William Blankenship II

William Thomas "Will" Blankenship II, 33, of Highfill, died Dec. 26, 2013, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.

He was born Oct. 22, 1980, in Rogers, to Dr. William Thomas and Cecelia Renee "Cece" Holland Blankenship. He enjoyed music, writing poetry and good food.

He was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his daughter, Sofiya Elizabeth Blankenship of Bentonville; parents, Cece and Dennis Collier of Springdale; sister, Lacey Shaw and husband Richie of Springdale; brothers, Mark Blankenship and wife Sally of Springdale, Gentry Collier and wife Katherine of Bentonville, Justin Collier and wife Stephanie of Springdale; and grandparents, Bruce and Mary Holland of Highfill.

A memorial service was held Jan. 3 at Cross Pointe Community Church.

Anna Hickman

Anna Elvena Hickman, 87, of Gravette, died Dec. 25, 2013.

She was born April 8, 1926, in Childress, Texas.

Survivors include her husband, Ambrose; three children; six grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held Dec. 31 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery near Hiwasse. Arrangements were by Callison-Lough Funeral Home of Bentonville.

Elizabeth Holtsman

Elizabeth "Libby" Marie Holtsman, 62, of Sulphur Springs, died Dec. 30, 2013, at Circle of Life Hospice - Legacy in Bentonville.

She was born on Jan. 21, 1951, in Morehead City, N.C. She loved cooking for friends and family and spoiling her puppies.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Chickie Danforth; one brother and one sister.

She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Darrel F. Holtsman of Sulphur Springs; two sons, Lonnie Boyd of Bentonville, and Darian Holtsman of Joplin, Mo.; four daughters, Billie Jo Napier of Springdale, Dawn Backus of Ridgedale, Mo., Melinda Cobb of Virginia, and Debra Koehner of Fla.; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A gathering of friends and family for a time of food and fellowship will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, Bella Vista.

Vickie Morrissey

Vickie Morrissey, 63, of Gravette, died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at her home.

She was born May 18, 1950, in Arkadelphia, to Laura Ray and Lewis Cecil Fisher.

She was preceded in death by her father.

She is survived by one son, David Morrissey; one daughter, Laura Marie Morrissey; her mother, Laura Fisher of Bella Vista; one brother, Michael Fisher; and two sisters, Patty Baker and Debbie Schultz.

Services will be at a later date in Friendship. Arrangements are by Epting Funeral Home of Bella Vista.

James Olson

James Leonard Olson, 83, of Gentry, died Jan. 4, 2014, at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehab, Siloam Springs.

He was born July 8, 1930, in Chicago, Ill., to Otto George Olson and Paulina Louise (Karbach) Olson. He married Imagene Alice Ritter in Anaheim, Calif., in 1952. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War and retired from the Navy in 1968. He lived in Gentry since 1975.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Lillian Marie; and one great-granddaughter, Carter Faye.

Survivors include his wife, Imagene; one daughter, Cathleen Faye Young of Everett, Wash.; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

There will be a private family service. Arrangements are by Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.

Darilyn Hill Szalay

Darilyn Hill Szalay of Muskogee, Oklahoma, died at her home on Monday, December 23, 2013.

She was born to Jack and Fran Hill on February 1, 1972, in San Diego, California. She lived most of her life in Hiwasse, Arkansas, until marrying her skydiving instructor, John, in 1998 and moving to Muskogee, Oklahoma. She graduated from Gravette High School in 1990.

She is survived by her husband, John Szalay of Muskogee, Oklahoma; her parents, Jack and Frances Hill of Hiwasse, Arkansas; sister, Debra Hill-Hankins (Jeff) of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; brother Darren Hill (Tena) of Bentonville, Arkansas; Nieces, Whitney & Bethany Hill, of Bentonville, Arkansas; Olivia Bryan of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; and nephew Maxwell Bryan of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; along with numerous dear friends and relatives.

Darilyn lived an adventurous and exciting life, was best known for her wit and ready smile, and tried to be the best friend she could be.

There will be a "Celebration of her Life Gathering" on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., in the Community Room at the Hiwasse Fire Station, 13690 Firehouse Lane in Hiwasse, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her name to the Brain and Behavioral Research Foundation, at 90 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or any other mental health organization that may be close to your heart.

PAID OBITUARY

Obits on 01/08/2014