Lorene Gladys (Smith) Houston, age 94, a longtime resident of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away February 28, 2006 in White County Medical Center at Searcy, Arkansas.
The daughter of a Methodist Church minister, the late Rev. Joseph Howell Smith and Sarah (Fulbright) Smith, she was born January 14, 1912 at Cushman, Arkansas.
Lorene was a very capable and talented person who unselfishly served her church and community by serving on local, county, district, and state committees. She attended Arkansas Tech College at Russellville, Arkansas. Active in the civic organizations of Heber Springs, she served as President of the Cleburne County Historical Society, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Heber Springs Study Club as well as various district offices of the AFWC, a charter member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, and a member of Beta Xi chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. She was a Past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, having received her 50 year membership pin, a member of the Heber Springs cemetery Association, and for three years she was a member of the Cleburne County Hospital Board of Governors. Professionally, Lorene served and retired from the position of Secretary to the Cleburne County Selective Service Board. A dedicated Methodist Church member, she served the Heber Springs Methodist Church as Church Treasurer, children’s worker, youth counselor, church pianist, and choir director for many years. She was active in the local, district, and conference of United Methodist Women. She was the State Legislative Chairman for NARFE from 1976-1977, and served as music chairman for many local organizations.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gean P. Houston, one daughter, Loredia Gean, three brothers, Hayden, Nulen, and Dwain Smith, and one sister, Prudence Hobson.
She is survived by her sisters, Wanda Smith of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Hester Kubat (Joseph) of Ft. Worth, Texas; a dear family friend, Rae Lena of Little Rock, Arkansas; four nieces, Rebecca Meriwether (David) of Ft. Worth, Texas, Sarah Ann Hobson of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Thelma Muire (Willis), and Patsy Rush; four nephews, Stephen Smith (Jacque) of Searcy, Arkansas, Joe Hobson of Arlington, Virginia, Tom Hobson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Rev. Michael Kubat of Ft. Worth, Texas; and ten great-nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to United Methodist Church, Cleburne County Historical Society, and Heber Springs cemetery.
The family wishes to thank her dear friend Rae Lena for the kind and loving care she gave, also Brenda Meyers and Carolyn Chumley, her caretakers.
Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home. Services will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m at the First United Methodist Church of Heber Springs, with Rev. John Miles officiating. Interment will follow in Heber Springs cemetery. Joe Hobson, Stephen Smith, Joe Kubat, Rev. Michael Kubat, Dr. Mike Barnett, Charles Stewart, Gene Woodall, and Wesley Harris will serve as pallbearers. Members of the Friendly Sunday School Class will be honorary pallbearers.
Grace Amelia Johnson
Grace Amelia Johnson, age 82, of Rose Bud, Arkansas, passed away at her home on Wednesday, March 1, 2006. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 15, 1923, she was the daughter of the late William Henry and Gertrude (Stock) Garrigan.
A former resident of Union, Illinois, and Chicago, Mrs. Johnson had lived at Rose Bud for twenty-two years. She was a homemaker and a member of the Homemakers Extension Club, TOPS, and the Literacy Project. She was a member of St. Albert’s Catholic Church.
Survivors include her husband, Oscar Harry Johnson of Rose Bud; six sons, Thomas Johnson and his wife, Susan, William Johnson and his wife, Eva, Peter Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Daniel Johnson, and James Johnson and his wife, Gayle; two daughters, Nancy Badet and her husband, Spence, and Mary Ellen Alipour and her husband, Ali; one brother, William Henry Garrigan; twelve grandchildren, Glen Johnson, Zachary Johnson, Elle Brooks, Wille Johnson, Perry Johnson, Paul Johnson, Bryan Johnson, Patrick Johnson, John Alipour, Jason Alipour, Ananda Badet, and Spencer Badet; and four great-grandchildren, Allison, Kyle, Tyler, and Caitlin. Mrs. Johnson is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 4, at 9:30 a.m. in St. Albert’s Catholic Church in Heber Springs with Fr. Vincent Udo Ogbuji officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Richard A. Wagner Jr.
Richard A. Wagner Jr., 65, died February 27, 2006 at University Medical Center in Little Rock. He was born April 1 0, 1940 to Richard A. Wagner Sr. and Dessie Rhe Jenkins Wagner.
