Lelo Gnagey

Lelo “Lee” J. Gnagey, 104 year-old former resident of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, died January 20, 2009, at Washington Regional Hospital, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Lee was born December 7, 1904 in Milledgeville, Illinois to John and Alice Gnagey. He graduated from Mount Morris College in Illinois in 1926, married Virginia Francis Thompson and began a 35 year history in education in Illinois as a football, basketball and track coach, a science and manual skills training teacher and eventually as principal and superintendent. He served DePew, Chadwick, Lena, Mahomet and Pontiac school districts during that time. He also obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin and became a member of the National Education Association. After he retired from education in Illinois, he and Virginia moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where he was Benton County Superintendent of Schools for 5 years. Following that from 1960 to 1982, he was director of the Benton County Sunshine School (a school for special needs children). Lee also spent 4 years as the office manager of Siloam Springs Medical Center. In 1967, several years after Lee’s wife Virginia passed away, he married Dorothy (Guthrie) Mitchell. They lived in Siloam Springs until Dorothy’s death December 31, 2003. Both Lee and Dorothy were member of the First United Methodist Church there. After Dorothy’s death, Lee moved to Valley Springs Assisted Living in Siloam Springs and later moved to Culpepper Place Assisted Living in Springdale, Arkansas. He was very active while living at both Valley Springs and Culpepper Place taking part in all their activities. On his 100th birthday he was quoted as saying he had seen many changes during his lifetime going from the ox cart to the moon. He loved all sports and was an avid Razorback’s fan. This past spring he was invited to throw out the first pitch at the dedication of the Arvest Ball Park, home of Springdale’s baseball team the Naturals. The crowd was highly entertained by his amusing antics. Quite a feat for someone 103 years old. Lee is survived by his sister Evelyn Oncken and her husband Lyle of Aurora, Illinois; three sons, William Gnagey and wife Ruth of Normal, Illinois; Larry Gnagey and wife Regina of Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Tom Gnagey of Fayetteville, Arkansas; two stepdaughters, Jean Mitchell Treat and husband Harold of Grand Lake, Oklahoma; Dorothy Mitchell Rogers of Owasso, Oklahoma; sister-in-law and longtime friend Jimmie Guthrie of Siloam Springs; foster daughter, Claire Biesemeier of Freeport, Illinois. He also boasted 38 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; as well as a host of friends. Visitation will be 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, January 22, 2009, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2009, at Wasson Memorial Chapel, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, with Dr. Randy Rowlan officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Siloam Springs. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made the Siloam Springs United Methodists Church, 325 E. Twin Springs, Siloam Springs, Arkansas 72761 or to the Siloam Springs High School Scholarship Fund, 1500 W. Jefferson, Siloam Springs, Arkansas 72761.

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Lelo Gnagey

December 7, 1904 - January 20, 2009