Obituary

Louis C. (Louie) Seibert, 88, of Hardy, Arkansas, died Monday, December 15, 2014, at Eagle Crest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Ash Flat, Arkansas.

He was born Oct. 14, 1926, in Paducah, Kentucky, to Jesse Mae (Wade) and Harris Seibert, where he was raised.  He was a 1945 graduate of Rudland High School in Paducah, Kentucky. He was drafted into the Army of the United States on March 7, 1945, during World War II.  He served as a Sargent in the PTO in the Philippines and Japan. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Army of Occupation Medal, all while stationed in Japan. While overseas, he earned two service bars for his time of duty. He was honorably discharged in October of 1946.

After his discharge from the Army, he traveled from Paducah, Kentucky, moving to Hardy, Arkansas, where he made his permanent home. He started his own business practicing accounting and doing tax returns. He later added appliances and television sales and repairs to his business and became the owner of Louie's Appliance and TV in Hardy.  While being a store owner and member of the Hardy community, Louie became very interested in the growth and advancement for the town. He ran for mayor for the city of Hardy and was elected. He held this office for two terms. This was a job and position Louie took very seriously. He also had a very special talent of analyzing handwriting. He took many classes and was licensed. He had the ability to examine documents, signatures, and helped with many court cases. He was called upon for his expertise locally and out of state.  In 2007, Louie opened up a used bookstore in his building which he called The Sparrows Nest. This was a Christian bookstore selling locally and out of town. He fully retired in 2011.

He was a member of Spring River Presbyterian Church in Hardy, where he attended regularly for many years and often bragged about being the longest living member of the congregation.  He was united in marriage to Anita Louise Calbert on Aug. 28, 1980, in Hardy. They were married for 28 years until her passing in 2008.

He is survived by his step-children, Mark (Marla) Smith of Newton, Gary (Mary) Smith of Greeley, Colorado, Robert (Pansy) Smith of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, Scott (Stacy) Smith of Greeley, Colorado; brother, Herbert Seibert of Hardy, Arkansas; and brother-in-law, Ronald (Judy) Calbert of Newton. He was also blessed with 14 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews; and very special friend Johnnie Ball of Hardy, Arkansas, who helped Louie in many ways over the past few years.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Mae (Wade) and Harris Seibert; his wife, Anita Louise Seibert; sisters, Gladys Irene, Helen Marie; brother, Harris Lee; and one grandson, Steven Smith.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial honoring Louie's life will be announced at a later date in January 2015 for those wishing to attend. Inurnment will be at Hesston Public Cemetery in Hesston, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Anita.  Expressions of sympathy, contributions or donations can be sent to Wortham Funeral Home (Louie Seibert Fund), P.O. Box 676, Hardy, Arkansas 72542-0676. Funds collected will be used to help defray funeral expenses.