OBITUARIES
Benjamin ‘Frank’ Franklin Owings
Benjamin “Frank” Franklin Owings, 80, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Saturday, March 18, 2017, at Circle of Life in Bentonville, Ark. He was born April 10, 1936, in Alden, Iowa, the son of Lula and Newton Owings.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Bentonville, a Boy Scout Leader, band booster member, and a licensed realtor. He loved camping and was a member of many camper’s clubs.
He was preceded death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Owings of Bella Vista; two sons, Mike Owings and his wife Melissa of Fayetteville, Ark., Mark Owings of Centerton, Ark.; two daughters, Judy Dunegan and her husband Mitch of Lawton, Okla., Jane Birmingham and her husband Jeff of Centerton; in one brother, Richard Owings of Iowa; two grandchildren, Joey Hammer, Kimberly Hammer; one great-grandchild, Scarlett Jones; and many close friends and family.
A private family service will be at a later date.
Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.
Julian P. Pickart
Julian P. Pickart, 87, of Bella Vista, Ark., formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017. He was born on May 4, 1929, in Norway, Iowa, to Clemons (Jeff) and Edna (Story) Pickart.
He served in the U.S. Navy as a petty officer. He attended the University of Iowa for two years and then worked at Transport Trailers in Cedar Rapids and McComb, Miss., for 43 years as a purchasing agent, plant manager and sales manager.
He married Jane Wodstrchill in 1954 and raised their three children in Cedar Rapids and Blairstown, Iowa. Jane passed away in 1983. He then married Byrdine Siek in 2007. They moved to Bella Vista in 2003.
He was an avid sports fan. He played basketball and baseball in his youth, and he was always proud to be a Norway Tiger. He followed the Yankees, Cubs, Hawkeyes, Razorbacks and loved college sports. He was always ready for a party and family gathering, which also meant sitting down to a six-handed Euchre game. He and Byrdine traveled the world but loved taking the back roads, enjoying America and the national parks. He was a kind and loving husband and father.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Jane; three brothers; and a sister.
He is survived by his wife, Byrdine of Bella Vista; son, Jeffery Pickart and wife Nelly of Monterrey, Mexico; daughters, Julie Kettler and husband Robert of Fulton, Ill., and Jacqueline Fowlkes and husband Kent of Cedar Rapids; stepdaughter, Bobbi Siek of California; stepson, William Siek of Iowa; brother, Stanley Pickart and wife Louise of Massachusetts; four grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later time in Blairstown, Iowa.
Memorials can be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista, Circle of Life Hospice House, Bentonville, Ark., or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements will be made by Epting Funeral Home of Bella Vista.
Condolences can be made to www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.
Edgar ‘Ed’ Wolfgram
Edgar “Ed” Wolfgram, 80, of Bella Vista, Ark., died on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at his home. He was born in Chicago, Ill., on May 5, 1936, to Walter and Eleanor Wolfgram.
He was an engineering manager with Motorola in the Chicago area for 14 years. For 25 years he was a consultant with many chemical formulations and patents in his name. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing and golf.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Walter Wolfgram; and one granddaughter, Jenny.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Anita; brothers, Bob Wolfgram of California, and Randy Wolfgram of Florida; sister, Linda Baker of Florida; son, James Wolfgram and wife Laurel of Clearwater, Fla.; daughters, Joanne Cobb and husband Dan of Hayward, Wis., Susan Bailey and husband Matt of Lowell, Ark., Christi Gozdowiak and husband Andy of Greendale, Wis.; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at Bella Vista Funeral Home Chapel, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715.
Memorials may be made to Bella Vista Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, 1990 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715.
On-line condolences may be made at www. funeralmation.com.