Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Jeannette Helen Austin
Jeannette Helen Austin, age 96, of Wickes, Arkansas went to be with her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, Monday, August 30, 2021 in her home surrounded by family.
She was born on Tuesday, January 20, 1925 to Casmier and Nellie Drace Piotrowski in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Jeannette was a member of the Wickes United Methodist Church. She loved the Lord. She faithfully helped with various jobs and activities within the church. She was the church treasurer for many years. She had a servant’s heart and was a caregiver to many. Jeannette worked diligently at various jobs throughout her life. She and her husband, Elbert, raised poultry and cattle for many years. She belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary. Jeannette loved her family and spending time with them. She enjoyed games, puzzles, crocheting, reading, and loved to travel. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, daughter, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, and friend.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Casmier and Nellie Drace Piotrowski, her husband, Elbert Austin, her brother, Vic Piotrowski, and her sister, Betty (Bobbie) Gross.
She is survived by two daughters and son-in-law, Shelley and Jimmy Hunter of Grannis, Sheila Johnson of Wickes; five grandchildren and their spouses, Jeff and Gina Hunter of Grannis, Jerry and Shelly Johnson of Grannis, Jill Hunter of Grannis, Jana and Bryan Richardson of Wickes, and Jordan and Tara Hunter of Benton; twelve great-grandchildren, Chance, Ryan, Carson, Hunter, Raegan, Macie, Easton, Dillon, Aspen, Gunnar, Kinleigh, and Chayni and four great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial graveside service will be held 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at Daniel Cemetery in Wickes with Jordan Hunter and Bryan Richardson officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen, Arkansas.
Crystal Faye Lawson
Ms. Crystal Faye Lawson, age 75 , a resident of De Queen, Arkansas died Saturday, August 28, 2021 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
She was born November 27, 1945 in Emmet, Arkansas. She was a homemaker and attended Rose Hill Baptist Church. She loved her family, flowers and working in her garden.
Ms. Lawson was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Mary McClellon Lawson; two sons, Donny Lewis Lawson and Jimmy Lawson; one sister, Dorothy Brown and one brother, James Lawson.
She is survived by three sons, Lamart Lawson, Ronald Lawson and Andre Lawson all of De Queen; four brothers, Carl Lawson of Hope, Arkansas, Charles Lawson of Little Rock, Arkansas, Billy Lawson of Cobb, California and Michael Lawson of Horatio, Arkansas; two sisters, Rose Dickerson of Prescott, Arkansas and Mary McKillian of Tacoma, Washington and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Ms. Lawson will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 4, 2021 in Sandhill Cemetery with Pastor Tim Smallwood officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, September 3rd at the funeral home.
Donnie Ray McGuffin
Mr. Donnie Ray McGuffin, age 61, of De Queen, Arkansas, passed from this life on Saturday, August 28, 2021, in Nashville, Arkansas.
Donnie was born to the union of Ralph Carrol and Lowanda Jewel Craft McGuffin on May 18, 1960, in Ajo, Arizona. He received an associate degree and worked as a Lineman for Southwest Arkansas Electric with nineteen years of service. He was an accomplished taxidermist, owning and operating D&S Taxidermy for more than thirty years. Donnie attended the First Assembly of God Church and was a member of different hunting clubs. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles, hosting cookouts, driving around, and spending time with his loving family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Lowanda McGuffin, and his sister, Carolyn Hess.
Donnie leaves to cherish his memory, one daughter, Ashlyn McGuffin of Coweta, Oklahoma; two sons, Terance McGuffin and fiancé Victoria of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Junior McGuffin and wife Brittney of Missouri; three grandchildren, Gunner Clement, Shaylyn Smith, and Jas Smith, all of Coweta, Oklahoma; two special cousins, Christina Yogi McGuffin and Jorge McGuffin, both of Arizona; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Memorial Services for Mr. Donnie McGuffin will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, September 11, 2021, in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation Arrangements are entrusted to Chandler Funeral Home of De Queen.
