Frankston Area Obituaries — 1999-Present

Here are the obituaries posted for the current month from information provided courtesy of local and area funeral homes and published on their websites or those submitted by families. If an obituary is overlooked and it is desired that it be posted, please inform us at frankstondepotlibrary@gmail.com . Families may request changes or additions, if required. If you have an obituary for a person who has connections with someone or some family in the Frankston-Poynor-LaRue or Lake Palestine area that you want posted to this month or to the archives, and is not currently posted, please let us know at frankstondepotlibrary@gmail.com . Obituaries selected or submitted should follow a format which is essentially consistent with other obituaries posted here or by funeral homes and follow standard grammatical style. Through arrangements with funeral homes and/or the families, we will publish pictures with current obituaries. We will add pictures to archived obituaries from the print version of The Citizen newspaper prior to September 2019 when available. Pictures with archived obituaries posted after that will be added in cooperation with funeral homes or on requests from families.  As was the tradition of the Citizen newspaper, obituaries are published at no charge.

(Obituaries listed chronologically by date of death or funeral service.)

William H. Ballard

Military services were held at Mt. Vernon Memorial Park, Sacramento, Calif. on Wednesday, June 29, for William Howard Ballard, 86.

Mr. Ballard died Tuesday, June 21.

He was born May 13, 1919 in Frankston to Albert W. and Leila Ballard.

After graduating from Frankston High School in 1937, he served in the CCC. He enlisted in the CMTC in 1940 prior to the outbreak of WWII.

Rising to the rank of sergeant, he was chosen to be a Cadre for a freshly raised division of soldiers from New England. He served with the 43rd Inf. Div. in the South Pacific throughout the war, fighting in New Guinea and eventually ending up as part of the invasion force on Okinawa slated for the invastion of Japan.

He rose to the rank of company commander during the war and served in peace time Army Active Reserve, rising to the rank of colonel. Col. Ballard was a highly decorated combat veteran.

In civilian life, he had a successful business as a Phillips Petroleum dealer with a service station in Sacramento. Being a master mechanic, he was always ready to help a motorist in trouble. Even in retirement, he was always ready to help a friend or neighbor.

Mr. Ballard was preceded in death by his son, Paul.

Survivors include sisters, Ruth Helen Johns, Mary Jo Elrod and husband, Melvin; brothers, Granville Ballard and wife Chrys, Norris Ballard and wife Joan, Ray and wife Stephanie; and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara Rains

Funeral arrangements for Barbara Rains, 42, of LaRue are pending at Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Mrs. Rains died Saturday, July 2, at her residence.

She was born Oct. 8, 1962 in Whittier, Calif.

Mrs. Rains was an insurance clerk for Mother Frances Hospital.

Survivors include her husband, Ronald Edward Rains of LaRue; parents, Darrell and Margaret Curl of Whittier, Calif.; sisters, Diane Curl of Phoenix, Ariz. and Nancy Curl of Fairbanks, Alaska; one grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

Stephen Wayne Graves

Funeral services for Stephen Wayne Graves, 51, of Berryville were held at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Rev. Ron Ivey officiating.

Burial was at Garden Oaks Memorial Park in Berryville.

Mr. Graves died Thursday, July 14, at his residence.

He was born May 23, 1954 in Dallas.

Mr. Graves was a commercial glazier and owned Economy Glass & Mirror in Frankston. He was a member of the Glazier’s Union for 37 years. Mr. Graves was a Baptist.

Survivors include sons and daughter-in-law, Stephen Wayne Jr. and Nicole Graves of Mesquite, Joe Moroles, also of Mesquite, John Moroles of Dallas; a brother, Johnny Jack Graves of Frankston; three grandchildren, Stephanie, Rebecca and Jessica Graves; a niece, Becky Akin and husband, James and family; a nephew, John Ross and family and several other nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were James Akin, Rudy Love, Walter Brooks, Bryan Edwards, Joshua Edwards and Don King.

Alberta “Bertie” Stalnaker Jackson

Memorial services for Alberta “Bertie” Stalnaker Jackson, 76, of Berryville were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, at the First Presbyterian Church in Palestine with Rev. Doug Blanton and Rev. Tom Loden officiating.

Burial was in Roselawn Park under the direction of Bailey & Foster Funeral Home, Palestine.

Mrs. Jackson died Sunday, July 17, in a Tyler hospice.

She was born June 20, 1929 in Monteville, W.Va. to Icie Ellen Simmons and George Cameron Stalnaker.

She attended Tygart Valley Schools, West Virginia University and North Texas State University. She graduated with a BS in Economics from North Texas State.

Mrs. Jackson served an internship at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Mich. in preparation for registration as a licensed dietician. She was employed in the Burn Unit at Parkland Hospital and later was the Dietetic Supervisor at Grace Presbyterian Village in Dallas.

Mrs. Jackson founded and operated Dallas Dietetics Inc. and consulted with many small hospitals and nursing homes to maintain their compliance with State regulations.

She was past president of Harvey Woman’s Club, member of the club’s Permanent Board, a member of the Mardi Gras Krewe of Revelry, member of the First Presbyterian Church of Palestine, an Elder of the Presbyterian Church, and Chairman of the Bereavement Committee.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Harry C. Jackson of Berryville; a son, Ronald Cameron Jackson of Berryville; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Shanan Jackson of Fort Worth; two grandchildren; a sister and brother-inlaw, Francis and Bernie Stotler of Berkeley Spring, W. Va.; a brother and sister-in-law, Edgar and Edna Jean Stalnaker of Lewisburg, W.Va.; and a sister, Mildred Stalnaker Harmon of Greensboro, N.C

Honorary pallbearers were the Mardi Gras Krewe of Revelry.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, the Steeple Fund of First Presbyterian Church or the charity of choice.

