Delores Ann Binder

Delores Ann (Harvey) Binder, 89, passed away on January 26, 2023, in Bloomington, Indiana. She was born October 10, 1933, in Logansport, Indiana, the youngest child of John W. Harvey and Martha E. (Frederick) Baker. Delores was born during the Depression and worked hard all her life to better herself. She was a precocious child, very smart and fearless. She was so blonde when she was young that everyone called her Cottontop. Her mother sent her to kindergarten when she was 4, but when the school found out she was a month shy of turning 5, they sent her back home. Her father died when she was 16, and her mother was often ill, so Delores worked after school to help support her mother and herself. Despite working part-time she was very active at Logansport High School. She was a writer for the Tattler Yearbook, and the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, The Magpie. She was also Literary Club President, sang in the high school choir (including a solo at the annual Hour of Music), was Latin Club consul and President of her 8th and 9th grade classes, as well as being on the Student Council Executive Board. In addition, she belonged to Music Club, Hi-Tri, GAA, 120 Club, and was in the play, “Mother was a Freshman,” while still getting top grades. She was the 1951 Homecoming Queen at Logansport High School. After graduation she married the love of her life, Thomas Gregory “Greg” Binder, on June 21, 1952. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage, that ended with Greg’s passing in 2018. They were well suited—Delores loved to talk, and Greg was a man of few words. They had similar values, and they both loved to dance, swim, roller skate, golf, and play cards. Greg called Delores his “Mighty Mite” due to her relentless energy, drive and fearlessness—she was only 5’4” tall, but she never backed down when she knew she was right. Over the years she worked part-time at several businesses in town—Rowe’s Shoes, Plotner’s Shoes, Welcome Wagon and Sears business office. She also led a Brownie Troop, was active in PTA, and was the President of the Alpha Phi Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was an excellent bridge player, and played for many years in a bridge group. When her children got older Delores decided to get her college degree. She drove to Purdue University in Lafayette several days a week for classes, getting her Bachelor’s Degree and then her Master’s Degree in Special Education. While driving to Purdue one winter day on an icy highway she had a serious accident. Her throat was crushed, and doctors weren’t sure if she was going to make it. She fought her way back, but it took some time for her speaking and singing voice to get back to normal. It was a good thing it did, because she loved to sing. She sang many solos at Main Street Methodist Church and also sang at numerous weddings and funerals in the Logansport area. She was active in the Logansport Civic Players for many years and had leading roles in “The Solid Gold Cadillac,” “Brigadoon,” “South Pacific,” and “The Sound of Music,” to name a few. Her family’s favorite was her role as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, because she was so like the character she played—spunky and optimistic! Delores taught her children right from wrong and taught them by example that hard work and education were the key to a successful life. She made sure that they were able to go to good universities to get their degrees, and all her grandchildren followed her example as well. She taught Special Education at Franklin, Fairview, and Caston Schools for 25 years. She was an excellent teacher, designing a lesson plan for each student’s individual needs, and bringing many of them up to their grade level so they could enter mainstream classes. For years after she retired students would run into her in town and thank her for all the help she gave them. Delores and Greg shared a passion for golf. In 1969 they moved to a house near Dykeman Golf Course, bought a golf cart, and played many, many rounds of golf there, especially after they retired. They participated and placed in many golf tournaments there as well. Delores was something of a fashionista--she always wore the latest styles. Her family often teased her about how many pairs of shoes she had. She wore the latest fashions until the end. People often remarked on her hair--it was still brown, with only a few gray hairs here and there, even though she was almost 90. Delores never knew her own grandparents, as they had all passed away before she was born, but she was a wonderful grandmother herself. When the grandchildren came to town she would take them to the Carousel, France Park, and of course to Dykeman to play golf. If they couldn’t golf, they would go for rides in the golf cart. She and Greg were also avid euchre players, and they taught their children and grandchildren to play as well. All in all, she led a busy, happy, active life until the past year when her health failed. She kept her sense of humor until the end and was singing quietly in the hour before she passed away in her sleep. She is survived by her three children, Lisa Powell of Traverse City, Michigan; Gregory “Lance” (Cathy) Binder of Dallas, Texas; and Lori (John) Maloy of Bloomington, Indiana; her four grandchildren, Andy Powell of Chicago, Illinois; Betsy (Rob Nendorf) Powell of Traverse City, Michigan; Megan Maloy (Brett) Shepley of Bloomington, Indiana; and Alexandra Binder of Dallas, Texas; as well as her four great-grandchildren, Rosie Nendorf, Liam Nendorf, Banks Shepley, and Collie Shepley. Delores had three siblings who preceded her in death, John H. (Elfriede) Harvey, Eldora Harvey (Garland) Southerton, and Portland Lee Harvey, but four of their children survive: Diane (Roger) Crim, Christl Harvey, Nancy (Harvey) Kodish, and Brian Harvey. Her sister-in-law, Susan (Binder) Frey, and her son Drew (Julie) Frey and their sons Adam and Alex also survive, as well as numerous great-nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. The family will hold a private service at a later date. Funeral arrangements are by Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home of Bloomington, Indiana. The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be directed to Guardian Angel Hospice, 2500 George St A, Logansport, IN 46947.