Louis Charles Gottsponer

Louis Charles Gottsponer Sr., of St. Vincent, Ark., passed away Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, at CHI St. Vincent Hospital Morrilton. He was 78. Louis was born at home Feb. 2, 1939, in St. Vincent, one of nine children born to Joe and Carrie Vetter Gottsponer. He graduated high school at Sacred Heart School in Morrilton, and then served in the U.S. National Guard. He married Mary Frances Clifton on Oct. 27, 1962, and they raised their five children in Morrilton and St. Vincent. During his career, he worked as a welder, managed a cotton textile mill, managed the service department at a car dealership, managed a family truck wash, and was a cattleman and landowner. He had a great love for horses, hunting, fishing, and a variety of outdoor activities, especially gardening. Louis was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church in St. Vincent, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and Usher, and served several terms on parish council boards. He was a member of 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus Father Arthur B. Chaisson, Council #10908 and a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Father William M. Beck, Assembly #2081. He loved and served his community in several capacities, including volunteer firefighter, school board member and, most recently, Justice of the Peace for Conway County. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Francie Gottsponer, of the home; three sons: Louis C. Gottsponer Jr. (and his wife, Cathy) of Madison, Ind.; Jim Gottsponer (and his wife, Marilyn) of Fayetteville; Mark Gottsponer (and his wife, Cindy) of Scotland; two daughters: Michelle Warren (and her husband, Lucky) of Morrilton; and Angie Gottsponer, of Addison, Texas; one brother, Herman Gottsponer of Morrilton; two sisters: Theresa Owens of St. Peters, Mo., and Clara Acklin of Morrilton; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A rosary service will be held at 5:30 p.m. with Deacon Steve Mallett and Father Jim Burnie officiating, followed by visitation until 8 p.m., on Monday, Oct. 16 at Harris Funeral Home in Morrilton. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 11 Kaufman Lane, in St. Vincent with Father Jim Burnie and Deacon Steve Mallett officiating, followed by a lunch at the church hall. Burial will be at St. Mary Parish Cemetery. Arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Online guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.