Mr. Brian Beaird
Mr. Boyd Brian Beaird, age 60, resident of Mineral Springs, Arkansas, passed peacefully from this life Friday, August 27, 2021, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Brian was born the fourth of five children to Hubert Curtis and Ora Esterlene Lane Beaird on February 12, 1961, in Mesa, Arizona. He was a 1979 graduate of Mineral Springs High School and worked in meat processing from a young age. He later worked in several different capacities until his retirement. He enjoyed checking cows, hunting, fishing, and his Yorkie – Lincoln, but most of all, he cherished the time spent with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Ora Beaird; special friends whom he saw as his adoptive parents, Lawrence and Juanita Smith; a special family friend, Sandra Smith Martin; and a brother, Leon Beaird.
Brian leaves to cherish his memory, one son, Dakota Beaird of Mineral Springs; special friends, Charles and Sue Smith, and family of Mineral Springs; as well as brothers, sisters, other relatives, and a host of friends.
Graveside Services for Mr. Brian Beaird will be held at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, August 29, 2021, at the Saratoga Cemetery, Saratoga, Arkansas with Bro. Ben Jones officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to Chandler Funeral Home of De Queen.
Gerald Lee Klitz, Sr.
Gerald Lee Klitz Sr., 71, of Benton, Arkansas went to be with the Lord August 26, 2021.
Gerald was born September 24, 1949 in DeQueen, Arkansas to the late Freddie and Bernice Klitz.
He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Betty Klitz, one daughter, Brandi Campbell and her husband Bud of Orange, Texas; son, Gerald Klitz Jr. and his wife, Allison of Benton; son, Aaron Klitz of Benton; son, Robert Tuggle of Benton; one brother, Leon Klitz and his wife, Louise of Winthrop; one sister-in-law, Mary Watkins of Little Rock and one brother-in-law, Virgil Fowler of North Little Rock; two grandchildren; six great grandchildren and numerous family and friends.
We would like to thank the staff of Heartland Nursing Home, especially our sweet Carissa, for their care of Gerald.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 30, 2021 in the Strawn Cemetery in Winthrop with Doug Edwards officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
General viewing will be held from 2:00p.m. – 4:00p.m., Sunday, August 29, 2021 at the funeral home in De Queen.
Baby Tieren Andrew Johnson
Baby Tieren Andrew Johnson, passed from this life on Monday, August 23, 2021 at Mena Regional Hospital.
He was born August 23, 2021 in Mena, Arkansas.
Baby Tieren was preceded in death by his paternal great grandparents, Otis and Dorothy Powell and maternal great grandparents, Silvina and Mike Bush and grandfather, Lonnie Johnson.
He is survived by his parents, Brittany and Dakota Johnson; three brothers, Xavier Gonzalez, Caidon Wray, Dak Carter and one sister, BellaRose Christeen; maternal grandparents, Terry and April Cox, Curtis Bush and Cindy Walker; paternal great grandmother, Marcai Rowland and paternal grandmother, Stephanie Davis; aunts, Amy Evans, Shantel and Madison Yandell, Knicole Dunn; uncles, Nathan Evans, Shane Davis, Tyler Walls, Steven Johnson and a host of cousins.
Honorary pallbearers, Tyler Walls and Nathan Evans.
There will be a private burial at a later date, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in De Queen.
Jerry Glen “Bull” Harder
Jerry Glen “Bull” Harder, age 59, a resident of Lockesburg, Arkansas, died Friday, August 20, 2021 at his home.
He was born January 27, 1962 in De Queen, Arkansas. He was an equipment operator, working in farming and logging and was a Baptist.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Corine Prince Harder.
He is survived by one daughter, Brandi Turner of Lockesburg; two brothers, Rodney (Pam) Harder and Alvin Harder, all of Lockesburg; four sisters, Shelia (Danny) Ruth of Lockesburg, Glenda Parks and Tammie Harder of Lindsay, Oklahoma, and Pam (Russell) Stubbs of De Queen; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be private.
