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.

BOONEVILLE — Robert Dale Bollinger, 89, of Booneville, Ark., passed away Sept. 21, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Lois Bollinger; four sons, one daughter, four sisters, a brother, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Cremation arrangements under the direction of Booneville Funeral Service. Online guest book www.boonevillefuneralservice.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — A lifelong resident of Fayetteville, Ark., Thelma Elvins was born Nov. 21, 1932, to Waldo G. and Maydea E. Austin. She passed from this life Sept. 21, 2019, from complications after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Clyde Alan Elvins and sisters Helen Lackey and Mildred Austin.

Thelma leaves behind her beloved children, William Elvins and wife Bonita of Houston, Texas, Gary Elvins of Houston, Texas, Katherine Jones of Rogers, Ralph Elvins of West Siloam Springs, Okla., Susan Elvins of Fayetteville and Jay Elvins and wife Paula of West Siloam Springs, Okla.; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister Rosemary Austin; nieces Evelyn Shaffer and Patricia Ramsey; and many, many friends.

After retiring from Campbell Soup, she then worked for Cooper Industries for many years. She enjoyed countless hours playing bingo at both Fayetteville and Springdale Senior Activity Centers. She was very active in supporting the Washington Regional Cancer Support Home and many organizations to champion the fight against cancer. Her positive attitude gave inspiration to many people coping with cancer. As an active supporter she participated annually in the Race for the Cure and Relay for Life. She was known for her warm and unpretentious hugs.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, at Beard’s Funeral Chapel, 855 S. Happy Hollow Road, Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Washington Regional Cancer Support Home or the Washington Regional Friends of Hospice, c/o Washington Regional Foundation.

A remembrance gathering will be held immediately following the service at the Fayetteville Senior Activity & Wellness Center, 945 S. College, Fayetteville, Ark. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Ann French, 78, of Fayetteville and formerly of Rector passed away Sept. 19, 2019, at Washington Regional Hospice.

First of all, she was a mother who dearly loved her family. She was a kind and generous teacher at Rector Elementary loved by her students. She also was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church while living in Rector.

Preceding her in death was husband Larry French and parents WL and Ethel (Gunnin) Green.

She leaves behind son Tim French of Fayetteville; daughter and son-in-law Leigh Ann and Jason Pleimann of Fayetteville, special grandchildren Kyle French, Jacob Womack, Garrett Womack, Luck Womack, Miller Pleimann and Mason Pleimann; brother Max Green of Las Vegas, Nev., along with other relatives and friends.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, at the Irby-Mitchell Funeral Home in Rector with the service starting at 2 p.m. Jacob Lynn will be officiating. Interment will be at the Woodland Heights Cemetery. You may sign the online condolence book at www.irbyfuneralhome.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Donna Kay Parson, 70, of Fayetteville, died Sept. 22, 2019. She was born June 16, 1949, in Huntsville to Kelly and Lorraine Hill. Survivors include two children; two brothers; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m., Sept. 26, 2019, at Madison County Funeral Service in Huntsville. www.madisoncountyfuneralservice.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Jean McClure Phillips, age 81, of Fayetteville passed away Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, after an illness, with her loving and devoted husband by her side. She was born Feb. 28, 1938, in Eudora, Ark., to Owen Heath and Corrie Elizabeth McClure.

She married Ted Phillips on June 30, 1963, in Crossett, Ark. She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville.

She is survived by husband Ted Phillips; daughter Jean Austin of Rogers, Ark.; and grandchildren Trevor Austin and Shane Austin.

Graveside service was held Friday, Sept. 20 at Fayetteville National Cemetery. To place an online condolence please visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

GENTRY — Clyde A. Henson, 88, passed away Sept. 22, 2019, in Springdale. He was born Oct. 31, 1930, in Lincoln, Neb., to the late Harry E. and Mae Vincent (Schoenthal) Henson. He was the loving husband of Anita (Ackerman) Henson for 68 years.

Clyde was a perfect gentleman, who trained and bred thoroughbred horses. He traveled quite often, going to many horse races over the years, and was known as the horse whisperer. In his later years he dealt in cattle and enjoyed that as well. His love for all animals was apparent when you were around him.

He was a sincere, gentle man who always put his family first. He loved his grandchildren dearly and enjoyed the time he had with them.

Clyde was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Paul, Floyd and Irene.

