Obituaries

BELLA VISTA — Joseph Christian Ranieri, 96, of Bella Vista, Ark., died on May 15, 2019. He was born on Nov. 15, 1922, to Onofrio and Marie Ranieri in Fremont, Neb.

Joseph worked as an orthodontist, retiring from the profession, and was a part of several organizations, including; Optimists, 32nd Degree Mason, Shriner, AAO, TROA, MOAA, ADA, and served several terms as president for the church council of Morning Star Lutheran Church. He served in the United States Army during World War II.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Onofrio and Marie Ranieri; and his sister, Donna Predmore.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Beatrice A. Ranieri, son, Joel Andre Ranieri; daughters, Jewell Arlene Coffin, Dr. Claire L. Ranieri; sisters, Rose L. Boise, Marie A. Lincoln (Dale), Judy C. Bradley; three grandsons, Brian, Erik, and Gabriel Coffin; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Monday, May 20, 2019, from 9:30 a.m. until service time at United Lutheran Church, located at 100 Cooper Road in Bella Vista. Funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday. Interment will be at the National Cemetery located in Omaha, Neb.

Memorials can be sent to: United Lutheran Church, 100 Cooper Road, Bella Vista, Ark. 72715.

Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home of Bella Vista. Condolences: eptingfuneral home.webs.com.

CLARKSVILLE — Billy Usery, 81, of Clarksville, died on May 15, 2019, in Little Rock. He was born Jan. 24, 1938, in Little Rock, Ark. Mr. Usery’s memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at First Baptist Church in Clarksville. Under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.

FAYETTEVILLE — Stephen Butler, 68, died peacefully on his boat Thursday, May 2.

He is survived by sons, Stephen and Jonathan Butler (his wife Tempess); his brother, Patrick J. Butler (his wife Suzanne), their child Katherine; youngest brother, David Drafall, his son Zachery; the grandchildren: Logan Butler, Beckett Butler, from Stephen Butler Jr.; Lyrique Butler,

Symphoni Butler from Johnathan; and friends too numerous to name.

Steve was a sales executive at KSHE Radio, General Manager at KWK/KGLD in St. Louis and later owned several radio stations in Arkansas and Florida. Steve’s passion outside of work, besides family, was boating and fishing in the Florida Keys. His life was based on ‘La joie de vivre ‘Joy of Living’. Always upbeat and confident, once he put his mind to achieving a goal, he never gave up.

Celebration of Steve’s life will be held this Sunday, May 19, 2019, at 4 p.m. at Hoppin John’s Bistro, 3290 Lee Ave., Fayetteville, Ark. (next to Liquor World).

FAYETTEVILLE — Anne Nicole (Carroll) Dwinell was born on Jan. 13, 1992, in Houston, Mo., the youngest of three children of Mitchell and Susie (Bruce) Carroll and a blessing to her loving family. She departed this life on May 12, 2019, at the age of 27 years old.

Anne was raised in the faith at Hamilton Creek Missionary Baptist Church. Anne found salvation in Christ on March 11, 2012, and was baptized on Easter April 8, 2012. She attended and graduated from Mountain Grove High School, graduating with the Class of 2010. She then attended OTC in Springfield and earned an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts.

Anne loved cooking and from a young age spent time cooking with her sweet Grandmother, Susie (Armstrong) Bruce. Her love of Jesus, family, and cooking gave her the strength to follow her passion as a Chef. Known as “Chef Anne” to her friends in Arkansas, Anne shared her love of life and faith in Jesus with everyone she met.

Anne met her husband and love of her life, Derek Dwinell through their shared love of cooking, serving their community and Zelda. Anne and Derek were joined in matrimony on Feb. 1, 2019.

Anne is survived by her loving husband, Derek Dwinell; her children, Tyler and Ava; her grandmother, Susie Bruce; father and mother, Mitchell and Susie Ann Carroll; her older sister, Jennifer Lynn Gail Beam and husband, Joey; her big brother, Michael P. Carroll and wife, Cassie; as well as nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Though her time was short her laughter will be heard, her love of food and service will be felt, and her life will be remembered by all those she touched.

Services were held at 11:45 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2019, at the Union Cemetery with Elder Andrew Peters officiating. Pallbearers were Adam Gardner, Michael Carroll, Alex Ayala, Curt Pinkerton, Darren Dobbs and Allen Dobbs. Honorary pallbearers were Lynn Armstrong and Ivan Forrest. Interment was in the Union Cemetery under the direction of Elliott-Gentry-Carder Funeral Home of Cabool, Mo. Online condolences may be made at www.egcfuneralhome.com.

In remembrance of Chef Anne, a scholarship is being arranged for aspiring chefs; we would appreciate any donations given to this scholarship.

