OBITUARIES

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

A.P. Vohs

A.P. Vohs of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, left this life on earth for his heavenly home on the 28th of January, 2012, at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

He was the only son of Albert Peter Vohs and Golda Irene Mann Vohs, born on September 6, 1928, in McDonald, Kansas.

He was born again on December 18, 1949, in Goodland, Kansas at Calvary Gospel Church.

Reared on a farm near Edson, Kansas, he attended elementary and high school in Edson, graduating in 1946. Having rented his first 320 acres of land when he was 14, he continued farming with his dad on a large acreage. He owned and operated a Grade A dairy in addition to farming.

Darline Roe from Oberlin, Kansas, moved to Goodland to work in a bank, they met and married a year and one day later on June 15, 1947. Their sons, Evan and Randy, were born while living on a farm near Edson.

After he became a Christian he organized and directed Goodland Youth for Christ, holding rallies in various auditoriums on Saturday nights and singspirations on Monday evening in homes. Gideon’s International became a part of his ministry and he was instrumental in organizing the St. Francis, Kansas Camp.

In 1952, he answered God’s call to the ministry of the Gospel. They had a farm auction and made the move to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he enrolled in St. Paul Bible College. Their only daughter, Jan, was born the first day he started college. Not being content to go to classes in the morning, studying in the afternoon and working at nights, and sleeping as time allowed, he began ministering as student pastor at Faith Bible Church, in St. Paul, where he was ordained to the ministry in 1955, then became pastor of that church. He graduated from St. Paul Bible College in 1956, earning a diploma in Bible and Theology. Realizing he needed to pursue further education to be able to support his family adequately, they moved to Denver, Colorado, where he became a student at the University of Denver. In 1958, the family moved to Greeley, Colorado, where he attended Northern Colorado University earning his bachelor’s degree in elementary education and later his master’s degree in psychology and guidance.

While living in Greeley, he became director of Greeley Youth for Christ, also starting a Sunday School in Big Thompson Canyon below Estes Park.

His first teaching position other than being a graduate assistant at the University of Denver and Northern Colorado University was at Ione, Colorado, where he was principal and teacher in the upper elementary grades.

The family moved to Prairie Village, Kansas, in 1961, where he joined the faculty of Calvary Bible College, serving also as Dean of Men. He began pursuing his doctorate in education at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, Missouri. He later completed his Ed.D. in administration and higher education at the University of Arkansas in 1970.

Their last move was to Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where he served at JBU as assistant professor of teacher education, Director of Audio Visuals, Director of Admissions and Supervisor of student teachers. Other places he taught were Northeastern State University at Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in the graduate school; Arkansas State College, Conway, Arkansas, continuing education classes at the Fayetteville West Campus. He also served as interim principal at the Gravette High School in 1975-76, and principal of the elementary school in 1988-89.

He pastored churches in Gravette, Arkansas (First Christian), Bethel and Watts United Methodist Churches in West Siloam Springs and Watts, Oklahoma; Flint Ridge Community Chapel, Oklahoma, Community Church in Climax, Colorado, Grace Bible Church in Siloam Springs and Howe-Savoy Bible Church in Savoy, Arkansas.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Darline of the home; sons Evan Vohs and his wife Dean; Randy Vohs and his wife Connie, both of Siloam Springs; daughter Jan Potter of Siloam Springs; six grandsons, Devin Vohs, and his wife Sandi of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Darren Vohs of Garfield, Aric Potter of Siloam Springs, Nelson Vohs and his wife Betsey, northwest Arkansas, Matthew Vohs and his wife Melanie, Fayetteville, Matt Ochoa and wife Amy of Bentonville; three granddaughters, Erin Pashiewicz and husband Ryan, Megan Saliga and husband Tom, Centerton, Mary Mounce and husband Jerrod, Lowell; nine great-grandchildren; Haddie and Isaiah Vohs, James Riley and Halee Vohs, Jacob, Molly, and Marcus Mounce, Zane and Zoe Ochoa, and baby Pashewicz; 11 nieces and nephews including Tanya Schimon, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Kevin Schimon, Fort Smith; one aunt, Jo Mann, Goodland, Kansas; two brothers-in-law, Bob Schimon, Carrier, Oklahoma, and John Odle, Towanda, Kansas; one god child, Cindy Phillips of Candler, North Carolina; and many others who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elaine Rauscher.

