Shenandoah Business College Graduation
Files
Title
Shenandoah Business College Graduation
Subject
Churches - Virginia - Woodstock
Funkhouser, Jean Lena Sine (1930-1999)
Hamman, Arlene Elizabeth Hullihen (1931-2023)
Ryan, Phyllis Anne Helsley (1931-2009)
Schools - Virginia - Woodstock
Shenandoah Business College (Woodstock Va.)
Description
Group of mostly unidentified young men and women are posed together on the altar of the Woodstock United Methodist Church.
Three women have been identified. They are: Jean Lena (Sine) Funkhouser (standing in the back row directly behind the man in the dark suit), Arlene (Hullihen) Hamman (Back row, 3rd from the right), and Phyllis (Helsley) Ryan (Back row, 4th from the right).
Possibly, Rosemary Ann (Kibler) Dinges is in the front row, 7th from the right, but we are uncertain.
The other people in the photograph are unidentified.
This is the graduation photograph for the 1949 Shenandoah Business College class. When it was begun in 1940, the school was located on the second floor of the Bowman Store Building at the intersection of Court and Muhlenberg Street in Woodstock. Later, it moved to Lawyer’s Row. For many locals who lacked the means to attend a 4 year institution, Shenandoah Business College or “Palmer’s School” as it was commonly known, was an opportunity to advance their education. The school closed in the early 1950's.
Three women have been identified. They are: Jean Lena (Sine) Funkhouser (standing in the back row directly behind the man in the dark suit), Arlene (Hullihen) Hamman (Back row, 3rd from the right), and Phyllis (Helsley) Ryan (Back row, 4th from the right).
Possibly, Rosemary Ann (Kibler) Dinges is in the front row, 7th from the right, but we are uncertain.
The other people in the photograph are unidentified.
This is the graduation photograph for the 1949 Shenandoah Business College class. When it was begun in 1940, the school was located on the second floor of the Bowman Store Building at the intersection of Court and Muhlenberg Street in Woodstock. Later, it moved to Lawyer’s Row. For many locals who lacked the means to attend a 4 year institution, Shenandoah Business College or “Palmer’s School” as it was commonly known, was an opportunity to advance their education. The school closed in the early 1950's.
Creator
Morrison Studio
Source
Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
Publisher
Shenandoah County Library
Date
Undated
Contributor
Woodstock United Methodist Church was identified in 2013 by Arlene Hamman.
Identification of the graduation class was provided in 2026 via the portal by Carol Getz, whose mother, Jean Sine Funkhouser, was in the photograph. She also has a copy of her mother's diploma.
Additional information about the business school came from: “Shenandoah Business College,” Shenandoah Stories, accessed September 28, 2026, https://shenandoahstories.org/items/show/146.
Also in 2026, Jean Getz was able to confirm the identification of Jean (Sine) Funkhouser, Arlene (Hullihen) Hamman, and Phyllis (Helsley) Ryan by indicating where each young woman was in the photograph.
Rights
IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
Identifier
040284
Original Format
Film Negative
Physical Dimensions
8x10 inches
Collection
Citation
Morrison Studio, “Shenandoah Business College Graduation,” Shenandoah County Library Archives, accessed October 16, 2026, https://archives.countylib.org/items/show/74600.
Comments
Carol Getz
This is graduation photo for Shenandoah Business College. Graduation was June 9, 1949. My mom. Jean Sine Funkhouser, is in the photo. I also have a copy of her diploma. Phyllis Helsley Ryan, Arlene Hamman and Rosemary Kibler Dinges are also in the photo.
Jean Getz
Jean Lena (Sine) Funkhouser is in the back row, directly behind the man in the dark suit.
Back row, 3rd from right is Arlene (Hullihen) Hamman. And next to her (4th from right) is Phyllis (Helsley) Ryan.
Front row, 7th from right looks like Rosemary Ann (Kibler) Dinges.