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Linda D. Jiles
Linda D. Jiles, 41, of Spiro died Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, in Poteau. She was a wonderful woman and mother and a former employee of HealthSouth of Fort Smith.
The body will be cremated. No formal service will be held.
She is survived by three daughters, Tamara and Mariah Jiles and Kayla Tong, all of Fort Smith; two sons, Derek Tong and Bryan Jiles, both of Fort Smith; her father and stepmother, Raymond and Frances Jiles of Van Buren; her mother, Wanda Featherston of Muldrow; four sisters, Sarah Johnson of Muldrow, Brenda Barnes and Wanda Bennett, both of Roland, and Delores Jiles; and a brother, Raymond Jiles of Muldrow.
Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
Christa Hildegard Gertrude Birkholz
Our dearest mother, Omi, Chris, passed away in the morning of Jan. 10, 2004. We already miss her so dearly, but know in our hearts that she was going to be with the angels.
Chris Barton was born Christa Hildegard Gertrude Birkholz. She was given a whole lot of name and proved to be a bundle of life. She was born Sept. 9, 1933, in Berlin, Germany. Chris lived through the war and her father’s death during the war, lived briefly in a convent and went on to speak a number of languages. Somehow this nice little German girl ended up in Arkansas on the arm of Air Force Sgt. James Nelson Barton of Cecil. That is when Chris Barton’s pride and joy, and greatest achievement, began — her family. Chris had three wonderful boys, Fred, George and Michael, and one daughter, Barbara Kay, who was stillborn. Chris and Jim later divorced, but the legacy was there and the life that took her to Lake Jackson, Texas, and later Houston was filled with the love she had for our boys.
Chris worked for many years as a single mother in Houston for a variety of real estate offices. Her long career finally landed her at ReMax Realtors West, where she spent a number of years. Chris loved real estate and managed to make it to the office to visit her many friends there until just weeks before she died.
She will be long remembered for her biting humor, honesty and lovable directness. But she will probably be most remembered for her tales of “the Barton boys” and the trouble the three of them would cause.
Chris is survived by her most beloved sons and six grandchildren, Fred of Lake Jackson and his wife Melissa and their two children, Brendon and Bailey, Greg of Austin, Texas, and his wife Nancy and their two children, Jack and Elizabeth and Michael of Ozarl and his wife Lynn and their two children, Kyla and Kera. Her former husband, Jim Barton of Cecil and his wife Deborah also survive her.
Mass will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Altus with burial at Cecil cemetery under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home of Ozark.
Ed Drimmel Jr.
Ed Drimmel Jr., 71, of Fort Smith died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2004, in Fort Smith. Mr. Drimmel was a distinguished residential architect in Fort Smith for more than 40 years. He was responsible for designing many religious and commercial buildings in the western Arkansas area, among them Christ the King Catholic Church, both the old and new Town Club buildings, the state office building in Fort Smith, the main Fort Smith Postal Service Center, the Rheem Manufacturing Co. building, the old Fort Smith Airport terminal and many area schools, churches and office buildings. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and the Chapter of American Institute of Architects on the local, state and national levels, board member and past president of the Fort Smith Little Theater, where he was active as a producer, director, actor and set designer for over 40 years. He was a board member of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, board member and past president of the Fort Smith Chorale Association, board member and past president of the Broadway Theatre League, member and past president of the Fort Smith Noon Civics Club, a member of Who’s Who in Architecture, a graduate of Kansas State College with a bachelor of architecture degree, a graduate of the University of Illinois with a master of architecture degree and winner of the first Fort Smith Mayor’s Civic Center Honors in 1992. He also served in the Army.
He is survived by two cousins, Harold Handke and wife Martha and son David of Fort Smith, Robert Faley of Fresno, Calif., and his blended family of 51 years, Billye Y. Smreker of Fort Smith and Charles Young and wife Wanda of Hot Springs, eight nieces and nephews, 11 great nieces and nephews and six great-great nieces and nephews.
Rosary will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church with Mass on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church with burial at Holy Cross cemetery in Fort Smith. Pallbearers will be Bill and Charles Smreker, David Handke, Carl McCauley, Ron Watson and Roger Boone. Honorary pallbearers will be Fort Smith Little Theater Friends. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Smith Little Theater Building Fund, P.O. Box 3752, Fort Smith, AR 72913 or Christ the King Catholic Church Building Fund, 1920 S. Greenwood Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72901.
