Paul David Meimerstorf
1949-2009

Paul David Meimerstorf, 59, of Dover, died Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
A son of the late Willie August and Laura Janell Poynter Meimerstorf, he was born Dec. 19, 1949, in Russellville. He retired from the Russellville Post Office in 2005 after serving for 30 years, and was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was also preceded in death by an infant sister, Violet Lucille Meimerstorf.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Julie Meimerstorf of Russellville; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Frank and Bonnie Meimerstorf of Russellville, and Bob Meimerstorf of Dover; six sisters and four brothers-in-law, Louella and Harold Metz, Helen and Walter Renfroe, Bonnie and Doug Higby, and Pat Bowden, all of Russellville, Mary Martin of Dardanelle, and Judy and Delbert Hale of North Little Rock; two grandchildren, Jenna Ann and Landon Max Meimerstorf, both of Russellville; 11 nephews, five nieces and several great-nephews and great-nieces; and his special friend, Sandy Virden of Hector.
The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, at East Point Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Jerry Schlinker. Burial will be in East Point Cemetery by Shinn Funeral Service.
Active pallbearers will be David Renfroe, Tim Meimerstorf, Michael Willis, Mike Martin, Grady Howell and Shawn Hunt.
Honorary pallbearers will be Roy and Troy Renfroe, and Steve Rook.
The family will receive friends from 5:30-7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.

Note from a relative of Paul's:

Paul David Meimerstorf worked nights sorting mail at the post office. When he retired he had over 30 years of service to his credit.

He was a Vietnam Veteran who received an honorable discharge.

He made muscadine wine for which he won both awards and admiration.

He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed camping, rodeos, and chuck wagon races.

He wore a pair of boots and a cowboy hat like a uniform, everyday. "He was a real cowboy," his daughter-in-law said.
To his friends he was "Paul David" and he had many.

Paul played many roles in the lives of many people but never has anyone had anything bad to say about him. "Everyone loved him because he was so friendly," his daughter-in-law said. "He never met a stranger, and when you met him he made you feel like you had known him for years."

Paul also had a dog. "Little Bit" was a stray that Paul tried and tried to give away, but I guess Little Bit felt about Paul the way his human counterparts did and assumed that Paul's was his home. Eventually Little Bit went everywhere with Paul, even riding on the back of his four-wheeler. Little Bit grew on Paul and he finally decided that he "wouldn't give him away for $1,000".

On August 20, 2009 Paul died at the age of 59 of cancer. His doctor during the last few months of his life commented that Paul had the best attitude of any patient he'd ever seen. In reference to his cancer Paul was heard saying, "it's no reason to get down."

His funeral had standing-room only and on his casket with the flowers was his favorite cowboy hat.

Over the years he amassed an estate reminiscent of the life he lived - boats, cars, tools, grills, hunting gear, and machinery - a life that was dedicated to the company of friends and the enjoyment of the simple things.

On October 3, 2009 his estate will be sold by auction at 10 am, and maybe Little Bit will be there too.

Doris Morris Sanders
1950-2008

Doris Marlene Sanders, 58, of Heber Springs, formerly of Russellville, died Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008.

She was the daughter of the late David Henry Morris, a 1968 graduate of Russellville High School and attended Complete in Christ Church in Searcy.

Survivors include her husband, Gary Sanders; a daughter, Denise Meli and husband, Chad; her mother, Norma Morris; brothers, Milton Morris and wife, Cyndi, and Melvin Morris and wife, Susan; sisters, Rayma Benedict and husband, Steve, Judy Crouch and husband, Lyndel, and Brenda Alverado and husband, Alex; grandchildren, Sydney and Grant Meli; many nieces and nephews; and numerous family and friends.

Funeral was Monday at Heber Springs Funeral Home. Burial was in Cleburne County Memorial Gardens.

Randy Ramsey
1950-1992

Miss Randell Claire Ramsay, 42, of Dallas, Texas, formerly of Russellville, died Tuesday, Oct. 20,1992 at her parents' home in Russellville.

She was a counselor in rehabilitation of the deaf having worked several years at the Deaf Action Center at Dallas and was a volunteer worker for the past 10 months at the Association of Retarded Citizens. She was a member of Shakespeare Guild, Producers Club and Munger Place United Methodist Church at Dallas.

Survivors included her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ward J. Ramsay of Russellville, and a sister, Mrs. Finley P. (Raye) Turner of Russellville.

Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church by the Rev. Mackey Yokem and the Rev. Barbara Marcum. A private burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park by Shinn Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Randell Claire Ramsay Fund, Deaf Action Center, 3115 Crestview Drive, Dallas, Texas 75235 or Munger Place United Methodist Church at Dallas

Rickey Lee Simpson
1950-2011

Rickey Lee Simpson, 61, a resident of London, died Thursday, December 29, 2011, at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center.

He was born July 6, 1950, at Russellville to Thomas Jefferson and Thelma Lee Ratliff Simpson. He retired from Russellville Public School District where he was a custodial supervisor for more than 30 years. When his children were young, he spent many hours as a volunteer peewee basketball and softball coach and he was an avid hunter. He had a great sense of humor and was an active father and grandfather, an all around good guy. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shelia Ann Clayton Simpson; two brothers, Thomas Jr. and Wayne Simpson; and two sisters, Ruby Brinkley and Sue Coffman.

Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Tracey and Russell Gilkey and Kerrie and Bruce Carothers, all of Russellville and Cindy Moye and her fiancé, Thomas Qualls of Fort Smith; a brother and sister-in-law, Pete and Mary Catherine Simpson of Russellville; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Lucille and Al Renfroe of Conway and Bonnie Sue and Jim Polk of Florida; seven grandchildren, Caden and Claire Carothers of Russellville, Joseph and Zoey Moye of Fort Smith, Clayton and Kevin Felkins and Courtney Gilkey, all of Russellville; and other relatives and friends. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at the Shinn Chapel with Mr. Maxie Longing officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service. Pallbearers will be Clayton and Kevin Felkins, Joey Moye, Jim Turner, Russell Gilkey and Bruce Carothers.

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Kelly Heights Baptist Church. The Rev. Wayne Bookout will officiate. The body was cremated.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, January 2, 2012, at the funeral home.

Gary Yaerger
1950-2005

Gary Dale Yaerger, 54, of Winston-Salem, N.C., formerly of Russellville, died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005.

The son of Dale and Alma Thompson Yaerger, he was born Oct. 28, 1950, in Russellville. Gary was a Cub Scout and while in high school he went to Florida with the Sea Scouts. He was a 1968 graduate of Russellville High School and received a bachelor of arts degree from Arkansas Tech University in 1973. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War serving from 1973 to 1976. He received a bachelor’s degree in commercial art and photography from the University of North Alabama in Florence, Ala., in the early ’80s. He also received a master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University in 2000. He was a copy and wire editor for the Winston-Salem Journal. He was preceded in death by his father, Dale Yaerger.

He is survived by his wife, Patsy Yaerger of Winston-Salem, N.C.; a son, Christian Yaerger of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and his mother, Alma Yaerger of Russellville.

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Kelly Heights Baptist Church. The Rev. Wayne Bookout will officiate. The body was cremated.

Local arrangements are by Humphrey Funeral Service.