HOLLAND, MICHIGAN
Elizabeth “Tib” Bales Templeton, age 79, of Holland, Michigan passed away on Sunday, April 8, 2018 with her loving family at her side.
Tib was born to Harley and Ruby Bales on October 5, 1938 in Turkey Track, Indiana. She graduated from Martinsville High School in 1956 and went on to earn degrees from Franklin College and Butler University. While at Franklin College she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority and played on the women’s basketball team for one year.
Tib met the love of her life, Jim Templeton, at Franklin College in 1956. Jim and Tib were married 58 years and they lived together in Greenwood, Indiana, Naples, Florida, and later in life in Holland, Michigan.
She was passionate about teaching first-graders to read. Upon her retirement in 1995 from Whiteland Elementary School, she received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Indiana Governor Evan Bayh in recognition of her many years of service.
She leaves as her legacy her devoted husband Jim, daughter Jane Clark and her husband Robert of Holland, Michigan, son Jim Templeton, Jr. and his long-time girlfriend Stephanie Shelton of Springfield, Missouri. Tib was a wonderful and proud grandmother to her two grandsons, Harrison Clark of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Hudson Clark of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Tib also leaves to cherish her memory her sister Mary Louise Spicer, in-laws Annette Everling, John and Martha Templeton, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her brother Harry Bales and sisters Geraldine Yount and Naomi Fowler. She was a former member of Greenwood United Methodist Church and Tri Kappa.
A graveside service is planned for 11:00 am Saturday, April 28 at Greenwood Cemetery. A Celebration of Life reception for family and friends will follow that afternoon from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at Winchester Place, 300 North Madison Avenue, Greenwood, Indiana.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. The family would also like to thank Appledorn Assisted Living South and Hospice of Holland for their compassionate care and support.
