Francis Dale Schulz

Francis Dale Schulz, 84, of Sidney, Arkansas, passed away October 5, 2026. He was born November 18, 1941, in Dos Palos, California, to Ernest C (EC) and Bertha (Ruby) Davis Schulz.

Dale graduated from Dos Palos High School in 1959. He wanted to become an agricultural aviation pilot but did not medically qualify because of vision problems. On February 8, 1961, he entered the United States Navy and trained as an aircraft aviation mechanic. During his service, he worked on flight decks, including aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.

In 1963, Dale married Marilyn Pimental, and to this union, their daughter Julie was born. In 1966, he married Linda Carrico, and to this union, their sons Bart and Bradley were born.

Dale moved to the Flippin area of Arkansas in 1965 after his parents purchased a boat dock. He guided on the White River and bought a few cows. In 1968, he purchased a farm in Sidney after his parents sold the boat dock and moved there. A devoted steward of the land, Dale had a lifelong passion for farming and took pride in caring for his farm.

Dale became active in his community as a founding member of the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, where he served for 16 years, including as board president. He and his brother, Ronnie, longtime partners in dozer work, cleared the land together for the present fire station. He also served on the Sidney City Council.

In 2010, Dale married Virginia “Ginny” Sherrill. Together, they worked their farms in Forty-Four and Sidney until 2013, when they settled permanently in Sidney and retired from full-time farming. They enjoyed traveling together, visiting family and Dale’s childhood hometown in California, sightseeing in national parks, and making trips to Branson to see country music stars.

When they first met, Dale asked Ginny to dance. When she told him she didn’t know how, he said, “Hold on and we will get through this.” He taught her to waltz to “Waltz Across Texas.” Dale also loved playing pitch and enjoyed gathering around the card table with family and friends.

Dale loved to hunt with his sons, Bart and Brad. He was a good Christian man and attended Sage Baptist Church. He loved going to church and helping wherever he was needed.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Schulz; his daughter, Julie Cassia, and her husband, Steve, and their children, Trevor and Brianna; his son, Bart Schulz, and his wife, Brandi, and their children, Briley, Jonah, Sam, and Jack; his son, Brad Schulz, and his wife, Dawn; and his great-granddaughter, Blakely, daughter of Trevor.

He is also survived by his stepchildren, Kevin Sherrill and his wife, Carrie, and their children, Emily and Veronica; Kurt Sherrill and his wife, Stacy, and their children, Kody and Erin; and Kristie Brewer and her husband, David, and their children, Jade, McKenzie, Tyler, and Ian. His step-granddaughter, Larianne Jenkins, daughter of his late stepdaughter, Karen, and her husband, John, also survive him.

Other survivors include his brother, Ronnie Schulz, and his wife, Jean, and their son, Brandon; his sister, Joyce Crawford; and a host of extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Bertha Schulz; his brother, Jim Schulz; and his stepdaughter, Karen Williams.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 9, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Cave City First Assembly of God Church.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, located in Sidney.

Pallbearers will be Scott Bailey, Mike Davis, Briley Finster, Jonah Finster, Chase Schulz, Ethan Schulz, Kurt Sherrill, and Wendell Turner.

Honorary pallbearers will be Frankie Bailey, Gary Foley, all of his nephews, and all past and present members of the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department.

Arrangements are by Qualls Funeral Homes.