Flora E Armstrong

A public visitation will be held at East Lawn Funeral Home, Bloomington, on July 26, 2016 from 10:30 – 12:30 followed by a private funeral service for family members. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Illinois Wesleyan University, Chestnut Health Systems, Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Flora was born October 27, 1921, Colfax, IL, the daughter of Glen and Gladys Harris. She married Victor E. Armstrong Sr, October 25, 1941 who preceded her in death in 2008. She was also preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Laurestine Koehl; and a brother, Glen Harris.

She is survived by three children, Victor E Armstrong Jr (his wife, Kae) in Bloomington; Brian D. Armstrong (his wife, Karen) in Normal; and Margo E. Brinsley (her husband, Norman), in Stuart, Florida; as well as eight grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.

Flora graduated from Colfax High School and attended Illinois Wesleyan University.

From 1942 to 1954, she served as President of the Gibson City Jr Women’s Club, 17th District Chairman Junior Women’s Club, President, Gibson City PTA, and Chairman of the War Bond Drive.

From 1955 to 1962, she became President of the Fairbury Hospital Auxiliary, served as Director of Miss Livingston County Beauty Pageant for 7 years, and received the Distinguished Service Award from the Fairbury Jaycees.

After moving to Bloomington in 1962, she was active in numerous community enhancing activities and organizations including becoming a radio talk show host of the "AM Talk Show" on WJBC radio on the Breakfast Club program on WIOK 1962-1965, was Promotion Director for Downtown Bloomington, and the First Promotion Director Eastland Shopping Center. Flora sold advertising for WJBC and WIOK Radio, served as Coordinator for the State Read-A-Thon program for Multiple Sclerosis in Central Illinois’s school system. In addition, Flora served as the Food and Consumer Affairs Director for the State of Illinois in the Department of Agriculture, was a Delegate to the 1976 Republican National Convention, in Kansas City. In that same year she sold advertising for The Peoria Journal Star. Flora was a long time member of the Bloomington Country Club and actively involved in many of its’ programs.

She served as First President of the Charter Chapter American Business Women’s Club and in 1963 was named their Woman of the Year. In addition, she served as President of McLean County YWCA, chaired the McLean County Republican Women’s Club, and was a Trustee for the Mennonite Hospital board for 9 years, served on the Ewing Advisory Board, the Mclean County Arts Center Board, the Board of directors Knife and Fork Club, board of McLean County Alcohol and Drug Assistance Unit and served as Chairman McLean County Red Cross. She received the WJBC Spirit of McLean County Award in 1985. She was an active member of the Woman’s division of the Association of Commerce and Industry of McLean County. She was a Trustee at Illinois Wesleyan University and was an active member of the Century Club and President's Club and served on numerous Capital Campaigns.

Victor E. and Flora Harris Armstrong supported the 43 Scholarship Fund established in 1999 by friends for students with outstanding potential and in need of financial assistance. They donated the bell that now rings in Evelyn Chapel; they were asked by University President Richard F. Wilson to become the Goodwill Ambassador for Transforming Lives: The Campaign for Illinois Wesleyan. In 2001 her children donated, in her honor, to Illinois Wesleyan University, a statue of the famous explorer, scientist and teacher John Wesley Powell, which is located in the Ames Library. In 2012 Flora provided funds for the 20-foot-high lighted sculpture hanging in the School of the Arts rotunda.

Flora and Vic retired to Scottsdale, Arizona where she founded the Illinois Wesleyan Alumni Connection. She continued playing golf at Pinnacle Peak Country Club and was involved in all the club’s women’s activities.

Flora will be missed by family members and many, many lifetime friends. A special thanks and gratitude is given to the staff at Westminster Village, Bloomington and Heritage Manor, Normal IL.