Fines F. Batchelor, Jr., 91, of Van Buren, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2018 in Fort Smith. He was born March 7, 1927 in Cedarville to the late Fines and Dana Batchelor, Sr. Fines served in the United States Air Force during World War II and the Korean Conflict, and was a Lieutenant Colonel when he completed his reserve duty. He was an attorney-at-law for Batchelor and Batchelor Law Firm, a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Van Buren, and a longtime member of the Van Buren Rotary Club. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Batchelor.
He is survived by two daughters, Lee Vlademar and husband Stan of Fort Smith, and Frankie Shearon and husband Robert of Poteau; two grandchildren, Stan Vlademar Jr. of Fort Smith, and Patrick Casey of Clarksville; and two great-grandchildren, Treyton and Cora Casey both of Clarksville.
Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 26, 2018 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church Gymnasium with interment to follow at the Fort Smith National Cemetery with Military Honors, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.
Honorary pallbearers will be Josh Larimer, Ed Knittig, Kenneth McCormick, James Kaelin, Luke Gramlich, members of the Crawford County Bar Association, and the Van Buren Rotary Club.
The family will visit with friends immediately following the Rosary at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.
