Rita Lobbins
Rita Gertrude Lobbins, 73, of Ash Flat died Sept. 7, 2002, at her home.
Born Jan. 5, 1929, in Aroostick, Maine, she was the daughter of Raymond Spooner and Francis Green Spooner. She worked as a self-employed caregiver for many years. She was a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served during the Korean Conflict. She had been a member of the Disabled American Veterans AR 55 since 1947 and was currently a lifetime member. She was a member of the American Legion Post 346 and the VFW Post 4772 and also of the AM Vets. She was a member of Ash Flat United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Chareta Lobbins Warner of Ash Flat; a brother, Phillip Raymond Spooner of Maine; and a grandson, Eric Lee Warner of Ash Flat.
A memorial service was Sept. 22 at Ash Flat United Methodist Church with the Rev. Larry Morris officiating.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Disabled American Veterans.
Arrangements were under the direction of Tri-County’s Cherokee Chapel of Highland.
Retta Morgan
Retta Grissom Morgan, 94, died March 26, 2002, at Eastern Ozarks Regional Health System in Cherokee Village.
She married John Grissom in 1926 and they had four children. He preceded her in death. She married Alva Morgan in 1966. He also preceded her in death.
Survivors include a son, Orland Grissom of Ash Flat; a daughter, Linda Hicks of Mountain Home; a brother, Orbin Herron of Hoquiam, Wash.; a sister, Etta Tadlock of Hanford, Calif.; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; a son, Willard Grissom; a daughter, Eunice Melton; five brothers; and two sisters.
The funeral was March 29 at Tri-County’s Funeral Home Chapel in Highland with Sam Bailey officiating. Burial followed in Old Baptist Cemetery at Ash Flat.
Pallbearers were Kevin Grissom, Josh Smith, Zac Smith, Tim Hicks, Tony Hicks and Tim Abney.
Honorary pallbearers were Tim Grissom, Jim Melton and Rick Swagger.
Memorials may be made to Eaglecrest Nursing Home in Ash Flat.
Robert Morris
Robert C. Morris, 89, died March 21, 2002, at his home in Cherokee Village.
He served as a 1st lieutenant in World War II and was decorated with two Bronze Stars. He retired from the USDA Forestry Service as a research scientist in entomology (study of insects) and was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church where he taught Sunday School. Before moving to Cherokee Village he lived with his wife and three sons in Leland, Miss., where he was a member of the St. John Episcopal Church, the Leland Lions Club and was an Eagle Scout.
He graduated from high school in Boardman, Ohio, in 1930. He studied at the New York School of Agriculture in 1934, New York College of Forestry at Syracuse University from 1934 to 36, and received his masters of science degree from the University of Florida. He was a consultant for 35 countries including China. He was named as a U.S. scientist and was honored by the Smithsonian Institute by having an insect named after him, the Prodiplosis Morrisi.
He previously served as a cooperating U.S. scientist for a study in Pakistan of defoliators of poplars, which includes cottonwoods, and of poplar borers in Yugoslavia.
He worked for the U.S. Bureau of Plant Quarantine in Gulfport, Miss., and in the Panama Canal Zone before going to work at the USDA Southern Hardwoods Laboratory in Stoneville in 1954, as associate entomologist. He was later promoted to entomologist, then supervisory entomologist and had served since May 1971 as project leader of Southern Hardwood Insect and Disease Research.
He also served as associate member of graduate faculty at Mississippi State University, as secretary-treasurer of the Poplar Council, and as chairman FAO-International Poplar Commission Working Party on Insect. He was a member of Entomological Society of America, the Society of American Foresters, International Society of Tropical Foresters, and the Mississippi Entomological Association.
Survivors include his wife, Bee Stuckey Morris of the home; three sons – Brian Deric Morris of Cherokee Village, Ian David Morris of Pocahontas, and Adrian Craig Morris of Michigan City, Ind.; seven granddaughters; a grandson; and five great-grandchildren.
