Classmate Obituaries - Letter M
These obituaries correspond with the yearbooks that are listed on this website. Whenever possible, the source of the obituary will be shown as well as the date.
McAdory, Richard Elmore "Rick"
Longtime Benton resident Richard E. "Rick" McAdory died suddenly
Monday of an apparent heart attack.
McAdory, 62, was a native of Mobile,
Alabama. He was one of three sons of Robert D. K. and Norma McAdory (Girner).
Born in Mobile on December 30, 1948, his family moved several times in conjunction
with his father's employment with Alcoa before finally settling in this
city when he was in the eighth grade.
He was preceded in death by his
father.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie McAdory; a daughter, Kael
Hudson and husband Bubba of Alexander; a son, Scott McAdory of Benton; two
grandchildren, Megan Hudson of Alexander and Drew McAdory of Benton; his
mother, Norma McAdory Girner of Bauxite; and his brothers, Bob McAdory of
Bauxite and Bill McAdory and wife Ann of Ohio.
Rick and Debbie McAdory,
a retired librarian of Salem Elementary School, were married for 44 years.
The two had met as students at Benton High School.
After graduation,
Rick attended Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway (now University
of Central Arkansas) before beginning a career in law enforcement. Later,
he entered the sales profession, retiring in 2008.
A 1966 Benton graduate,
he remained close to his classmates. Class reunions were special events
for him and he recently attended the group's 45th reunion.
A lifetime
lover of music, he developed an interest in percussion instruments at the
age of 13 when he received his first set of drums. During his teenage years
he played with the band Swinging Sensations, which also included members
Michael Straughan, Bill Killian, Larry Raper and Steve Hicks.
A lover
of the outdoors, he especially enjoyed deer hunting and was self-taught
in gunsmithing. He was fond of animals, particularly dogs.
One of his
greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren.
Plagued by deteriorating
eyesight in recent years, Rick received a cornea transplant in 2009. Out
of appreciation for that gift of sight, he had asked that his organs be
donated to ARORA (Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency) to be used to
enhance life in others.
A private memorial service will be held at a
later date.
Ashby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
The
family asks that memorials be made to the American Lung Association, 217
W. 2nd St., Suite 105, Little Rock, AR 72201; or First United Methodist
Church, 200 N. Market St., Benton, AR 72015. [from the
Saline Courier, Thursday, November 24, 2011, page 3]
[Benton Class of 1966]
McClendon, Steve R.
Steve R. McClendon of Winchester Bay, Oregon, passed away June 28, 2015.
He was born March 2, 1947, in Benton to James Doyle and Imagene Louallen
McClendon.
He was a graduate of Benton High School class of 1965 and
entered the University of Alabama a scholar and athlete. He was given a
scholarship by Bear Bryant as a pole vaulter on the track team. He served
in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam war. He returned to Alabama and finished
his third degree in geology. He than worked for the USA Geology Survey as
a Petroleum Geologist of the Northwest.
He retired and traveled extensively
with his dog, Bear. Then settled in Winchester Bay, Oregon.
He was preceded
in death by his parents and brother, James McClendon.
He is survived
by his son, Mike, grandson Mason and great-grandaughter Bayleigh of Birmingham,
Alabama; sister Linda Connell and neice, Carla McFarland of Benton.
He
will be cremated and ashes spread in his beloved Pacific Ocean.
[from the Saline Courier July 9, 2015] [Benton
Class of 1965]
McCray, Jack R.
Jack R. McCray, age 62, of Benton, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2015.
He was born in Little Rock on August 14, 1952, to Jack McCray and Gloria
Hall Spearman. He was preceded in death by his father.
Jack is survived
by his wife of 41 years, the love of his life, Suzanne Byrd McCray; two
daughters, Jennifer McCray Fritz and her husband Scott, and Tara McCray
Bennett and her husband Matt; three granddaughters, Hannah Grace Fritz,
Abby Renee Fritz, and Kloe Rae Bennett; his brother, Kevin McCray and his
wife Jo; and his sister, Kristy Tellez and her husband Willie.