He was predeceased by his father and one son, Johnny Ray Wagner. He is survived by this wife, Ellen; his mother, Dessie Wagner; daughter, Regina (Mike) Casey; and son, Eddy Dean (Renee) Baker both of Milan, Tenn.; grandchildren, Pfc. Kevin Casey, Kelly Casey and Kyle Baker; five step-children, and many step grandchildren; sister, Barbara (Eddie) Heathcott; two special nieces, Ramona (Howard) Bennett of Little Rock and Alicia Heathcott of Heber Springs; two aunts, Nona Odom of Batesville, Miss. and Grace Davis of Drasco; and host relatives and friends.
He served in the Navy and was a life member of the VFW.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to UAMS ACRC and UAMS CARTI. They are forever a part of our family. Memorials may be made to UAMS ACRC or UAMS CART!.
Funeral service will be March 3 at 2 p.m. at Chastain Chapel Church and interment in Chastain cemetery. Rev. Bobby Woodall and Rev. Todd Murray will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Bill Hipp, Bill Rutter, Pfc. Kevin Casey, Mike Casey, Billy Honeycutt and Gene Cobb. Honorary pallbearers will be Alicia Heathcott, Eddie Heathcott, Claude Jenkins, Willie Joe Jenkins, J. W. Jenkins, Jackie Odom, Harold Davis, Neal Jenkins, Milton Jenkins, William Shirley, John Harris, Kenneth Hare and Terry Riege. Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Heber Springs.
Mary Susan Christensen
Mary Susan Christensen, age 57, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2006, at Hospice Home Care in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, on January 14, 1949, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Verina (Heidgerken) Martin.
A former resident of Little Rock, Mary had lived in Heber Springs for ten years. She was a bookkeeper for Combined Products and Services, Inc. Mary’s religious belief was Catholic. She was preceded in death by her husband Chris and one sister, Judy Bulin.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Ben Harrison of Frisco, Texas; three brothers, Tom Martin and his wife, Jacque, Paul Martin and his wife, Marjie, and Greg Martin and his wife, Deborah; four sisters, Rita Comeaux, Kay Lauer and her husband, Chuck, Terri Pryer and her husband, David, and Nancy Crowley and her husband, Bill; and three grandchildren, Lauren, Nicholas, and Dylan.
The family wishes to thank the Life and Work Sunday School Class from the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs. Special thanks to nurses and staff at Hospice Home Care Inpatient Center in Little Rock.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 2, at 2:00 p.m. in St. Albert’s Catholic Church. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Lucy Virginia (Dunlap) Duke
Lucy Virginia (Dunlap) Duke, the daughter of Otha and Birdie Crafton Dunlap was born in Heber Springs, Arkansas on May 5, 1917 and passed away in Conway, Arkansas on February 25, 2006 at the age of 88 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Heber Springs. She retired from Alexander’s Restaurant as a waitress and was best known in the community for her role as 'Granny Duke' in the early years of the Ozark Trail Festival. Lucy loved to laugh and entertain; she loved to play her harmonica and would dance when she could no longer walk. She was preceded in death by her parents Otha and Birdie Dunlap, her husband of 67 years Wallace Duke and Marvin Whaley, two sisters Helen Gray and Glenn Ward, and a brother Billy Dunlap. She is survived by two daughters Virginia Woodam and Charlsie Grimes, son in law Clint all of Heber Springs, One Step Daughter Billie Staggs of Dallas, Texas, five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Lucy loved her family. It was very important for family members to buy gifts for her that 'they liked' because she had a way of seeing that they got back to them. She was a very giving person that leaves beautiful memories that will live on in the hearts of her family and many friends.
Visitation will be on Tuesday February 28, at Olmstead Funeral Home starting at noon and family visitation from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be graveside at Cleburne County Memorial Gardens at 2:00 PM Wednesday, March 1, 2006 by Rev. John Cates. Pallbearers will be Mike Kimble, Michael Kimble, Steve Bennett, Joel Bennett, Jake Gray and Lafe Anderson, honorary pallbearers are David Bradford and J. D. Wallace.
Following the services the family will fellowship with friends and visitors at Mt. Devonshire Church in Heber Springs. Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. of Heber Springs.
