Obituaries

James Twiggs

James Twiggs

Sunday, January 7, 2018

David William Downing

A Memorial Service honoring the life of David William Downing will be held Sunday, January 7, 2018, 3 p.m. at Fellowship Bible Church, 540 E Twin Springs St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761. David was 77.

David William Downing was born on August 11, 1940, to the late Ivy Ambrose and Kenneth Lee Downing in Oicha, Congo. His parents were missionaries in Africa and he was raised in Kenya.

As a young adult, David moved back to the United States to attend college. He lived, studied and worked in Chicago, Illinois. He was married to Diane C. Downing and they share three children, Dawn, Shelly and Scott. In 1969, they went to Congo as missionaries, where they served until 1992.

In 1996 he married Faith Masila. They have two children, Matt and Lily. They continued working in East Africa until her untimely death in 2000. In 2005 he returned to the United States and settled in Siloam Springs, Ark., where he devoted himself to raising his children.

David was a hard-working and generous man, committed to his family. His caring and sacrificial heart was evident in his love for the people of Africa and continued on in Siloam Springs. His friends and family will remember his adventurous spirit, storytelling and his heart for the underdog. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his dearly beloved wife, Faith Downing.

Survivors include children, Dawn Downing Ryckman and husband, Jim of New York, Shelly Downing of Plymouth, Mass., Scott Downing and wife, Susan of Florida, Matthew Downing of Siloam Springs, Ark., and Lily Downing of Siloam Springs, Ark.; grandchildren, Brent Ryckman, Paul Ryckman and wife, Leona, Laura Reynolds and husband, Hayden, Audrey Downing, Selah Downing, Mahlia Downing, Micah Downing, and Shiloh Downing; siblings, Daphne McRostie, Dottie Hildebrandt, Lee Downing, and Vic Downing.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt's Tulsa Funeral Service and Cremation Care Center. Family and friends may share memories or condolences with the family, online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com.

PAID OBITUARY

Michael 'Mike' Karl Strouse

Michael "Mike" Karl Strouse, 65, of Gentry, Ark., died Jan. 4, 2018, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark.

He was born June 17, 1952, in Grove City, Ohio, to Edgar Strouse and Jeanna Cunningham Strouse. He married Judy McIver in 1984. He worked for several years for Walmart as a manager in maintenance and was of the Pentecostal faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren; and four brothers.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Leo Root and wife Melissa of Arab, Ala., Glen Root and wife Sherry of Gentry, and Jonathan Strouse of Ohio; three daughters, Jennifer Jones of Columbus, Ohio, Barbara Brake of Ohio, and Wendy Trembly and husband Robert of Gentry; 18 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, John Strouse of Pinkerton, Ohio; four sisters, Brandi Strouse of Columbus, Ohio, Sandie Dorsch of Deatsville, Ala., Sharon Dulaney of Jackson, Ohio, and Sheila Roberts of Columbus, Ohio.

Visitation will be 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, 2017, at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, Ark. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, 2017, at Wasson Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Springtown Cemetery in Springtown, Ark.

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

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

James G. Twiggs Sr.

James G. Twiggs Sr., 84-year-old resident of Gentry, Arkansas, died January 2, 2017, at his home. Born January 3, 1933, in Eugene, Missouri, he was the son of Fay G. Twiggs and Nellie E. Buster Twiggs. James was a graduate of Gentry High School, he studied philosophy at Cornell University and was the former Senior Acquisitions Editor at Cornell, and former teaching assistant/fellow at Cornell University. He also studied Philosophy at University of Arkansas and was visiting professor at the University of Arkansas. He taught film studies at the Arkansas Governor's School for 10 years and was an avid sports fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Stephen D. Henderson; and sister, Carolyn Twiggs.

Survivors include his brother, Joe M. Twiggs of Gentry, Arkansas; son, Jim Twiggs Jr. and wife Mattie of Springdale, Arkansas; granddaughter Allyson Twiggs Dyer and husband David of Goshen, Arkansas; great-grandchild Spencer J. Brown; niece, Pamela D. Price and husband Steve of Springdale, Arkansas; nephew, Michael Phillips of Virginia and niece, Margie G. Twiggs of Goshen, Arkansas.

It was James' desire to have no services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gentry High School Scholarship Fund, 1055 Pioneer Lane, Gentry, Arkansas 72734. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com.

PAID OBITUARY

Obits on 01/07/2018