After
serving in the Air Force, Jack became a third-generation real estate broker
in the family business in Benton. He had a long and varied career in residential
and commercial real estate brokerage and development, in banking, and in
business. He worked for Cooper Communities in Hot Springs; for Landers Automotive
Group and Everett Buick GMC in Benton; and for Bailey Corporation, Deltic
Timber Corporation, Bank of the Ozarks, and VCC LLC in Little Rock. Through
his work with Bailey Corporation and Deltic Timber Corporation, Jack developed
more than 35 residential neighborhoods in Little Rock.
Jack was active
in the community. At age 24, he became the youngest alderman ever elected
in Benton. He served on the Real Estate Industry Council of the Federal
Reserve Bank of St. Louis. He also served as a member and in leadership
roles with numerous organizations, including the Arkansas Realtors Association,
the Urban Land Institute, the International Council of Shopping Centers,
the Little Rock Rotary Club, and the municipal, state, and national home
builders associations.
Jack was known for his stellar reputation and
for his gregarious and optimistic personality. He was outspoken about his
faith in Christ. He was a long-standing member of First Baptist Church in
Benton and also attended Agape Church in Little Rock. He leaves behind many
family members and countless friends who will miss him dearly.
Visitation
will be at the Smith-Benton Funeral Home at 322 North Market Street in Benton
from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2015. The funeral service
will be at First Baptist Church, 211 South Market Street in Benton at 11:00
a.m. on Monday, May 18, 2015, followed by burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park.
[from Smith-Benton Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton
Class of 1970]
McNeil, Chester Lee
Chester Lee McNeil, 82, of Benton died Tuesday, June 6, 2006.
He was
born May 21, 1924, in Benton to Charlie Ewing and Bertie Myrtle Moore McNeil.
Mr. McNeil was owner and operator of Chester McNeil Trucking Co. and a World
War II Army veteran. He was a member of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church,
where he was a deacon for 58 years and a member of the Kate Wright Sunday
School Class. He enjoyed deer hunting (he was a member of Wright Deer Camp),
fishing and gardening.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors
include his wife of 60 years, Bonnie Chenault McNeil; two aunts, Winfred
Garrett and Ruth Stevens; 13 cousins, Bud McNeil, Randy Barker, Mike Barker,
Dicky Moore, Betty Sue Eaves, Tommy Crowson, Beulah Browning, Maxine Coffey,
Suzette Forte, Patsy Easterling, Lillian McNeese, Jennifer Hilterbrand and
Alice Baldwin.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Sharon Missionary
Baptist Church with the Revs. Richard Hamlin, Glen Tropp and Muncy Harris
officiating. Burial will be in Old Rosemont Cemetery. Pallbearers will be
James Tully, Randy Carter, Lowell Rickett, Sam Wright, Dub Grant, Buck Phifer,
Skip Radican and Ed Williams.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today
at Ashby Funeral Home. [from Benton Courier online
obituary] [Benton
Class of 1943]
McGuire, Mickey
Mickey McGuire, 64, of Bauxite, went to be with his Heavenly Father on
Friday, April 1, 2016, at John McClellan V. A. Hospital in Little Rock.
He was born August 30, 1951, in Camden, to V. O. and Bonnie Wilson McGuire
Bearden.
Mickey worked for Kroger in Benton in his early years, drove
an over-the road truck most of his career, and loved woodworking as a hobby.
He was also a member of Collegeville Church of the Nazarene in Alexander.