He always said his hobby was working. He also loved to read, enjoyed music, playing the piano and organ and helping others, especially telling them about Jesus and why He came to earth, leaving heaven’s glory.

A.P. enjoyed the business world and owned the Piano and Organ Studios in Fayetteville for 17 years. He purchased the Bible Bookstore in Siloam Springs in January 1965, and operated it for 40 years with the help of Darline and Jan and others.

He was active in civic clubs including Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Ministerial Alliance and serving on the Siloam Springs Planning Commission.

He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and community.

A Celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, February 2, at First Baptist Church, in Siloam Springs, at 2:00 p.m., The Reverend Gairy Osburn, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, will officiate. Viewing will be Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Following the celebration of life, a reception will be held at the church.

A private burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 273. Siloam Springs, AR 72761, or the Siloam Springs High School Scholarship Fund, 700 North Progress Avenue, Siloam Springs, AR 72761.

Arrangements are by Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. With Jesus, that’s where he is; far better, that’s how he is.

This only partially covers the dash between the dates of his birth and the time of his departure.

To sign the online guest book, visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com.

— PAID OBITUARY

Andrew Newbill

Andrew A. Newbill, 98, of Rogers, died Jan. 23, 2012, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale.

He was born July 22, 1913, in Denver, Colo., to Horace A. and Bertha M. Christenson Newbill. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Rogers.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy Newbill; one son, Gary Newbill; and one sister, Elsie Rodgers.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Andy and DeNese Newbill of Lincoln, and Rod and Jean Newbill of Napa, Calif.; one daughter-in-law, Susie Steen of Decatur; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Funeral service was Jan. 28 at First United Methodist Church, Rogers. Interment was in Decatur Cemetery. Arrangements were by Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove.

Nancy Pettry

Nancy Kay Pettry, 62, of Gravette, died Jan. 24, 2012, in Springdale.

She was born June 16, 1949, in Monte Ne, to Jessie Nichols and Sarah Englebright Nichols. She worked for many years as a seamstress and enjoyed reading and spending time with her grandkids. She was a longtime Gravette resident and member of the First Assembly of God Church in Gravette.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Wilbur Smith, her parents, two children and brothers Edward Rice and James Gibbons.

She is survived by her son, Jessie Smith and wife Janet of Gravette; daughter, Tammy Chamberlain and husband Clay of Gravette; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were Jan. 27 at the First Assembly of God Church in Gravette. Arrangements were by Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home of Rogers.

Charles Robertson

Charles P. Robertson, 58, died Jan. 22, 2012, at home in Searcy.

He was born on March 17, 1953, to James J. and Fern Marie (Mattingly) Robertson. He was married 18 years to Brenda (Bradbury) Robertson. His nickname was “coffee man.” He loved working on his 160-acre farm, where he also developed and ran the Deer Run RV Park of Pickens Chapel in Searcy. He helped organize and establish the Hiwasse Fire Department, where he volunteered for 13 years as a training officer and fireman. He also worked for the Benton County Highway Department for many years.

He was preceded in death by his father; brother Leonard; and sister Margaret Truesdell.

He is survived by his wife of Searcy; mother of Hiwasse; son, Adam of Bentonville; stepson, Beau Ahrens of Kansas City, Mo.; brother, William Robertson of Hiwasse; sisters, Shirley Swaftord of Centerton, Teresa Francis of Gravette, and Mary Lou Stephens of Hiwasse; and two grandchildren.

Funeral was Jan. 26 at the Hiwasse Church of the Nazarene. Burial was at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Arrangements were by Callison-Lough Funeral Home.

Raymond Roller

Raymond Lee ”Bub” Roller, 75, of McCune, Kan., died Jan. 23, 2012, at Labette County Medical Center, Parsons, Kan.

