BELLA VISTA — Helen Ferry

Helen Ferry, 93, formerly of Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich., Suttons Bay, Mich., and Bella Vista, Ark., died Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Ark. She was born Sept. 23, 1918, in Milburn, Ill.

She was a registered nurse and graduated from St. Therese School of Nursing in Waukegan, Ill. She practiced nursing at Bon Secours hospital in Grosse Pointe, until she retired in 1975. She and her husband, William, moved to Gravette, Ark., and then to Bella Vista. They were active in the square dance and round dance community. She was a volunteer for Helping Hands in Bentonville and the Gravette Library.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William; her son, William Brain Ferry; her parents; and six siblings.

Survivors include her daughters, Dawneane K. Munn of Lincoln, Neb., and Deborah Robbins of Princeton, N.J.; grandsons, Andrew Suddith, Matthew Robbins, William Brian Ferry Jr., R. Todd Ferry and Scott Ferry; and two greatgrandchildren.

A celebration of her life was Saturday, Sept. 1, in the fellowship hall at the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be given to the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista.

Phoebe Jane Johnson

Phoebe Jane Johnson, 80, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Ark. She was born Jan. 15, 1932, in Tierney, Mo., to HerbertG. Bowers and Margaret Jane (Grady) Bowers.

She had lived in manyplaces prior to moving to Bella Vista in 1989. She enjoyed golfing, sewing, traveling around thedied Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Ark. He was born May 20, 1926, in St. James, Minn.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked for Marigold Dairy of Mankato, Minn., for more than 35 years. He loved, supported and was on the board at the Bella Vista Animal Shelter for more than 25 years. He loved playing racquetball and traveling. He didn’t know a stranger and was a very kind person.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Sarah Leines.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Judy Leines of Bella Vista; four daughters, Caroyn Michels, Dianne Moore, Darlene Bohnert and Christine Christion, all of Mankato; one stepson, Doug Miles (Lisa) of Albuquerque, N.M.; stepdaughters, Donna Miles (Joe Savage) of Gentry, Ark., and Nicole Miles of Bella Vista; and seven grandchildren, Sara Miles, Conner Miles, Katie Savage, Joseph Savage Jr., David Savage, Alexandra Savage and Wyatt Coggins.

A celebration of his life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13 at the Bella Vista Funeral Home Chapel, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter.

Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Thomas Charles Meyer

Thomas Charles Meyer, 74, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Sept. 6, 2012. He was born July 29, 1938, in St. Louis, Mo., and grew upin Dallas, Texas.

He attended Jesuit High School and graduated from Arlington State College. Most memorable of his college career was being part of the Sam Houston Rifles, a crack performance rifle team.

He and his wife, Jeri, married on Sept. 6, 1958, and had children Lianna and Adam. Tom’s lifelong career as a federal computer analyst with the U.S. Department of Agriculture took them to Kansas City and Washington, D.C., where he also enjoyed being “Chief Silver Knife” for his daughter’s Indian Princesses group and the first band booster president for Woodbridge High School, Va.

Upon retirement, they moved to South Carolina, where Tom took his passion for golf to a new level as a Marshall for the LPGA Tour, which he continued to do after his move to Arkansas. When they moved to Bella Vista, Tom was active in the Knights of Columbus and his volunteer role at Northwest Medical Center.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jeri; two children, Lianna and Adam; three grandchildren, Adam and Sami LaLiberte and Iris Meyer; a sister, Kathy Kidd; two brothers, Mike and Larry; nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends.

A rosary was said and Mass of the Resurrection was held Sept. 10 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista. Arrangements were by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Parkinson’s Association.

Online condolences may be made at www.

funeralmation.com.

Linda Lee Shaw

Linda Lee Shaw, 65, lost her two-year battle with cancer on Sept. 5, 2012. She was born Feb. 14, 1947, in Kenosha, Wis., to Walter and Erna (Richter) Stein.

She was a member of the first graduating class of Tremper High School in 1965. She graduated from Racine College of Cosmetology and was a beautician at local salons, including Esther’s Beauty Salon in Kenosha.

She married Jerry Shaw on Oct. 1, 1966, at Immanuel Methodist Church in Kenosha. They later retired to Bella Vista, Ark., where she resided until her death.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading as much as possible, listening to music, playing with her grandson and helping others through Stephen Ministries.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Erna Stein.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry; her two children, Jonathan Shaw of Bella Vista and Bethany (Matthew) Perri of Bristol, Wis.; her grandson, Jackson Perri; her sister, Lorraine (Richard) Firchow of Kenosha; and her sister-in-law, Delores Knigge of Lake Zurich, Ill.

A memorial service and private interment were Saturday, Sept. 8, at the United Lutheran Church of Bella Vista. A remembrance gathering will be held at a later date in Bristol. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Circle of Life Hospiceor the United Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Col. Gordon W.

Vacura

Col. Gordon W. Vacura, DVM, 94, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Sept. 5, 2012, at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Ark. He was born March 26, 1918, in Jackson, Minn., to Joseph and Mary Vacura.

He graduated from Jackson High School in 1936. He attended the University of Minnesota and Kansas State University, graduating with a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1943.

He was united in marriage to Mary Alberta Wainscott in 1944. They spent the next 30 years in the military serving in Yugoslavia, Japan, Okinawa and Korea. He retired from the military as curator of the National Medical Museum. Upon retirement, he accepted an appointment as chief of meat inspection for the state of Maryland until 1988, when he relocated to Bella Vista.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alberta; parents, Joseph and Mary; brothers, Rudolph and Harold; and sisters, Helen Betlach, Alice Palmer and Gladys Olson.

He is survived by his longtime companion, Ilale Hunt; and many nieces and nephews.

Burial with full military honors will take place in Jackson, Minn. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.

Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

News, Pages 4 on 09/12/2012