Obituaries

OBITUARIES Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Advertising Department by funeral homes. For more information including cost and deadlines contact the advertising department at (501) 378-3889.

FAYETTEVILLE — Dennis Keith McMurtree passed away Oct. 13, 2019, in Fayetteville, Ark. Services will be 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, at the Hardwicke Chapel in Clarksville, Ark. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery in Springdale, Ark. Full obituary and online guest book available at www. hardwickefuneral.com.

PARIS — Bertha Geneva (Yother) Rieder-Wineberg, 92, of Paris passed away Tuesday. Rosary will be at 6 p.m., Sunday at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris with visitation following until 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Paris under the direction of Roller Funeral Home. Complete obituary at www.rollerfuneral homes.com/paris.

ROGERS — Danny Dieter born Jan. 24, 1966, in Hesperia, Calif. He passed Oct. 9, 2019, to Heaven. He is the son of Faye Osborn Anderson and Michael Anderson of Bella Vista.

He was preceded in death by grandparents Riley and Juanita Osborn and Harold and Annie Dieter and son Kyle Dieter.

He is survived by son Eric and wife Stacee; grandchildren Kelsee and Callum; daughter Summer Rose Dieter; sister Deborah Holmes and husband Brian; nephews Levi and Caleb; brother Brandon Hatheway; and dad Mark and wife Linda.

I know where you are and I know who you are with.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at the New Hope Holiness Church, 1809 W. New Hope Road, Rogers, Ark., with Pastor Nathan Easily. A luncheon will follow the service. Memorial donations can be sent to Circle of Life Hospice, Springdale, Ark.

Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. Fourth St., Rogers, Ark.

Online condolences can be made at www.bentoncounty funeralhome.com.

ROGERS — Jeffrey James Ford, 62, of Rogers, Ark., died Oct. 13, 2019. He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Wayne Ford and an infant sister. Survivors are his mother, Rosa Lee Ford; brother Mike Ford of Rogers; sister Christel Herbert (Mike) of Rogers; two nieces; and his dog (Bear). Online obituary at www.westfieldchapel. com.

SPRINGDALE — Ray Ritter, 90 of Springdale passed away Tuesday, Octo. 15, 2019, at his home. He was born July 1, 1929, in Houston, Texas, to Elbert R. and Georgia Williams Ritter.

Ray moved to Springdale when he was 13 years old and it was his home most of his life, with his family roots in Elm Springs. He worked many years in hotel work, the last 10 years on the corporate level, at the home office in Chicago, Ill. After retirement he was active in real estate and property development.

He served in the military during the Korean War. He was a lifetime member of First United Methodist Church in Springdale where he served on several committees and on the board of directors. He enjoyed gardening his crop and the opportunity to share it with others. With Monika West, his constant caregiver and companion at his side, Ray was able to spend the last few years enjoying his home and gardening until his death.

Graveside services will be Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Elm Springs Cemetery. No visitation is planned.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 206 W. Johnson Ave., Springdale, Ark., 72764, and Springdale Animal Shelter, 321 W. Randall Wobbe Lane, Springdale, Ark., 72764.

Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral. com.

TONTITOWN — Brian Churchill Bass, age 67, of Tontitown passed away Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. He was born Dec. 31, 1951, in Portland, Maine, to the late Gustavis and Florence Bass.

For the majority of his career he was in the metal sales business, where he built longlasting relationships with his customers. He enjoyed watching football (Dallas Cowboys), Nascar (Michael Waltrip and Kevin Harvick), wrestling, and most of all spending time with family.

His survivors include his loving companion of 28 years, Janice Milner; daughters Stacy Lee (David) of Bentonville and Jennifer Stanley (Travis) of Springdale; grandchildren Dawson, Bryson, Keyton and Makena; and brother Bruce Bass (Marianne) of Wichita, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

All are invited to visit with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18 at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Rollins, and burial will follow in Elm Springs Cemetery.

FOUNTAIN, Fla. — Eric Joseph Wilkin, 57, of Fountain, Fla., passed away at his home Oct. 8, 2019. Eric was born Sept. 3, 1962, in Fort Worth, Texas, and very much enjoyed his younger years exploring the outdoors near his home in Fort Smith and then Arkadelphia, Ark.

He was a beloved husband, son, brother, uncle and friend. His family moved to Slidell, La., in the late-’70s and Eric discovered his love for motorcycles.

Eric found his way to Northwest Florida in the late ’80s and he called the Panhandle home ever since. He joined Rogers Electric in 2003 and worked there until 2016. Also, in 2003, Eric married Kelli, the true love of his life. They lived the American dream when they bought some land and built their homestead in Fountain.

Eric’s love for motorcycles continued until his dying days. He formed many

lifelong friendships riding Harleys all around Florida and throughout the United States. And he didn’t just ride motorcycles, he built them, tore them apart and rebuilt them again. He was a skilled tradesman and his ability to build things with his hands made him the envy of his brothers and his friends!

An avid reader and model builder (mainly of World War II era weaponry), he loved to travel all over the United States and truly, never met a stranger. Eric was also a very talented artist and delighted family and friends with his hand drawn Christmas cards.

Eric will be fondly remembered by family and friends for his positive attitude, his life stories and his folksy expressions.

He was preceded in death by his father Charles Robert ‘Bob’ Wilkin and mother Elsie Ann Wilkin and grandparents Charlie and Dorothy Wilkin and William Joseph ‘Joe’ and Mabel Brown.

Eric is survived by his beloved wife of 16 years, Kelli Wilkin; sister Kari Spencer (husband John Spencer); brothers Rolf Wilkin (wife Ceri Wilkin) and Kurt Wilkin (wife Carrie Wilkin); uncle and aunt Jack and Barbara Modisett; in-laws Waynne and Julia Ward; nieces Mary Spencer and Elise Wilkin; nephews Evan Spencer, Andrew Spencer, Daniel Spencer, Matthew Spencer, Stephen Spencer, Joe Wilkin, Max Wilkin, Luke Wilkin, Brady Wilkin and Bennett Wilkin; and his beloved dogs, Oscar, Louie, Jake and Lucy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any nature organization of your choice, such as Arbor Day Foundation.

NEW OXFORD, Pa. — Lawrence L. “Larry” Pedigo, 75, entered into rest Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, at the Brethren Home in New Oxford. He was born June 24, 1944, in Chicago, Ill., the son of the late Victor L. and Ethel Laverne (Smith) Pedigo.

He was the husband of the late Leslie A. (Biddle) Pedigo.

Larry worked in various positions in the trucking industry mostly as a long-haul trucker and driver trainer. After his first retirement, he enjoyed operating a charter bus, both locally and nationally, based out of Branson, Mo. Larry had also been a member of the Lions Club, Rotary Club and the Mason Lodge.

A viewing will be 9:3010:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, at the John W. Keffer Funeral Home and Crematory, 2114 W. Market St., York, Pa., with a graveside service to follow at 11 a.m. at Wolf’s Church Cemetery, 4515 Wolf’s Church Road, York, Pa., 17408.

Larry is survived by daughter Lori A. Canorro and husband of 18 years James of York, Pa.; grandson Colby S. Burch; and former son-in-law Steve Burch of Fayetteville, Ark. He is also survived by son Mark A. Pedigo and wife Amber, along with their children Zachary Pedigo, Jayden Pedigo and Easton Pedigo, however their whereabouts are unknown at this time as they have relocated numerous times in recent years.

He was preceded in death by his brother Thomas E. Pedigo and brother-in-law Kevin L. Biddle.