Class Notes

Patricia Mae Riley, daughter of the late Robert Lee and Mary Frances Riley, dear sister of Allan E. Riley, Mildred (Jack) Skidmore, Michael (Ellen) Riley, Sueanne (Joe) Armistead and the late Robert Lee Riley Jr., dear cousin of Russell Riley passed away on March 21, 2009, at the age of 68. Family suggests donations be directed to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Dr. Larry Stearns, 76, died on April 14, 2016. He was born April 25, 1939, in Sumter, SC, to the late Lester and Frances Lee Stearns. Larry graduated from Hillsboro High School in Nashville, TN, in 1957. He received a BS degree from Maryville College in 1962, an MS degree from the University of Tennessee in 1965, and a Ph. D. in Zoology from Clemson University in 1970. He taught in the biology departments at North Georgia College and Central Piedmont Community College. Larry loved being outdoors, especially in the mountains. He was an avid bicyclist and hiker. He was always ready to challenge family members to a game of Backgammon. He was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Larry is survived by his wife, Martha; his son, Carl Stearns of Chapel Hill, NC; his daughter, Laura Stearns of Pensacola, FL; granddaughters, Olivia Hodnette of Pensacola, FL and Raquel Stearns of Chapel Hill, NC; brother, Fred and his wife Diane of Germantown, TN; and sister, Jayne Stearns of Madison, AL. A service to celebrate Larry’s life was held in the chapel at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 2:30 on Thursday, April 21. The family received friends in the church parlor after the service. The family expresses their grateful appreciation to Hospice and Palliative Care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 East Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28204; to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh St., Charlotte, NC 28204; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Anne Nakamura Stoelting left this world listening to her favorite classical music, a constant companion, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care in Fitchburg. She was born in Urbana, Ill, to Ruth and Frank Nakamura on May 19, 1940. Anne’s education included Austin High School in Chicago, Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn., UW-Madison and Madison College, with degrees in history, art history and art. She had been a resident of Madison since 1963. Anne was married to John Stoelting from Aug. 1976 until his death in 2005. Following early life values and directions, she was always grateful for the privilege of serving the UW-Madison as a program manager, researcher, writer and artist for departments and units dedicated to expanding social, economic and educational opportunities for all. Anne was always proud to serve The Wisconsin Idea, which holds that the boundaries of university service extend beyond the university campuses to the boundaries of the state. In addition, multiculturalism was a leading inspiration. Colleagues appreciated that extra effort in her graphic design as a commitment to the organization’s identity and mission. A job was never done until effective visual community fully articulated intent and purpose. Anne’s constant passion was enjoying and supporting the performing arts. In Madison, her philanthropy and volunteer work sought to extend participation in the arts, especially the experience of music to everyone, including youngsters. She believed that music was the universal language that could unite diverse cultures and mindsets. In addition to generously supporting local and national groups dedicated to the arts, she supported organizations that served the environment, education, health initiatives and economic and social justice. As a visual artist, Anne observed daily pathways for the opportunity to appreciate color and composition, especially in the continuously changing Midwest palettes and forms of nature. As a designer and typographer, she let no road sign, restaurant menu, movie title or sports uniform number escape scrutiny. As an art collector, she especially enjoyed transparent art glass for its brilliance and color. Anne deeply loved Madison and Chicago as well as, the excitement of exposure to new places and cultures. She appreciated involvement in neighborhood concerns as the strength of resident relationships with Madison city management. Anne took lifelong pride in being a progressive Democrat. Added to her treasured enjoyment of music were her love of dining out, the downtown food carts, dogs, bears and the good people she was privileged to have in her life. A Chicago sports fan, Anne would wait a lifetime to see the Chicago Cubs play and win the World Series. The Wisconsin Badgers fulfilled countless big dreams. She is survived by her sister, Brenda (Bruce) Matson; niece Jenny (Patrick) Palsgrove; and nephew, Brian Matson. Anne was blessed to share the pleasure of John’s sons and daughter; Eric (Laurie deceased), Paul (Carol), Mark (Leanne) Stoelting and Laurie (Bruce) Jenkins; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Frank Nakamura. A private service will be held in the spring. Interment will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery. Donations may be made to Goodman Community Center, 49 Waubesa St., Madison, Wis. 53704 or Lussier Community Education Center, 55 S. Gammon Rd., Madison, Wis. 53717. Anne’s wish for family and friends is: “TAKE TIME TO CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE BY OFFERING A KINDNESS TO SOMEONE ELSE. THEN DO IT OFTEN.” Cherish your voice in your city, state and nation and vote in every election. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East, Funeral & Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive, Monona, WI 53716 (608) 221-5420

