Carol H. Willey

Carol (Harvey) Willey, 83, of Bluffton, died unexpectedly of natural causes at 7:53 P.M. Friday, October 13, 2006, in Bluffton. Carol was born on July 4, 1923, in Bluffton to the late Earl Harvey and Bernice (Masterson) Harvey and was a lifetime resident. Carol graduated from Bluffton High School in 1941. On December 22, 1946, she married Richard Willey, who survives his beloved wife of nearly 60 years. She is also survived by her four daughters Sylvia (Kenneth) Clark of Alexandria, Indiana, Sally (Douglas) Halberstadt of Bluffton, Cindy (Daniel) Leininger of Warsaw, Indiana, and Sarah (Michael) Gotsch of South Bend, Indiana, fourteen grand children, and five great-grand children. Carol retired in 1985 from Nipsco where she worked as an executive assistant for seventeen years. She also worked as the secretary to the Superintendent of Bluffton High School from 1941-1947, until the time she lovingly dedicated herself to raising her daughters. For 50 years, she was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Bluffton where she served as a member of the finance and bereavement committees, and had served on numerous other committees in the past. Carol was an active volunteer at the Wells County Food Bank, Wells County Library, and Bluffton Regional Medical Center. She was also an active member of the Tri Kappa Sorority, where she had served on various committees. In 2002, Carol was the Bluffton Business and Professional Women’s Volunteer of the Year, and was recognized as a “perfect example of a person living the Golden Rule.” Carol had many friends of all ages, many of whom have gone on before her. She never met a person in whom she could not recognize a divine spark, and she was loved and admired by many. Her two passions were her family and her community. She was truly a generous and kind person and consistent with the goals of Tri Kappa, dedicated herself to promote charity, culture, and education in her family and community. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends and all whom she touched. Services for Carol Willey will be at 11:30 A.M. on Wednesday, October 18, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church, 325 W. Washington Street Bluffton, Indiana with Pastor Cindy Osgood Officiating. Visitation will occur from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt, and Chaney Funeral Home, 308 West Washington Street, Bluffton, Indiana and from 10:00 A.M. until time of services on Wednesday at the church. A Tri Kappa Memorial Service will take place at 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.thomarich.com

Carol H. Willey

July 4, 1923 - October 13, 2006