He was born Feb. 3, 1936, in Maysville, Okla., to Roy Anderson Roller and Nina Mildred Taylor Roller. He worked as a farm laborer and studied one year at Carol Granderson’s Bible School, Power and Light Gospel Outreach. He married Penny Brooks on Dec. 15, 1980, in Miami, Okla.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife Penny; three brothers, David Newton Roller of Siloam Springs, Louis Richard Roller of Joplin, Mo., and Lester Ray Roller of Copperas Cove, Texas.

Memorial services were Jan. 28 at Dickson Cemetery near Cherokee City, with Bonnie James officiating. Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.

Barbara Staton

Barbara June Staton, 66, of Bentonville, died Jan. 27, 2012, at the Bradford House Nursing & Rehab in Bentonville.

She was born Jan. 6, 1945, in Gravette, to Viola Chloe Armstrong. She was a member of Apple Glenn Chapel in Bentonville.

She was preceded in death by her mother; her husband, Joe Staton; and one sister, Mary Rose Bayless.

She is survived by her daughter, Beverly Roberts of Fayetteville; one son, Mike Staton of Springdale; one grandson; and one greatgreat-grandson.

Graveside services were held Jan. 31 at the Coffelt Cemetery in Decatur, with Rodney Gruver officiating. Arrangements were by Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home.

Edward Stevenson

Edward Gene “Ed” Stevenson, 54, of Highfill, died Jan. 27, 1012, at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville.

He was born March 13, 1957, in Licking, Mo., to Charles and Carrol Sullins Stevenson. He married Peggie Lyn Johnston on July 2, 1977, in Pomona, Calif. He owned Ace Muffler & Brake in Lowell and was a member of Ozark Mopar Club and the Nash Back At Ya Club. He enjoyed driving his Mopar muscle and classic cars, motorcyles, and spending time on the computer.

He is survived by his wife Peggie Stevenson, of the home; two children, Wesley Stevenson of Bentonville and Jeniece Stevenson Drake and husband Jimmy of Springdale; his parents of Houston, Mo.; a sister, Jondalyn Robles of Pomona, Calif.; and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Revival Tabernacle Church in Springdale with Dale Johnston officiating. Interment will be at Hickory Creek Cemetery.

Lena Talvitie

Lena Lee Talvitie, 90, died Jan. 27, 2012, at Quail Ridge Living Center in West Siloam Springs, Okla.

She was born June 7, 1921, in Burkburnett, Texas, to Henry and Katy (Warren) Owen. She was employed with Peterson Farms, where she was a research assistant.

Survivors include her children, Alina Johnson of Winston, Ore., Meridith Witcher of Tillamook, Ore., Arnold Talvitie of Battleground, Wash., Lee Talvitie of Dalhart, Texas, Francie Kottre of Tillamook, Michelle Stanley of Watts, Okla., and Kelli Talvitie of Gentry; siblings Rose Nell Coats and Warren Owen, both of Stamps, Wilbur Owen of Wills Point, Texas, and Jesse Owen of Frankston, Texas; 21 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and six great-greatgrandchildren.

A celebration of Lena’s life will be held in Texas at a later date.

Roy Tucker

Roy Lee Tucker, 91, of Maysville, died Jan. 27, 2012, in Bella Vista.

Roy was born in Maysville on Jan. 4, 1921, to Charles Kenion Tucker and Nora Belle (Haddock) Tucker, the 12th of 14 children. He lived in California for a time and then returned to his hometown. He raised laying hens and sold eggs. After retiring from the egg business, he opened Tucker’s Garage on Main Street in Maysville. He married Billie Lou in 1946, and they spent 59 years together.

He was preceded in death by his parents; many brothers and sisters; his wife; and two sons, Cortney Tucker and Ronald Tucker.

He is survived by his children, Johnny Lee Tucker and wife Mary, Don Tucker, and Eric Tucker and wife Shanna; A brother, James David Tucker; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were Jan. 30 at the Maysville Cemetery. Arrangements were by Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers.