Obituaries

BELLA VISTA — John E. Stieren, 75, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Nov. 2, 2019. He was born Aug. 28, 1944, in Omaha, Neb., to Frances and Margaret Stieren. Services to be held in Omaha at a later date. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.funeral mation.com.

BELLA VISTA — Ella L. Reaves, 81, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away Nov. 2, 2019. She was born March 13, 1938, in Alapaha, Ga., the daughter of John Leonard and Ellifare Francis Harper Gunter.

Ella was a former utility employee for Gordo’s and a homemaker for many years. She served her community, God and many others that she met in life along her way, as that was who she was … She loved her family deeply and adored all her grandchildren and great grandchildren … She served her county in the United States Army and is preceded in death by her husband Robert Reaves and one son Rodney Reaves.

She is survived by her children Wayne Gunter and Shirley Frymire of Oklahoma, Eileen Wilkerson of Rogers, Ark, and Linda Blankenship of Jackson, Tenn.; brother James Gunter of Oklahoma; 19 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

Celebration of Life date to be determined later.

Cremation arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www. bentoncountyfuneralhome. com.

FAYETTEVILLE — David Bolsterli died Oct. 27, 2019, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale after a brief battle with metastatic cancer. David was born in Minneapolis, Minn., Dec. 20, 1959, the son of the late Dr. Mark Bolsterli and Dr. Margaret Jones Bolsterli, professor emerita at the University of Arkansas.

David was a very unusual man, with an incredible IQ and an enviable photographic memory. He was a member of MENSA and attended the University of Arkansas. He worked for 21 years at the United States Postal Service. A gentle giant, David was always ready and willing to help anyone who asked him. He was interested in a myriad

of things, from calculus to Arabic, philosophy, physics, science, economics. He could quote statistics, facts, all kinds of information, and was never wrong about the date. He was a walking encyclopedia, and because he was so well-read, he had countless subjects at his beck and call. He could also work any computer or other electronic device. His co-workers at the Post Office admired his professionalism and devotion to his work. The family would like to express thanks and appreciation to those post office co-workers for the caring they showed David at the end of his life.

David is survived by his mother; his brother, Dr. Eric Bolsterli and wife Claire, of Fort Worth, Texas; his stepmothers, Judy Costlow of Santa Fe, N.M., and Dr. Olivia Sordo of Fayetteville; as well as cousins Ted and Robin Willis, whose help was invaluable, Lorri Daniels, Kathy Jones, and many others.

As per David’s wishes, there will be no memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark. 72762, or the animal shelters in either Fayetteville or Springdale.

Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home of Fayetteville. Condolences: www.epting funeralhome.webs.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Alice May (Baker) Garrett was born on April 5, 1932, in Burlington, Kan., to parents Charles Vernon Baker and Letha (Barrett) Baker She passed from this life on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, 11:30 p.m., at 87 years of age.

When Alice was 8 years old, her family moved from Kansas to Santa Maria, Calif., where she grew to adulthood. As a young girl, she attended the Santa Maria Church of Christ with her family and was baptized into the Lord’s church.

Following high school graduation, Alice attended Highland School of Nursing in Oakland, Calif., graduating in 1953.

On Nov. 22, 1953, Alice was married to Frank Garrett. Soon after their marriage, Frank was transferred to Coalinga, Calif., with the Union Oil Company. Alice was hired by the Coalinga School System as school nurse, where she worked for 30 years, until retiring in 1987. Alice and Frank were interested in the well-being of young people, having given gifts to Boy and Girl Scout organizations as well as contributing to their college tuition funds.

After retiring, she spent much of her time writing, sewing, knitting, and needlepoint, making beautiful gifts for family and friends. Some of her finest accomplishments were personally designed and created baby quilts for every baby born that she knew of, a beautiful album of favorite recipes and pictures she created for special women in her life, writing tributes to special people, family ancestry, and writing of special moments in her life.

In September 2016, Alice moved to Fayetteville, Ark., to be near her sister and family. She moved into Brookstone Assisted Living, where she was very well cared for and seemed to be very content.

Also, her last days were in the Willard Walker Hospice Home, also receiving excellent care. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation for the excellent care of both homes.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Frank Garrett.

She is survived by her sister and husband, Treva and Ray Hibbard of Fayetteville, Ark.; niece, Carolyn Donaghey of Edmund, Okla.; two nephews and wives, Vernon and Janine Hibbard and Michael and Deb Hibbard of Collierville, Tenn.; nine great-nieces and nephews; 10 great-great-nieces and nephews; and many dear friends and loved ones.

She was very loving, caring and giving to everyone, and very loved and will be dearly missed by all!

Cremation arrangements are being handled by Beard’s Funeral Chapel, which were her wishes. Jack Harriman will conduct a memorial service at the Elkins Church of Christ, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. Lunch will be served following the service and visitation. All are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Gospel Tracts International, 2125 N. Center St., Fayetteville, Ark. 72701.

Condolences at www. beardsfuneralchapel.com.

GRAVETTE — John F. Nichols, 64, passed away on Nov. 3, 2019, in Gravette. He was born on March 1, 1955, in Bentonville to Huland and Gleanna (Davis) Nichols.

He was a member of the Church of Christ in Bentonville and a lifelong resident of Bentonville.

He was preceded in death by his father.

John is survived by his mother of Bentonville; son, Chris (Christy) Nichols of Gravette; twin brothers, Wayne Nichols of Gravette and Dwayne of Bentonville; sisters, Carol Nichols and Anita Shelby both of Bentonville; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his special cat, Baby.

