INDIANAPOLIS
Florabel Willsey passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 12, 2020, at the age of 99! She was one of Ray and Ethel Wheatley’s five children, born June 10, 1920 in Wanamaker, Indiana.
Her siblings were Nina (Smith), Ned, Jack, and Don Wheatley. She grew up on a farm, was a graduate of Franklin Township High School (now Franklin Central), and a life-long Franklin Township resident. She married Earl “Chub” Willsey on October 12, 1940 and was married 62 years.
Florabel was a life member of New Bethel Baptist Church, member of Daughters of the American Revolution, and a 50+ year member of the Eastern Star. She volunteered as a Precinct Committeeman & encouraged everyone to vote.
She retired from Wanamaker Public Library where she worked for 16 years. She was an avid reader and loved watching sports in person and on TV. She was very active and participated daily with exercise classes, shuffleboard, and card games!
She did lots of walking and was friends with everyone she met. She helped with 4-H clubs and taught several to knit, sew, and cook! She was recently honored as a special guest of the Franklin Central “Suffrage Symposium,” to honor women’s right to vote which celebrated 100 years this Spring!
She was looking forward to her own 100th birthday in a few weeks, but instead will celebrate with her beloved husband in heaven.
Florabel is survived by many nieces, nephews, great & great-great nieces & nephews, and was a second mom and grandmother to many.
She was loved very much and will be missed dearly. May 22nd services are private due to pandemic concerns. Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to St. Pierre Family Funeral and Cremation Services.
