John Henry Bates II, of Hazen, passed away July 13, 2021 at the VA Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas with his family present. John was born October 30, 1961.

He was the son of John Henry Bates and Syble E. Bates. John was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, Talbert and Myrtle Bates and Clem and Winnie Moore and several cousins, aunts, and uncles.

He is survived by his sons, John H. Bates III and wife, Kayla and Morgan Lee Bates; his grandchildren, Riley Nicole, Jenden Lynn, Zaden Lee, Jaylen Ann and Haven Faith Bates; his sister, Judy Bates Warren; his nieces, Abby Brown and Katy Saul and three great-nephews, Kenner, Kolton, and Ryder.

John was active in Boy Scouts as a boy and later attended college at SAU Tech in Camden. John joined the Army in 1982. While in the Army he drove and operated the tank, face to face with enemy forces. John was a kind hearted man that loved his family immensely. He liked to hunt and fish and enjoyed his free time on the river. In his final days he spent every day with his grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, July 17, 2021 at the Riverfront Park on the Biscoe side of the White River officiated by Mark McMullen. Burial will be in Shady Grove Cemetery in Clarendon.

Marvin “Mart” Dell Thaxton, Jr., age 66, of Carlisle, passed away Saturday, July 10, 2021. Mart was born June 29, 1955 to Marvin and Carolyn Thaxton in Newport, Arkansas. He grew up there where he graduated from Newport High School. Mart moved to Carlisle in 1977, where he met the love of his life, Cindy. They were married November 18, 1978. Mart began farming his family farm that year as well. He spent the next 41 years farming and enjoyed the last 16 years working beside both his sons, Keaton and Clayton.

Mart was known for his mischievous wit and storytelling. He never met a stranger and treated everyone the same. Mart was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish, especially with his grandchildren. Mart was known for his generosity and integrity. He was always willing to give his time to a good cause. He served on the Farm Bureau board for over 30 years and served one two year term as President. Mart also gave his time to the Bayou Meto Board for over 30 years and the Farm Service Agency Board for 9 years. He was currently serving on the Board of Directors for First State Bank where he had given over 26 years of service.

Mart was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Carolyn Thaxton. He is survived by his loving wife, Cindy, and two sons, Keaton (Lindsey) and Clayton (Elizabeth). Mart is also survived by his five grandchildren, Fisher, Collin, Cash, Steele and Bentley and his two sisters, Becky (Mike) Henderson and Gail (Frank) Fogleman as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Carlisle First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 11 a.m. A visitation preceding the service will be held at 10 a.m. and burial at Carlisle Cemetery will immediately follow the service. The family has requested memorial contributions be directed to the Wade Knox Child Advocacy Center,1835 SW Front Street, Lonoke, AR 72086 and the Carlisle First United Methodist Senior Food Pantry, P.O. Box 417, Carlisle, AR 72024.

Rice farmer, avid sportsman and local community leader Steve Chlapecka Jr., whose smile and laughter was known throughout the Grand Prairie, died on July 6, 2021 in Hazen, Ark. He was 86.

Steve was born on April 3, 1935 in Slovak, Ark. to Olga and Steve Chlapecka Sr. who preceded him in death. He was also preceded by his sister, Marie. A 1954 graduate of Hazen High School and second generation rice farmer who had a lifelong passion for duck hunting, Steve cared deeply about his family and giving back to his community.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Reta, and three children, Donna (James Coleman), Steve (Allyson) and Nancy and two sisters Dorthy Riddell and Angie Simpson. He relished his role as Papaw to three grandchildren, Steven Chlapecka, Caleb Coleman (Becca) and Jordan Chlapecka and two great grandchildren Cailey and Livvy Coleman.

Known to many as “Big Steve” both due to his stature and to his generosity to friends and neighbors, he was a beloved member of the Hazen community. So much so that Steve’s school yearbook said: “What would London do without Big Ben? What would Hazen do without Big Steve?”

When farming wasn’t enough to keep him busy, he found plenty of time to give back to his community. Steve served on the Hazen School Board for 15 years, Hazen Fire Department for 30 years, the Riceland Foods Inc. Board of Directors for 18 years, and Riceland Foods Hazen Branch Board of Directors for 40 years. He also served as a member of Prairie County Sheriff Patrol Volunteer Auxiliary and the Jaycees. Steve was a faithful, lifelong member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Stuttgart.

Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. and the funeral service at 2 p.m. at Hazen First Baptist Church on Friday, July 9 with interment immediately following at Slovak Lutheran Cemetery in Slovak, Arkansas. Arrangements by Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. Memorials can be made to Slovak Lutheran Cemetery and Emanuel Lutheran Church in Stuttgart, Ark.

Ashton Charles Weems, 28, of Hazen went to his heavenly home on July 3, 2021. Since July 28, 2015 Ashton spent his forever with the love of his life, Lucy. On November 17, 2016 and January 18, 2019, he welcomed his two handsome sons, who were the most important part of his life. Ashton was a devoted father and avid hunter. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending endless hours working in the shop with his friends. He was known as the man that would drop whatever he was doing to help whoever, whether that be a stranger or a friend. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family and all who knew him.

Ashton was preceded in death by his grandparents, Homer and Edna Weems and John Dayton and Bernice Mae Singleton.

Ashton is survived by the love of his life, Lucy Lott; his children, Jase, Knox, and Mila Weems; his father, Ricky Weems; his mother, Wanda Singleton Weems; his siblings, Tyler and Molli Weems, his niece, Zoey Weems and many loved family and friends.

Funeral services will be 3:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at the Westbrook Funeral Home Chapel in Hazen. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 3:00 P.M., in the chapel prior to the service. Burial will be in the Hazen Cemetery.

