Obituaries

Louis Joe Massaglia

Louis Joe Massaglia, 92, died Sep. 6, 2017 at Highlands Health Care and Rehabilitation in Bella Vista, Ark. He was born in Pittsburg, Kan., May 19, 1925 to Michael August and Mary Velia Massaglia. He graduated from Pittsburgh High School in 1942. He had a successful, 35 year career with the J.C. Penney Company where he managed stores in Oakley, Kan.; York, Neb.; Hays, Kan., and Independence, Mo. It was during his first assignment with Penney's in Pittsburgh that he met his beloved wife of 59 years, Billie Nadean Martin of Weir, Kan. They were married on Feb.10, 1945. Upon retiring from the Penney's company in 1980 he and Billie opened the M&M Gift Shoppe in Bentonville, Ark., which they operated for 13 years until 1993. Throughout his life Louie was active in many Civic/Service Clubs and Chamber of Commerce organizations, several in which he served as president. Following his heart and faith, Louie and his family also actively served in various churches of the communities in which they resided. Upon their final move to Bella Vista, he and Billie joined the Bella Vista Community Church worshiping there over 30 years, serving in various capacities including chairing the Memorial Committee. Louie was a lifelong music enthusiast; in his youth having played lead trumpet professionally in two bands during the "Big Band Era". Throughout his life music and dancing were amongst his greatest joys and hobbies often quoting "life isn't worth living if you aren't having fun." In 1984, Louie and Billie organized, planned and hosted the first M&M Gift Shoppe Family Gathering, which became known as "The Tourney." They continued to plan and host the event which has an average attendance of 50 family members, until 2012 when Louie moved to Brookfield Assisted Living Center. The Tourney lives on and celebrated its 33rd consecutive year last July. Louis was a hardworking, intelligent, humorous, dedicated Christian family man who cared deeply for his wife, sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Louie was predeceased in death by his father, Michael; mother, Mary; brother, Leonard; wife, Billie; son, Martin Louis and daughter-in-law Jacqueline, Darlene. Louie is survived by his sons: Michael and wife, Vivian of Bella Vista; Mark and wife, Amy of Windsor, CT; Matthew of Hays, Kan., and daughter-in-law, Kay of Royersford, Pa.; his grandchildren, Amy, Todd, Tony, Anne, Emily, Natalie, Lucas, Michael, Troy, Max, Steven, Brina and 16 great-grandchildren, Adrian, Anthony, Alexander, Erin, Elizabeth, Hannah, Jacksen, Julian, Katie, Louis, Michael August III, Miles, Myra, Oliver, Shelby and Sophie. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Published September 10, 2017

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