Wanda Faye Brooks
Wanda Faye Brooks, 76, of Van Buren died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, in Van Buren. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon L. Brooks, and two sons, Donald L. Brooks and Randy Brooks.
Funeral will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Smith with burial at the U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith.
She is survived by three daughters-in-law, Carolyn Brooks of Van Buren and Donna and Beth Brooks, both of Alma; a son, David L. Brooks of Alma; four grandchildren, Chad A. Brooks of Van Buren, Kerri Beyer of Fayetteville, Robin Mikles of Fort Smith and Alyson Brooks of Alma; and six great-grandchildren.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 158 W. 29th St., Seventh Floor, New York, N.Y., 10001.
Leonard Moulden
Leonard H. Moulden, 89, of Van Buren died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, in a local nursing home. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, an Army and Navy veteran of World War II, a native of West Side, Iowa, and a former resident of Hayward, Calif. He was a member of the American Legion. He held a master’s degree from Kansas State University and was a retired high school teacher from Hayward, Calif. He was a member of the California Teachers Association.
Funeral will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Ocker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with burial at the U.S. National cemetery in Fort Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Bertha; a son, John Moulden of Stockton, Calif.; a brother, Forrest Moulden of Strafford, Mo.; and two grandchildren.
Betty Hearne
Betty M. Hearne, 75, of Fort Smith died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, in Little Rock. She worked in the Corona, Calif., school district.
Graveside service will be Friday at Crestlawn cemetery in Riverside, Calif. Local arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
She is survived by a daughter, Diane Banks of Fort Smith; two sons, Danny Hearne of Fort Smith and Rowland W. Hearne of Bull Head City, Ariz.; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Billy Mobley
Billy Ray Mobley, 72, of Fort Smith, formerly of Lamar, died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, in his home. He was born May 1, 1931, in Lamar. He graduated as valedictorian of the 1950 Lamar High School class and was a graduate of Arkansas Technical College at Russellville and an Air Force veteran of the 
Korean War. He did volunteer work for Meals on Wheels.
Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004, at Lamar cemetery under the direction of Hardwicke Funeral Home of Clarksville.
He is survived by a son, Mark Mobley of Joplin, Mo.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Smithie Bramlett
Smithie Bramlett, 71, of Fort smith died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, in her home. She was born Dec. 26, 1932, in Fort Smith. She was a former employee of Ayers Furniture, Border City Foods and Fort Smith Industry Supply and was of the Pentecostal faith.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Fort Smith with burial at Forest Park cemetery in Fort Smith.
She is survived by her husband, John; three daughters, Virginia Geisbauer of Fort Smith, Mary Knotts of Central City and Judith Harvey of Greenwood; a son, George Huse of Lawton, Okla.; three sisters, Evelyn Altes of Van Buren and Lois Snow and Donna Hook, both of Fort Smith; a brother, Homer Berry of Van Buren; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Geisbauer, Roy Knotts Jr., Luke Lorenson and Blake Stewart.
The family will visit with friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
William “Bill” Harvey Marlar
William “Bill” Harvey Marlar, 64, of Ozark died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2004, in a Fort Smith hospital. He was born April 25, 1939, in Russellville to Daniel Marlar and Ira Rice. He was a retired electrical engineer for 32 years with the Corps of Engineers, a Mason, a member of Christian Motorcycle Club, and was a Presbyterian. He was preceded in death by parents, Daniel and Ira Rice Marlar; a brother, Daniel Marlar; and a sister, Ruby Marlar.
Graveside memorial service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004, at Morgan Hill cemetery in Ozark under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home of Ozark.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Marlar of Ozark; a daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Clay Umholtz of Ozark; three sisters, Alma Osborne and Helen Henry, both of Little Rock, and Virginia Reeves of Benton; and one grandchild, Alexis Umholtz of Ozark.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Ozark.
Marvin Ray Bittick
Marvin Ray Bittick, 83, of Hartford died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2004, in a Fort Smith hospital. He was a member and willing worker in the Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in Hartford and a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in Hartford with burial at Hartford Memorial Park under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Hartford.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Minnie Sabatucci Bittick of the home; one nephew, Halton Quiller Bittick Jr. of Henderson, N.C.; one niece, Ramona Anglin of Henryetta, Okla., and he also leaves behind through his marriage into his wife’s family other nieces and nephews to whom he was “Uncle Marvin”.
Viewing will be 1 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home where the family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in Hartford.
