Obituaries

OBITUARIES Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas

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BELLA VISTA — Dr. Richard Wentworth Beck,

of Bella Vista, Ark. (3/24/1934 - 7/11/2017), born in Portsmouth, Ohio, to Stoudemire Carlton and Lillian Belle (Walker) Beck.

He was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Portsmouth High School as president of his class. He served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years, during that time devised the pay system for the Air Force Academy.

After discharge, he attended The Ohio State University on the G.I. Bill, earning his master’s and doctorate degrees. He married his late wife, Sharan Laessle and had two children. He worked for the Columbus school system for 30 years as teacher, counselor, and administrator. His last position was director of assessment and testing.

After that retirement, he became a professor at Urbana University in Urbana, Ohio, for 17 years, retiring in 2004. At that time Dr. Beck left Ohio and moved to Bella Vista, Ark., to assist an old friend from high school, Dr. Ginger Hamilton.

Over the course of time they decided friendship had developed into a 45-year delayed marriage. They were simply slow in recognizing what they had. This began one of the most active periods of his life. Together they started Clever Rogues Theatre, wrote and produced six plays in three years, donating profits to local non-profit groups.

They were active members of St. Theodore’s Episcopal Church, co-hosted an interview talk show for the local volunteer TV station, worked on the election committee for the current mayor of Bella Vista, participated in local events, and traveled extensively to China, Egypt, Alaska, Mexico, multiple cruises through the Caribbean, and many areas of our United States.

Dr. Beck is survived by his son, James Herbert Beck in Cincinnati, Ohio; daughter, Pam Beck Bork in Columbus, Ohio; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; brother, Jerry in Kettering, Ohio; sister, Lois Wallace of Hide Away Hills, Ohio; and, of course, Dr. Ginger Hamilton, his beloved wife of 130 months.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, July 17, 2017, at 10 a.m. at St. Theodore’s Episcopal Church, 1001 Kingsland Road, Bella Vista, Ark., 72714. Father Will Lowry will officiate. Memorials may be donated to the church or to Boy Scout Troop No. 3410 via the church. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

BENTONVILLE —

Michael Shadley, 51, of Bentonville, Ark., died July 1, 2017, at home with his mother by his side. He was born Sept. 21, 1965, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Ronald Shadley and Grace Fielder Shadley Gillis. He is survived by his mother of the home; aunts, uncles and cousins in Iowa. A memorial gathering will be held at 1 p.m., Aug. 5, 2017, at the Cass Cemetery in Webster City, Iowa. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. FORT SMITH —

Loretta Moore, 69, a resident of Fort Smith, formerly of Paris, passed away Wednesday, July 12, 2017, in Fort Smith. A private family burial will be held under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris. Online guestbook available at www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/paris.

FORT SMITH —

Alfreda Nadine Lockwood

Spence, 84, of Fort Smith, Ark., passed away July 11, 2017. She was born Sept. 2, 1932, in rural Greene County, Ark.

Mrs. Spence loved to learn. She kept at it when she could make time outside of her family responsibilities and finally completed her degree in administrative management at Arkansas State University as an honor graduate at the age of 57. She loved flowers and to garden. She was a fan of the Washington Redskins, the Boston Celtics, and the Razorbacks.

Mrs. Spence was a lifelong Methodist, who played the piano and organ for her church as a girl and remained a committed and faithful Christian throughout her life.

After raising her children, Mrs. Spence worked as a secretary in Fort Smith and Jonesboro. She was a dedicated employee well thought of by her colleagues. Through the years, Mrs. Spence also worked in a variety of charitable roles. She was presented the Molly Pitcher award by the commanding general at Fort Sill, Okla., for her service to the post through the officers’ wives club.

Her last charitable organization role was service on the board and as president of what was then known as the Sebastian County Association of Retarded Citizens. While associated with the Retarded Citizens Association, Mrs. Spence began to write letters to children placed with the Booneville Human Development Center. Though the recipients usually could not read and had to have the letters read to them, she wrote the letters to them on a regular basis simply to provide them contact to the outside world.

