Obituaries

David Simms
David Simms

Douglas 'Doug' Lee Applegate

Douglas "Doug" Lee Applegate, 67, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at his residence.

He was born April 17, 1953, in Rogers, Ark., to Lillian Russell and John P. Applegate. He was a lifetime resident of Northwest Arkansas and graduated from Rogers High in 1971. He enjoyed hiking, nature and music. He owned and operated Applegate CPA located in Rogers.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Rhea Applegate, whom he married July 5, 2008; one son, Jordan Applegate (Malorie) of Bella Vista; one daughter, Heather Paul of Fayetteville; two stepsons, Greg DePratt (Amanda) of Joplin, Mo., Jon DePratt (Heather) of Cumming, Ga.; one brother, Bruce Applegate (Ann) of Springdale; seven grandchildren; and seven stepgrandchildren.

A celebration of life was held Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, at Fellowship Bible Church of Rogers with Pastor Mickey Rapier and Pastor Bart Sego officiating.

Memorials may be sent to Fellowship Bible Church of Bentonville or Alzheimer's Association.

Condolences may be expressed at www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com

Epting Funeral Home Bella Vista was in charge of arrangements.

Madalyn Ann Gill

Madalyn Ann "Maddy" Gill died Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Bella Vista, Ark., from covid-19.

She was born March 2, 1926, in Port Clinton, Ohio, to Carl and Bess Petersen. She was married to Charles E. "Chuck" Gill from 1947 until his passing in 2013. They resided in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for many years, retiring to Bella Vista in 1986. She enjoyed golfing, traveling and gardening.

Survivors include daughters, Pamela (Thomas) Mullin of Oregon, Sally Gill of Minnesota, Cynthia McCabe of Bella Vista; son, Thomas (Kathy) Gill of Illinois; and nine grandchildren.

Private services will be held later in Fayetteville.

Condolences may be expressed at www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

Epting Funeral Home of Bella Vista is in charge of arrangements.

David Lawrence Simms Jr.

David Lawrence Simms Jr., of Bella Vista, Ark., died Dec. 29, 2020, due to covid-19 complications.

He was born Dec. 30, 1948, to David and Margaret Simms of Del City, Okla. He graduated high school in Del City in 1967. He graduated from Central State University with a teaching degree. For 20 years, he worked as a mill rep for various carpet companies then switched career paths to teaching and coaching high school basketball. He married Janice Simms in 1971. He enjoyed watching his son's baseball teams, playing golf and traveling in their motorhome. Most recently, he was a member of the First Baptist Church in Rogers.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and brother, Ronald Joseph Simms of Oklahoma City.

He is survived by Janice, his wife of 49 years, of Bella Vista; his son, David Simms III (Brooke) of Duke, Okla.; and two grandsons.

Memorial services are planned for Jan. 18, 2021, at First Baptist Church Rogers, 3364 W. Pleasant Grove Road in Rogers. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. and the service at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or the Bella Vista Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 5248, Bella Vista, AR 72714, or the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com.

Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Robert L. Svehla

Robert L. (Bob) Svehla, 87, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Dec. 30, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Ark.

He was born May 13, 1933, in Friend, Neb., to Frances G. and John B. Svehla. He married Fern Gieselman on April 30, 1960, in Bloomfield, Neb. A graduate of Friend High School, he received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Doane College and earned advanced degrees from the University of Montana-Missoula and Xavier University. He served in the Army in Korea. His professional life began as a systems analyst in aerospace that eventually took him to Independence, Mo., where he spent 22 years serving the public in city government. After retiring to Bella Vista in 1996, he continued his service to the community by serving on the POA board and was a leading proponent for the incorporation of the city. He was an active member of the Bella Vista Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Fern Svehla of Bella Vista; children, Catherine Svehla of Twentynine Palms, Calif., Paul Svehla (Barbara) of Greensboro, N.C.; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Ramon, Bernard, Donald.

Memorial contributions may be made to the NW Arkansas Food Bank https://www.nwafoodbank.org or the Scholarship Fund at Bella Vista Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com.

Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Doug Applegate
Doug Applegate
Robert Svehla
Robert Svehla