George Klassen Dechow II, 72, a resident of Grandview passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2018. He was the only child to the late George Klassen Dechow and Clarcie Hooper-Dechow.  He was born on September 18, 1945 in Traverse City, Michigan.

He is survived by his only son James Austin Springer and his wife Misty; a grandson Benjamin Springer and a host of cousins and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076.501-982-3400.

Chris Griffin, 31, left this life on Thursday, May 31, 2018.

He was born in Lake Village, Arkansas on July 1, 1986, to Joe and Deborah Norwood Griffin. He and his family moved to Brinkley, where he attended Brinkley Public Schools and later, East Arkansas Christian School, where he graduated. He grew up on the family property in the country. At a very young age, he developed a love for farming inherited from past generations of family farmers. He helped his dad on the farm during his growing-up years. Later, he worked for Clifton Farms, Roger McGraw Farms, Keith Kellar Farms, Chappell Farms and a stint where he farmed for himself, always staying faithful to his love of the land.

Chris was preceded in death by grandparents Woodrow and Ruth Griffin and Bryson, and Mary Louise Norwood, and two aunts, Shirley Griffin Rippee and Helen Allen.

He is survived by his parents, Joe and Debbie Griffin of Cotton Plant; two sisters Amanda Griffin Reed of Walker, Louisiana and Stephanie Griffin of Cotton Plant; Nephew Zack Reed and a very special nephew Remington Rogers; four nieces, Blair, Courtney, Lauren, and Gracie, a host of cousins, and many good friends, and his beloved cat, Miss Kitty.

Memorial Services will be Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 2 PM at Cotton Plant First Baptist Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400.  

Linda Darlene Manzey, age 69, of Royal, passed away on June 4, 2018.  She was born in Enid, Oklahoma on February 10, 1949, to Clyde and Doris George.

Survived by her mother, loving husband, two children, five grandchildren. 

Cremation arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076.  501-982-3400. 

Carl Lyn Schofield, 60, of Bismarck, Arkansas passed away on Friday, June 1, 2018.  He was born on May 19, 1958 in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Bobbie Lee Schofield and Beverly Pauline Bailey-Schofield.

Carl was a loving husband, a caring and nurturing father and inspiration to all that knew him. He always had a smile on his face and a joke in his lips. He was a man of many talents and loved the outdoors. 

He is survived by his loving wife Penny Kay Schofield, three children; Jacob, Dillon, and Megan, as well as three grandchildren; Jesse Lewallen, Rileigh Lewallen and Kailey Schofield. He is also survived by his two brothers; Paul Schofield, John Schofield; two sisters; Edna Sue Holt and Nancy Langman as well as a host of nieces and nephews.  

A Family hosted memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 7^th at 3 P.M. at DeRoche Missionary Baptist church in Bismarck and a celebration of life will be held afterwards at 481 Edgewood Drive in Bismarck.

Arrangements are under the trusted direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, in Jacksonville, Arkansas. 501-982-3400.

Mark Brenden Wells, 39, of Little Rock passed away on Saturday, June 2, 2018.  He was born on November 13, 1978 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

He is preceded in death by his father Travis Leon Wells.

He is survived by; his mother Brenda Wells; his brother Mathew Wells and his girlfriend Kayla Benjamin; his three children Brendan, Ivory and Jordan.

Service arrangements are pending and have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400

Michael Wayne McKinney, 55 of North Little Rock, Arkansas passed from this life on Monday, June 4, 2018. He was born on January 6, 1963 in Warren, Arkansas.

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400 

Elilzabeth Grant, 81, of Benton, Arkansas, passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2018. She was born June 25, 1936 to the late Wayne Hutchison and Anna Cutler-Hutchison.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076.

Becky Lou Moffett, 56 of Austin, Arkansas passed away on Saturday, June 2, 2018. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on September 16, 1961 to the late Lester Tumey and Martha Lucille Ward- Tumey. 

Becky is also preceded in death by a daughter Sonya Moffett, and two brothers Charlie Tumey and Derrell Tumey.

She is survived by her son; Micah Moffett (Mikki) of Cabot, her two daughters;  Jasmine Moffett, Rebecca Moffett, future son in law Joseph Zodrow, two grandsons; Mason Moffett , Tristan Laughy, one sister Linda Lawson (Bobby) and her significant other Charles Garland. 

