Mardelle (Bingaman) McCormick, 94, of Evansville, passed away Friday, January 25, 2008. Mardelle was the daughter of Carroll W. Bingaman and Lillian C. Landefelt (stepmother, Jean Hayes). Mardelle was preceded in death by her beloved companion, her Old English Sheepdog, Mollie.

Mardelle is survived by her daughter, Carol and her companion Steve Sudell; a niece, Dorothy Jackson; great-nieces, Diane Jackson and Nancy Steenbergen; great-nephew, Mark Jackson and his partner, Tom Schloeder; as well as 4 great-great and 7 great-great-great nieces and nephews.

Mardelle attended Sayre School in Lexington, Ky., and graduated in 1930 from Bosse High School. She graduated from the University of Evansville and received her MAT in government with a minor in anthropology from Indiana University. She was the recipient of a National Science Foundation Grant in anthropology and had "dig" experience. She taught at North High, where she also served as speech and debate coach. She received the James Bethel Grisham Award from the Evansville Bar Association for her work in Court Days: the first non-lawyer to receive this honor. She served as a deacon, elder, Clerk of the Session, moderator, member of the Administrative Board, and president of the Women's Association at Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church prior to joining Eastminster Presbyterian Church. While at then Evansville College she performed in many plays and speech contests and was the first speech major at the College. She was a 75-year member of Robert Morris Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; a 74-year member of the White Shrine; a 67-year member of Isis Temple No. 41, Daughters of the Nile where she served as Queen in 1948; a 64-year member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) International Sorority serving as International Council President in 1954-55; and a 26-year member of the Reitz Home serving as a docent and a member of the Board of Directors.

Friends may visit at Alexander East Chapel on Wednesday, January 30, from 2 to 8 p.m. Memorial services will be held this evening by both ESA and the Daughters of the Nile.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 31, at Alexander East Chapel, with Rev. Dennis Davenport and Rev. Shane O'Neill officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Rocky Hill, Conn.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, the Daughters of the Nile, or the Vanderburgh Humane Society.

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January 31, 2008

I'm so sorry to hear about Mardelle. She was always an inspiration to me and I'm so happy that I came to know her, if only for a short time of her life. She was truly a great and graceful lady. You are in thoughts and prayers. Martha McCoy (Evansville, IN)

January 31, 2008

Carol, I am thinking about you and sending my condolences. May God give you comfort and strength as you go through this sad time. Call me any time you need to talk. Jayliene Higgins (Jeffersonville, IN)

January 30, 2008

Carol, I was in Mrs. McCormick's homeroom for my 4 years at North from 1962 through 1966. Please accept my condolences. Barbara Grant Yancey (Evansville, IN)

January 30, 2008

Carol: Dick & I would like to express our sympathy to you on the death of your Mother. She had a long and rewarding life with many talents to share with others. You and your mother were like family to Dick's grandmother, Mabel Bohm, and she always talked fondly of you both. May your memories sustain you.

Dick & Carolyn Bohm (Ft. Myers, IN)

January 30, 2008

Mardelle was a "walking history book" about ESA. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to her stories about the early days of ESA. She will be missed. Agape, Carolyn Shaw ESA-PIP 1993-94 (Franklin, IN)

January 30, 2008

She was my Government teacher at North High, class '80 (one of my favorites and I remember days in her class like it was yesterday)I always smile when I think of her. My thoughts and prayers are with you and family in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. James Hendrickson (Orlando, FL)

January 30, 2008

I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. McCormick at Heritage Center where my mother was her roommate. What a wonderful lady. She told me all about her family and Mollie, who she missed dearly. She and Mollie are together again. May God grant peace to your family. Elaine Zimmer (Evansville, IN)

January 30, 2008

Carol, My condolences on the death of your mother. She was a great lady and a great life-long friend to mom. She was always a part of our life. John Wilson (St. Meinrad, IN)

March 3, 2008

Thinking of you Carol. We will miss her in ESA too.  Betty Sanders (Fort Myers, FL)