Fern G. Wolfe

Fern G. Wolfe passed away peacefully on March 4, 2024, after a three-year journey with dementia. Up until the end, Fern maintained her kindness, compassion, love of family and friends, appreciation for her long, blessed life, her great faith, and gratitude for her many varied and wonderful life experiences. She always would say, with a wide smile, “We’re having an adventure!” whether traveling in Europe, having dinner with family, or gathering shark’s teeth on a beach in Florida.

Fern was born to Reverend Charles and Myrtle (Brewer) Hunter in Metamora, Indiana, on January 12, 1934, and lived in that area until she married Richard E. Wolfe of Rushville on December 12, 1951. As a child, she said she was very much a tomboy, roller skating, climbing trees, exploring the hills around her home, but also was a voracious reader. Fern and Richard (Dick) were married for 41 blessed years until his death in 1992. Together, they raised three daughters who survive: Sherri Higgins of Scottsdale, AZ, Diane Lingeman of Brownsburg, IN, and Melinda Miller of Indianapolis, IN, along with her husband, Rich Miller. She was preceded in death by her parents and all four siblings: Faye Hunter, Bradenton, FL, Wayne Hunter, Greenwood, IN, Mary (Evelyn) Dimmitt, Greenwood, IN, and Belva (Buddie) Edwards, Rushville, IN. Fern treasured time with family, and especially with her daughters, four much-loved grandsons and two sweet great-granddaughters, as well as her beloved siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Fern also had a special bond with her daughters’ family pups and those who passed away through the years.

Fern lived a full work life, first working from home, raising her family, and helping her husband on their farm in Glenwood, IN, and then working as a bank teller at the Clarksburg, IN, bank for several years, after her husband and she built a home on Lake Santee, Decatur County, IN. Fern enjoyed entertaining, boating, fishing, and swimming at the lake, even learning to water-ski in her 40’s there. In the late 1980’s, Fern and her husband bought two Nashville, IN businesses, The Village Soapmaker and a candle shop, nearby. Fern worked primarily in the bath shop, and when her husband passed, ran The Village Soapmaker as sole owner. She made her own soaps, gift baskets, and incense sticks (which were sold in Marsh Supermarkets for several years).

Fern sold her Indiana business and moved to Venice, FL, for retirement in her early 60’s where she led an active social life. A lifelong, self-taught alto (even singing on Cincinnati radio as a child), Fern had a rare natural talent for hearing beautiful harmonies in any song. She could effortlessly blend with other voices. For her neighborhood clubhouse musical programs, Fern loved dressing up in costume and singing in comic duets and trios with friends. Fern loved travel and toured most of the U.S. with her husband. Later, she traveled with a daughter to Europe several times and especially enjoyed her time in Switzerland.

Fern’s faith and the power of prayer were very important to her. She belonged to several churches over the years and often sang alto in church musical groups.

Fern’s family has entrusted her care to Family Funeral Care, 5791 Rockville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46224, Phone: (317) 381-7100. A celebration of Fern’s life will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, with visitation from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and funeral service at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, Fern’s family requests that memorial donations in her name be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org online, (800) 272-3900, to aid Alzheimer’s and dementia research.