"Hello Jackie. Perhaps you don't remember me, but I am the son of your Dad's best friend, Richard J. "Dick" Smith. I met you when I was young and several times through the years, and even Stephen remembered us. Every time we visited Fairmount we would stop and visit with your parents, and many years with your Mom. She was so intelligent, smart, witty, and always had an 'up' attitude, chuckle and smile even at not so good times. I was usually always driving my parents around and stopped to visit and talk with her. As my Dad aged she had me call and we became closer friends. I called her many times in the different care communities and homes after she sold the shop and house. The last time I spoke with her was perhaps a year before her passing, as it was very tough to get through due to the nurse/attendant keeping the phone off the hook most of the time. Caring for my parents the past 20 + years left little time to reconnect or even do this obituary search. They have passed and I wanted to reconnect and find out if she was still kicking and how her eyes were holding up. My parents, and I, really loved her, always enjoying visits and many telephone talks. It was good she was moved closer to you, though the last several times we spoke it seemed she had no Alzheimer's, still mentally sharp (I cared for my Mother who had it over 16 years, and Dad had intermittent dementia longer than that). Though this is almost 3 years later, I would still like to express my condolences to you, your family, and her brothers and relatives. She was a fine woman. I do hope this connects with you. I love her picture, obituary, and video. I hope I can download them all. Hope to hear from you, take care!"
In loving memory of
Wilma M. Leach
August 29, 1920 - December 5, 2015
Wilma C. Leach, 95, of Fairmount, Indiana died on Saturday December 5, 2015 at Autumn Hills Alzheimers Care Unit in Bloomington, Indiana where she moved to be near her daughter.
Born Sunday, August 29, 1920 in Wabash Co., Indiana, Wilma was the daughter of the late Wayne A. Carey and Ruby (Holman) Carey. She was a 1938 graduate of Fairmount High School, where she was an outstanding student. She married her high school sweetheart, Dale Mark Leach, on April 2, 1939. He preceded her in death on May 23, 1979. She and Dale owned and managed the Leach Food Market and the Bottle Shop in Fairmount for several years.
Wilma was known for her wit, dry humor, beautiful writing and a love of shoes, clothing and cut glass. An extrovert and social butterfly to the core, there was nothing Wilma loved more than meeting new people and visiting with her many friends. She had a talent for connecting and making people feel important, appreciated and heard. Wilma also adored hosting her bridge club and played in several card clubs for over 50 years.
Always active and curious, Wilma learned to fly an airplane in her 40s and accompanied her husband in a single-engine plane on various trips around the country. She was also a world traveler, visiting countries throughout South America, Europe and Asia. She made one of her last overseas trips in her 70s, traveling to Japan to visit a former exchange student she had hosted.
Her granddaughters considered her sophisticated, funny, beautiful and a bit glamorous. They loved her enthusiastic, circulation-blocking hugs and dramatic, never-to-be-believed declarations, such as, honey, I was going to leave you some money but Ill probably spend it all on wine, men and song. In short, was a real character.
Wilma was a member of the Fairmount Friends Church, American Cut Glass Association and the Phi Chi Epsilon Sorority of Marion where she held the offices of treasurer and president. For several years Wilma volunteered by collecting clothes for underprivileged children in the Appalachian mountain region of Tennessee.
She leaves behind her loving daughter, Jacqueline (Bruce) Frey and adoring granddaughters, Rochelle Torke of Berkley, California and Elizabeth Frey of San Rafael, California. She had three great-grandchildren, Jonas and Abram Torke and Cleo Wells Frey.
Wilma was also predeceased by her son Stephen Leach and her brother and sister-in-law Robert and Mary Joan Carey.
Arrangements are entrusted to Fairmount Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 S. Main Street, Fairmount, Indiana where the family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until 11:30 AM Friday December 11, 2015. Funeral service is immediately following at the funeral home with Pastor Brock Meyer officiating. Burial will be at Grant Memorial Park Cemetery in Marion, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to Marion-Grant County Humane Society or the Shriners Hospital for Children.
Memories and Online condolences may be shared at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com
Tributes
"Jackie, Just saw the posting of your mother's passing. May I offer my condolences. Prayers, Bobby"
"Thank you for kind shares, it means a lot to me to hear them.. Jacki"
"Thank you Jackie,We sure loved Wilma, used to take her to Church sometimes, one thing about Wilma, she lived her life too the fullest.God bless you, Joyce"
"Thank for your memory share, she enjoyed you so much as neighbors"
"Thank you Joyce, nice to hear from you. She was a lot of fun for people. We had good memories"
"Thank for your comments, it is nice that through the years you all kept in touch. She will be missed.."
"Cathy, thank you for your comment. She did have fun with all her bridge ladies. I will always miss your mom, she was so nice to me."
"Mike your comments made me laugh, yip I can still hear her talking about how much she loved to talk with you!"
"Thank you, your sympathy and share are appreciated"
"I met Wilma when she lived at Colonial Oaks. I loved her wit and sense of humor and enjoyed visiting with her. I knew some of the Leach family so we enjoyed reminiscing about them and the "olden days." Sorry this is so late, but my computer has been down."
"I saw Wilma at least 2 or 3 times a week for 17 years, even for the 5 years after I left the bank and opened my law practice. She was one of the most intelligent and funny people I have ever met. She was always ready to tell me exactly what she thought. She adored her granddaughters. Every time I saw Wilma come through the door I knew my day was about to get even better."
"Wilma was my husband's cousin and they really enjoyed their visits over the phone. The obituary fit her to a tee. She was very witty and was always telling Bill how poor she was. We live in Michigan and when we were able to get to Indiana we always tried to visit with her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family as I know she will be missed."
"So sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. She was a "one of a kind" beautiful woman. I have many fond memories of the bridge club ladies."
" A THE COLOR OF MEMORIESTABLE ARRANGEMENT was ordered on December 8, 2015 "
"Dear Jackie and family,I was saddened to see the passing of Wilma, she was a lady in every sense of the word. I really enjoyed all the family photos and some with her friends.God bless you all, she sure will be missed,Jeff & Joyce Pappas"
"Bruce: Several years ago you knew my father, the late Gene Gilbert. Dad worked at Dana and was the longtime union president of Allied Industrial Workers Local 113. My mother, sister and I send you our condolences and prayers in the loss of your mother-in-law. May God bless you and your family with His comfort and peace during this sad and difficult time."
"What a great lady. Loved seeing her and catching up. Our little talks always sent me away with a smile. Praying for the family at this time of great loss."
" A MONET'S GARDEN TABLE BASKET was ordered on December 7, 2015 "
"We loved visiting with Wilma. She was so much fun and sharp as a tack. Bob has known her since he was a young boy. I got to know her when she was a neighbor. Enjoyed attending her 90th birthday celebration. She is missed. Sorry for you loss."
" A TRADITIONAL FUNERAL BASKET was sent on December 6, 2015 Celebrating the life of Wilma, from cousins David Goff of Tucson AZ, Olivia Goff of Flagstaff AZ, Nathan Goff of West Point NY. "
"I remember Wilma, who was such a nice lady and the mother of my friend, Jacki. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Sorry I cannot come to the services, but I live in Phoenix, AZ."