Obituaries
Deborah J. Adams
BISMARCK — The memorial service for Deborah Joy Adams, 59, of Bismarck, has been rescheduled to 10 a.m. Nov. 8 at Beaton Christian Church, near Bismarck.
Arrangements are by Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home, Arkadelphia.
Juanita J.L.P. Ferguson
Juanita Janice Lyles Pruitt Ferguson, 78, lovingly known by family as “Mo” or “Sarge,” passed peacefully from this life surrounded by love in her home at sunrise Oct. 22, 2014. Born in Ovalo, Texas, Nov. 7, 1935, to Thomas Jefferson Lyles and wife Stella Lorena, Juanita moved and was a Hot Springs resident for 65 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jack W. Ferguson and is survived by her first husband Ralph E. Pruitt and children Mike Pruitt and wife, Vicki, Mitch Pruitt and wife, Wendy and Jana Clark, and husband, Alan, of Hot Springs, as well as stepchildren Don, Rod and Dave Ferguson; grandchildren Justin Pruitt, Linnea Jons, Andrew Clark, Shay Clark, Lexie Pruitt, Kassie Pruitt, Austin Pruitt and great- granddaughter, Nona Pruitt.
After graduating from Cutter Morning Star High School, Juanita went on to achieve a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Science in Counseling from Henderson State University. “Mrs. Pruitt” was a Business Teacher at Fountain Lake, Mountain Pine and Hot Springs high schools for a total of 31 years. She was a long- time member of Oaklawn Church of God and recent member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church.
Avid gardener, traveler and collector of exotic rocks and pine cones, Juanita lived a life full of love and laughter. She believed “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” Her unique voice and laugh will undoubtedly be remembered by many for years to come.
After a celebration of Juanita’s life at her home on Oct. 25, her ashes were buried by her family at Morning Star Cemetery the following day.
In lieu of flowers, she requested donations be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or AETN Foundation, 350 S. Donaghey, Conway, AR 72034.
Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.
Geraldine M.D. Golden
ARKADELPHIA — Geraldine Marie Daniell Golden, age 88, of Arkadelphia, died Friday, Oct. 31, 2014. She was born Oct. 9, 1926, in Clark County, the daughter of Clarence and Alice Evans Daniell. She was a retired school teacher and a member of the Second Baptist Church, where she was very active in their Children’s Ministry. She was preceded in death by her husband James “Bud” Golden, grandson Rusty Golden, and a brother Maurice Daniell.
Survivors include five sons, Larry Golden and his wife Donna of Mississippi, David Golden and his wife Judy and Danny Golden and his wife Paula, all of Arkadelphia, Donnis Golden and his wife Gail of Curtis, and Gary Golden of Dalark; two brothers, Sewell Daniell, of Manchester, and Tracy Daniell, of Arkadelphia; 11 grandchildren; 16 great- grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3 at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia with Stan Parris and Danny Golden officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. today at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Second Baptist Church Building Fund or Alzheimer’s Association.
Sign online guest book at http://www. ruggleswilcox. com.
A. Claude Griffin Jr.
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — A. Claude Griffin Jr., 89, of Hot Springs Village, died Oct. 30, 2014. He was born March 17, 1925, in Baltimore, Md., to Abraham C. and Osceola Casteele Griffin Sr.
Claude was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He treasured his time with friends; whether it be playing golf, bridge or pinochle. After graduating from the University of Illinois and Virginia Tech, he furthered his education at Yale University, earning a Master’s degree in engineering.
Afterwards, he started his long career of structural engineering. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army, serving as a first lieutenant. As a believer in Jesus Christ, Claude is now a resident of heaven. He was of the Lutheran faith, and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church-Hot Springs Village.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters.
Cherishing his memory are his wife of nearly 60 years, Eleanor Rauck Griffin; three children, Nelson E. Fenwick of Oceans Pines, Md., Shelly Fenwick, of Alaska; and Virginia Griffin of Silverton, Colo.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and a host of friends that will miss him dearly.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, at Faith Lutheran Church- Hot Springs Village with the Rev. Mark Carnahan officiating under the direction of Gross Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 9: 30 a. m. until service time on Tuesday.