She initially wrote to children of people she knew through her work with the Association. Later, when the staff at Booneville let her know that many of the residents had no family to write to them, Mrs. Spence began to write letters to those residents on a monthly basis, often providing little gifts of food, or a stuffed animal or toy for a birthday or holiday.

She continued this practice for more than 20 years, writing more than 4,000 letters, stopping only in the last few months when she could no longer continue due to declining health.

Mrs. Spence was preceded in death by two daughters, Virginia Lorene Spence, who died as an infant, and her Down Syndrome daughter, Patricia Darlene Spence, who lived with Mrs. Spence and her husband all her life and who they cared for in their home through a 10-year period of progressive dementia before her death in 2011.

She is also preceded in death by her parents, George and Mira Lockwood, formerly of Paragould, Ark. Mrs. Spence is survived by her husband, Ray Spence, of Fort Smith. They were married over 65 years having been married Dec. 28, 1951.

Being just two months apart in age and both living in small Paragould, the Spences could not remember a time they did not know each other and specifically remembered being in Sunday school together from the age of 4.

Family lore is that at the age of 7, after they had attended confirmation classes together, on the morning the invitation was made, Alfreda stopped at the pew where her future husband was sitting with his family. After she told him, “Loren, it’s time to go up and join the church,” they joined hands and proceeded to walk up together to do so.

Mrs. Spence is also survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Richard Cowan, and her grandchildren, Jennifer Cowan and Jeffery Cowan, all of Fort Smith, her son and daughter-in-law, George and Linda Spence, of Bentonville, Ark., and a sister and brother-inlaw, Virginia and Rev. Charles Holt, of Kansas City, Mo.

In the last few years, particularly in the last 18 months, Mrs. Spence was provided medical care at Mercy Hospital, at Cooper Clinic, at other clinics around Fort Smith, at Ashley Rehab & Nursing, at HealthSouth Rehab, at The Brookfield Assisted Living, at Covington Rehab & Nursing, and finally at Mercy Hospice. The family wishes to recognize and thank the nurses, technicians, doctors, and other staff of these facilities for their ministrations to Mrs. Spence and their patience with and kindness to the family members who have been with her. Your professionalism reflects well on you and this community.

Visitation will be at Edwards Funeral Home, Tuesday, July 18, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2017, in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel followed by interment at the Fort Smith National Cemetery.

Mrs. Spence loved flowers and it would be a fitting tribute to her for anyone reading this to give flowers to a friend or family member in her honor and memory. Those who feel a memorial to be appropriate can make them to Abilities Unlimited, 815 North N Street, Fort Smith, Ark., 72901, or Faith United Methodist Church, 2901 Massard Road, Fort Smith, Ark., 72903. Online condolences may be sent to www.edwards funeralhome.com.

HARRISON — James

Bernard “JB” Foster passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at his home in Harrison. He was 93 years old. Survivors include his wife, Helen (Morris) Foster, and his children and their husbands, Linda and Paul Mathis, Vicki and Dan Sherell, and Nancy and Charles Morris.

Memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Harrison’s First United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 1100 W. Bower, Harrison, Ark., 72601. Condolences may be left at holtchapel.com. Arrangements by Holt Memorial Chapel.

JONESBORO — Andy J.

Hardesty, age 49, Schedule Source investigator, passed away Wednesday, July 12, 2017. Visitation, noon-7 p.m., Friday, July 14, with family present, 5:30-7 p.m., Webb-Shinkle Mortuary, Clearwater, Kan. Services, 10 a.m., Saturday, July 15, First Christian Church, Clearwater, Kan.

