Richard Wilson Kleese, age 69 of Hattieville, passed away Monday, February 20, 2012. He was born July 20, 1942 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a son of the late Earl Wilson Kleese and Edith Hagerbaumer Kleese. At age 17, Richard joined the Navy serving on a Battleship destroyer with ports of call at Japan and Seoul Korea. He worked on the offshore drilling rig "Zapata" for two years, came back to Morrilton, and continued his lifelong passion as an auto...

Arlan "Red" Clinton Barnes, age 84, of Adona, passed away, Friday, February 17, 2012. He was born January 2, 1928 in Perry, Arkansas, a son of the late Audrey Barnes and Emma Jean West Barnes. Mr. Barnes was a retired rigger from the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in California. He was also inducted into the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame on October 5, 1997. During his musical career he played fiddle with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys,...

Ira Ashley Covert, Jr., age 86, of Perryville, passed away, Thursday, February 16, 2012. He was born October 29, 1925 in Hollis, Arkansas, a son of Ira Ashley Covert Sr., and Jessie Hayes Covert. He was a retired Vietnam Army Sergeant, and lifetime member of the V.F.W. He is survived by his wife, Elsie Covert of Perryville; step-son, Lester Bryant of Ola. Graveside services were Monday, February 20, at Deberrie Cemetery with Bro. John...

Robert Lansing Lewis, 92, of Morrilton, died Thursday, February 16, 2012. He was born January 11, 1920 in Center Ridge, Arkansas, a son of James Ollie and Alice Laura Hillis Lewis. He was a WWII Army Veteran, an aircraft mechanic, a member of the Harding Street Church of Christ, and the widower of Geneva Baugh McElroy Lewis. Survivors include, numerous nieces and nephews; step-daughter, Frances Gibby of Morrilton; step-son, David McElroy of...

Geraldine Nisler Robinson, age 91, of Morrilton passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2012. She was born January 30, 1921 in Plumerville, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Byron Orison Robinson; daughters, Myra and Mary; and an infant son Byron. She is survived by her sister, Pauline Parette of Morrilton; 30 plus grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren all of California; several nieces, nephews and...

Roy Lee Wooten, age 86, of Center Ridge passed away February 15, 2012. He was born on March 8, 1925 in Martinville, Arkansas to Lonnie Lee Wooten and Lucille Williamson Wooten. Roy was a promoter of bluegrass nationwide as well as an owner and operator of Roger Wooten Memorial Park. He was often referred to as "Mr. Bluegrass." He is survived by his wife Trena; sons, Danny (Delores) Wooten of Springfield, David (Mary) Wooten of Greenbrier, Bobby...

Donald Gene Burnett, age 75 of Perryville, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2012. He was born November 3, 1936, in Arkansas City, Kansas, a son of the late Leo Warren Burnett and Mildred McDowell Burnett. He was retired from Arkansas Millwright. Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Patricia Lowery Burnett of Perryville; one son; one daughter; one step-daughter, Tammy Samuels of Adona; several grandchildren. Memorial...

Kenneth Eugene Hamm, age 75, of Morrilton, Arkansas, passed away Monday, February 13, 2012. He was born July 17, 1936, in Robertstown, Arkansas, a son of Jefferson Davis Hamm and Hettie Mae Massey Hamm. He was a retired police officer and security guard, and a member of Blackwell Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Wanda Smotherman Camp Hamm of Morrilton; two daughters, Janet Rice of Russellville and Dawn Davies of...

Ollie Jean Smith Wilson, age 71, of Hattieville, passed away Monday, February 13, 2012. She was born March 1, 1940 in Quitman, Arkansas, a daughter of the late John Smith and Gertrude Honeycutt Smith. She was the widow of Henry Allen "Monk" Wilson, a supervisor for Crompton Mills, and of the Baptist faith. She is survived by two sons, George Moore and wife JoAnn of Solgohachia, and Ronnie Moore and wife Trisha of Crossville, Tennessee; two...

Alma Lee Clark Gwin, age 90, of Plumerville, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2012. She was born August 13, 1921, in Plumerville, Arkansas, a daughter of Ira Ewing Clark and Trecia Wells Clark. She was a homemaker, member of First Baptist Church of Plumerville, and the widow of Birtie "Bill" Gwin. Survivors include her son, James (Sue) Gwin of Hattieville; daughter, Linda Mason of Plumerville; sister, Dorothy Clark O'Boyle of...