Memorials in Claude’s memory may be made to his church, Faith Lutheran of Hot Springs Village.
The online obituary, guestbook and memorial tribute are available at http://www.grossfuneralhome.com.
Edith Hildreth
Edith Hildreth, 99, formerly of Hot Springs, died Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, in Texas.
Arrangements will be announced by Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Robert L. Kassaw
Robert Lee Kassaw, 73, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 31, 2014. He was born June 11, 1941, in Hot Springs, to Velmer John “Buddy” Kassaw and Mary Lois Berry Kassaw.
He served proudly in the United States Air Force from 1959-1979 and also retired from the United States Postal Service after 20 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife of 34 years, Katherine L. Schilling Kassaw; two infant sons, Robert Lee and John Dalton Kassaw; and his sister, Lillian V. Kassaw White.
He is survived by his current wife of 11 years, Sarah “Sally” Kassaw; his daughter, Deneen (Greg) Norman, of St. George, Utah; daughter, Danielle (John) Ball, of St. George, Utah; son, James R. Kassaw, of Littleton, Colo.; grandsons, Rodney and Gregory Ball, of St. George, Utah; sister, Betty Jo Maxwell, of Lima, Ohio; brother, William C . Kassaw, of Van Wert, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, at Joplin Cemetery.
Arrangements were made under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home.
Guest registry is at http:// www.thorntonfh.com.
Billy J. Kirtley
Billy Joe Kirtley, 84, of Hot Springs, left this world to join his loving wife Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. He was born Aug. 26, 1930, in Dierks, to the late Nolan and Lona Kirtley. Billy was employed with Kraft Foods in sales for 35 years before finishing with Laharp Medical Supplies as Sales Director.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife of 56 years, Betty Ruth (Norman) Kirtley; son, Jimmy Joe Kirtley; brothers, Nolan Kirtley and Jimmy Kirtley; and sister, Barbara Roach.
Billy is survived by his son, Ken Kirtley ( Ann); brother, George Kirtley (Ruth); sisters, Lou Collins (Gene) and Betty Leisher (Gary).
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Bud and Jolly and all his pool playing friends at the Senior Center.
Guests may register at http:// www.caruth-hale.com.
Arrangements are by CaruthHale Funeral Home.
Bernadine Leppert
Bernadine Leppert, 89, of Hot Springs, passed away Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. Born Jan. 28, 1925, to the late Clarice and George Riddle in Chariton, Iowa.
Bernadine was a member of First Church of Nazarene. She was predeceased by her parents; daughters, Marilyn Leppert and Diane Leppert; two brothers and one sister.
Survivors include her husband, Chuck Leppert; numerous nieces and nephews; close friends, Betty and Pete Paszli.
Visitation will be 2 p. m. today, Nov. 2, at First Church of the Nazarene; services will follow at 2:30 with Pastor Ken Carney officiating.
Pallbearers are Clay Pate, Verlin Anthony, Don Jones, Mickey Wright, Don Sanders and Larry Rhodes.
Honorary pallbearers are nieces and nephews; Pete Paszli and Friendship Sunday School class
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Chariton Cemetery in Chariton, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Church of the Nazarene Mission Fund.
Arrangements are by Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.
Deonna McClendon-Anderson
EL PASO, Texas — Deonna McClendon-Anderson, also known as “Dena,” passed away on Oct. 27, 2014, at the age of 52 years young, in El Paso, Texas.
She leaves to mourn her husband, Colin Anderson and three wonderful children and five sisters and two brothers.
Services will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church, address is 3201 Frutas St., El Paso, Texas, where Dr. Ponce Brown, pastor, will be proceeding over the services.
A forthcoming announcement will be made on Thursday, Nov. 6, in The Sentinel-Record newspaper in regards to the time and location for the home-going celebration in Hot Springs.