Survivors: daughters, Elizabeth and Madeline Hardesty of Wichita; father, Dick Hardesty of Conway Springs; mother, Valera Jo Clayton-Dodd of Bella Vista, Ark.; sister, Stacey (Glen) Dinfolio of Broomfield, Colo. Memorials: Hardesty Memorial Fund, c/o Vintage Bank Kansas, 218 W. Spring Ave., Conway Springs, Kan., 67031, or American Red Cross Midway Chapter, 1900 E. Douglas, Wichita, Kan., 67214, www. wsmortuary.com.

GROVE, Okla. — Gerald

Lee Mason, 78, passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at his residence in Grove, Okla. Gerald was born on Sept. 4, 1938, in Pumpkin Hollow, Ark. He was the son of Claude Russell and Peggy (McFadden) Mason.

Gerald graduated high school from Sulphur Springs. He was self-employed and was recognized as a very knowledgeable and talented bricklayer. When Gerald wasn’t working, he enjoyed coon hunting, crappie fishing and noodling for flathead catfish. He would take the love of his life, his wife, dancing almost every Saturday night. After Linda’s passing, Gerald enjoyed going to the casino.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; Claude and Peggy Mason, his wife Linda Mason, his brother Theodore Mason and his sister Delores Mason. He is survived by his four children; Perry Mason and his wife Karen of Stella, Mo., Penny Hill of Bentonville, Ark., Jana Morris and her husband Shawn of Grove, Okla., and Lisa Macy and her husband Mark of Hart, Mo., and his sister in-law, Mary Ann Mason of Noel, Mo. Gerald was blessed with seven grandchildren; Miranda, Katie, Blayne, Ashley, Hailey, Madison and Darin. Gerald will be dearly missed by numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and a host of friends.

A visitation for family and friends was held from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home in Grove, Okla. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday, July 14, 2017, at Olympus North Cemetery with Pastor Phil Barber officiating.

Honoring Gerald’s life serving as casket bearers will be Tracy Jacobs, Howard Jacobs, Kirk Allman, Melvin Caudill, Shawn Shearer and Blayne Hill. Honorary casket bearers are Jerry Drake, Joe Mills and Darin Macy.

Online condolences can be made by viewing Gerald’s Book of Memories at www. honoringmemories.com. Services have been entrusted to Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home in Grove, Okla. Our family serving your family for over 80 years.

DALLAS, Texas — Rex

Porter McNabb, 92, of Dallas, Texas, passed away July 11, 2017, at his residence with family by his side. Mr. McNabb was born on Sept. 16, 1924, in Dallas, Texas, and was a lifelong Dallas resident.

He was an inventor, an engineer, a civic leader, a businessman, a gentleman, loving husband, and family man.

Preceding him in death were his parents, James Nathaniel McNabb and Lillie Mae Campbell McNabb; His sister, Frances McNabb Ackerman, and Brothers Clayton Edward McNabb and James Lee McNabb, and his wife’s parents Garvin Thomas Fallen and Anita Snider Fallen.

He is survived by his wife Lodene Fallen McNabb of Dallas, Texas; nieces, Susan McNabb and Pamela McNabb Kliewer of Garland, Texas; Marilyn McNabb Gilbert and her husband Glen of Weatherford, Texas; Carolyn Alice McNabb Smith and her husband Conley of Denver, Colo.; nephews, James Houston McNabb and his wife Nancy of Austin, Texas, and Charles Ackerman and wife Beth of Shreveport, La. He is also survived by Lodene’s family, Allen Carl Fallen and wife Marlys of Tulsa, Okla., Doris Ann Fallen Woods and husband Bob of Allen, Texas; Ray Harlan Fallen and wife Wilma; John Oscar Fallen and wife Brenda; Marilyn Fallen King; Florence Fallen King and husband Jerry; and Diane Fallen Huffman, all of Northwest Arkansas area; Also left to cherish his memory are many nieces and nephews.

Interment at Mineral Springs Cemetery, West Fork, Ark., 72774.