Brandon Dane Prince
Brandon Dane Prince, age 25, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died suddenly at his home on Sunday, April 23, 2006. Born in Paris, Texas, on December 29, 1980, he was the son of Joe Carl Prince and Diana Kramolis Prince.
Brandon was a graduate of Nathan Hale High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He had been a resident of Little Rock for two years and was manager of the Tropical Smoothie Café. Brandon enjoyed mountain biking, music, skateboarding, and the lake. He lived a short life with gusto. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Claudie Prince and Vlad and Helen Kramolis.
Brandon is survived by his father, Joe Carl Prince and his mother, Diana Prince; his grandmother, Bessie Prince of Heber Springs; his aunts and uncles, Chris and Shannon Kramolis, Andy Kramolis, and Teresa and Bob Mays; and five cousins, Brian Mays, Shannon Mays, Jason Mays, Nick Kramolis, and Andrew Kramolis. Brandon is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 27, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Graveside services will be held Friday, April 28, at 2:00 p.m. at Cleburne County Memorial Gardens with Rev. Bennie Foster officiating. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Jewell Opal Harral
Jewell Opal Harral, age 85, of Mt. Vernon, Arkansas, passed away Monday, April 24, 2006 at Southridge Village Nursing Center in Heber Springs. Born in Heber Springs on December 13, 1920, she was the daughter of the late L. R. and Hestie (Grissom) Spears.
Jewell was a homemaker and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, one sister, and one grandson, Larry Glen Martin.
She is survived by one son, Dickie Harral and wife, Ruth, of Mt. Vernon; one daughter, Joyce Martin of Wilburn; five grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Harral is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 25, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. Samuel Wildmon officiating. Interment will follow in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Jack T. Jackson
Jack T. Jackson, age 79, of Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2006 at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs. Born in Hiram, Arkansas, on January 18, 1927, he was the son of the late E. V. and Clara (Garrett) Jackson.
A former resident of California, Mr. Jackson had lived in Tumbling Shoals for the past thirty-four years. He was a veteran of the United States Army and had worked as a tree surgeon for twenty-five years. Mr. Jackson attended the Friendship Community Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Earnestine Jackson. He is survived by his wife, Lucille (Adams) Jackson of Tumbling Shoals; one son, Steven Jackson of Boulder City, Nevada; one daughter, Patricia Ann Jackson of Palm Springs, California; three grandchildren, April Huber of Corona, California, Karrie Casada of Mission Viejo, California, and Richard Casada of Palm Springs, California; and three great-grandchildren, Christopher Huber and Requel Huber, both of Corona, California, and Audrey Casada of Palm Springs, California. Mr. Jackson is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 26, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 27, at 10:00 a.m. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. Samuel Wildmon officiating. Interment will follow in the Adams cemetery with military honors provided by the VFW Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Richard Casada, Dee House, Ray DeWitt, Bennie Price, Eddie Gurko, and Johnny Adams. Honorary pallbearer will be Wayne Adams. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Jesse Briar English
Jesse Briar English, infant son of Jeremy and Christy English of Rose Bud, was born and passed away Thursday, April 20, 2006, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. Other survivors include his grandparents, Clyde and Nelda English of Rose Bud and Marty and Robbie Phillips of Enola.
A graveside service will be held Sunday, April 23, at 2:00 p.m. in the Rose Bud cemetery.
Charles G. Gaddy
Charles G. Gaddy, age 79, of Shirley, Arkansas, passed away at his home on Thursday, April 20, 2006. Born in Shirley on May 23, 1926, he was the son of the late Riley and Lula (Williams) Gaddy.
A lifetime resident of the Shirley community, Mr. Gaddy was a retired truck driver. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army. His religious belief was Baptist.
Mr. Gaddy is survived by his son, Jimmy C. Gaddy of Shirley; two stepsons, Johnny Delk of Vilonia and Jackie Isom of Clinton; one stepdaughter, Sherry Chadman of Choctaw; one sister, Anna Lou Lee of California; three grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and two step-great-grandchildren. Mr. Gaddy is also survived by other relatives and his many friends.
