Beverly Jean Sidenstick

Beverly Jean Sidenstick was a caring mother, grandmother and great grandmother and a lifelong environmentalist. She left this world on September 3, 2021, after a brief illness, three weeks short of her 93 birthday.
She was born to Robert Oliver and Laura Bell (Boots) Bullock of Delaware County, Indiana, on September 25, 1928. After graduating from Muncie Central High School, Bev received a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in 1949. She married James E. Sidenstick, now deceased, on August 29, 1948. They had six children, Catherine (Ralph) Leininger of Dayton, OH; Holly (Joe) Villhauer of Fairfield Glade, TN; Carol Baker of New Ross, IN; John (Margie) Sidenstick of Knoxville, TN; David (Patti) Sidenstick of Cincinnati, OH; and Jean Parker of Winter Haven, FL. Beverly had 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She had a brother Robert Boots Bullock and a sister Barbara Knowlton, both deceased, and 8 nieces and nephews.

Beverly believed strongly in education which included curiosity and doing your own research. She contributed to her children's college education and travel abroad and supported her grandchildren in their educational pursuits beyond high school. In addition to her BS degree from Purdue, she was a member of Mensa and enjoyed their PigSIG dinners and loved the conversation and company. In Cincinnati she took courses in Celestial Navigation with the Ohio River Power Squadron. She became a Certified Public Accountant in Ohio and earned a Certified Financial Planner certificate in Florida. She owned her own tax preparation service in which she donated her services to help those in need.

Traveling was one of Beverly's passions. Growing up, the family took many trips to the most popular National Parks as well as out of the way places and campgrounds. Beverly later traveled with her mother, sister and brother in law to Mexico and several trips to Europe seeking out her genealogical roots. She also snorkeled and sailed in the Bahamas.

Beverly believed in civic duty and was a member of the League of Women Voters for over 60 years and served on the State Board in Ohio and as President in Polk County where she was given a Lifetime Membership award in 2010. She was always concerned for those less fortunate and in Cincinnati put her own children on a "welfare diet" for two weeks to prove you could eat on a welfare income. In Florida she taught Displaced Homemakers how to handle their finances and other life tasks.

Beverly was always a passionate environmentalist, and served in many capacities to protect and improve water quality. This started with her involvement to establish the Little Miami River as a National and State Scenic River in Ohio and culminated in Florida with serving a key role in convincing officials to clean up Lake Hancock's water and helping to establish the Circle B Bar Reserve, a Southwest Florida Water Management or Swiftmud project. She was involved in the development of the Lake Hartridge Nature Park, in Winter Haven, FL, which her family fondly refers to as "Grandma's Park." She loved nature and especially birds and wetlands which made living on Lake Hartridge so enjoyable for her. When traveling she would always go out of her way to walk a boardwalk or see a nature preserve if she could.

Beverly was always described as "frank;" a "straight-shooter;" and "no shrinking violet." We wouldn't have had it any other way. We loved her very much and will miss her terribly.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, October 23, 2021, at 12:00 noon. at Meeks Mortuary at 415 E. Washington St. in Muncie, Indiana. Friends and family may call from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 noon at Meeks Mortuary. The family strongly suggests that you attend the service with vaccination and we request you wear a mask indoors to protect others.

Beverly will be buried in Strong Cemetery, Albany, Indiana, near Muncie, where her maternal grandparents (David Ellsworth and Clara Myrtle Shroyer Boots) and great grandparents (Adam and Rhoda Bartlett Boots and Samuel and Elizabeth Boyles Shroyer) are buried.

Donations may be made to The Nature Conservancy or League of Women Voters.