Edward M. Cass

Edward M. Cass, 89, of Minnetonka, Minn., formerly of Bella Vista, Ark., and Beatrice, Neb., died April 8, 2011.

He was an avid golferand active member of the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista.

He was precededin death by his parents, Herbert and Beatrice Cass; three brothers, Herb, Bud and Gaythor; and his sister, Eutiva Lewis.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ann; a sister, Barb Baum of North Canton, Ohio; one daughter, Beth and Terry Schneider of Minnetonka; three sons, Richard and Jody Cass of Lincoln, Neb., Douglas and Theresa Cass of Rich Hill, Mo., and Dennis and Kim Cass of Cameron, N.C.; 15 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will begin at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista, 20 Boyce Drive.

Memorials to the church are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Jak Ker

Jak Ker, 55, of Bella Vista, died Monday, April 18, 2011, at a local nursing home. He was born Nov. 10, 1955, in Dallas, the son of Beth Gafford and Ivan Ker.

He served his country in the United States Army.

He loved God. Also he loved listening to music. He collected and sold many antiques.

He had lived in the northwest Arkansas area for more than five years after moving from Dallas.

He was a water inspector for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jak is survived by his wife, Sheila Ker, of the home; two sons, Jorel Ker and his wife Alix, of Texas, and Daniel Wilbur, of Prairie Grove; two daughters, Bethany Hoover and her husband Tyler, of Bentonville, and Cana Ker, of Bella Vista; five brothers, Tom Ker, Jon Ker, Kim Ker, Milton Ker and Cronnie Ker, all of Texas; one sister; Bitsey Loy, of Texas; and two grandchildren.

There are no services planned at this time.

All service arrangements were made under the direction of Epting Funeral Home of Bella Vista.

Online condolences can be made to the family at www.eptingfuneralhome. webs.com.

Dean Eugene Leedom

Dean Eugene Leedom, 91, of Bella Vista, Ark., died April 11, 2011, at Concordia Health and Rehab in Bella Vista. He was born Aug. 5, 1919, in Garvin, Minn., to Layton Eugene Leedom and Vera Ida Pierce Leedom.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Betty Ray Rouser on Dec. 29, 1984, in Marshall, Minn. He was a Shriner, having worked his way up from the BlueLodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Arleen; and one sister.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Ray of Bella Vista; two sons, Gregory Leedom of Anaheim, Calif., and Jack Leedom and wife Kathy of Henderson, Nev.; one daughter, Linda Leedom of Las Vegas, Nev.; and one stepson, Philip Lang and wife Becky of Bozeman, Mont.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 29, at St. Theodore’s Episcopal Church, 1001 Kingsland Road, Bella Vista.

Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.

Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Richard H. Michel

Richard H. Michel, 90, of Bella Vista, died Friday, April 15, 2011, at Concordia Care Center, Bella Vista. Richard was born Nov. 4, 1920, in Omaha, Neb., the son Henry and Agnes Michel.

Richard served in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard in both World War II and Korea. He wasa district manager for Northwestern Bell Telephone, and a former Bella Vista justice of the peace.

He was a member of the Bella Vista VFW, and American Legion. He loved horses, golfing and fishing, and was an avid N.R.A. member.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Linda Kelly, one sister, and two brothers.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marian Michel, of Bella Vista; daughter Kathy Swanson and husband Kim of Bella Vista; grandchildren Kelly Swanson and his wife Robin, of Omaha; Carrie Yingst and her husband Dean, of Centerton; and Marty O’Meara and her husband Cami, of Le Center, Minn.; and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 20 at the Bella Vista Funeral Home Chapel, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., with Fred Schapp officiating.

Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Concordia Care Center Alzheimers Unit, or the Bella Vista Animal Shelter.

On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com

John Thomas Owings Sr.

John Thomas “Jack” Owings Sr., 90, formerly of Bella Vista, Ark., died April 6, 2011, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. He was born Jan. 31, 1921, in Austin, Texas, to Bessie (Wise) and Jack Meredith Owings. He grew up in Cameron, Texas.

Jack served in the United States Navy in World War II from 1941 to 1947 and achieved the rank of master chief petty officer, the highest rank for an enlisted person. He married Dorothy Rose Stieber of Chicago in 1944.

He retired in 1980 after a careeras a master tool and die maker for the Hotpoint Division of General Electric in Chicago. After his retirement, Jack and Dorothy moved to Bella Vista, where they enjoyed golf and travel.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy; and his younger son, Ronald Allen Owings of Bend, Ore.

He is survived by a son, Tom Owings of Denison, Texas; three grandchildren, Adam Owings of Chantilly, Va., Emily Owings Brunner of Wilmington, Del., and Andrew Owings of Portland, Ore.; and three great-grandchildren, Rowan and Aurelia Owings and Donny Brunner.

A memorial service will be held April 22 at Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman, Texas, and his remains will be interred at Bella Vista Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in his name to the American Red Cross in Sherman.

Helen A.Young

Helen A. Young, 86, of Bella Vista, passed into Eternal Life Saturday, April 16, 2011, at Highlands Health in Bella Vista.

She was born Oct. 25, 1924, in Flushing Queens, New York, to DavidGoven Kirkland and Margaret Gray Kirkland.

She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. She co-founded the Village Players and was active for over 20 years. She directed the “Soliloquy” for more than 15 years. She was a member of the UnitedLutheran Church for 34 years. She was a golfer and very involved in her church and community.

She issurvived by three sons, Ferdinand “George” Young Jr., of Bella Vista, David Young and wife Karen of Bella Vista, and Russell Young and wife Lonna of Independence, Mo.; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter, and her dearest lifelong friend, Betty Matthews of Pennsylvania.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2011 at the United Lutheran Church, 100 Cooper Road, Bella Vista, with Fred Schaap and Pastor Darrel Johnson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, NWA Regional Office, 210 N. Walton Blvd., Suite 25, Bentonville, AR 72712, or to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 5248, Bella Vista, AR 72714.

On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com

Village Information, Pages 4 on 04/20/2011