Siloam Springs Teachers Remembered

Siloam Springs Teachers Remembered

(Please contact us for corrections/additions.)

MUSICAL BACKGROUND: Thank you to - John Brown University Choir, 2007 Tour, Approved for website use - Siloam Springs "Teachers Remembered".

Mrs. Vera Golden Stephenson (fondly remembered as "Mrs. Steve")

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Mr. James Baird – (present status and residence unknown)

Mr. William Joseph Bergen, Sr. – Passed away at age 75 on January 3, 2014, Siloam Springs. Born Aug. 4, 1938, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he was the son of Leland Edgar Bergen and Sarah Phyllis Rose Bergen. He was a graduate of Harrison High School, Arkansas Tech University, and the University of Arkansas. He retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years of service. From Dec. 11, 1978, to Dec. 6, 1981, he was the commander of 362nd PSYOP Company. Bill received a master’s degree in music education and a specialist degree in education administration. He was the band director at Siloam Springs High School and was the Elementary and High School Principal for a number of years. He married Rebecca Hunt on Dec. 27, 1959, in Dardanelle. They were both members of the First Presbyterian Church in Siloam Springs, where he was a deacon, an elder, and the choir director. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Rebecca; one daughter, Sarah Leigh Bergen Dove and husband Dewayne of Russellville; one son, William Joseph Bergen Jr., and wife Julie Ann of Fort Smith; and one grandson, Keith Dewayne Dove of Russellville. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014, at First Presbyterian Church, Siloam Springs, with Rev. Breck Castleman and Tom West officiating. Burial at Brearly Cemetery, Dardanelle. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 606, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 or the Siloam Springs High School Scholarship Fund, 700 N. Progress Ave., Siloam Springs, AR 72761.

Mr. Glenn W. Black – (present status and residence unknown)

Mrs. Marian Ritz – (present status and residence unknown)

Mrs. Virginia Castleman – Presently practices law in Siloam Springs.

Mrs. D. Edna Chamberlain Passed awary July 27, 1990, buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Tulsa, next to her husband, Cline Chamberlain (1897-1959); Edna was born 1901 in Texas.

Mrs. Delores Geraldine Clemens – Passed away at age 83 on Feb. 29, 2004, Siloam Springs. Born Aug. 15, 1920, Union Community, Delaware County, OK. Mrs. Clemens earned a bachelor of science degree from Northeast State College in Tahlequah, OK, and a master’s in education from the University of Oklahoma at Norman. She retired from the Siloam Springs School District, where she taught Spanish. Mrs. Clemens was a member of the Community Christian Fellowship in Siloam Springs. Her husband, Robert Eugene Clemens, preceded her in death. Memorials may be made to the Siloam Springs High School Scholarship Fund.

Mrs. Helen Cloyd – Living in Siloam Springs.

Mr. Jack Dalrymple – Passed away on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. Born Dec. 8, 1943, Jack was a resident of Siloam Springs, Arkansas at the time of his passing. He was a 1962 graduate of Jay High School in Jay, Oklahoma; he received B.S. and M.S. Degrees from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and pursued his PhD of Education at the University of Arkansas.

Mrs. Sabra Elizabeth Holbrook Davis – Passed away at age 72 on April 6, 1986. Born Oct. 11, 1913.

Mr. James Dehart – (present status and residence unknown)

Mr. Albert Diehm – Passed away at age 72 on Jan. 28, 1999, Scottsdale AZ. Born Oct. 29, 1934. (Daughter Debra Diehm lives in Springdale.)

Mr. Roger Dorsey – (present status and residence unknown)

Dr. Burton Elliott – Presented an award by the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators in 1989. After leaving Siloam Springs as HS Principal, Dr. Elliott became Director of Arkansas Department of Education. Born Oct. 7, 1930, Dr. Burton Elliott, 84, lives in Little Rock.

Mr. Gene Fletcher – (present status and residence unknown)

Mrs. Dorothy Glenn – Passed away at age 89 on Sept. 29, 2002. Born Oct. 8, 1912. Dorothy M. Glenn, 89, was born Oct 8, 1912, in Muskogee, Okla., to William and Edna Bibb Murrie. She was a 1939 graduate of John Brown University. She was a teacher for 34 years at Cincinnati and the last 21 years teaching the sixth grade in Siloam Springs. She spent most of her life living on a dairy farm in Cincinnati. She was a member and pianist at the First United Methodist Church and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the Arkansas Teachers Association, the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 221 and served as a Pink Lady for Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Survivors include her husband, Clifford Glenn of Siloam Springs, to whom she was married Oct. 8, 1912; three cousins, Mary Clark of Cincinnati, Diane Moorman of Lincoln and Gene Harp of Siloam Springs.