Bernard C. 'Bill' Miller

Graveside services for Bernard C. “Bill” Miller. 86, of Dry Prong, La. were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 21, in Garden Oaks Memorial Park in Berryville will Rev. Ron Ivey officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Ball, La. Local arrangements were under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Mr. Miller died Monday, July 18.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army Air Corps as an airplane mechanic. His tour of duty included service in the Philippines and occupied Japan.

He volunteered for the Red Cross teaching First Aid Classes and the Junior Achievers of America. He was employed with Homer Electric Association in Homer, Alaska until his retirement in 1981.

While employed, he was involved in electrifying Alaskan villages, and worked with the CCC’s bringing electricity to Tennessee and Georgia.

Preceding him in death were his wife of 50 years, MelvaDene Miller; and two granddaughters, Heather Marie Hatfield and Gayle LeRae Martin.

Survivors include his son, Lonnie Miller and wife Charlotte of Frankston; three daughters, Cathy Duncan and husband Lyle of Frankston, Cynthia Ates and husband Charles of Dry Prong, La., and Christy Miller of Pineville, La.; one sister, Sue McCartney and husband Scott of Palm Spring, Calif.; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Harlen Edward Mudderman

PALESTINE — Funeral services for Harlen Edward Mudderman, 69, of Palestine were held at 3 p.m. Friday, July 8, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with the Rev. Gerald Hall officiating.

Burial was to follow at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in St. Paul, Minn. at a later date.

Mr. Mudderman died Tuesday, July 5, in Irving.

He was born Dec. 14, 1935 in Grundy County, Iowa.

Mr. Mudderman owned Frankston Lawn and Garden and was a volunteer fireman for Elmwood Volunteer Fire Department. He served in the Korean War and was a Baptist.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Mudderman of Palestine; sons, Troy Edward Mudderman of Minnesota and Timothy Harlen Mudderman and wife Julie of Palestine; stepson Brian Nelson and wife Jennifer of Altavista, Va.; daughter, Tabitha Marie Jendro and husband Jason of Elk River, Minn.; stepdaughters, Shari Sue O’Leary and husband Rick of Moundsview, Minn. and Michelle Annette Stenglein and husband Brian of Merrifield, Minn.; a sister, Wilma Bahlmann and husband Virgil of Tripoli, Iowa; 12 grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorials may be made to Elmwood Volunteer Fire Department or to the Make a Wish Foundation.

‘Buck’ Steverson

Funeral services for Elmer “Buck” Steverson, 81, of Frankston were held at 11 a.m Saturday, July 9, at Gentry Temple Church of God in Christ with Superintendent R.L. Dewberry officiating.

Burial was in Bethel Cemetery, Moore Station, under direction of Garrett & Tucker Funeral Directors, Athens.

Mr. Steverson died Sunday, July 3, in Tyler.

He was born on March 11, 1924, in Henderson County to the late Claudie and Addie Taylor Steverson.

Mr. Steverson attended Union Station schools and served in the Army. He retired from the postal service and was a welder and a member of Gentry Temple COGIC.

He was preceded in death by a son, Steven “Drew” Steverson; and a granddaughter, Angela.

Survivors include a son, Craig Steverson; daughters, Carolyn Knight White and Jacqueline McDowell; brothers, L.V. Steverson and Herman L. Steverson; sisters, Mary Rogers, Willie Mae Williams and Christine Hatton; and 10 grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Edward W. McDaniel, Elmer Hall, Michael Hatton, Calvin Hatton, L.C. Steverson and DeWayne Steverson.

Honorary pallbearers were members of Gentry Temple COGIC.

Henry Kizer Robison

Funeral services for Henry Kizer Robison, 86, of Leander, formerly of Frankston, were held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 22, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating.

Burial was in the Liberty Hill Cemetery, Frankston.

Mr. Robison died Tuesday, July 19 in a Georgetown hospital.

He was born Dec. 5, 1918 in Frankston.

Mr. Robison was a crane operator and in the construction business.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Robison.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Jeanette Robison of Burnet, John Robison, Larry and Margaret Robison, all of Leander; daughters and son-in-law, Fay and Charles Green of Leander, and Wanda Cook of Malakoff; sisters, Corean Phillips of Kentwood, La., Rosa Lee Nalor of Fort Worth, Martha Mathison of Bastrop and Betty Alexander of Leander; 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were James Robison, Joel Robison, Chuck Green, Ken Cook, Van Robison and Justin Cook.

Ona Mae Sprague

Funeral services for Ona Mae Sprague, 81, of Frankston were held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 25, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston with Rev. Bill Bristow and Rev. Deany Lambert officiating, under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Burial was at East Memorial Gardens in Texarkana, Ark. at 3 p.m. Monday, July 25.

Mrs. Sprague died Friday, July 22 in an Athens hospital.

She was born June 11, 1924 in LaRue.

Mrs. Sprague was a homemaker, loving wife and mother. She was a Methodist.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Austin Sprague.

Survivors include numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

(Obituaries posted contain information posted by funeral homes and/or families. Families may request changes or additions, if appropriate or required.)