Millie B. Wentz

Millie B. Wentz of Fayetteville, age 97, died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, at Butterfield Trail Village. She was born May 22, 1915, at Elkins, Ark., daughter of Ezra and Fannie Carrigan. Millie was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, one sister and one granddaughter. She is survived by three children, Dr. Robert M. Wentz and wife, Judy, of Union, S.C., Dr. Gerry Ann McGowen and husband, John, of Tacoma, Wash., Jo Wilson and husband, Steve N., of Northfork, Ark.; sisters, Rada M. Carter of Elkins, Jean Carrigan and Nell Greenquist of Butterfield Trail Village; grandchildren, Merritt Wentz and wife, Lucy, of Lockhart, S.C., Susan Wentz of Union, S.C., Billy Jack Wentz and wife, Allyson, of Jonesville, S.C., Patrick Wentz and wife, Beth, of Lockhart, S.C., John Henry McGowen and wife, Jennifer, of Hinsdale, Ill., Pam Wiewel and husband, Doug, of Quincy, Ill., Stephanie Wilson-Scott and husband, Paul, of Fayetteville, and Josh Wilson of Fayetteville. She leaves behind 16 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Millie spent her early years in Elkins and graduated from high school at 16 years of age. She immediately started working at the canning factory in Elkins and worked her entire life into her 80s. She married Merritt R. Wentz and helped him start a building supply business in Fort Smith, Ark., where they raised their three children. She also was office manager for Ark-Homa Frozen Foods. When that business sold she started a new career as a nursing home administrator and worked for Medi-Homes in Fort Smith and later in Prairie Grove. She moved to Butterfield Trail Village in 1996 while continuing to work in Prairie Grove until her hip broke when walking down Walton Arena steps to a basketball game and she had to have her hip replaced. In her Fort Smith years, she was an avid bowler and made many fun trips to the Women's National Bowling Tournaments. She bowled in a women's pro-am tournament, coming in first place with her pro bowler, and won $500. She was a member of Business and Professional Women's Club and the League of Women Voters. Millie was a lifelong Methodist and is currently a member of Sequoyah United Methodist Church. She was a lifelong Razorback fan and season ticket-holder, attending games into her 90s. Being a child of the Depression era, Millie had a strong work ethic which she passed on to her children and grandchildren. She was the ultimate supporter of all family activities and joyfully attended graduations, weddings, baptisms, sporting events, dance recitals, etc., until her health made it impossible. She last attended a soccer match cheering on great-grandson, Rowe, in October 2012. This loving mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend will be missed by many. A memorial service will be held by the family Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. at Butterfield Trail Village convocation room with the Rev. Merritt Wentz presiding. A reception will follow in the BTV lobby. Memorials may be made to Washington Regional Hospice, Fayetteville, Ark.; or to the building fund of the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas, P.O. Box 128 Norfork, AR 72658. Online condolences: www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.