He is survived by wife Anita of Gentry; son Dan Henson and wife Kathy of Gentry; daughters Linda Hawkins of Bella Vista and Annette Orsbun of Van Buren; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, at 10 a.m. in Rollins Funeral Home Chapel, Rogers. Interment will be in Lincoln, Neb., later this week. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org. Online condolences can be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.

LOWELL — Howard D. Foy, 57, of Lowell, Ark., died Sept. 23, 2019. He served his country faithfully in the Army and as a police officer and detective.

Survivors include wife Cecilia; son Jeffery Foy (Tahara); daughter Jessica Stevens (Danny); father Howard Foy (Elizabeth); five grandchildren; brother Nathan Foy (Lettie); sisters Vicky Boyd (Kevin) and Lisa Roscher.

Funeral will be 9:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, at Calvary Free Will Baptist Church, 1000 N. Gutensohn Road, Springdale, Ark., 72762. Burial following at Fayetteville National Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 a.m. until service time. Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Condolences to stockdale moodyfs.com.

PRAIRIE GROVE — Mike Phillips, 61, a resident of Prairie Grove, Ark., passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Prairie Grove, Ark. He was born June 22, 1958, in Fayetteville, Ark, the son of Edward and Margie Nadine (Skinner) Phillips.

He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Sam Holcomb and son and daughter-in-law Dustin and Emily Rickert.

Survivors include wife Loretta Phillips; son Steven Clapp; daughter Heather Bowen and husband Larry; brothers Harry Phillips and Bobby Phillips; sisters Betty Hall, Dee Riddles and husband Jim and Mary Jo Kahl; sons Michael, Brian and Chris Phillips; 15 grandchildren including Samantha Rickert, Summer Rickert, Colin Clark, Cameron Bowen, ShayLynn Rickert, Wesley Rickert, Aubree Clapp, Ariana Levine, Parker Clapp, Devon Jarrels and Scarlet Jarrels; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove, Ark. Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com.

ROGERS — Needing more sarcasm in Heaven, Kenneth Lavelle Cobbs of Rogers was called home by the Lord on Friday, Sept. 20. Kenneth was born April 1, 1931, on the family farm in Creston, Natchitoches Parish, La., to George Cobbs and Ora Mae Weaver Cobbs.

Kenneth was helped into this world by his midwife, Aunt Renner, a woman born into slavery.

Kenneth spent his childhood in Creston before the family moved to Norphlet, Ark., following World War II. As a Norphlet High School Leopard, Kenneth lettered in football and was All-State in the 110 hurdles. He received his first broken nose from a disagreement with his opponents from Smackover, followed soon after by another from opponents from Monticello. He broke it again his senior year when he missed a bridge, totaling the family Jeep. The circumstances were never fully explained.

Kenneth started off to college, the first in his family, at Southern Arkansas University. With the start of the Korean War, he put college on hold and enlisted in the Air Force. During 1952 and 1953 he served in the 5th Communications Group as a radio operator at “The Castle” in Seoul, working periodically with the USS Missouri and HMS Glory. Having never been outside Arkansas and Louisiana, he found the Air Force welcoming him to San Antonio, Salina, Kan., Seattle, San Francisco, Tokyo, Seoul, Hiroshima, and Iwakuni. This contributed to a lifelong dislike of travel and a preference to sit on his porch and drink coffee.

As a newly minted civilian, Kenneth enrolled at the University of Arkansas. It was here he discovered his love of business and his love for Wanda Sue Trostle following a blind date set up by H.L. and Jody Bryles. In 1958 Kenneth got his degree from the U. of A. and married Wanda Sue. They moved to Little Rock and then to Rogers, where Kenneth ran the Esso bulk plant.

With Wanda Sue and Rogers, Kenneth found himself exactly where he wanted to be. He owned Cobbs Texaco and, with Lyndell Thomas, Hooten Equipment Company in Springdale. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Jaycees, the Quarterback Club, and, when his two sons came along, he was a Cub Scout den leader. He was a lifelong Democrat until he became a lifelong Republican when Ronald Reagan took office.

Kenneth is survived by sons Bart Cobbs and wife Elizabeth of Philadelphia, Pa., and Barry Cobbs and wife Kristen of Rogers; grandchildren Emerson, Sam, Kenneth Benjamin and Evangeline; sister Yvonne Evers of Tyler, Texas; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and inlaws.

Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, from 5 until 7 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Rogers. His funeral service will be Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, at 2 p.m., at First United Methodist Church. A private burial will be on Monday in Rogers Cemetery.

ROGERS — Roger Dean Hignite, 60, of Rogers, died Friday, Sept. 20 at his home. He was born Jan. 22, 1959, in Plainville, Kan., to Paul Everette Hignite and Helen Marie Shafer Hignite.

He was an Army veteran and worked as a machine operator at Pepper Source in Rogers. He enjoyed watching sports on television and was a Bears fan and a Nascar racing fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Paul Eugene Hignite.

Survivors are sons Beau Hignite and Brayden Hignite of Pea Ridge; brothers Frank Hignite and wife Elsie Mae of Rogers and Steve Hignite of Pea Ridge; sister Marilyn Cochran of Rogers.

A memorial service is set for 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27 at Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge. Online condolences may be made at siscofuneral home.net.

ROGERS — Rita Alice Hoover-Capps (known to all as Nanny), age 83, of Rogers passed from this world surrounded by love on Sept. 23, 2019, at 6:25 a.m.

A dedicated wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother, Nanny was born on October 10, 1935 in Eureka Springs. She married Curtis Ray Capps on March 18, 1953. Nanny was family-first, and worked hard throughout her long life to create a loving home and provide for her family, and for every generation to come after. She taught us all the value of love, family, and above all, to treat others with dignity and respect. She imparted these family values through her family farm living.

She wore many hats in the jobs she performed throughout her career years. She worked as a QA inspector for TRW, a security guard, and as a Walmart cashier where she was most proud that Mr. and Mrs. Walton would seek her checkout lane specifically. She has many great stories from her life, and we have many more in ours because of her influence.

The beauty and brilliance of the light she shined upon the lives around her will forever be carried in our hearts, and passed on through our actions.

Rita is survived by children Donald N. Capps, William C. Capps, Charles R. Capps, Arnold (Duane) Capps, Steven K. Capps and Katherine D. Capps-Jenkins; sisters Elizabeth Hoover-Huffman and Barbara Hoover-Loriaux; brother Gary Hoover; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Curtis, parents, brothers Warren P. Hoover Jr., Joseph H. Hoover, Henry F. Hoover and James A. Hoover and sisters Mary V. Hoover and Helen L. Hoover.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27 at Rollins Funeral Home, 1401 W. Hudson Road, Rogers, Ark., 72756. A memorial service will begin at 3 p.m.

ROGERS — Clyde James Musholt, 95, of Rogers, Ark., passed away Sept. 23, 2019. Funeral services are set for Sept. 26, 2019, at 1 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers.

Clyde was born March 18, 1924, in Quincy, Ill., to Alois Musholt and Isabel Bohne Musholt. He was the oldest of eight children and married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Mary Lee Spettnagel, on June 13, 1946. They were blessed with six children — a boy and five girls.

Clyde was a World War II veteran. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy (Class of 1947), and served three years on the USS Midway aircraft carrier.

In 1953, he moved to Rogers as the manager of the Wendt-Sonis manufacturing plant. During his life in Rogers, he served in many capacities for St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, including president of the Church Council and original choir director and organist. He was a past president of the Rogers Rotary Club, a volunteer at St. Mary’s Hospital, and enjoyed piloting his private plane. He was also a proud father – raising an Air Force pilot, an artist and writer, a bank officer, an accountant, a law professor, and a doctor.

Clyde was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Fr. Silas Musholt, Carol Weisenhorn, Annabel Degenhardt, Isabel Schmidt and Marjorie Bergman.

He is survived by brothers Stanley Musholt and Frank Musholt of Quincy, Ill.; children Mike Musholt, Jo Lightfoot, Katy Leis, Kathy Ward, Mary Beth Matthews and Dr. Vicki Hayes; their much-loved spouses Maureen Musholt, Ethan Lightfoot, Dr. Dan Leis, John Ward, David Matthews and Dr. Tim Hayes; grandchildren Leeann Roxx, Michael Joseph Musholt, Dr. Valerie Strunk, Jeff Leis, Matt Leis, Tim Leis, Chris Ward, Brandon Ward, Zach Matthews, Dr. Eli Matthews, Lizzie Johnson, Ben Hayes, Ciara Hayes and Aidan Hayes, as well as by numerous great-grandchildren.

The family requests that memorial gifts be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, which gave his children their start in life. Condolences may be expressed at Stockdale-Moodyfs.com.