Merle Fratesi

Merle Anita Fratesi was born June 30, 1932 at Rohwer, Arkansas, the daughter of Joseph Harper and Ida Mae Rogers Mathens. She married Robert J. Fratesi on February 10, 1950 at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. They moved to Mountain Home in 1973 and started ABC Printing, which they owned and operated along with their son and daughter in law until they retired. She was very active in the community having served as president of the Chamber of Commerce for five terms. She was a charter member of the Chamber Foundation and was instrumental in acquiring the building in which the Chamber is in now. She served as Interim executive director of the chamber two times, she started the chamber newsletter. She was the founder of the Miss North Central Arkansas Scholarship Pageant. Anita was a two star Judge for the Miss Arkansas Pageant. She was a member of the B&PW. In 1975 she appeared on the game show Celebrity Sweepstakes and was an undefeated champion winning five days in a row and came home with $23,000.00 and a new Buick. In the 1970's she was the president of the Baxter County Heart Association. She dressed as "Dilly" the Clown in the 1970's and visited the Hospital and Nursing Homes in the area. She was a member of St. PeterÂ?s Catholic Church. Mrs. Fratesi entered into eternal rest on September 22, 2004 at Mountain Home, Arkansas at the age of 72 years, 2 months and 22 days. Survivors: Husband Robert J. "Rabbit" Fratesi of Mountain Home, One son; Robert "Rocky" Fratesi and wife Susan of Mountain Home and one Daughter Rebecca Gould and husband Larry of Mountain Home. Eight Grandchildren; Corie Wedgeworth and husband Cameron, Jacklyn and Jason Fratesi, Matthew Beeson,Gabrielle and Tiffany Ballard and Rebekah and Danielle Gould. One brother; Thomas Nathan Anglin and wife Marion of Big Bear, California and two sisters; Sharon Ann Hagler and husband Robert and Effie Mae Hagler and husband Wayne both of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Preceded in Death by: Parents and one brother Rodney Perry Anglin. Visitation: from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. with a Vigil and Rosary service at 7:00 p.m. at Kirby-Boaz Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral: A funeral mass for Merle Anita Fratesi of Mountain Home will be at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church with Reverend James Fanrak as celebrant. Burial: Entombment will be in Kirby's Tucker Memorial Mausoleum Memorials: Hospice of the Ozarks. Active Bearers: Jack Burns, Jim Wooley, Joey Cranford, Ted Taylor, Lyle Monger, Layton Bowman, Pat Flippo and Al Page.