Karen Kay Churchman, a resident of Bella Vista, Ark., was born Oct. 11, 1971 in Tallahassee, Florida to Herbert G. Churchman and Kathlyn M. (Churchman) Tillman. She died March 21, 2015 at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Ark.
Preceded in death by her father, Herb Churchman and step-father, Dr. Ernest Tillman, paternal grandparents, Herbert O. and Mary Churchman and maternal grandparents, Herman L. and Marie Ackerman, and nephew Joshua Giffin.
Karen graduated from Alton Sr. High School in Alton, Ill., in 1989 where she was a member of the Marching 100 Band and Encounter Christian Musical Ministry. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Marketing from the University of Oklahoma in 1993 where she played clarinet as a member of the Pride of Oklahoma marching band. During her collegiate years, she was an active member of the Tau Beta Sigma band sorority and the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity.
Holding various positions as a Wal Mart associate, she moved to Bella Vista in 2002 and completed her Certification as a Human Resources Professional in 2011.
Karen was a member of St. Stephen's Parish of Bentonville, Arkansas.
Karen is survived by her mother Kathlyn M. Tillman, her siblings K. Gayle Machetta and husband Peter of Henryetta, Kimberly D. Denham and husband Robin of Medora, Ill., Daniel L. Churchman and wife Leigh of Birmingham, Ala., and Joanne Berry and husband David of Edwardsville, Ill., Carol Haukap of St. Louis, Missouri, Paul Tillman and wife Jane of St. Peters, Missouri, Richard Tillman and wife Tereasa of Federal Way, Wash., and their collective 16 children who were Karen's nieces and nephews, and 13 great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her fiancé T.J. Bruce and his children Audrey, Nathan, and Jacob and their extended family. A host of aunts and uncles, cousins, and dear friends are also among her loved ones.
A memorial mass will be held Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen's Parish, 1300 NE J St, Bentonville, followed by a private interment at Roselawn Cemetery in Bethalto, Illinois in May. Funeral Services are under the discretion of Bella Vista Funeral Home of Bella Vista, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, the family has designated memorial contributions to be made to the Nomad Shrine Club Transportation Fund of Bella Vista, c/o Phil Grier, 2 Barra Lane, Bella Vista, AR 72715.