Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Richard "Rick" Donald Stipe I am a Veteran.
March 12, 1935 - June 30, 2015
Surrounded by his loving wife, devoted children, and doting grandchildren, and in the comfort of his family home, Richard D. Stipe (Rick) peacefully breathed his last at 4:35 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2015-leaving his journey on earth to begin new adventures in Heaven with those loved ones that have gone on before us.
Rick was born on Tuesday, March 12, 1935, in Mena, Arkansas. He lived with his parents and older brother Jim on Main Street. Jim, being 12 years older than Rick, joined the Air Force during WWII and flew over 50 missions as a tail gunner on a B-17. Thus began his fascination with flying and aircraft. At the age of 12, he rode his bike from Main Street to the Mena Airport, cutting grass and polishing planes in exchange for flying lessons. At 16, like most young men his age, his parents took him to get his license on his birthday. Only instead of the DMV, his parents drove him to Horatio, where he was flight tested and received his private pilot’s license,
Although flying was very important to Rick, he was also very active at Mena High School. He played the trumpet in band; he was President of the Student Body, and a talented running back for the Mena Bearcats (in his junior year he scored 78 points).
It was at 16 that a young lady by the name of Donna Wood caught his eye. Although born in Mena, her family had moved to Michigan and she had just moved back to Mena for her junior year. Also active at School, Donna played basketball, was Secretary of her senior class, Carnival Queen, and a cheerleader. Finally, Rick got the courage to ask Donna out on a double date to go see a basketball tournament. They both knew that there was something special between them. As they stated later, by the end of the date they were both “twitter pated”-talking endlessly, becoming weak-kneed when they saw one another, basically falling in love.
And fall in love they did. On November 25, 1953, at the age of 18, Rick Stipe and Donna Wood got married. Fortunately, not only were they in love, but they also loved each other and were best friends. Most importantly, Rick became a born-again Christian in his early teens, and the example of his life led his soon-to-be wife to Christ also. Their love and faith sustained them through the highs, lows, great joys and even great sorrows that occur in life. When Rick passed away, they had been happily marriage for over 61 years.
Rick went to school at Arkansas Tech in Russellville, while Donna worked to help support him. At 19, continuing his pilot education, he received his commercial pilot’s license, and then he graduated in 1958 from Arkansas Tech with a BA in Social Studies.
He entered the Army immediately after graduation, proud to have the opportunity to serve his country. When his service was over, he was hired as a corporate pilot for Central Flying Service out of Adams Field in Little Rock. At 24, Rick was the youngest private jet pilot in the United States. He loved jet aircraft and continued to fly until he finally retired in 2001. After Central Flying Service, he flew for Winthrop Rockefeller, saying, “I hope Mr. R. never finds out that I’d fly for nothing.” When the first four Lear Jets came out, he applied for a position as one of the pilots, and was hired by Tupperware, the Captain of his jet with two co-pilots and a mechanic. As the years went by, Tupperware kept upgrading the Lear Jets as they came out with bigger and better jets, and Rick was soon flying all over the western hemisphere and even to Europe on a few occasions. Eventually Tupperware was bought out, and he became a pilot for Jim Hall, a former world class car racer. Mr. Hall also sponsored Pennzoil racing cars in the Indianapolis 500, and Rick was able to meet Mario Andretti and Johnny Rutherford. He even worked in the pit on occasion! His career brought him in contact with a President of the United States, famous businessmen, celebrities, and many influential people. Finally, after over 40 years of professional flying, he retired so he could spend more time with his wife and family
In spite of his memorable career, the most impressive thing about Rick Stipe was the fact that he touched the lives of every person he knew in a positive way. When he became a Christian, it wasn’t a whim and he wasn’t a “Sunday Christian.” He walked the walk of a Christian with grace, dignity, humility, and unmitigated generosity. He became a father in 1959 to a beautiful daughter, Kelly, and then in 1962 Rick and Donna welcomed their son, Greg. Greg was Rick in miniature, looking much like him but mostly in his joyful spirit and the inner light he carried. However, Greg was called home to Heaven too soon-8 days before his 2nd birthday-and Rick and Donna faced the worst tragedy that can ever befall two loving parents. Many couples do not survive the death of a child. But Rick and Donna bravely put their faith in God, and instead of growing apart, grew closer both to each other and in their personal relationships to Christ. However, they did want more children. This time, though, they chose to adopt, and in 1966 adopted a 9 month old boy whom they named James Matthew. Two years later, in 1968, they adopted a 5 month old girl they named Leslie Elizabeth. This was just another example of their generosity and love for others, as people didn’t adopt in those days unless they couldn’t have children themselves.
Rick took his role as the spiritual head of the household very seriously. He taught his family about Christianity through his actions. Many of the things he did for others, his family found out by accident and often years later, because he was not a man to brag or even share most of the kind things he did. For Rick, if you were living a Christ-filled life, then loving and helping others was simply a daily activity. He never once had a bad thing to say about anybody. When Rick and Donna moved back to Mena to eventually retire, Donna said that a number of people came to her and told her how he had helped them when he was a young man (since Mom moved back here at 16, she didn’t know a lot of these stories). He made friends all over the world, from Mena, AR to Caracas, Venezuela, because he was sincerely interested in others. He wanted to know about them and help in any way possible. He never met a stranger that wasn’t a friend or a friend he didn’t love.
