of Searcy, AR

January 30, 1939 - February 28, 2023

Bernard John "Sonny" Ekdahl, age 84, passed away Tuesday morning, February 28, 2023 at Unity Health in Searcy. Arkansas. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 30, 1939 to Arvid and Karin Ekdahl. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Phyllis Born and Shirley Jewell.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sue Ekdahl; daughter, Donna Vaughn of San Antonio, Texas and son, Mike Ekdahl (Mary) of Sherwood; Dr. Brent Blakely (Teresa) of Searcy and Beth Sloan of Somerset, Kentucky.

Grandchildren, Rachel and John Michael Ekdahl, Austen (Katie) Blakely, Autumn Blakely, Jake Sloan and Caleb Sloan and one great-granddaughter, Kennedy, who was the apple of his eye.

Sonny graduated from Mountain Home High School where he was a member of the Mountain Home Athletic Hall of Honors. Sonny attended The University of Arkansas. He moved to Searcy in 1963 and opened Citizens Abstract and Title for 43 years. He was on the State of Arkansas Abstractors Board appointed by Gov. Mike Beebe.

Sonny was a lifelong Presbyterian, serving as Deacon and Elder at First Presbyterian Church, Searcy, Arkansas. He was a member of Searcy Rotary Club and a recipient of the Paul Harris Award.

Sonny was a talented athlete, competing in Tennis, Racketball and handball, but his passion was sailing and competing in Greers Ferry Lake Sailing club races and sailing his beloved SwedeSue BB10 Sailboat. Sonny taught a lot of people to sail and spent most of his free time on the lake.

Memorial Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 2:00 pm Friday, March 3, 2023, with reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall where the family will greet friends and share Sonny stories.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 400 West Arch Street, Searcy, Arkansas or Alzheimer's Arkansas, Attn: Rickey Williams, 201 Markham Center Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.

Online guestbook: rollerfuneralhoms.com/searcy

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Daniel Funeral Home
411 East Race Avenue
Searcy, AR  72145
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com