His father, V. O. McGuire, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his
wife, Dorothy Jeane Russenberger McGuire of Benton; children, Mickey McGuire
Jr. and wife Linda and Michelle Light, all of Benton, and Shawn McGuire
and wife Shelley of Mississippi; stepchildren, Rick Russenberger of Benton,
Ray Russenberger and wife Valerie of Florida, Rita Russenberger and Penny
Price and husband Jeff, all of Benton; his mother, Bonnie Bearden and husband
Gleason of Benton; his brothers, Richard McGuire and wife Becky and Steve
McGuire and wife Lisa, all of Benton; his grandchildren, Lance, Logan, Alan,
Stephen, Seger, Summer, Rebecca, Joseph, Jeane, Joshua, Rhett, Rachel, Lauren,
Stephanie and Sara Beth; and many great-grandchildren plus one on the way;
and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held at
10 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2016, in the chapel of Roller-Ballard Funeral
Home (315-4047) with Bro. Dennis Yarberry officiating. Burial will follow
in Martin Cemetery in Little Rock. Serving as pallbearers are Bob Matney,
Wade Wise, Homer Coleman, Robert Minton, Jeff Price and Alan Bearden. Grandsons
will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Visitation will be held from 6 to
8 p.m. Monday, April 4, at the funeral home. [from
Saline Courier online obituary] [Benton
Class of 1969]
Makin, Bobby Lynn
Bobby Lynn Makin, 62, of Little Rock, passed away March 20, 2011. He
was born November 27, 1948, in Benton, Arkansas, to L. O. and Ethel Makin.
Bobby worked for the Arkansas Department of Health in Little Rock.
He
was preceded in death by his father, L. O. Makin.
Survivors include his
mother, Ethel Webb, New Mexico; brothers, Ronnie Webb and Billy Makin of
New Mexico; sister, Renna Robles, California; and nephew, James Makin of
New Mexico.
Memorial services by Ashby Funeral Home will be 10:00 a.m.
Saturday at Ashbys. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary]
[Benton Class of 1966]
Martin, Lena Evelyn Walters
Lena Evelyn Martin of Mabelvale died Thursday, August 13, 1998.
She was an active member of the New Summit Church of God.
Survivors
include her husband, Harvey Martin Sr. of Mabelvale; a son, H. C. "Jay"
Martin Jr. of Little Rock; her mother, Mildred E. Walters of Benton; a
brother, Jack Walters of Malvern; and two sisters, Alba Taylor of Benton
and Barbara Jones of Atkins.
Funeral service, under the direction of
Ashby Funeral Home, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the New Summit Church
of God, with burial at New Summit Cemetery. The Rev. J. R. Hughes and
the Rev. John Best will officate. Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m.
Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to New Summit
Church of God, 3916 Silica Heights, Benton and Mission of Mercy, P.O.
Box 62600 Colorado Springs, Colo. 80962. [from the
Benton Courier, August 14, 1998, page 2A] [Benton
Class of 1965]
Maxey, Bradley
4 Benton Residents Die in I-30 Crash Of Car, Horse, Truck
Four Benton
residents 18 to 21 years old were killed Monday night when a car hit a horse
on Interstate 30 highway northeast of Benton and veered into the path of
a semi-trailer truck.
Killed were:
Bradley Maxey, 20, of 2011 Durwood
Dr.
Brenda Faye Farrell, 18, of 518 First St.
Wanda Kay Wilson, 19,
of 214 Magnolia St.
Shareen Mont Eubanks, 21, of 2211 W. Lakeview.
State Trooper Ronny Burke, the investigating officer, said the accident
occurred at 11:44 p.m. the site was right in front of the Prickett Dairy,
near the Bryant interchange on I-30.
Burks said the four victims were
in a white 1957 Plymouth owned and driven by Maxey. The car was going south
toward Benton from Little Rock.
Miss Farrell was in the right front seat,
Miss Wilson in the left rear seat and Miss Eubanks in the right rear seat.
The car was in the left lane of the southbound section of the highway when
it struck a horse that was on the highway, Burke said.
Burke said the
car then veered out of control across the median into the northbound lanes,
where it collided with a trailer truck which was carrying another truck
and trailer.
The truck driver was identified as Eulogio Gonzales of Dallas,
Texas. The truck belonged to Texas Tool Trailers.
The car came to rest
in the median between the highway and the south service road, upside down.
Two of the passengers were thrown out of the car. Passers-by right the car
and pulled Maxey and Miss Farrell from it.
Miss Wilson was killed instantly,
according to Burke. Maxey and Miss Farrell were taken to Saline Memorial
Hospital and were pronounced dead there at 12:35 a.m. Miss Eubanks was taken
to Baptist Hospital in Little Rock and was pronounced dead there at 1:10
a.m. Head, chest and internal injuries were the apparent causes of death.
