Mary Essinger Obituary

Mary Lenora (Markham) Essinger, age 97, of Dardanelle passed away Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at Dardanelle Nursing and Rehab Center. She was born Oct. 8, 1927, in McRae, Ark., to the late Virgil Arthur Linder and Margaret Elois Ramsey Linder. Mary was a member of the Centerville Church of Christ and also a 4-H Club Leader, Foster Parent, Volunteer at Church Youth Camp and Elementary School Teacher, to which she devoted most of her life. Students often referred to her as their favorite. She was President of the Arkansas Chapter of the NEA, of which she was very proud. She was also President of the Arkansas Teacher Association in 1977.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clem Essinger; one daughter, Jackie Markham Guccione; eight brothers, Sanford Linder, Enoch Linder, Sidney Linder, Virgil Linder, Norman Linder, Rueben Linder, Perry Linder (her twin) and Charles Linder; and one sister, Edith Manus (Enoch's twin). Survivors are her children, Carol Fly and husband Jim of Temple, Texas, Delford Markham of Cabot, Ark., Dr. Tony Markham and wife Dr. Jennifer Markham of Rochester, N.Y., and David Essinger of Centerville, Ark.; grandchildren, Jennifer Fly, Jonathan Fly, Heather Henderson and William Markham; and great-grandchildren, Derek Nutt, Avery Nutt, Callan Nutt, Taylor Profitt, Cory Henderson, Lydia Fly and Christopher Fly.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at Cornwell Funeral Chapel in Dardanelle with Chaplain Jim Fly officiating. Visitation was held Monday 1-2 p.m. at the chapel prior to the service. Burial will be private in Owens Cemetery.

Family would like to express their thankfulness to the wonderful staff of the Dardanelle Nursing Center and to their neighbor, Paul McKinney.

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home and River Valley Cremations in Dardanelle.

Online guestbook and condolences at www.cornwell funeralhomes.com