Marvel Hickson

Marvel Hickson, 88 of Gravette, Arkansas, died July 29, 2018 at her home. Born July 20, 1930, in Luton, Iowa, she was the daughter of Emil Ronfeldt and Margie Dowdy Ronfeldt. Marvel and Lester Hickson were married August 20, 1947. She was a homemaker and raised her large family most of her life. After the death of her husband in 1997, she worked for the Decatur School District in the cafeteria for 13 years, where she was known as baby grandma by most of the children there.

Her greatest source of pride was her huge family and she found the most joy by spending time with them along with her very large extended family and friends. She welcomed everyone into her life with open arms and a loving heart and will be greatly missed by many.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, one daughter Christine Lavonne and one son Rodney Allen.

Survivors include her children Vicky Graves and husband Tom of Decatur, Arkansas, Robert (Bob) Hickson and wife Babs of Sioux City, Iowa, Sherry Coe and husband Tom of Langley, Oklahoma, Rick Hickson and wife Mary of Decatur, Arkansas, Randy Hickson and wife Judy of Jay, Oklahoma, Ron Hickson of Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, Becky Arnold and husband Roy of Centerton, Arkansas, and Terri Knox and husband C.G. of Gentry, Arkansas; 191 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister Macel Groth and husband Lavere of Alamo, Texas; brother Clayton Ronfeldt and wife Cathy of Grinnel, Iowa; and son-in-law Bill Gotto of Pierson, Iowa.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, August 3, 2018, at Decatur United Methodist Church, Decatur, Arkansas. Burial will follow at Falling Springs Cemetery, Decatur, Arkansas. Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 2, 2018, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com.

PAID OBITUARY

Ricky Don Sheppard

Ricky Don Sheppard, 58, of Siloam Springs, Ark., died on July 27, 2018, at his home.

He was born Aug. 5, 1959, in Springdale, Ark., to James Harvey Sheppard and Mary Ellen Doss Sheppard. He graduated from Siloam Springs High School. He worked as an auto mechanic and also did auto body work.

He was preceded in death by his father; and a brother, James Edward Sheppard.

He is survived by three daughters, Amber Summerfield and husband Dwayne of Bella Vista, Ark., Tawny Ussery and husband Darren of Elkins, Ark., and Samantha Sheppard and husband Kenny Harpharlow of Fayetteville, Ark.; mother, Mary Sheppard of Siloam Springs; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Roger Sheppard and wife Faye of Siloam Springs; two sisters, Sue Hodges and husband Gerald of Gentry, Ark., and Vicky Lamb of Gentry; and a sister-in-law, Peggy Sheppard of Harrison, Ark.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs. Burial will follow at Fairmount Cemetery in Gentry, Ark.

An online guest book is available at www.wassonfuneralhome.com.

Wasson Funeral Home of Siloam Springs is in charge of arrangements.

Joseph Thomas Smith

Joseph "Joe" Thomas Smith, 77, of Gentry, Ark., died July 29, 2018, at his home.

He was born on July 10, 1941, in Titusville, Fla., to Aulcie Smith and Augusta McAbee Smith. He moved to the Cherokee City area in the early 1950s. He married Janice Elaine True on March 5, 1962 in Jay, Okla. He worked as a farmer, running a dairy for more than 40 years, before deciding to raise turkeys. He was a member of the Colcord Church of Christ in Colcord, Okla.

He was preceded in death by his wife; a son, Tom Smith; a brother, Anthony; and three sisters, Katherine, Esther and Frieda.

He is survived by two children, Rob Smith and wife Sandy of Gentry, and Sandra Smith of Gentry; daughter-in-law, Patricia Smith of Jay; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, at Colcord Church of Christ with Mike Ellis and Pastor Mark Rotramel officiating. Burial will follow at Dickson Cemetery in Cherokee City, Ark.

An online guest book is available at www.wassonfuneralhome.com.

Wasson Funeral Home of Siloam Springs is in charge of arrangements.

Jerry Randall Turner

Jerry Randall Turner, 56, of Siloam Springs, Ark., died July 25, 2018, at his home.

He was born June 13, 1962, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Lemuel Lee Turner and Mamie I. Blythe Turner. He was a newspaper publisher and owner, and recently was a freight broker.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by a son, Ryan Turner and wife Sasha of Fort Benning, Ga., and daughter Rachel Conrad and Adam of Commerce, Okla.; five grandchildren; two sisters, Linda Milner of Siloam Springs and Donna Sorensen of Des Moines, Iowa; three brothers, Ronald Turner of Ankeny, Iowa, and Gary Turner and Bill Turner, both of Siloam Springs.

No services are planned at this time.

An online guest book is available at www.wassonfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Siloam Springs Dog Park, at [email protected].