Virginia Ruth Guttman

Virginia Ruth (Urbin) Guttman, 93, of Wakarusa, Indiana, died at 1:45 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, at Elkhart General Hospital surrounded by love.

She was born on April 6, 1930, in Kewanna, Indiana, to Harry and Bertha (Metzger) Urbin. After moving to Walkerton, Indiana, at age 9, she graduated from Walkerton High School in 1948 and studied bookkeeping at South Bend Business College. Virginia worked as a bookkeeper at the Hoffman Hotel in South Bend.

On Dec. 19, 1954, she married her high school sweetheart, Dr. John B. Guttman, in Walkerton. They lived in Indianapolis during John's medical residency before settling in Wakarusa in 1958. Together they enjoyed 51 years of marriage prior to his passing on Jan. 26, 2006.

Virginia is survived by three children, son, John R. (Becky) Guttman of Granger, and daughters, Bebe Yoder of Hailey, Idaho, and Cindy (Brian) Buckles of Green Bay, Wisconsin; eight grandchildren, JJ (Crystal) Guttman, Jackie (Scott) Cooper, Jessie (Matt) Miller, Stephanie (Dan) Lindsay, Todd (Kat) Yoder, Kyle Buckles, Amy (Josh) Kohnhorst, and Hanna (Eric) Newton; and six great-grandchildren, Aiden, Alexis and Asher Guttman, Everett and Hudson Kohnhorst, and Hallie Newton. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Amy Guttman; and brother, Robert Urbin.

Virginia was very active in the Wakarusa United Methodist Church throughout her life. She served the church in many capacities over the years. She was an active member of the Hand Bell Choir, United Methodist Women (UMW), and Nurture Committee; volunteered at their sausage sandwich booth; and was instrumental each and every year in the church's Christmas Family Outreach ministry supporting local families. She assisted in founding the church's pre-school program and served on its board of directors for many years. She was the church's longtime bookkeeper until her passing.

In the early 1960s, Virginia was instrumental in establishing a kindergarten program in the Wakarusa Elementary School. Later in life, she enjoyed volunteering at the same school, listening and reading with children up until she was 90. She also volunteered at Aux Chandelles (now ADEC), the Wakarusa Public Library as a Friend of the Library, and the Elkhart County Medical Auxiliary serving in many leadership positions.

Virginia was an avid reader throughout her life and loved to travel with her husband and family. She enjoyed gardening and took pride in her house plants and magnolia tree. She also enjoyed card games, especially bridge, and was known to be very difficult to beat. An avid sports fan, she loved the Purdue Boilermakers, her NorthWood Panthers and NCAA basketball.

She possessed a generous, loving heart and showered shut-ins, friends and family with care packages and cards throughout the years. Dear to her heart were her adopted family – neighbors Dick, Linda, and Michael Letherman. Most of all, she loved her family and cherished time with them and supporting their endeavors.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16, at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Wakarusa, Indiana, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Wakarusa United Methodist Church. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the church with Pastor Scott Mann officiating. Burial will follow in Olive West Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that friends and family continue Virginia's legacy of supporting her community. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Wakarusa Public Library, the Wakarusa United Methodist Church or the Ronald McDonald House.