A graveside service will be held Sunday, April 23, at 2:00 p.m. in the Settlement cemetery with Rev. Bobby Ward officiating. Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Mrs. Ruby Snow
Mrs. Ruby Snow, age 89, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, April 15, 2006, at White County Medical Center in Searcy, Arkansas. Born in Searcy on August 27, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Marion Odem and Dona (Arant) Whitehurst. A lifetime resident of Cleburne County, Mrs. Snow was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening and fishing. She was a member of the Assembly of God. Her husband, Samuel James Snow, preceded her in death on November 26, 1974. Mrs. Snow was also preceded in death by four children, Dottie June Snow, a baby boy, Rose Myers, and Thomas Paul Snow. She is survived by four sons, Robert Snow of Ward; Donald Snow of Neosho, Missouri; Sam Snow of Stuttgart; and Philip Snow of Idabel, Oklahoma; two daughters, Marjorie Short of Thaxton, Mississippi, and Mary Martin of Heber Springs; three brothers, Marion "Buck" Whitehurst of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Harvey Whitehurst of Louisiana, and Austin Whitehurst of North Little Rock; one sister, Hallie Williams of Rose Bud; 28 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Snow is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Visitation will be held Monday, April 17, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 18, at 10:00 a.m. in the Olmstead Chapel with Rev. Philip Snow and Rev. Charles Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in Good Springs cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Vernelle Gunn
Vernelle Gunn was born April 27, 1922 to Jesse and Kate Williams in Quitman, Arkansas. She passed away Sunday, April 16, at the Conway Regional Medical Center. She owned and operated Vernelle’s Beauty Shop for many years. Her husband, Fred Gunn, owned Gunn Farm Equipment in Quitman. Mrs. Gunn was a lifetime member of Quitman United Methodist Church where she had taught Sunday School. She was also a member of the Cadron Chapter #581 Order of the Eastern Star. Preceding her in death were her parents, Jesse and Kate Williams; her husband, Fred Gunn; and sisters, Lois Jeanne Moore and Loueva Snow. Survivors include a son, James F. "Pete" Gunn and wife, Gail of Little Rock; granddaughter, Kelly Ward and husband, Rick of Little Rock; grandson, Justin Gunn and wife, Sheri, of Flower Mound, TX; nieces, Sara Kate Mercer and husband, Danny of Winnfield, LA; Susan Cook and husband, Donny, of North Little Rock, Sandra Thorpe and husband, Todd, of Quitman, LouAnn Moles and husband, Pat, of Harrison; and four great-grandchildren, Mason, Braedon, Rileigh Gunn, and Kathyrn Ward.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 18, at Olmstead Funeral Home in Heber Springs from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Services will be at the Quitman United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 19. Joe L. Kennedy, Susan Miles, and Donnie Cook will be celebrating her life with friends and family. Interment will be in the Quitman cemetery. Pallbearers are Lynn Burford, G. W. Poole, Earl Moore, John Riggs, Gary Permenter, and C. M. Sneed. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Thelma Frances Hall Dickson
Thelma Frances Hall Dickson, of Heber Springs passed away Saturday, April 15, at age 85 at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. She was born June 28, 1920, in Thayer, Mo., the daughter Edgar and Pansy Hall, deceased. She grew up in Harrison, Kensett, and Heber Springs, Ark. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Floyd; three sons, Ed Dickson and wife Fran of Ocala, Fla., John Dickson and wife Anne of Marietta, Ga.; and Thomas Victor Dickson of Springfield, Mo.; four grandchildren, Diane Dickson Shepard and husband David of Green Cove Springs, Fla., David Dickson and wife Mindy of Orange Park, Fla., Chris Dickson and wife Kristee of Huntersville, N.C., and Tiffany Dickson Schwartz and husband Taylor of Marietta, Ga.; six great grandchildren; and one sister, Dorothy Duncan and husband Doy of Heber Springs. She was active in the United Methodist Church and served at the district, conference and national levels. She served as president of the Missouri West Conference of United Methodist Women and on the Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Later, she served as Missouri West Conference Lay Leader, the first woman to hold that position. She also was a writer for the United Methodist Reporter. After retirement in Heber Springs in 1985, she taught the Friendly Adult Sunday School Class once a month and belonged to the UMW Sunshine Circle, Heber Springs Study Club and the PEO Sisterhood. She enjoyed playing bridge. She also painted and has given her paintings to many friends.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Olmstead Funeral Home in Heber Springs. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Heber Springs First United Methodist Church with burial in Heber Springs cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Heber Springs First United Methodist Church. Arrangements by: Olmstead Funeral Home.
