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.

BELLA VISTA — On Dec. 12, 2017, at the age of 66, Michael Raymond

See, of Bella Vista, Ark., was blessed with peaceful passing following a courageous year-long battle with lung cancer. He was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who touched the lives of many.

Born to Howard See and Mildred (Putnam) See in Texas City, Texas, Michael was fiercely proud to be born a Texan and celebrated this heritage throughout his life. No matter where he lived, Texas was always home.

Michael was an accountant by trade, and over the course of his career, worked as a CPA, in energy and renewable energy, spanning entrepreneurial companies, utilities, and most recently at Walmart Corporate Office. But just because that is how he earned his living, don’t think for one second that he led a dull or boring life. Michael was strong, wild, fun and fearless. He loved to work on and drive very loud, fast cars, and he loved long rides on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He enjoyed classic rock, playing golf, and traveling to scenic vistas in the beautiful American countryside. His nickname was Spuds, after the iconic dog featured in Bud Light commercials in the late 1980s. This is how Michael’s friends and family will remember him … with a smile.

Michael is survived by a daughter, Melanie (See) Mattes; son-in-law, Matthew Mattes; and grandson, Carson Mattes. He is also survived by his sister, Kathy (See) Chalk, brother-in-law, Ted Chalk, nephews, Dennis Chalk and Danny Chalk, and niece Jennifer Chalk, along with their children.

There will be no public memorial in Arkansas but his final resting place will be in Texas, as he always wanted, at a later date. Donations in his name to the ASPCA or American Cancer Society are appreciated.

Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

FAYETTEVILLE —

Deborah Jayne Burson of Fayetteville passed away on Dec. 24, 2017, at 58 years old. She was born on Jan. 22, 1959, in Fayetteville, Ark., to Joseph Eugene and Wanda Hazel (Harris) Burson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Steve Allen.

Deborah was a very creative person. She loved children and working with children. She raised a lot of children that weren’t her own, but whom she loved and who loved her. She was a very good cook and an especially good baker. She worked for many

years at an early age in her father’s restaurant in Fayetteville, The Red Bird Cafe’. She went on to graduate from the University Of Arkansas School Of Nursing.

Deborah is survived by her sisters, Wanda Jean Allen of Eureka Springs, Ark., and Claudia Sue Burson of Fayetteville; nephew, Doug Allen and wife Pauline of Fayetteville, Ark., and their children Rachel, Aisling, and Charlie; nieces, Robyn Allen, Audrey Allen, and Amber Allen, all of Eureka Springs, Ark.; great-nephews, Dustin Todd and Dakota Pouncey; and great-niece, Susie Scarrow.

A graveside service will take place on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Son’s Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Moore’s Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be offered at www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE —

Dolores “Maxine”

Caviness, age 89, of Fayetteville, died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Fayetteville. She was born Oct. 1, 1928, in Hazen, Ark., the daughter of Drury Bridges and Lois Marie Sparks Calhoun.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles Caviness; a sister, Ava White and a brother-in-law, Carl White.

She was a retired real estate agent and a member of Fayetteville First Baptist Church.

She is survived by a son, Ron Caviness and his wife, Linda of Fayetteville and two granddaughters, Emma Caviness and Faith Caviness, both of Fayetteville.

Visitation will be 5 p.m.–7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at Moore’s Chapel. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Moore’s Chapel followed by burial at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville.

Memorials may be made to Development Office Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, 1 University of Arkansas AFLS, E-202, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701 (checks payable to the University of Arkansas Foundation Inc. with “Caviness Endowed Scholarship” included in the memo or in an accompanying letter or note), memorials may also be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research Foundation, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, Md. 20871.

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

FAYETTEVILLE — Kaye Hanks, age 75, of Fayetteville passed away Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Fayetteville. She was born Sept. 13, 1942, in Little Rock, the daughter of William Dale and Virginia May Lynn Martin.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles E. Hanks and a sister Bettye Lewis. She worked as an office manager and was a homemaker.

