Phillips County Progress, Phillips County, Arkansas *********************************************************** Submitted by: Barbara Miller Stainback Date: 16 Apr 2006 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** OBITUARIES September 3, 1997 Page 2 VINCENT A. COCO Funeral services for Vincent A. Coco of Helena was conducted Monday, Sept. 3, 1997, morning at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Rev. Ed Graves and Father Frank J. Coco officiated. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Hot Springs. Arrangements were under direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Mr. Coco, 84, died Saturday, Aug. 30, 1997, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was a businessman and owner of Coco Distributing Company. A native of Helena, Mr. Coco began his career as a salesman for the then-locally popular beer made by Goldcrest Brewing Company of Memphis during the 1940's. He was soon awarded his own Goldcrest distributorship in Little Rock, which he held for nearly 20 years while adding other beverage lines. In 1965, he was awarded the distribution rights for Amheuser-Busch products in Easter Arkansas and founded the Coco Distributing Company of Helena. He was a member of the National Beer Wholesalers Association and the Wholesale Beer Distrubtors of Arkansas and was the winner of seven Dimensions of Excellence Awards from Ambeuser-Busch for excellence in marketing and market share in the beer industry. He also contributed to numerous civic charities and philanthropic causes. He was known as much for his vivid wit as he was for his business acumen. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Yola Spiotta Coco, his wife of 55 years; two daughters, Nina Bennett of Hot Springs and Dr. Katie Coco of Salt Lake City, Utah; two sons, dr. William Vincent Coco of New York City and Marty Coco of Hot Springs; three sisters, Sara J. Coco and Mrs. Mary C. Sais, both of Helena; and Sister Rita Maria of Baton Rouge; two brothers, Father Frank J. Coco of Grand Coteau, Louisiana and Brother Anthony S. Coco of Campinas, Brazil. He also acknowledged as a favorite son, his general manager, Joe Murphy of Helena. Pallbearers were Martin Coco, Jr., Vince Fredrich, Ted Fredrich, Rick Hatfield, Bing Bennett, and Joe Murphy. Honorary pallbearers included employees of Coco Distributing Company. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grief Recovery Center of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, c/o First National Bank, Helena, or to the St. Jude Cancer Research Center in Memphis. MRS. MARY INENBIT Graveside service for Mrs. Mary Inebnit of Marvell was conducted Monday, Sept 1, 1997, morning at Schaffhauser cemetery. Brother Al Merchant officiated. Arrangements were under direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home.Mrs. Inebnit, 90, died August 29, 1997, at Crestpark Nursing Home. She was a native of Hicks, a homemaker, and a lifelong resident of Phillips County. Survivors include a nephew, Simon Schell of Marvell; and a niece, Rosemary Kale of Poplar Grove. MRS. MARTHA SYLAR Graveside service for Mrs. Martha Scaife Keesee Sylar of West Helena was conducted Sunday, Aug. 31, 1997, at Sunset Memorial Park. the Rev. Gary Anderson officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Mrs. Sylar, 87, died Friday, Aug. 29, 1997, at Crestpark Nursing Home. She wa a native of Wbash and a retired teacher in Phillips County public schools. Survivors include a sister, Susan Fisher of Paragould; a nephew; and a great niece.