Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1972
James Payne
James Payne, 81, of Bella Vista, died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, at Brighten House Care Center in Rogers.
Funeral services are pending with Callison-Lough Funeral Services of Bentonville.
Dave 'Perk' Perkins
Dave "Perk" Perkins, 53, of Bella Vista, died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002, at his home. He was born May 31, 1938, in Knott County, Ky., to Troy and Cora Shepherd Perkins.
He was a foreman for General Motors. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and served as a lake ranger for the Bella Vista Property Owners Association.
He was an avid golfer.
Survivors include his wife, Laura Perkins; three sons, Daniel Perkins and Troy Perkins, both of Bentonville, and Steven Perkins of Oregon; five brothers, Virgil Perkins and Darrell Perkins, both of Monticello, Ky., Paul Perkins of Green sburg, Ind., Don Perkins of Indiana and Dale Perkins of Clarksburg, Ind.; a sister, Darlene Perkins of Clarksburg; and five grandchildren.
Visitation was from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at Backstom-Pyeattte Funeral Home in Bentonville, which is in charge of local arrangements. Funeral and burial will be held at a later date in Green sburg.
Memorials may be made to Washington Regional Medical Center Hospice, 34 W. Colt Square, Drive. No. 1, Fayetteville, Ark. (72703).
Thelma Joy Prewitt Torres
Thelma Joy Prewitt Torres, 91, of Rogers, and formerly of Butler, Mo., died Friday, Jan. 25, 2002, at Innisfree Care Center in Rogers. She was born May 17, 1910, in Emporia, Kan., to Clare and Emma Joy Kays Anderson.
She was involved in food service most of her working life. She owned and operated many restaurants, and was in charge of food service for Children's Hospital in Costa Mesa, Calif., and other establishments.
She was a member of the Methodist Church. She enjoyed bowling, horse races, playing poker and slot machines.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Warren Anderson, Harold Anderson, Herb Anderson and Marvin Anderson.
Survivors include a brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Bonnie Anderson of Bella Vista; six nieces and nephews, Tim Anderson of San Antonio, Texas, Mike Anderson of Hillsdale, Mich., Jeff Anderson of Costa Mesa, Calif., Christy Anderson of Lake Tahoe, Calif., Warren Anderson Jr. of San Francisco and Andrea Lee Anderson of Chico, Calif.
Funeral services were Monday, Jan. 28, at Underwood-Steinbeck Funeral Home of Butler, with Bill Perkey officiating. Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Lillian M. Armstrong
Lillian M. Armstrong, 100, of Bella Vista, died Monday, March 31, 2003, in Bella Vista. She was born Aug. 4, 1902, in Omaha, Neb., to Clifton and Mary Hamer Armstrong.
She had lived in Benton County since July 1, 1975, moving from Omaha where she was the owner and operator of Lillian's Flowers. She was a past president of the women's division of the Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Omaha, Omaha Gospel Tabernacle and Bella Vista Baptist Church.
She enjoyed calligraphy, golf and tennis.
Survivors include a niece, Mary Jo Harms of Wilcox, Neb.
A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Bella Vista Baptist Church with the Rev. George O'Neel officiating.
Arrangements were by Callison-Lough Funeral Service of Bentonville.
Helen Ann Gogela Austin
Helen Ann Gogela Austin, 82, of Bella Vista, died Monday, April 14, 2003, at her home. She was born Nov. 7, 1920, in Omaha, Neb., to James and Louise Mrkvicka Gogela.
She graduated from the University of Nebraska with a major in chemistry. She married Dr. Arthur Thomas Austin on May 6, 1944, in Omaha.\
She was involved with many community organizations, ministries and education. She was a lifelong member of the American Medical Association Alliance and the Iowa Medical Society Alliance, and presided over the state alliance from 1974 to 1975.
She moved to Bella Vista 10 years ago from Ottumwa, Iowa. She was an active member of the PEO, United Lutheran Church of Bella Vista and the church's Stephen Ministry.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Arthur Thomas Austin, on Oct. 2, 1994.
Survivors include a son, Bruce Thomas Austin of Loma Linda, Calif.; twin daughters and two sons-in-law, Patricia Louise and George Slater of Walnut Creek, Calif., Pamela Helen and John Hendricks of Temple, Texas; a brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Louis James and Mildred Gogela of Lincoln, Neb.; a sister, Marie Gogela Julis of Scottsbluff, Neb.; seven grandchildren, Kelly Kathleen Austin Martyshev, Margaret Ann Louise Austin, Meredith Paige Slater, Miranda Leigh Slater, Piper Marit Hendricks, Camden Austin Hendricks and Barret Justin Hendricks; and a great-grandchild, Savva Reid Martyshev.
A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at United Lutheran Church of Bella Vista with the Revs. Richard Jebsen and Fred Schaap officiating.
Arrangements were by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.
Memorials may be made to the International Waldenstroms Foundation, 2300 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 301, Sarasota, Fla. (34239-6226); or to United Lutheran Church, 100 Cooper Road, Bella Vista, Ark. (72715).
David L. Blaser
David L. Blaser, 71, of Bella Vista, died Saturday, April 5, 2003, in Mesa, Ariz.
He was a long-time resident of South Milwaukee, Wisc., and owned Grant Park Garage for 35 years. He was a member of South Milwaukee Yacht Club.
He was preceded in death by James Blaser of Union Grove, Wisc.
Visitation was at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at St. mark's Lutheran Church in Cudahy, Wisc. A memorial service followed at 10 a.m.
Cremation arrangements were by Botimer Funeral Home of Phoenix.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
Dr. Locke F. Edmondson
Dr. Locke F. Edmondson, 82, of Bella Vista, died Thursday, April 18, 2003, at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale. He was born March 4, 1921, in New Edinburg, to Robert F. and Golda R. Bonham Edmondson.
He graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. He received his master's degree from Oklahoma A&M and a doctorate degree from the University of California at Davis.
He worked for the United States Department of Agriculture for more than 28 years in the field of dairy science, and designed a process to remove radioactive strontium 90, a product of atmospheric nuclear testing, out of the milk supply.
He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific.
He moved to Bella Vista in 1985 from Dresher, Pa. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista. He was a charter member and elder of the church.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Vance Edmondson and William Edmondson; and a grandchild, Bethany Edmondson.
A memorial service was held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2003, at Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista with the Rev. James E. Still officiating. Private graveside services were at Bella Vista Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory.