Becky was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She enjoyed camping, going to the lake, dancing, music and loved Razorback football.  She will be missed by all who knew her. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 3:00 P.M. at Grace Fellowship Church, 601 West Elm, Cabot, Arkansas

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076.       501-982-3400

Robbie Baswell, 61, Beebe passed away on Tuesday, June 5, 2018.  He was born in Searcy, Arkansas on January 19, 1957 to the late James Irvin Baswell and Dorothy Alline Mason-Baswell.

Robbie was a very kind, loving, big-hearted man that was full of life.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Terry Baswell.

He leaves behind the love of his life Patsy May Baswell; a brother James Baswell of Searcy, Arkansas, three children Tina Pace, Curtis Lindsey and Thomas Lindsey, a sister Patricia Baswell of Kensett, Arkansas, a sister Peggy Scott (Ronnie Jones) of Griffithville, Arkansas, his special dog Lilly, several nieces, nephews and nine grandchildren.

A visitation service will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at Life Fellowship Assembly of God, 3319 Highway 36, Searcy, Arkansas with funeral services to follow at 11:00 A.M.  Interment will be held at Fairbanks Cemetery, Quitman, Arkansas.

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076.  501-982-3400.

Howard Eugene Davis(Burr), 80, of Sherwood, Arkansas passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2018. He was born on April 22, 1938 in Newport, Arkansas to the late Albert Eugene Davis and Sarah Ellen Malone-Davis.

He served for two years in the United States Army and retired from the United States Airforce after 30 years of service as Chief Master Sargent.

He was preceded in death by two brothers Billy Joe Davis and Albert Ray Davis and one sister Kathy Davis.

He is survived by his loving wife Norma Lee Davis; he was a proud father and father-in-law to his children James “Spanky” Anthony Davis and wife Sharon, Richard “Ricky” Eugene Davis and wife Rhoda and Keith Davis.  He has five step-children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who love and will miss him deeply. 

Graveside services will be held Monday, June 11, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076.

501-982-3400

Patricia Anne (Granny) Maynard, 77 of White Hall, Arkansas passed from this life on June 6, 2018. She was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on July 20, 1940 to the late Calvin and Nadine Perry. Patricia loved her family and being a home maker.

She is also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Samantha Jacks and a sister, Joan Cooper. Patricia is survived by her husband of 58 years, Garland Maynard; four children, Tanya Jacks, Tim Maynard (Peggy), Todd Maynard, Chassa Maynard (Tommy); grandchildren, Stephanie Jacks (John Elliott), Brittany Raburn (Erich), Tyler Maynard; great-grandchildren, Corinne Fowler, Hayden Jackson, Daphne Elliott, Kylie Raburn, Dexter Elliott; son in law Doug Jacks and a host of other family and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076.

501-982-3400. 

Shirl Standridge, 63, passed away on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. She was born October 16, 1954 in Hawthorne, California. She is preceded in death by her father Delbert Standridge Sr. and her great niece Denise Standridge. She is survived by her mother and step-father Jean and Ervin Freeman; sister, Brenda Kampman; brother and sister-in-law, Delbert Standridge Jr. and Shannon Standridge; nieces and nephews, Daniel, Cortney, Sara, Alex, Becca, Nathan, Jodi, Summer, Calvin, and many other family and friends.

Shirl’s wish was for everyone to be kind to one another.

Arrangements are under the direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076.

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Kenneth W. Johnson, 88, (AKA Papa Ken) passed away on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert N. Johnson and Betty Amy Welch Johnson; two wives, Maxine Buchanan and Paula Johnson.

After moving to Little Rock from Tulip, Arkansas, his single mother found work as a worker in a sewing factory.  He held many jobs as a teenager, including working in a grocery store and laying carpet. His professional career started at Retail Credit in the 1950’s and he became an insurance salesman with Penn Mutual in the 1960’s. From there he became involved in monthly parking lot management where he became an expert in teaching his sons to run lawnmowers, weed eaters and how to stripe a parking lot.

His hobby was horse racing and he and Paula enjoyed their many trips to Oaklawn. He became a horse owner and had success at the tracks in Louisiana. He also became a champion boat driver, taking his sons, nieces and nephews on many water skiing trips around Lake Hamilton.

