Vernita Hulda (Schroeder) Schroeder Willman

Vernita Hulda (Schroeder) Willman, 96, died at 1:35 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2014 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN. She was born July 14, 1917 in Wadesville, IN to the late Charles and Caroline (Bingemer) Schroeder.

Vernita “Grams” was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and great aunt. She and her three siblings were born on the ancestral farm where they grew up healthy and happy. Vernita attended Donner Public School and Wadesville High School where she particularly excelled in math. She met and fell in love with Leonard Willman, also from Posey County, and they were married June 5, 1937.

She co-managed the Ross Center Texaco Service Station with her husband for 3 years. For 25 years, she was the credit supervisor for the Downtown Evansville Sears, Roebuck & Co. She was an active, dedicated member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ and a member of Ladies Aid. She was a member of Daughters of the Nile Isis Temple #41 and The Eastern Star. She also enjoyed her volunteer work as a Pink Lady at Deaconess Hospital.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Leonard Willman, who died in 1982; parents, Charles and Carrie Schroeder; a sister, Opal Lena (Schroeder) Juncker, and a brother, Donald Schroeder.

Vernita is survived by one daughter, Joan Caroline (Stanley R.) Nevill of Evansville, IN; one sister, Rev. Ruby Schroeder of Wadesville; three grandchildren, Caroline (Kenneth) Ellspermann of Evansville, IN, Laura (Michael) Cox of Evansville, IN and Matthew (Christina) Nevill of Boston, MA; five great-grandchildren, Caleb J. Ellspermann, Luke N. Ellspermann, Alexander B. Heck, Audrey C. Heck and Allison N. Heck of Evansville, IN; step great-grandchildren, Lauren (Austin) Battcher, Kara (Marcel) Garcia, Gabrielle and Nathaniel Cox; and step great-great-grandson, Rhett Battcher.

Vernita was loved and cherished by her family who are thankful to her for enriching their lives. Sunday dinners at Grammy’s were renowned for her fried chicken, slaw, mashed potatoes, and homemade cherry pies. She was also a ready participant for every family vacation and traveled with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren well into her nineties.

Friends may visit from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24 at Alexander Funeral Home-West Chapel at 2100 West Illinois Street, Evansville, IN. The Funeral Service is at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 25 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ at 2227 W. Michigan Street in Evansville, officiated by Pastor Jeff Long. Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. at the church. Vernita will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Zion United Church of Christ-Lippe, in Mt. Vernon, IN.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Music Program at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 2227 W. Michigan Street in Evansville, IN or Habitat of Evansville, 1401 N. Fares Ave., Evansville, IN 47711. Condolences may be online at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.