OBITUARIES
Ellen Loretta Bolte
Ellen Loretta Bolte, 72, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, March 24, 2017. She was born Oct. 27, 1934, in Siloam Springs, Ark., to John and Sylvia Pike.
Her career spanned a multitude of fields including supervisor with Southwestern Bell, insurance agent, loan officer, and a collections officer.
She married Bill Bolte in Pittsburg, Kan., in 1963.
She and Bill lived in Pittsburg until 1986, when they moved to Bella Vista, Ark. She worked at the Bella Vista Property Owners Association until retirement.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; and a brother, Sam.
She is survived by two children, Mark Bolte and his wife Jeanette, and Stacy Boyajian and her husband Sam; four grandchildren; five siblings, LaVerna Lemmer, J.D. Pike, Kenneth Pike, Katherine Ogden, and Sam Pike.
The family received friends at Ellen’s home on Sunday, April 2. A private family burial will be in Pittsburg at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.
Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com
Edward Norman Castle
Edward Norman Castle, 98, died Tuesday, March 28, 2017. He was one of eight children born to John and Ethel Castle of Wheeling, Mo.
His career after college began as a U.S. Marine during World War II and the Korean War as a navigator. His second career was teaching junior high school in Southern California and Wakenda, Mo. Upon retirement in 1976, he and his wife Barbara enjoyed making and selling wood crafts and raising horses and mules. He was involved in civic and state volunteer programs including from Boy Scouts of America to the Carroll County Senior Center.
He was a patriot who believed in God, country and family.
Preceding him in death were his son, USMC 1st Lt. Robert Edward Castle in 1970; his wife of 59 years, Barbara Louise Oliver, who died in 2002; and his oldest daughter, Martha Ellen Castle, in January 2017.
He is survived by his daughter, Nancy L. Gross of Bella Vista, Ark.; and special family friend, Elizabeth Myers of Bosworth, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, he wanted donations to Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat St., Americus, Ga., 31709. There will be no services. He will be buried with his wife and son at Fort Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla.
Arrangements are made by Kansas City Funeral Directors, 913-262-6310.
David Arthur Drachenberg
David Arthur Drachenberg, 78, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Sunday, April 1, 2017, at Circle of Life Hospice Legacy Village in Bentonville, Ark., following an extended illness. He was born Jan. 30, 1939, in Webb City, Mo., to Nathaniel Tony Drachenberg and Ruth Nadine Rowland Drachenberg.
After college his career was in the aircraft industry. He worked in engineering at Boeing in Wichita, Kan., then at Beechcraft/Raytheon for 34 years, retiring as senior cost design engineer in 2002. His passion in life was his family, friends and music. He sang with the Boeing Stratosingers, was choir director at his church for 40 years, chairman of Wichita Christian Business and Professional Couples Club and numerous other activities. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Bentonville.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry and Wayne.
He is survived by his wife Janis Spillers Drachenberg, whom he married in 1960 in Southwest City, Mo.; two sons, Brett and Matthew; three grandsons; an aunt, Jean Ahrnsbrak and husband Leonard; an uncle, Wayne Rowland and wife Elisabeth; two sisters-inlaw, Darlene Vinyard and Gay Spillers; a brotherin-law, Darrell Spillers and wife Jean; and nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation is from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at Bella Vista Funeral Home Chapel, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd, Bella Vista, Ark.
Funeral service is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2017, with Pastor Benny Thompson officiating.
Interment will be at Southwest City Cemetery, with Pastor Richard Hart officiating.
Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 N.E. Legacy Parkway, Bentonville, AR 72712.
Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.
Shirley Kathryn Lounsbery Frick
Shirley Kathryn Lounsbery Frick, 93, of Little Rock, Ark., died Monday, March 27, 2017. She was born July 1, 1923, to Glen Grove and Mary Jane Rampton Lounsbery in Centerville, S.D.
She lived in Alcester, S.D., until 1971. Prior to her marriage, she worked at Sioux Falls Air Force Base. She then moved with her husband, Selmer Frick, to the Alcester area, where they farmed for 22 years. In 1971 she moved to Bella Vista, Ark., and worked for Bella Vista Baptist Church. After retiring she and her husband joined the Sowers group and volunteered working at churches, schools, and camps for the next 17 years.
In 2006, they moved to Little Rock. She and her husband volunteered at the Library for the Blind for several years.
She was a long-time member of Alcester Baptist Church, Bella Vista Baptist Church, and in her last years was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Larry Frick; and a sister, Doris Mitchell.
She is survived by her three children, Lynn Frick and wife Sall, Mary Frick Armstrong and husband Michael, and Paul Frick and wife Tracy; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and sisters, Ruth Lounsbery Morud and Ann Lounsbery Sproul.
The family will have a private burial.
Online guestbook is at www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/chenal.
Ruth G. Williams Godbey
Ruth G. Williams Godbey, 91, died Monday, April 3, 2017, in Circle of Life Hospice Care at Concordia Nursing and Rehab in Bella Vista, Ark. She was born June 22, 1925, in Atchison, Kan., the fourth of five children of Charles E. “Ed” Williams Sr. and Mary Ellen Nellie Hicks Williams.
