Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Morris "Coach" Dale Hodgson
May 27, 1936 - November 14, 2011
Morris Coach Hodgson, age 75, of Mena died Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Mena Regional Health System. He was born on Wednesday, May 27, 1936 to Kenneth and Ella Russell Hodgson in DeKalb, Texas.
Morris began his athletic career at DeKalb High School in 1952. He was a four year letterman at DHS, and received an All-State Honorable Mention. Morris also was the light heavy weight AAU state boxing champion. After his high school career, Morris went to play football at New Mexico State University. He was selected as the top cornerback in the Border Conference in 1960. His 1960 team went undefeated and won the Border Conference. They won the Sun Bowl and finished ranked fifth and eleventh in the nation in two different polls.
Morris received a plaque from Vince Lombardi in 1967 in New York City for being part of the 1960 New Mexico State team. The team was inducted into the New Mexico State University Hall of Fame. Morris coached and served as assistant athletic director at New Mexico State University. But his most recent and most touching honor came in 2011, when Morris was inducted into the DeKalb Hall of Fame. Coach was a winner and gave 110% in everything he did in his life. Morris also served his country in the United States Navy as a Qualified Airman from 1955 to 1959.
Morris loved spending time with his family and working outside. He liked to work with his tractor and make improvements on the properties he owned. He enjoyed his dogs and watching the deer around his house. Morris loved fishing and the great outdoors. He also was an activist in many ways. He and his wife Marcia helped form the Southern Oklahoma Water Alliance to keep the State and other interested parties from damming up the Mountain Fork River, and a 10 year moratorium on the out-of-state sale of water resulted from their efforts. Morris also was Vice President of the We the People Tea Party and was very active in supporting his country. Morris was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mena.
Survivors include his wife, Marcia Hodgson of the home; one son, Jamie Hodgson of Clarksville, Texas; one sister, Edna Lamon of Clarksville, Texas; one granddaughter, Melissa Burkholder of Wichita, Kansas; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 6-8 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena. A service will be Friday, November 18, 2011 at the Bates Family Funeral Home Chapel in De Kalb, Texas at 2:00 P.M. Interment will be in the Woodman Cemetery in DeKalb, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of the Ouachitas, P.O. Box 845, Mena, Arkansas 71953
Nancy Ann Lott
October 1, 1955 - November 22, 2011
Nancy Ann Lott, age 56, of Springdale, Arkansas died Tuesday, November 22, 2011, at her home. She was born on Saturday, October 1, 1955, to Frank Woodruff Kadinger and Kathryn Louise Perkinson Kadinger in Valley Springs, South Dakota.
Nancy graduated high school from Widefield High in 1973 and instead of going to college she entered the United States Coast Guard in January of 1974. She served until 1978 and was a member of the very first Women’s Coast Guard. Nancy was an adventurer; she went skydiving, zip lining and was an expert pistol shooter. Some of her hobbies included crafting, going to flea markets, hunting and playing golf. Nancy was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family. Nancy was a member of the Elm Springs Faith Regular Baptist Church in Elm Springs, Arkansas. Nancy will be missed by all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Kathryn Kadinger.
Survivors include her husband, Randy Lott of Springdale; one daughter Sage Aubrey Cannon of Springdale; one son Joshua Lott of Mena; her father, Frank Kadinger of Security, Colorado; three brothers, Steve Kadinger of Aurora, Colorado, Richard Kadinger of Denver, Colorado and Mark Kadinger of Alamosa, Colorado; one sister, Laurie McCuen of Byers, Colorado; four grandchildren, Corbin Chavez of Springdale; Blake Ballard of Peoria, Illinois, Jayson Lott and KayLa Lott both of Mena; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Graveside Services will be Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. at the Rock Springs Cemetery at Posey Hollow with Brother Kenny Posey officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 22, 2011 from 6-8 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena. A memorial service will be held Friday, November 25, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at the Elm Springs Faith Regular Baptist Church in Elm Springs, Arkansas with Brother Gary Jewell officiating.
Pallbearers will be Randy Lott, Robert Lott, Rodney Lott, Steve Kadinger, Richard Kadinger and Mark Kadinger.
Floyd Benjamin Hafferty Sr. I am a Veteran.
January 11, 1922 - May 21, 2013
Floyd Benjamin Hafferty Sr., age 91, of Rosenburg, TX, died Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at his home. He was born on Thursday, January 11, 1922 to Robert Hafferty and Effie Harpole Hafferty in Poynor, Missouri.
Floyd was marriage to Florence V. Eskew on November 15, 1946. He served in World War II as an Infantry Light Mortar Crewman in the United States Army. He was inducted on September 22, 1942 and discharged on October 25, 1945. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart and was also awarded three Bronze Stars. After his time in the military, he worked and retired from Rockford Clutch after 30 years of service. He was a long time resident of Mena, AR. He enjoyed playing cards, garage sales, casinos, fishing and hunting.
Floyd was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Florence Hafferty; two brothers, Arthur Hafferty and Leon Hafferty; one sister, Ivory; daughter-in-law Shirley Hafferty; son-in-law Richard Martin and grandson Larry Hafferty Jr.
He is survived by one sister, Juanita of California and his eleven children, Edna (Doug) Gustafson of Loves Park, IL; Larry (Deb) Hafferty of Dakota, IL; Cathy (Ivan) Heath of Mesa, AZ; Rita (JD) Gettings of Splendora, TX; David (Linda) Hafferty of Machesney Park, IL; Mark (Toni) Hafferty of Machesney Park, IL; Sherri (Chris) Martin of Beloit, WI; Brenda Hafferty of Rosenburg, TX; Floyd “Buddy” Hafferty Jr. of Rosenburg, TX; Lisa (Chris) Wire of Rosenburg, TX; Ken (Michelle) Hafferty of Mena, AR; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. at the Covenant of Life Family Church under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Cherry Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, May 27, 2013 from 6-8 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena.
G. A. Meredith I am a Veteran.
March 2, 1944 - May 30, 2013
G. A. Meredith, age 69, of Mena, Arkansas died Thursday, May 30, 2013 at the Rich Mountain Nursing and Rehab. He was born on Thursday, March 2, 1944 to Gail Freeman and Dorothy May Meredith in Mena, Arkansas.
G.A. always was a hard worker and always told his children to be the best that they could be. He served in the United States Navy and after the service he traveled all over the world as an oil driller. G.A. really loved his work. He loved spending time with his family and tinkering in his woodshop making different things. G.A. enjoyed going hunting and fishing. G.A. was a Christian and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Bonnie Roberson and Ginger Henry and one brother in law, Lester Campbell.
G.A. is survived by his wife of 38 years, Dorothy Meredith of Mena; two sons and daughter in law, Donnie and Michelle Meredith of Dardanelle and Brian Meredith of Charleston; one daughter and son in law, Rene and Billy Taylor of Atkins; three step daughters and husbands, Barbara and Tim Schleiff of Rolen, Oklahoma, Becky and Donny Garrett of Van Buren and Susie and Kent White of Red Oak, Oklahoma; three brothers and sisters in law, Jerry and Barbara Meredith of Central City, Arkansas, Rickey and Debbie Meredith of Heavener, Oklahoma and Robby and Glenda Meredith of Lavaca, Oklahoma; four sisters and brothers in laws, Barbara and R.C. Bowen of Fort Smith, Diana Campbell of Mena; Debbie and Johnny Hobbs, Sherry and Jim Walters; two brothers in law, H.C Roberson of Benton and Wayne Henry of Dardanelle; ten grandchildren, Nicole Ford of Springdale, Whitney Coffman of Atkins, Carson Meredith of Dardanelle, Blake Martin of Atkins, Spencer and Dawson Taylor of Atkins, Josie Meredith and Garett Meredith of Dardanelle, Paige Meredith and Blaine Smith both of Plainview; seven step grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Graveside services will be Monday, June 3, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. at the Pinecrest Memorial Gardens in Mena under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena. Visitation will be Sunday, June 2, 2013 from 6-8 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.
