Obituaries

Vera PETREE
Vera PETREE

Ronald Arthur Douglas

Ronald Arthur Douglas, 73, of Gravette, Ark., died Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, at Circle of Life Hospice.

He was born June 22, 1947, to Gene and ImoJean Duncan Douglas in Rogers, Ark. He grew up on the family farm west of Centerton and attended school in Bentonville and graduated from Gravette High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 and, afterward, he did backhoe and dump truck work before working for Built-Well Construction Company from 1991 to 2017. In retirement, he managed the family farm. He was an avid Razorback fan and enjoyed lunching with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 28 years, Peggy Douglas; his parents, Gene and ImoJean Duncan Douglas; and his brother, Stephen Douglas.

Survivors are his sons, Christopher (Christy) Douglas of Centerton, Creston (Rachel) Douglas of Gravette; brother, David (Anastasia Strokova) Douglas of Elm Springs; sister, Brenda (Larry) Herbaugh of Prattville, Ala.; sister-in-law, Penny Douglas of Gravette; and four grandchildren.

Graveside services were held Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Gravette.

Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 NE Legacy Parkway, Bentonville, AR 72712.

Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com.

Arrangements were by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.

Joan Humphrey

Joan Humphrey, passed away September 17, 2020, at the age of 84 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Richard Dale Humphrey; parents, Fritz and Alice Wingate; sister, Jean Nordmeyer; and granddaughter, Erin Leslie Hook.

Joan is survived by her three children, Robin Hook (Ron) of St. Joseph, Missouri, Doug Humphrey of Joplin, Missouri, and Bruce Humphrey (Karen) of Harrison, Arkansas. Six grandchildren: Ryan (Sydni) Hook of St. Joseph, Missouri, Steph Humphrey of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Brittany Hanning of Smyrna, Tennessee, Dalton Douglas Humphrey of St. Louis, Missouri, Richard Drake Humphrey of Sacramento, California, and Jacob Dale Humphrey of Tallahassee, Florida. Four great-grandchildren: Quinn, Sam and Claire Hook, and Julian Haning.

Joan was a member of the King Hill Christian Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. Before moving to St. Joseph in 2016, she was a member of the Bella Vista Community Church in Bella Vista, Arkansas, and the Carterville Christian Church in Carterville, Missouri.

Joan was born April 20, 1936, in Ottumwa, Iowa, and graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1954, where she was active in band, playing the French Horn. She attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she obtained a Diploma in Nursing as a Registered Nurse. She served as an RN for nine years in the emergency room and on the surgical floor. Joan returned to college in 1968 to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Missouri Southern State College, where her husband, Richard, was Director of Admissions. Mrs. Humphrey retired from the Carl Junction School District as a Special Education Teacher in 1996, but returned to her love of helping children as a teacher's assistant for three years.

Upon retirement Joan and Dick moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas. As a life-long dedicated Christian, Joan was a full-time volunteer serving her church as the Bella Vista Christian Church Ministry Chairperson. She taught weekly Bible lessons to female inmates in the Benton County Jail. Joan also volunteered with the Caring Neighbors program in Benton County, working with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office to once again provide assistance and connect those in need with social agencies as well as providing food, clothing, emotional and spiritual support. Joan could find the best in any person she met, and was constantly working to make a positive difference.

Joan and Dick loved to travel together and took many trips, including a European tour with their close friends Jerry and Julie Riley. They also enjoyed an Alaskan cruise, trips to Mexico, numerous other cruises, three trips to Hawaii, and they enjoyed the annual Spring Break trip to New York City with Missouri Southern State College. Attending live theatre performances, exploring new restaurants, and visiting different famous sites were always the highlight of their trips.

Joan had many hobbies but became an accomplished artist at the age of 60. She traveled to France for a month-long art class, and another trip to Italy to explore her love of art. Her children have many of her paintings hanging in their homes. She was an extremely gifted individual who could turn a piece of "junk furniture" into a family treasure as well as sew curtains, quilts, make clothes for her daughter or repair the boys' sports uniforms. It was always a fun adventure for her children and grandchildren to go to flea markets or estate sales with her. She always saw the beauty in things no one else could find.

Joan was Dick's constant sidekick, attending all the grandkids' sporting events, which involved many miles of travel over the years, but she loved spending time with her family most of all. She made each grandchild's trip to Grandma's house a fun adventure during their own special week. Any grandchild who was fortunate enough to be with "Grandma Umps" over the Christmas holiday would happily cuddle up next to her to hear the Christmas Story read to them from the Bible. Birthdays were especially precious when Grandma and Grandpa would call and sing Happy Birthday!

Joan will be missed by many and was loved by all that knew her. The family would like to thank Mosaic Hospice as well as Diversicare St. Joseph for the loving care and support they provided. They truly became her extended family. The Humphrey and Hook families want to remind everyone, as Erin would say, to always " Live With A Purpose."

Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at Rupp Funeral Home, Kent Brooner officiating. The family received friends on Tuesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Ms. Humphrey will be cremated following services with Inurnment to take place at a later date at Ozark Memorial Cemetery in Joplin, Mo.

Memorials are requested to the Erin Hook Teaching Scholarship Fund, c/o Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolences and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

PAID OBITUARY

Vera B. Petree

Vera B. Petree, 95, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020.

She was born Sept. 21, 1924, in San Pedro, Calif., to Clint D. Beck and Lillie Stanton Beck. She grew up in Buffalo, Mo. She married Richard E. Petree Oct. 4, 1942. After WWII, they made their home in Buffalo and raised their family. Vera was a clerk of the magistrate and probate court of Dallas County. They enjoyed retirement together, spending many winters in Florida. She enjoyed traveling, golfing, and collecting shells on Sanibel Island.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; son, Rick B. Petree; sister, Millie Highfill; and brother, Fred D. Beck.

Survivors include daughters, Carolyn George (Chris) of Bella Vista, Jane Whillock (Rick) of Bois D'Arc, Mo.; daughter-in-law, Vicki Petree of Bentonville; and five grandchildren.

Burial will be at a later date at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to Missouri Veterans Cemetery or a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com.

Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.

Joan HUMPHREY
Joan HUMPHREY