Huge Marriages Search Engine!
Sammual Keller
DARDANELLE — Sammual Auston Keller, 4, of Dardanelle died Saturday, April 27, 2002, in a Little Rock hospital. He was born March 18, 1998, in Russellville.
Funeral will be 2:45 p.m. today at Cornwell Funeral Home Chapel in Dardanelle with burial at Brearley cemetery in Dardanelle.
He is survived by his parents, Dan and Keasha Bridges; two stepsisters, Danielle and Sidney Bridges, both of Ward; his grandparents, John and Bernice Keller of Russellville and Debbie Garcia of Onalaska, Texas; great-grandparents, U.L. and Ruby Keller of Russellville, Vernie Martinez of Colorado, Mary Cordon of Fort Smith, Maurice and Ruth Dawkins of Onalaska, Texas.
Pallbearers will be David Bridges, Howard, Jim and Justin Keller, Eddie Knight and David Martinez.
Violet Haire
Violet L. Haire, 93, of Fort Smith died Tuesday, April 30, 2002, in Fort Smith. She was retired from Rush Manufacturing.
The body was cremated under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
She is survived by a son, Roy L. Haire of Fort Smith; seven grandchildren, Ginger Wright of Ocoee, Fla., Debbie Oliver, Tammy Andrews, Jimmy Wright Jr., and Kathy Intres, all of Fort Smith, Donna Keller of Van Buren and Dale Wilkins of Pennsylvania and 14 great-grandchildren.
Claude Cole
Claude Cole, 65, of Fort Smith died Friday, April 26, 2002, in Liberty, Mo. He was a retired Navy veteran, a member of First Missionary Baptist Church, a lifetime member of Westark Chapter of Arkansas Retired Military Association, vice president of State of Arkansas Retired Military Association and a member of VFW Post No. 8845.
Funeral will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday at First Missionary Baptist Church with burial at 1 p.m. at U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Rowell-Parish Mortuary of Fort Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Charlie Jean; two daughters, Sherry Lynn Finney of Atlanta and Elaine Fontenot of Los Angeles; a sister, Delois Royal of Fort Smith; two brothers, Warren Cole of Portsmouth, Va. and Jerry Cole of Huntington; and one grandchild.
Pallbearers will be his nephews.
The body may be viewed noon to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the church.
Charles Tucker
Charles Allen Tucker, 84, of Van Buren died Tuesday, April 30, 2002, in his home. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a retired salesman for Speer Hardware Company and a member of the Church of Christ.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Ocker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with burial at U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Lillian; two daughters, Edna Mae Laster of Greenwood and Patricia Ann Howard of Van Buren; a son, Charles Warren Tucker of Mansfield; three sisters, Wilma Preston of Fort Smith, Reba Slackard of Mansfield and Thelma Martin of Greenwood; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Melvin Stoufflet
HOUMA, La. — Melvin “Tony” Anthony Stoufflet, 60, of Houma, La. died Tuesday, April 30, 2002. He was self-employed for Tony Carpets.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Chauvin Funeral Home Chapel in Houma, La., with burial at Blue Mountain Community cemetery in Blue Mountain.
He is survived by his wife, Juanita; four daughters, Tonye Evette Browning of Longview, Texas, Charlesia Christina Felton of Morgan City, La., Lisa Irene Napier of Booneville and Sandra Denise Day of Greenwood; four sons, James Gayle and Melvin Stoufflet Jr., both of San Antonio, Leslie Danier Stoufflet of Biloxi, Miss., and Alvin Dale Dickens of Lancaster, Calif.; his mother, Josephine Martin Stoufflet of Bourg, La.; a sister, Betty Hebert of Houma, La.; and 17 grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until the funeral service.
Fred F. “Fritz” Bartsch
Fred F. “Fritz” Bartsch, 91, of Paris died Wednesday, May 15, 2002, in Paris. He was a retired dairy farmer and a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church at Subiaco and a member of St. Benedict Men’s Society. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Katherine Wagner Bartsch; his wife, Marie Huber Bartsch; and brothers and sisters, Frank, George, Louis and Conrad Bartsch, Rose Hudson and Theresa Brown.
Mass will be 11 a.m. today at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Subiaco with burial at St. Benedict cemetery under the direction of Roller Funeral Home of Paris.
He is survived by two daughters, Mary Ann Minden of Charleston and Catherine M. Carter of Conway; two sons, Charles F. Bartsch of Subiaco and Eugene J. Bartsch of Banks, Ore.; three sisters, Sister Mary Francis Bartsch of Luling, Texas, Sister Dominic Bartsch of Techny, Ill., and Gertrude Gibbs of Los Angeles; 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers will be Tommy and Billy MInden, Danny Joe Carter, Andrew Bartsch, Jerrick Crowell and Andrew Whitley.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Knight of Columbus.