The truck driver was not injured at all. Two other employees of the truck
line who were passengers in the truck were injured slightly, one with a
sprained wrist and the other with a bump on the head.
A few seconds after
the fatal collision another car hit another horse at about the same location.
The second car was a 1964 Lincoln Continental driven by Preston Read of
Athens, Alabama. He and his wife were not injured.
The Reads were southbound
and Read observed part of the preceding collision, Burke said.
Both horses
were killed by the impacts. The one that was hit by the Read car was a small
horse, Burke said.
State Trooper Harry Troutman from Little Rock assisted
Burke at the scene of the accident.
Funeral plans and survivors of the
victims are listed in the obituary section elsewhere in The Courier.
Photos of the victims are on Page 10A.
Trooper Burke said the horses
were the property of Freddie Prickett, who lives beside the highway at the
scene of the accident. Burke said he had conferred with the prosecuting
attorney and no criminal charges will be filed in connection with the accident.
[from the Benton Courier, Thursday, June 27, 1968, page 1]
Bradley Maxey
Bradley Maxey, aged 20, died early Tuesday as a result
of an automobile accident which occurred Monday night, June 24. He is survived
by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bobby D. Maxey; two brothers, Bruce and Breck
Maxey; and a sister, Rachel, all of Benton; and his grandparents, Mr. and
Mrs. Lloyd Maxey of Illinois. Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m.
Friday at Herrin, Illinois. [from the Benton Courier,
June 27, 1968, page 10A] [Benton
Class of 1965]
Merryman, Alan Wayne
Alan Wayne Merryman of Benton died today, August 18, 1995. He was 46.
He was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church.
Survivors include a sister,
Lisa Loe of Pottsboro, Texas.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m.
Monday at the New Rosemont Cemetery. The Rev. Steven Westbrook will officiate.
Pallbearers will be Ken Holiman, Benny Turner, Larry Stiles, Bucky Ellis,
and Fred Norwood.
Arrangements by Ashby Funeral Home. [from the
Benton
Courier] [Benton
Class of 1966]
Montalvo, Mary J. Herring Wells
Mary Jean Montalvo, age 61, of Benton went to be with the Lord on Saturday,
November 16, 2013, after a lengthy battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.
She was born October 13, 1952, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Joe and Uldine
Herring. Mary was a graduate of Benton High School Class of 1971 and Mary
was employed at Smith Caldwell Drug for over 15 years. She was an active
member of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church where she taught AWANA. She was
preceded in death by her father and her late Husband Daryl L. Wells.
She is survived by her mother, Uldine Ward, husband, Manuel I. Montalvo,
brother, Joe Herring, Benton; two sisters, Marilyn Hill, Benton; and Martha
Wallace, Hot Springs; Mary had three daughters, Julie Howe, Benton; Allison
Davis, Rogers; and Lindsey Kindy, Benton. She had two step-sons, Phillip
Montalvo and Robert Montalvo, both of Benton.
Mary was affectionately
known as "Nana" to her seven grandchildren.
Visitation will
be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. November 18th at Ashby's.
Funeral services
will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday November 19th at Ashby Funeral Home with burial
at Forest Hills Cemetery. Ministers will be Bro Richard Hamlin and Bro.
Kim Hammer.
Memorials may be made to Saline Memorial Hospice House, 23157
I-30, Bryant, Arkansas 72022. [from Ashby Funeral Home online
obituary] [Benton
Class of 1971]
Mooney, Martha Rosamond Harvill
Martha Rosamond Mooney of Benton died Saturday, August 8, 1998. She was 66.
She was a member of First Methodist Church of Benton and a legal assistant for Fred Briner Law Office.
She is survived by a sister, Joyce Rasburry; a brother, Bill Jones; three nephews and many friends.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park.