Olin Euel Smith
Olin Euel Smith, 88, of Van Buren left our lives on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004. He was born Sept.. 11, 1915, to Calvin and Della Jordan Smith in Mountainburg. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Catherine Patricia Johnson Smith and his brother-in-law, M.M. “Pete” Tankersley. He served in the Navy during World War II and graduated from the University of Arkansas. He was owner of Olin Smith Grocery from 1950 until 1980 when he retired. He loved to go camping, fishing and hunting.
Funeral will be 3 p.m. today at Ocker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel in Van Buren, officiated by the Rev. Chester Smith with burial at Gracelawn cemetery in Van Buren.
He is survived by a daughter, Pam Smith of the home; two sons, David Smith of Van Buren and “Smitty” Smith and wife, Joyce of Kibler; a sister, Irene Tankersly of Van Buren; eight grandchildren, Brandi Smith and husband, Coby of Van Buren, Kim Madsen and her husband, Tyler of Fort Smith, Melissa Fowler and her husband, Shawn of Kibler, Jake Smith and Justin Smith, both of Van Buren, Sandy, Lindsay and Katherine Smith, all of Tampa, Fla.; and three great-grandchildren, Lauren and Paige Smith of Van Buren and Logan Fowler of Kibler.
Pallbearers will be Dutch Watson, Benton Cone, Denny Snow, Maurice Hubbs, Allyn Donaubaeuer, Don Sangster, Raymond Whitmire and Charles Stockton.
Margaret Taylor
Margaret Taylor, 81, of Lavaca died Monday, Jan. 12, 2004, in a Fort Smith hospital. She was born March 9, 1922, in Lavaca to Walley Pugh and Myrtle M. Edmonson Pugh. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Lavaca and a homemaker.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004, at Lavaca First Baptist Church with burial at Lavaca City cemetery in Lavaca under the direction of Smith Mortuary of Lavaca.
She is survived by her husband, Paul Taylor of the home; a daughter, Barbara Cheek and husband, Dan of McLoud, Okla.; a son, Robert Taylor of Fort Smith; six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers will be Brian Taylor, Rick Tobey, Mark Tobey, Ronnie Hutchins, Steve McGee and Curtis Woods.
Honorary pallbearers will be Darren Hutchins, Blake Hutchins and Chris Taylor.
The family will visit with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Willeen Stovall
Willeen Stovall, 77, of Paris died Monday, Jan. 12, 2004, in Fort Smith. She was a homemaker, and was a Presbyterian. She enjoyed watching ball games and was a avid sports fan. She was preceded in death by her father, Guy Ramsey; a sister, Reba Hamel and a brother, Don Ramsey.
Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004, at Roller Chapel in Paris. Cremation will be under the direction of Roller Funeral Home of Paris.
She is survived by two daughters, Glenda Hampton of Paris and Dena Stovall of Paris; a son, Larry Stovall of Greenwood; her mother, Delilah Needham Ramsey of Paris; a sister, Bobbye Raimondi of Paris; 30 grandchildren, Tim Hampton, Blake Hampton and Glenna Stovall; and great-grandchildren, Ashley Hampton and Nathaniel Hampton.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Hampton, Sally Stovall, Tim Hampton, Blake Hampton, Glenna Stovall, Gary Ramsey, Terry Ramsey, Sylvia Thompson and Sandy Ramsey.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004, at Roller Chapel in Paris.
Sara “Ted” Wisdom
Sara “Ted” Wisdom, 95, of Fort Smith passed away Monday, Jan. 12, 2004, in a Fort Smith hospital. She was a retired civilian employee from the Department of the Navy where she received a special award, the Navy Civilian Service Pin. She was a member of Presbyterian Church in Ozark.
Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004, at Highland cemetery in Ozark under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.
Family members include two nieces, Helen Carroll and her husband, Kenneth of North Little Rock and Mary Younger and her husband, the late W.L. Younger of Russellville; two nephews, Robert Wisdom and his wife, Tommie of Ozark and the late Chris Wisdom and his widow, Clara of Van Buren.
Viewing will be today from 1 to 8:30 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home.
George Schill
POTEAU — George A. Schill, 74, of Poteau died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2004, in a Fort Smith hospital. He was born Dec. 12, 1929, in Germany. He was a construction and concrete worker.
Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Evans & Miller Funeral Home Chapel of Memories in Poteau.
He is survived by his wife, Hildegard; a son, Karl Schill of Richmond, Ky.; and two grandchildren.