He is survived by his sons; Rob Johnson (Shirley), Gregg Johnson (B.B.) and Terry Johnson (Rochelle) and a special daughter, Kerry Jacobs (Hulet); in addition to serval nieces and nephews. His two grandchildren, Robyn Johnson and Ryan Johnson held a special place in his heart.

A celebration will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 9^th, 2018 at the Town Pump in Little Rock, Arkansas. This was one of his favorite places to eat and socialize.

Please make a donation to the Lions Club in Lieu of flowers. Helping the visually impaired was important to him.

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076.

501-982-3400.

Bill Palmer Duncan, 64, of Sherwood passed away on June 7, 2018. He was born on May 13, 1954 in, Shephard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas to the late John Lee and Freida Louise Duncan.

He served in the United States Air Force as a Photo Journalist in the United States Navy.

He is survived by his mother Freida Duncan; his three brothers and one sister; Dewaine Duncan (Debbie), Brian Duncan (Melissa), Anthony (Tony) Duncan (Missy), Tina Elliott and one very special nephew Hayden Elliott; along with ten nieces and nephews and seven great-nieces, nephews and two more on the way.

Graveside service with Military Honors will be held on Friday, June 15, 2018 at 9:00 A.M. at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 West Maryland, North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400

Michael Darell Sikes (Mike), age 79, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2018. Mike was born April 30, 1939 in Aurora, Missouri. 

Mike began his career in the shoe industry cutting shoe patterns right out of high school and remained in the shoe industry until retirement.  He worked for several companies including Monroe, Hushpuppy, Sebago and Wolverine. He specialized in shoe design and pattern making, and his expertise took him to several other countries.

One of his most noteworthy accomplishments was designing the boots for the 1976 Winter Olympic Team. He personally hand braided the zipper pulls, and his kids helped attach the brass Olympic clasps on the braids. Mike also enjoyed playing golf.  

 Mike was proceeded in death by his wife, Judy Sikes, his parents, Joseph Warren Sikes and Jewel Helen Long Sikes, his brothers, Kenneth Warren Sikes and Richard Sikes, and his sister, Carolyn Sue Leffington.

Mike is survived by his daughter, Paige Robinson, his two sons, Tim Sikes (Vicki), and Marty Sikes (Jennifer); Dana Zyskowski (Paul), Jim Black (Bec), Chip Black,  and Matt Black (Lindsey); nine grandchildren, Megan Peterson (Rob), Laura Greenwood (Alan), Derek Sikes, Anna Rosenthal (Tyler), Julie Robinson, Tory & Abby Zyskowski, Bella & Charley Black; one great granddaughter, Brighton Greenwood; his sister, Marilyn Phillips; as well as three brothers, Terry Sikes (Kathy), Gary Sikes (Leesa), and Craig Sikes (Debbie).

Cremation arrangements are under the trusted direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400.

Chaplain (Col.) Benjamin F. Kelley, 90, died on June 9, 2018.  He was born on August 31, 1927, in Jamestown, Arkansas to Tinsley Vaughn Kelley and Margie Kelley. He is survived by his wife, Mary Cook, who he married on August 24, 1945. He is also survived by sons Benjamin Kelley, Jr., of Montgomery, Alabama, Bruce (Peggy) Kelley from Batesville, Arkansas, and John (Gretchen) Kelley from Cassopolis, Michigan, and his sister, Bettie Sue Sage of Tremont, Illinois. He was blessed with nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Grace Kelley and Lavon Barnes, daughter in law Kathryn Kelley and two great-grandchildren, Kathryn and Micah Kelley.

Ben graduated from high school in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in 1945 and from Arkansas College in 1950. He graduated from the Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1956. He served as a Corpsman in the Navy at the end of World War II. He pastored in churches in Arkansas and Missouri from 1950 until he became an Air Force Chaplain in 1960. During his career he was stationed in Colorado, France, California, Korea, Nebraska, Iceland and Arkansas. At the time of his retirement he was the Staff Chaplain for the 15^th Air Force Headquarters. His military decorations and awards included the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation. Ben served as a Volunteer Chaplain for the FBI in Little Rock for several years. He was also very active visiting people in the area hospitals and homes. He belonged to the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville and was a 32^nd Degree Mason.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 13 from 4:00 to 7:00pm at A Natural State Funeral Home in Jacksonville with Masonic services at 6:30pm. The funeral service will be on Thursday,  June 14 at 10:30am at the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville with burial to follow at the Arkansas Veterans Cemetery at 12:00pm.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to the First Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 

501-982-3400.

