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‘Ernie’ Gottsponer
Ernest A. “Ernie” Gottsponer, 81, of Lakin, Kan., died Wednesday, June 20, 2007, at Garden City, Kan.
Born, May 5, 1926, at St. Vincent, he was a son of Adolph and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Gott-sponer.
He was a World War II veteran. He married Betty Morgan on Feb. 18, 1950, in Lakin, Kan. He worked most of his life with the Farmers Cooperative in Lakin, Kan. He also sold cars for Cross Chevrolet and was owner and operator of B&E Family Store in Lakin for several years. Ernie enjoyed fishing, visiting with people, dancing, and attending his grandchildren’s activities.
He was a member of the St. Anthony Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus No. 7318, and Sportman’s Lake, all in Lakin, Kan.
He was the widower of Betty (Morgan) Gottsponer.
Survivors include one daughter, Vicky Pomarico of Topeka, Kan.; two sons, Morgan Gottsponer of Houston, Texas, and Rockie Gottsponer of Garden City, Kan.; one brother, Albert Gottsponer of Vanita, Okla; one sister, Mary Lou Lee of Alexandria, Va.; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Vigil service and Knights of Columbus Rosary were 7 p.m. Sunday at the St. Anthony Catholic Church. Funeral Mass was 10:30 a.m. Monday at the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Garden City, Kan., by Father Mike Helms. Burial was at Lakin Cemetery
by Garnand Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the St. Anthony Catholic Church or to the American Cancer Society, both in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 308 N. Main, Lakin KS 67860.
Melvin Nation Jr.
Melvin Whitfield Nation Jr., 58, of Morrilton, passed away Friday, June 22, 2007.
He was born Oct. 14, 1948, in Little Rock, Ark., a son of the late Melvin A. Nation Sr. and Freeda Hazel (Mobley) Nation. He was a member of Morrilton downtown Church of Christ.
He is survived by his uncle, Isaac Mobley of Fort Smith; aunt, Ada Goines of Adams-ville, Tenn., and numerous loving cousins.
Graveside services were 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at Lamar Cemetery, Lamar, Ark., with Mr. Randy Rankin officiating. Arrangements were by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.
Billy Reynolds
Billy Edwin Reynolds, 49, of Hattieville, died Tuesday, June 19, 2007.
He was born Dec. 21, 1957, in Russellville, the son of La-fayette Reynolds and Carolyn (King) Shoemake. He was a heavy equipment operator.
Survivors include his mother, Carolyn Shoemake of Morrilton; his father, Lafayette Reynolds; three brothers, Andy James, Randy James, and Bobby James, all of Morrilton; and one sister, Donna Powers of Dover.
A memorial service may be announced at a later date. Arrangements are by Bob Neal and Sons Funeral Home of Morrilton.
Lucy Byrd
Lucy Mae Jeffryes Byrd, 82, Houston, Ark., died Friday, June 22, 2007.
She was the widow of Clyde Loren Byrd. She was born on June 6, 1925, in Casa, a daughter of James Edmond Jeffryes and Ethel (Cherry) Jeffryes. She was a member of the Pleasant Valley General Baptist Church where she served as secretary and treasurer for 38 years. She was a retired thread trimmer for Levi Strauss and Co.
Survivors include four sons, Ralph W. Byrd and Ray L. Byrd, both of Houston, Randell L. Byrd of Conway, and Ronald S. Byrd of Bryant; two daughters, Carolyn J. Harmon of Conway and Karen Laramie of Newalla, Okla.; two brothers, A.J. Jeffryes of Mantua, Ohio, and Harley Jeffryes of Conway; one sister, Velma Corder of Perryville; 25 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services were Monday 2 p.m. at Pleasant Valley General Baptist Church by her sons, the Rev. Randell L. Byrd and the Rev. Ronald S. Byrd, with her grandsons serving as pallbearers. Burial was at Oak Grove Cemetery
near Houston, by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.
Ida Jones
Ida Elvia (West) Jones, 88, of Petit Jean Mountain, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2007.
She was the widow of Johnie A. Jones.
She is survived by four children, Johnie Herman and Helen Jones, Cecil and Kay Jones, Jerry and Harriet Jones, all of Petit Jean Mountain, and Betty Jo Harris of Russellville; one sister, Eva Mae Jones of Petit Jean Mountain; 30 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Ida resided on Petit Jean Mountain the majority of her life, where she was a devoted, loving and caring wife and mother. She was most happy when surrounded by her family and friends. Ida was a hardworking woman who enjoyed gardening, canning, quilting, sewing and RVing. She was a quiet, gentle lady with strong character.