Pallbearers will be Blaine Smith, Garett Meredith, Carson Meredith, Spencer Taylor, Dawson Taylor and Blake Martin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial can be made to the Ouachita Humane Society, P.O. Box 845 Mena, Arkansas 71953.
Robert "Bob" Lee Whisenhunt I am a Veteran.
July 6, 1927 - May 16, 2013
Robert “Bob” Lee Whisenhunt, age 85, of Acorn, died Thursday, May 16, 2013 at his home. He was born on Wednesday, July 6, 1927 to Robert Lee and Mary Lee Harris Whisenhunt.
Bob began his 20 year military career in the United States Army in 1944 and during World War II and reenlisted in the United States Air Force 1949. During his Air Force career Bob worked on the construction and maintenance of the SR71 Blackbird aircraft; he was very proud of his military service and retired from the Air Force in 1965. After retiring from the Air Force he went to work as a welding shop. Bob enjoyed going fishing and traveling. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. Bob lived life to the fullest. He was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents; one son, Rogen Whisenhunt; six brothers, Horace Whisenhunt, Ray Whisenhunt, Harlan Whisenhunt, Lee Whisenhunt, Paul Whisenhunt and Tracy Whisenhunt and four sisters, Marie Bates, Dorothy Roberts, Gracie Shaw and Helen Borge.
He is survived by his sons, Guy Whisenhunt, of Pinecrest, California and Rodney Whisenhunt of Roseberg, Oregon; one sister, Bonnie Laird of Houston, Texas; four grandchildren, Jonathon Whisenhunt of Fayetteville, Andrea Chapman of Branson, Missouri, Heather Whisenhunt of Fort Collins, Colorado and Amber Whisenhunt of Roseberg, Oregon; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. at the Six Mile Cemetery in Hatfield with Brother Daryl Hines officiating under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 21, 2012 from 6-8 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.
Pallbearers will be Charles Bates, Jimmy Wagner, Greg Tedder, Chris Tedder, Jeff Tedder and Harley Boyd.
Monte Quinn Williams
August 21, 1954 - May 27, 2013
Monte Williams, age 58, of Beaumont, Texas formally of Mena died Monday, May 27, 2013 at Stilwell, Oklahoma. He was born on Saturday, August 21, 1954 to Willard Lindberg and Geophena Jane Hnatiuk Williams in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Monte lived life to the fullest and was a loving, caring and unique person. He loved his family and spending as much time with his grandchildren as he could; his family was his most prized possession and loved them unconditionally. He graduated from Mena High School in 1973 and just enjoyed having his 40th class reunion on Memorial Day weekend. Monte was an educator and loved teaching elementary school. Monte enjoyed oil painting, working in his garden and flower beds. Monte also enjoyed collecting things, such as coins, old antiques and old cars. He was honored at Queen Wilhelmina State Park and was recognized by Governor Bill Clinton for his good service the State Park. Monte was a loving husband, father, PaPa, brother and uncle and will be missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Monte is survived by his wife of 38 years, Theresa Williams of the home; one son and daughter in law, Derrick and Crystal Williams of Beaumont, Texas; three brothers, Sam Williams of Mena and Sam’s son, Josh Williams of Toronto, Canada, Dwight Williams of Windsor, Ontario, Canada and Craig Williams of St. Catherine, Ontario, Canada; five grandchildren, Audree Williams, Avery Williams, Aaron Williams, Aidan Williams and Andrew Williams all of Beaumont, Texas; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena with Brother Victor Rowell officiating. Interment will follow in the Six Mile Cemetery in Hatfield under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena. Visitation will be Friday, May 31, 2013 from 6-8 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena.
Pallbearers will be Sam Williams, Tim McMellon, Steve McMellon, Dewayne Palmer, Brandon Garrett, Matthew Phillips, Dillon Davidson, Frankie Davidson, Kevin Asbill and Christian Asbill.
