John Wilmar Ansley

Obituary Notice

John Wilmar Ansley, 93, of Little Rock died Saturday, February 8, in Independence, MO. He was born in Osborne, Kansas to John B. and Maggie Diella Simpson Ansley. After he attended Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, MO In 1936 he married Frances McVay.In 1946 he married Dessie Merle Cox and they were married for 53 years before her death in 1999. During those years they lived in Little Rock. In 1975 he retired from the Arkansas Democrat, where he was an advertising salesman. At the age of 75 he received a degree in Library Science from UALR. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Chi fraternity, and Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, where he and Merle were very active in their Sunday School when they were younger. John was a member of a dance club, was an avid reader and enjoyed hobbies including gardening, fishing, dancing, singing, and geriatric exercises. He truly sang and danced through life. John was one of those special people who everyone loved. As he grew older, he was supported by countless friends who were attracted to his positive spirit and never ending zest for life. He had lived the past 8 months in Raytown, MO to be near his daughter and family. He is survived by his daughter Frances Jane Matson and her husband, Charles of Raytown, MO, a granddaughter Cathie Muschany and her husband Rob, of Kailua. Hawaii, great-granddaughter, Erin Muschany, two nephews, Wade Noxon, of Little Rock and Frank Turner, Dallas, TX and very special friends Ashvin and Diane Vibhakar and their children, Nathan and Abbey of Little Rock. He will be missed by his many friends at Woodland Heights of Little Rock and Bickford House in Raytown, MO. The family would also like to extend a very special thank-you to caregivers, Marijane Burton and Virtus Williams.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday February 15th at the Ruebel Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at 10:00a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer's Foundation.

Register Book

• What a wonderful picture of John! He was truly an inspiration and a joy to be around. The Razorbacks have lost one of their biggest fans (and most dapper dressers!), but I'm sure John will call those hogs from Heaven at every opportunity!

  Diane and Ashvin's friends, Terry and Pepper Paulson tpaulson@cox.net
  New Orleans, LA