Rick was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 14 years ago, and fought this insidious disease without complaint, without self-pity, but with all that he had. He lived at home and his loving wife took care of him. Finally, due to complications brought on as a result of Parkinson’s, the family brought him to home, where his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other relatives stayed with him until it was time to go home. He is survived by his wife, Donna, his two daughters, Kelly Lindvigsmoen (Tarald), and their son, Logan (Whitley) and Leslie Stipe; his son, Matt Stipe (Christine), and their children, Joshua Stipe (Amanda), Joey McCann (Rachel), Rhanda Vaughn (Joshua), Jacob McCann (Shelsie), Jacob Stipe (Ashley), and Sarah McCann (Bryan), and currently 9 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, July 2nd, at 11:00 a.m. at Mena Mountain Resort. Arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Polk County Library, 410 8th Street, Mena, Arkansas 71953.
David Peter Wiebe
November 18, 1924 - July 17, 2015
David Peter Wiebe, age 90, of Mena, died peacefully Friday, July 17, 2015 at his home. He was born November 18, 1924 to his parents, John Michael Wiebe and Christine Mazner Wiebe in Dinuba, California.
David was a member of the local Mena Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mena.
Preceded him in death were his parents, John Michael Wiebe and Christine Mazner Wiebe of Dinuba, California; one son, Darren Wiebe, Dinuba, California; his brothers, John Wiebe and Eugene Wiebe; sisters, Leah Colip and Esther Blackburn.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Faye Belle Hughes Wiebe, four children, David Farrell Wiebe and wife, Ruth of Mena, George Wiebe and wife, Mirella of Apopka, Florida, Joan Walker and husband, Greg of Lake Havas City, Arizona; John Wiebe and wife, Sandy of Walla Walla, Washington; sister, Iva Jean Holms of Sutherland, Oregon; brother, Irvin Reed and wife, Carol of Oregon; ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 26, 2015 at 4:00 P.M. at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Mena with Pastor Tommy Blunt officiating. Cremation services are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.
Catherine Annett Miller
December 22, 1942 - July 11, 2015
Catherine Annett Miller, age 72, of Mena, died Saturday, July 11, 2015 at her home in Mena. She was born on Tuesday, December 22, 1942 to Steadman and Fannie Sarah Hammett Miller in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Catherine loved spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren. She worked many years as a crematory tech for Watts Funeral Home in San Mateo, Florida. She enjoyed fishing and was of the Baptist faith. Catherine was a loving mother, grandmother and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Catherine is survived by her son, Scott Miller of Mena; daughter, Sara Ardiles of Silver Springs, Florida; two grandchildren, Domynick Ardiles of Silver Springs, Florida and Belle Karen Catherine Sherman-Miller of Mena and a host of other relatives and friends.
No services are scheduled at this time with cremation services entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.
Walter Floyd Ewing Sr. I am a Veteran.
June 3, 1947 - July 22, 2015
Walter Floyd Ewing Sr., age 68, of Mena, Arkansas, formerly of Evansville, Indiana died July 22, 2015 in Mena Arkansas. He was born on June 2, 1947 to Edward and
Dovie Harris Ewing. He served four years in the Navy during Vietnam and he enjoyed drag racing and fishing in his younger years.
Preceding him in death was his mother, Dovie and his father, Edward Ewing.
He is survived by three children that he loved very much, Walter Ewing III of Huntingburg Indiana, Becky Ewing Kramer and Janice Ewing; two brothers and one sister, Fred and Alice Ewing of Garland Texas, Donald and Rita of Fort Smith Arkansas and Mable Ewing of Hot springs Arkansas; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
No services are scheduled at this time with cremation services entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.
Charley Darris Wiles I am a Veteran.
July 30, 1930 - June 20, 2015
Charley Darris Wiles, age 84, of Mena, died Saturday, June 20, 2015 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on Wednesday, July 30, 1930 to Hamp R.L. and Clara Ward Wiles in Posey Hollow, Arkansas.
It is written in Psalm 116:15 that “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” I love how this verse uses the word precious; because that is what the Reverend Charley Wiles is and always will be to me and countless others.
There are no words to adequately describe how loved he was, nor how immensely he loved others, but especially the way he loved and served his Heavenly Father. He always answered when duty called. A true servant - he served his country in the Air Force, his community as a trusted leader, his wife and children as a dedicated husband and father for 65 years, and a host of people too great to number as a spiritual adviser, pastor, and friend for the last 54 years of his life here on earth.
There is comfort even through such tremendous pain in knowing he has crossed that final river, passed through those pearly gates, and is now kicking up gold dust with all his friends and loved ones who've gone before him to that Home on high which he preached about so many times.
People often say things like “the world is a little bit of a darker place now that my loved one is gone,” but I am blessed and proud to say the opposite - this ole world remains a brighter place because of Charley Wiles and the light of God’s love that shone through him on everyone he met.
His legacy of faith, servitude, integrity, godliness, and love will live on forever; in the same manner as he now does in our hearts, our memories, and with all the other precious saints of God in Heaven. Charley was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Hamp Darrell Wiles.
Charley is survived by his wife of 65 years, June Wiles of Mena; his son, Daryen Wiles of Springdale, Arkansas; two daughters and sons in law, Darla and Allen Martel of Mena and Dana and Marty Harvey of Mena; one sister and brother in law, one sister Doris and Leo Lott of Mena; four grandchildren, Jona Rogers of Mena, Colton Wiles and wife Brittany Wiles of Bentonville, Arkansas, Alex Harvey and wife, Kristen of Monticello, Arkansas and Brock Harvey of Fayetteville, Arkansas; four great grandchildren, Payton Tomblin of Mena, Beau Tomblin of Springdale, Arkansas , Hudson Harvey and Hadleigh Harvey both of Monticello, Arkansas several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held Monday, June 22, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at the Mena Church of God with Brother Mark Lyle officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday, June 21, 2015 from 6-8 P.M. at the Mena Church of God with cremation services are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made the Mena Church of God, 2771 Highway 88 East, Mena, Arkansas 71953.
