Rosemary June Wisley

Rosemary June (Hill) Wisley, 91, of Smithville, IN passed away on Sunday morning, July 21, 2024, at Countryside Health & Rehab in Jasper, AR with Grand Daughter Billie (Blum) Pavis at her side. Rosemary was born in the heart of Smithville, on November 18, 1932, to Roy and Grace C. (Burnworth) Hill. Since childhood Rosemary was a member of the Smithville Christian Church and in recent years Sherwood Oaks Christian Church.

Rosemary was a devoted Smithville Skibo, attending all 12 years at Smithville and graduating with her beloved classmates in 1951. She married her only love, Dwight William Wisley of Sanders, Indiana in 1952. They began their married life in Sanders and to complete their world were their children, Leann, and Bradley.

After graduation from high school, she became secretary/bookkeeper at Empire Stone Company, then to Matthews Brothers Stone Company in Ellettsville. After their closing she worked at Moon Freight and Allcares in Bloomington until her retirement.

In the early, 1990’s, Rosemary, along with her sister, brothers, the trustee of Clear Creek Township and many residents of Smithville, were crucial in the creation of the Smithville Area Association where she assumed the role of Treasurer for 30 years. She was an important part of the renaissance of Smithville - the War Memorial, remodeling the historic Red Men Hall and archiving everything during those important times of vision and growth. Rosemary had a gift of history - not only Smithville, but the limestone business. In 2009, she was interviewed by Brendan Fay of the Monroe County Public Library for an article titled Indiana Bedrock (Matthews Brothers Stone Company). Within the interview she speaks of Monroe County limestone (Matthews Brothers) being used for many national buildings such as Washington Cathedral, the Pentagon, and other famous buildings. She shares that her brothers, Jim and Lew Hill along with her husband, Bill, were a limestone family. At Christmas 2020, she handwrote the story of her parents from the Hill and the Burnworth family’s perspective and gave a copy of the document to her entire family and extended family. She was so proud of her project that she so lovingly researched.

Rosemary loved the Smithville Skibo’s and Indiana University Hoosier basketball. Like so many, she knew the Hoosier players as if they hailed from Smithville! Although she loved the Hoosiers, she did not hesitate to critique on Facebook if she was unhappy with a certain call or play!

Rosemary is survived by her children, Leann (David) Blum of Versailles, Missouri and Bradley W. Wisley of Alexandria, VA.; grandchildren, Billie (Blum) (Darren) Pavis of Huntsville, AR, and Danny Blum (Stephanie) Ponca City, OK. Her wonderful, loving great-grandchildren they each one will miss her dearly: Abbigail, Alyssa, Paige and Julianne Pavis of Huntsville, AR and Catie, Luke, and Ella Blum of Ponca City, OK. Her brother-in-law Kenny Glass and her Smithville area nieces and nephews: Rozzie McCammon Gerstman, Tom S. Hill, Denise Hill Crose, Jim Ray Hill and Judy Glass Hinnefeld and their respective spouses and children. Mitzi Christian who has been like a daughter and a special longtime friend Carl Wilkerson. We will miss our Aunt Rosie

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dwight William “Bill” Wisley, sister Jean (Hill) Glass, brothers Jim (Lois) and Lew (Betty) Hill, niece Linda C. McCammon and Tammy K. (McCammon) Sharp and great-niece Suzie Sharp.

Visitation will be at Smithville Christian Church, 7280 South Fairfax Road, Bloomington, IN 47401, on Monday, July 29th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and on Tuesday, July 30th 9:00-11:00 a.m. The funeral service will be Tuesday, July 30th at 11:00 a.m., at Smithville Christian Church, with Patrick Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Smithville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Smithville Area Association, PO Box 55, Smithville, IN 47458.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com