Her early years included school, keeping up with two older brothers, exploring the Missouri River bluffs, and raising pets — Pooch, her 21-year-old terrier and too many cats to name. Her childhood was marred by the loss of her mother.
She graduated from Atchison High School in 1943. She was an avid swimmer, an accomplished pianist, and a skilled seamstress, crocheter, and quilter. Her early work years included ushering at her sister’s theater and working at Montgomery Ward in Atchison. She met Bill, her husband of 58 years, who worked for Santa Fe, and they married in 1948. They had four children. She was a stay-at-home mom.
In 1959, the family moved to Topeka and she accepted jobs as office manager for American Linen Supply and Jostens American Yearbook. When Bill retired in 1974, they moved to Salina, Kan., for seven years, where she worked for Bill’s brother in his chiropractic clinic. Their next move was to Rossville, Kan., to be closer to family. She volunteered at the local library there.
In 2006, with Bill in failing health, they returned to Topeka to a maintenance-free condominium. After Bill’s death in 2006, Ruth moved to Atria Hearthstone, then to Martin Creek Apartments. In 2012, needing assisted living, she moved to Bella Vista, Ark., when family moved there. She was able to keep her beloved cat, Pixie, at The Brookfield Assisted Living. After four years there, she lived in Memory Care at The Meadows in Bentonville. In declining health, she transferred to Concordia, where she died. She was cremated. Survivors include her sister, Margaret Sewell of Kansas City, Mo.; a daughter, Bonnie Schrick of Independence, Mo.; a son, Jerry Godbey of Camden Point, Mo.; a daughter, Debbie Gudenkauf and husband Steve of Wilton, Calif.; a daughter, Linda Klem and husband Ed of Bella Vista; seven grandchildren; and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life to honor Ruth will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.
Edward O. Grosshuesch
Edward O. Grosshuesch, 87, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at Circle of Life in Bentonville, Ark. He was born Jan. 16, 1930, in Klemme, Iowa, to the Rev. Calvin and Alice Kuhlman Grosshuesch.
He met Ruth Jaberg at Lakeland College (now University). They married Aug. 25, 1954, in Sheboygan, Wis.
His formative years were spent in Klemme, Iowa, where his father was an Evangelical and Reformed pastor. He graduated from Klemme High School in 1948. He continued his education at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wis., and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1952. He was a proud member of Lakeland College’s only undefeated football team in 1950 as well as on the conference championship basketball team in 1951. He earned his master’s degree from University of Wisconsin in 1958. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954, attaining the rank of sergeant while serving stateside during the Korean War.
After his honorable discharge from the Army, he began his career in public education as a secondary Social Studies teacher and coach serving the Random Lake, Wisconsin Dells and Racine school districts in Wisconsin. In 1967 he began 25 years of dedicated service to the Oostburg School District beginning as high school principal, retiring as district administrator in 1992 and honored with naming of the football field Grosshuesch Field. He was a member and officer in the American Legion and Kiwanis and served on the Oostburg Library Board. He began and ran a community-supported basketball and football youth program through the Sheboygan YMCA. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Oostburg as an elder and Christian education teacher.
Following his retirement, he and Ruth moved to Bella Vista, Ark., where they have lived for the past 25 years. While in Bella Vista, he continued his life of activity and service. He played in two golf leagues, the Thumpers and Missing Links. He volunteered at the Bella Vista Recycling program, and led the local AARP organization. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista as a deacon, elder and choir member. His and Ruth’s home for the past 10 years was the Plaza at Highlands Crossing, where they led many social activities and he served as president for several years.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Calvin and Ewald Grosshuesch.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth of Bella Vista; and three children, Jon and wife Beth Grosshuesch of Oostburg, Wis; Jay and his wife Jill Grosshuesch of Plymouth, Wis., and JoEllyn and husband David Slott of Germantown, Tenn.; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Ruben of Sheboygan; and a sister, Gertrude of Bentonville, Ark.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Lakeland University, Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista or the Ed and Ruth Grosshuesch Scholarship Fund that has been established for a graduating senior at Oostburg High School.
Robert W. Kellogg
Robert W. Kellogg, 84, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Sunday, April 2, 2017, at his home. He was born April 24, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa.
He spent his entire career working in education. Following retirement he moved to Bella Vista in 1993.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene J. Kellogg; three children, Dr. Jeffrey Kellogg and wife Nancy, Jeanette Kellogg, and Jerome Kellogg and wife Eugenia; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Following a private family service, the burial will be in Des Moines at a later date.
Arrangements are by Epting Funeral Home.
Condolences can be made at www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.
Donald Lynn Taylor
Donald Lynn Taylor, 68, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, March 24, 2017. He was born May 6, 1948, in Haynesville, La., to Alice Corine Metcalf Taylor and Johnnie A. Taylor.
He called Shreveport his home.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Karleen Thomas Taylor of Bella Vista; daughters, Donna Michelle Hickey of Chesapeake, Va., and Brandy Taylor Dick of Vivian, La.; stepdaughters, Peggy Smith Feazel of Honduras and Lisa Renee Parker of Lebanon, Tenn.; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild on the way.
Memorial Services were Thursday, March 30, 2017, at Village Baptist Church, 380 Glasgow Road, Bella Vista.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to Village Baptist Church for the Landscaping Fund.
Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.
Arrangements were under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.