The funeral was March 28 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Cherokee Village. Interment
followed in the St. Andrew’s Columbarium.
Arrangements were under the direction of Heath Funeral Home of Hardy.
Memorials may be made to the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Building Fund, or to a fund of your choice.
Francis Rhodes
Francis Wells Rhodes, 73, of Ravenden Springs died Feb. 14, 2002, at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tenn.
Born Oct. 12, 1928, in Memphis, she was the daughter of Walter and Tricie Wells Gray. She married John Rudolph Rhodes. She worked as a cashier for Wal-Mart in Pocahontas for many years and was a member of First Baptist Church of Ravenden Springs.
Survivors include four sons – Russell Clude of Ravenden, Kenny Clude of Williford, John David Rhodes of Maynard, and Ricki Clude; two daughters – Frances Yvonne McClinton of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Betty Jean Pittman of Petersburg, Tenn.; a brother, Billy Gray of Destin, Fla.; and a sister, Sally Jo Byers of Hardy; 10 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
A memorial service was Feb. 17 at the chapel of Higginbotham Funeral Home of Walnut Ridge. A private burial will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis.
Local arrangements were under the direction of Higginbotham Funeral Service of Walnut Ridge.
Jennifer Rollins
Jennifer M. Rollins, 26, of St. Rio, Ill., died as a result of a car accident near Rio March 9, 2002.
Born Oct. 3, 1975, in Peoria, Ill., she was the daughter of Michael S. and Debra L. Miller Clinch. She married Andrew J. Rollins Feb. 29, 2000, in Galesburg, Ill.
She worked at Knox County Nursing Home in the dietary department for 1-1/2 years. She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1993. She was a room mother at Rio Grade School, a Girl Scout troop leader and a member of AFSCME.
Survivors include her husband; her parents – Michael S. Clinch of Cleveland, Ill. and Mrs. Bill Debbie Gordon of Galesburg; her grandparents – Thomas and Nancy Rollins of Victoria, Ill., Pat Henry, John and Rose Henry all of Galesburg, Ill., Mrs. Roy Frances Roberts of Farmington, Ill., Irene Miller of Hardy, and Betty Gordon of Abingdon, Ill.; two daughters – Christina M. Rollins and Hillary M. Rollins both of the home; four brothers, – Justin Cinch of Chicago, Jeremiah (Jen) Clinch of Farmington, Ill., Josh Gordon of the U.S. Navy in Japan, and Jacob Gordon of Galesburg; three sisters – Mrs. Matt Guyer of Riverton, Ill., Billi Jo Gordon and Alexandra Gordon, both of Galesburg.
She was preceded in death by two grandfathers – Herman D. Miller and Herbert Cinch.
The funeral was March 13 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Chapel in Galesburg with Eleanor Landon officiating. Burial followed in the East Linwood Cemetery in Galesburg.
Memorials may be made to an education fund for the children.
Ryan May
Ryan May, 16, of Hardy died Sept. 6, 2002, at Eastern Ozarks Regional Health System in Cherokee Village.
Ryan was an 11th-grade student at Highland High School where he was a member of the school band and a member of First Baptist Church in Cherokee Village.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Melanie and Dan Evert of Hardy; two brothers, Ethan and Wesley May; two sisters, Jenny Evert and Renee’ Preslar; maternal grandmother Mickey and Ted Eassar of North Little Rock, and maternal grandfather Otis and Katherine Preslar of Mountain View; and his paternal grandparents, LeRoy and Vi Evert of Madison, Wis.
The funeral was Sept. 9 at Highland High School gym with Larry White, Bob Fielding and Kevin Hendrix officiating. Ronnie Dye was in charge of the music. Interment
was in the Bronaugh Cemetery, north of Hardy.
Pallbearers were Shawn Black, Clayton Orr, Matt Getson, Ashley Shackelford, Ethan May and Wesley May.
Honorary pallbearers was the youth group of First Baptist Church and the Highland Junior Class.
