Wilma R Anderson

Wilma Ruth Anderson was born on November 17, 1927 in Mulberry, IN into a farming family, parents Cecile and Marvin Wagoner. Wilma's younger sister Miriam died in infancy of infectious complications, and she had two other siblings, older brother Ralph and Miriam's twin, Morris. She graduated from Rossville, IN High School and pursued secretarial studies at Manchester College. She took employment at the Church of the Brethren general offices in Elgin, IL where she met her husband, Charles. They married in 1946, moving then to assist on her family's farm and later moving to Huntingdon, PA where Charles attended Juniata College. They enjoyed traveling their entire lives and after trips to California and Florida they settled in Fort Wayne, IN, becoming one of five couples who founded Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren. Daughter Donna was born in 1952 and they moved to Chicago, IL shortly thereafter where Charles pursued ministerial studies. Son Larry was born in 1953 and Charles took a pastorate nearby in LaPorte, IN, and later in Berea, OH. The family returned to Fort Wayne in 1958 where they settled for many years and son Keith was born in 1960.

Wilma utilized her shorthand and typing skills for a variety of organizations over the years, some in a volunteer capacity. She was busily engaged with church activities and maintained a strong interest in spiritual and prayer groups. She and her family hosted many travelers including civil rights and peace activists and foreign students from local colleges. The family enjoyed annual summer vacations that took the family throughout the USA, to Church of the Brethren annual conferences and back to visit Charles' family in SE Pennsylvania. Music was always present in the family home whether playing the stereo, singing in the car on family excursions or enjoying Wilma's skilled piano and organ playing. Prior to the internet resource Wilma undertook an extensive genealogy project lasting decades exploring her and Charles' families. She spent many hours at the renowned genealogy collection of the Allen County library and developed correspondence with many others over the years eventually producing documents delineating many generations of both sides of the family. After the children were grown she and Charles continued to travel, visiting Europe and Hawaii and were active with an RV travel club. They moved to Timbercrest Senior Living Home in North Manchester, IN in 2009.

She and Charles have three grandchildren, Chrystal (Shane) Sullins, Leslie (Kyle) Montee, Thomas Anderson and two great grandchildren, Laila Montee and Zachery Sullins. She was predeceased by husband Charles, son Keith and brother Ralph. She is survived by son Larry (Ann), daughter Donna, brother Morris and many nieces and nephews.

Wilma passed peacefully in her sleep on July 30, 2026 approaching her 99th birthday. Memorial and life celebration services will be held at the Timbercrest chapel, 2102 East St., North Manchester, IN at 2 pm on Sunday, August 30. Donations in her memory can be made to: On Earth Peace, PO Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776.