Dr. Ed Hollenbeck of Benton, a native of Pine Bluff, died Friday, May 4, at Saline Memorial Hospice House in Bryant. He was 82. He was a retired Cumberland Presbyterian minister and a former executive director for the Benton Public Housing Authority. Dr. Hollenbeck served pastorates at numerous Cumberland Presbyterian and United Methodist churches in Arkansas. His most recent pastorate was at the Benton-Bryant Cumberland Presbyterian Fellowship, located in Bryant, where he continued to be active as long as his health permitted. Teaching and preaching were integral focuses of his life. For several years he served as an instructor in New Testament, Preaching, and Cumberland Presbyterian Government for the Program of Alternate Studies' summer extension sessions at Bethel College in McKenzie, Tenn. He held numerous leadership positions for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, having served as moderator of Arkansas Presbytery and as the denomination's vice moderator for General Assembly meetings in Knoxville, Tenn., and Fort Worth, Texas. During his leadership with the Lake Hamilton Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs, the congregation built its first permanent facility and now is among that resort city's fast-growing churches. Other pastorates were served in Morrilton, Little Rock, Russellville, North Little Rock and other Arkansas cities. He served on the Board of Trustees for Memphis Theological Seminary and in earlier years was a trustee for St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo. He also served as a member of the board of directors for the Shepherd's Center in Little Rock. During his years as Housing Authority executive director in Benton, he was responsible for the construction and development of Whispering Pines, a 77-unit housing complex for elderly and handicapped families. Articles he has written have appeared in The Cumberland Presbyterian, Benton Courier, Arkansas Gazette and Christian Home. He served as a consultant for "To Love and To Cherish," a counseling manual for pastors and engaged couples, published by Abingdon Press. After obtaining a bachelor's degree in humanities from Hendrix College in Conway, he earned a master's degree in theology from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He did additional post-graduate work at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., and University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Morris-Booker College of Dermott, and two of his sermons, "Are We Afraid of Freedom?" and "Seeds of Freedom," were chosen for Freedoms Foundation awards.

Hollenbeck was the son of the late William Paul and Winnie Dean Hollenbeck of Pine Bluff. A brother, William Paul Hollenbeck, also predeceased him.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Saline Courier senior editor Lynda Hollenbeck; a sister, Beverly Warren of Pine Bluff; a brother, George Hollenbeck and wife Ruth of Livingston, Texas; three daughters, Kathy Allen and husband Ray of Russellville, Karen Brannon and husband Joey of Benton and Laura Allison and husband Joe of Bartlesville, Okla.; three sons, Paul Hollenbeck of Eugene Oregon, Paul Campbell of Portland, Ore., and Allen Campbell and wife Melissa of Little Rock; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church in Benton. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Cotton Plant Memorial Cemetery in Cotton Plant (Woodruff County).

Visitation is set from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ashby Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Cumberland Presbyterian Fellowship, 3600 Marketplace Center, Bryant, AR 72022; Royal Players, P.O. Box 1743, Benton, AR 72018; or Humane Society of Saline County, P.O. Box 305, Benton, AR 72018.

On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.