Memorials may be made to the New Beginnings Pregnancy Health Center, P.O. Box 506, Ash Flat, AR 72513, or the Gideons International, P.O. Box 36, Ash Flat, AR 72513.
Virgil Sussenbach
Virgil G. Sussenbach, 95, of Greenville, Ill., died Sept. 12, 2001, at Fair Oaks Nursing Home in Greenville.
Born Sept. 19, 1905, in Old Ripley Township, Ill., he was the son of Gus Conrad Sussenbach and Minnie Olive Gillespie Sussenbach. He grew up in Bond County, Ill., and attended Shawnee School. He graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1926. He then attended Greenville College for three years. He farmed all of his life west of Greenville.
On June 22, 1930, he married Edna Ward at Centenary Church by the Rev. A.D. Hawley. He attended First United Methodist Church of Greenville, where he served as Sunday school secretary and on the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. He was the oldest member of the congregation.
He also was a member of Bond County Farm Bureau and was a charter member of Bond County Fair Association. He had served as a 4-H leader, a Sinai School Building director and as Bond County Republican Club treasurer.
Survivors inlude three sons and daughters-in-law - Thomas C. and Lorine Sussenbach of Cherokee Village, Robert E. and Norma Sussenbach of Bristol, Wisc., and the Rev. Ward V. and Norma Sussenbach of Vandalia, Ill.; two daughters and a son-in-law - Ruth Rupert of Spring Arbor, Mich., and Edith and Richard Haris of Edwardsville, Ill.; 15 grandchildren; several step grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; several step great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife on Oct. 2, 1992.
The funeral was Sept. 15 at First United Methodist Church in Greenville with the Rev. Ward Sussenbach and the Rev. Tim Pace officiating. Burial followed at Mt. Gilead Cemetery west of Greenville.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Greenville or Utlaut Memorial Hospital.
Arrangements are under the direction of Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home of Greenville.
Theresa Roach
Theresa A. Roach, 92, of Lansing, Kan., died May 29, 2002, at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Lansing.
Born Aug. 17, 1909, in Raymore, Mo., she was the sixth of eight children of Frank and Lutitia Danner Sappington. She and her husband lived in Cherokee Village from 1977 to 1999.
Survivors include her husband, Clinton J. Roach of Lansing; a son, Allen E. Goens, and his wife, Judy, of Basehor; a daughter, Pat Rogers, and her husband, Howard, of Basehor; a niece, Margaret Dziadara, Bonner Springs, Kan.; a sister, Grace McGrew of Kansas City, Kan.; a grandson; two granddaughters; a great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was June 5 at the Alden-Harrington Funeral Home at Bonner Springs. Burial of ashes was in the Maywood Cemetery in Kansas City, Kan.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Lung Association.
Virgil Cox
Virgil D. Cox, 79, of Hardy died Sept. 15, 2002, at his home.
Born Nov. 29, 1922, in Sullivan County, Ind., he was the son of Nobel Cox and Gurtrude Hale Cox. He married Bernadene Near Dec. 8, 1943. He was a staff sergeant of the 749th Tank Battalion in the U.S. Army, having served during World War II. He was employed by Northwest Steel and Wire Company in Sterling, Ill., as a scrap iron burner, and was of the Methodist faith.
Survivors include two sons – Brad Cox of Rockford, Ill., and Greg Cox of Hardy; three brothers – Russell Cox of Buck Town, Ind., Bill Cox of Crown Point, Ind., and Nick Cox of Meriom, Ind.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife on April 15, 1999.
The funeral was Sept. 19 at Newkirks Chapel in Dugger, Ind., with the Rev. John Rooker officiating. Burial followed at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Dugger.
Virgie Patterson
Virgie James Patterson, 103, of the Cedar Grove community near Cave City died Sept. 7, 2002, at her home.
Born on Feb. 18, 1899, at Mobley, she was the daughter of William Elijah and Martha Lewallen James. She was a homemaker and a member of Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church since 1911. She was a descendant of a pioneer family and lived within a few miles of her birth place.