Mr. Chandler “Bub” Gunter – Passed away Aug. 5, 2012 at age 79. Chandler Lee “Bub” Gunter, 79, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, died August 5, 2012, at Willard Walker Hospice Home, Fayetteville, Arkansas.  Born February 18, 1933, in Delaware County, Oklahoma, he was the son of Porter Gunter and Christina Chandler Gunter. He was a graduate of Siloam Springs High School and graduated from the University of Arkansas, with a master’s degree in counseling. Bub married Sammye Lou Hall on September 1, 1951. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a high school guidance counselor for many years at Siloam Springs High School. He raised cattle and was broker, and owner/operator for Gunter Century 21 Realty of Siloam Springs. Bub was a past president of the Oil Capital Beagle Club and judged for 25 years. He was the 2011 Pioneer Citizen of Siloam Springs. He was a member of Key Lodge #7, F&AM of Siloam Springs and was also a member of the First United Methodist Church, Siloam Springs. Bub was the 2011 Pioneer Citizen of Siloam Springs. He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Gunter. Survivors include his wife Sammye Lou of the home; one son, Caldeen Gunter V, and wife Vada of Siloam Springs; one grandson, Caldeen Gunter VI and wife Angela of Siloam Springs; one step grandson, Mack Chandler of Springfield, Missouri; one great grandson, Caldeen VII, of Siloam Springs; and one sister, Barbara Ziegler and husband Dan of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Funeral services held Friday, August 10, 2012, at First Baptist Church, Siloam Springs, with Dr. Randy Rowlan officiating. Visitation was at the First United Methodist Church, Siloam Springs. Memorial contributions may be made the First United Methodist Church, 325 E. Twin Springs, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 or to Willard Walker Hospice, 325 Longview Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72703.

Mrs. Linda Higginbothom – (present status and residence unknown)

Mr. Richard Hughes – Living in Siloam Springs?

Mr. William Jamison – Passed away Feb. 1982. Born March 18, 1916.

Mr. Bill F. Lambert – Passed away at age 78 on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at Washington Regional Hospital, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Born October 16, 1930, in Blytheville, Arkansas, he was the son of Ira B. Lambert and Jubie Truman McMullin Lambert. Bill graduated from Blytheville High School in 1948 and was a graduate of Bethany Nazarene College in 1958. He received his Master’s Degree from the University of Arkansas in 1970. Bill was a minister in the Church of the Nazarene for over 30 years. He taught social studies and drama in Siloam Springs where he also served as Vice Principal and Principal during his tenure. He pastored the Bentonville Church of the Nazarene most of the 1970s and was the Director of Our Farm Youth Home in the early 1980s. He then moved to St. Louis where he was administrator of a private Nazarene school. On returning to Arkansas Bill finished his career as a Counselor in Green Forest, Lowell, and Decatur. Bill served as Chairman of the Board of Head Start for 15 years in Rogers and was lifetime member of the Kiwanis International, and a charter member of the Rogers Razorback Club. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church, Rogers, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ira B. Lambert, Jr., William and Noland Lambert; one sister, Katie Jacques. Survivors include his wife Sherry of the home; one daughter, Darla Lambert of Asheville, North Carolina; one step-daughter, Jerri Lynn Skaggs and husband John of Bentonville, Arkansas; two step-sons, Raymond Burns and wife Robin, and Tommy Burns, all of Rogers, Arkansas; one grandson; 10 step-grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Davy Jacques, Kenny Jacques, Bobby Jacques, Bill Jr. Lambert, and Rhonda Huckabee. Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m., Sunday, June 21, at Central United Methodist Church on New Hope Road in Rogers, Arkansas with Rev. Jaimie Alexander and Rev. Earl Raymond Baker officiating. Graveside services will be 3:00 p.m. Monday, June 22, 2009, in Blytheville, Arkansas.   In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Central United Methodist Church on New Hope Road, in Rogers, Arkansas or the Bentonville Church of the Nazarene.

