Monthly Archives: February 2015

Bonny Lou Lester, 71, of Winner, died Feb. 8.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, Feb.14 at 9 a.m. for family  and close friends at the Christian Church in Winner followed by a Celebration of Life service at 10 a.m.

Bonny was born to the late Claire Hansen and Bernice Hansen, January 28, 1944, in Winner.  She graduated from Winner High School in 1962 and received a degree in nursing from Clarkston College in 1965.

Bonny was a registered nurse for nearly 50 years working in labor and delivery, OB clinic and family practice. She was passionate about serving others and making a difference in their lives. Bonny was active in her local church. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her extended family and close friends. The family farm was always her favorite place.

Bonny is survived by mother Berniece Hansen, brother Jerry Hansen and his wife Judy (Darcy & Joel Aakre, Della & Brice Thomas, Jason & Amy Hansen), brother Dennis Hansen and his wife Liz  (Lana & Josh Kinsey, Corey Hansen & Amber Stevens)  daughter Shannon Flaschner and her husband Dean with their children Noelle, Madison, Samuel, Mia and Jack; son Shane Lester and his children Brittany and Ava as well as many special great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father Clair ‘Red’ Hansen.

Chester “Burt” Arvin, 86

Mr. Arvin was born April 2, 1926 in Lilly, IL to James D. and Irene Arvin.  In July 7, 1951, he married the love of his life and best friend, Margaret Ann Ayecock.  They were inseparable for 63 wonderful years.  Anyone who has ever made their acquaintance would agree that the two of them shared real true love and they were an inspiration to all.

Growing up poor during the Great Depression, he strived to give his children everything he never had which resulted in him becoming a very successful businessman. His two girls were his pride and joy, and he took them on many family vacations as he loved to travel. He made it to 49 of the 50 states, missing only Alaska. He took great pride in being honest and doing what was right. He loved telling stories of the old days.  His favorite story was running his trap lines as a teenager in Pennsylvania where he trapped mink and sold the fur to make money.

In 1945 Chester entered the military and was assigned to the 787^th MP BN.  He was stationed in Paris, France during WWII where one of his duties was to guard German POWs.  He looked back on his time there very fondly and loved to relive those days by speaking French and storytelling.

In 1946 he left military service and returned home to continue in the family business of beekeeping.  He partnered with his brother, Roy, and began Arvin Bros. Bee Farms, which he ran until retirement in 1988.  Chester was known to be an expert in his field and was highly respected.

He loved fishing with his good friend Herman McRae, cutting up and having fun. He was always the life of the party and had a laugh that would make anyone smile.

Survivors include his loving wife, Margaret Ann Arvin of Texarkana, AR; two daughters and son-in-law, Burdena (Fred) Weidner of Winner, SD, Patricia Arvin of Texarkana, AR; one sister, Myrtle May of Palestine, TX; six grandchildren: Bobby Anderson, Nathan Weidner, Chandra Cudmore, Crystal Anderson, Tiffany Weidner and Ashley Jorgensen. Ten great-grandchildren: Matthew Anderson, Kaylea Cudmore, Dustin Blacksmith, Ethen and Alexzander Cudmore, Karsten Anderson, Natalie Clairmont, Chloe Clairmont, Greyden and Griffyn Weidner; as well as many other family members and special friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and six sisters.

We lost our hero today.

 Margaret Ann Arvin, 84

On February 8, 2015, Margaret Ann Arvin, 84, of Texarkana, AR went to be with her man, Chester.

Margaret Ann Ayecock was born November 5, 1929, at Tillar, AR, to Miles and Mabel Ayecock.  She enjoyed playing on the basketball team at Tillar High School, and graduated there in 1947.

When working at Kresses department store in Pine Bluff, she met the love of her life, Chester Burton Arvin, and married him on July 7, 1951, for a union that would last 63 glorious years.  She joined him in his profession of beekeeping with whatever needed done—from sewing bee screens for his semi-trailer truck to extracting honey brought in from the bee yards.  Margaret was such a fast, efficient worker that Burt always said he couldn’t have accomplished what he did without her.

Margaret & Chester made their home in Foreman, AR, where they wintered their bees, but also lived near Colome, SD, each summer where they took the bees for the summer honey crop.  They had two daughters, Burdena Kay and Patricia Lynn.  Margaret faithfully packed the trunk of her car to travel back & forth each year following the bee trucks.

Margaret was a faithful mother teaching her children to kneel at night by their bedsides to pray, and regularly going with them to Sunday School at both the First United Methodist Church in Foreman, AR, and Calvary Chapel Church south of Colome, SD.  She was currently a member of SugarHill Methodist Church of Texarkana, AR.

In 1980 her first grandchild, Bobby, was born and he was the joy of her life.

After retiring in 1988, the couple parked their new RV at Burdena & son-in-law Fred’s ranch south of Winner, SD, for several summers and were nearby to help both of their girls & spoil the grandkids.  All of the grandchildren adored both Grandma & Grandpa (Pa).

Survivors include two daughters and son-in-law, Burdena (Fred) Weidner of Winner, SD, Patricia Arvin of Texarkana, AR; one sister, Artie Halford, of Dumas, AR; one brother, Terry Ayecock, of Tillar, AR; sister-in-law Margaret Ayecock-Frank; six grandchildren:  Bobby Anderson, Nathan Weidner, Chandra Cudmore, Crystal Anderson, Tiffany Weidner, Ashley Jorgensen; and ten great-grandchildren: Matthew Anderson, Kaylea Cudmore, Dustin Blacksmith, Ethen and Alexzander Cudmore, Karsten Anderson, Natalie Clairmont, Chloe Clairmont, Greyden Weidner, and Griffyn Weidner; as well as many other family members and special friends.

She was preceeded in death by her loving husband by only three days; her parents, two brothers, and three sisters.