Survivors include two sons – Charles Wayne Patterson of Cedar Grove and Jack Patterson of Batesville; two daughters – Peggy Jo Ross and Clara Cossey, both of the Cedar Grove; 11 grandchildren – Dr. James H. Sanders III of North Carolina, John W. Sanders of Romania, Jack W. Sanders of Cave City, David Cossey of Cedar Grove, Ginger Sandy of Cedar Grove, Jeanie Patterson of Florida, Debra Shaw of Batesville, Lynda Kay Patterson of Marion, Patricia D. Wooldridge of Cave City, Susan Matthews of Batesville, and Lisa Patterson James of Conway; 24 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence L. Patterson; a son, James C. Patterson; an infant daughter, Girtha Fay Patterson; four brothers – John James, Roe James, Porter James and Daniel James; seven sisters – Martha Jane Bell, Sarah Ann Crabtree, Amanda “Sis” Rawlings, Minnie Burge, Lee Brogdon, Hester Stout and Laura Henley.
The funeral was Sept. 10 at Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church near Cave City with John Sanders officiating. Winford Sandy and Bobby Grimes both assisted. Burial followed at James Cemetery at Cedar Grove.
Pallbearers were Jack Sanders, David Cossey, Jim Sanders, Danny Sandy, Greg Matthews, Jay Janes, Rick Shaw and Terry Wooldridge.
Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Andy Davidson, Earl James, Phillip James and Leeman James.
Arrangements were under the direction of Qualls Funeral Home of Cave City.
Vera Powell
Vera Phyllis Powell, 84, of Hammond, Ind., formerly of Ozark Acres, died March 31, 2002, at her home in Hammond.
Born Nov. 29, 1917, in Ringgold County, Iowa, she was the daughter of Phillip Howard Morris and Ocea McDaniel Morris. She married William Powell of Ozark Acres July 2, 1955, in Davenport, Iowa. He preceded her in death Feb. 9, 1978.
She was employed for a number of years as a department head clerk at W.T. Grant in Davenport. She was a member of both Spring River Presbyterian Church in Hardy and South Hammond Church of the Nazarene in Hammond.
Survivors include a daughter, Deanna Jane Grant of Hammond; a son, Dale West of Eldridge, Iowa; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sons – Jerry West and Charles Junior West; three sisters; and two brothers.
A graveside service was April 5 at Baker Cemetery in Williford, with Robert Grant officiating.
Arrangements were under the direction of Higginbotham Funeral Service Inc. of Hardy.
Wanda Lucille Gardner
Wanda Lucille Gardner, 75, of Horseshoe Bend died Oct. 13, 2002, at Salem.
Born May 25, 1927, at Blanchard, Okla., she was the daughter of James Lenuel and Nola Mae Langston Potter. She married Kenneth R. Gardner Dec. 7, 1946, in San Francisco. She spent her working years as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a traffic controller for Pacific Telephone Company from 1958, until her retirement in 1989. She was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include a daughter, Drenda Lee Sutton and her husband, Edward, of Salem; seven grandchildren – Robert Morton, DiAnna Shehan, Justin Gardner, Zachary Gardner, Joshua Gardner, Shannon Gardner and Joseph Gardner; and three great-grandchildren – Bryanna Morton, Brock Morton and Zachary Shehan.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a son, John Clayton Gardner; a brother; and six sisters.
The body was cremated.
Arrangements were under the direction of Barker Funeral Home.
William Whitten
William Jewel Whitten, 80, of Jonesboro, formerly of Ash Flat died March 8, 2002, at Sharp Nursing Home at Sidney.
Born Jan. 13, 1922, at Evening Shade, she was the daughter of William and Mary King Whitten. He was retired from the U.S. Army, having served in World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War. He owned and operated Whitten Appliance Repair in Jonesboro for many years and was a member of Evening Shade Main Street Church of Christ.
