of Mountain Home, AR
December 8, 1935 - January 3, 2024
Calvin Clinton Czeschin, Sr. passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2024 in Mountain Home, AR at the age of 88. Calvin was born December 8, 1935 on a farm outside Warrensburg, MO, the son of Charles Christie Czeschin, Sr. and Gladys Howell Czeschin. He married Ruth ''Sissy'' Baker on February 2, 1962 in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Mountain Home.
As a young boy, Czeschin witnessed the United States at war during WWII and attended the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 1950 and the International Boy Scout Jamboree in 1951 in Europe after earning his Eagle Scout badge.
In 1953, his family moved to Blytheville, Arkansas where he would finish high school before graduating from the University of Missouri in Columbia in 1957 with a degree in Geology. He was also a lifetime member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. Mr. Czeschin began managing his family's telephone companies, Yelcot Telephone Company and Mountain Home Telephone in 1958 at the age of 23 years old.
In 1975, Mountain Home Telephone merged with Century Telephone Enterprises in Monroe, Louisiana. Mr. Czeschin was elected to the company's board of directors in 1974. He was on the board when the company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1978 and rang open the New York Stock Exchange in 2006. He served in various capacities for 34 years before retiring from the board in 2009.
After the merger with Century, the Czeschin family purchased Home Cable Company in 1975, expanding the company's cable footprint and bringing channels like WGN to the area. TCA Cable purchased Home Cable Company in 1982. In 2007, Mountain View Telephone Company was purchased, allowing the company to begin the 153-mile fiber backbone project from the White County line south of Batesville to Bruno. To further support the telecommunication needs of our area, Mr. Czeschin served as a member and past president of the Arkansas Telephone Association.
Czeschin diversified his family's business by forming what would become the Ultimate Auto Group in 1988 after purchasing a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealership; later acquiring both the GMC and Ford dealerships and Freedom Ford in Melbourne.
As an incorporating investor and partner, Mr. Czeschin played an integral role in the organization of Big Creek Golf and Country Club.
As a leader in the local community, Calvin was the youngest of the eight incorporating members of First National Bank and Trust in Mountain Home, which is now part of Farmers and Merchants Bank. He also joined the board of Baxter Regional Medical Center and served as Chairman of the Board for 15 years.
Mr. Czeschin also served as president of the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, Mountain Home Band Boosters, Mountain Home Jaycees and the Mountain Home Parent Teacher Association. In addition, he was elected to several terms on the Mountain Home School Board.
He has been awarded the Citizen of the Year award by the Mountain Home Lions Club, was inducted into the Mountain Home Education Foundation Hall of Honor and honored as a recipient of the Vada Sheid Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce.
He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Sissy, of Mountain Home, AR; daughters, Betsie Czeschin of Cotter, AR, Sara Zimmerman of Mountain Home, AR and Karen (Matt) Reed of Eureka, MO; son, Clint Czeschin of Mountain Home, AR; six grandchildren, Dr. Sloane Zimmerman of Houston, TX, Richard Lang Zimmerman, Jr. (Jenna) of Fayetteville, AR, Haley and Trey Czeschin of Mountain Home, AR and Anna Ruth and Paige Reed of Eureka, MO and one great grandson, Zane Zimmerman of Fayetteville, AR. He is also survived by sister in-laws, Janet Czeschin, Alice Baker and Shirley Baker and nieces and nephews, Cindy, Chris, Frank, Leah Ann, Beth, Jenny, Amy and Jeri Ann.
Calvin was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Charles Christie Czeschin, Jr.
Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Friday, January 5th from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Funeral Services will also be held at the church on Saturday, January 6th beginning at 2:00 pm with burial to follow at Mountain Home Cemetery with Chris Czeschin, Frank Czeschin, Eric Lunnen, Rob Williams, Shawn Lane and Vernon Dewey serving as pallbearers.
