William Gerald Stearns
March 9, 1949-September 11, 2009
Fayetteville, Arkansas
William Stearns, 60 of Fayetteville, died Friday September 11, 2009 at his home.
He was born March 9, 1949 in Grafton, North Dakota to David Stearns and Geraldine Gislason
Stearns.
William received his BA from Biola University in 1969, a Masters of English from the University
of Arkansas, and had worked on a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the U of A. His widely varied
career history included youth minister, oil rig roughneck, author of twenty-two books, speaker,
and missions mobilizer, in addition to teaching English at the University of Arkansas. William
was a highly sought-after speaker, addressing audiences in Malta, Indonesia, Russia,
Kazakhstan, Germany, France and England, among others.
Survivors include his wife Amy Stearns of the home; one son Elijah Stearns of Fayetteville; five
daughters Caroline Stearns of Fayetteville, Megan Butler, and her husband Bill of Charlotte,
North Carolina, Erin Kelly of Concord, North Carolina, Carrie Cline and her husband James of
Greenville, North Carolina, Ami Reeves of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his mother Geraldine
Stearns of Fayetteville; 1 brother Thomas Stearns of Young Harris, Georgia; 4 sisters Diane
Kesey of Ontario, Oregon, Janet Brotherton of Federal Way, Washington, Beatrice
McCormack, of Fayetteville, Elizabeth Duerr of Fayetteville, and six grandchildren.. He was
preceded in death by his father and a brother David Stearns.
Visitation will be 6-8:00 pm Monday September 14, 2009 in the sanctuary of the Training
Center of Fellowship Bible Church in Rogers.
A memorial service will be 2:00 pm Tuesday September 15, 2009 in the sanctuary of the
Training Center of Fellowship Bible Church of Rogers, with Pastor Mark McLaughlin
officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Fayetteville.
Memorials may be made, in lieu of flowers, in honor of William Stearns to The Grove Church,
385 East Sunbridge, Fayetteville, AR 72703.
Evelyn Tate
September 19, 1928-September 13, 2009
Bentonville, Arkansas
Evelyn Ruth Tate, 80, of Bentonville, AR died Sunday, September 13, 2009 at her residence. She was born
September 19, 1928 in Washington, Iowa to Lester B. Krabill and Lena Rich Krabill.
Education became her life’s passion. Her experiences as teacher in a one room school house in Iowa played a
great part in her future interests. She was a strong supporter of the Sunshine School in Bentonville, Single Parent
Scholarship Fund of Benton County and the Bella Vista Library. Evelyn also served on the Arvest Bank Bella
Vista Advisory Board and was involved in the revitalization of the Bentonville Square. She was a member of the
Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista and was a member of the choir.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and husbands John R. Piatt, Jr. who died in 1969 and
Marty Williams who died in 1994.
Evelyn is survived by her husband of 12 years, John Everett Tate; one son, C. Michael Piatt and wife Beth of
Phoenix, AZ; one daughter, Jackie Spedding of Rogers; two sisters; 4 grandchildren, Molly Long, Julie Elmore,
Laura Hall, John Piatt, and 3 great grandchildren.
Private family services will be held.
Memorials may be made in honor of Evelyn Tate to Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County, 2601 SW
"D" Street, Bentonville, AR 72712, or Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Arkansas 72764.
Harold W. "Tommy" Thompson
December 12, 1926-October 6, 2009
Rogers, Arkansas
Harold W. 'Tommy' Thompson died peacefully at his home in Rogers on October 6, 2009.
He was born on December 12, 1926 in Fayetteville, Arkansas to U.B Thompson and Dora Lois
Wilson. He was preceded in death by his first wife Nona Smith Thompson.
Kansas City was his home for fifty years. After graduating from high school he was drafted
and served with the 182nd Airborne in Fort Bragg N. C. as an Army paratrooper. He was
honorably discharged in 1946. After returning home he worked for Ford Motor Company 35
years before retiring. He moved to Rogers, Arkansas in 1991.
Survivors include his wife Janet L. Thompson; daughters Kathy Lang of Kansas City, Pattie
Pretti of Independence, Mo., three step daughters, Karyn Sherar and husband Jeff of Rogers,
Diana Storey of Mt. Juliet, Tn., and Linda Vincent of Phoenix, AZ.; eight grandchildren and
three great grandchildren.
