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Thornton Funeral Home, 211 Luzerne Street, Mount Ida, AR (2026)

03/11/2026

William Rex Henry

William “Bill” Rex Henry of Pencil Bluff, Arkansas, passed away on March 5, 2026, at the age of 79. He was born on January 30, 1947. Bill was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to the late William Henry Jr. and Ruth Louise (Lipps) Henry and was the oldest of four children.

He served in the Army for three years during the Vietnam War. After moving to Pencil Bluff, he worked as a tree farmer.

Survived by his brothers Kevin Lee Henry of Bend, Oregon, and John (Remy) Henry of Pencil Bluff, and Sister Christine Marie (Henry) Spanbauer (Christopher) of Bend, Oregon.

Bill will be cremated and a memorial service is planned for Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 2 p.m. at Pencil Bluff Baptist Church with Bro. Mitch Odem officiating.

View William Rex Henry's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/09/2026

Gloria Diane Gaston

Gloria Diane Robbins Gaston, age 77, of Norman, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026. She was born on February 1, 1949, to Floyd and Violet Robbins. Diane lived a life centered on caring for the people she loved. She devoted herself to taking care of her mother, her brother, and her beloved husband, Lonnie Gaston, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her niece, Anita Clifton and her husband John; her nephew, Larry Robbins, Jr. and his wife Linda; as well as a great-niece and great-nephews and great- great-nieces. She also held a special place in her heart for her husband’s family, whom she loved as her own. Diane also leaves behind her dear friend, Isaac Richart, along with the puppies and cats she adored.

Diane enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. She loved spending time fishing and sharing meals and memories with family. Some of her favorite treats were her mother’s chocolate gravy and chocolate pie, her sister’s hot rolls, and Anita’s sugar cookies.

Diane will be remembered for her caring heart and her devotion to family. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

A memorial service will be held at Thornton Funeral Home, 211 Luzerne Street, Mount Ida, Arkansas, on April 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Gaston Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home in Mount Ida, Arkansas. Guest register at www.thortonfh.com

View Gloria Diane Gaston's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/06/2026

James Steven Cox

James Steven Cox, 76, of Mount Ida, Arkansas, passed away, Thursday, March 5th, 2026. He was born December 22nd, 1949, in Miami, Arizona, to James Calvin and Iva Mae (Jackson) Cox. He is preceded in death by both of his parents, his brother Billy Cox and his sisters June Clubb and Bernice Boadway.

James is survived by his wife of 31 years, Mary Cox, his son JC (Anglya) Cox, daughters Amber (Wade) Kramer, Mikayla (Caleb) Whitmire, Sandy (Charlie) Fryar and Ellen Davis, 7 grand-children, 9 great grandchildren, sister Dorothy Elder, nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 12th, 2026, 5-7pm at Thornton Funeral Home Chapel. Service will be held Friday, March 13th, 2026, 10am at Jesus Name Peace Tabernacle with Bro. David Whitmire officiating. Burial will be at Mount Olive Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home in Mount Ida, Arkansas. Guest register at www.thortonfh.com

View James Steven Cox's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/27/2026

Raymond Michael Lenard

Raymond Michael Lenard, 74, of Sims, Arkansas, passed away Friday, February 27th, 2026, in Hot Springs. He was born in Mena, Arkansas, November 12th, 1951, to Raymond and Orpha Mae (Hackney) Lenard. He was preceded in death by his father Raymond Lenard, brother Marty Lenard, sisters-in-law Kim Lenard and Vicki Lenard and his special friend, Jimmy Singleton.

Raymond is survived by his wife Bobbi Lenard, daughters Markie (Cody)Qualls, Lacy (fiancé Josh Guy) Lenard and Jennifer Lee (Derek) Diederich, his mother Orpha Mae Lenard, grandchildren Maryn Qualls, Harper Qualls, Brecken Sigg, Brooklin Diederich, Brylee Diederich, brothers Ricky (Linda) Lenard and Ronnie (Rosetta) Lenard, sister Connie Singleton, nieces, nephews along with host of other family and friends.

Visitation will be Monday, March 2nd, 2026, 5-7pm at Thornton Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Ida. Arrangements were made and directed by Thornton Funeral Home Mount Ida, Arkansas. Guest may register at thorntonfh.com

View Raymond Michael Lenard's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/23/2026

Eugene Allen Bankston

Eugene Allen Bankston, 87, of Oden, Arkansas, passed away, Sunday, February 22nd, 2026. He was born November 7th, 1938, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the late Newman Barron and Nancy (Tate) Bankston. He is preceded in death by both of his parents and his daughter Genyth Roshelle Butler.

