Arthur H. Blackshear

Arthur H. Blackshear, 88, of Newport died Sunday, January 16, 2011. He was born September 24, 1922 at Knoble, Arkansas, the son of Sam and Minerva (DeWitt) Blackshear. He moved to Anderson, Indiana in the 1950's and lived there 40 plus years, then moved to Newport, Arkansas in 1991. Mr. Blackshear was a plumber by trade, working 25 years for Hammons Appliance Repair in Anderson, Indiana, as a plumber and appliance repairman. He was a member of the Holden Avenue Church of Christ. Mr. Blackshear enjoyed fishing and traveling. He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers, Hobert Blackshear, Bill Blackshear, Willard "Jim" Blackshear, Ira Blackshear, Jess Blackshear, Gene Blackshear, and Virgil Blackshear; six sisters, Nora Simmons, Elsie Simmons, Retha Priest, Rutha Wiley, Alta Blackshear, and Wilma Blackshear. He is survived by his wife, Vivian (Crider) Blackshear of the home; two daughters, Suzanne Muterspaugh of South Carolina and Sonya Ward of Little Rock; two sisters, Gail Dunham of Newport and Lavina Pace of Hoxie; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Funeral services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Jackson's Newport Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Ryan Wilson officiating. Interment will be in Lawrence County Memorial Cemetery at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday. Pallbearers will be Marty Pace, Scott Blackshear, Wesley Grady, Phillip Stidham, Michael Sipes, and Terry Hardin. Arrangements by Jackson's Newport Funeral Home. www.jacksonsfh.com.