Obituaries

Ruth Darlene Gathman Mitchael

Ruth Darlene Gathman Mitchael passed away at the age of 84 on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale, Ark. She was born March 10, 1933 to John Gathman and Waneta Jones Gathman in Pittsburg, Kan. She grew up learning about her Lord and Savior in the First Christian Church in Mindenmines, Mo. She went to school in Mindenmines, Mo. and after graduating she spent one year at Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburgh, Kan. She decided to move to Wichita and took a position with Boeing where she met John Mitchael in 1952. They married February 1, 1953 and raised three children in Derby, Kan. They moved to Gravette, Ark. in 1991 after John retired from Boeing, where they have been members of the First Christian Church. Ruth is survived by her husband of 64 years, John Lee Mitchael; daughter, Jan Rene' Mitchael Thurman (Clayton); son, Steven Lee Mitchael (Jill) and son, Jay Scott Mitchael (Jennifer). She has six grandchildren, Randy Scott Thurman, Lauren Michelle Mitchael, Jake Lee Mitchael, Joshua Reed Mitchael, Jayni Elizabeth Mitchael, and Ava Jordan Ruth Mitchael. She has eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, (Dortha Mae Dudley), one brother, (John Gathman Jr.), granddaughter, (Rebecca Lynn Thurman), and step-father, (Ray Maxwell). Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bella Vista Funeral Home. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 18th at the First Christian Church in Gravette from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday, October 19th at the Heritage Baptist Church in Gravette at 2 p.m. Graveside services will be at the Lee Cemetery for family only. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Billy V. Hall Senior Activity and Wellness Center, Gravette or the First Christian Church Building Fund of Gravette. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Published October 17, 2017

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