Ilene Ann Deig

Ilene was born on March 18, 1933, in Kevil, Kentucky. During her youth, she attended Bandana Kentucky Grade School before moving to Evansville, where she attended Sacred Heart School and Daniel Wertz Elementary School. She graduated from F. J. Reitz High School in 1951. Ilene continued her education at Lockyear's Business College, graduating with honors as a proud member of the Alpha Iota Sorority. Known for her unmatched administrative skills, she held the fastest recorded typing speed at the college. She initially spent several years working for local law firms. Decades later, she put her professional expertise to use by helping her young attorney son, Glenn, establish his own law practice. After years of raising her family, she also re-entered the workforce to fill in for medical leaves at Deaconess Hospital, where she famously broke another typing record in her 70s at the Midtown campus.

Ilene married the love of her life, Erwin Deig, one of the original founders of Deig Brothers Lumber and Construction Co., Inc. Together, they shared a beautiful partnership of design and hospitality. They custom-designed their own homes, including their Westwood residence and lake house, which was widely considered a masterpiece Erwin laid the bricks and marble, while Ilene meticulously decorated the interior with help from the children.

An exceptional piano player, artist, and seamstress, Ilene filled her home with music, original oil paintings, and custom-tailored clothes for her family. Her children and grandchildren fondly remember the detailed clown outfits she handcrafted for them every Halloween. She also harbored a deep love for antiques, transforming family vacation adventures into treasure hunts at yard sales and antique stores. Her later years were brought immense comfort and companionship by her beloved dogs: Daisy, Casper, and Abbie.

Community and Civic Impact

Ilene was a passionate community advocate and local leader. Her extensive civic contributions included:

• PTA Leadership: Served 2 years as Evansville Area Council PTA past president, 2 years as F.J. Reitz High School PTSA president, and 2 years as Helfrich Park Elementary School PTA secretary.

• School & City Councils: Appointed to several Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation committees (scholarship, education, safety, dress codes) and served on Mayor Russell Lloyd’s Manpower Planning Council.

• Youth Advocacy: Organized and served as President of R.E.A.D.Y. Inc. (Recreation in Evansville for All Deserving Youth), uniting public and parochial high school students for city-wide activities like "Almost, Almost Anything Goes".

• Charitable Boards: Served on the Salvation Army Executive Advisory Board and as board secretary from 1976–1981, and as the Asplan Corps Committee Chairperson.

• The Arts & Writing: Active member of the Southern Indiana Writers’ Association, the River City Civitan Board of Directors, and publicity chairman for the Evansville Museum Artist’s Guild. As a published freelance writer and songwriter, she composed the song "To The Rainbow’s End". She also famously authored the lyrics to "We Like Mike," the official campaign song for Mayor Michael Vandeveer’s Inaugural Ball.

Ilene was preceded in death by her loving parents, Euyle and Nellie Fondaw; her sister, Ruth Fondaw Husk; and her beloved husband, Erwin Deig.

She leaves behind a legacy carried on by her four children:

• Gary Deig (Pam Carroll)

• Terri Korff (Brian Korff)

• Glenn A. Deig (Mary Rose Deig)

• Galen R. Deig (Kathy Jo Henson)

She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Matthew (Sherry) Deig, Rebecca (Brian) Vogel, Barbara Deig, Andrew (Alicia) Deig, Christopher (Molly) Deig, Stephanie Deig (Jules Durez), Eric (Erica) Deig, Evan (Mia) Deig, Jackson Deig, and Nicholas Deig. Additionally, she leaves behind 12 great-grandchildren: Alexia, Griffin, Samuel, Avery, Vincent, Campbell, Drew, Mauve, Arden, Elloise, Emelia, and Mina; and her beloved cousin Glenn (Angie) Fondaw.

A celebration of life will be held at Alexander West Chapel (2100 W. Illinois St., Evansville) Thursday May 28, 2026 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. CDT; and Friday May 29, 2026 with a 9:00 a.m. viewing with service at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow the service at Alexander Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family wishes to express their deepest, eternal gratitude to the staff at Oasis Dementia Care for the immense love and compassionate care they provided Ilene during her final years, Rehab for Life, as well as Gentiva Hospice for their excellent guidance and support.

Condolences may be offered online at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.