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 — Merlyn C. Burk - ‘MC Red’, 98, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Sunday May 19, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Ark. Merlyn was born June 17, 1920, to Sidney and Edna Burk in Bradley, S.D.

After high School merlyn got a job working as an office boy for Warner Hardware. During this time he purchased a car and travelled to the west coast. After his sojourn in California, Merlyn enlisted in the Navy on Jan. 4, 1942. At the end of his service on Oct. 31, 1947, he was discharged as a petty officer 1st class. During this time he met Frances C. Kunze and after a whirlwind romance they married March 10, 1945, in Long Island, N.Y.

After Merlyn was discharged, he and Fran moved to Minneapolis, Minn., where he went back to work for Warner Hardware. They settled in a new home in Crystal, Minn., in 1956. Merlyn and Frances were blessed with five children — Thomas, Karen, Susie, Donna, and Judy.

They enjoyed many summers at their cabin on Sugar Lake in Minnesota that became a family focal point for many joyous years. They also loved to travel stateside and overseas including three trips to Ireland to research family genealogy which was Merlyn’s favorite hobby. They retired to Bella Vista, Ark., where he was very active in the Catholic church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also performed a lot of volunteer work. His first love, Fran, left to join loved ones on Sept. 20, 2003.

Merlyn continue to enjoy life of a retiree in Bella Vista, Ark. It was there he met and married Annette Orlando on Oct. 22, 2005. They shared many happy years in their new home and made many trips to Jamaica and other exotic locations overseas. They loved entertaining, flower gardening and bird watching was a delightful pursuit.

Red was a wonderful man, son, brother, husband, father and friend. He cared deeply for his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Annette; sister Dorothy Sundberg; son Tom and his wife Cindy; daughters Karen, Susie and her husband Tom, Donna, Judy and her husband Michael; 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at 9 a.m. followed by a rosary at 9:30 a.m. and Mass of the Resurrection at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 22 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www. funeralmation.com.

YBELLA VISTA — Colby Evans Garr, 44, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away peacefully on May 19, 2019, in Bentonville,

Ark. He was born in Fort Smith, Ark., on Aug. 1, 1974, the son of Louis Garr and Patti Polk-Casey.

Colby grew up in Van Buren and graduated from Van Buren High School. He later attended the University of Arkansas and graduated from University of Arkansas-Fort Smith with a degree in education. He taught literature, logic and history for Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy and was an ordained minister with the Way, Truth, and Life Church. He was an inspirational teacher and was beloved by all his students. At the end of each class, he would say to his students: “Go forth and do good work, ladies and gentlemen, I’ll see you soon.”

He was preceded in death by his son Timothy Roi Garr and father Louis Garr. He is survived by his loyal and loving wife, Rhea Garr of Bella Vista; mother Patti Polk-Casey of Van Buren; sister Adrian Thomas of Van Buren; niece Maleah Thomas of Van Buren and nephew Trevon Thomas of Van Buren.

Graveside service will be held 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22 at Tucks Cemetery in Rogers, Ark. Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. Fourth St., Rogers, Ark. Online condolences can be made at www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.

YBELLA VISTA — Neva J. Harvey of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away May 17, 2019, at Ashley Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, Rogers, Ark. She was born May 17, 1934, in Lonoke, Ark., to Bernard E. Jones and Edna Jones.

Neva grew up in Conway, Ark., and later attended Mabelvale High School where she graduated with the class of 1952. After briefly attending Arkansas State Teacher’s College, she joined the Air Force. Soon after enlisting, Neva met William (Bill) Harvey and they were married Feb. 9, 1956. She separated from the military after getting married in order to stay with Bill as he moved around the world with the Air Force. In 1976 they settled in Sherman, Texas, where they lived until retiring to Bella Vista, Ark., in 1991.

Although she left the military, Neva continued to work as a civil servant for the Department of Defense as they moved from location to location and eventually retired from civil service at the U.S. Post Office in Sherman, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents and son Richard. She is survived by her husband, William Harvey; son Jim Harvey of Bella Vista, Ark.; sister Dearl Graupner of Little Rock, Ark.; brother Paul Jones of Neosho, Mo.; five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held May 22, 2019, at Bella Vista Community Church, 75 E. Lancashire Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. with visitation at 1 p.m., service at 2 p.m. and a reception immediately following the service. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation. com.

YBELLA VISTA — Gloria Jeanne (Reinhard) McDevitt, 76, died peacefully at home May 17. Gloria is survived by daughter Susan and husband Craig; son Mike and wife Lori; four grandsons, Jack (wife Kelsey), Ty, Cole, Dane and great granddaughter Maddie. Family will have a private ceremony at Gloria’s favorite vacation destination Hawaii. Online condolences may be made at www.funeral mation.com.

YFAYETTEVILLE — Judith Leigh Farley, age 75, of Fayetteville, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2019, in Fayetteville. She was born on Nov. 6, 1943, in Columbus, Ga.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She was raised in Casper, Wyo. She graduated from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., and spent her teaching career in the Wyoming school system, retiring after 30 years.

Judy is survived by her husband, Jerry Farley; son Robert Mirabello and wife Jodi of Baton Rouge, La.; sister Cheryl Dowler and husband Charles of Dallas, Texas; two granddaughters, Olivia and Hannah of Baton Rouge, La.; four cousins, Lisa Icenogle and husband Stan of Casper, Wyo., Linda Neely of Fayetteville, James Neely and wife Eloise of Austin, Texas, and Louis Neely and wife Mary of Sacramento, Calif.

Visitation will be 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Thursday, May 23, 2019, followed by a funeral at 11:30 a.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 1605 W. Robinson Ave. in Springdale. Burial will be at Fayetteville National Cemetery, under the direction of Moore’s Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project. To sign the online guest book, visit www. mooresfuneralchapel.com.

