COLUMBUS
Vera E. Force, 89, of Columbus passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
She was born Vera Wilhelmina Elizabeth Middendorf in Jonesville, the daughter of Frank and Anna Moorman Middendorf. Vera married Donald V. Force in 1946, and they were together 34 years until his death in 1980. She married Roger C. Tittel in 1983, and he died in 1987. She married Victor Hendershot in 1996, and he died in 2008.
Vera graduated from Columbus High School in 1943. Following high school, she was employed in the offices of Cummins Engine Co. She was instrumental in the growth and development of Force Construction Co. Inc. and Force Design Inc. In 1990, she was named chairwoman emeritus of the organizations. She served on the board of directors of Columbus Bank and Trust Co. and later Salin Bank. She was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Columbus and a former director of the Retirement Foundation. A long-time member of Harrison Lake Country Club, she also was a member of the Columbia Club of Indianapolis. As a native of Jonesville, she always enjoyed meeting all of her many friends who were members of the Jonesville Belles. An avid bridge player, she enjoyed the conversation as much as the game. Her travels over many years took her to most parts of the world.
A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, her family meant everything to her.
Survivors include her two sons, Harold (Debbie) Force and David (Cindy) Force, both of Columbus; five grandchildren, Cathy (Chris) Koczaja of Franklin, Tennessee, Clayton (Angela) Force of Columbus, Karen Force of Louisville, and Betsy Force and Margy Force, both of Columbus; and five great-grandchildren, Abby, Emmy and Keegan Koczaja, and Julianne and Dawson Force.
Besides her husbands, she also was preceded in death by an infant son in 1950; infant twin sons in 1953; and brothers, Harold and Earl Middendorf.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Columbus with the Rev. Mark Teike officiating.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Barkes, Weaver and Glick Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 1029 Washington St., Columbus, and from 10 a.m. until time of service Monday at the church.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Foundation or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
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