Eugene is survived by his wife of 43 years, Genyth (Spencer) Bankston, granddaughters Hollie C. (Eric) Massey and Roshelle Butler, son-in-law Mark Butler, his sister Jewell Bankston, brother-in-law Robert L. (Peggy) Spencer nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date.

Arrangements under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home in Mount Ida, Arkansas. Guest register at www.thortonfh.com

View Eugene Allen Bankston's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/16/2026

Loretha Faye (Summitt) Ray

Loretha Ray, 81, of Mount Ida, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 15, after living with dementia for many years.

Born on April 20, 1944, in Sims, Arkansas to Joseph and Mattie Summitt, Loretha grew up in Mt. Ida and graduated from Mt. Ida High School in 1962. On August 31, 1962, she married Richard Ray, and they drove across the country and began their married life in California. During their life together, they also lived in Glenwood, Arkansas; Nocona, Texas; Poteau, Oklahoma and Harrison, Arkansas.

Before retiring, Loretha worked as a Coordinator with the Head Start Program, and some of her favorite memories were of times spent traveling with co-workers. She loved being outdoors, and spent her free time bird watching, rock gathering and enjoying God’s creation even into her years with dementia.

In each community she was blessed to be a part of, Loretha had a special gift for diving in and becoming involved. She could be found leading the youth group, teaching Sunday School, serving on church councils and much more. We have been touched by the number of people from the different communities who have reached out and shared the difference “Mimi” made in their lives.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Richard Ray; her children, Michelle (Zane) Meekins of Fort Worth, Texas and Gina Ray Ritchie of Tulsa, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Madeline, Caroline, Paxton (Retha) and Parker, brother and sister in law Bill and Sue Ray, as well as her special “sister-cousins” Cathy (Bill) High and Sharon Sims, both of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and a host of family and friends who she loved dearly. Her sweet cat “Kitty” misses her already and provided much comfort during her final days.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the Hospice Home Care staff, especially nurse Jenny, for their compassionate care and support.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Ida First Methodist Church, with a reception following in the Family Life Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or Mt. Ida First Methodist Church at P.O. Box 607, Mt. Ida, Arkansas, 71957.

Though dementia gradually changed her memory, it never diminished the love she gave or the impact she made. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered in the hearts of those who loved her.

View Loretha Faye (Summitt) Ray's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/03/2026

Diane Lee Whisenhunt

Diane Lee Whisenhunt, 84, of Mount Ida, Arkansas, passed away, Monday, February 2nd, 2026, in Hot Springs. She was born June 17th, 1941, in Hot Springs to the late Argus and Sybil (Doyle) O’Neal. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, husband Gip Whisenhunt, granddaughter Christina Whisenhunt, brother-in-law David Short, and Aunt Christine Whittington who was like a mother to Diane.

Diane is survived by her sons Bryan (Donna) Whisenhunt and Mark Whisenhunt, daughter Tamara McKee, grandchildren Allison (Stephen) Englert, Michael (Erin) McKee, Grant McKee and Patricia (Turner) Southall, great grandchildren Matthew McKee, Rory McKee, Emmett Englert, and due on Diane’s birthday, baby Eleanor Diane Englert, Piper Southall, brother Doyle (Janice) O’Neal and sister Pamela Short along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.

Diane grew up as daddy’s little “Tomboy and Helper” from the start following in her dad’s every footstep. She built her career as a home economics and classroom teacher of 28 years, but her main career was her husband of 63 years, her children, her animals, her home and her yard. Diane co-owned the AG Supermarket, later called the Piggly Wiggly and the Sears Store.

Diane was a lifelong cattle farmer of 57 years alongside her husband and boys. Daily she could be found in the cowpens and chicken houses gathering up feed. She could also be found daily in the farm truck, side by side or lawn mower, and occasionally on a tractor, always managing the farm and her children. Diane’s lawn was like a petting zoo with swans, peacocks, miniature horses, fowl of every kind, deer, goats, and dogs. Her love of animals was second only to her love of family and love of God. Diane and Gip not only farmed, but in their retirement they enjoyed spending lots of time traveling the world together. They never forgot to bring stories and pieces of their trips back to their children and grandchildren.

