Willie Mae Fender

Willie Mae (Puterbaugh) Fender, 97, of Muncie, passed away at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on Tuesday, November 13, 1923, the daughter of Jesse Puterbaugh and Reva (Martin) Puterbaugh. Willie Mae graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1941. She married Glen Fender in 1942 and they shared thirty-seven years together. Willie Mae began her career by working at Durham in the payroll department for fifteen years, until it closed. Then she worked for fifteen years at Marhoeffer Computer Center until she retired from there. Then she worked in the computer department at Ball State University for twenty years, and then retired at age seventy-five. Willie Mae loved to travel, play BINGO, and bowl. She was a member of the Muncie Bowling Hall of Fame. She continued bowling until she was ninety-three years old. She was also a fifty year member of the Eagles Ladies Auxiliary FOE 231. Willie Mae enjoyed going to the casino, and she enjoyed sports. She was a huge Pacer fan and Cubs fan. Willie Mae is survived by two daughters: Sandra Jack and Glenna Foster; daughter-in-law, Geneva Fender; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren; twenty-five great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen; parents, Jesse and Reva Puterbaugh; two sons, James Fender Sr., and Paul Fender; and three sisters, Violet Moore, Barbara Lambert, and Mary Jane Miller. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 17, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47304. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, masks are required as well as social distancing. Private funeral services for family will be held Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Elm Ridge Funeral Home. Rusty Clements will officiate. Burial will be in Elm Ridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be given to Eaton Community Food Pantry, 816 1/2 East Harris Street, Eaton, Indiana 47338. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elmridgefuneralhome.com for the Fender family.