A visitation will be on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, from 10-11 a.m. at the Church of Christ in Bentonville, with a funeral to follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Hiwasee.

Online condolences can be made at www.callisonlough. com.

ROGERS — JoAnna Wilson of Rogers died Oct. 26, 2019. She was born March 12, 1928, in Amarillo, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, in the clubhouse of Village on the Park, 2200 W. Laurel Avenue in Rogers. Arrangements are by Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers.

GRIFFIN, Ga. — Dr. Randy Valimont was born on June 8, 1960, in Johnson City, N.Y., and died on Oct. 31, 2019, in Griffin, Ga.

He leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Jelly (Geraldine) Jordan Valimont; daughters, Jordan Valimont Bobo of Griffin, Ga., Danielle and her husband,

Praveen Bala, of Lighthouse Point, Fla., Alayna Valimont of Griffin, Ga., granddaughter Jaeli Kai LaRaé Bobo-Valimont; grandson, Shiloh Lane Bala; nephews Alden Meeks and Reagan Meeks, of the home; parents, Norman and June Valimont of Victor, Mont.; mother-inlaw, Olene Talbert Jordan, of Gainesville, Ga. He also leaves brothers, Raymond and Amy Valimont of Douglasville, Ga., Jeffrey and Joni Valimont of Victor, Mont., Mohamed and Parvine Fotouhi of Brookline, Mass., Ken and Janet Boyles of Tampa, Fla.; sisters, Suzanne and Mike Gavazzi of Bradenton, Fla., Niloo Fotouhi and Nozar Afkhami of Phoenix, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Linda and Charles Green of Calais, Maine; a host of aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the country and the world.

Dr. Valimont was predeceased by father-in-law, Rev. Gerald McCoy Jordan of Gainesville, Ga.; sister-in-law Christy Meeks of Gainesville, Ga.; brother-in-law, Steve Meeks, of Gainesville, Ga.; grandparents, Ray and Lottie Lukensow of Goose Creek, S.C.

Dr. Valimont was a graduate of Southeastern University where he received his bachelor’s degree in theology, Logos University where he received his master’s degree and doctorate in Pastoral Leadership. He was also the recipient of two conferred doctorates.

Dr. Valimont served in many ministry capacities throughout his years of ministry and preached in more than 60 nations of the world. He served as a youth pastor at First Assembly of God in Oxford, Fla., and at First Assembly of God in Springdale, Ark. In 1984, he and Jelly moved to Toccoa, Ga., where he served as senior pastor at Glad Tidings Assembly of God. In 1993, he received a call to become the senior pastor at First Assembly of God in Griffin, Ga., where he served for 26 years.

During his years in Griffin, Ga., he led the church into many building programs to help serve the needs of the growing church and the community. The constituents of the church grew from 400 attendees to more than 7000 on seven separate campuses. The congregation of Griffin First Assembly also includes a Griffin Christian Day Care Center, Griffin Christian Schools, Valor College of Ministry, Touch of Healing Counseling Center, Prayer Mountain Boys Academy, and Fresh Touch Radio and Television.

Dr. Valimont was instrumental in developing a mission program at Griffin First Assembly. This program supports various missions projects and missionaries throughout the community and around the world. These missions are primarily to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ but are also humanitarian in nature. During the 26 years of his pastorate at Griffin First Assembly, Dr. Valimont raised more than $28 million for missions. According to statisticians, this

translates to 99,319,997 people who accepted Christ as Savior as a result of this money going to the mission projects. This does not include lives that were changed through humanitarian endeavors.

During his years in Griffin, Dr. Valimont also served as the chaplain to Spalding County Sheriff’s Department, ministering to local law enforcement officers and the community both in times of crisis and celebration.

Dr. Valimont served on many para-church boards as a board member, but also as a leader, helping meet the needs of people who might otherwise be overlooked. Although he served on governing boards which are too many to mention throughout the years, his most recent commitments include the following: Calcutta Mercy Ministries is a ministry he led in feeding, educating, and medically assisting 25,000 children per day. Emerge Ministries is a crisis counselling center for pastors and leaders that Dr. Valimont served as a board member. Other boards that Dr. Valimont served were Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Global University, Network211 (a world missionary outreach focused on global evangelism and discipleship via the Internet), Global Teen Challenge (an international residential program for those suffering from substance abuse or self-destructive behaviors), and Unsion Radio and Television.

Randy Valimont was known for his dauntless vision and passion for Christ. He inspired people to live bold and innovative lives, using every means available to convey that message.

People were the most important aspect of Dr. Valimont’s life. He was always reaching out to the hurting, the destitute, and the lonely, sharing his faith so that others could come to know Jesus. He was a man of great faith and knew that nothing could stop the power of God. He believed in the miraculous. There was no task, no problem that would stand in the way of what he felt God wanted him to do. In the words of so many, Randy Valimont was larger than life.

The last month of Dr Valimont’s life, was devoted to missions emphasis at Griffin First Assembly. His last sermon to the church was entitled, “Do We Have Enough Lifeboats?” To help facilitate his vision for providing for missions, the family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation would be given to Griffin First Assembly missions in his name. A lifeboat will be available for anyone wishing to bring their donation to the viewing and funeral.

A visitation will be Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Griffin First Assembly. A funeral service will be Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Griffin First Assembly. A private family interment will be held. Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 W. McIntosh Road, Griffin, is in charge of the arrangements.

Please join the family and friends in honoring the life of Dr. Randy Valimont by visiting www.conner-westbury funeralhome.com and posting your tributes and memories.