Dennis Von Thurman
October 24, 1946 - November 25, 2013

Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello ,  AR 71657 11/29/2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Map & Directions Funeral Service Earl Willis Auditorium Drew Central Campus Monticello ,  AR 71655 11/30/2013 at 10:00 am Map & Directions   Lacey Cemetery Lacey New Hope Road Drew County, AR 71655 Map & Directions Carti/Little Rock Hematology Oncology Clinic 9500 Lile Dr. Little Rock, AR 72205   MD Anderson Cancer Clinic 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77030

Dennis Von Thurman, age 67 of Lacey passed away Monday, November 25, 2013 at his home in Lacey. Born October 24, 1946 in Lacey, AR he was the son of the late Cecil Thurman and Margie Mhoon Thurman.

He was a retired school teacher, member of the Fountain Hill First Baptist Church, member of the Flat Creek Cemetery Committee and was an avid sportsman, deer hunter, turkey hunter and fisherman. Dennis was very instrumental in helping organize the Lacey/Ladelle Volunteer Fire Department where he was a trained fireman and was their vice-president until his death.

He was a 1964 graduate of Drew Central High School and a 1969 graduate of Arkansas A&M College (now UAM) where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a double major in Physical Education/Biology. He was also a member of Phi Lambda Chi fraternity. In 1974, after teaching five years at Desha Central in Rohwer, he began his career at Drew Central teaching elementary physical education and physical science at Drew Central. He then became a biology/human anatomy instructor for many years. Dennis retired from Drew Central Schools after 35 years of service.

He was also very active in his church where he loved to teach the 2nd and 3rd grade Vacation Bible School classes. During his tenure at Drew Central, Dennis was the recipient of many awards. In 1990, he was named Drew Central Teacher of the Year and in 2007 received the Drew Central Master Educator Award. He also received the Drew Central Distinguished Service Award in 2010.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Edith White Thurman of Lacey; two daughters, Denise Thurman Sturmer (Ed) and Debra Thurman Kirchoff (Scott Hayes) all of Stuttgart; three brothers, Larry Thurman of New Hope, DeWayne Thurman and wife, Judy of Crossett and Curtis Thurman of Rohwer; three grandchildren, Tristan, Trace and Darah Kirchoff; two step grandsons, Adam Johnson and Hunter Hayes; and one great grandson, Aiden Johnson.