Ted and Nancy Sanders, Dr. Greg Elders, Dr. John Sullivant, Bill and Donna Maxwell, Mike Cannon and all current and former employees of Yelcot Telephone Company, Mountain View Telephone Company, Ultimate Dealerships and Freedom Ford will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to Mountain Home Bomber Band Boosters, PO Box 928, Mountain Home, AR 72654; First United Methodist Church, 605 West 6th Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653; Mountain Home Cemetery Endowment c/o Twin Lakes Community Foundation, PO Box 473, Mountain Home, AR 72653 or Boy Scouts of America, Westark Area Council, 1401 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith, AR 72901.
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30 Condolence(s)
Julie Konvalinka (Thomas)
Sunday, January 14, 2024
Sissy, Sara, Karen and Clint, I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of your dad, Calvin. I think of you all often and hold very fond memories of all the fun we had together during our childhood when I would come visit my grandparents next door.
Sending prayers and blessings to you all during this very difficult time. Fondly, Julie
Linda Rhein
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Thoughts and prayers for all the family. May God bless all with His comfort.
Lou A Kelley
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
My heartfelt sympathy.
Robert and Sara Goss
Monday, January 8, 2024
Bob and I would like to send our condolences and prayers to the family. With so many involvement in the Mountain Home area bring us up from a small town to a proud town of many blessings, mostly with Mr Czeschin guiding hand. My Dad was an Eagle Scout and I believe many of his attributes were from his involvement in the scouts and applaud his contributions to the Boy Scouts. Thank you Mr Czeschin. God bless your family in this time of loss.
Judith Strother
Sunday, January 7, 2024
When Lane and I moved to Mtn. Home in 1979, one of the first people I knew about was Calvin. His guiding hand in the growth of Baxter Health was pivotal. Later, as I got to know more about Mtn. Home, and met the family, I realized that Calvin or some member of his family had been in leadership in almost every good thing that happened here. What a legacy he has left for his family and for all of us to admire. We need more people like Calvin in the world.
Mike and Dianna Roller
Sunday, January 7, 2024
To all the Czeschin family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Please accept our condolences. Mr. Czeschin will be missed greatly by all of those who were fortunate enough to have known and loved him. Extending our deepest and heartfelt sympathy at this time.
Sincerely,
Mike and Dianna Roller
Karen & Gary Aday
Saturday, January 6, 2024
Sincere condolences to all the family. Sad to hear of Calvin's passing, yet rejoicing in God's eternal faithfulness in heaven for those that know Him. I have warm thoughts of years past at Home Cable and Yelcot with Calvin as my boss. Lifting you all up in prayer in the days ahead.
Carla Sasser
Saturday, January 6, 2024
I am so very sorry for your loss. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Mercy Riley Slone
Saturday, January 6, 2024
Calving. A life and family beautiful lived. Thank you for helping Mountain Home what it is today.
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Duane Bales
Saturday, January 6, 2024
Our heartfelt condolences to the entire family. You are all in our prayers.
Jason & Meredith Chamberlin
Saturday, January 6, 2024
Calvin was encouraging, kind, caring and generous. Praying for all of the Czeschin family.
Todd Sanders
Friday, January 5, 2024
So many memories from the pass years working together for the telepone industry in Arkansas. Sissy, Shilrey and my prayers are with you and the family. God Bless.
Dennis Rothfus
Friday, January 5, 2024
Calvin was a great boss and a great friend. He will always be remembered by those who loved him.
Jim and Charlsie McBride
Friday, January 5, 2024
With our deepest sympathy and prayers for the tremendous loss . May God grant you strength and peace.
Topher and Brittney Moore
Friday, January 5, 2024
He will be missed by so many. Calvin was one of the most generous men to Clint's group of college friends. He was always there with a smile, an open door to his house, and an invitation to meals. He showed what it was to be a true Southern Gentleman, expected a firm handshake but had a gentle spirit to be still and listen and treat others like they were the most important person in the room.
