NEWELLTON — Services for James Francis Doyle, 85, were this morning at Newellton Union Church in Newellton with the Revs. John H. Wilkins and Larry Foster officiating. Burial followed at Legion Memorial Cemetery in Newellton under the direction of Crothers-Glenwood Funeral Home. Visitation was Thursday night at the funeral home.

Mr. Doyle was born on Dec. 5, 1924, in Hon, Ark., and died Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at the Olive Branch Senior Care Center in Tallulah due to complications from a stroke.

A veteran of World War II, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and received a Purple Heart. Mr. Doyle was a well-respected farmer and was selected National Cotton Farmer of the Year in 1979. He was a member of the Newellton Union Church, serving on the Church Board; a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion for over 65 years; a longtime member of the Farm Bureau; served eight years on the Tensas Police Jury; was on the Board of directors of the Lake Bruin Golf and Country Club; served on the ASCS Community Committee; was a founding member of Tensas Co-op Gin Inc. and Tensas Farm Services; served on the board of directors of Cross Keys Bank for 30 years and was currently on the board of directors of the BSI Bankshares.

Mr. Doyle was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Gladys Doyle; two brothers, Dean Doyle and Bobby Doyle; and a sister, Edna D. Gunter.

Mr. Doyle is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nita Beatrice “Bea” Doyle of Newellton; his daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and David Hage of St. Joesph, La.; a granddaughter Susan Hosea and her husband, Paul, of Newellton; and a special great-grandson, Christian James Hosea; two brothers and their wives, Louie and Jimmie Ruth Doyle of Newellton and Ronnie and Carolyn Doyle of Jackson; two sisters, Betty Sue Pilkinton of Bossier City, La., and Peggy and Roger Waddill of St. Francisville, La.; two sisters-in-law, Betty Doyle of Jonesville, La., and Betty Lou Doyle of Newellton; a special “brother,” George Leon Plummer of Duport, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be nephews Ken Anderson, David Doyle, Kenny Doyle, Steve Doyle, Dr. James Waddill and Randy Waddill and great-nephews Christopher Doyle and Matthew Doyle.

Honorary pallbearers are Frank Burnside, Sam Leake, Edwin Preis, Phillip Watson Jr., William W. Watson and Carter Webb.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Newellton Union Church, P.O. Box 265, Newellton, LA 71357.