Phillip Nathaniel Hobby, 74, of the Sardis Community, loving husband, father, and grandfather; died Saturday, February 26, 2022, at UAMS in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Mr. Hobby was born in Key West, Florida to parents Thelmer and Zella Hobby in 1947. In 1968, Phillip married his sweetheart Paula Grace Clark. She proceeded him in death on August 22, 1999.
Philip was blessed to have found and fell in love with Dana Rae Belflower. They wed on March 23, 2002 and spent the next 20 years by one another’s side.
Phillip graduated in 1965 from San Diego High School – Go Cavers. He then attended and graduated from San Diego State College with an Associate Degree in Mathematics.
Phillip proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1968 to 1972 during the Vietnam War. After his service, he promptly started a 49-year career with IBM. He was an active member of the Lions Club of Bryant, Arkansas as a flag serviceman.
He is survived by his wife Dana Hobby, his children Charles Hobby, Susan Davis(Chris), Lawrence Hobby(Stacey), Patricia Parr(Ray), Katherine Maness(Nathan), Alfred Hobby(Catherine), Mel Haslauer(Jim), Luke Belflower, and Amanda Belflower, his 17 grandchildren CJ, Brittani, Bailey (Jacob), Brooke(Matthew), Joshua(Hayley), Conrad, Dylan, Ethan, Christopher, Emma, Annabelle, Jack, Nathan, Nicholas, Alayna, Natalie, and Noah, and his 3 great-children Jameson, Elliotte, and Glenn, and his 5 fur babies LuLu, Susie, Sasha, Rusty, and Jack.
Services will be held in his honor at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton, Arkansas on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at 1pm. Interment will follow at McPherson Cemetery in Mabelvale, Arkansas. Visitation will be from 6-8pm on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at Ashby Funeral Home.
Marian Louise (Compton) Wahrmund was born in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky on October 26, 1947. She passed away at the age of 74 on March 1, 2022.
Marian was preceded in death by her parents: Leona (Compton) Forester and Leonard Compton; one nephew, Will McGary; and one great-nephew, Colton Polk.
Marian is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Olin Wahrmund (Little Rock);two sons, Jason (Amy) Wahrmund and Bryan (Karen) Wahrmund; three grandchildren: Evan Wahrmund, Logan Wahrmund, and Bella Wahrmund; as well as many other family members and friends that will miss her always.
Marian love her family and spending time with them most of all. She enjoyed painting and even taught classes at home back in the day. Marian was a part of Patchwork Painters for over 35 years. No matter what, Marian always helped others.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the American Diabetes Association, Kidney Foundation, or cancer research.
Visitation will be held Saturday, March 5, from 9:00- 10:00 AM at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church on Baseline Rd, followed by a service at 10:00 AM.
Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com .
Anthony “Tony” Wayne Westbrook, 47, of Benton, Arkansas passed away March 1, 2022. He was born June 13, 1974 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Gerald and Janie (Hale) Westbrook.
Tony was a 1992 graduate of Harmony Grove High School. He served as class President in his senior year and played basketball for the Cardinals. Tony was an avid Razorback basketball fan. He cherished his season tickets and often attended games with his mother. Tony adored his niece, Brooke, and spent a lot of time with her shopping, watching movies, or just hanging out. Animals were so special to Tony, and he couldn’t resist taking strays in and providing them a home.
Preceding Tony in death are his grandparents: Charlie and Mabel Hale and Lilburn and Angie Westbrook; aunt, Jean Rogers and her husband Jimmy; and uncles, bob Hale and Charles “Cab” Hale.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his parents, Gerald and Janie Westbrook of Haskell, Arkansas; sister, Dedra Wood and her husband Jack of Traskwood, Arkansas, brother, Scott Westbrook of Haskell; nieces and nephews: Brooke Lindsey and husband Justin, Gabbi Wood, Devin Westbrook, Laiken Westbrook, and Evan Williams and wife Brandi; great nieces and nephews: Kynsley Davis, Kole Davis, Kade Davis, Klay Lindsey, and Karter Williams; aunt, Margaret Hale; eight fur babies he rescued from being abandoned; and many family members and friends who love Tony and will miss him always.
Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Rose Marie Hogue (née Byrd) passed in the presence of loving family on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the age of 96 after a short stay at a hospice in Little Rock, Arkansas. She had been a resident of Bryant, Arkansas for the last 22 years.
She was born on July 4, 1925, in Lake Village, Arkansas, greeted by fireworks and celebrations as all mothers should. Her father, C.C. Byrd, was a conductor for Missouri Pacific and a St. Louis Cardinals fan, and her mother, Adele (née Erwin) was a schoolteacher and voracious reader. She had a much-loved younger sister, Clarice, a longtime teacher in Longview, TX, who preceded her in death. The Byrd family eventually settled in McGehee, Arkansas, where she graduated in 1943, sharing Valedictorian honors. She then attended Henderson State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1947.
