Mary Ione Bessman, 64, of Bentonville, AR died Sunday, March 19, 1995 at the Broken Arrow Medical Center in Broken Arrow, OK. Mrs Bessman had resided in Broken Arrow for the last several months.
She was born March 8, 1931, in Lincoln, AR, the daughter of William Reed Burke and Laura B. Southerland Burke. She married William John Bessman Nov. 22, 1952 in Nashua, Iowa, who preceded her in death on Dec. 4, 1992. Mrs. Bessman worked for several companies including; J. C. Penney, Foam Molding and Tyson Foods. She had been affiliated with the Baptist Church and had been valedictorian of the Class of 1949 of Cincinnati High School, Cincinnati, Arkansas.
Survivors include three sons, Carl William Bessman of Ames, Iowa, Cecil Wayne Bessman ofPierpont, Ohio, Keith Bessman of Waterloo, Iowa; two daughters, Beverly Lesh of Bentonville, AR and Patti Hack of Broken Arrow, OK; four brothers, William Burke of Bentonville, AR, Alfred "Pete" Burke of Fairland, OK, John Burke of Tulsa, OK and James Burke of Broken Arrow, OK; one sister, Lavonna McGaugh of Springdale, AR, 16 grandchildren and 1 great grand.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Jeanette Bessman and one brother Forrest Burke.