Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
John David Swearingen
July 12, 1920 - June 21, 2015
Rogers, Arkansas
John David Swearingen, 94, longtime resident of Rogers, died Sunday, June
21, 2015 at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Arkansas.
He was born July 12, 1920 in Bentonville, the fourth and last child of Ira
David Swearingen and Edith Jessie Irelan Swearingen.
He grew up in Rogers, first on a farm just west of Dixieland and Walnut, and
then in the downtown area, where he lived for most of his life. John’s father
died when he was only seven, and he quickly learned important life lessons
from his widowed mother as she faced the Great Depression years with
meager resources…the necessity (and expectation) of hard work, the value of
money, and the power of self-reliance and resourcefulness. These became
guiding principles for him the rest of his life.
A 1938 graduate of Rogers High School, he played trumpet in the band, sang
in choral groups, and played football. He and a group of friends formed a
dance band, 'Iggy’s Ramblers' and played at Bella Vista (Wonderland Cave)
and Silver Springs (Monte Ne), for 'gas money.' He attended the University
of Arkansas and played in the Razorback Band, graduating with a chemistry
degree in 1942, and was employed by the Oklahoma Ordnance Works in a
defense (munitions) plant in Pryor, OK. On October 24, 1942, he married
his high school sweetheart, Betty Powell. They would be married
64 years,
and raised three sons.
John felt it was his duty join the war effort overseas during WWII even though
his work in the defense plant had exempted him from the draft, so he enlisted
in the Army in 1944, served in the 78th Infantry in France and Germany
during the Battle of the Bulge, and after the war, was assigned to the
Occupation Forces in Berlin for a year. After the war, he worked in a research
lab for lead mining in Joplin, then moved back to Rogers to take a sales
position with Shofner Office Supply, where he worked for 18 years and
formed long term relationships with customers throughout northwest Arkansas
and southwest Missouri.
He changed careers in the late 1960’s, first selling mutual funds, and then
joining A.G. Edwards as a broker in 1973, where he worked for 17 years,
retiring in 1990 at age 70 to care for Betty who was developing Alzheimer’s
disease. He remained her faithful caretaker until her death in 2006.
Few men are lucky enough to marry more than one high school sweetheart,
but John managed to do just that. After Betty passed away, John (at age 87!)
married
another RHS ’38 classmate in 2007, Maizie Baker Coe. They
enjoyed six wonderful years together before she died in 2013.
John represented everything 'great' about the Greatest Generation. He was a
self-made man who rose above the challenges of his day to become a
successful businessman, husband, and father. He understood personal and
fiscal responsibility, duty, honor, hard work, sacrifice, and loyalty. He was
patriotic and level-headed, a thinking man who embraced challenge. Always
active and interested in his community, he was a member of the Rogers Noon
Rotary Club, sang in the choirs of Central United Methodist Church and First
United Methodist Church for over 40 years, and was a supporter of the
museum and library. He helped organize and lead Boy Scout Troop 122 when
his sons were active members, and received the Silver Beaver Award for
volunteerism. He was recently dubbed the 'Unofficial Mayor of 4th Street'
by his downtown neighbors, who have appreciated his years of tireless effort
to improve the neighborhood. Most important of all, he was the beloved
patriarch of his family.
John was preceded in death by his two wives, Betty and Maizie (who were, by
the way, close high school friends); by his brother Al Swearingen; and by his
two sisters, Ruth Terhune and Jean Gaylord. He is survived by his three sons
and their wives: David and Marilyn Swearingen, Jim and Nancy Swearingen,
Tom and Teri Swearingen; six grandchildren and spouses: Rachel Swearingen
Harris (Alan), Robert Swearingen, Rebecca Swearingen Hazlewood (J.
Michael), John Russell Swearingen (Lara), Scott Swearingen (Susie), and
William Swearingen (Melisa); by five great-grandchildren: Grant Harris,
Taylor Harris, Abigail Swearingen, John Patrick Swearingen, and Lucy Jane
Hazlewood; and by one niece and two nephews: Kathy Enslen, Stan Terhune,
and Joel Terhune.
The family is very grateful for the love and support received from the church
family and staff of Rogers First United Methodist Church, and commends the
entire staff at Circle of Life Hospice for their uncommon commitment to
excellent care for their patients and families. Thank you for making this
journey with us. An additional special thanks goes to the employees and
'regulars' at Wesner’s Grill in Rogers for their kind friendships with John.
Memorials may be sent to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale,
AR; the First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 307 W. Elm,
Rogers; the Boy Scouts of America, 1401 Old Greenwood Rd, Ft. Smith, AR
72901, or to the charity of your choice.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, June 24th, at First
United Methodist Church, Rogers, with Pastors David Bentley and Sandi
Wanasek officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until service time.
William Frank "Bill" Kerr
December 18, 1959 - July 16, 2014
Bentonville, Arkansas
2014 at Circle of Life Legacy Village in Bentonville. Bill was born
December 18, 1959 in Ashland, AL. to Charlie Kerr and Ida Mae Kerr.
He lived most of his life in Bentonville and worked for Walmart Stores
Inc for over 25 years. For the last several years Bill had been with
Outdoor Cap, Inc. He also served on the board of Igloo Corporation.
Bill enjoyed fishing, playing golf and was an avid Alabama Crimson
Tide fan. He treasured spending time with his family.
He was an active member of First Baptist Church where he served as a
deacon.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charlie Kerr.