In the meantime, she had met Farris A. Hogue, Jr., also a student at McGehee High School. Like many young men, he left school early and joined the US Navy in World War 2, serving in the Pacific Theater. They were married in McGehee on January 13, 1949. While on the GI Bill, he attended several schools, including Arkansas A&M College where Rose Marie was one of his teachers for a semester.
They eventually moved to Dallas, TX, where he earned his Bachelor of Insurance Administration degree at Southern Methodist University. Rose Marie worked for a short time with the American Cancer Society there. Their first son, Farris Albert Hogue, III, known in his childhood as Bert, was born in 1952, and a second son, David Michael Hogue, was born after they had moved to Houston in 1959. They had both taken jobs at Humble Oil and Refining Company there, where she was an executive secretary. Farris was not happy with big-city living, and moved everyone to Hazen, Arkansas in January 1960 when offered a position by Farm Bureau as the new Agency Manager for Prairie County.
Rose Marie took a new job as the commercial teacher (typing and business studies) at Hazen High School shortly after they arrived. She eventually left her position in 1966 when their last son, Paul Byrd Hogue, was born, although she continued substituting at the school for several years. They had joined the Hazen United Methodist Church not long after moving to Hazen and were members in good standing until moving to Bryant in 2000. In the meantime, Farris III had married Jelyn Carpenter in 1975, and they have one daughter, April Scott, now of Humnoke. Michael married Pam Wood in 1982.
Farris and Rose purchased a new smaller home in Bryant to be close to Michael and his family, including her grandsons Dylan (Amber) and Jake (Brooke). They moved to a second home in Bryant shortly after, and with their advancing years a third and final home they shared with Mike’s family. After a long life and a loving marriage, Farris Jr. passed in 2018, just months shy of their 70th anniversary.
She is survived by all three sons and their spouses, a loving sister-in-law Yvonne Hodnett, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Also surviving her are many nieces and nephews and their families in Texas, Arkansas, and several other states, as well as many friends, including Warren and Roberta Walker of Bryant, and Beverly Wood of Carlisle.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 1, 11:00 a.m. at Dial & Dudley Funeral Home, with graveside services Hazen Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.
James Frank Ruehmann was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on August 2, 1944. Jim was adopted by George and Lilah Ruehmann of Sauk Centre, MN. Jim worked many years on the family farm. In Jim’s early years, he committed his life to Jesus, as his Savior & Lord.
The Lord’s journey for Jim included him being a mechanic at the State Highway Dept. in Minnesota. His journey continued teaching mechanics at various vocational tech schools.
Jim married the “Brown Eyed” love of his life, Nancy Bowman, on May 1, 1965. They continued taking this God-given, amazing journey together. They opened a NAPA Auto Supply store and machine shop in Cokato, MN. Both Jim & Nancy participated in tractor pulling competitions, winning several 1st place trophies.
From this point, God directed Jim & Nancy and their 3 daughters, Tammy, Trudy, & Tracy to Bella Vista, Arkansas, where Jim and a friend started a building construction company. After many years, the Lord led Jim & Nancy to buy their own excavation business until their girls graduated. God then directed Jim & Nancy into missions to serve a year in Congo, Africa. Then they moved back to the U.S. and pastored Eagle Bend Assembly of God in MN, where they also remodeled and built a new sanctuary. From there the Lord led Jim & Nancy to Ethiopia, Africa where they served 10 years as Assemblies of God Missionaries. After moving back to Arkansas, Jim became a chaplain in the prisons throughout America for the next 7 years. Jim believed it was time to retire, but God opened a door for them to lead the Forerunners group at Life Church of Little Rock, AR. Throughout Jim’s life, he helped to build many churches.
Jim was diagnosed with cancer in October, 2021. During this part of his journey, Jim and his family continued to trust the Lord and fight the good fight of faith. On Sunday, February 27, 2022, Jim completed his earthly journey and reached His heavenly destination to be with His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Cherished memories of Jim are left with Nancy, his wife of 56 years, his daughters: Tammy Wyatt, Trudy & Scott Jackson, & Tracy & John Page, Firehiwot & Ebenezer Andarge; 13 grandchildren: Rebekah & Sam DeGeus, Sue & Trey Skinner, Andrew & Sara Wyatt, the Page children: LeAnn, Trenton & Amelia, Jabin, Nehemiah, Cherish, & Peter, and Shirleyna Jackson, and Jonathan, Nancy, & Peniel Andarge; 6 great grandchildren: Madelynn & Benjamin DeGeus, Annabelle & Riley & Luke Wyatt, and Samantha Skinner.
We share Jim’s story to show how God used Jim’s life, leaving his handprints all around the world, including, Africa, Honduras, Mexico, Micronesia, Alaska and many others states in the United States.
The Memorial Celebration for Jim Ruehmann will Saturday, March 5th at 10:00 a.m. at Life Church of Little Rock, 9415 Stagecoach Rd, Little Rock, AR 72210.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be sent to the Arkansas District Assemblies of God at 10924 I-30 Frontage Rd, Little Rock, AR 72209, and designate it to the “Jackson Church Plant.”