Wallace C. Steward, Jr.83, of Van Buren departed this life Friday, January 12, 2018 in a Fort Smith hospital. Junior as he was known by family and friends was a lifelong resident of Crawford County, being born June 9th, 1934 to Wallace and Ida (Woods) Steward of Lancaster. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 36 years Imogene (Gilstrap) Steward, 3 brothers, Gerald, Fay and Cole Steward and 5 sisters, Marie Snell, Margaret Parks, Catherine Gentry, Venitus Willis and Willa Steward.

He loved his church – Center Point Freewill Baptist where he served as a deacon, and teacher of the Men’s Sunday School Class. He loved camping, fishing at Lake Ouachita and gardening. Junior provided for his family by roofing and carpentry which he always took pride in and passed a strong work ethic on to his six children.

Funeral service will be 1 PM Monday, January 15, 2018 at Ocker Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with burial at the Steward Cemetery in Mountainburg under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren, Arkansas.

He is survived by his wife, Virgie Steward of the home; five daughters, Patricia (Pat) Kenner and husband Bert of Van Buren, Alice Loucks and husband Kevin of Benton, Illinois, Joyce Lawrence and husband Billy of Hackett, Lois Lynn and husband Wayne of Alma, Joe Ann Daniels and husband Kyle of Bella Vista, AR.; one son Cole Steward of Hot Springs, Ar. two step-sons Donnie Hays and wife Donna of Tulsa, OK and David Hays of Tulsa; one brother J.B. Steward and wife Pat of Van Buren; 7 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; and 20 Great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Grandsons, John B. Kenner III, Basil Kenner, Daniel Darden, Andrew Darden, Joshua Carr, Jacob Daniels and granddaughter Julie Jeremiah.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. John Weisse, Carl Dollard, Bob Vandergriff, son-in-laws, Bert Kenner, Kevin Loucks, Billy Lawrence, Wayne Lynn and Kyle Daniels, and the Men’s Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Steward Cemetery or the Heart Association.

The family will visit with relatives and friend Sunday, January 14, 2018 from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at Ocker Funeral Home, 700 Jefferson Street, Van Buren, Arkansas.

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