Donald Leon Waldrup

Donald Leon Waldrup, age 76, of Heber Springs, Arkanasas, entered into his Heavenly home on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at the Baptist Medical Center in Heber Springs, Arkansas. He was born in Neal Settlement (Desha County, Ark.) on April 11, 1935 to Virgil Allen and Mae Belle (Ellis) Waldrup. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, James Edward, Ira Edgar (Ted), and Charlie Allen. He was a longtime resident and builder of many homes in and around Cleburne County and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father and the best "Papaw" around. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bonnie Faye (Heffington) Waldrup of Heber Springs; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Susan Waldrup; daughters and sons-in-law, Donna and David Odum and Rita and Brent Watkins all of Heber Springs. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Darrell Gray of Monticello, Ark.; seven grandchildren, Mark (Millissa) Waldrup of Searcy, Ark., Wesley Odum of Little Rock, Ark., Daniel Waldrup of Heber Springs, Ark., Patrick Odum of Gentry, Ark., Andy (Ashley) Bartlett, Spencer Bartlett, and Nate Bartlett all of Heber Springs, Ark., and five great-grandchildren, Caitlyn, Christah, John Mark, and Jacob Waldrup and Drake Bartlett. Mr. Waldrup is also survived by many other friends and relatives. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Olmstead Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 29 from 5-8 p.m. and the funeral will be held Friday, September 30 at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Heber Springs, Ark. Burial will follow at the Cleburne County Memorial Gardens.