Donna Darlene Buck, 51 of Austin, Arkansas passed away Sunday, June 10, 2018. She is survived by her husband Charlie Buck of Austin, AR; mother & father Sandra & Walter Hutchison of Fairmount, IN; sister Barb & Scott Coffman; step sisters Carol Anne & Vanessa; brother Richard & Tina Wright & Brian Hutchison; children Dustin & Heather Jackson; nieces & nephews Carla Quintero, Josh Thomas, John Wright, Heather Foy, Teddy Rife; father & mother in-law Charles & Louise Buck of Lonoke, AR; Catherine & Gary Young of Bella Vista, AR; Stephanie Buck of Bauxite, AR; host of other nieces, nephews & friends.

Donna will be laid to rest on Friday June 15, 2018 at Oaklawn Cemetery in DeValls Bluff, AR at 11:00 am.  Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street Jacksonville, AR 72076. 501-982-3400. 

James “Danny” Tolbird, Sr., 73, of El Dorado passed away on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.  He was born in Monroe, Louisiana on January 27, 1945 to the late James Lewis and Lyda Gale Tolbird.

He proudly served in the United States Army and worked on the Trans Alaska Pipeline.

He is survived by his children Dawn Rainey (Jerry) of Crossett, Arkansas and James De Tolbird, Jr. of St. Francisville, Louisiana; two grandsons Courtney Rainey (Michelle) of Bastrop, Louisiana and Adam Rainey (Felicia) of Crossett, Arkansas; five great-grandchildren Bryson, Korbin, Nadelynn, Nathan and Samuel; a sister Suzanne Walker and a nephew Damon Walker both of West Monroe, Louisiana.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, June 15, 2018 at South Main Baptist Church, 2801 South Main Street, Crossett, Arkansas with funeral services beginning at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow at Egypt Cemetery, Hamburg, Arkansas

In lieu of flowers all memorials maybe made to South Main Youth Ministries, Crossett, Arkansas or Green Acres Baptist Church, Bastrop, Louisiana.

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076.

501-982-3400.

Austin Lee Samples, 24 of Austin, Arkansas passed away on Monday, June 11, 2018.  He was born on July 26, 1993 in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

He is survived by his loving wife Ashley Samples; two beautiful daughters Adalee Grace Samples and Abagail Faith Samples, his father Robert Lee Samples, his mother Michelle Atchison and step-father Mike Atchison, his twin brother Blake Samples, a sister Tiffanee Miller (Ryan), grandmother Jeanette “Memee” Hare, grandfather Michael Hare, his in-laws Shane Wooley (Cherise) and mother-in-law Christie Hunt (Eric), a brother-in-law Kolby Hankins and two sisters-in-law, Lori Wooley and Lexie Hankins as well as host of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.    

He is preceded in death by his grandfather Leroy Samples.

Austin was a loving husband, father, son and brother. He proudly served in the Army National Guard and loved his family.  He enjoyed riding motorcycles, spending time with his family and friends and most of all he loved playing with his daughters.  

The family asks that donations be made directly to the funeral home to help with his services.  

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 15 from 5 P.M. – 8 P.M. in the chapel at A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville.  Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 11:00 A.M. with internment at Sand Hill Cemetery in Newport, Arkansas.

Gary A. Hall, 55, of Jacksonville passed away on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 in Utah. He was born on July 6, 1962 in Jacksonville, Arkansas to Guthery and Ramona Hall.

He is preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his mother Claudine, sister Debra Howell, son Christopher of Tulsa, Oklahoma, daughters Amber McCoy of Nebraska, Tausha Clark of Idaho, three grandchildren Trenton and Tanner McCoy of Nebraska and Elizabeth Clarke of Idaho.

Inurnment services will be on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. at  Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Cabot, Arkansas.

Arrangements are under the trusted direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400.