Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of September 11, 2003 issue: Motorcycle accident claims former Yellville residents by Dale Estes A former Yellville couple died Saturday from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on Arkansas Hwy. 7 in Yell County near Dardanelle. According to an Arkansas State Police report, Johnny E. WELCH, age 52, was killed after the motorcycle he was driving went off the highway and struck a gas main. His wife, Diane L. WELCH, age 41, who was riding on the back of the motorcycle was airlifted to the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock where she died. The couple moved to Harrison from Yellville in 1995. Johnny WELCH was General Manager for Barrett Plastics in Harrison and Dianne WELCH was formerly employed at Millbrook Industries. Two other people were killed in motorcycle accidents on Saturday. A 56 year-old male died after losing control of his motorcycle near Clarksville and near Russellville, a 56 year old female passenger was killed after the motorcycle driven by her husband crashed while trying to avoid a farm tractor. Two motorcycle accidents in Marion County over the weekend resulted in a 58 year-old Springfield man being transported via AirEvac to St. John's Medical Center in Springfield. On Saturday, James was southbound on Hwy. 14 near Wanda's Lane when he failed to negotiate a curve and lost control. The 1997 Harley Davidson laid over on its side ejecting James. Another accident occurred Sunday at nearly the exact same location resulting in minor injuries to a female driver who also lost control in a curve and laid the motorcycle over. Both accidents were investigated by the Arkansas State Police and assisted by the Marion County Sheriff's Department and the Ralph-Caney VFD.
Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of September 11, 2003 issue: Johnny Earl WELCH of Harrison, Arkansas died Saturday, September 6, 2003 at Dardanelle, Arkansas. He was 52. Mr. WELCH was born June 21, 1951 at Cotter, Arkansas the son of Arthur W. and Ruth I. MITCHELL WELCH. He married Diane Lynn HOHIMER. He was the General Manager of Barrett Plastics in Harrison, Arkansas. He moved to Harrison in 1995 from Yellville, Arkansas, where he was a lifelong resident. Survivors include his son of Harrison, AR; three brothersl of Yellville, AR; sisters, one of Yellville, AR, one of Yakima, WA, one of Summit, AR and one of Otto, NC; and two grandchildren of Harrison, AR. His parents, Arthur and Ruth WELCH, preceded him in death. Visitation was held Tuesday, September 9, 2003 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Yellville First Baptist Church in Yellville. Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at the Yellville First Baptist Church. Burial followed in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Yellville with pallbearers and Honorary pallbearers. Arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, Arkansas (870) 449-6621.
Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of September 11, 2003 issue: Diane Lynn HOHIMER WELCH of Harrison, Arkansas died Saturday, September 6, 2003 at the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was 41. Mrs. WELCH was born March 14, 1962 at Springfield, Illinois to Paul Eugene and Janet Elaine HOHIMER. She married Johnny Earl WELCH. Mrs. WELCH was formerly employed in distribution by Millbrook Industries in Harrison, AR. She lived in the Harrison area since 1995 moving from Yellville, AR. She moved to the Yellville area in 1980 from Springfield, IL. Survivors include her son of Harrison, AR; mother of Iuka, MS; sisters, one of Springfield, IL and one of Eureka, CA; and two grandchildren of Harrison, AR. Her father, Paul Eugene HOHIMER, and husband, Johnny Earl WELCH, preceded her in death. Visitation was held Tuesday, September 9, 2003 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Yellville First Baptist Church in Yellville, AR. Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at Yellville First Baptist Church. Burial followed in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Yellville, AR with pallbearers and Honorary pallbearers. Arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, Arkansas (870) 449-6621.
Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of September 11, 2003 issue: Eula Mae CLARK of Yellville, Arkansas died Tuesday, September 2, 2003 in Yellville, AR. She was 91. Mrs. CLARK was born September 24, 1911 at Dodd City, AR to John Henry and Eliza Emily YOCHUM PURDOM. She later married Oscar CLARK. Mrs. CLARK was a retired assembler for Mar-Bax Shirt Co. and a member of the Summit Sovereign Grace Baptist Church. Mrs. CLARK is survived by a son of Tulsa, OK; four daughters, one of Harrison, AR, one of Flippin, AR, one of Yellville, AR, and one of Summit, AR; two sisters, one of Yakima, WA and one of Yellville, AR; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar CLARK; son, Henry CLARK; brother, J.W. PURDOM; sister, Mary ADAMS; and her parents. Visitation was scheduled for Thursday, September 4, 2003 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, AR. Funeral Services were Friday, September 5, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at Burns Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in the Layton Cemetery with pallbearers. Arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home, Yellville, Arkansas 870-449-6621.
Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of September 18, 2003 issue: Harold A. FORTNER of Yellville, Arkansas died Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at Marion County Nursing Home in Yellville. He was 81. Mr. FORTNER was born March 18, 1922 in Cleburne County, Mississippi to Ernest Charles and Mary Alena WALTON FORTNER. Mr. FORTNER worked in construction and as a carpenter. He was also a WWII and Korean War veteran serving in the US Air Force with a rank of Staff Sergeant. He has lived in Marion County since 1969 moving from Texas. He was a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Yellville. Survivors include a brother of Vicksburg, MS; a sister of Utica, MS; eleven nieces, and seven newphes. His parents preceded him in death. Visitation was Thursday, September 11, 2003 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home in Yellville. Funeral services were Friday, September 12, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Yellville, Arkansas. Burial followed in the Fayetteville National Cemetery with pallbearers and Honorary pallbearers and members of the Adult Sunday School Class at the First Presbyterian Church of Yellville. Memorials may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 6, Yellville, AR 72687 in lieu of flowers. Arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, Arkansas 870-449-6621.
Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of September 18, 2003 issue: Lois AUSTIN of Yellville, Arkansas died Friday, September 12, 2003 at her home in Yellville. She was 72. Mrs. AUSTIN was born April 28, 1931 at Alton, Illinois the daughter of Louis and Ellen MILLER WILLIAMS. On June 18, 1955, she married Whitey AUSTIN. She was a housewife and member of the Main Street Church of Christ. Survivors include her son of Plano, TX; daughter of Yellville, AR; one sister of Granite City, IL, one sister of Inverness, FL, one sister of Bethalto, IL and one sister of Jerseyville, IL; her mother-in-law of Yellville, AR; and two grandchildren. Her parents and husband, Eugene "Whitey" AUSTIN, preceded her in death. Graveside services were Monday, September 15, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at Georges Creek Cemetery in Yellville, Arkansas. Visitation was private. Memorials may be made to the Main Street Church of Christ in Yellville, AR or to the Hospice. Arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, Arkansas (870) 449-6621.
Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of September 18, 2003 issue: Artelah BILLINGS STILL, 52, a resident of Farmington, AR died September 14, 2003 at Fayetteville, AR. She was born April 20, 1951 at Harrison the daughter of Virgil George and wife BILLINGS. She attended the Church of Christ in Farmington, AR. She graduated from Farmington High School in 1969. Her hobbies included crocheting, reading, and her unicorn collection. She was preceded in death by her father, Virgil George BILLINGS and one brother, Alva Don BILLINGS. Family received friends Tuesday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove. Survivors include one of Cabot, AR; three sons, two of Farmington, AR, one of Fayetteville, AR; and their father, of Wrightsville, AR; her mother of Farmington, AR; one brother of Germany; two sisters one of Fayetteville, AR and one of Farmington, AR; two grandsons, one of Cabot, AR and one of Farmington, AR; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles as well as a host of friends. Funeral Services were Wednesday, September 17, 2003, 10:00 a.m. at the Farmington Cemetery Pavilion in Farmington, AR with burial in Farmington Cemetery at Farmington, AR. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been set up at any Arvest Bank-GenaKae GUIST and GaNyn SIDEBOTTOM. Pallbearers will be sons, grandsons, and uncles. Arrangements were under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home, Inc, Prairie Grove, AR, (479) 846-2141.
Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of September 25, 2003 issue: Dottie COPELIN RISLEY of Peel, Arkansas died Sunday, September 21, 2003 at Marion County Nursing Home in Yellville, Arkansas. She was 87. Mrs. RISLEY was born December 9, 1915 in Protem, Missouri to Hugh and Bunny HOLLINGSHED COPELIN. She later married Wallie RISLEY. Mrs. RISLEY was a homemaker. She was a lifelong resident of Peel and a member of Peel Baptist Church. Survivors include three sons, two of Peel, AR, one of Harrison, AR; two sisters, one of Springfield, MO and one of Protem, MO; a brother of Wichita, KS; 12 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Her parents; husband, Wallie on January 10, 1984; daughter, Ailine ALLEN RISLEY; two brothers; a sister; and a grandson, Kenneth RISLEY, preceded her in death. Visitation was Tuesday, September 22, 2003 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, Arkansas. Funeral services were Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at Peel Full Gospel Church in Peel, Arkansas. Burial followed in the Peel Cemetery in Peel, Arkansas with grandsons serving as pallbearers. Arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, Arkansas (870) 449-6621.
Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of October 2, 2003 issue: James W. GRANT of Pine Mountain, Yellville, Arkansas did Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He was 80. Mr. GRANT was born April 4, 1923 in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin to George and Katherine ROBINSON GRANT. He later married Mary K. BROTHER. Mr. ROBINSON worked as a maintenance supervisor for Montgomery Wards in Deerfield, Illinois. He moved to the area in August of 1988 coming form Des Plains, Illinois. He was a member of Christ by the Lake Lutheran Church of Bull Shoals. He was a US Army veteran, serving during WWII and Korea. Survivors include a son of Oshkosh, WI; a daughter and son-in-law, of Prairie View, IL; two sisters, one of Concord, CA and the other of Luddington, MI; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary K. GRANT, deceased February 22, 1987; brother, George GRANT; and sister, Dorothy HEAN. Visitation was Friday, September 26, 2003 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, AR. Funeral services were Friday, September 26, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, AR with the Pastor officiating. Burial followed in the Memory Gardens & Mausoleums in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, AR (870) 449-6621.
Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of October 2, 2003 issue: Essie Madlyn MERRIMAN KING, age 80, passed away Thursday morning, September 25, 2003 at home. She was the daughter of Bill and Ollie FRIEND MERRIMAN born on March 7, 1923 at Peel, Arkansas. She married Orville KING on November 7, 1943 and was a lifetime resident of Marion County. She was retired from the Capital Mercury Shirt Company. She is survived by two daughters, one of Anderson Flat and one of Eros; three granddaughters and three grandsons, one great-granddaughter and five great-grandsons; one sister of Lakeway; and one brother of Lakeway. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Orville KING, and second husband, Ray RORIE; granddaughter, Heather RHODES; three sisters, Amy, Dorothy and Elsie; and four brothers, Joe, Guy, Otis and Obert. Visitation was held Saturday, September 27, 2003 at Burns Funeral Home in Yellville. Services were held Sunday, September 28, 2003 at the Peel Full Gospel Church with the Reverend officiating. Burial followed in the Peel Cemetery with pallbearers and honorary pallbearers. Arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, Arkansas (870) 449-6621.
Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of October 2, 2003 issue: Sibyl MILLIGAN AVEY of Harrison, Arkansas died Friday, September 26, 2003 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. She was 77. Mrs. AVEY was born June 2, 1926 at Bruno, Arkansas the daughter of Howard and Alma CARSON MILLIGAN. On September 13, 1947, she married her husband. She was a retired beautician and member of the Northside Church of Christ in Harrison. Survivors include her husband, of Harrison, AR; a son and his wife of Wichita, KS and another son and his wife of Edmund, OK; a brother and his wife of Yellville, AR; a sister, and her husband of Bruno, AR; and five grandchildren. Her parents, Howard and Alma MILLIGAN, preceded her in death. Visitation was held Monday, September 29, 2003 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home in Yellville. Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in the Nanny Cemetery in Yellville with pallbearers and honorary pallbearers. Arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, Arkansas (870) 449-6621.
Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of October 2, 2003 issue: James A. YOUNG of Flippin, Arkansas died Sunday, September 28, 2003 at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, AR. He was 62. Mr. YOUNG was born October 24, 1940 in Monticello, Indiana to Richard W. and Mary Jane ASHLEY YOUNG. On September 3, 1987. Mr. YOUNG moved to the area in 1987 from Calcutta, Ohio. He worked as an Engineer for Avnet Industries. He was a Vietnam Veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy, a lifetime member of the VFW, member of Twin Lakes Gun Club, Marion County Quorum Court member and Reserve Deputy for the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Survivors include his wife of Flippin, AR; two sons, one of Fayetteville, AR and one of Phoenix, AZ; a daughter and; step-mother, Ruth JACKSON of Lafayette, IN; two brothers, one of Phoenix, AZ one Rick YOUNG of Lafayette, IN; a step-bother, of Chicago, IL; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. His parents, Richard and Mary Jane YOUNG, preceded him in death. Visitation was Tuesday, September 30, 2003 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, AR. Services were Wednesday, October 1, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, AR with the Minister officiating. Burial was private. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements were under the direction of Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, AR (870) 449-6621.
Mountaineer Echo Newspaper Week of October 2, 2003 issue: Samuel WATSON of Summit, Arkansas died Sunday, September 28, 2003 at the Twin Lakes Nursing Center in Flippin, Arkansas. He was 79. Mr. WATSON was born August 29, 1924 at Spur, Texas to Samuel W. and Lou WADE WATSON. On August 17, 1947, he got married. Mr. WATSON was employed as a Civil Service Electrical Lineman for Fort Ord, California. He moved to Marion County 17 years ago from Watsonville, California. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and served on the USS DeGrasse during World War II. Survivors include his wife, of Summit, AR; a dughter of Middletown, PA, a daughter of Yellville, AR a daughter of Summit, AR; a brother of Battle Ground, WA and a brother of Holts Summit, MO; a sister of Spring Valley, CA; six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. His parents, Samuel and Lou WATSON; brother, Hubert WATSON; and two sisters, Thelma BASS and Bessie ESTEPP, preceded him in death. Visitation was Wednesday, October 1, 2003 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home in Yellville. Funeral services will be Thursday, October 2, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, AR with the Reverend officiating. Burial will follow in Layton Cemetery in Yellville with pallbearers. Arrangements are under the direction of Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, Arkansas (870) 449-6621.
Marion County, AR - 2003 Obituaries