Class Notes

Florence Rollwagen was born on April 13, 1944 and passed on Saturday, February 1, 2014. Florence was a resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Dr. Lewright Browning Sikes, age 68, died Tuesday, September 25, 2012 after a lengthy illness. Dr. Sikes was born in Rutherford County, TN in 1944, and was the son of the late McCulloch Hord and Judith Browning Sikes. Dr. Sikes received his B.A. degree from Maryville College and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Tennessee of Knoxville. He was a Professor of History at Middle Tennessee State University for 26 years. He was the author of The Public Life of Pierce Butler (1979), the editor of Nick Hardeman: A Civil War Novel (1993) and the author of articles and/or reviews in The Georgia Historical Quarterly, The Tennessee Historical Review, The North Carolina Historical Review, The Journal of the Early Republic, The Journal of American History, and Boarder States: Journal of the Kentucky-Tennessee American Studies Association. He presented and/or critiqued papers for many organizations, including The Southeastern American Society for Eighteenth Century Studies and the Society of Historians of the Early American Republic. Dr. Sikes was the recipient of several grants from The National Endowment for the Humanities and Middle Tennessee State University. His field of interest was Colonial and Early National America. His retirement gift of 160 rare books to the MTSU library was the core of the start-up collection of books for the Special Collections unit of the University Library. Dr. Sikes was a professional musician and performed with many organizations, including the Nashville Symphony Chorus, the Nashville Opera, the Jackson Tennessee Symphony, and a number of churches in Tennessee. Dr. Sikes is survived by his two daughters, Mary Elizabeth Sikes of Hendersonville and Parri (Todd) Thurman of Knoxville; granddaughters, Camilla Marie Thurman and Karenna Pearson Thurman; sisters, Judith (Scott) Farrell, Mary McCullough German, Lucy Karnes, Martha Felker and Jane (Richard) Renner. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Comprehensive Care Center Foundation in Nashville, TN in memory of Dr. Sikes.

Celia C. Tiffany, of Saint Charles, MO, passed away Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the age of 78. Cherished daughter of the late Raphael John and Virginia Rose Tiffany. Dear sister of Virginia C. Tiffany and Jean Anne (Charles) Closz; loving aunt of David, Beverly, Rosemary, and Katharine Semon and Patrick and Aaron Closz; and great aunt of several.

Celia was a faithful member of Christview Christian Church. She graduated in 1966 from Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee with a bachelor’s in science in Mathematics. Celia was also a member of the Gem and Mineral Club and editor of the “Geode”. She was a computer programmer, computer user support, and technical writer/editor for McDonnel-Douglas from April of 1970 to January of 1991. Celia was a rockhound, a science fiction fan, an avid reader, and was active in fantasy gaming. She was a caretaker for her parents for many years. Celia was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Diane Kline Tylka, 79, of Bonita Springs, Florida (formerly of Mt. Lebanon, PA), went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Diane, daughter of Russell and Thelma Kline, was born in Washington, DC on May 24, 1944.

Diane graduated from Maryville College with a degree in elementary education. She ventured on to teach 33 years in Mt. Lebanon School District. After retirement, Diane instructed student teachers at Waynesburg University and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.
She was a member of Mt. Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs and enjoyed singing in both choirs. In addition, Diane loved walking, exercising in the pool, and making new friends. She was always up for adventure and was an avid skier in her younger years. Assuming the role of the family’s travel agent, she booked many trips to tropical and interesting sightseeing destinations around the world. She adored her family and always enjoyed spending time with them.

Diane was predeceased by her husband, Thomas J. Tylka and is survived by her loving children, Matthew Tylka (Greta) of Venetia, PA; and Jennifer Welty (Douglas) of Ligonier, PA. She was “Nana” to her grandchildren: Elena, Bryson, Kate, and Daniel.