OBITUARIES
R. Dale Christy
R. Dale Christy, 90, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, at Circle of
Life Hospice in Bentonville, Ark.
H e was born Nov. 21, 1929, in Kittanning, Penn., to Marshall and Kathryn Christy. The family relocated to Ft. Smith, and he graduated from Northside High School in 1947. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in business administration. He married Helen Ruth Watkins of Harrison in 1951. He had a lifelong career in chamber of commerce administration with leadership positions in Muskogee, Okla., Fordyce, Rogers and Fayetteville, Ark. He retired in 1991 and served the NWA Tourism Association while living in Bella Vista. He was inducted into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame in 2005.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Ruth Christy, of Bella Vista; four children, Charlotte Faucette (John) of Fayetteville, Alan Christy (Nancy) of Fayetteville, Scott Christy (Becky) of Springdale, Sandra Smith (Bart) of Bentonville; and nine grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Arkansas, 10201 W. Markham, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72205 or Highlands United Methodist Church, 371 Glasgow Road, Bella Vista, AR 72715.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2019, at Highlands United Methodist Church in Bella Vista.
Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com.
Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
A. Lucille Currie
A. Lucille Currie, 97, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Tuesday,
Dec. 24, 2019, at Circle of Life Hospice.
She was born July 20, 1922, in Highfill, Ark., to Frank Vernon True and Thelma Ada (Clark) True.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene B. Currie; son, James Currie; daughter, Barbara Boyle; and brother, Ralph True.
Survivors include her daughters, Peggy (John) Curran, Patty (Denny) Post; one sister, Euna Carpenter; and five grandchildren.
Private services are planned at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 NE Legacy Parkway, Bentonville, AR 72712.
Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com.
Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Lindel L. Duncan
Lindel “Linda” L. Duncan, 83, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, at Circle of Life Hospice.
She was born Oct. 20, 1936, to C.A. and Florence Holder in Paragould, Ark. She worked for the V.A. Hospital and was a member of the AM Vets Post 2 in Des Moines, Iowa. She also was a St. Louis Cardinals fan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Alvin; daughter, Joyce; brothers, Gordan, Charles and James; sisters, Deena and Mary.
She is survived by her husband, Robert “Hal” Duncan; children, Theresa, Pamela, Jeffrey and Amber.
A graveside service will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com.
Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Vickee L. Fleming
Vickee L. Fleming, 74, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019, at Circle of Life Hospice in
Bentonville. She was born March 12, 1945, in Fort Collins, Colo., to Donald and Margery Edmonds. She married Bruce Fleming May 29, 1968, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She worked for Frontier Airlines in Denver and was employed in the travel reservation business for 30 years. During this time, she traveled to Africa, Spain and South America. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista. She enjoyed mission work, volunteering as a docent to the Bella Vista Historical Society and Horses for Healing, and golfing.
She was preceded in death by her dad, Donald Edmonds; and her son, Richard Fleming.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Bruce Fleming; children, Jason Fleming, Robert Fleming (Angela); four grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Tiffany Jones; brothers, Jerry Edmonds (Sharman), Tom Edmonds (Brenda), Dave Edmonds (Vickie); and mother, Margery Edmonds.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista.
No flowers are requested. Memorials can be made to Bella Vista Historical Society, Bella Vista Animal Shelter or FUMC Bella Vista.
Condolences may be expressed at www. funeralmation.com.
Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Marylee Piha
Marylee Piha, 82, died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019.
She was born Aug. 9, 1937, in Eldorado, Kan. She graduated from high school at Wichita West. She married Leonard Piha and they had six children: David Piha of Rose Hill,
Kan., Karin Sherwood of Wichita, Kan., Brian Piha of Lowell, Keith Piha deceased,
Paul Piha of McKinney, Texas, and Elaine Piha of Whitter, Calif.
After raising her family, she worked as an administrative assistant at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant until retiring. She enjoyed travel, boating, camping and playing cards. She was the parish council recording secretary for 20 years.
A Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, followed by Mass of the Resurrection at 10 a.m.
Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com.
Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Beatrice Arleen Ranieri
Beatrice Arleen Ranieri, 95, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, at a local skilled care center. She was born April 9, 1924, in Galesville, Wis., to Ella Semb and Axel Gilbertson. She married Joseph Ranieri May 26, 1946. She was a homemaker, and a dental office manager for many years and she studied the Bible and played the violin. She enjoyed attending church activities, painting both oil and watercolor, cooking, baking, musical performances. She attended Business Administration School.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph Ranieri, who died May 15, 2019; and her brother,
Stanley Gilbertson.
Survivors include one son, Joel Andre Ranieri of Bella Vista; two daughters, Jewell Arleen Ranieri of Spokane Valley, Wash., Claire L. Ranieri of Olathe, Kan.; one brother, Knute Gilbertson (Joanne) of Minnetonka, Minn., and three grandsons.
A celebration of life was held Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, at Morningstar Lutheran Church in Omaha, Neb. She was interred in the National Cemetery in Omaha, Neb., following the service.
Memorials may be sent to United Lutheran Church, 100 Cooper Road, Bella Vista, AR 72715 http://www.unitedlutheranbv.org.
Condolences may be expressed at www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.
Epting Funeral Home of Bella Vista was in charge of arrangements.
Don Elwin Slade
Don Elwin Slade, 86, died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Ark.
He was born Sept. 17, 1933, to Edward and Eleanor Slade in Stafford, Kan. He grew up and graduated from high school in Stafford before earning a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Kansas State University. He served in the U.S. Army. He married Lois Sarver Slade. They raised their family in Pratt and he farmed on the family homestead in Stafford County, Kan. They retired to Bella Vista 30 years ago. He was a member of Highland Christian Church and the Kansas Sunflower Club. He was a Commander of the American Legion 341 in Bella Vista.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Eleanor; his brothers, Byron and Bernard Slade; and sister, Phyllis Slade McClure.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lois; his son, Darryl Slade (Brenda) of Columbia, Mo.; his two daughters, Marilyn Slade Sambevski (Michael) of Shawnee, Kan., Donna Slade Gowdy (Lynn) of Bentonville; his sister, Barbara Slade Baar; and six grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at Highland Christian Church, Bella Vista.
Memorials can be sent to Highland Christian Church, Bella Vista, Ark.
Condolences may be expressed at www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com
Epting Funeral Home of Bella Vista was in charge of arrangements.
Billy Joe Stidham
Billy Joe Stidham, 74, of Hiwasse, Ark., died Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, at a local skilled care center.
He was born March 18, 1945, in Portales, N.M., to Edith Elsie (Brown) Stidham and Delmas “Dee” Luther Stidham. He married Karen Jane (Marvin) Stidham.
He was preceded in death by one son, Danny Lee Stidham; his parents; and brothers, Earlon Troy "Lid” Stidham, Harlon Roy Stidham and Lawrence Ray Stidham.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Jane; two children, Bobby Joe Stidham of Hiwassee and Elaine Jean Presley (Daryl) of Centerton; five grandchildren; brothers, Carl Elton Stidham (Nancy) of California, William David Stidham (Diana) of Gravette, Raymond Dee Stidham (Jeanie) of Neosho, Mo.; sisters, Mona Fern Brinkly, Islamae Arnold, Doris Ann McDougal (John), Mary Sue Boling (Darrell Dean), Linda Kay Russow (Frank), all of Gravette, Betty Jean Hendricks (Gene) of Quitman, and Edith Faye Hudson of Gentry.