(From Berna Funeral Home)Celia Wylene Cohagan, 88, passed away Monday, January 20, 2025, at her home. She was born on February 6, 1936, in Butler, Missouri, to Virgil Earl Waggener and Greta Arline Howe.
In 1950, at 14 years of age, Wylene’s beloved father passed away suddenly. The family moved to Joplin, Missouri where her mother began a career in real estate. Wylene adored her mother and helped care for her younger brothers Dickie and Jackie. She was also blessed with the love and support of her cousin, her “sister for life”, Myrna Goode Dolence.
While attending Joplin Jr. College she met her soulmate, Don Cohagan. She and Myrna later coordinated a double-wedding and on August 19, 1956 proudly became Mrs. Don Cohagan. The newlyweds moved to Columbia, MO to pursue their careers. Don attended medical school and Wylene studied Special Education. A few months later Wylene’s mother married Bud Horton, and gained a stepbrother, Brent. In October of 1957, they welcomed their first child, Kathleen Janette.
Following college, the young family moved to Miami, FL, where Don completed his internship and Wylene taught Hispanic children during the Cuban Refugee Crisis. They later moved to Denver, CO, for Don’s residency and Wylene volunteered as a Pink Lady at Denver’s Fitzsimons Army Hospital. In October 1962 she gave birth to their second daughter, Eva Michelle, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1963 the family moved to Bentonville, Arkansas where Don began his medical practice and Wylene managed their home. In August 1965 they welcomed their third child, Samuel Donald.
Family and music were a few of Wylene’s favorite things, especially grandchildren. She loved tennis, bridge, hosting gatherings, lake outings, camping, and serving others. Her exemplary life was dedicated to making others, whether friends or strangers, feel special. As a young adult she worked at a butcher shop, taught piano, and excelled at women’s basketball. The family became active members of the First United Methodist Church in 1963.
Following college, the young family moved to Miami, FL, where Don completed his internship and Wylene taught Hispanic children during the Cuban Refugee Crisis. They later moved to Denver, CO, for Don’s residency and Wylene volunteered as a Pink Lady at Denver’s Fitzsimons Army Hospital. In October 1962 she gave birth to their second daughter, Eva Michelle, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1963 the family moved to Bentonville, Arkansas where Don began his medical practice and Wylene managed their home. In August 1965 they welcomed their third child, Samuel Donald.
Family and music were a few of Wylene’s favorite things, especially grandchildren. She loved tennis, bridge, hosting gatherings, lake outings, camping, and serving others. Her exemplary life was dedicated to making others, whether friends or strangers, feel special. As a young adult she worked at a butcher shop, taught piano, and excelled at women’s basketball. The family became active members of the First United Methodist Church in 1963.
Wylene was a devoted wife and mother and thrived when serving the community. To those who knew her best, she was life’s consummate architect of compassion, forever planning something that made life brighter for others--to foster love in a child, to serve those in need, to enrich the lives of the elderly, and to mentor her children, grand and great grandchildren as a beacon of light. Wylene co-founded Helping Hands in 1976, loved celebrating the Christmas season hosting dinners for elderly friends, loved Church functions while serving the community, volunteered at Mother-to-Mother Ministry, led Girl Scouts, was an active PEO member for 50 years, shipped care packages to Viet Nam soldiers, provided baked cookies to the jail and hospital staff, and was chief sponsor for saving the Bentonville Dave Peel Park which still exists today.
Wylene and Don spearheaded the establishment of the senior living community, Legacy Village, in 2005. Wylene received the Arthur (Rabbit) Dickerson Award from the Chamber of Commerce in 1986, and an award from the Governor for outstanding community services to the people of Arkansas in 2018. Her devotion to loving others continued as long as she was able.
Wylene was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Landers Cohagan of 60-years, by her parents, brother Richard Earl “Dickie” Waggener, brother Jack Lynn Waggener, sister-in-law Christine Van Rossen Waggener, stepbrother LCpl Charles Brent Horton, sister-in-law Louanne Lindsey and her husband Col. Richard Lindsey, and brother-in-law Lt. Col. Paul Cohagan and his wife Mary. Wylene is survived by her daughter Kathleen Cohagan Garrett of Pea Ridge, her daughter Michelle Cohagan Senn and husband Bill of Gravette, and her son, Samuel Donald Cohagan of Bentonville. She is also survived by grandchildren Alyssa Wylene Williams and husband Brandon of Rogers, Lauren Marie Garrett, Nicholas Brent Garrett and wife Carmen of Pea Ridge, Ashely Arline Pierson and husband John of North Carolina, Ryan Gregory David Karel of Bella Vista, Casey Lee Cohagan and Tanner Joseph Cohagan of Tontitown, and nine great grandchildren Camden Reid, Ryder Williams, Nash Williams, Rami Williams, Liam Pierson, Owen Pierson, Knox Williams, Amelia Pierson, and Olivia Garrett.
Wylene was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Landers Cohagan of 60-years, by her parents, brother Richard Earl “Dickie” Waggener, brother Jack Lynn Waggener, sister-in-law Christine Van Rossen Waggener, stepbrother LCpl Charles Brent Horton, sister-in-law Louanne Lindsey and her husband Col. Richard Lindsey, and brother-in-law Lt. Col. Paul Cohagan and his wife Mary. Wylene is survived by her daughter Kathleen Cohagan Garrett of Pea Ridge, her daughter Michelle Cohagan Senn and husband Bill of Gravette, and her son, Samuel Donald Cohagan of Bentonville. She is also survived by grandchildren Alyssa Wylene Williams and husband Brandon of Rogers, Lauren Marie Garrett, Nicholas Brent Garrett and wife Carmen of Pea Ridge, Ashely Arline Pierson and husband John of North Carolina, Ryan Gregory David Karel of Bella Vista, Casey Lee Cohagan and Tanner Joseph Cohagan of Tontitown, and nine great grandchildren Camden Reid, Ryder Williams, Nash Williams, Rami Williams, Liam Pierson, Owen Pierson, Knox Williams, Amelia Pierson, and Olivia Garrett.
A service will be held at the First United Methodist Church sanctuary, 201 NW Second Street, Bentonville, on Wednesday, January 29th at 11:30 a.m. followed by a celebration of life reception in Hines Hall. Rev. Michelle Morris will officiate. The family will hold a private interment.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Helping Hands, 2602 SW D St., Bentonville, AR 72712 - Click to donate to Helping Hands
or to
Special Olympics Arkansas, 2115 Main Street, North Little Rock, AR - Click to donate to Special Olympics Arkansas
Arrangements have been entrusted to Nelson-Berna Funeral Home of Rogers.
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