Bill is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jacque Drinkwater Kerr; two
daughters, Courtney Killingsworth and husband, Tye and Carlie Kerr, all
of Bentonville; mother, Ida Mae Kerr; two brothers, Mike Kerr and wife,
Peggy, Randy Kerr and wife, Angelia and one sister, Martha Powell, all
of Ashland, AL.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, July 19, 2014 at
First Baptist Church in Bentonville with Bro. Phillip Smith officiating.
Private burial will be at Bentonville City cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church,
200 SW 'A' St. Bentonville, AR 72712 or to Circle of Life Hospice,
1201 NE Legacy Pkwy, Bentonville, AR 72712.
Robert Klepper
October 1, 1917 - November 8, 2007
Rogers, AR
Visitation: November 11, 2007
Funeral Service: November 12, 2007
Robert F. Klepper 90, of Rogers, died Thursday November 8, 2007 at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was born
October 1, 1917 in Frankfort, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents Bertha Fink Klepper, and Fred
Klepper.
Robert attended Joliet Junior College, received a BA from Elmhurst College, a M.Div., from Union Theological
Seminary, a STM from Princeton Theological Seminary, and was a minister of the United Church of Christ. He
was the organizing minister of Prospect Heights Community Church in Illinois, (1943-1965). He also served
Long Grove Evangelical Church (1943-1945), St. Mark UCC of Chicago Heights (1965-1975), First
Congregational UCC of Plymouth, Wisconsin (1975-1981). Robert retired in 1981 and moved to Bella Vista in
1983.
After moving to Bella Vista, he volunteered at the Bella Vista Library, and served on voluntary pastoral services
for the Bella Vista Community Church and the Bella Vista First United Methodist Church.
Robert was an artist and enjoyed working with faceted glass, as well as being an accomplished writer of religious
books. Among his publications is an article in Church Management Magazine on faceted glass (1966), a
concordance of The Hymnal United Church of Christ (1985), and three hymnal concordances published by
Scarecrow Press; The Methodist Hymnal 1987, The Hymnal 1982 of the Episcopal Church, and the Pilgrim
Hymnal 1989.
Survivors include his wife Dorothy Schemske of the home, a son Dr.Tim Klepper of DeFuniak Springs, Florida;
a daughter Ceinwen King-Smith of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; a step son Dr. Douglas Schemske, of Mason,
Michigan; a step daughter Sandra Schemske, of Pleasant Ridge, Michigan; a brother Clarence Klepper, of
Rockford, Illinois; two grandchildren Heather Fani, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Martin King-Smith of
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, numerous nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his first wife Olga
Klepper, the mother of Tim and Ceinwen, as well as his second wife Judith Klepper.
Memorial services will be 2:00 pm Monday November 12, 2007 at the First Presbyterian Church of Rogers, with
the Rev. Laura Fleetwood, and the Rev. Jeff Parker officiating.
A memorial visitation will be from 2-4:00 pm Sunday November 11, 2007 at Stockdale Funeral Services of
Rogers.
The family request in lieu of flowers that memorials be made in honor of Robert F. Klepper to the Parkinson
National Foundation, 1501 NW 9th Ave. Bob Hope Road, Miami, Florida 33136-1494.
Richard Dean Senty, Jr
April 9, 1952 - June 27, 2015
Bella Vista, Arkansas
Richard 'Dean' Senty, Jr. 63, of Bella Vista, Arkansas
passed away Saturday June 27th at his residence. He was
born April 9, 1952 in Davenport, Iowa to Richard Dean
Senty, Sr and Joan Waterman Senty.
He was a 1974 graduate of Vanderbilt University, where
he majored in Psychology and Studio Art and played on
the tennis team. He was a professional photographer
and owned Dean’s Countryside Studio in Rogers, AR. A
few of his passions were photography, Bible prophesy,
and collecting interesting things.
Dean loved to travel. His favorite place was Florida
where he lived most of the year. Going to Disney World
was one of his favorite past times and when his children
were younger they vacationed there many times.
He was a unique person and he had a strong impact in the
lives of many people.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Dean is survived by his five children; sons, Josh Senty
and wife, Sarah of Pea Ridge, AR, Isaac Senty of Bella
Vista, AR, Chris Senty and wife, Jessica of Fayetteville,
AR; daughters, Becky King and husband, Isaac of Webb
City, MO, Andrea Lowery and husband, Andrew of
Rogers, AR; three grandchildren, Jeremiah and Alexis
Senty, Axel King and one sister, Winnie Senty of Virginia.
Memorial Services will be at 11:00 am, Wendesday July
8, 2015 at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Chapel.
Visitation will be from 10:00 am until service time.
Sherry Elise Aresco
October 19, 2015
Bentonville, Arkansas
Sherry Elise Aresco, 27, is survived by her husband, Anthony Aresco of
the home, her mother, Denise Cardinal of Norman, OK, her father, James
Cardinal, Sr. of Slaughterville, OK, two brothers, James Cardinal, Jr. of
Collinsville, OK and John Cardinal of Bellevue, WA, along with many
special family members and friends.
Sherry touched a lot of peoples' lives during her brief time with us. Sherry
will be missed by many people who will carry her in their hearts forever.
Her family and friends are thankful she is no longer suffering, and that she
is resting in peace and watching over us.
Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 24, 2015 at
Chapel on the Creeks, 5202 W Villiage Parkway, Rogers, AR 72758.
