Sunderine Temple

Sunderine Temple, the third and youngest daughter of Clifton and Dorothy (Coggins) Wilson, was born on October 29, 1936, at Wardell, MO. Their young and pretty mother died when Sunderine was only two or three years old. She was placed in an orphanage but ran off when about nine. From then on, she was mostly on her own.

Fortunately, she found adult, kind, sympathetic, reliable people who took her on their carnival tours. She remembers sleeping on the canvas in the center of the merry-go-round. For her keep, she did tasks for the owners as they moved their rig from place to place. Later, she picked cotton and strawberries in the South.

Of course, she had classes at the orphanage and while laying up at one place for winter months, took classes when possible. Like Abraham Lincoln, she attended “school by littles”. And like the sixteenth President, she admitted her “education was defective!” But she secured enough to get by, including basic math. To fill out her brief learning experience, she read books; again, like the Railsplitter. She ended up in Springfield, Illinois, and with a powerful political sponsor, received a position at the Old State Capitol on February 1 after it had just previously opened as a state tourist site on November 15, 1969. She enjoyed people who came there and guided many thousands from around the world for 41 years. At first, she found her job difficult because of her brief education. But she had a strong will and mastered the position where she became Floor Manager, Tour Guide, Volunteer Coordinator, and Valuable Advisor.

While eating lunch at the old Steak & Shake on S. 6th Street, near the Public Square, in January of 1979, she was asked by a mutual waitress friend by the name of Rhonda to share her booth with a Lincoln Scholar by the name of Dr. Wayne C. Temple who was waiting in line. He was the Chief Deputy Director at the Illinois State Archives since 1964. They continued to share lunch there for the coming days, but Sunderine was very nervous in his presence and ate only half of her sandwiches.

She seemed awed by his credentials yet proud to associate with him. With the coming of his birthday – February 5, the same date as Nancy Hanks Lincoln, the mother of Pres. Lincoln – he began to tease her about catering his party (which she did for others upon occasion). She had an opening for that date and asked where the celebration would be. With a sly and planned reply, he said it was at the Captain’s Galley in the Moana Hotel in Honolulu! In shock, she thought about the offer and after several days agreed to go only if she could have her own hotel room. Temple readily agreed and explained he was so lonesome to share his time with a woman he could spoil with a vacation in a spot he knew very well.

When they arrived, Temple introduced her to the Ink Spots who were playing there. He knew Stanley Morgan quite well. Needless to say, she was truly impressed. They hit the high spots of the island – Pearl Harbor, etc.

Upon returning home, Temple asked her if she had a good time. “Sandy” as she was nicknamed, said “oh yes!”. Thereupon, he asked if she would marry him. She replied with a slight smile that “We can try it.” They did try it on April 9 that same year in the Executive Mansion within the Library standing in front of the T.D. Jones bust of Lincoln which Temple had studied and written about. The noted and Hon. Judge Richard Mills performed the brief ceremony in the presence of just six people. Using the mansion’s silver plate, etc., they had tea with cookies and flew off to New Orleans for a short honeymoon. Sandy could only get three days off from work. The groom knew the “City That Care Forgot” very well. After a wonderful time, they flew back to Springfield where some of her colleagues at the Old State Capitol declared it would never last. But, it did, until death dissolved the storybook romance of love and devotion. Each year they relived that date in “The Big Easy” and planted an azalea bush in front of their porch. It still blooms there.

Always a hard worker, doing extra jobs, she owned a home with only two mortgage payments left when she wed Wayne. They quickly paid them off and sold the property.

In the fairy tale of Cinderella and the Prince, all we are told is that “They lived happily ever after.” In the case of the “Sandy” and “Doc” fairy book life, we know exactly how it turned out. They mutually pledged to love each other “for forever and four days.”

Shortly after their wedding, she declared stoutly that “We must write the history of my building.” She, of course, knew that her new husband was a researcher and author of several books on Lincoln. Although the state owned the stone, bricks and mortar, she was actually the keeper of its very soul. So, they spent ten years of their spare moments on this project. He asked her what were the most questions which visitors asked her on the tour. With that information, they added the answers in a large appendix. Phillips Bros. published the volume in flexible covers. When they had recovered the cost, the husband’s publisher, Mayhaven, printed it in hardback. It is the only full story of this historic site where Lincoln, Grant and many other great figures spent time.

After marriage, they traveled widely. It became their hobby. She loved the art and architecture of Europe and other places. In fact, she had a little art streak in her, too. One of her paintings hangs in the Old Lux. She bought the history books where they visited, and she read them. Actually, she probably learned more than the young college girls who, as part of their course work, take a single trip to Europe, etc. Sunderine also collected cookbooks, especially those picked up in their travels. She attempted to try one recipe from each one.

Because her husband had not driven a car since 1958, she became his chauffer and Aide-de-Camp with the military rank of Colonel in the legally reactivated Illinois State Militia where her spouse holds the rank of General. Those commissions are as valid as the one U.S. Grant received from the Governor. Her biography is published in several reference books about notable women.

Never a joiner, Sunderine, however, was an Endowment Life member of the NRA. In past years they both shot on the target range. Her FOID card was still valid until 2026.

She was active with Wayne in the Scottish Rite and supported him as he advanced to be 33. She went with him to the activities of the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Assoc., of which he is a member, and to the meetings of the Reserve Officers Association.

After forty-one years of service, Sunderine was presented an actual key to the Old State Capitol. A rare honor, only two had been given previously: Ferry and Henderson, the architects who restored it.

Recently, the Old State Capitol Foundation inaugurated a new honor for those who have greatly aided the site. It was named the Wayne and Sunderine Temple Award, and the first to receive it were the Temples. The husband is so grateful that his cherished wife will not be forgotten for her life’s service there. Theirs was a perfect union of love and devotion to their life’s work.

Both Temples are members of the Lincoln Family Church, First Presbyterian, of Springfield, where Wayne was a Deacon and is still an Elder.

By previous marriage, she bore two sons, James and Randy Mohn. Both sons are deceased. Sunderine has one half brother, David, who lives in Florida. She has one niece, Linda Martin, of Canton, IL, and one grandson, Tommy Mohn of Taylorville.

She had many close friends who loved her greatly. One is a dear neighbor, Sharon Miller, R.N. They shared their lives for years. Another dear associate is Teena Groves who has helped both Temples for many years. Likewise, Dr. James Cornelius has for many months helped the household while talking Lincoln with Wayne.

Only one or two close friends ever knew that Wayne was a published poet in national magazines. From the time that they were married, he always composed one for her birthday and their anniversary. She cherished those private and tender thoughts and carefully kept them in a special place in her dresser. She was supposed to have them all published after he was gone. But God revised the order of their passing. Now can he hold back the tears long enough to edit them? Perhaps.

Visitation: 8:30-9:30 am, Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield.

Funeral Service: 9:30 am, Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield with Reverend Susan Philips officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

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