNA and worked until her second retirement at age 65.

After retirement, she began traveling with her youngest daughter Karen, and they both went wherever Karen’s job took them. Their first stop was California. They lived in Camarillo for nearly six years where Gertrude became a very active member of Padre Sierra Catholic Church. She left many great and dear friends behind and they were all sad to see her go.

The next and final stop was Fayetteville, Ark., nearly 14 years ago. She became a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and although not as active as she would like to be, due to declining health, she was still known and loved. As she travelled, Gertrude made many dear friends. No one she met ever remained a stranger. She treated everyone with kindness, compassion and respect and made a lasting impression wherever she went and with anyone she met. She lived a spiritual and remarkable life and has now ascended into the hands of the Lord where she will be forever watching and praying over all her family and friends.

She is survived by two daughters, Connie Khaleel and husband Tyrone of Plantation, Fla., and Karen DesGouttes of Fayetteville, Ark.; one brother, Uten Reynolds of Kingston, Jamaica; four grandchildren, Julie Urbaez and husband Kiko (Florida), Giselle Walton and husband Jason (Florida), Kathy-Ann Desgouttes (Florida), and Tad Desgouttes (Georgia); eight great-grandchildren, Rolando Rosa, Sierra and Isabella Urbaez, Raquel, Blake, and Brooke Walton, and Dean and Laithen Nevins; two great- great- grandchildren, Dylan and Olivia Rosa; her two loving, rambunctious dogs, Max and Jill; and many extended family members in Jamaica and across the US.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2017, at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1722 N. Starr Drive, Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home and Crematory of Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE —

Veda Mae Moran, 77-yearold resident of Fayetteville, Ark., died July 11, 2017, in Fayetteville. Born Dec. 27, 1939, in Farmington, Ark., she was the daughter of Albert Teague and Terella Smith Teague.

Veda was a lifelong resident of Northwest Arkansas. She worked as a secretary for Citizen’s Laundromat in Fayetteville for many years. Later she worked for Washington Regional Hospice. Veda was of the Baptist faith. She loved to spend time gardening. Veda really enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by one son, Terry Robertson and fiancee, Tonia McKinnie of Farmington, Ark.; four grandchildren, Chris Robertson, Erica Robertson-Thomas, Cody McKinnie, and Jerad McKinnie; two great grandchildren, Alex Thomas and Carson McKinnie; two sisters, Vera Lee, and Gratia Erwin; and one brother, Gean Teague.

Memorial services will be 1 p. m., Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Ark., with Chaplain Charlie Brown officiating. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.wassonfuneral home.com.

FAYETTEVILLE —

Raymond A Phipps, 86, of Fayetteville passed away at home July 10, 2017. He was born Dec. 24, 1930, to Earl and Grace Phipps.

Raymond graduated from Prairie Grove in 1949 and served honorably in the U.S. Navy.

He was preceded in death by his wife Deena Cowan Phipps. Raymond is survived by four sons and their wives, Tony and Donna, Mike and Darlene, Scott and Joni, Danny and Debbie, a daughter and her husband, Tammy and Brad Wetzel, a sister, Mary Campbell, eight grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

Graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Weddington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Savoy Community Building Fund in care of 181 Neal St., Farmington, Ark., 72730. Condolences: www.eptingfuneral home.webs.com.

HARRISON — James

Mathis, age 53, of Harrison, died Tuesday, July 11, 2017. Graveside service is 1 p.m., Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Summers Cemetery, Harrison, under the direction of Roller-Christeson Funeral Home. James’ father, Bill Mathis; and his sisters, Brenda Mathis and Lynda Taylor, survive him. Online Guestbook: roller funeralhomes.com/harrison.

HUNTSVILLE — Hunter

Nickolas Blake Burris, 19, of Huntsville, died July 8, 2017. Survivors: parents, James Burris and Melissa Burris; brothers, Brian and Dakota Burris; sister, Destanee Cain; grandmother, Bernice Cain. Services 2 p.m. Friday, Living Water Baptist Church-Huntsville. Interment Witter Cemetery by Brashears Funeral Home- Huntsville www. brashearsfuneralhome.net. Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Thursday.

PARIS — Barbara Ann

Birkhead Arndt, born Dec. 26, 1936, in New Blaine, Ark., to the late Lindell and Ina (White) Birkhead, passed away Tuesday, July 11, 2017, in Paris, Ark., after a lengthy battle with cancer.

She was a 1954 graduate of Paris High School and a 1958 graduate of Arkansas Tech University. She was a retired elementary teacher having taught for 32 years. She taught in North Little Rock, Fort Smith, Charleston, Ozark, Benton and Paris, Ark., also in Sand Springs, Okla., and Fort Benning, Ga.

