Wilma Bush
December 6, 1947, Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Wilma Bush passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 20, 2023, at the age of 97. Wilma was born in Sheridan, Indiana to the late Virgil Owen and Ruth Maria (Pruitt) Owen. Wilma graduated from Sheridan High School in 1944. On December 6, 1947, she married the love of her life and best friend, John (Jack) Bush Jr. He preceded Wilma in passing on July 2, 2015. They established their home in Sheridan and raised four children (Brendalee, Terry, Peggy and Joe). Their home was always filled with laughter and love. She believed a home was not complete without the laughter of children. They continued that philosophy by welcoming eight grandchildren (Deidra, Brett, Audra, Danny, John, Brian, Kate and Dustin) and twelve great grandchildren (Alicia, Ashlynn, Halee, Alexis, Aurora, Ella, Parker, Freya, Aaron, John, Finley and Elizabeth) to their family.
Along with raising a family, Wilma worked for the Wallace Grain Company in Sheridan as an accountant for approximately 20 years. Her passions were in history and doll collecting. She was an active member of the Sheridan Historical Society, providing many donations of historical artifacts, her own knowledge, and playing an active role in the rehabilitation of the historic Boxley Cabin in Sheridan. She spent a large portion of her life collecting antique dolls and was a member of the Indianapolis Doll Circle, United Federation of Doll Clubs. They met monthly in each other’s homes to share knowledge and love of dolls. She enjoyed sewing, stained glass work, and traveling. In her early retiree years, they took annual snowbird trips to Florida with her best friends Joe and Gloria Watson. (Joe affectionately called her “Flinstone”).
Entering their home, you were guaranteed a cup of coffee with a seat in a recliner in the living room or on the front porch. The fridge was always full and there was always extra food on the stove. In the fall, they’d pick persimmons and shake them off the tree in the back yard and Wilma made her persimmon pudding, loved by all, and cherished at Thanksgiving. She was well known for her homemade pies, particularly raspberry, lemon meringue and cherry and of course her chicken and dumplings made by hand with so much love. Needless to say, everyone was well fed.
Wilma, the wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother will be dearly missed. However, her memory will live on in the lessons she taught and example she lived to both those she loved and whose lives she touched. Our family is truly blessed to have had such an amazing woman as the matriarch of our family. She always put the needs of others before her own, until her very last day. She was a Proverbs 31 woman of faith.
“Many Women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:29-31 NIV Biblegateway
Wilma is preceded in death by her parents Virgil Owen and Ruth Maria (Pruitt) Owen, Siblings Herschel Beecher Owen, Iva Lou (Owen) Hobson, John Lamar Owen, and Veda Owen, and child Peggy Bush.
Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th Street, Sheridan, Indiana, with visitation from Noon until the time of service.
Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan, Indiana
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sheridan Historical Society.