Backstrom Pyeatte Funeral Home

Ocker Funeral Home, now with locations in Alma, Van Buren and Fort Smith, was founded 100 years ago.“This was a well deserved honor that my grandfather received,” said Evan Ocker.Founded in 1916 by W.W. Ocker Sr., today R.W. Ocker, along with sons Michael and R.W. II, own and manage the day-to-day operations.Daisy Ocker, widow of founder W.W. Ocker Sr., was one the first female licensed funeral directors and embalmers in Arkansas and served as Crawford County coroner in the 1930s and 1940s. Daisy Ocker’s daughter, Mary Ocker Moore, established the Ocker-Moore Scholarship Fund for area students with five different colleges and universities in Arkansas.R.W. Ocker has served as president of the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association and has served on the Arkansas Burial Association Board.“The Ocker family has lived in Crawford County Arkansas for five generations and hope to continue serving area families for many generations to come,” said AFDA president Don Martin of Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Siloam Springs.The annual convention was at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Rogers March 31-April 1. The convention kicked off with a cocktail reception and was followed by an awards banquet held in the Commerce Ballroom of the Embassy Suites Hotel.Martin also provided a review of the organization’s activities in the previous year. In addition to passing the gavel to incoming president, Brad Hays of Roller Funeral Home in Mountain Home, Martin also presented awards and honors to those with distinguished service in the industry. (Van Buren Press Argus-Courier)

A Siloam Springs man was killed in a workplace accident, according to Lt. Derek Spicer with the city's police department. Keith Brosch was killed by "an accidental electrocution and an elevated fall" Wednesday at Home Brands Products on U.S. Highway 412, Lt. Spicer said.AdvertisementCo-workers and members of the Siloam Springs Fire Department and Siloam Springs Regional Hospital tried to save Brosch's life, but weren't able to. Pastor Wes Flaugh with Liberty Baptist Church said Keith was kind and generous. He said Keith was a family man who loved his wife and children. He also dedicated much of his free time volunteering for the church. He said the Brosch was a skilled carpenter and donated three swings he built for a volunteer project at the church. “When we saw the swings that he had built, we were blown away. They are just incredible swings," Flaugh said.“Our church family just loved these people greatly. We’re doing all that we can to be there. He would give you these great hugs. And so, I am thankful I was able to give him one more hug," Flaugh said. Police are investigating, but do not believe any criminal act occured, Lt. Spicer told 40/29.Brosch was 46-years-old and married with three children, according to an obituary posted at the Backstrom Pyeatte Funeral Home.He was a supervisor at Home Brands.The service will be held at 10 a.m. at Liberty Baptist Church in Siloam Springs. (4029tv)