Wilhelmina Vinnell

Wilhelmina McLane Vinnell, age 102, of Middletown, died Sunday, September 11, 2011 at her residence. She was born September 30, 1908 in Franklin, Ohio, the daughter of George McLane and Margaret Brannon McLane. Wilhelmina is widely known as a teacher of piano with many former students holding positions in colleges, conservatories, schools, and churches throughout the country. She received a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from the University of Cincinnati's College of Music, where she was awarded scholarships and a gold medal for her achievements with further studies in Chicago, and Paris, France, with Nadia Boulanger. She has been honored in the World's Who's Who of Musicians headquartered in Cambridge, England, and received a metal struck at the Royal Mint and approved by Queen Elizabeth II, and has been included in Marquis Who's Who of American Women. She is a faculty member of the College of Musicians, Austin, Texas, Associate teacher for the American Scholarship Association, Adjudicator for the National Guild of Piano Teachers, and Adjudicator of the A.M.S.A. International Piano Competition and Festival. She was a member of the Ohio and National Music Teachers Association, Workshop member of the American Mattay Association, and Special active member of the Dayton Music Club. She started playing in church at the age of eight years. She was the organist at First United Methodist Church for many years. She has been an inspiration and touched so many young and old with her love for the piano and organ. Wilhelmina was preceded in death by her husband Sidney Vinnell in 2006; her parents; and a brother, Clark D. McLane. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Friday at the Woodside Cemetery Chapel with Dr. Suzanne Allen officiating. Entombment will be at the Woodside Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Springboro, 60 E. North Street, Springboro, OH 45066. Arrangements are by the Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.breitenbachfuneralhome.com.