Julia Frances Waisath Bell
Julia Frances Waisath Bell was born Aug. 27, 1919, in Pratt, Kan., the daughter of W.J. and Grace Waisath. She finished high school in 1937 at Springdale and received an associate’s degree in 1961 from Westark Community College in Fort Smith. She married
Charles R. Bell in November 1938; they had one daughter, Billie Marie, who preceded her in death in April 1979. She retired from Dixie Cup in 1981 and was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America, AARP, retired Senior Volunteers (Voluntary Service at St. John’s Nearly New Shop for 19 years), past president of Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, past Court Regent-Court No. 482 Catholic Daughters, past State Regent-Arkansas Court Catholic Daughters.
She is survived by a granddaughter, Donita Olsen and her husband, Chad of Richardson, Texas; great-grandchildren, Adam and Hannah Olsen; a brother, Walter Waisath of Tacoma, Wash.; a niece and a nephew; and a special family friend, Sue Bristow.
Mass will be 10 a.m. today at St. Boniface Catholic Church with burial at U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
Pallbearers will be James Kaelin, Charles Knittig, Ray Seiter, Martin Hoyt, Kenneth Bartsch, Lawrence Wewers, Robert Schwartz.
Honorary pallbearers will be Catholic Daughters.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1820 N. B St., Fort Smith, AR 72901.
Gladys C. Ortiz
Gladys C. Ortiz, 90, of Mulberry died Wednesday, May 15, 2002, in a nursing home in Alma. She was born Feb. 10, 1912, in Buffalo, Okla., to Richard Wilson and Melissa. She was a homemaker and a Methodist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ithel Oritz.
Funeral services will be in Ontario, Calif. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home of Ozark.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Roger Carty of Mulberry; a son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Marie Ortiz of Ontario, Calif., and son, Terry Ortiz of Pasadena, Calif.; two brothers, Edward Wilson of Leedy, Okla., and Dick Wilson of Woodward, Okla.; five grandchildren, Gary and Robbie Ortiz, Kevin and Danielle Carty and Terrie Holland; and five great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Ralph Bird
The Rev. Ralph Bird finished his earthly labors and went to be with his Savior, May 9, 2002, at the age of 81. He was born Dec. 18, 1920, in Fort Smith. As a child, he was invited to First Lutheran Church & School in Fort Smith, where he received his call from the Lord to be a pastor. The Rev. Bird attended St. John’s College in Kansas and received a master’s of divinity at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Upon graduation in June 1947, he was ordained as City Missionary in St. Louis.
On June 8, 1947, Pastor Ralph and Virginia Twillman were married
in St. Louis and celebrated their 50-year anniversary in 1997 before her passing that same month.
Pastor Bird’s spiritual legacy began when he first served as assistant pastor at Shorehaven Lutheran Church in Cleveland, where the Sunday school grew to large for their building. From 1950-1960, Pastor Bird served as pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Bedford, Ind., where again there was a need for building expansion. From 1960-65, Pastor Bird served at Peace Lutheran Church in Garland, Texas.
In Little Rock from 1965-1975, the Rev. Bird was senior pastor at Grace Lutheran Church while serving in Little Rock. The Rev. Bird was a member of the Mission Board of the Mid-South District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Syned. While on this board, he was instrumental in starting many of the area Lutheran Churches, Celebration of Faith Lutheran in southwest Little Rock, Lord of Life Lutheran in west Little Rock and Hope Lutheran in Jacksonville.
The Rev. Bird also was involved in the beginnings of four churches in other areas of Arkansas. Under his guiding hand mission churches in Camden, Cherokee Village, Horseshoe Bend and Pocahontas were formed, where at the age of 76 he retired.
He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, where he served as club officer and board member; he served as lieutenant governor for the Mo-Ark District and in 2002 was presented a Honorary Member from the Cherokee Village Club.
Survivors include a daughter, Gloria Bird Cates of Little Rock; two sons, Mark Bird of Little Rock and Thomas Bird of Kansas; a sister, Joan Ussery of Fort Smith; a brother, Wayne T. Bird of Alabama; five grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren and two great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Funeral was Wednesday at Peace Lutheran Church in Cherokee Village under the direction of Heath Oak Hill Chapel in Hardy.
Memorial contributions to honor a life of servanthood may be made to “Bird Scholarship Fund,” c/o First Lutheran Church, Fort Smith, AR.
Helen Karnell
CLARKSVILLE — Helen Ann Karnell, 81, of Clarksville died Wednesday, May 15, 2002, in Van Buren. She was a homemaker and a Catholic. She was the widow of Fredrick “Fritz” Karnell.
Mass will be 10 a.m. today at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Clarksville with burial at Oakland cemetery in Clarksville under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home of Clarksville.
She is survived by a daughter, Victoria Mary Roberts of London; a son, Fredrick Gunnar Karnell Jr. of Sharpsville, Pa..; a sister, Sally VanZandt of Morristown, N.J.; and three grandchildren, Matthew and Fredrick G. Karnell III, both of Philadelphia, and Charles L. Roberts III of London.
Pallbearers will be Donnie Caroll, Hal Stewart, Randy Palmer, Fred and Matthew Karnell and James Paxson.
Fred Evans
MENA — Fred Jefferson Evans, 79, of Mena died Wednesday, May 15, 2002, in Fort Smith. He was born July 27, 1922, in Stroud, Okla. He was an Army veteran of World War II, an operator engineer in pipe making and was a Baptist.
The body was sent for cremation under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home of Mena.
He is survived by his wife, Ila; a daughter, Vickie Mae Mayo of West Palm Beach, Fla.; four sons, Jimmy, Ronnie, Mark and Matthew Evans, all of Mena; four brothers, James “Shorty” Evans of Redding, Calif., Everett Evans of Yuba City, Calif., Joe Evans of Marysville, Calif., and Si Evans of Arizona; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Ruby Rush
KIBLER — Ruby Rush, 95, of Kibler died Thursday, May 16, 2002, in a local nursing home. She was a homemaker and a member of Kibler Baptist Church. She was the widow of Ernest Rush.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Janes Creek cemetery in RavenDen Springs.
She is survived by two daughters, Joy Foggia of Milwaukee, Ore., and Peggy Freeman of Joliet, Ill.; two sisters, Lillian Arnold of Alma and Jean Smith of Van Buren; and a brother, Curtis Robinson of Cedarville.
Kirby Anderson
DELAWARE — Kirby Eugene Anderson, 47, of Delaware died Wednesday, May 15, 2002, in Booneville. He was a charter member of Delaware First Baptist Church and a member of National Rifle Association.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday in Delaware First Baptist Church with burial at Graves cemetery in Delaware under the direction of Roller Funeral Home of Paris.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; a daughter, Amy Marie Anderson of Russellville; a son, Kirby William Anderson of Russellville; his parents, Van William and Mary Evelyn Anderson of Delaware; and two brothers, James Daniel Anderson of Delaware and Timothy Allen Anderson of California.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Fay Woodward
SALLISAW — Fay Woodward, 69, of Sallisaw died Wednesday, May 15, 2002, in Sallisaw. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War, a tile setter for Midwestern Tile of Tulsa and a Protestant.
Funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Agent Funeral Home Chapel in Sallisaw with burial at Blackjack cemetery northwest of Muldrow.
He is survived by four sons, Darrell, Dennis, Bobby and Mark Woodward, all of Tulsa; four sisters, Flossie Neal and Lee Cheek, both of Sallisaw, LaVerne Fisher of Akins community and Betty Hendrix of Gans; three brothers, Owen Woodward of Atlanta, Mo., Ray Woodward of Tulsa and Watie Woodward of Sallisaw; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Mary Crowden
LAMAR — Mary Helen Bean Crowden, 73, of Lamar died Wednesday, May 15, 2002, in Clarksville. She was born Sept. 3, 1928, in Lamar. She retired as manager of the emergency room at Johnson Regional Medical Center, where she worked for 17 years. She was mayor of Lamar from 1968 to 1970, serving her second term as a Lamar alderman, past president and vice president and treasurer of the Johnson Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, active and member of Lamar Baptist Church, the Lamar Little League Ball Park was formally named the Mary Crowden Park May 10, 2002. She had years of service and volunteered to the youth and adults of Lamar and Johnson County.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Lamar Baptist Church with burial at Lamar cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home of Clarksville.
She is survived by her husband, Issac; two daughters, Phyllis Dillard of Lamar and Reda Jackson of Powell, Mo.; two sons, Alan and Richard Crowden Jr., both of Lamar; five sisters, Savelle Schrock of Russellville, Rena Dale of Flat Rock, Joan Clark of Clarksville, Lela Freeman of Longview, Wash., and Sallie Ryan of Kelso, Wash.; five brothers, Inrey and William Arlon Bean, both of Lamar, David Lee Bean of Crescent City, Calif., Glenn Bean of Kelso, Wash., and Gale Bean of Kalama, Wash.; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Chad Dillard, Randy Jackson, Joel and Metzi Crowden, Earl Schrock and Aaron Clark.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