Golden Martin
BONNERDALE — The service for Golden Martin, 90, of Bonnerdale, who died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, will be 10 a. m. Monday in Davis-Smith Funeral Home chapel, Hot Springs, with the Revs. Earl Martin and Steve Martin officiating.
Burial will be in Keding Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today.
Pallbearers will be John Keding, Bert Keding, David Keding, Samuel Keding, Easton Keding, Spencer Keding, Daniel White and Mike Gibson.
Honorary pallbearers are Grant Keding, Kelby Hawes, Ray Floyd, William House and Cary Holden.
Krystyana C. Miller
GLENWOOD — Krystyana “Kay” Christopher Miller, age 26, of Glenwood, died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014.
She was born Jan. 8, 1988, in Baltimore, the daughter of Douglas Wayne Christopher and Sarah Jane Keene Coleman.
Survivors include the love of her life, her husband, Brian Miller; her mother and stepfather, Sarah and Jerry Coleman Jr.; her brother, Eryk Coleman, all of Glenwood; three sisters; her maternal grandfather; her father- in- law and mother- inlaw; three brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law.
Services will be 2 p. m. Tuesday in the Glenwood First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Warren Foxworthy officiating.
Visitation will be 6- 8 p. m. Monday at the funeral home.
Interment will be in Coker Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood.
Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.
Harriett Newton
Harriett Newton, 79, of Hot Springs, passed away Thursday Oct. 30, 2014. She was born Sept. 29, 1935, to the late Captiola Merriott Abrams and Walker Abrams in Shawnee, Okla.
Harriett was a retired employee with the federal government, of the Baptist faith and a member of Elks Lodge No. 380. She was predeceased by her parents; and one sister, Betty Rose Pointer.
Survivors include her husband, Lynuel “Lyn” Newton; two brothers, Walker Abrams and Melvin (Anna) Abrams; two sisters, Dorothy Longnecker and Nancy (Larry) Dibler; and one sister-in-law, Norma Lee (Van) Officer.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Hot Springs Funeral Home.
Online condolences at http://www.hotspringsfh.com.
Ira W. Walker
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Ira W. Walker, passed away peacefully on Sept. 23, 2014, at age 91. A native of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and a resident of Hot Springs Village, since 1988, he was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Walker, of Poplar Bluff, and by Deloris, his wife of 56 years.
He is survived by his son, Robert; his grandson, Robert Jr.; and his daughter-in-law, Lili who reside in Northern California.
Ira was the first member of his family to graduate from college, a process that was interrupted when he and his best friend hitchhiked to St. Louis to join the Navy during World War II. Immediately after his honorable discharge in 1946, Ira started his business career at AT&T. He met his future wife on a blind date shortly thereafter and married Deloris Black in 1949, in Poplar Bluff. A move to Dallas followed in 1951, where he helped manage the installation of the AT&T transcontinental coax cable that transmitted the first live television broadcasts from New York to the west coast while he completed his Bachelor’s Degree at SMU in 1953.
He joined Motorola in 1960, and advanced through a series of sales and management positions, eventually retiring in 1986, as a Senior Corporate Vice President. Three years later, he and Deloris moved from Barrington Hills, Ill., to Hot Springs Village, where they enjoyed bridge, golf, swimming and teaching their grandson to ski on Lake Balboa. He was an active member of Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church and the Rotary Club of Hot Springs Village.
Ira will be remembered by his friends who shared time with him in the business world, on the golf course, fishing boat, hunting trip or around a bridge table. He will always be remembered by his family, who treasured their time with him and learned from his can- do attitude, his zest for life and his belief that the most important things in life are achieved through hard work.
The family would like to thank Deanna, Dave, Simona and Leilani for the compassionate care and friendship they provided for “Pappy” during the last three and one- half years.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the YMCA, Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church of Hot Springs Village or the church or charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to CedarVale Funeral Home.
Online condolences/guestbook at http://www.cedarvalefuneralhome.com.