Olen Leroy Bearden

Olen Leroy Bearden, age 91, of Pine Bluff went to be with the Lord Wednesday, November 2, 2016. Mr. Bearden was born May 15, 1925 at the "Y" community near Rison, a son to the late Harvey Bearden and Nellie Green Bearden. He served in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater as part of the crew on the USS Alaska during WWII. After Mr. Bearden’s military career, he was employed by and retired from the Pine Bluff Commercial. After retirement, he discovered a love of bowling and embarked on a second career at Thunder Lanes Bowling Alley. He bowled up to 5 times a week and enjoyed travelling with the Senior Travel League. In 2014, he was inducted into the Pine Bluff Bowling Hall of Fame. He was preceded in death by his wife, Estelle Morgan Bearden; brother, Bill Bearden and sister, Loda Vee Nickleson.

He is survived by his son, Roy Bearden of Pine Bluff; daughter, Sheila Wessels of Fort Smith; brother, James Bearden of Woodlawn; three grandchildren, Louis (Heather) Wessels, Wendi (Ryan) Hannan, Christopher (Rachel) Wessels and seven great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Buie Funeral Home in Rison with Randal Elrod officiating. Interment will follow in Prosperity Cemetery at Rison. There will be a visitation at 1:00 p.m. prior to the beginning of the service at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Louis Wessels, Christopher Wessels, Ryan Hannan, Tim Scholes, Johnny Green and Tommy Green. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Rison.