Willis D. (Dan) Strain, Jr.

Willis D. (Dan) Strain, Jr., 90, died Friday, April 17, 2015 at White County Hospital in Searcy. The son of Willis and Vernia Maddox Strain was born on July 24, 1924 at the Strain homeplace between Rose Bud and Quitman. Outside of his military service and three years in Oklahoma, he remained on the homeplace for his entire life. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, 10 months, and 9 days, Erma Maxine Lester Strain; children: Gale (Jerry) Hansen of Searcy, Jo Ann Blakely of Searcy, Mary Beth (Kenneth) Harrison of Romance, George Strain of Rose Bud, Rick Strain of Rose Bud; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Billie Oliver of Cabot; brother, Perry K. Strain, Sr. of Pensacola, Fla.; brother-in-law, Ron Major of Shawnee Mission, Kan. He is also survived by a multitude of extended family and friends. Preceded in death by his parents; sister, Neva Schmidt; sister, Lola Beth Strain; sister, Sammye Major; brother, Winfred E. (Pat) Strain. Dan served in the military during World War II, stationed in the South Pacific. He was a lifelong dairy farmer. Visitation will be Sunday, April 19 from 5-7 p.m. at Roller-Daniel Funeral Home in Searcy. Funeral will be 10 a.m., Monday, April 20t at Roller-Daniel chapel. Graveside service will immediately follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Rose Bud. Pall bearers will be Kirk Robertson, Paul Harrison, Jeremy Harrison, Scott Blakely, Steven Strain, Will Strain, Daniel Strain, and Sam Strain. Honorary pall bearers will be Brent Blakely, Jay Hansen, and Troy Hansen. The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of White County Hospital. They were truly a blessing to our father and the entire family during this difficult time. For online guest book, www.rollerfuneral homes.com.