Mrs. Roberta Mackey – Passed away on April 23, 2000, Siloam Springs, and was born February 29, 1912. Resident of Colcord OK.

Mrs. LaFama McBride – (present status and residence unknown)

Mrs. Martha Belle (Lack) Nelson – Passed away March 6, 1974 at age 42. Born March 3, 1931, Paris, Arkansas. Martha was the wife of Rev. Lonnie Nelson, Pastor of 1st Assembly of God in Siloam.

Mr. Billie Osgood  -- Passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at the Washington Regional Hospice House in Fayetteville, Ark. He was born Feb. 22, 1931, in Fayetteville, Ark., to Vernie and Tennie Osgood.

Mrs. Glennis Parker – (present status and residence unknown)

Mrs. Hulen Peters – Passed away March 5, 2012, Siloam Springs. She was born Dec. 2, 1921. Hulen traveled to Siloam Springs to attend college because she was unable to get into college in Virginia. She was a graduate of John Brown University and held a Masters of Education from the University of Arkansas. She is survived by her husband Myron. Visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church in Siloam Springs in the Wesley Room on Friday, March 9, 2012 between 4 PM and 6 PM. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 1 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Siloam Springs. Memorial gifts may be made to Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, AR or to the First United Methodist Church in Siloam Springs, AR. or Siloam Springs High School Scholarship Fund, 700 North Progress Avenue, Siloam Springs, Arkansas 72761

Mrs. Jacque Peterson – Living in Conway, Arkansas.

Dr. Sherman Peterson – Passed away on Jan. 7, 2013 in Conway, AR. Born Nov. 13, 1930, Melbourne, AR. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend W.W. Peterson and Lucy Lewis Peterson; his brother, Bill Peterson; and three half-siblings, Ralph, Hazel and Lois. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jacque Floyd Peterson; brother, John (Laura); sister Nina Martin; children, Brent (Capi), Kimberly Smith (Craig), Kevin (Sherry), Scott (Anna); grandchildren, Sydney, Shelby, Sarah, Rebekah, Jacob, and Rachel Peterson, and Catherine Smith; and a host of nieces and nephews. Sherman was born November 13, 1930 in Melbourne, AR. He was a life-long Methodist and served with his wife as youth counselors in Warrensburg, MO, Charleston, AR and in Siloam Springs, AR. He served as Chairman of the Higher Education Commission of the Little Rock Conference and on the Race and Religion Committee. He served over the years as lay leader, Sunday School teacher, trustee and finance chairman. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Conway. Sherman graduated valedictorian at Charleston High School and received a B.A. from Hendrix College, where he lettered in football and basketball and remained on the Dean’s list. He obtained master’s and doctoral degrees in Education from the U of A, where he was a graduate assistant. He served five years of active duty in the Air Force and retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel from the Air National Guard after 30 years of service. Sherman was a coach and teacher at Charleston and Siloam Springs and a school administrator at Siloam Springs and Monticello, AR. He was on the faculty at Arkansas A & M (now UAM), where he taught graduate courses. Then he served as Associate Director of Instructional Services at the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and as State Director for the North Central Association. He finished his career as Supervisor of Adult Education for the Conway Public Schools. Sherman was a volunteer Boy Scout leader in Little Rock and received the Silver Beaver Award. He was a member of the Conway Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a board member of the Salvation Army and did volunteer tax preparation for senior citizens in Faulkner Co. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 11 at First United Methodist Church of Conway, 1610 Prince Street. Memorials may be made to the Conway FUMC or to the Arthritis Foundation.

Mrs. Lorna Pyeatte – (present status and residence unknown)

Mrs. Evelyn Reed – Living in Springfield, Ohio. Age 80, born Dec. 19, 1934.

