BATESVILLE — Thelma Marie McClain, 96, widow of Rev. Thomas A. McClain, died on Thursday, November 1, 2012, at Tri-Lakes Medical Center.

Services were held at Wells Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jerry Richards and Rev. Chet Bush officiating. Burial was in Forrest Memorial Park Cemetery. Wells Funeral Home had charge.

McClain, born Sept. 8, 1916, to the late Clarence and Tennie Howard Conditt in Durant, Okla., was a member of the Church of the Nazarene. She was a homemaker and a secretary.

Survivors include her children:, Stanley (Ilona) McClain of Batesville and Esther Richards of Marshalltown, Iowa; five grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

BATESVILLE —  David Eugene “Gene” Johnston Sr., 74, died November 1, 2012, at his residence.

Services were held Saturday at Southside Baptist Church. Burial was in Benton Baptist Cemetery. Rev. Richard Jennings officited. Stricklin King Funeral Home had charge.

Johnston, born Sept. 12, 1938, in Yazoo City, to the late William Henry Johnston and Myra Dale Jones, was a member of Batesville First Baptist Church. He was a truck driver anda  veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Survivors include: his wife, Dorothy Johnston of Batesville; two daughters, Carol Stephens of Pontotc and Diane Presley of Yazoo City; two sons, William Johnston of Yazoo City and David Johnston Jr. of Dallas, Texas; his adopted daughter, Brittany Adler of Batesville; one brother, Aubrey Johnston of Yazoo City; one sister, Linda Wright of Benton; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

BATESVILLE — Herman Smith, 48, of Batesville, died Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at The Med in Memphis.

Services will be held today at 11:00 a.m. in Wells Funeral Home Chapel with visitation from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in Lovejoy Cemetery in Pope. Wells Funeral Home has charge.

Smith was born on December 10, 1963, to Ruby Louise McCullar and James Herman Smith in Marks. He was employed by Pittsburg Tank and Tower as a welder for 20 years.

Survivors include his wife, Lisa Ruth Blevins Smith of Batesville; two daughters, Rachael Ann Laakso Kosal of Brown City, Mich., Laura Elizabeth Laakso Chafin of Brown City, Mich.; son, Timothy William Laakso of Brown City, Mich.; his mother, Ruby Louise McCullar Smith of Batesville; two sisters, Linda Faye Smith Pittman of Batesville, and Brenda Lee Smith Comstock of Batesville; two brothers, Earl Junior Smith of Tupelo, and Ronnie Lynn Smith of Batesville, and five grandchildren.

BATESVILLE — David Andrew Stengel, 76, died Saturday, November 3, 2012, at his residence.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. at Wells Funeral Home Chapel with Father Sam Messina and Reverend Howard Beam officiating. Burial will be in  Longtown Cemetery, Crenshaw.  Visitation will be held today   5:00-7:00 p.m. at Wells Funeral Home with Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Stengel, born on November 25, 1935 to Sadie Jozwick and Eugene Stengel in Memphis, was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Community in Batesville, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.  

He was a retired Gas Pipe Fitter for Memphis Light Gas and Water.  

Survivors include his wife, Catherine Huffstickler Stengel of Batesville, one daughter, Karen Woolsey of Arlington, Tenn., one son, Scott Stengel of Summerville, Tenn. and a brother, Eugen Stengel of Collierville, Tenn.; one step-daughter, Teresa Dowling of Manhattan, Kansas and one step son, Mark Rodgers of Memphis; four grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and three step-great grandchildren

BYHALIA — James William “Kingsnake” Tuttle, age 75, died Friday November 2, 2012, at his home in Byhalia.

Services were held Monday at Victory Church, in Byhalia, with Rev. Melvin Shackelford and Rev. Brownie Toehill officiating. Burial was in Byhalia Cemetery. Wells Funeral Home had charge.

Tuttle, born on June 12, 1937, in Batesville, to William and Callie Tuttle, was the co-founder of Tri State Sprinkler, based in Memphis. He enjoyed his hunting, fishing, drag racing his own cars and RVing across country.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Sandy; brother, Jerry Tuttle of Harmontown; four children, Lori Wilson of Byhalia, Debby Weathers of Birmingham, Ala., Tim Tuttle of Harmontown, Tammy Singleton of Lake Wales, Fla.; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren and one great grandchild

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Victory Church, 21 Vinson Rd, Byhalia, Miss. 38611.