BROWNSTOWN
Wilma J. Wessel, 72, of Brownstown passed away at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, at Schneck Medical Center following a three-day illness.
Born Oct. 30, 1943, in Bedford, she was the daughter of Earl and Mildred Lutes Mitchaner, both of whom preceded her in death. On April 3, 1964, at St. John’s Lutheran Church Sauers, she married William F. Wessel and he survives.
Wilma was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Brownstown and was retired as executive director of the American Red Cross in Jackson, Jennings and Scott counties. She was a member of Brownstown-Ewing Mainstreet, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church foundation board, the Jackson/Jennings County chapter of Thrivent Financial and the Heritage Park committee. She also was a Sunday school teacher, an Avon representative and an usher at Lucas Oil Stadium for the Colts for 6 years.
Wilma enjoyed being with her many friends and family. While she worked at the Red Cross, she touched many lives in the community. In her retirement, she volunteered many hours of service to her church and community and sold Avon to her many friends.
To her family, she was an inspiration. She loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild, being a vital part of their lives. She would do everything with them from riding roller coasters to cooking their favorite dishes. Wilma always had encouraging things to say to those around her. She accepted and loved everyone for who they were. She could always make you laugh. Wilma lived as a woman of deep faith, witnessing to those around her of Jesus her Savior. Wilma was loved and will be missed by her husband, children and grandchildren and great-grandchild, her large Wessel extended family and her many, many friends.
Other survivors include two daughters, Audrey (Gordon) Stoneburner of Austin, Texas, and Anita Goldstein of Trabuco Canyon, California; six grandchildren, Amy Jean Stoneburner (Aaron) Mails of Seymour, Daniel (Liz) Stoneburner of Austin, Texas, David Stoneburner of Houston, Texas, and Matthew, Emily and Sophie Goldstein, all of Trabuco Canyon, California; and a great-grandchild, Riley Ann Mails of Seymour.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. Jeff Patterson officiating.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Spurgeon Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until time of service Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or to the Community Foundation of Jackson County for the Brownstown Heritage Park Fund.