Mrs. Mina Ruth (Shepp) Robb – Passed away Aug. 27, 2012, Russellville AR. Born Oct. 13, 1922, Kansas City MO. Mina Ruth Robb, 89, longtime resident of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, died August 27, 2012, at Russellville Nursing Center, Russellville, Arkansas. She was the daughter of John Herbert Shepp and Edna Smith Shepp. She was a kindergarten teacher, and taught in the Siloam Springs Public School prior to her retirement. She married Eldon Robb in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 9, 1943. Mina Ruth was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, the Koinania Club, PEO Chapter CE, and the United Methodist Women's Group. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Siloam Springs for over 50 years. She was also the church organist for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon; one brother, John Shepp, and one granddaughter, Robin Woods. Survivors include three daughters, Carolyn Judy and husband Dwight of League City, Texas, Nancy House and husband Richard of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Linda Woods and husband Bruce of Russellville, Arkansas; six grandchildren, Megan McClure, Stephen Judy, Matthew House, Kimberly Mask, and Ryan Woods; great grandchildren, Emma and Madelyn McClure, Jackson and Riley House, Avery and Brody Mask, Taylor, Trevor, Tessa, and Talyn Woods; and two sisters, Lois Gerber of West Plains, Missouri, and Dorothy Webb of Newbern, North Carolina. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 30, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, with Dr. Randy Rowlan and Dr. Richard House officiating. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Burial will follow at Decatur Cemetery, Decatur, Arkansas. 

Mr. E. Jay Rommes – Passed away June 7, 2007 in Des Moines, Iowa Methodist Hospital. Funeral services were 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Iowa. Memorials may be given to Alzheimer's Association. Jay Rommes was the son of Helen Haynes Rommes and Everett Rommes, was born June 19, 1934, in Hammond, Ind., and spent his boyhood in Cranford, N.J. He was a 1957 graduate of Indiana University, with a Bachelor of Science in geological studies and a master's degree in student personnel administration. During his life he was a teacher, a college administrator, a manager and, most importantly, a photographer. He owned and operated his business, Jayjean Studios, in East Moline, from 1974 through 1990. A longtime art lover, he was active in several arts interest groups in the Illinois Quad-Cities and showed his photographs in art shows and exhibits throughout the Midwest. In his latter years, he worked at Sam's Club in Des Moines, retiring in 2004. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Jean, Osceola; three daughters, Cathy Rommes, Osceola, Mary Rommes (companion, Wes Tweet) and Bobbi (spouse, Rick) Brown, both of Sioux City, Iowa; and five grandchildren, Tyler, Dallas and Ethan Brown and Erik and Mackenzie Tweet.

Mrs. Mattalou Roth – Passed away at age 84 on April 27, 1991. Born Aug. 16, 1907. Bachelor of Arts degree, University of Arkansas (Fayetteville); graduate work, University of Chicago; English II & IV.

Mrs. Winnie Russell – Passed away at age 94 on Jan. 6, 2006. Born Sept. 6, 1911. Winnie Lamons Russell, 94, of Siloam Springs died Jan. 2, 2006, at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Sept. 6, 1911, in Adair County, Okla., to Joe Newton and Freddie Jane Lamons. She was a 1948 graduate of John Brown University in Siloam Springs with a bachelor of science degree, and in 1955 earned a masters degree in education from the University of Arkansas. She was a teacher for 42 years, before retiring in 1973. She moved to Siloam Springs in 1974, where she was active in the First Methodist Church, the Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was a charter member of the local Delta Kappa Gamma. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Russell. Survivors include three sisters, Ruth Smith of Midland, Texas, Helen Griffin of Summers and Betty Jo Bean of Siloam Springs; two nieces, Shirley Moreland and Sharron Smith; one nephew, Sammy Joe Griffin.

  Mary Frances Speakes 95 year old resident of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, died April 20, 2016 in her home. Born July 31, 1920 in Siloam Springs, she was the daughter of Francis Irl and Beulah Mary Speakes. She graduated from Siloam Springs High School in 1937. Mary Frances then graduated from John Brown University soon after with a degree in Music. She taught music in the Siloam Springs Elementary School for 42 years. Mary Frances also taught piano lessons for 65 years and played the organ at First Baptist Church in Siloam Springs for 55 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Siloam Springs, a member of the Arkansas Teachers Association, and the Benton County Retired Teachers Association. She is survived by one cousin, Olta Jo Hicks and husband Joel of Little Rock, Arkansas, and their family. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 29, 2016 at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, with Dr. Steve Abbott officiating. Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery, Siloam Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Mission Fund or the Siloam Springs High School Scholarship Fund.

Mrs. Vera Stephenson – Passed away at age 82 on May 8, 1987. Born Sept. 2, 1905.

Mr. John Stricklen – Living near Gravette, AR, age 91.

Mrs. Sara Wilkerson  – (present status and residence unknown)