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, at the Harris Chapel with burial at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Allen Holloway, Jeremy Jones, Andy Jones, Jason Jones, Joshua Majors, James Tanner, Clayton Jones, Matthew Jones and Kenneth Tanner.
Arrangements were by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.
Roger Kithcart
Roger Joseph Kithcart, 22, of Birdtown, died Sunday, June 24, 2007.
He was a computer enthusiast.
Survivors include his parents, Laurel and Clay Alexander of Birdtown; one sister, Katie Kithcart of Birdtown; one great-grandmother, Gladys Sams of Birdtown.
The family will conduct a memorial service 2 p.m. Saturday at the Springfield Church of Christ with Dickie Chance officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in memory of Roger to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital or to the animal shelter of your choice.
Cremation arrangements by Rosewood Cremation of Morrilton.
Father DeSalvo
Father Raphael DeSalvo, O.S.B., 87, who had been the fifth abbot of Subiaco Abbey from 1974 to 1989, died 1:48 p.m. June 23, 2007.
Louis James DeSalvo was born on Oct. 7, 1919, to Tony Luke and Josephine Rossi DeSalvo in Center Ridge, Ark. He was the second of 19 children, 16 of whom survive him, including Brother Tobias DeSalvo, O.S.B., of Subiaco Abbey.
Father Raphael was preceded in death by his stepmother, Frances (Paladino) DeSalvo, and two brothers, Henry J. DeSalvo and Abraham C. DeSalvo.
After completing the elementary grades in 1934 at Catholic Point School in his hometown, he entered Subiaco Academy and graduated with the class of 1938. He received the Academy’s gold medal for Christian Doctrine in 1935 and 1936 and the medal for Latin in 1937.
Louis DeSalvo continued his studies in our college and seminary, professing his vows as a monk of our monastery on Sept. 14, 1940, receiving the name Raphael. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Albert L. Fletcher at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock on May 31, 1945. Following his ordination, Father Raphael studied at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning a doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1949 with the thesis: “The Dogmatic Theology of the Intention of the Minister in the Confection of the Sacraments.”
In the fall of 1948 he began teaching in the Abbey’s major seminary and became Rector of the seminary in 1950, a position he held until 1963. He also taught Religion and Latin in Subiaco Academy from 1948 to 1960. From 1960 to 1963 he served as Novice Master and Formation Director for monks preparing for the priesthood.
In 1963 Father Raphael was appointed superior of the group of four monks sent by Abbot Michael Lensing to found the mission monastery of St. Mukasa Priory at Port Harcourt, Nigeria, West Africa. He remained prior until the Priory was forced to dissolve in 1967 because of the Biafran War.
After his return from Africa, Father Raphael served as administrator of St. Joseph Church in Paris, Ark, until his appointment as Prior of Subiaco Abbey in 1968.
When Abbot Michael Lensing resigned as Abbot in 1974, Father Raphael was elected the fifth Abbot of Subiaco Abbey, a position he held for 15 years. One of his major responsibilities was the development of Santa Familia monastery in Belize, Central America, which had been founded by the Abbey in 1971 to replace the Nigerian mission. The centennial of the founding of the Subiaco Abbey was held in 1978, and was marked by the dedication of a performing arts center, Centenary Hall.
Abbot Raphael served as President of the Swiss American Congregation of Benedictine Monasteries from 1978 to 1984.
A heart attack and other health issues caused Abbot Raphael to offer his resignation as Abbot at age 70 in November 1989, with the hope of continuing to serve the community in a less demanding capacity.
With the permission of the Abbot President of the Swiss American Congregation, after his resignation as Abbot he returned to the title “Father.” From 1990 to 1999 he was pastor of St. Ignatius Church, Scranton, Ark., and its mission parish of St. Meinrad in Prairie View, Ark. In 1999 he was appointed pastor of St. Scholastica Church, Shoal Creek, Ark., where he served until March 2007; since then he has resided in the Abbey Health Center.
Father Raphael was known for his amiability and sense of humor. He was famous for his love of hot peppers and pepper sauce, causing him to be featured in an article in the Fort Smith Times Record titled “The Pepperhead Priest of Scranton.”
As pastor he had a welcoming rectory filled with memorabilia, joke items and a wide collection of hot sauces. He helped many Catholics back to the full practice of their faith.
