Gravette News Herald Obituaries

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Nellie Woods

Nellie Woods, former long-time Gravette area resident, who lived in Hermiston, Oregon, died Saturday, March 13, 2010, in Oregon.

Burial will be at a later date at Lee Cemetery northwest of Gravette.

Donald Martin

Donald L. Martin, 53, of Gravette, died Friday, March 12, 2010, in Rogers. He was born June 17, 1956, in Borger, TX, the son of J. L. Fern and Mildred Mizar Martin.

Mr. Martin was an ammonia refrigeration specialist. He was a member of First Christian Church in Gravette.

Survivors include his fiancé, Martha Jeschke; two sons, Donald Martin, Jr. and Timothy Martin, both of Gravette; one daughter, Daniva Martin of Siloam Springs; one brother, Bruce Martin of Baldwin City, KS; one sister, Deborah Jones of Alexander, AR; and six grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, March 15, at the First Christian Church in Gravette. Burial was at Benton County Memorial Cemetery in Rogers under direction of Callison-Lough Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Feed My Sheep Food Pantry in Gravette.

Ronald Pessa

Ronald L. Pessa, 49, of Gravette, died Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in Gravette. He was born April 12, 1960, in Pasadena, CA, the son of Raymond and Virginia Lee Haynes Pessa.

Mr. Pessa was a machinist.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Pessa of Gravette; one stepson, James Sontag and wife Katrina of Gravette; two stepdaughters, Kristina Sontag of Centerton and Jennifer Wood and husband Richard of Gentry; two brothers, Bob and Ray Pessa, both of Yucca Valley, CA; one sister, Margo Howlett of Temple City, CA; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Saturday, March 13, at First Baptist Church in Gentry with Robert Andrews and Eric Roberts officiating.

Arrangements were by Callison-Lough Funeral Home.

James Ryan, Sr.

James Henry Ryan, Sr., 77, of Gravette, died Thursday, March 11, 2010, in Fayetteville. He was born April 9, 1932, in Nowata, OK, the son of Walter and Ruby Huff Ryan.

Mr. Ryan was a retired laborer for a machine shop.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; one son, James Henry Ryan, Jr., of Gravette; two daughters, Sue Nowak of Oak Harbor, OH, and Debra Arnold of Noel, MO; four sisters; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Cremation arrangements were by Nelson Berna Funeral Home of Fayetteville.

Lela Patton

Lela Patton, 75, of Decatur, died Friday, March 12, 2010, in Bella Vista. She was born February 20, 1935, in Craig, CO, the daughter of Carroll Pat Dana and Fern Irene Culp.

Mrs. Patton was a caregiver for Gravette Hospital and the surrounding area.

Survivors include three daughters, Jan Perdue and husband Larry of Fayetteville, Doyce Sprinkle of Sulphur Springs and Lorrie Kirk of Decatur; one brother, three grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held Tuesday, March 16, at Butler Creek Cemetery north of Sulphur Springs. Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home.

Bertha Strauser

Bertha Elizabeth Strauser, 58, of Gravette, died Sunday, March 14, 2010, at her home. She was born January 4, 1952, in Noel, MO, the daughter of Ray and Vera Lorene Curtis.

Mrs. Strauser was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Lester Clem Curtis and Carson Leeroy Curtis, and one sister, Tania Ruth Curtis.

Survivors include her husband, Ronnie Strauser of Gravette; one son, Ronnie Alan Strauser of Gravette; two daughters, Kimberly Rene Strauser of Clarksville, AR, and Michelle Lee Strauser of Gravette; two brothers, Windy “John” Curtis of Sulphur Springs and Roy Lee Curtis of Maysville; four sisters, Christy “Kitty” Kirby and Bertie “Peewee” Hance, both of Maysville, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Wheeler of Sulphur Springs and Rita Carol Curtis of Southwest City, MO; and three grandchildren.

No services are planned. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 101 West Emma, Springdale 72764.

News, Pages 3 on 03/17/2010