Joseph Champion Krimm
Joseph Champion Krimm, age 85, of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, passed away at his home on April 16, 2006. He was born to Myra Paulhamus Krimm and Joseph Anthony Krimm on April 23, 1920 in Muncy, Pennsylvania. He is proceeded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Louise Krimm; brother, Gerald Grantham Krimm; and a grandson, Byran Lee Krimm.
He leaves his wife, Ruby Griff Krimm to whom he was married
for over sixty-two years. He also leaves a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph G. and Linda Krimm of Dallas, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Tom Lochmann of Houston, Texas; two grandsons, Joseph W. Krimm and Scott T. Lochmann; one granddaughter and her husband, Kristin S. and Thomas Schulze; and three great-granddaughters, Britney K. Krimm, Brooklyn L. Krimm, and Kassandra E. Schultze.
While growing-up in Muncy, Joe listened and played big band music, and during high school he was the drummer in his own band. He was inspired by Gene Krupa and the Benny Goodman Orchestra who played at his high school prom. He really loved chocolate and would buy, then sell, chocolate bars to earn more money so he could buy and eat more chocolate.
He attended Bucknell University in Pennsylvania until he was drafted into the Army during World War II. He received OCS training in Florida and graduated as an Air Force 2nd Lt. in January, 1943. He was then stationed with the Air Force Reserves at Wendover Field, UT, where he met and married
Ruby. He was a member of the 825th Bomb Squadron and received many ribbons for his squadron’s campaigns into France and Germany. He served until December, 1945.
During the time he was stationed in Italy, he was fortunate to meet Padre Pio, who is now Saint Pio. He regularly attended Padre Pio’s masses and was invited to have dinner at the San Giavonni Rotondo Monastery with Padre Pio. He always felt honored to have met and talked with Padre Pio.
He was recalled into active duty in September, 1951 and retired as a Major in September, 1961. He then worked Civil Service as a Supervisor Budget Analyst and retired from Civil Service in 1977. His duties took he and his family to several state side bases and to the Philippines. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from University of the Philippines.
Joseph and Ruby moved to Fairfield Bay from Greenwood, MO, in November, 1987. While in Greenwood he served on the City Council and was a member of the Kansas City Toast Masters. He and Ruby enjoyed many hours cruising and entertaining friends on Greers Ferry Lake on their "Y-Knot" pontoon boat. As a couple they often went square and round dancing. He especially enjoyed waltzing, the foxtrot, and the polka.
He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community and a 3rd and 4th degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus.
A rosary will be held Tuesday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Funeral mass will be held Wednesday, April 19, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Fr. Bill Elser officiating. Knights of Columbus will serve as pallbearers. Military honors will be provided by the VFW Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joseph C. Krimm to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 250 Woodlawn Drive, Fairfield Bay, AR 72088. Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
Thomas McKee Uttley
Thomas McKee Uttley, age 57, passed away Friday, April 14, 2006 at Baptist Health Medical Center, Heber Springs, Ar. after a battle with cancer. He was born May 4, 1948 at Falls Church. Va. to the late John and Mildred (Petzold) Uttley. Thomas and his family had lived in Heber Springs for 3 years coming from Woodbridge, Va. He was a member of Heber Springs First United Methodist Church, an usher, and a graduate of Northern Virginia Community College. Tom saved Katie’s and Janet’s life with the heimlich on Janet when she was 8 months pregnant and choking. I love you Huggy Bear. He was also preceded in death by a brother, John Uttley. Thomas is survived by his wife Janet, a daughter, Katherine Grace Uttley of the home, a brother, William Uttley of Falls Church, Va., other relatives, and many friends.
A memorial service will be Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church with Rev. John Miles officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Childrens’ Fund in memory of Thomas "Tom" Uttley. Interment will be in National Memorial Park, Falls Church, Va. Arrangements by Olmstead Funeral Home, Inc.
My mom and I feel very gifted that we were able to have a great life with my dad. I want to thank him for loving us no matter what and always being there, teaching me how to live and grow. I love you Daddy.
