Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1972
Obituaries from the year 2012
James Sliter
James William Sliter, 81, of Bentonville, Arkansas died Saturday, November 10, 2012. He was born March 4, 1931 in Mt. Vernon, Arkansas the son of Daniel and Lilie May Sliter.
He served in the United States Navy for 21 years. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, outdoors, and gardening.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Geraldine Sliter; second wife, Mary Virginia Sliter; one step-daughter, Kathleen Thore; and one brother, Leslie Sliter.
James is survived by two step-sons, Bill Plummer and his wife, Dulce, of San Diego, California and Rick Millard and his wife, Polly, of Bentonville, Arkansas; one step-daughter, Linda Caudle, of Little Rock, Arkansas; and six grandchildren.
Graveside service will be Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10:00 am at Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Military honors provided by Veterans Honor Guard of Bella Vista.
Sheldon Matthees
Sheldon “Shelly” Bernard Matthees, 76, of Bella Vista, Arkansas passed away peacefully while hunting in the woods near Leech Lake, Minnesota on November 8, 2012.
Shelly was born August 25, 1936 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Bernard and Marie (Pogalz) Matthees.
He was raised in Owatonna, Minnesota and in St. Paul, where he graduated from Concordia High School in 1954. He began studies in the Lutheran ministry at Concordia College. After leaving Concordia, he worked as a Lineman for Northwestern Bell, and he remained with “Ma Bell” for 30 years, eventually working as an Engineer and a Chemical Dependency Counselor. After retiring from Northwestern Bell, he continued working in the chemical dependency field for the next 12 years. In 1997, he moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, where he continued to care for people through his work in Alcoholics Anonymous. Shelly was a friend of Bill W. and had just celebrated 39 years of sobriety on November 5th. He was always willing to share a cup of coffee and to listen. He was a positive, healing force in many lives.
He was married to his loving wife, Emily, who shared his deep love of the North Country, for 35 years. This year was Shelly’s 64th year of hunting in the woods near Leech Lake. He passed away peacefully doing what he loved most.
Shelly is survived by his wife of 35 years, Emily Matthees; his children, Michelle Matthees (Julie Gard), Shana Wenger, Kathi (David) Koester, and Douglas (Angela) Matthees; close family friend, Marshall Pearson; 10 grandchildren; his siblings Carol (Earl) Schroeder, Douglas (Carole) Matthees, and Katherine (John) Longman; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his loyal dog, Jack.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Bella Vista Community Church in Bella Vista, Arkansas.
Memorials may be sent to Bella Vista Community Church, 75 East Lancashire Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72714.
Billy Prophet
Billy Bob Prophet, 71, of Rogers, Arkansas died Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas. He was born June 8, 1941 in Pea Ridge, Arkansas to Cynthia Samantha Anderson and Richard Prophet.
He served in the United States Air Force where he obtained an honorable discharge. He was a carpenter for many years. His hobbies included hunting and fishing. He was very good working on small engines. He loved helping others whenever he was able.
He was a lifetime resident of Northwest Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Billy is survived by his wife, Sandra Prophet, of the home whom he married March 7, 1967 in Miami, Oklahoma; one son, Shannon Prophet and his wife, Susan, of Muskogee, Oklahoma; three daughters, Michele Gilliland and her husband, Mike, of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, Tracy Prophet and her fiancé, Corey Robison, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Lanna Bass of Texas; one brother, Wayne Prophet and his wife, Connie, of Rogers, Arkansas; and eight grandchildren. He also leaves many of his dearest friends.
Visitation will be Monday, November 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Epting Funeral Home of Bentonville, Arkansas.
Graveside service will be at a later date at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.
Memorials may be sent to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Arkansas 72762.
Verla Strosahl
Verla Louise Strosahl, 86, of Bentonville, Arkansas died Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at Northwest Medical Center of Benton County in Bentonville with her husband by her side and her daughter and caregiver, Tammy. She was born January 9, 1926 in Westgate, Iowa the daughter of Leona and Lorenz Seegers.
She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Rogers, Arkansas for 27 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lorenz and Leona Seegers, and two great grandchildren.
Verla is survived by her husband of 71 years, Harold Strosahl, of the home; eight children, Jim Strosahl and wife, Phyllis, of Montana, Dale Strosahl and wife, Florence, of Minnesota, Gloria Studt and husband, John, of Arkansas, Dean Strosahl and wife, Petra, of Germany, Joyce Blass and husband, Bob, of Iowa, Kenny Strosahl and wife, Vicky, of Iowa, Becky Garret of Arkansas, and Tammy Hummel of Arkansas; 20 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.
Iowa funeral services will be at Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein, Iowa with burial at Hope Cemetery in Westgate, Iowa.
The Arkansas memorial service will be at a later date at Peace Lutheran Church of Rogers, Arkansas with Pastor Paul Theiss officiating.
Mary Sanzone
Mary Theresa Cyr Sanzone, age 79, passed away on November 6, 2012, in Springdale, Arkansas. Theresa was born February 19, 1933, in Caribou, Maine to Fred V. and Artheline St. Jean Cyr.
She worked most of her life in real estate property management for the Charles E. Smith Company in Washington, D.C. She kept the company organized and served as a valuable asset to those she worked with and for. After retiring and moving to Fayetteville to be with her family, she worked at Dillard’s for fun, until her full retirement. Theresa was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Clarence and Lionel Cyr.
She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Sanzone Brown, who has been the absolute treasure of her life and her best friend and her son-in-law, Marty Brown, whom she loved dearly. She was blessed with four wonderful grandchildren and their spouses and fiancés; Andrew and Stephanie Brown, Jon and Kristin Brown, Brad Brown and fiancé, Whitney Roth, and Chelsea Brown and fiancé, Ty Smith. Theresa is also survived by her brother, Philip Cyr, of Ft. Washington, Maryland. Theresa was a wonderful mother, “Meme”, mother-in-law, and friend and will be sorely missed. However, we live with the confidence she will be watching over us all, just as she always has.
Memorial service will be Thursday November 8, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville.
Memorials may be sent to the “Youth Ministry” of Central United Methodist Church, 6 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.
Blanche Rivett
Blanche Rivett, of Bentonville, Arkansas died Friday, November 2. She was born February 14, 1925.
She is survived by her daughter, Gerena LaCosse, of Morgan City, Louisiana; sister, Irene Kile, of Eureka Springs; 15 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and many great-great-grandchildren.
Services are at Springtown Baptist Church. Call Jason at (479) 295-2656 for information.
