June Silliman
September 21, 1932 ~ October 14, 2022
June Silliman, 90, of the Meth-Wick Community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died on Friday, October 14, 2022, at UnityPoint St. Luke's Hospice of a hemorrhagic stroke. She will be cremated and a family service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. June was born September 21, 1932, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the daughter of Floyd and Helen (Pasch) Webb. She grew up in New London, Wisconsin. June was a dedicated second grade teacher and an active amateur archeologist. Her academic studies included Cornell College, University of Wisconsin, and Coe College. She is survived by her husband, Charles; three wonderful children, Anna, Matthew, and Emily; and grandchildren, Carolyn and Margaret. Please share your support and memories with June's family on her Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Mount Vernon
Mr. Silliman,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I always liked June, she was such a sweet, soft spoken lady. I know how your heart aches and how you are missing her. She was special..
You are in my thoughts,
Annamae Baker
Dear Chuck, Anna, Matt & Emily, Very sad to read of June’s passing. “Mrs.Silliman” was always one of my favorite teachers, whom I remembered and cherished. She didn’t let her students get away with anything, was loving and fair. Blessed that our friendship extend it into adulthood. Sending deepest condolences to all of you. Her memory will surely be a blessing to all knew and loved her., Jennifer Bern-Vogel and family
Thank you for your kind memories. I’ll make sure Dad sees your comment – Matt maybe already read it to him.
Correction for June Silliman tribute from Jennifer Bern-Vogel. “So blessed that our friendship extended into adulthood.”
Chuck and family, I had recently visited with June at our podiatry clinic, of all places. I’m so sorry to read of her death. As you know, I’m grieving my partner too, Dave, who died Oct. 3. Life changes very quickly, doesn’t it? Please extend my sympathies to all. You’ve been good friends (and supporters) through the years for which I thank you again.
Wonderful teacher at Mount Vernon elementary school. My sympathy to Chuck and the whole family. Sara Gaarde, Mount Vernon.
Mrs. Silliman was my 2nd grade teacher, and an interesting one. I remember that year vividly, though it was almost a half-century ago, during the Gerald Ford era. She had us create Nigerian fruits & vegetables out of colored construction paper and held a trading market. (And somehow she dressed the part.) She played chess with us and wouldn’t just let us win, so it was a real challenge and of course we couldn’t beat her. Not until reading the obituary did I realize she was from Oshkosh, which provides some additional history of which I was unaware.
Thanks for the memories. I remember trips to Decorah as Mom was planning her Norwegian immigration unit.
My sympathy to the entire family. Many fond memories of Christmas Carolling with the neighborhood choir — Sillimans, Nichols, Wilches, and Christiansens.
Barbara Christiansen Connell
I loved that caroling party, too. Thanks for the memory.
Sad to see June has passed. My sympathies to Chuck and the family. She was quite an accomplished lady.
Mrs. Silliman was my second grade teacher. I fondly remember the goldfish pond that our desks were always centered around. I also remember dressing up in our Norwegian outfits and still have my half of the Polaroid! My reading group had to perform a”Frog and Toad” play with chocolate chip cookies we made from brown construction paper. And I remember her love of Laura Ingall Wilder history. She was a kind and caring teacher and we enjoyed running into her (at her own house!) when we played at Dean’s Park.
Tender mercies and many fond memories for June’s family in this huge loss. My children who were fortunate enough to have her as their teacher fondly remember the classroom fish pond and many more innovative ideas. I recall how she took Polaroid pics of entire classes, once asking me to keep the package until high school graduation, at which time these were displayed along with senior photos. Compassionate and dedicated to her teaching, June will be missed but the memories of some very fine lessons she taught will remain.
Thank you!
I remember her calling us all in from recess one day because people had been bullying a student who was different. She ripped a piece of paper in half and told us that that was what happened inside of a person when they were bullied. It always stuck with me. She was one of the best teachers I ever had.
Thank you for the kind words.
I am very sorry to hear of June’s sudden passing. She taught second grade next door to me, and I always respected her hands-on curriculum and serious engagement with her students. Yet I can still see her wiping away tears of laughter as she explained how Lovey Bear fell into her classroom pond. We all remember that day! Her dedication to life-long learning was inspiring. She will be missed.
Pat Lehnherr. (Mrs. Lehnherr)
I remember her talking about you, and yes, she could not stop laughing about the day Lovey Bear fell into the fish pond. thank you for your memories. Emily Silliman
i met june with the friends of the coralville library/ her job was always setting up the childrens section of books. now i see why. a very dedicated library volunteer.
June and I visited while in line at a clinic at the Manor recently. I was very sorry to see she passed away. Sad to say, so did my husband Dave on Oct. 3. Life can certainly change in a split second, can’t it? my sympathies to the Silliman family.