As a member of Central United Methodist Church, he participated in various activities. He was
also a member of the Masonic Lodge where he was a 32 degree Mason.
A memorial service will be held at2:00 pm, Sunday October 18, 2009 at Central United
Methodist Church in Rogers with the Rev. Jim Keith and the Rev. Dawn Spragg officiating.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Central United Methodist Church, 2535 West
New Hope Road, Rogers, Arkansas, 72758 or: Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301
Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 Attn: Gift Processing, Or: Shriners Children Hospital, Office of
Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607
Daniel Lee Zierke
December 15, 1948-October 25, 2009
Rogers, Arkansas
Daniel Lee Zierke, 60, of Rogers died Sunday, October 25, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center in
Rogers. He was born December 15, 1948 in Norfolk, Nebraska to Rodell G. Zierke and Inez
Swarm Zierke.
He worked as a truck driver for the construction business for many years. He loved to fish and
garden and could make anything grow. Daniel loved spending time with his family and
grandchildren.
Daniel is survived by his companion Karen Abbott; three brothers, John Zierke, of Cody,
Wyoming, Jerry Zierke of Cody, Wyoming, Ronnie Zierke of Meadow Grove, Nebraska; two
sisters, Mary Lowe and husband Kenneth of Powell, Wyoming, Charlotte Tracy and husband
Scott of Cody, Wyoming; one stepson Richard Abbott and wife Alison of Indiana; five
stepdaughters; Michelle Couperthwaite and partner George Forgo of Bella Vista, Sheri Fargo
and husband John of Bella Vista, Heather Black of Rogers, Julie Gagnon and husband Larry of
Bangor, Maine, Renee Abbott of Baltimore, Maryland; nine grandchildren and one great
grandchild. He was preceded in death by one brother.
No services are planned.
Lillian L. "Lillie" Beranek
November 24, 1925-July 11, 2010
Bentonville, Arkansas
Lillian Louise 'Lillie' Beranek, 84, of Bentonville, Arkansas died Sunday July 11, 2010, at
Circle of Life Legacy Village in Bentonville. She was born November 24, 1925, in Tulsa,
Oklahoma to Sanford T. West and Loretta MacDonald West.
She will be remembered as a dedicated provider and the family matriarch. Her candid
remarks will never be forgotten. She provided a helping hand to anyone in need and
enjoyed making homemade apple pies for friends. Lillie worked hard to provide the extra
comforts for her family. She was employed by Anderson Lithographing in Chicago, Illinois
for over 20 years and most recently served at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Bentonville
where she kept the dining room in immaculate condition. She was a member of First
United Methodist Church in Bentonville.
She is preceded in death by her spouses, her parents and three sisters and granddaughter
Maggie Myers Lindstrom.
Lillie is survived by one son, Jack Lindstrom and wife Margaret Anne of Dallas; two
daughters, Niki Williams and husband Tony of Bentonville, Bobbi Sfire and husband John
of North Barrington, Illinois; five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at First United
Methodist Church in Bentonville with the Rev. Rex Dickey and the Rev. Susan Ledbetter
officiating.
Memorials may be made in honor of Lillie Beranek to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones
Road, Springdale, Arkansas 72762.
Wilma Jean Bruce Chambers
December 16, 1927-August 15, 2010
Rogers, Arkansas
Wilma Jean Bruce Chambers, 82, of Rogers, died August 15, 2010, at
Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. She was born December 16, 1927, in
Bennington, Oklahoma to Jess L. Bruce and Solphronia Kyle Bruce. She
graduated from Bennington High School and Oklahoma Beauty College in
Oklahoma City.
She moved to Rogers in 1983 after retiring from Southwestern Bell
Telephone Company in Durant, Oklahoma. She was a Baptist and
member of Grace Baptist Church in Rogers. She also attended Lakeside
Baptist Church in Rogers for 13 years. She enjoyed her family and was a
compassionate animal lover.
She is preceded in death by her husband, James Melvin Chambers, Sr.
She is survived by her son, James Melvin Chambers, Jr. and wife, Lindy,
of Rogers, and her beloved step grandson, Jim Goza, "Jim G, " of
Fayetteville.
