Obituaries

Ronald Eugene Ash

Ronald Eugene Ash, 66, of Rogers, Ark., died Monday, Oct. 16, 2017. He was born Dec. 29, 1950, in Rogers to Orville William and Dora Dean Myers Ash.

He was a people-person who loved playing country and gospel music, loved his family and friends, and always had a good joke to tell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Howard and Kenny Ash.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly Hendrix, of the home; his daughter, Shelby; sister, Doris Varnell (Kenneth) of Avoca, Ark.; a brother, Don Ash (Sandy) of Bethel Heights, Ark.; his mother-in-law, Mickey Hurts; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, business associates and dear friends.

A graveside funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, in Ruddick Cemetery near Garfield.

Memorials are suggested to the Rogers Humane Society, 407 E. Nursery Rd., Rogers, AR 72758.

Arrangements were under the care of Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers.

John 'Jack' Douglas Hayes

John (Jack) Douglas Hayes, 83, of Pea Ridge, Ark., died Oct. 12, 2017, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Ark. He was born on Sept. 15, 1934, in San Mateo, Calif., to James C. and Mary S. (Caetano) Hayes.

He was preceded in death by both parents and his wife, Julia N. (Schomaker/Pinckney) Hayes.

Survived are his brother, James (Nancy) Hayes; sister, Mary Ann (William) Lawless; two sons, Michael Schomaker (Andrea) of Garfield, Ark., and Eric Schomaker (Sherry) of Alpine, Utah; nine grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

Interment will be at the VA National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark., with no service conducted.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Autumn Place Home in Pea Ridge.

To view full obituary, go to www.funeralmation.com.

Melvin Franklin Massey

Melvin Franklin Massey, 80, died Oct. 20, 2017, in his home in Success, Mo., with family by his side. He was born July 25, 1937, to Clifford and Bessie (Stevenson) Massey in Big Piney, Mo.

He grew up in the Big Piney area and attended school at Big Piney and Bloodland. He lived with his wife Anne for more than 50 years and raised four children.

He had many jobs during his lifetime; he was a truck driver, laborer and owned and operated a small engine repair business. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, squirrel hunting, drinking coffee with his friends at Whispering Pines Café and visiting with family, friends and neighbors. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather always giving of his time and knew how to help anyone in need. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was saved and baptized Feb. 25, 2000, at Plato Baptist Church. He was a member of Success Baptist Church for a number of years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Verda McCoy, Clifford "Bud" Massey, James Massey, Cecil Massey, Dale Massey, Fern Kinserlow, Hazel Hall, Ruth Hale and Retta Camper.

Survivors are his wife, Anne Massey of the home in Success; a son, Nathan Scott and wife Jennifer of Success; three daughters, Melody Sorrell and husband Russell of Pea Ridge, Ark., Valerie Hernandez of Plato, Mo., and Megan Johnson and husband Brandon of Bentonville, Ark.; nine grandchildren, Mandy Ross and husband Jeremy, Jessie Doublin and husband Robert, Molly Thomas and husband Dustin, Thad Sorrell, Leala Sorrell, Chase Scott, Taryn Scott, Grace Scott and Sophia Johnson; three great-grandchildren, Jereson, Joelon and Jericho Ross; two brothers, Troy Massey and wife Irene and Terry Massey and wife Nita; and two sisters, Sharon Wiseman and Carolyn Camper.

Visitation was at 2 p.m. until service time Monday, Oct. 23, 2017.

A Celebration of Life was hosted by the family at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, with Pastor Ted Moore officiating.

He was cremated under the direction of Evans Funeral Home, Houston, Mo.

Earl Clovis McCurdy

Earl Clovis McCurdy, 84, of Lowell, Ark., died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, at Circle of Life's Earlene Howard Hospice Home in Springdale, Ark. He was born July 21, 1933, in Birmingham, Ala., to John Henry McCurdy and Donie Tomlin McCurdy.

He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He found what he loved to do when he started woodworking in his shop after he retired, making furniture and other wood crafts for family and others.

He was passionate about baseball and coaching young men how to play. He was instrumental in getting a youth baseball program started in East End.

He was a member for years at East End Baptist Church in East End, Ark., where he taught Sunday school for many years and served in many other capacities. In May of 2012, he and his wife, Iris, moved to Pea Ridge to be closer to family. He was a member of Twelve Corners Baptist Church, where he also taught Sunday school. He was a devoted Christian who very much loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Iris Sharon McCurdy; by his parents; brothers, Hubert Parson, Oliver McCurdy, Bobby McCurdy; and sister, Buna Chambliss.

Survivors incude his sister, Donnie Ann Smelley of Loxley, Ala.; two sons, Jon McCurdy and his wife Andrea, and Chuck McCurdy and his wife Kimberly, all of Rogers, Ark.; five grandchildren, Alex Fittin and her husband Bryan, Cameron McCurdy, Sierra McCurdy, Peyton McCurdy, and Kenna McCurdy; and four great-grandchildren, Clark Fittin, Grady Fittin, Roc Fittin, and Jane Fittin.

A drop-in visitation/celebration of life for family and friends was held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, in Westfield Chapel Funeral Home in Springdale.

The online memorial is at www.WestfieldChapel.com.

Mary L. Pifer

Mary L. Pifer, 87, died Oct. 17, 2017, in Pea Ridge, Ark. She was born on March 8, 1930, in Attica, Ark. to John and Ada (Tyler) Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Lee Pifer; brothers, J.R. Johnson, Lawson Johnson and Elmer Johnson; and sisters, Wilma Cambell, Nell Scheller and Wanda Ratliff.

Survivors are her sons, Randy and Debra Pifer of Bella Vista, Ark., and Larry and Cindy of Byron, Ill.; daughters, Teri Mickelson and Melinda of Pea Ridge, Carolyn and Joe Nichols of Rogers, Ark., and Kathy Gill of Bella Vista, Ark.; sister, Sue and Curt Bentley of Salt Lake City, Utah; 14 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, in Rollins Funeral Home Chapel in Rogers.

Service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rogers.

Burial followed in the Rogers City Cemetery.

Arrangements were under the care of Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers. Online condolences may be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.

Gary Dean Tuszynski

Gary Dean Tuszynski, 55, from Pea Ridge, Ark., died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017. He was born Aug. 18, 1962, to Donald C. Tuszynski and Cela Mary Holmes in Dallas, Texas.

He worked loyally for the City of Pea Ridge for 20 years and served his country faithfully in the U.S. Navy.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Tuszynski; and three brothers, Donald, Thomas and Daniel Tuszynski.

Survivors include his wife, Kelly Johnson Tuszynski; mother, Cela Vellines; step-father, Charles Vellines; sisters, Lori Weinrich and Stephanie Tuszynski; and five children, Alexis Tuszynski, Jeremy Tuszynski, Michaela Tuszynski, Aron Tuszynski and Megan Tuszynski.

Memorial services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 23, in Sisco Funeral Home Chapel in Pea Ridge.

Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.