Visitation will be from 6-7:30 tonight at the funeral home. [from the
Benton Courier, Sunday, August 9, 1998, page 3A]
[Benton Class of
1950]
Moreland, David Thomas
David Thomas Moreland, 65, of Benton passed away at his home on Thursday,
July 18, 2013. He was born September 2, 1947, in East St. Louis, Illinois,
to the late Harold and Marge Thomas Moreland. Mr. Moreland operated his
own insurance agency in Bryant and was a member of First United Methodist
Church in Benton.
David’s favorite moments involved doing anything
with his three grandchildren, having his family out on the houseboat, watching
sports, and taking his wife out for dinner. As a husband and father, he
was always there for all of us, a steady presence, and a constant example
of God’s steadfast love and an emblem of patience and strength through
this last tremendous trial.
He is survived by his wife, Annette Smithey
Moreland of the home; two daughters, Leslie and husband Rich Cochran of
Little Rock and Angela Black of Benton, three grandchildren, Taylor Black,
Brandon Black, and Trey Cochran, other relatives, and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, July 22, 2013, at First
United Methodist Church of Benton with Rev. David Jones and Rev. Victor
Green officiating.
Reception will follow the service in the church’s
fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First United
Methodist Church Music Department and American Cancer Society. Arrangements
by Roller-Ballard Funeral Home (315-4047). [from Roller-Ballard
Funeral Home online obituary] [Class
of 1965]
Morgan, Carl Leon, Jr.
Carl Leon Morgan Jr., age 61, of Benton passed away Tuesday August 28,
2007. He was born on February 2, 1946, in Benton, Arkansas, to the late
Carl Leon and Dorothy Mable Morgan Sr.
Mr. Morgan was retired from Reynolds
Aluminum and the City of North Little Rock, a U.S. Army/Vietnam veteran
and a member of New Friendship Baptist Church.
He is survived by his
wife, Mary Joyce Morgan; step-son, Garry Wayne Lemons; step-daughter, Cynthia
Diane Doddridge all of Benton and two step-grandsons, Dustin Doddridge of
Little Rock and Nathaniel Doddridge of Fort Smith.
Pallbearers will be
Dustin Doddridge, Nathaniel Doddridge, Jerry Tackett, Harold Kitchens, Terry
Parsons and Dustin Parsons.
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday
night at Ashby Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday
at New Friendship Cemetery. Bro. Terry Wallace will be officiating. Arrangements
by Ashby Funeral Home. [from Ashby Funeral Home online
obituary] [Benton
Class of 1965]
Musteen, Kenneth Wayne
Kenneth Wayne Musteen, age 59, of Benton, passed away Tuesday, June 30,
2009. He was born July 14, 1949, in Benton, Arkansas, to the late Merle
and Evelyn Musteen. Mr. Musteen was a member of the National and Arkansas
Association of the Deaf, National and Arkansas Rehabilitation Association,
National and Arkansas Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and was the
President of the Arkansas Deaf and Hearing Impaired Telecommunications Access
Board.
Mr. Musteen devoted his entire adult life to helping disabled
Arkansans reach their full potential. His career encompassed 38 years of
service starting as a Recreation Activity Leader at the Hot Springs Rehabilitation
Center and retiring as the Chief of Staff of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.
He also volunteered time coaching youth sports and was a Boy Scout leader
for over 20 years. Mr. Musteen enjoyed spending time fishing with his friends
and his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Zania
Musteen of Benton; two sons, Joe Musteen and wife Wendy of Benton and Jason
Musteen and wife Marna of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky; sister, Mary Nicholas
and husband Bill of Hermann, Missouri and four grandchildren, Chris, Will,
Rachel and Thomas Musteen.
Funeral services will be 12:00 noon Thursday,
July 2 at Antioch Baptist Church on Stagecoach Rd in Little Rock with burial
at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Bro. Bob Slagley will be officiating.
Memorials
may be made to the Saline County Boys and Girls Club @ 105 Cox St. in Benton
72015, Arkansas School for the Deaf Museum @ 2400 W. Markham St. in Little
Rock 72205 or BSA Troop 99 c/o Salem United Methodist Church @ 1647 Salem
Rd in Benton 72019. [Ashby Funeral Home online obituary]
[Benton
Class of 1967]