She is survived by a daughter, Kimela Volkamer of Fayetteville; one stepson, Stephen Cole Hanks of Fayetteville; a stepdaughter, Karen Sherrer of Kansas City, Kan.; four grandchildren, Sean MaGuire of Fayetteville, Brooke Ashlee Parrish of Fayetteville, Zoe Thomas and Roman Sherrer, both of Kansas City, Kan.; and five great-grandchildren, Gracee Parrish, Myles Parrish, Laycee Parrish, Aubree Parrish and Kai Alderson.

Memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 5, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with a reception to follow. Interment will be at the Fayetteville National Cemetery at 12 noon Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Parrish Scholarship Fund, c/o Brooke Parrish, to help with her great-grandchildren’s education at any Arvest Branch.

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

FAYETTEVILLE — Cheryl

Dawn Richardson, age 62, of the Whitehouse Community, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. She was born June 10, 1955, in Springdale, Ark., the daughter of Kenneth and Vada Joyce Logue Ledbetter.

She was preceded in death by her mother and a nephew, Curtis Ledbetter.

She was a devoted wife, mother and Ninny. She was a Christian of the Baptist faith.

She is survived by her husband, Tim Richardson; a daughter, Kayla Michael and her husband Shawn of Fayetteville; a son, Jeremy Richardson and his wife, Sandy of Fayetteville; her father, Kenneth Ledbetter of Fayetteville; six grandchildren, Kendra Moore, Delaney Richardson, Kendal Michael, Abbie Michael, Blake Michael and Lillie Michael; a great-grandchild, Rylee Jarnagan; her father and mother-inlaw, Carl and Ola Richardson of Fayetteville; a sister-in-law, Karla Hill of Fayetteville; one brother, Rick Ledbetter and his wife Pam of Wesley and three sisters, Toni Moffett and her husband Jay of Wesley, Debbie Nall and her husband Greg of Wesley and Dana Jackson and her husband Jimmy of Wesley and auntie to several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at Harris Baptist Church. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Harris Baptist Church followed by burial at Whitehouse Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Down Syndrome Connection, P.O. Box 8523, Fayetteville, Ark. 72703, or Whitehouse Community, c/o Tim Richardson, 14751 Whitehouse Road, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701.

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

FAYETTEVILLE —

Richard Knight Weis, 89, of Fayetteville passed away Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, at Willard Walker Hospice in Fayetteville. He was born Feb. 7, 1928, in Wheatley, Ark., to Richard C. and Georgia Knight Weis.

Richard was a retired propane salesman. Richard was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church where he served as the building chairman. He was a lifelong member of Sigma Chi and he was a member of the Rotary Club. He served on the Brinkley Arkansas City Council and the Paradise Valley POA. He served honorably in the National Guard and he was a member of Civil Defense.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Francis Weis.

Survivors include his wife, Julia Weis of the home; one son, Knight Weis and wife Phyllis of Tontitown; three daughters, Becky Froning and husband Don of Springdale, Kay Nixon and husband Gary and Karen Weis-Hutto and Barry White; one brother, Don Weis and wife Helen of Tennessee; two sisters, Rosemary Kercheval and Pat Weis both of Texas; six grandchildren, Justin, Patrick, Philip, Payton, JT and Thomas.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, at 10 a.m. at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale. Private entombment will follow in Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday followed by a Rosary service at 5 p.m. at St. Raphael Catholic Church.

Memorials may be made to St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1386 S. W. End St., Springdale, Ark. 72764 or Willard Walker Hospice, 325 E. Longview St., Fayetteville, Ark. 72703, or the charity of your choice in his memory.

Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.

GRAVETTE — Shirley

M. Spears, 73, of Gravette, Ark., died Dec. 31, 2017. Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 4, at Bella Vista Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 5, at First Baptist Church of Hiwasse. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

HOT SPRINGS —

Michael Joseph Young,

M.D., age 61, of Hot Springs, Ark., departed this world on Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his family. Dr. Young was born on Feb. 26, 1956, in Bangkok, Thailand, where his father was stationed in the United States Air Force. He was the son of Donna Koch Young and the late Dr. Mitchell Michael Young of Texarkana, Texas.

He was a graduate of Texas High School Class of 1974 in Texarkana, was an Eagle Scout in Troop 5 of Caddo Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and served as Chief of the Order of the Arrow of the Akela Wahinapay Lodge where he spent his summers working at Camp Pioneer Boy Scout Camp in Hatfield, Ark.

