Emma Viola Dixon

Emma "Viola" Dixon, 77, of Siloam Springs, Ark., died on May 3, 2018, at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehabilitation.

She was born Oct. 27, 1940, in Logan Township, Ark., to George M. Reading and Jennie Truman Reading. She graduated from Gentry High School in 1959. She married Henry Dixon Jr. in 1962 at First Christian Church in Stilwell, Okla. She raised turkeys and worked in the Siloam Springs School lunchroom. She was a member of the Benton County 4-H Club for more than 40 years. She was a member of First Christian Church in Siloam Springs.

She was preceded in death by her husband; and three brothers, Earl Reading, Harold Reading and Robert Reading.

She is survived by five children, Charles Henry Dixon and wife Pam of Fairland, Okla., Ryan Dixon and wife Diana of Siloam Springs, Cheryl Melborne and husband John of Gentry, Ark., Jeffery Dixon of Little Rock, Ark., and Jerry Dixon and wife Rena of Siloam Springs; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2018, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Siloam Springs.

An online guest book is available at www.wassonfuneralhome.com.

Wasson Funeral Home of Siloam Springs is in charge of arrangements.

Ava Rae Runyan

Ava Rae Runyan of Gentry, Ark., died April 29, 2018, in Siloam Springs, Ark. She was born April 29, 2018, in Siloam Springs to Jarrod and Whitney Runyan, of Gentry.

She was preceded in death by maternal great-grandmother, Gloria Corter; maternal great-grandfather, Bob Truman; paternal great-grandfather, Clarence Runyan; paternal great-grandfather, Marvin Cloud; and paternal great-great-grandmother, Margaret Henderson.

She is survived by her parents; two sisters, Sophia and Ellie of Gentry; paternal grandparents, Bill and Tammie Runyan of Gentry; maternal grandparents, Danny and Tammy Corter of Gentry; maternal great-grandmother, Gloria Truman of Gentry; maternal great-grandfather, Jerry Corter of Springdale, Ark.; paternal great-grandmother, Loraina Cloud of Colcord, Okla.

Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 6, 2018, at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday, May 7, 2018, at First Assembly of God Church in Gentry, with Pastor Michael Powers officiating. Burial will follow at Lee Cemetery, near Gravette, Ark.

An online guest book is available at www.wassonfuneralhome.com.

Wasson Funeral Home of Siloam Springs is in charge of arrangements.

F. Dean Strzelecki

F. Dean Strzelecki, 75, of Siloam Springs, Ark., died April 27, 2018, at Circle of Life Hospice.

He was born Jan. 25, 1943, in Alpena, Mich., to Genevieve "Gene" Haske and Francis "Frank" Strzelecki. He was raised in Rogers City, Mich. He married his wife of more than 51 years, Lynn Katherine Kosloski, at St. Bernard's Church in Alpena on Nov. 5, 1966. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a Staff Sergeant and spent a year in Vietnam. He graduated from Lake Superior State College in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business. In later years, he became 100 percent disabled by chronic lymphocytic leukemia caused by exposure to agent orange, which led to his death.

He was part owner of Alpine-North Insurance Agency from 1973 to 1982. He then moved his family south where he became an outside sales representative working with certified public accountants and attorneys.

He was active in Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, and at one time was acting Commander of the American Legion in Alpena. When he retired, he became interested in carving wood. He took numerous first place ribbons at carving shows. He then became interested in pyrography (wood burning) and made many different pieces. In June 2017, he earned second place in the National Veterans Affairs Art Show for his pyrography of a Native American.

He belonged to several carving clubs and founded the Flint Ridge Carving Club with his friend John Bird. He also enjoyed sculpting.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Neil Strzelecki; a sister-in-law, Sue Strzelecki; and a brother-in-law, T.J. Marietta.

He is survived by his wife; three children, John Strzelecki and wife Rachael, Sherri Karp and husband Brian, and James Strzelecki; five grandchildren; a brother, Chris Strzelecki and wife Holly of Houston, Texas; and a sister, George Marietta of California.

A Rosary will be held 11:30 a.m. May 14, 2018, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Siloam Springs. A memorial service will follow at 12 p.m. at the church.

An online guest book is available at www.WestfieldChapel.com.

Westfield Chapel of Springdale, Ark., is in charge or arrangements.