Claudia Ray Fulwiler

Claudia Ray Fulwiler, 82, and a resident of Terre Haute, Indiana, died peacefully on May 19, 2018. She is survived by her stepdaughter, Jean Ann Shell of Terre Haute, Ind.; four grandchildren, Matt Shell, Melissa Shell, Jackie Rodriguez and James Fulwiler, and their families which include eight great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law, Tom Jacobs of Terre Haute, Ind.; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Fitzsimmons of Stuart, Fla.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William J Fulwiler; her stepson, Michael Fulwiler; her brother, Bob Fitzsimmons; and her sister, Martha Jacobs. Claudia was born in Terre Haute to parents Claude Fitzsimmons and Imogene Coffel, and with the exception of two years in Florida, she lived in Terre Haute her entire life. She grew up around music, fell in love with music and music was her passion. Claudia sang all through her school years in choral groups, competitions, musicals and school revues. Anything that involved singing, she joined. Some of her earliest performances were at Deming Park with the Jess Knowles Band, with the Jimmy Adami Band and on WTTV preceding the Tonight Show. She graduated from Garfield High School, and her first major job was with Columbia Records, where she remained for 29 years. Later, she worked many years at The Hamilton Center, but music was always her first love and she performed for over 50 years with the Men of Note Band, singing to the brilliant arrangements of her husband, Bill. In 2009, she was inducted into the Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame, and in 2010, she appeared on the cover of Terre Haute Living magazine and was the subject of the feature article. Music was a strong gene in her family line, and she came by her talent naturally. The legacy of her passion for music lives on in many of her nieces and nephews, who have said that it was her influence that created that same passion in them. Her gift for letter writing was just as great, and to the friends and family who received her multi-page letters, it was as if she was sitting in the room talking to you in person. In addition to her great love for her family, Claudia loved watching old movies on TV, reading, working in her yard, traveling and, of course, going out anywhere to hear music. As her mobility became more restricted, the highlight of her week was going to Stables on Friday nights with her closest friends to listen to the music of John Spicknall. In lieu of flowers, her family would like to suggest a donation to the Vigo County Education Foundation, For the Love of Music Fund, in care of Jane Nichols. The family would also encourage those who knew and loved Claudia to listen to your favorite music, and perhaps plant something special in your garden in her memory. Arrangements are being handled by Roselawn Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at Roselawn Funeral Home. There will be a graveside service to follow at 2 p.m. at Roselawn Memorial Park.