Dr. Bennie W. Stehr
A memorial service for Dr. Bennie W. Stehr, 88, Clinton resident, will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, in the Clinton First Church of God, officiated by Rev. Roy Dobbs. A private burial will be held later in the Tula Cemetery in Oxford, Miss.
Benjamin “Bennie” Wilhelm Stehr was born March 10, 1926 to Fred and Karolina (Steigman) Stehr in Bessie, and died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, in the Grace Living Center in Clinton.
Stehr was raised in the Bessie and Clinton area. He attended the Bessie schools until their closing during his junior year. He continued his senior year in Clinton and graduated from Clinton High School in 1942 at the age of 16.
He moved to California and tried to join the Army, but they would not accept him because of his age. He returned to Clinton and joined the Army in 1946 and served during World War II.
While a young man, he was the projectionist at the Ritz Theatre.
Stehr held a bachelor’s degree in business education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, a master’s degree from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. and a doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado.
He was married to Mary Good on Sept. 28, 1947 in East St. Louis, Ill., and she preceded him in death in 1977. He later married Allegra Peterson on July 9, 1978. She preceded him in death in 2005. He met a lady friend,
Eva Tommie Baker, and they enjoyed each other’s company until her death.
He had been a college and university teacher of business at Cameron State University (Cameron State Agricultural College), University of Northern Colorado, University of Guam, Marshall University, Northern Illinois University, and University of Mississippi.
Stehr had co-authored two college textbooks in business teacher education.
He was awarded the honor of Outstanding Business Educator of the Year for the State of Mississippi in 1981, and in 1984 he received the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a business executive or educator involved in marketing education in Mississippi — Honorary life membership in Mississippi DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America).
Also preceding him in death was an infant brother, Alvin Stehr, and Louie Stehr.
He was a member of the First Church of God, and the American Legion.
Survivors include a daughter, Donna Kay Stehr, of Meridian, Miss.; a sister, Wanita Sawatzky, of Cordell; two brothers, Norman Stehr, and his wife, Charlotte, and Freddie Stehr, and his wife, Jaree, all of Clinton; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorial donations in his honor may be made to the First Church of God or Friends for Life Animal Shelter.