Ed Hollenbeck

Dr. Ed Hollenbeck of Benton, a retired Cumberland Presbyterian minister and a former executive director for the Benton Public Housing Authority, died Friday, May 4, at Saline Memorial Hospice House in Bryant. He was 82. Dr. Hollenbeck served pastorates at numerous Cumberland Presbyterian and United Methodist churches in Arkansas. His most recent pastorate was at the Benton-Bryant Cumberland Presbyterian Fellowship. For several years he taught ministerial students in summer extension sessions at Bethel College in McKenzie, Tenn. He held numerous leadership positions for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, including moderator of Arkansas Presbytery and as the denomination's vice moderator for General Assembly meetings in Knoxville, Tenn., and Fort Worth, Texas. During his pastorate at the Lake Hamilton Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs, the congregation built its first permanent facility and now is among that resort city's rapidly growing churches. He was a former members of the Board of Trustees for Memphis Theological Seminary and St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo. During his years as Housing Authority executive director in Benton, he was responsible for the construction and development of Whispering Pines housing complex for elderly and handicapped families. He was a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and did additional study at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., and University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He was the recipient of a Doctor of Divinity degree from Morris-Booker College of Dermott, and two of his sermons were chosen for Freedoms Foundation awards. Hollenbeck was the son of the late William Paul and Winnie Dean Hollenbeck of Pine Bluff. A brother, William Paul Hollenbeck Jr., also predeceased him. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Saline Courier senior editor Lynda Hollenbeck; a sister, Beverly Warren of Pine Bluff; a brother, George Hollenbeck and wife Ruth of Livingston, Texas; three daughters, Kathy Allen and husband Ray of Russellville, Karen Brannon and husband Joey of Benton, and Laura Allison and husband Joe of Bartlesville, Okla.; three sons, Paul Hollenbeck of Eugene Oregon, Paul Campbell of Portland, Ore., and Allen Campbell and wife Melissa of Little Rock; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A celebration of his life is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church in Benton. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Cotton Plant Memorial Cemetery in Cotton Plant. Serving as pallbearers are Dr. David Stewart, Shannon Moss, Ron Kettles, Freddy Burton, Michael Nickerson, Doyle Webb, Tommy Harris and Richard Hughes. Visitation is set from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ashby Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Cumberland Presbyterian Fellowship, 2754 Mountain View Rd., Benton, Ark. 72019; Royal Players, P.O. Box 1743, Benton, Ark. 72018; or Humane Society of Saline County, P.O. Box 305, Benton, Ark. 72018.