She was a life-long member of First Christian Church of Paris and member of Arkansas Retired Teachers Association. On Oct. 9, 1965, she married Richard Arndt in Fort Smith, Ark.

She is survived by Richard, her husband of 52 years, a daughter, Sallie Arndt of Paris; a son, Eric Arndt and wife, Melissa of Fayetteville; two granddaughters, Erica Arndt of Ozark and Audra Arndt of Fayetteville; a grandson, Kyland Arndt of Fayetteville; a step-daughter, Paula DeLeon and husband, Gilbert of New Braunfels, Texas; a step-son, Richard Kidd and wife, Kay of New Braunfels, Texas; two step-granddaughters, Diane Bracey of New Orleans, La., and Emma DeLeon of New Braunfels, Texas; a step-grandson, Stephen DeLeon of New Braunfels, Texas; a sister, Eleanor Underwood and husband, Larry of Derby, Kan.; a brother, Bruce Birkhead and wife, Kay of Fort Smith; two nieces; two nephews and special friend, Hilda Turner of Scranton.

The family will receive friends from 6- 8 p. m., on Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris. The funeral service will be held at 10 a. m., on Friday, July 14, 2017, at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris officiated by Rev. H.C. Varnadore, pastor of First Christian Church of Paris. Burial will be held at noon at the Fort Smith National Cemetery under the direction of Roller Funeral Home. Online guestbook at www. rollerfuneralhomes. com/paris.

Pallbearers will be Larry Underwood, Todd Birkhead, Bentley Allen, Harvey Johns, Bill Warren and Doug Morris. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Barbara’s name may be made to First Christian Church, 120 East Walnut Street, Paris, Ark., 72855.

RUSSELLVILLE —

Thelma Joyce Burnett Schrameck,

age 81, of Russellville, died Tuesday, July 11, 2017. She was born Sept. 5, 1935, in a log cabin in Chester, Ark., to Evan Charles and Erma Voleta Moore Burnett.

She was an employee of Arvac Headstart for 18 years, and moved to Russellville when her daughter’s first grandchild was born. She was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother and devoted a majority of her time to her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sons, Richard Wayne, Charles Evan, and James Lee Doyle; and two grandchildren, Anthony Allen, and Monica Renee Doyle. Survivors include a son and daughter-inlaw, Stephen and Leslie Doyle of Eureka Springs; a daughter and son-in-law, Cathryn and Randall Staggs of Russellville; three daughters-in-law, Janice Doyle of West Fork, Linda Doyle of Rogers, and Barbara Doyle of Fayetteville; two foster daughters; a sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie “Debbie” and Ivan Leonard of Pea Ridge; a brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Patsy Burnett of Mountainburg; 15 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.

A private family graveside service will be at Conley Cemetery in Mountainburg with arrangements by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.

SILOAM SPRINGS — Mary “Nancy” Copeland, 72-year- old resident of Siloam Springs, Ark., died July 10, 2017, in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born July 30, 1944, in Union, Ark., to Jesse Ray Copeland and Ruth Franks Copeland.

She graduated from Salem High School in Salem, Ark., in 1962. Nancy earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark. She worked as an educator for over 30 years. Nancy was appointed by former Governor and President Bill Clinton to help set policy and standards for teacher’s certification for public schools in the state. She wrote numerous grants for the public school system through the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.

Nancy was a member of First United Methodist Church in Siloam Springs.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, and a great nephew, Dylan Thurman. She is survived by one brother, Jack Copeland and wife Glenda of Colcord, Okla.; two nephews, Randy Copeland and wife Leah of Fayetteville, Ark., and Clint Copeland and wife Sandra of Colcord, Okla.; and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Friday, July 14, 2017, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, with Pastor Grant Barnett officiating. Burial will follow at Dickson Cemetery, Cherokee City, Ark. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.wassonfuneral home.com.

YELLVILLE — Ralph Doyne Elam, passed away July 11, 2017, in Mountain Home, Ark., at the age of 83. He was born June 7, 1934, in Eros, Ark., the son of Grady Elam and Vela (Rose) Elam Lowery.

He married Sue King on June 21, 1952. After retiring from Mass Merchandisers in Springdale, Ark., Ralph and Sue moved back to Yellville. He coached Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball teams in Springdale, Ark., for several years.

Ralph is survived by three sons: Dwayne Elam, Tim Elam and Stephen Elam all of Yellville, Ark.; nine grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; one sister Sue Young; a sister-inlaw Fran and Robert Campbell; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, sister, June Elam; brothers, Freddie Lowery and Roger Lowery.

The family will be honoring Ralph’s request of no memorial service. Please honor Ralph in you own special way or memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital; 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105. For online condolences go to www.haburns. com or to www.rollerfuneral homes.com/yellville