Diane was almost always busy working on the farm or in her home, but occasionally she went out and about to town. She always carried an air of elegance about herself. With her beautifully curled red hair accompanied by her glitz and glamorous jewelry and clothes, you would never know she had been working in the garden or wrestling swans just hours prior. As her granddaughter said, "she was a true testament to how a lady and woman should act." Diane also believed in an immaculate house, meals, deck, and yard with thinking of details as small as vacuum tracks, palm trees, ferns, hanging and potted flowers and mowing lines.

Diane instilled values into her children and grandchildren that will last a lifetime: Love of God and family, hard work, honesty, and love of animals. Diane will forever be on our minds and in our hearts.

Visitation will be Friday, February 6th, 2026, 5-7pm, at Thornton Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside service will be held Saturday, February 7th, 2026, 1pm at Rocky Valley Cemetery in Mount Ida with Bro. Greg Bland and Bro. Josh Harper officiating. Pallbearers are Michael McKee, Grant McKee, Stephen Englert, Turner Southall, Jacob Hill, Cody Roberts and Brandon Jackson.

Arrangements were made and directed under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home. Guest register at www.thortonfh.com

View Diane Lee Whisenhunt's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/02/2026

Gary James Duke

Gary James Duke, 78, of Collierville, Tennessee, passed away Friday, January 30th, 2026. He was born, August 3rd, 1947, in Norman, Arkansas to the late Arley Matthew and Ethia Evelyn (Cogburn) Duke. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and his sister Janie (Charles) White.

Gary is survived by his wife of 59 years Evonne (Pearson) Duke, and their children: Arlon (Ginger) Duke, Anton (Kristin) Duke and Angela Duke Martin; grandchildren: Mackenzie (Chris) Bland, Ashton Martin, Blaklee Martin, Emily (Daniel) Sepulvado, Ashley Duke, Katie Duke, Caroline Duke and Joshua Duke, great-granddaughter: Zadie; nieces and nephews; Susan (John) McGee, Paul (Angela) White and Mark (Julie) White; and great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 5th, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Norman, Arkansas; the service will be at 12 p.m. with Bro. Jeremy Graves officiating. Burial will be at Mount Gilead Cemetery. A Visitation service will be held at Grace Valley Church, 10576 Collierville Road, Collierville, Tennessee, on Monday, February 9, 2026 from 5 to 7 pm.

Arrangements were made and directed under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home.

We celebrate the life of a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and faithful servant of God. His life was rooted in Jesus, family, and faith, and he lived each day with purpose, gratitude, and love. Family was his greatest joy.

He was a hardworking provider who encouraged others, spoke truth with kindness, and reminded us daily to “make it a good day.” He had a special way of making people feel seen and valued, reflecting Christ in every interaction.

Proud to serve his country, he often offered a salute as a sign of respect and honor. Today, as he goes home to Heaven, we return that salute with love and gratitude.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Matthew 25:23

His favorite verse was Isaiah 40:31:

“Those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.”

View Gary James Duke's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/30/2026

Robert "Bob" David Bochik

Robert (Bob) David Bochik, 65, of Mount Ida, died at UAMS on 29 January 2026. His wife, Tera Bochik and daughter, MaryAnn Scurlock were by his side.

Bob is survived by his wife, Tera; daughter, MaryAnn (Tyler) Scurlock of Mount Ida; son, Robert Bochik, Jr. of Topeka, KS and daughter, Toteonia DeJoode, Knoxville, IA; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, wife, and son.

Bob was born 26 January 1961 in Chesterton, IN. He grew up in the Ogden Dunes, IN area and graduated from Portage, IN High School in 1979. He then entered the United States Marine Corps. He would occasionally share stories of serving on embassy duty in Russia and guard detail at the White House. He was a combat veteran from Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada where he was injured and received four purple hearts.

Bob was an accomplished chef and a chiropractic massage therapist. He retired in 2013 after working as a security guard at Mountain Harbor. He was a proud member of the Joplin Volunteer Fire Department. Many in the community will remember him as the dragon master and caretaker at The Dead End Cemetery every Halloween.

There will be a memorial service and celebration of life at a later date.