In the early 1990s Father Raphael represented the Abbey at the 100th anniversary of the city of Subiaco, West Australia, at the invitation of the mayor, his good friend Tony Costa. The Mayor of Subiaco, Italy, was also present to complete the theme of the three Subiacos.
He is survived by 11 sisters and five brothers: Sister Marie Rose DeSalvo, O.S.B., Fort Smith, Clara Granger, Edmond, Okla., Emma Petty and Augustine DeSalvo, Shelby, Ohio, Virginia Lambert, Carmichael, Calif., Michael DeSalvo, Dallas, Patricia Hart and Margaret Hart, Springfield, Christine Koch, Delores Hartman, and Angela Malik, Morrilton, Antonette Hall, Greenbrier, Brother Tobias DeSalvo, O.S.B., Subiaco, Tony J. DeSalvo, Thomas P. DeSalvo and Beatrice Miller, Center Ridge.
A Christian Wake service was held at 7 p.m. Monday, June 25, 2007; the Liturgy of Christian burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, in Saint Benedict Church at Subiaco. Interment was in the Abbey Cemetery
under the direction of Roller Funeral Home of Paris.
Memorials may be made in Father Raphael’s honor to Subiaco Abbey-Monk Education Fund.
May he rest in peace.
Reads to return to Arkansas
A funeral-memorial mass for Ed and Katie Read will be held on Saturday, July 7, 1 p.m. at the St. Elizabeth Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Read were members of the St. Elizabeth community from 1965 until 1993, when they returned to their native Seattle due to health issues.
Ed Read designed and built the Arkansas Kraft paper mill at Oppelo and was general manager until he retired in 1983 to become a Deacon of the St. Elizabeth Church. He also served on the Quorum Court and was principal at Sacred Heart school for a year.
Katie Read was a local activist on the political scene and extremely busy in the state Democratic Party. She also served on the Quorum Court for two terms and was a volunteer at St. Anthony’s Hospital.
Ed passed away on Oct.24, 2006, and Katie joined him Dec. 15, 2006.
Their last wishes were to return to their beloved St. Elizabeth for their final earthly resting place.
A burial will follow the mass, as well as a reception with the family in the St. Elizabeth Parish Hall.
Merlin Moody
Merlin “Toad” Moody, 71, of Casa passed away, Sunday, June 17, 2007, at Conway Regional Medical Center after a long and valiant fight with cancer.
He was born Feb. 25, 1936, in Keo, Ark., a son of Howard Moody and Cynthia (Haygood) Moody. Toad was a loving man who touched the heart and soul of all who knew him. He was a machinist for 35 years, an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, and beloved member of the First Baptist Church of Oppelo.
He leaves behind his wife of 43 years, Frankie (Robinson) Moody of Casa; son, Curtis Moody and daughter-in-law Stacey of Casa; sisters, Joyce Caple of Haskell, Helen Robinson of Altheimer, Betty Kemmerer of Farmersville, Calif.; brothers, Earlin “Curley” Moody of Scott, and James Hogun of Mount Juliet, Tenn.; granddaughters, Kerstie, Allison and Raeleigh Moody, all of Casa.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, at First Baptist Church of Oppelo with Bro. Gene Tanner, Bro. Don Robinson, and Bro. Ben Leonard officiating. Burial will be at Fitch Cemetery
by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.
Pallbearers will be Eddie Rathjen, Charles Tankersley, Tony Edmonson, Bill Ward, Chris Robinson, and Greg Robinson.
‘Ginni’ Langner
Margaret Virginia “Ginni” Langner, 88, passed away July 10, 2007, at her home in Hayward, Calif.
Virginia was born in 1918 to James and Clara (Collins) Nickel of Missouri. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bernard “Barney” J. Langner Sr.; three brothers; and four sisters.
She is survived by her children, Pamela Brownlee of Morrilton, Barney Jr. and wife Denise Langner, Kristin Strege, Deidre and husband Kenneth Meyers, and Laurie Langner, all from California; eight grandchildren, Heather Williams and Jennifer Lewis, Russellville, Shane Craig, Missouri, Jamie and Devon Strege, California, Mackenzie Strege, Arizona, Sarah Meyers, California, and Adam Meyers, Nevada; five great-grandchildren; and three great-stepgrandchildren.
Virginia joined the Navy during World War II; she served as a radio operator with the WAVES. Later, as both a loving mother and homemaker, she was a dedicated Campfire Girl leader, teaching young girls for six years. She volunteered her time with the PTA, where she was honored as a lifetime member.
