Gwen Alice Cunningham Rickenbacher, age 83, of Rogers, Ark., formerly of Conway, Ark., passed away Saturday, July 30, 2011 at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Arkansas. She was born in New Rumley, on Febuary 28, 1928 to Stephen Merle and Hettie (Harriman) Cunningham.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother, Thelma (Graham) Cunningham, and one grandson, Zack Rickenbacher.

A private service celebrating her life will be held on Petit Jean Mountain in the fall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to The Joy of Music School, 1209 Euclid Avenue Knoxville, TN 37921 or online at http://www.joyofmusicschool.org/ in honor of Gwen Cunningham Rickenbacher.

The Joy of Music School is a nonprofit organization providing free music lessons for children who cannot afford them. All teachers are volunteers. The School also provides instruments, music and supplies at no cost to students.

Condolences and memories of Gwen Cunningham Rickenbacher may be left at www.bentoncountymemorialpark.com

Arrangements are with Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home and Crematory of Rogers, Arkansas.

A full obituary will appear in the next print edition of the Harrison News-Herald.