FAYETTEVILLE — Mark Anthony Ewing, 62, of Fayetteville, Ark., died Thursday, May 16, 2019. Mark was born Sept. 29, 1956, in Lubbock, Texas. Mark was a U.S. Navy veteran. He is survived by his father, Charles Ewing and stepmother, Marilyn Ewing; mother, Marlys Lee; four brothers, Gaylon, Paul, Beau and Jamie Ewing; and a sister, Misty Ewing. Online condolences www.WestfieldChapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Andrew Jon Wedin, 50, of Fayetteville went to be with his Lord May 15, 2019. He was born April 9, 1969, in Wichita, Kan., the son of Paul Wedin and Irene A. Kelly.

He was a member of New Heights Church in Fayetteville.

Survivors include his parents, Paul Wedin of Gainesville, Mo., Irene Geyer of Shawnee, Kan.; brother, Christopher Wedin of Louisville, Ky.; sister, Dianne Sherrill of Belton, Texas.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, May 18, 2019, at the Chapel of Memorial Funeral Home, 3926 Willowood Ave., Springdale. Online condolences may be made to www.memorialfhspringdale.com.

MAYSVILLE — Marilyn “Dopey Sue” Napier of Maysville, Ark., died on April 23, 2019, at the age of 72. The daughter of Herman and Cynthia Bell Littrell of Gentry, Ark., she is survived by her two sons, Travis and Toby Tevebaugh and her sister, Lynne T. Gladski. As she wished, her remains were donated to scientific research. She is posthumously courting Alan Hale, Dan Blocker and Patrick Swayze … and hopes to land one of them before the New City of Jerusalem arrives. A memorial service is planned for May 22, 2019.

SPRINGDALE — James Lee “Jim” Gideon, 87, of Springdale died Thursday, May 16, 2019. He was born Dec. 3, 1931, in Hollis, Okla., to Claude Lee and Loraine Burns Gideon.

Jim was a member of First United Methodist Church and an active member of the Springdale Senior Center where he enjoyed dancing, and playing dominos and cards with friends. He was drafted into the Oklahoma National Guard in 1950 and was soon deployed to the Korean War as a Sergeant with the 45th Infantry Combat Division. Jim worked in sales most of his life. When his family was growing up he enjoyed coaching his sons’ sports teams and camping at Beaver Lake with family and friends. Jim accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in Korea.

He is survived by three sons, David Gideon and wife Tammy, Denver Gideon, Dudley Gideon and wife Cheri; grandchildren, Tyler and Lauren Williams, Hannah and Colin Mantooth, Meagen and Colby Post, Ty and Allison Fuller; great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Ashur, Leah Kate, Grant, Laney, Presley, Colt; and one brother, Joe Gideon of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by an infant great-grandson, Jace; two brothers, Claude Gideon Jr., Jerry Gideon; and two sisters, Edna Norman and Joy West.

The family would like to thank the staff at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale for their excellent care.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 20, at Heritage Funeral Home, online guest book and obituary at www.heritageofnwa.com.

Memorial contributions may made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark. 72762, or to Springdale Senior Center, 203 Park Street, Springdale, Ark. 72764.

GROVE, Okla. — William “Bill” E. McNelly, age 95, of Grove, Okla., passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Grove Nursing Center. Bill was born on Jan. 2, 1924, to Frank and Ruth (Ratcliff) McNelly in Bentonville, Ark.

Bill entered the work force at a young age and had several different occupations throughout his life, ranging from plant supervisor and construction supervisor. He owned McNelly Wrecker Service and McNelly Hotel in Bentonville.

On Feb. 5, 1943, Bill married the love of his life, Buanita Cowden in Wichita, Kan. The couple later made their home in Bentonville, Ark., until moving to Grove in 1987 to be closer to family. While in Wichita, Bill became a member of the 32nd Degree Masons.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Buanita McNelly; one daughter, Tammy Darlene; four brothers and one sister.

Left to cherish his memory: daughter, Debbie Shaw and husband, Charlie of Grove, Okla.; grandsons, Jacob Dee, Micah Dee, Weston Shaw and wife, Dani, Ethan Shaw, T.J. Shaw; and special friend Marry Morris; many nieces and nephews; five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2019, at Nichols-Stephens Funeral & Cremation Services. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2019, at First United Methodist Church. Pastor Randy Hamill to officiate. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 20, 2019, at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Wichita, Kan.

The family request that donations in Bill’s honor be made to the Grove Senior Citizens Center, 145 E O’Daniel Pkwy., Grove, Okla. 74344.

Arrangements entrusted to Nichols-Stephens Funeral & Cremation Services, Grove, Okla.