He played football for Texas High School; Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Mass., Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., and was a walk-on at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

He worked for Electronic Data Systems in Plano, Texas, under H. Ross Perot prior to being accepted to the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas, from 1983-1987. He graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center as a Doctor of Medicine and completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, La., from 1987-1992 and a Spine Fellowship in Louisville, Ky., from 1992-1993. He practiced medicine as an orthopedic surgeon in Hot Springs since 1993 with the past six years at CHI St. Vincent Orthopedics Clinic. He loved his patients, his medical colleagues, and the honor and pleasure of working and operating with his brother Chris.

He is preceded in death by his father, Dr. Mitchell Young and his grandparents, Milburn “Dad” and Margaret Hunter Young of Texarkana, Texas, and Walter and Esther Koch of St. Louis, Mo.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Willett Young and his daughters, Jordan Young of Santa Barbara, Calif., Kate Young Keller (Carl Keller) of Fayetteville, Ark., Merritt Young (Cliff Biedenharn) and his beloved grandson, Baer Biedenharn of Fayetteville, Ark. He is also survived by his sisters, Lesa Young of Hot Springs, Ark., and Mary Ellen Young of Texarkana, Texas; his brothers and their spouses, Dr. Mark Young of McKinney, Texas, Dr. Tom and Kathleen Young of Texarkana, Texas, Dr. David and Karen Young of Fredericksburg, Texas, Dr. Chris and Tonya Young of Hot Springs, Ark., Dr. John and Heather Young of Birmingham, Ala., Dr. Matt and Cindy Young of Texarkana, Texas, Dr. Patrick and Corie Young of Bend, Ore.; and 32 nieces and nephews.

A rosary will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 6 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 100 Central Ave., Hot Springs, Ark. A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 10 a.m. Family visitation will follow the mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in his honor to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

His family would like to thank everyone for their steadfast love and support during this time. He was a warrior and fought courageously until the end. He will be forever loved.

Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.

HUNTSVILLE — Barbara

Ann Armstrong, 68, of Huntsville died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, at Washington Regional Medical. She was born Dec. 19, 1948, in Peoria, Ill., the daughter of Ruby and Amos Talley.

Barbara was a unique lady with a special heart for those with special needs. All who met her knew the love she had for others by the way she cared for everyone. Barbara was involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of Inside Out Church of Fayetteville, Ark.

At the age of 41 she pursued her GED and continued her education at UAFS. She earned an associate’s degree in business science. She also was a certified para-professional touching the lives of many, she will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruby and Amos Talley of Waynesville, Ill.; her brother, Amos (Jr.) Talley from Pontiac, Ill.; and her grandson, Billy Lowle of Fayetteville, Ark.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Sidney Armstrong of Kingston, Ark.; two daughters, Tina Weeks and Sandy Burgess of Fayetteville, Ark.; and her son, Mike Sheehan of Winslow, Ark.; two step-children, Shelly Armstrong of Kingston, Ark., and Scott Armstrong of Zypherhills, Fla. Barbara is survived by two sisters, Virginia (Ginny) Ryburn and Roma McGowen of Bloomington, Ill.; two brothers, William (Bil) Talley of Auburn, Ill., and Earl Talley of Fayetteville, Ark. Barbara is survived by 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family will host a celebration of Barbara’s life on Jan. 6 at noon at Inside Out Church, 7500 W. Wedington Drive, Fayetteville, Ark. Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home Fayetteville.

Condolences: www. eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

LINCOLN — Willard

Vernon Gullick Jr., age 71, a resident of Lincoln, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, at the Veteran’s Hospital in Fayetteville. He was born Aug. 7, 1946, in Poteau, Okla., the son of Willard Vernon and Bessie Opal (Marler) Gullick.

Vernon served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as part of “The Big Red One.”

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Dorothy Perez, Edna Kelsay and Freda Epperson.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Sharon Smith Gullick; one son, Vernon Gullick III; one daughter, Teresa Taylor; four grandchildren, Patrick Taylor, Zach Taylor, Katlynn Taylor, and Randon Vaughn; three brothers, William Gullick, John Gullick and David Gullick; one sister, Jean Holland.

The family will receive friends Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Luginbuel Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove. Burial will be in the Lincoln Cemetery. There will be no graveside service held.

Online guest book, www. luginbuel.com.

PARIS — Agnes

Finney-Kiefer, 74, a resident of Paris passed away Saturday. Visitation: 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at the Roller Funeral Home in Paris. Funeral service: 10 a.m., Friday at First Assembly of God in Paris under the direction of Roller Funeral Home. Complete obituary at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/paris.

PARIS — Adolph Forst died Jan. 1, 2018. Visitation is 6-7 p.m. on Jan. 4 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with a Rosary starting at 7 p.m. Mass will be held on Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church under the direction of Roller Funeral Home. Online guestbook, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/paris.

PARIS — Ila Faye

Wooten, 85, a resident of Paris passed away Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at her home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, at the Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris under the direction of Roller Funeral Home. Online guestbook available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.paris.

PRAIRIE GROVE —

Dorothy “Cissie” Kalb

Snyder passed away Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, at the Willard Walker Hospice home in Fayetteville, Ark. Cissie was born July 23, 1922.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Rae “Jerry” Spencer Snyder; her sons, Spencer and Buddy; and one daughter, Cheryl.

She is survived by one son, Jerry, and his wife, Sue, of Kearney, Mo., along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Cissie was best known as a WAVE during World War II and remained a member of WAVES National organization. She played a mean game of Yahtzee and couldn’t get enough shopping. She loved to sew and crochet and her favorite colors were orchid and yellow.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2018, at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at North Little Rock. Online guest book: www. luginbuel.com.

ROGERS — Don R. Wipf, 74, of Rogers, Ark., died Dec. 30, following a long illness.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his son, Chuck Wipf and wife, Shannon of Rogers, Ark.; his daughter, Rhea Wolf of Portland, Ore.; his four granddaughters, Scarlet and Madrone Wolf-Proctor and Rosalyn and Rebecca Wipf; his brother, Terry Wipf and wife, Marilynn of Sterling Heights, Mich.; his mother-in-law, Vera Flaming.

Family and friends are invited to attend an informal memorial service at 2 p.m., Jan. 6, 2018, at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, gifts of remembrance may be given to Habitat for Humanity of Benton County or the Society of Professional Journalists. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers.

Online condolences may be made to stockdale-moody fs.com.

SHERWOOD — LTC John H. McCalla was born April 24, 1944, in Batesville, Ark., the only child of Nolan and Faye McCalla. He died on Dec. 30, 2017, at Baptist North Hospital Springhill.

He grew up in Harrisburg, Ark., before attending the University of Arkansas and graduating in 1966 with a BSBS. While at the University of Arkansas, he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Social Fraternity.

After being commissioned into the Regular Army in 1966, he obtained his Master’s Degree from Tulane University in 1974. John then rose to the rank of LTC before retiring in July 1992. Throughout his 26-year career, John received numerous medals and awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star.

His daily hobbies included completing daily crossword, word jumble, and Sudoku puzzles, watching TV, reading, and entertaining everyone with his dry sense of humor.

John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carolyn; and his children, Lynne (Taylor) Trusty, of Water Valley, Miss., Laura (Joe) Anderson, of Sherwood, Ark., and John (Mary) McCalla, of Fayetteville, Ark. John is also survived by granddaughters, Callie, Taylor Anne, and Jenna Trusty; as well as grandsons, Sean Trusty and Cole McCalla; and great-grandson, Cohen Trusty.

A service and interment will be held Jan. 5, at 1 p.m. at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Hospital, Toys for Tots, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Please visit www. smithfamilycares.com (Smith-Sherwood) for online guest register.

SILOAM SPRINGS — LaShel “Shelly” Renea Sikes, 53-year-old resident of Siloam Springs, Ark., died on Dec. 31, 2017, at her home. Born on June 9, 1964, in Buffalo, Okla., she was the daughter of Elvin Crawford and Mary Jo Arthurs.

Shelly lived in Siloam Springs for the past four years after moving from Bentonville. She had worked for Walmart in the jewelry warehouse and as a dental assistant.

She is survived by two daughters, RaShel Poulter and husband Zachary of Bentonville, and Kendall Sikes of Bentonville; mother, Mary Jo Arthurs of Bentonville; father, Elvin Crawford and wife Betty of Gravette, Ark.; brother, Greg Crawford and wife Kim of Gravette; sister, MaShel “Mickey” Crawford of Kansas, Okla.; and several nieces and nephews.

Family services will be private.

To sign the online guestbook, visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com.

SUBIACO — Bertha Fulmer died Dec. 31, 2017. Visitation is 5-7, Jan. 3, 2018, at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris. Funeral is 2 p.m., Jan. 4, 2018, at Roller Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in McKendree Cemetery in Subiaco under the direction of Roller Funeral Home. Online guest book, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/paris.

WEST FORK — Ernest R. Gunem of West Fork passed away on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, at 95 years old. He was born on June 20, 1922, in Bruce Valley, Wis.

Ernest was a very generous man. He was a true Christian who lived what he believed. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, then, after a short break, served in the Air Force during the Korean War.

Ernest is survived by his six children, Braden Gunem, Tracy Gunem, Rebekah West, Kimberly Holder, Mike Gunem and Kent Gunem; his sister, Doris Kinsmore; his grandchildren; and many other friends and loved ones.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 4, at Moore’s Funeral Chapel with graveside service to follow at 11 a.m. at Fayetteville National Cemetery under the direction of Moore’s Funeral Chapel.

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

WEST FORK — Beth Pickering Wynne, age 81, a resident of West Fork, passed away Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, in her home surrounded by family. She was born July 31, 1936, in County Line, Okla., the daughter of Arch Clayton and Beulah Mae (Greer) Pickering.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, James Evans.

Survivors include two sons, George Evans and wife Sharon of Park Forest, Ill., and Clyde Wynne of Prairie Grove; three daughters, Debbie Preston and husband Troy of West Fork and Leona Evans of Lindsborg, Kan., and Bonnie Liggett and husband Jeremiah of McPherson, Kan.; one sister, Clellie DeBoard of Strickler; 11 grandchildren, Julie, Kelly, Bobby, Tracie, Angeleena, Laura, Sherry, Andrew, Morgan, Dakota and Kylee; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove. Burial will be in the Bugscuffle Cemetery. There will be no graveside services held.

In lieu of flowers, family asks memorials be made to the American Cancer Society or your local humane society.

Online guest book, www. luginbuel.com.

DEKALB, Texas — On December 29, 2017 Earl F. Hale, the ‘old Medicare recipient from DeKalb out on FM 1840’ rode West with God in an M2/M3 Half-Track telling Him to ‘double clutch it’ as they left this world and headed toward the Pearly Gates. Born Dec. 18, 1922, Earl was raised near Fort Smith, Ark. The youngest of seven children of Charles and Tennessee Smith Hale [Jim; Ruth (McGehee); Bill; Harold; Elsie (Ross); and Inez (Wiley)], Earl lived a long, often difficult, yet full and ‘prosperous’ life.

Following the loss of his mother, Earl struggled to finish the eighth grade (although, he often claimed that he had to quit school in the third grade ‘cause he couldn’t get up in time to shave and catch the bus). With the U.S. in the midst of the Great Depression, Earl joined the Civil Conservation Corps (CCC) at age 17 and served at the Shady Lake CCC Camp near Mena, Ark. On a random, weekend liberty in town, he met the love of his life Betty Jo Titsworth. Their love affair was put on hold in early 1943 when, like most young men of his generation, Earl joined the Army and fought with the XX Corps in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Austria as part of Patton’s Third Army.

After ‘the Big War’ ended in 1945, Earl returned home to Arkansas a decorated veteran and married Betty Jo (a.k.a. ‘Bo’). Unable to find work in Arkansas, he and Betty moved to the Riverside area of California and started their life together. Tough, strong, honest and hard-working, Earl quickly found a job at the Mira Loma Quartermaster Depot where he eventually worked his way up to Chief of Security. It was during this time that their only children, Linda Eilers (husband Walt) of Fayetteville, Ark., and G. Allen Hale (wife Jensey) of Arlington, Texas, were born.

When Betty’s father’s health declined, Earl and his family eagerly returned to Arkansas in 1955 where he purchased the Nunley Grocery and Service Station from his father-in-law, Jud. Earl and Betty successfully ran the store at Nunley for the next 12 years. He kept a dollar bill framed above the cash register. When asked if that was the first dollar he had made, he’d reply, “No, it’s the first dollar that I took in. I still haven’t made a dollar.” To make ends meet, Earl hauled hay in the summer (said you needed two things to haul hay — a strong back and a weak mind); cut firewood in the winter; and worked part time as a substitute mail carrier on Rural Route 1. He borrowed $3,000 from the Union Bank and purchased 160 acres of land near Nunley, where he and his best friend Lee Sikes built a small, 3-bedroom frame house (replete with indoor plumbing). It was there that Earl raised his family, a couple of horses and a few head of cattle. A God-fearing man, Earl and his family regularly attended and worshiped at the Salem Baptist Church. Earl joined the Dallas Masonic Lodge 128 in Mena in the early 1960s and served multiple terms as the Master of the Lodge.

When he wasn’t appointed to a permanent position with the Mena Post Office in the late 1960s, Earl saw the window closing on his opportunity to reinstate his career in civil service. Determined to make a better life for himself and his family, he took a blue-collar job at Red River Army Arsenal. Tired and weary after a year of driving 100 miles each way from Mena to Red River, the family once again uprooted and moved to the Arkansas side of Texarkana. Earl used to say that if you want to find Texas, go West ‘till you smell it, then South ‘till you step in it. He stepped in it, out of it, and finally back in it. They moved to the Texas side of Texarkana in 1971, then back to Mena for a couple of years, then to New Boston, and finally to Malta (couldn’t stand big cities) where he lived until his retirement from Red River in 1987 with 40-plus years of civil service.

After Betty’s untimely death in 1989 and alone for the first time in nearly 45 years, he moved one final time to his ‘mansion on a hill’ outside of DeKalb on FM 1840. Earl embraced retirement and the Texas persona. He loved wide open spaces, hard work, getting up early, tractors, zero turn mowers, dogs, cowboy hats, full-quill ostrich boots, real country music (listening and playing), running, crossword puzzles, riddles, gardening, garage sales, guns, pocket knives, and women with big hair (not necessarily in that order)! Happily retired for 30-plus years, when asked how he was, Earl would always say, “Doing great!” Usually followed by, “The Lord sure has been good to me!” Although his mantra in life was ‘Early to bed and early to rise….,’ when asked recently what he was doing the following day, Earl replied, “Nothing, and I may not start that till noon!”

Earl was a larger than life hero to many, but especially to his two grandchildren, Judd Hale of Dallas and Bekah Hale Pollock (husband Tyler and great-grandson Bo Michael) of Fort Worth. Growing up, Judd and Bekah spent their summers with ‘Bo’ and ‘PawPaw’ riding ATV’s and checkin’ the cows. Judd and Bekah were never more proud of their grandfather than when they (along with Earl’s entire surviving family) accompanied him to Normandy on the 70th Anniversary of D-Day where Earl and other WWII veterans were honored at a ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Earl was thrilled and blessed a few months ago when he was able to hold his newborn, great-grandson Bo.

With the love and assistance of his caregiver Juanita Moore, Earl was able to maintain his dignity and remained at his home until he entered the CHRISTUS St Michael Hospital on December 11. Just days after his 95th birthday, Earl died peacefully with his children at his side at Hospice of Texarkana.

The family will receive guests on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at 9 a.m. at Queen Wilhelmina State Park/Lodge, 3877 AR-88, Mena, Ark. (located 13 miles west of Mena on Talimena National Scenic Byway). A Celebration of Earl’s Life will follow at 10 a.m. at the Lodge with Brother John Watts officiating. Interment with full military honors will be at 2 p.m. in the Fort Smith National Cemetery, 522 S 6th St., Fort Smith, Ark. 72901.

Arrangements are under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home, Texarkana, Texas.

Memorial Donations in memory of Earl can be made to Hospice of Texarkana on line at hospiceoftexarkana. org or to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute on line at cancer.uams.edu.

As we start 2018, Earl would have said, “Have a ‘Prosperous’ New Year” and “Be careful, WHATEVER you do.”