Our prayers are with y'all.
Vicki Wilson
Friday, January 5, 2024
I became Calvin's secretary when I was 20 years old. I must admit that I was a little intimated at first by his larger than life persona, but my first challenge was to learn to spell his last name! It was only a very short time before I realized that he was a gentle giant with so much love for his family. He was a great boss that cared about his employees and was eager to try new things that would make his companies better. Even though this was nearly 50 years ago, I still remember his kindness and patience with me. My prayers to his family as they mourn the loss of this great man.
Joan Riley Young
Friday, January 5, 2024
We are all very sorry to hear of Calvin's passing. He was such a great person to know.
Sam & Karen Clark
Friday, January 5, 2024
SISSY, You & Calvin have been dear friends for over 50 years. Getting older is so hard losing people that have been such a part of our lives. Your children are so amazing. SPECIAL LOVE TO ALL OF THEM,
Julie and Ed Randall
Friday, January 5, 2024
Sissy and family, we’re terribly saddened by the loss of a wonderful husband, father, partner. Prayers for all of you during this difficult time.
Charlene Mahan Schlotzhauer
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Always a gentleman, he opened the door and helped Sissy out of their car when I worked at Coopers. He had a very kind and loving nature, that I enjoyed witnessing. The last few years he was at many of our friends last goodbye. We will miss you our friend! You were so special!
Kimberly Skelton
Thursday, January 4, 2024
With deepest sympathy and great compassion I extend my condolences to Sissy, Sara, Clint, and the entire family. I will always remember him as being such a gentleman with a big heart and always having something kind to say to me.
He will be Greatly missed.
David & Denise Marberry
Thursday, January 4, 2024
We were lucky to have Calvin in our lives. Always kind, helpful and supportive. He will be missed and will be remembered here so long as we live.
Claudia Reed
Thursday, January 4, 2024
From near and far, people that knew Calvin thought well of him. He was dedicated to his family and his community. During this very sad time I am holding his loved ones close in heart.
Justin Allen
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Condolences to Sara and all of the family on the loss. Mr. Czeschin was clearly a dedicated and successful man who served his community well and loved his family.
Larry Clary
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Calvin was a kind and generous man. He always had a friendly smile and something nice to say. He will be missed.
Megan Engeler
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Czeschin Family, the Engeler's are sending you all our condolences during this difficult time. Many memories have been made through the years with the Czeschin and Engeler families, and those memories are talked about often on our side. Let us know how we can help. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. - David, Nikki, and Megan Engeler
Bob and Mary Walker
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Calvin was a “very generous fellow”. A man to be admired. Devoted to his wife and this community. Our hearts go out to his family. We miss seeing him.
Velara Crownover Harris
Thursday, January 4, 2024
I Was working at The Telephone Office on the Switchboard when Calvin came to Mtn Home.He had a room over across the street at the Commercial Hotel.Remember he went right to work with the Linemen,Earl Young,Larry Norell and Jr.Hooper and was just one of the Guys.Later he was on the Board of Directors when I worked at First Nat'l Bank.Always the same Friendly Person,Time to visit,and very caring.Also went to school with Sissy,and always thought what a Great Couple they were.So Sorry to hear of his passing.My Love and Prayers To All The Family.Velara
Larry Clary
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Calvin was a kind and generous man. He always had a friendly smile and something nice to say. He will be missed.
Mike & Patricia (Kasinger) Turner
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Dear Sissy, Sara Lee, Karen and Clint, I was so saddened to hear of Calvin's passing this afternoon. He was a good man and he knew the telephone business like the back of his hand. I enjoyed working with him during my time at Yelcot. He told me once that he covered for my mom after my birth (March 1963) so I guess we could say, he'd known me my entire life. Mom sure thought a lot of him, having worked for him for many years (going from operators to dial during their working years). He will always have a special place in my heart. Each of you are dear to me and we will keep you in our thoughts during this most difficult time.