OBITUARIES: Westside Eagle Observer

— Ida Arnold

Ida Belle Arnold, 83, of Colcord, Okla., died May 8, 2012, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale.

She was born Nov. 6, 1928, in Delaware County, Okla., to Tom Wyly Sisson and Alma Rose Morgan Sisson. She was a lifetime resident of Delaware County and was a homemaker. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, fishing and listening to music. She married Ray Dean Arnold in Toneece, Okla., on April 11, 1949. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Colcord.

She was preceded in death by her husband; one son, Jimmy Ray Arnold; one brother, Bill Sisson; and one sister, Mae Bird.

Survivors include three sons, Leslie Arnold and wife Corlis of Colcord, Tommy Arnold and wife Linda of Tulsa, Okla., and Rodney Arnold of Colcord; one daughter, Frances Blackfox and husband Beaver of Kansas, Okla.; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were May 11 at the Church of Christ, Colcord, with Larry Ellis and Terry Wofford officiating. Burial followed at Blackfox Cemetery near Kansas, Okla. Arrangements were byWasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.

Joshua Atkins

Joshua Derrick David Atkins, 21, of Gentry, died May, 13, 2012, at his home.

He was born Dec. 14, 1990, in Gravette, son of Jack David Atkins and Charlotte Sue Evans Atkins. He was a graduate of Gentry High School and attended Northwest Arkansas Community College. He attended the Assembly of God Church.

Survivors include his father and mother of Gentry; one brother, Kyle David Atkins of Gentry; his biological parents Derrick Lee Beeks and Rhonda Renee Atkins; and his grandfather, Willard Beeks of Watts, Okla.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Friday, May 18, at Wasson Memorial Chapel, Siloam Springs, with Logan Shelley officiating. Burial will follow at Gentry Cemetery in Gentry. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 17, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs. Arrangements are by Wasson Funeral Home.

Melissa Gerulski

Melissa Marie Gerulski, 20, of Gravette, died May 6, 1012.

She was born on August 25, 1991, in Tawas City, Mich., to Michael Gerulski and Lynne Reou Gerulski. She was raised and educated in Michigan and Arkansas.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Survivors include her mother, Lynne Gerulski of Gravette; two sisters, Sarah Gerulski of Gravette and Emily Southard and husband Michael of Centerton.

A memorial service was held May 11 at Bella Vista Lutheran Church. Arrangements were by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, Bella Vista.

Timothy Morris

Timothy Ray Morris, 48, of Gentry, died May 11, 2012.

He was born Sept. 10, 1963, in Russellville, to Ray Anthony Morris and Willa Womack Morris. He was a graduate of Arkansas Tech in Russellville and went on to coach basketball at Prairie Grove, Liberty Hill, Texas, and Omaha. He was also a convenience store owner.

He was preceded in death by his father and his grandparents.

Survivors include one son, Addison Morris of Gentry; one granddaughter, Isabelle Morris; hismother, Willa Kennedy of Gentry; two sisters, Janie Parks and husband Mike of Gentry, Susan Morris of Fayetteville; two brothers, Tony Morris and wife Regina of Gentry, Clark Morris and wife Jenni of West Siloam Springs, Okla.

Funeral services were May 14 at First Baptist Church in Gentry, with Robin Cowin officiating. Burial followed at Gentry Cemetery in Gentry. Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.

Myrtle ‘Eslo’ Overholser

Myrtle Eslo Overholser, 88, of Gravette, died May 9, 2012, at her home.

She was born June 24, 1923, in Edson, Kan., to Gail Austin and Lillian Britton Austin. She was raised and educated in Kansas and attended Hays College in Hays, Kan. She married Marvin Eugene Overholser on April 2, 1942, in Goodland, Kan. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery and cooking.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; grandson Joshua Ruben Burrow; three brothers and two sisters.

Survivors include one son, Lesley E. Overholser and wife Lillian of Hot Springs; three daughters, Bonita Patricia Rowland of Bentonville, Nina Pilkington of Gravette, and Becky Puryear and husband Tim of Bella Vista; 20 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held May 12 at the Bella Vista Funeral Home Chapel, in Bella Vista. Arrangements were by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, Bella Vista.

Donald Slemp

Donald Slemp, of Decatur, died May 12, 2012, in Bentonville.

He was born Nov. 28, 1957. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a master sign craftsman for Milford Sign.

He is survived by his wife, Tina Slemp; a son, Lance Wail; and three grandchildren.

Arrangements are by Epting Funeral Home.

Faith Whitcomb

Faith Denise Whitcomb, 52, of Decatur, died May 3, 2012, in Bentonville.

She was born May 17, 1959, to Robert and Doris Whitcomb and was raised for two decades in Escondido, Calif., where she attended the local Seventh-day Adventist School in San Pasqual Valley. At age 19, she moved to Gentry. She mowed lawns, planted trees in Louisiana, and later worked for Simmons, Northwest Arkansas Poultry, and Peterson’s. She attended the Decatur Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Survivors include two sisters, Roberta and Paul Nygaard of Rifle, Colo., and Marcella and Ray Trussell of Escondido, Calif.

A memorial service was held May 12 at the Decatur Seventh-day Adventist Church, with Benton Robinson officiating.

News, Pages 4 on 05/16/2012