Van Lee Tarpley

Van Lee Tarpley, 77, of Vilonia, Ark., passed away Oct. 31, 2025, at St. Vincent's hospital in Sherwood, Ark.

Van was born on Sunday, Nov. 23, 1947, to Gilbert and Lois Meharg Tarpley. He was born in his grandparents' house in Letona, Ark. He graduated from Searcy High School in 1965. While in high school, he worked for Kroger in Searcy. He stayed with Kroger stores for many years. Later, he worked at Food 4 Less, AAA Insurance, Yarnell's Ice Cream and Hawker Beachcraft, from where he retired. He served in the Arkansas National Guard in the early 1970s. He was a 27-year survivor of leukemia. He was a member of Letona Missionary Baptist Church.

Van is survived by his wife, Cynthia Tarpley; four daughters, Emily Eberhardt, MerriLee Tarpley, Mandee Harper and Martee Loughren; two sons, Jeffrey Eberhardt and Steven Eberhardt; one sister, Vicki Tarpley; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.

Van was preceded in death by his parents; maternal grandparents, Rassy and Ina Pitts Meharg; and paternal grandparents, Charles Orla and Mary Tarpley.

Van never met a stranger. He would help anyone when a need arose. So many people came to him for advice on a myriad of situations. When someone would say thank you to him for helping them, he would often say, "What are friends and family for if you can't use them?" Van made the best chili (no brag, just fact), and his barbecued ribs were second to none.

We are so blessed that Van was a part of our lives. He will be dearly missed. Thankfully, we will meet again someday "In the Sweet By and By."

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at Roller-Daniel Funeral Home in Searcy, Ark. Interment followed at Mt. Pisgah cemetery near Letona, Ark.