Mickey Sue Huffman

Mickey Sue Huffman (McIlvaney), age 84, of Indianapolis, passed away December 31, 2023. Mickey was born July 7, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri to Ralph and Audrey (Nunnally) McIlvaney. After Mickey graduated high school, she went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She taught for several years where she met her future husband and fellow teacher, Gary Huffman. They married on May 25, 1963, and began their life together in St. Louis, relocating to Columbus, Ohio and Madison, Wisconsin, settling permanently in Indianapolis in 1970. Mickey went to IUPUI where she graduated with her master’s degree in education in 1988.

Mickey was a long-time member of All Souls Unitarian Church in Indianapolis, where she most recently was a member of the Memoirs group. Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom, she taught English and art in schools in St. Louis, Missouri and Columbus, Ohio. Mickey returned to teaching in 1985 in MSD Lawrence Township where she spent the majority of that time as an art teacher at Belzer Middle School before retiring in 1999.

Mickey was committed to education and community involvement, volunteering for various organizations over the years, including as a Girl Scout troop leader at IPS #70, president of Broad Ripple High School's PTA, and volunteering at IPS #91. Even though she was not a native Hoosier, she considered Indiana home and maintained longtime friendships across the span of her life in Indianapolis, including the "Broad Ripple moms' group" who gathered monthly. After retiring from teaching, she devoted her time to watercolors and pastels and was an active member of the Southside Art League of Greenwood. She also enjoyed being a part of the art community in Dunedin, Florida while spending time at her winter home in Palm Harbor, Florida.

Mickey is survived by her children, Kelly (Jim) Dunn, Stacy (Matt) Klage and Eric (Heather Mewborn) Huffman; grandchildren, Grace Klage, Gillian Dunn, Charlie Klage, Jennifer Dunn, and Martha Klage; and siblings, Patricia Lysell, Jerry (Charlie) Stremsterfer and Bill (Georgia) McIlvaney. Mickey was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Huffman; and parents, Ralph and Audrey McIlvaney.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 2:00pm, with visitation beginning one hour prior at Feeney Hornak Shadeland Mortuary, 1307 N. Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46219. The family would like to express their eternal gratitude to the wonderful staff of The Restoracy of Whitestown for their devoted and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 91st Street #100, Indianapolis, IN 46240 or to the Southside Art League, 299 E Broadway St, Greenwood, IN 46143.