No services are planned. Interment will be at the Rogers cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road,
Springdale, 72762 or the University of Arkansas Theatre Department.
Ulises "Uli" Gonzalez
April 21, 1968-May 20, 2010
Bentonville, Arkansas
Ulises 'Uli' Gonzalez, 42, of Bentonville, Arkansas died
Thursday, May 20, 2010 at Washington Regional in
Fayetteville. He was born April 21, 1968 in Mexico City,
Mexico to Salvador Gonzalez and Aurora Tapia Gonzalez.
He was a missionary to all the continents.
'Uli' is survived by his wife Laura Pedraza Gonzalez of 21
years; one son Abiud Gonzalez and wife Lynsey of
Fayetteville, one daughter Jocabed 'Koko’ Gonzalez of
Bentonville; two brothers and one granddaugher.
Memorial services will be at 5:30 pm Sunday, May 23, 2010
at The Christian Center in Bentonville with Pastor Jim
Brewer officiating.
Cremation arrangements are by Stockdale Funeral Services in
Rogers.
Louise Frieda Minotto
November 5, 1921-March 7, 2010
Bentonville, Arkansas
Louise Frieda Minotto, 88, of Bentonville, died Sunday, March 7,
2010 at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. She was born
November 5, 1921 in San Francisco.
She was a 'Rosie the Riveter' during World War II, helping build
'victory ships' and then worked in retail sales until her retirement.
She is survived by one son, Larry Minotto and wife Nancy of Rogers
and several grandchildren.
No services are planned.
Fred Armstrong
August 7, 1922 - February 4, 2011
Rogers, Arkansas
FRED ARMSTRONG, 88, of Rogers went to be with the Lord on February 4, 2011 in
McKenzie, Tennessee. Fred was born August 7, 1922 in Caney, Oklahoma to Henry
Washington Armstrong and Anna Myrtle Heath. Fred had an older brother and sister.
After leaving home and making his own way in the world, he married
Louise Hollis in
Sherman, Texas on August 21, 1938. He went to school and became a railroad machinist. He
quickly grew in skill and became a 1st Class Machinist. He was drafted into the Navy and
served his nation faithfully. He was honorably discharged after his term of service.
He began a career in Circulation for Globe News in Amarillo, Texas and became a Regional
Supervisor in distribution over four states.
In 1948, Fred came to faith in Jesus Christ and was radically transformed He taught
Sunday School, served on the church board and served as a passionate Sunday School
Superintendent in Amarillo, Texas for many years. He loved the outdoors, camping and fishing.
Following retirement, Fred worked a parts director at a body shop.
In 1985, Fred and Louise moved to Rogers. He worked for the Bentonville newspaper as
well a fire extinguisher service company.
Fred was a faithful member of Rogers First Church of the Nazarene. He loved his family
and was a friend to all.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Louise on April 11, 2007 and his grandson,
Darrell Armstrong, Jr.
Survivors include one son, Darrell Armstrong and wife, Edeana of Lewisville, Texas; two
daughters, Bettye Porterfield and husband, Ken of Bastrop, Texas and Debbie Alexander of
Gleason, Tennessee; six grandchildren, Kevin Hart and wife, Chris of Seattle, Washington, Kelli
Lee and husband, Rusty of Spokane, Washington, Jennifer Allen and husband, Lebern of
Gleason, Tennessee, Brian Armstrong and wife Terri of Pasadena, California, Penny Foster and
husband, Jim of Woodland Park, Colorado; daughter-in-law, Jenny Lou Kress of Lewisville,
Texas; and eleven great grandchildren, Katelyn, Sarabeth and Jonathan Armstrong, Brandon and
Tyler Hart, Zachary Colton and Mackenzie Lee, and Michelle, Brittany and Robyn Foster; and
one great great grandchild, Sophie Hart.
Pallbearers include: Kevin Hart, Ed Pennebaker, Dale Webster, Elvin Banz, Lem Teed and
Paul Platter.
Honorary Pallbearers are Brian Armstrong, Rusty, Zachary and Colton Lee.
Memorials may be made to the Rogers First Church of the Nazarene Building Fund, 4911 W.
Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers, Arkansas, 72758.
Internment will be in the Rogers cemetery. Arrangements by Stockdale Funeral Services of
Rogers, Arkansas.
