Karen Drotar Fitts, age 64, of Benton passed away Monday, January 18, 2021. Karen worked for the Civitan Services in Bryant, Arkansas in the H.R. Department. She loved arts and crafts and really liked to travel especially on cruises. Karen grew up in Slovak, Arkansas attending Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her father, Bobby Drotar and two sisters, Monica Lane and Carmen Lane.

Karen is survived by her husband of 30 years, Chester “Dusty” Fitts; two brothers, Terry Drotar and John Drotar and wife, Pam both of Slovak; her mother, Adelaide Drotar; sister, Paula Coburn of Des Arc; two sons, Jason Rymer and wife, Mel of Hempstead, Texas and Shay Rymer and wife, Rena of Little Rock; step-son, Jarrett Fitts and wife, Hilda of Medesto, California; 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren and a very special friend, Patricia Manning of Hawaii.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Friday, January 22, 2021 at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Slovak. Graveside service will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 23, 2021 at the Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Cemetery in Slovak.

Virginia “Sissy” Stock Vanderpool, age 75, of Hazen, entered her Eternal Home on “Angels Wings” on January 8, 2021, at Springhill Baptist Health Center, North Little Rock.

Sissy was born on January 21, 1945. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cleveland D. Stock, Sr. and Margaret Stock, and brothers Del, Duke and William “Bill” Stock. She is survived by her soul mate James Freese of Hazen, Brother Bobby Terhune (Nancy) of North Little Rock, step-daughter Heather Vanderpool Zitzer of Little Rock, sister-in-law Kaye Stock of Hazen and several special nieces and nephews and special friend Donna Bednar.

Sissy was a life-time member of the Hazen United Methodist Church. She loved her church family and her Lord. Sissy was small and petite in stature, but she made up for that with her witty personality and determination. Those that knew her, were aware of her being able to hold her own in any situation. When you earned her trust, you earned her love and devotion. As her nieces and nephews were growing up, Sissy loved them as if they were her own children and spoiled them every chance she got.

Over Sissy’s lifetime, she had numerous employment adventures, but none compared to her employment for years with the Lagrue, Land & Irrigation Duck Club. The members were special friends and she loved them all like family.

A graveside service will be conducted by Bro. Chris Wright and Bro. Christian Van-Houten, Monday, January 18, 2021, at 2:00 pm at the Hazen Cemetery. Face Coverings and Social Distancing will be required. Memorials may be made to the Hazen United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 712, Hazen, AR 72064. Arrangements by Westbrook Funeral Home-Hazen.

Ronald Wayne Bearden, Jr., age 65 of De Valls Bluff, Arkansas passed away on December 28, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald W. Bearden, Sr., J. Vance Coffman, and Virginia Coffman and his sister, Gail Adams.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Angela Alsbrook (Troy); his sisters, Debbie Foster and Linda “Clyde” Coffman, and his Aunt, Ludene Treadway, along with many nephews, nieces, and beloved friends.

A memorial service will be 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 16, 2021 at the De Valls Bluff Cemetery Pavilion. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Cla-Cliff Nursing and Rehab Center in Brinkley, Arkansas.

Edward “Ed” Franklin Williams, 90, of De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2020 in his home surrounded by his children. Ed was born September 21, 1930 to Neeley and Irene (Howard) Williams. Ed married Donna Faye (Chesser) on July 19, 1951.

Ed Williams was a Godly man that adored his family and would do anything for them. A hard-working man that spent hours at the Riceland Dryer just to provide for his family. A veteran of the armed forces who served for the love of his country. An avid hunter who enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with friends and family around the campfire.

Ed Williams is survived by his three children, Loretta Whittenburg and husband, Charles of Valley View, Texas, Rebecca King of Stinnett, Texas, and James Edward Williams and wife, Janice (Edge) of De Valls Bluff. Eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and one sister, Lucile (Williams) Prince and husband, James of Biscoe, Arkansas and several nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Neeley and Irene (Howard) Williams, his brothers, W.L. “Bud” Williams and Earl Eugene “Gene” Williams and sisters, Betty Jean Williams and Hazel Overturf; his wife, Donna Faye (Chesser), and a great grandson, Shane Anthony Whittenburg.

Visitation will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the De Valls Bluff First Baptist church, service will follow at 11:00 AM. Ed Williams nephew, Boyd Riba will be officiating. Burial will be at the Oakland Cemetery in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen. Pallbearers will be Danny Baxter, Jackie Roach, Dustin Rogers, James Ed Williams II, David Inman, and Chris Krouskup. Honorary pallbearer will be Charles Ray Whittenburg.

Trecil Lindy (Skinny) VanHouten, 91, of Hazen, went to be with his heavenly father on December 30, 2020, at home with his daughter, Melissa VanHouten Marks and extended family.  Skinny was born on February 24, 1929 in Tollville to Commie and Viola Mathis VanHouten.  His wife, Juanita Hogan VanHouten preceded him in death.  Skinny was also preceded in death by three brothers, John, Leroy, and Rudy VanHouten and two sisters, Charlotte Ivy and Gladys Vick.

Skinny is survived by his daughter, Melissa Van Houten Marks of Hazen and his granddaughter, Loren Marks of Stuttgart.  Skinny is also survived by his brothers, B.R. (Shirley) VanHouten and Kenneth VanHouten of Hazen and two sisters, Bobbie Petty of Hazen and Ruby Petrus of Stuttgart.