She was an avid reader and a part-time gardener; she was honored with many ribbons, including Best of Show, at the annual Alameda County Fair.
She will be buried during a private family ceremony at Irvington Memorial Cemetery.
Johnny Turner
Johnny Aldie Turner, 60, of Houston/Harris Brake area, died Wednesday, July 11, 2007.
He was a Vietnam veteran, life member of the American Legion and a DAV. He was an accomplished musician. He was born Feb. 27, 1947, in Hollis, the son of I.L. “Bill” Turner and Leta Powers Turner.
Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Martha Sue Turner; a son, Carl Dewayne Duvall of Dardanelle; three daughters, Barbara Brown of Fort Wayne, Ind., Carla Piearcy of Perry, and Leslie Goodrich of Greenbrier; two sisters, Judy Johnson and Sharon Waid, both of Dardanelle; one brother, Ken Powers of Hollis; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.
Funeral services were Saturday at Jesus Name Pentecostal Church in Hollis with the Rev. Jimmy Turner officiating. Interment was in Goats Bluff Cemetery
in Hollis. Arrangements were by Cornwell Funeral Home of Dardanelle.
Pallbearers were Van Short, Jim Reedy, Leon Burke, Jim Ellison, Rick Owens, and Farris Holiman.
Pauline Cullum
Pauline Aline (Mayall) Cullum, 83, of Morrilton Sunday, July 8, 2007.
She was born Jan. 1, 1924, in England, Ark., a daughter of Marcus Leonard Mayall and Icie (Maxwell) Mayall. She was the widow of Ermon L. Cullum, and of the Assembly of God faith.
Survivors include her daughter, Deana Gasaway of North Little Rock; son, David Cullum of Little Rock; twin sister, Christine Cook of Morrilton; one granddaughter; and one great-granddaughter.
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Friday at Harris Chapel with Bro. John Chapman officiating. Burial was at Kilgore Cemetery
by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.
Clyde Turner
Clyde Bowden Turner, 88, of Morrilton, died Wednesday, July 11, 2007.
He was born March 4, 1919, in Conway County, the eldest child of George and Eunice Turner. He was a retired house painter. During his 40 years as a painter, he worked for Jim Carey, Wayne Lilley and Wayne “Corky” Lilley Jr. He was a member of the Morrilton First Assembly of God Church where he had served in previous years as Sunday School Superintendent and deacon.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Fable M. (Stringer) Turner; one daughter, Barbara Young of Morrilton; three brothers, George Turner Jr. and Roy Paul Turner, both of Morrilton, and Jerrel Turner of Atkins; three sisters, Mary Sanders and Euna Mae Gibby, both of Morrilton, and Claudia Stracner of California; five grandchildren, Kelly Chism of Morrilton, Kenny Turner of Russellville, Karen Craddock of Fairfield, Texas, Natalie Rauch of Bryant and Wayne Young of Little Rock; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth R. Turner; and one sister, Wilma Jean Urquhart.
Funeral service was 10 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2007, at the Morrilton First Assembly of God Church with Bro. Trent Gabbard officiating. Interment was at Elmwood Cemetery
by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.
Pallbearers were Kenny Turner, Wayne Young, Brandon Turner, Carroll Chism, David Craddock, Curt Sanders, Randy Gibby, and Corky Lilley.
Bernard Cotton
Bernard Ewitt Cotton, 82, of Greenbrier, died Sunday, July 8, 2007.
He was born Nov. 7, 1924, in Greenbrier, to James Wilson Cotton and Maggie Lee (Satterwhite) Cotton. He joined the Army in 1942 and retired in 1969. He served in World War II and the 
Korean War and three tours in Vietnam. He was a Searcy police officer for several years. He was the widower of Dorothy Elizabeth Bain Cotton.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Glenn (Thomas) Cotton; two brothers, Aaron Chester Cotton of Jacksonville and James Corbin Cotton of Little Rock; two sisters, Betty Keen of Roland and Jeanette Rambin of Greenbrier; four children, Vona Lee Thompson of Perryville, Bruce Wayne Cotton of Nashville, Tenn., Sherry Lee Baltz of Little Rock, and April Susanna Reynolds of Phoenix; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was 1 p.m. Thursday at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Greenbrier with Patrick Dickens officiating. Interment will be tonight at Arlington National Cemetery
in Arlington, Va.
Pallbearers were William Baltz, Michael Baltz, Trinity Gentry, Barry Cotton, Larry Cotton and Stephen Cotton.
