Ronald Eugene Kooiman

Ronald Eugene Kooiman, 76 of El Paso, Ark., passed peacefully Saturday, April 13, 2013, after a 13-year battle with three different cancers. Ronald was born November 9, 1936 in Canton, SD to the late William and Evelyn (Ruud) Kooiman. He is also preceded in death by siblings Gertrude Fauth, Corneal Lusk, Dennis Kooiman, and Jim Kooiman. Mr. Kooiman was a member of Crosby Church of Christ in Searcy. He retired from the US Air Force, after proudly serving 23 years. He was a devoted husband and father, always putting family first. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joyce (Helms) Kooiman of El Paso; children Vickie Gillespie (John) of Conway, Rodney Kooiman (Elizabeth) of Sardis, and William Kooiman (Susan) of Houston, Texas; siblings Mina DeBruin, Jenny Maassen, Bill Kooiman, Elaine Stevens, and Evelyn Redden; grandchildren Rachel Gillespie, David Noah Gillespie, Jonathan Kooiman, Jessica Kooiman, Stephanie Kooiman, and Andy Kooiman; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at Arkansas Funeral Care, 2620 W. Main St., Jacksonville. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the funeral home, officiated by Danny Harden. Burial will follow at Noon at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, North Little Rock, with full military honors. A special thanks to Springhill Baptist Hospital staff, especially the nurses of the 3rd floor, Dr. Mazher and staff, and an extra thanks to ICU nurse Kelly. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to CARTI, P.O. Box 55011, Little Rock, Ark. 72215. To sign his guestbook, please visit www.arkansasfuneralcare.com.