On Thursday, July 1, 2021, Robert Joseph Brasko passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside. He was a life long resident and farmer of Slovak, Arkansas. He was born June 17, 1941 to the late Joe and Helen Brasko.

He was a graduate of Hazen High School Class of 1959. After graduation, he served 6 years with the National Guard while beginning his farming career. He married Judy Chudy Brasko on June 26, 1965. They raised 3 children and 7 grandchildren. He was a parishioner and parish council member of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Slovak.

Robert was a proud member of the 4^th Degree Knights of Columbus and Grand Prairie Assembly. He was also a member of the Prairie County Democratic Central Committee, board of director of Prairie Farmers Association in Hazen and Catholic Charities Disaster Response Team. He was dedicated to being an agent and board member of Farmers Protective Insurance for 29 years and owner of Sawdust Industries Unlimited (his custom woodworking).

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and oldest son, Rodney. He is survived by his wife, Judy; son, Robert (Bob) Brasko and wife, Annette; daughter, Annette Sterl and her husband, Hans. He was an amazing and proud grandfather and mentor to Victoria, Alexandria, Francesca, Noah, Brianna, Alyssa, and Julianna.

On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, visitation will begin at 9:30 – 10:40 a.m., Rosary will begin at 10:40 a.m. and Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. in Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Slovak. Burial will be in the parish cemetery by Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen. Memorials may be made to Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.

James Douglas DeVorak, 71 of Judsonia was born October 21, 1949 to the late Dwight F. DeVorak and the late Dorothy Sanders DeVorak. He lived his childhood life growing up in Hazen, Arkansas. After graduation from high school, he worked as a farmer in Carlisle for a number of years.

After a few years, he moved to Des Arc and started a fertilizer business. That business was successful and he gained a large number of friends in Prairie County.

After about twenty years, he moved to Cabot and sold cars for Ron Campbell Ford.

Doug moved to Judsonia about 17 years ago. He retied in his early 60’s and spent his time with his wife and children.

Doug is survived by his wife, Cynthia DeVorak and his children, Kevin, Mathew, LeAndra, Benjamin, Rebecca, and Jonathan. He is also survived by his brother, Larry and his sister, Beth; 15 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Andrea and his ex-wife, Royce Ann.

Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M., Saturday, June 26, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Hazen with visitation from 11:00 to 1:00 prior to the service. His brother, Larry will be officiating and interment will be in the Hazen Cemetery.

Sandra Kay (Sandy) Crowly Tom, age 77 of Searcy, formerly of Hazen, went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 9:30 p.m. Sandy graduated from Hazen and attended Texas Women’s University. Growing up she was very fond of horses, and was a talented singer and piano player. Sandy was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hazen and also attended the Gospel Mission Church in Des Arc.

For years, she had a Hazen Playschool and kindergarten. Her playschool and kindergarten children were the love of her life. Sandy later became a caregiver for years, which fit her love of people so perfectly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, C.W. (Bill) and Leona Crowly, the father of her children, Larry White and her husband, Theodore (Ted) Tom and her daughter, Jennifer.

Sandy is survived by two daughters, Melanie Morris of Searcy and Amanda Forest-Lam and husband, James of Ashland, Virginia; grandchildren, Justin Morris and wife Joy, Jordon Morris and wife Mallory, Brittany Easter and husband, Jeremy, Lindsey Gammill, Clover and Christopher Forest-Lam, Savanna, Ciara, and Serenity Barnette, A.J. Preiss and Josh and Tyler Barnette and several great-grandchildren and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Friday, June 25, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Hazen. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M., prior to the service at the Church. Burial will be in the Hazen Cemetery.

Wyatt Ernest Raper of Conway was born June 1, 2021 and passed away in his sleep on June 7, 2021.  Wyatt is the infant son of Matthew and Jani Raper of Conway and brother, Brayden.  Survivors include his grandmothers, Deborah (Plafcan) Ransom of Fayetteville and Rita (Collins) Raper Anderson of Hazen and aunts, uncles, and a host of cousins.  He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jack Ransom and Prairie county sheriff, Randy Raper.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Center Point Cemetery in Hazen.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to local churches and Charities. Arrangements by Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen.

Tammy Edge, 59 of Hazen died Monday, June 7, 2021.  She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Hazen.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Frances Edge and nephews, Andrew Bowen and Phillip Abrams.

She is survived by a sister Wanda Tiner of Stuttgart and her brother, Ricky Edge and wife, Marilyn of Hazen, her aunt, Dean Gunnell and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at the Westbrook Funeral Chapel in Hazen.  Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 prior to the service.

Burial will be in the Hazen Cemetery.  The family requests memorials be made to

the Calvary Baptist Church in Hazen, the Hazen Cemetery or the American Diabetes Association.

Rickey Kloss, 62, of Hazen, Arkansas passed away June 1, 2021 with his daughter by his side. Rick enjoyed playing the guitar, being around his kids, family, and friends, especially his grandchildren. Rick loved to tell jokes and never met a stranger. He could always put a smile on someone’s face.

Rick was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Givens; father, Richard Kloss; two brothers, Butch Kelly and Tony Kelly and his first love, the mother to his kids, Rhonda Faye Kloss.

Rick is survived by his children, daughter, Christina Cole and husband, Paul and their children, Peyton and Colton Cole; his son, Chad Kloss and his children, Alley and Alania Kloss; his sister, Angela Kloss and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews that he held dear to his heart and one special friend, Michelle Loftis.

Funeral services for Rickey will be Saturday, June 5, 2021 at the Oasis Church in Hazen. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at 11:00 a.m. by Bro. Teddy Walker. Interment will be in the Hazen Cemetery.