YFAYETTEVILLE — Luther Elmer Thomas Jr. of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2019, at 62 years old. He was born Nov. 27, 1956, in Odessa, Texas, the son of Luther Elmer and Mary (Garrett) Thomas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Marybeth Scott and Thelma Todhunter and brothers Orin Thomas, Larry Thomas and Finnie Thomas.

Luther was an accomplished mechanic and businessman, having owned and operated Towing Plus in Fayetteville for more than 20 years. From cooking to welding, and even painting oil derricks in Texas, he was able to accomplish whatever he set his hands to.

He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his grandchildren. Out of all of his accomplishments, his greatest was raising his children. He loved his family and friends more than anything, and they loved him as well. Helping those around him is what made him the happiest.

Luther is survived by his sons, Luther Thomas III of Fayetteville and Terry Evans of Brentwood; daughters Marylyn Thomas of Fayetteville, Tish Martin of Stillwell,

Okla.; Angela Evans of Florida and Falisha Hutcherson of Fayetteville; 16 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters Linda Warton, Mildred Harris and Jean Cavin; brother Stanley Thomas; and many other friends, family, and loved ones.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 22, at Moore’s Funeral Chapel from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A family memorial service will be announced at a later date. Condolences may be given online at www.mooresfuneral chapel.com.

YFORTH SMITH — Alvin Cornelius Trusty, 91, passed away May 19, 2019. Visitation: 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at the Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris. Funeral service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris. Complete obituary may be found at wwwr.roller funeralhomes.com/paris.

YHINDSVILLE — Jose Michael Corral, 77, of Hindsville; died May 15, 2019, at Hindsville. He is survived by his wife Neoyla “Lee” Corral and two children. Services will be held at a later date in Colorado. Cremation is entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.

YNATURAL DAM — Gary Allen Lovejoy, born on June 19, 1956, in Stilwell, Okla., passed away Sunday, May 19, 2019, at the age of 62 years and 11 months. He was the son of Toy and Minnie (Unger) Lovejoy who preceded him in death.

Gary liked classic cars, fishing, deer hunting and listening to classic country music, but his favorite pastime of all was spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Those left to mourn him are his wife, Susan Lynn (Davidson) Lovejoy of the home in Natural Dam; three daughters, Connie Marie Billy and husband Daniel of Summers, Ark., Dixie Amanda Chaffin and husband Tommy of Elkins, Ark., and Angela Sue Prewitt and husband Joe of Natural Dam; seven grandchildren, Dustin and Cody Ornsby, Ethan and Ryleigh Billy, all of Summers, Madison Chaffin of Elkins, Bo and Tallyn Prewitt of Natural Dam; brother Wiley Lovejoy and wife Lily of Stilwell, Okla.; uncles Myrl Lovejoy and Bennett Lovejoy and wife Lynda, all of Evansville, Ark.; and one very special lifelong friend, Leo Skinner of Natural Dam, plus numerous other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be at Ewing Chapel Cemetery in Adair County, Okla., with Pastor Glen Hopkins officiating. Services are entrusted to Ocker Funeral Home, 700 Jefferson St., Van Buren, Ark., at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2019. The family will visit with relatives and friends Tuesday, May 21, 2019, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren. In lieu of flowers all donations can be made to the family towards a memorial headstone. Online tributes: www.ockerfuneral home.com.

YPEA RIDGE — Linda Lee Davidson, 61, of Pea Ridge, Ark., died Sunday May 19, 2019, with loved ones by her side. She was born Aug. 19, 1957, in Siloam Springs, Ark.,

to Gerald and Violet Buck.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her husband of 46 years, Danny Wayne Davidson; three children, Amanda Davidson of Springdale, Crystal and Brad Dime of Johnson and Daniel and Chrissy Davidson of Huntsville; 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She enjoyed collecting Indian artifacts, traveling, taking care of her family and her beloved dog, Banjo.

Private family Memorial services will be held in memory. Online condolences www.WestfieldChapel.com.

YPEA RIDGE — Christine Smith, 66, of Pea Ridge, died, May 19. Service set 10 a.m. Saturday, May 25 at The Ridge Church Pea Ridge. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 24 at the church. Arrangements are by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge. Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome. net.

YROGERS — Frances Ann Ellington, age 78, passed away on Sunday, May 19 2019, in Rogers, Ark. She was born June 10, 1940, in Clovis, N.M., to Roy and Irene (White) Sagely.

She was a loving mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by both parents, husband Jr. Guy Ellington, brother Dub Sagely and sister Louise Thomas.

She is survived by son Johnny and wife Teresa McChristian of Rogers, Ark.; daughters Tina Robertson of Rogers and Cindy Loftin and husband Joe of Avoca, Ark.; brothers Alfred Sagely of Farmington, Ark., Quenton Sagely of Wichita, Kan., and Benny and wife Carolyn Sagely of Bella Vista, Ark.; sister Genevieve Pace of Cave Springs, Ark., Twilla and husband Alan McElroy of Springdale, Ark.; seven grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Rollins Funeral Chapel in Rogers, Ark., on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Cave Springs, Ark., on May 23, 2019, at 2 p.m. with burial to follow at Cave Springs Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers, www.RollinsFuneral.com.

YWITTER — Patricia Anne Maggard, 67, of Witter died Friday, May 17, 2019, at Fayetteville. Visitation will be noon to 1 p.m., May 22, 2019, at Brashears Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 2 p.m., at Venus Cemetery with Chance Bryant officiating. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.

YCASSVILLE, Mo. — John Leak, 94, of Cassville died May 18, 2019. Service set for 2 p.m. May 22 at Sisco Funeral Chapel Pea Ridge. Visitation from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hickory Creek Cemetery in Springdale. Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.