age 74, of Maryville, died Friday, September 19, 2014, at Shannondale Health Center. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio June 17, 1940. The return to Maryville as a proud MC alumni was after 35 years teaching math and science in Willoughby, Ohio schools and living in Florida 10 years to be near Beverly’s mother. Don took great care of parents in their last years and was a loving husband and father. He was preceded in death by parents, Andrew Stupak and Vera Boyd Stupak. He is survived by wife of 51 years, Beverly Ball Stupak; sons, Glenn Stupak and wife Tammy of Beckley, WV and Scott Boyd Stupak of Raleigh, NC, with grandchildren, Thompson Boyd and Annalynn. Other family includes, uncle Ed Stupak of Cincinnati; aunt, Anna Marie Klodnicki of Scranton, cousin, Bruce and wife Sally of Wisconsin and Solevita, Florida. A memorial service will be held at New Providence Presbyterian Church Sunday, October 5, at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. J. Steven Musick and Rev. Dr. Stan Rushing officiating (Music will begin at 3:00 p.m. with cello prelude.) Don’s ashes will lay beside his parents near their beloved Maine home. Thanks to Oncology Center of BMH, Hospice, and Shannondale Health Center for great care after a courageous 2 year battle with glioblastoma brain cancer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either: American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 550, Chicago, Illinois 60631 or call 866-659-1030. OR: MC Anderson Hall Renovation, Office of Advancement, Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy., Maryville, TN 37804.

Laura Josephine Widner Talbird, known to most as “Jo,” passed away on November 5, 2018, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Jo was 78 and living in Alabaster, AL near her youngest son, Chris, his wife, Cindy, and her beloved granddaughter, Ainsley. The oldest child of Lloyd and Louise Widner, Jo was born in Knoxville, TN on February 23, 1940. She has a younger sister, Margaret “Marge” Seymour, who lives in Knoxville, TN, and had a younger brother, Lloyd, who pre-deceased her. Jo studied elementary education at Maryville College and, after graduation, she moved to Alexandria, Virginia where she began her brief teaching career. She soon met her future husband, John D. Talbird, Jr., who was a student at the Virginia Theological Seminary. After they married, they relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where, in 1966, they had their first of three children, John D. Talbird, III. They briefly lived in Tallahassee, Florida where they had their daughter, Laura, and soon after, they settled in Gainesville, Florida, where Chris was born. Jo was a stay-at-home mother until her divorce, after which she found work at the University of Florida Library. Jo discovered that she loved mentoring college students and helping them reach their goals. As a single mother, she went to night school to obtain her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Florida State University. When Jo was not working and taking care of her three children, she was volunteering to help others in her community. Jo was an active Board Member with Alachua Habitat for Humanity. Her advocacy on behalf of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Gainesville (a precursor to Family Promise of Gainesville, which helps homeless families secure permanent housing) was critical in getting her church, Trinity United Methodist Church, to participate in the program. After retiring from the library in 2005, Jo moved from Gainesville to Alabama to live closer to her grandchild, Ainsley. Jo is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Marge and Gerald Seymour of Knoxville, and Jo’s niece and nephews, Rena Selke, Todd Lay and Lloyd Lay. A memorial service is set for 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home at 2300 West Adair Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918. Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 p.m. that day. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at Michaeljfox.org. Condolences may be offered at berrylynnhurst.com.

Lee Wilkinson, 74, of Maryville, passed away Aug. 28, 2015. Preceded in death by his parents: Earl L. and Sena M. Wilkinson. He was a lifelong member of Pecks Memorial United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school for 35 years. He was a HAM radio operator. He was a graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography and University California Santa Barbara, past president of Tennessee Professional Photographers Association, won numerous National and Regional Awards. He enjoyed music, and spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by Rose Ann Wilkinson, wife of 53 years. Daughters and sons-in-laws: Kelley and Mike Headrick, Jo and Larry Holsonback; grandchildren: Andrew and Abbie Headrick, Evan and Amy Headrick, Brianna Holsonback, Catharine Holsonback; great-grandchildren: Owen Lee Headrick, Hannah Lee Headrick.