View Robert "Bob" David Bochik's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/28/2026

Morris Washington Ragle

Morris Washington Ragle, 94, of Mount Ida, AR passed away January 27, 2026 at home in Mount Ida, AR, with family by his side. Morris was born July 18, 1931 in Weatherford, TX to Tom and Ida Jackson Ragle. He is preceded in death by his wife JoAnn Ragle, son Randy Ragle, daughter Becky Hejduk and her husband Larry, infant daughter Drama Suzanne Ragle.

Morris was a member of First Baptist Church of Mount Ida, AR, he had also attended Faith Tabernacle Church of Mount Ida, AR before that, also making some great friends. He loved gospel music and going to church. He attended the Mount Ida Senior Citizen Center where he had many wonderful friends and enjoyed playing bean bag baseball, dominoes, and often competed with other senior centers. Morris grew up to be a cotton farmer in Texas, where he also raised Dairy Cattle which he milked. He was a man of many trades over the years.

Morris is survived by his daughter Nancy McLelland of Mount Ida, AR, son Henry Ragle of Hot Springs, AR, brother Gerald Ragle of Springtown, TX, sister Dorothy Shields of Owasso, OK, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.

At his wishes he was sent for cremation. There will be a Memorial Service at a later date. Arrangements under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home in Mount Ida, AR. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com.

View Morris Washington Ragle's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/28/2026

Patricia A Morphew

Patricia A. Summitt Morphew, 82, passed away sleeping peacefully next to her loving husband on January 24, 2026 to go be with her loved ones that had passed on before her. Born on October 11, 1943 in Sims, Arkansas to Hezzie and Lillie Plyler Summitt in Sims, Arkansas. Patricia married the love of her life, Terry Morphew of Norman, Arkansas, in Mount Ida, Arkansas on August 17, 1962. Together the couple lived throughout the South and Midwest following Terry’s pipeline occupation until settling in Channahon, Illinois in the late 1960s. After settling into a home, Patricia drove the Channahon school bus for many years. Terry and Pat then built a successful business, Channahon Tractor and Crane Service, where Pat managed the business office for over 30 years.

Patricia is survived by her loving husband, Terry, and her children, Paula Morphew Newsom of Mount Ida, Arkansas and Christopher Morphew (Nicole) of Sims, Arkansas, her adored grandchildren, Taylor Fredericks (Colton) of Minooka, Illinois, Eva Newsom of Chicago, Illinois, Mackenzie Morphew of Minooka, Illinois, Avery Newsom of Chicago, Illinois, and Dakota Morphew of Minooka, Illinois, and three great grandchildren, Adelyn, Emery and Phillip Fredericks. She is also survived by her brothers, Terry Summitt (Kathy) of Mount Ida, Arkansas and Jerry Summitt (Marcia) of Sims, Arkansas along with a host of brother and sisters-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends.

She is preceded in death by her infant daughter, Rebecca and her parents. Patricia’s memory will live on forever and she will be missed deeply by many.

A visitation service will be held Saturday, January 31st at the Mount Ida Church of God from 12 pm until 2 pm followed by a graveside service at Langley Hall Cemetery in Langley, Arkansas. Pallbearers are Chad Summitt, Derek Summitt, Michael Summitt, Jeff Morphew, Tony Morphew and John Morphew. Honorary pall bearers are Taylor Fredericks, Eva Newsom, Mackenzie Morphew, Avery Newsom, Dakota Morphew and Max Nisle. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home in Mount Ida, AR. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com.

View Patricia A Morphew's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/22/2026

Gary "Whity" White

Gary “Whity” White, 62, of Oden, Arkansas, passed away, Wednesday, January 21st, 2026. He was born February 8th, 1963, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Donald and Carolyn (Ganzer) White. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald White, grandparents Bruno and Mary Ganzer and paternal grandparents Roy and Ann White.

Whity is survived by his mother Carolyn White, sister Cindy Hamilton (Shane), nephew Michael White (Jeanna), niece Shelby McAfee (Mark), great nephew Cooper White, great niece Harper White along with a host of other friends from around the state from the Historian work he did.

Whity was a 1981 graduate of Oden High School. He had an associate degree and also had many different certificates, making him a jack of all trades.

Graveside service will be held Monday, February 2nd, 2026, 2:00pm at Oden Cemetery with Bro. Andy Burks and Bro. Mark Lyle officiating. Arrangements were made and directed under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home.

View Gary "Whity" White's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

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