Obituaries

David Glen (Decon) Smiley was born October 14, 1939 to Fred and Lottie Smiley. He went home to bit with Jesus on May 30, 2016 at 12:47 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents Fred Ander and Lottie Mae Smiley, his brothers, Lavelle and L.V. Smiley and several other family members. He was also preceded in death by the love of his life, Gloria Jean. Glen or Decon as most people knew him is survived by 2 brothers, Alvin and wife Mary, and Bob Smiley of Shreveport; Wilburn Smiley of Dodson, 2 sisters, Vera Grishom of Winnfield and Thera Lee Durbin of Jonesboro; 2 sons, Carl and wife Betty of Florida and David; 4 daughters, Glend and husband Michael, Kayla and Paul, Katrenia, Cristy, all of Washington. Glen was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Glen (Decon) enjoyed his family and friends in Washington and Louisiana by visiting often. Everyone enjoyed his visits, his smiles and his outlook on life. Services were held at 3 p.m.

Funeral services for Mrs. Billie Tallent Newman, age 90 of Benton, Louisiana, were held at Hill Crest Funeral Home in Haughton, Louisiana, at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2016. The Reverend Rolly Walker conducted the funeral service. Billie Tallent Newman was born in Mountain Home, Idaho on February 14, 1926, and passed away at her home on Saturday, May 28, 2016. She was a high school football coach’s wife for 33 years (1949-1981) and was affectionately called “Big” by her grandchildren because of her small stature. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years Charles “Hoss” Newman, parents Luke and Josephine Tallent, and brother Jack Tallent. Mrs. Newman is survived by her daughters, Sandra Newman Dyson and son-in-law Don Dyson of Ruston, Jody Newman Johnson of Keller, Texas, and Renee Newman Ryan and son-in-law Bo Ryan of Benton.

Mrs. Thelma Marie Manshack Procell of Winnfield went to the arms of the Father on June 1, 2016. She succumbed to a short illness after suffering a major stroke in 2011. She was surrounded by family when she was reunited with her late husband of 62 years, David Paul Procell and parents Amos and Elsie Ebarb Manshack. Ms. Marie was born in Ebarb, Louisiana in 1931. She met the love of her life and life partner marrying David Procell on January 23, 1947. Ms. Marie and Mr. Dave, members of the great generation, gave life to seven children. She was known for being a wonderful cook, generous giver, and an incredible “green thumb”. A plant dare not grow straight, strong, and give off plentiful fruit and blossoms. Like her children and their friends this was a mom who meant business or else… She was a Girl Scout troop leader, catechism instructor, Elder of the Choctaw Apache Tribe of Ebarb, and the Ladies Altar Society taking pride in making and mending altar cloths. Ms.

John William Smith passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at the age of 77 years. He was born on July 5, 1938, in Urania, Louisiana, to Hugh Ellis Smith and Zadie Mae Cox Smith. John proudly served our country in the U.S. Marine Corps. On July 17, 1968, he married Linda Jo Taylor in Dennison, Texas. He has lived in the Katy area for the last 40 years and ran his own CPA practice for the past 33. He was also an avid hunter, loved to travel, and spend time with friends and family. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Linda Smith of Brookshire, Texas; daughters, Amy Wade and her husband Randy and Sara Root and her husband David, all of Brookshire, Texas; grandchildren, Kasey Wells, Taylor Root, Kendall Wells, Tip Wade, Eli Wade, and Colton Root; sister, Carolyn Bice and her husband Charles of Winnfield, Louisiana; as well as other loving family members and a host of friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Emile “Brother” Iverstine, age 93 of Winnfield, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at Germantown Methodist Hospital in Germantown, TN. Mr. Iverstine is the son of the late Luke Iverstine Sr. and the late Frances Stafford Iverstine. He was also preceded in death by a son, Frankie Dewayne Iverstine, and five sisters: Tina Profita, Laura Baptist, Josephine Puma, Annie Poillion, and Linda King. Mr. Iverstine is survived by one son, Steven Wayne Iverstine and his wife Mary Watts Iverstine, two grandchildren: Adam Daniel Iverstine and Sarah Kathryn Iverstine all of Collierville, TN. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Stang and Bessie Magro and two brothers, Dave Iverstine and Luke Iverstine Jr. After service in the United States Army during WWII, he retired from Harrell Builders and Supply and moved to Tennessee to be near his son and grandchildren. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many.

Mrs. Barbara Ann “Mott” Welch, 71 of Montgomery, LA passed away on May 21, 2016 at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. She was born on September 17, 1944 in Natchitoches to the late Hargrove and Bernis Gongre. Barbara worked for many years as a caregiver to others. She loved being with her family and enjoyed putting puzzles together with anyone willing to help her. She enjoyed spending time in her flower garden as well as bream fishing when she was able. Crafting was something she loved to do and she was so great at it. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren and everyone who loved her. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Welch. Survivors include her four Children: Clay Welch (Sondra Hale) of St. Maurice, LA, Curtis Welch of Montgomery, LA, Connie Welch Pharris and her late husband, Mark “Shakey” Pharris of Madisonville, KY, and Kevin “Boss” Welch (Sheryl) of Natchitoches, LA.

Mr. John F. Wheeler, age 74 of Toledo Bend, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Born in Houston, Texas, he was preceded in death by his parents, John Williamson Wheeler and Frances Holmes Wheeler. He graduated from Winnfield High School in 1961. He lived, worked, raised a family in Winnfield, and after retirement moved to the lake. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Jennifer Smith Wheeler of Toledo Bend; son, John Clayton Wheeler and wife Lisa of Baytown, Texas and daughter Carla Wheeler Williams and husband Paul of Lake Charles, Louisiana and three grandsons, Nathaniel Williams, Hayden Williams, and John William “Jack” Wheeler. Interment will be on Saturday, May 28 at 11:00 a.m. in Garden of Memories Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 6977 Main Street, Houston, TX 77030-3701 or St.