Joe Richard Risener

He was born Feb. 23, 1925, in Yell County to the late Porter and Lula (Hood) Risener. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943, was a World War II veteran and a recipient of the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the Battle of Saipan.

Mr. Risener attended school at the University of Southern California and at Harding Graduate School of Religion in Memphis.

He was a minister for the Church of Christ, preaching at churches across the country for over 60 years, and was a member of the Park Hills Church of Christ.

He was active in the Lions Club for many years, was given the "Lion of the Year" award in 1995 and was in the Veterans Hall of Fame at Greene County Tech School in Paragould.

Also preceding him in death were his first wife, Helen Estes Risener; one grandson, Adam Risener, two brothers and four sisters.

Survivors include his wife, Georgia Risener of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Alan and Lynn Risener of Macon, Ga., and Matthew and Susan Risener of Paragould; one daughter and son-in-law, Juli and Phillip Morgan of Paragould; one step-daughter and her spouse, Sandra and Jim Cunningham of Festus, Mo.; five granddaughters, Shannon Beckinger of Greenville, S.C., Lisa Risener of Little Rock, Cara Schwertly of Nashville, Tenn., Laurel Gearson of Memphis and Chelle Morgan of Paragould; two step-grandchildren, Holly Blair of Park Hills, Mo., and Wendy Crouch of Arnold, Mo.; four great-granddaughters; six step-great-granddaughters; two sisters, Mrs. Willma Sample of Nimmons and Mrs. Jean Larsen of Piggott, and two brothers, Clifford Risener and Warren Risener, both of Piggott.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at C.Z. Boyer and Son Chapel in Desloge, Mo., with evangelist Bernie Crum officiating. Burial was in Mitchell Cemetery at Greenway with C.Z. Boyer and Son Funeral Homes in charge of arrangements.