Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Florine S. Wilson
(June 19, 1923 - February 26, 2012)
Florine S. Wilson, age 88, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2012 in Mena.
She was born June 19, 1923 in in Cove, Arkansas to the late Olive E. Skinner and the late Bertha Lee Cecil Skinner. She was a Christian and was of the Methodist faith. She was married to Wilbur A. Wilson on July 25, 1947 in Port Arthur, Texas. They returned to Polk County after Colonel Wilson retired from military service. Mrs. Wilson was a retired Registered Nurse, having worked many years in Polk County Hospital, as well as in other medical areas. Mrs. Wilson was very active in many facets of Mena/Polk County; she was a member of the Optimist Club, Lioness Club, President of the Polk County Library Board, and was an Eastern Star. She served as President on the Hospital Auxiliary, at which time she helped to set up Life Line for Polk County, and she volunteered at the Depot to welcome visitors to Polk County and was a supporter of the Ouachita Little Theater.
She is survived by her sister, Marie Skinner Caston and husband Robert of San Augustine, Texas; nephews and families, Robby and Nancy Caston of Houston, Texas, Ronny and Cindi Caston and their children, Robert Andrew Caston of San Augustine and John Richard and Megan of Nacogdoches, Texas, Rusty and Amy Caston and children Kayla and Keslie Caston of Humble, Texas and Kimberly and Chris Litton and children Kerry Emma, and Petyon of Houston, Texas; one niece, Rhonda and Bryan Holt and son Robert Michael of Nacogdoches, Texas, and special friends Anthony and Jeannie Lewis of Mena, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. O.E. Skinner and her husband of 49 years, Colonel Wilbur Wilson.
Graveside services will be Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Park with Brother Andy Kennedy officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be Tuesday evening, February 28th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Rodney Bourn, John Puckett, Christopher Thrailkill, Russell Nichols, Daryn Wiles and Danny Thrailkill. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Caston, Robby Caston, Ronny Caston, Rusty Caston, Bryan Holt, Anthony Lewis, Paul Gray, Ted Levin, Bill Scheidt, Chris Morgan and Aubrey Sterner.
Gary Lee Brazel
(November 28, 1958 - February 5, 2012)
Gary Lee Brazel, age 53 of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, February 5, 2012 in Little Rock.
He was born November 28, 1958 in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Theodore Brazel and the late Evalee Moss Davis. He was united in marriage to Tina Wall. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was a member of the St. Agnes Catholic Church and the Christian Motorcyclist Association. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.
He is survived by:
Wife: Tina Brazel of Mena, Arkansas
Son: Gary Bob Brazel and wife Leigh Ann of Greenwood, Arkansas
Daughter: Tonya Brazel of Mena, Arkansas
Grandchild: Aden Brazel of Greenwood, Arkansas
Brothers: Ted Brazel of Waldron, Arkansas Bobby Brazel of Roseburg, Oregon Mark Brazel of Litchfield, Illinois Michael Brazel of Granite City, Illinois Tim Brazel of Gillespie, Illinois
Sisters: Sandy Dedmon of Waldron, Arkansas Diane Boyles of Waldron, Arkansas Laura Jeanette Morphew of Waldron, Arkansas Amy Brazel Mills of Edwardsville, Illinois Katherine Brazel of Granite City, Illinois Laurie Brazel Stockman of Nashville, Tennessee
He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Evalee Brazel, a sister, Gloria Kilcollins, a niece, Tina Ballentine, and a nephew, Darren Morphew.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Father Norbert Rappold officiating. Interment follows in Mt. Calvary Cemetery under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Vistitation for family and friends will be Tuesday evening , February 7th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary being said from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers are Nicholas Baber, Daniel Baber, Kevin Wagner, Keith Hasty, Cody Gibbs, and Timothy Robertson.
Russell L. Robertson
(December 12, 1933 - February 2, 2012)
Russell L. Robertson, age 78, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2012.
He was born December 12, 1933 in Lafayette, Indiana to the late Earnest A. Robertson and the late Reba Bell Robertson. He was a Satellite Communications Technician and was also a veteran, serving our country in the United States Air Force. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and was a loving father and friend and will be missed by those who knew him.
He is survived by his son, Eric Robertson of Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
Mr. Robertson was sent for cremation under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. No services have been scheduled at this time.
Mildred "Millie" Blanton
(January 30, 1927 - February 8, 2012)
Mrs. Mildred “Millie” Wheeler Blanton, age 85, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2012 in Hot Springs.
She was born January 30, 1927 in Concordia Parish, Louisiana to the late John Wheeler and the late Mary Gallup Wheeler. She was united in marriage to Billy Blanton. She was a music promoter by profession and was on the Board of Directors of the International Fan Club Organization. Millie was of the Catholic faith and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and a friend to all who knew her. She will be dearly missed.
She is survived by:
Husband: Billy Blanton of Mena, Arkansas
Son: Austin Blanton of Mena, Arkansas
11 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Wheeler, 4 brothers, and 3 sisters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Father Norbert Rappold as Celebrant. Interment follows in Pleasant Grove Cemetery under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation for family and friends will be Friday evening, February 10th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Rosary will be said from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Orville Gulseth
(August 22, 1915 - February 4, 2012)
Orville Gulseth, age 96, of Hopkins, Minnesota, formerly of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2012 in Hopkins.
He was born on August 22, 1915 in Polk County, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed into God’s family. Orville served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II.
Orville married May August Piel on November 25, 1945 in Memphis, Tennessee. After their marriage, they moved to Denver so Orville could attend The Emily Griffith School of Opportunity for Refrigeration Trades. In 1956, Orville and May were one of the founding families of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Tupelo, Mississippi. Orville retired in 1981 from General Services Administration as a Building Superintendent in Clarksdale, Mississippi. May was called home shortly afterward on June 13, 1981. Through her brother Ray (who had been Orville’s longtime friend), Orville reconnected with Freda Mae (Hanson) Ekdahl, whom he had known during his teenage years. Orville and Freda were married in November 23, 1983 in Wayzata, Minnesota. After getting married, they were snowbirds spending winters in Arkansas and the remainder of the year in Minnesota until health issues prevented the long travel.
Orville was first licensed as a ham radio operator in 1934. He held an extra-class license, and was a volunteer examiner for ham radio license testing. He was a member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association, and in 2009 was presented an award for holding a ham radio license for 75 years.
Orville was a member of Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minnesota.
Orville is survived by his wife Freda, children Martin (and Colleen) and Alfred (and Virginia) Gulseth, and step-children Yvonne Ekdahl and Arlene (and Robert) Strom; grandchildren Luther (and Sarah), Andrew (and Brita), Matthew (and Natalie), and Joy Gulseth, and Susan (and Dan) Dudzinski, John Strom, and Katherine (and Brian) Lambert; and six great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Pinecrest Memorial park with Pastor Randolph Schnauk officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be general.
