Mr. Calvin Benjamin "Cal" AufderHeide

Calvin Benjamin AufderHeide passed away peacefully at his home in DeWitt, AR with his loving wife, son and grandson by his side. He was born June 28, 1927 to parents August B. and Ida AufderHeide in Owensville, Missouri where he was raised and grew to become a generous, kind man who was even-tempered, full of energy and forever-young to those who had the privilege to know him. During his senior year of high school, he enlisted and became a member of the Army Signal Corps, January 1946-July 1947. Afterwards he graduated from Spartan School of Aeronautics in Oklahoma, where he received his A&P Mechanic, Pilot, and Instructor's Licenses in 1948. Instead of taking the expected job up north, he saw a notice for a flight instructor in the south where it was warmer and took the job at Smith & Jones Flying Service in DeWitt, AR. He became a crop duster in the early days of that industry and founded his own company, AufderHeide Flying Service in 1950 where he flew anything from Pawnees, Super Cubs, Stearmans, Thrushes, Ag-Cats, to Cessnas. He married a local girl and made DeWitt his home where he was a faithful member and deacon of First Christian Church, a DeWitt School Board member for 10 years, and a loyal football fan. His brother-in-law, John McCallie, later joined him to add irrigation services to the business and form A & M Flying Service. After several years, the two split amicably and the company became AufderHeide Flying Service, Inc. His son, Mark, joined him after college and took over the company upon Cal's retirement after 60 years of service to local farmers. His grandson, Matthew, continues the family's flying tradition. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Mary Katherine McCallie AufderHeide, his son, Mark AufderHeide, and sister, Ruth Marie AufderHeide. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Peggy AufderHeide, son Mitchell AufderHeide of Hot Springs, step-children William Gresham, Brock Gresham, and Beverly Carson all of DeWitt, grandchildren, Matthew AufderHeide (Ashley) of DeWitt, Katherine Holmstrom (Gabe) and Alexis AufderHeide of Little Rock, Brock Gresham, Stoney Gresham and Mattie Gresham all of DeWitt, great grandchildren, Ashtyn, Mary Grace, Benjamin and Gus, his cousin, Buford Crites of Palm Desert, CA, and daughter-in-law, Margo Kagebein of DeWitt. Funeral Service will be 4:00 p.m. Monday, May 22 at First Christian Church in DeWitt by Essex Funeral Home. Cal will be honored afterward with a Missing Man Formation Fly Over at DeWitt Cemetery by pilots, Lonnie Kagebein, Brandon Everett, Heath Baker, and Brandt Bottoms. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, P.O. Box 389, DeWitt, AR 72042 or charity of donors choice.

Mr. Calvin Benjamin "Cal" AufderHeide

June 28, 1927 - May 20, 2017