Maria Elsa Falada, of Gassville, Arkansas, passed away on June 13, 2026 in Mountain Home, Arkansas at the age of 93. She was born on January 31, 1933 in Chicago, IL to Edward and Kathrina Schmidt Heck. She married Gene Falada on July 21, 1951. Maria cared for the home and raised their four children. Her family meant everything to her. She was talented at sewing and made clothes for her children. She also enjoyed quilting and would often donate her work for newborns. When Maria could no longer quilt as she got older, she would knit scarves for the elderly. She was an animal lover and worked as a receptionist at an Animal Hospital for several years. She also enjoyed going to visit her brother's farm and visiting the Brookfield zoo. In her free time, Maria would watch Star Trek and was always working on word searches.

Maria is survived by her daughters, Marion Abel of Gassville, AR, and Gayle Schwankle of Bloomingdale, IL; sons, Gary Falada of Gassville, AR, and Mark Falada of South Eglin, IL; brother, Bradford (Patty) Heck of Garden Prairie, IL; grandchildren, Martin Falada, Steven (Tracy) Falada, Kristin (Dave) Knight, Ashley Miller, Michelle Falada, Gina Falada, Althea Campbell, Wyeth Abel, Teagan Abel, Sara MacArtney, and Eric Schwankle; and great grandchildren, Brandon Falada, Dylan Falada, Evan Falada, Silas Abel, Aidan MacArtney, Ethan MacArtney, Juliet Knight and Callie Knight.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Siegfried Heck; and sister, Phyllis Gribben.

Arrangements are by Kirby & Family Funeral and Cremation Services - Mountain Home, AR. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com.