Survivors include three daughters – Kay Lane of Omaha, Neb., Brenda Erickson of Jonesboro, and Janice Renda of Coram, N.Y.; two sisters – Joann Cushman of Evening Shade, and Jane Gilbert of Jonesboro; his stepmother, Johnnie Hazel Whitten of Sidney; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Katherine Tompkins Whitten.
A memorial service was March 10 at Evening Shade Cemetery with Joey Mounts officiating.
Arrangements were under the direction of Qualls Funeral Home of Cave City.
Honorary pallbearers were Mike Cushman, Jerry Gilbert, Richard Huff, Lance Smith and Ricky Martin.
Clayton Willman
Clayton “Bud” Marwood Willman, 80, of Cherokee Village died March 4, 2002, at Ash Flat Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Born Dec. 11, 1921, he was the son of Joseph Willman and Alma Edlund Willman. He was a veteran of the Army Air Corps. He worked for over 20 years as an independent truck driver for the city and park board of Minneapolis. He was a member of the teamsters local 221 of Minneapolis. Mr. and
Mrs. Willman moved to Cherokee Village 18 years ago from Bloomington, Minn. He was a member of Highland Elks Lodge 2539 and was innerguard and tiler. He was a member of the American Legion Post 336. He was also a member of the Eagles ARIE 4231 of Thayer, Mo. He was of the Lutheran faith.
He is survived by his wife, Alice M. Willman.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.
A visitation is scheduled for March 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Tri-County’s Cherokee Chapel in Highland.
The funeral will be March 13 in Minneapolis at the Werness Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Sebeka Cemetery in Sebeka, Minn.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of Tri-County’s Cherokee Chapel of Highland.
Earl Wilson
Earl “Butchie” Wilson, 31, of Isabella County, Mich., died Feb. 15, 2002, as a result of an oil field accident in Grand Traverse County, Mich.
He was born Aug. 29, 1970, in Alma, Mich., and was employed in the oil fields for 13 years.
Survivors include his father, and stepmother – Earl Wilson II and Louise Wilson of Ash Flat, his mother, Barbara Wilson of Mount Pleasant, Mich.; his grandmother, Flora Cusick of Pleasant Hill, Mo.; his brother-in-law and sister, Sgt. Lance and Barbara Poulson of Fort Lewis, Wash.; two sisters, – Dawn and Frances, both of Mount Pleasant, Mich.; two stepbrothers – Charlie and Brian Wade of Ash Flat; a stepsister, Beverly Wade of Salem; and a stepbrother, Geno Wade of Pleasant Hill, Mo.; a foster sister, Sabrina Shaver of Ash Flat; his companion, Rhonda and her children – Tony, Michelle, and Jamie and their children, all of Mount Pleasant, Mich.; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents – Earl and Margaret Wilson of Pontiac, Mich., Wayne and Rhunell Irwin of Evening Shade, Wilma Habel of Mount Pleasant, Mich., and Donald Cusick of Pleasant Hill.
The funeral was Feb. 19. Burial followed in Chippewa Cemetery in Isabella County, Mich.
Arrangements were under the direction of Lux Funeral Home.
Eleanor Yonda
Eleanor Yonda, 83, died March 9, 2002, at her home in Ash Flat.
Born in Chicago, she was the daughter of Anton and Mary Temcher Kucher. She was a hospital aide and retired here from Markham, Ill.
Survivors include her husband, John Yonda of the home; two sons – Russell Yonda of Springfield, Ill., and Richard Yonda of Menomonee, Wis.; two daughters – Nancy Autrey of Ash Flat, and Janet Oesterling of Cherry Hills, N.J.; and two grandchildren, Aaron and Andrew Yonda of Madison, Wis.
A memorial service was March 11 at Homewood Village in Ash Flat. Local arrangements were under the direction of Tri-County’s Cherokee Chapel of Highland.
The family requests that donations in her memory may be made to Eastern Ozarks Hospice, 121 Hospital Drive, Cherokee Village, AR, 72529.
