FRANKLIN, IN.
Cecil Tarleton Tresslar, 89 of Franklin, IN, died Nov 16, 2023, at Otterbein Franklin SeniorLife Community in Franklin. He loved his family and was surrounded by them with his passing.
He is survived by his daughter Julie Kay Mahan (William) of Greenwood, Indiana; daughter in-law Mary Ellen Williamson (Murray) of Kannapolis, North Carolina; grandchildren Jessica, Katie, Allison, Natalie; four great-grandchildren; and many close friends. He is preceded in death by parents, stepfather Charles Lee, sisters Harriett Barnes and Margaret Jones, wife Georganna Tresslar, and son Douglas Tresslar.
Cecil, youngest child of Harry and Helen Tresslar, was born Mar 19, 1934, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Graduating from Arsenal Technical High School in 1951, he went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Indiana University in 1955. Cecil then joined the US Army serving as a medic. The Army provided an early, Honorable Discharge so that Cecil could take a teaching position at Arsenal Technical High School in 1957. Taking summer classes, he earned a master’s degree in Journalism at Indiana University in 1959. While completing his master’s degree, Cecil met his future wife, Georganna. They were married on Jun 18, 1960.
Cecil taught English and Journalism at Arsenal Technical High School from 1957-1992. While at Tech, Cecil held several roles within the school’s Publishing department including the Director of Publishing. In high school, Cecil had served as page editor and editor in-chief for the Arsenal Cannon Newsletter. As a faculty member, he continued his involvement in an advisory role and took great satisfaction with each publication.
Throughout his life, Cecil had a strong passion for writing poetry. He completed several collections that he shared with family. As a member of the Poetry Society of Indiana, Cecil received several awards, was a published poet, and was named the State of Indiana Premier Poet (Fall 2010-Fall 2013). Cecil loved his family, the satisfaction when completing a poem, and the fun of watching ANY sporting event.
Visitation will be at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at 1pm followed by a brief memorial service at 2pm at the mortuary and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com with Chaplain Deb Baker conducting. Military honors by the United States Army Honor Guard will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Arsenal Technical High School Alumni Association (https://athsalumniassociation.square.site/shop/donations/4) or to Indiana University in support of student grants (https://give.myiu.org/).
Inurnment will take place at Washington Park North Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN at a later date.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.