Skinny was a retired farmer and after retirement there was not a day that went by when he did not ride to the farm to check things out and visit with family and friends.  He was an easy-going man who was loved by many other family members and friends who knew him.

There will be a graveside service at the Hazen Cemetery on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 3:00 P.M. Pallbearers will be his great-nephews, Timothy VanHouten, Christian VanHouten, Josh VanHouten, Clark VanHouten, Chase VanHouten, and Brayden VanHouten.

Janice Bryant was born December 20, 1958 and went to her heavenly home December 28, 2020.  She was a retired certified critical care registered nurse with the Baptist Health Care System.  Jan was a member of Pleasant Ridge Missionary Baptist Church of Hazen.

Janice was preceded in death by her father, Jerry L. Raper and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

She is survived by her husband of 35 years, David Bryant and her son, Matthew Bryant both of Lonoke; her mother, Shirley Raper of Hazen; brother, Johnny and Becky Raper; sisters, Pam and Charles Tosh and Kim and Jake Nielsen all of Hazen; three sister-in-laws, Kathy Cunningham of Missouri, Betty Briesh and June Brown of Oklahoma and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Services will be Friday, January 1, 2021 at Pleasant Ridge Missionary Baptist Church with viewing a 1:00 P.M. followed by services at 2:00 P.M.  Bro. Joe Mills and Bro. Jesse Tosh will be officiating.

Pallbearers are Raymond Raper, John Frazier, Trenton Wiggins, Shelton Kitchens, Larry Forte, and Jesse Tosh.  Honorary pallbearers are Doyle Fort, Ronnie Parham, Pete Tosh, Randall Mills, Gene Nobles, and Fletcher Ingle.

The family requests that everyone please follow the CDC guidelines and wear a mask.

Gerald Wayne Guenther age 83 passed away on December 23, 2020 at the Maple Healthcare facility.  Wayne as he was known by was born on July 30, 1937 in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas to Joseph David and Lillian Mabel (Gaddy) Guenther.  He married Virginia Ellen Todd on October 16, 1959.  In January 1961, he joined the United States Army.  After completion of basic and advance training he was stationed in Turkey.  Upon an honorable discharge, he took up farming in Sparkman, Arkansas.  He also worked at Riceland foods in Stuttgart, Arkansas until he was hired by the De Valls Bluff School District as the bus mechanic/driver.  After twenty plus years of service he retired.  After retirement, he could be found in his shop working on vehicles and farm equipment with his brother, Jim Guenther.  They spent many a day tinkering around on vehicles or just sitting around the wood stove. Listening to them reminiscing about the good ole’ days and listening to the stories of them growing up on the Grand Prairie will always be a treasured and cherished part of our lives.

In December 2007, he married Mildred Starr whom he had known since he was in the second grade.  Together they enjoyed their “golden years”.  They got to spend almost thirteen years of wedded bliss together until alzheimer’s began to affect him.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia of forty-three years, one sister, Virginia Faye, and two brothers, Donald and Shorty.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred; three sisters, Alice, Marie, and Betty Ann; two brothers, Jimmy and Charles Lynn; daughter, Penny (James) Castilaw and her step-son, Timothy Mink of Greenbrier; one son, Todd (Miranda) Guenther of DeValls Bluff; two granddaughters, Brittany Guenther of Olrey, Texas and Taylor Walicki of Des Arc; two great-grandsons, Kayson and Bo Walicki and a whole host of nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to extend a special thanks to the nurses, cna’s, and staff at the Maple Health Care facility for the care and attention they provided for our dad during his time spent there.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Peppers Lake Church, 4431 Knauff Road, De Valls Bluff, Arkansas 72041.

Barbara Ann Prine, age 77, of Hazen, passed away on December 26, 2020.  She was born in St. Charles, Arkansas on June 8, 1943 to Arthur V. Hill, Sr. and Irene Hill.  Barbara retired in 2015 from being a life-long bookkeeper.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father, Calvin Fraize; her brother, Arthur V. “Butch” Hill, Jr., and sister, Inez Taylor.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Raymond Prine; her children, Robin Prine, Barry Prine, and JoAnn Prine Elias.  She is also survived by her sisters, Jerrilea Kee and Sue Tchoepe and brother, John Fraize.

Graveside services will be 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at the Hazen Cemetery with Bro. Wayne Snider officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, ALZ.org.

Kenneth Clinton DePriest, age 83, died Thursday, December 24, 2020, after complications from pneumonia and cancer.  He was born April 16, 1937 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Oran Roy DePriest and Rebecca Dollie Irene Pewitt.  He was a beloved veteran of the Navy and Air Force who loved telling stories, reading westerns and driving.  Ken was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill, sister Betty, grandson Jason Michael, and loving wife, Mary.  He is survived by his sister Cheryll and husband, Stephen Shull of Jasper, Missouri; son Michael DePriest and wife, Barbara Weatherley DePriest of Hazen, Arkansas; daughter Michele and husband, Jim Gass of San Tan Valley, Arizona; daughter Melissa and husband, Ray Siegel of Tigard, Oregon; and all of their family members, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren as well as Ken’s adopted and foster children.

Patricia Alice Nix, age 78, of Carlisle, passed away December 23, 2020.  She was born July 23, 1942 in Texarkana, Arkansas and was a nurse.  She is survived by her husband, Charley Nix; one daughter, Kimberly (Neal) Stephens; one son, Devin Nix (Kathy) and five grandchildren, Rebecca, Rachel, Noah, Madison, and Hannah.

A family memorial will be held at a later date.