Flo Lapin

Florence M Lapin, age 90, passed away on October 24, 2025 at Westminster Village. She was born in Muncie on November 23, 1934, the daughter of longtime Muncie attorney, Archie Lapin, and Ida Lapin.
Flo Lapin was an author, playwright, and educator. She taught language arts and French in both middle and high schools in Michigan for over 30 years and later was an assistant professor of secondary education at Ball State University. Her Bachelor's Degree in the History of Art (1956) and her Master's Degree in Secondary Education (1961) both were from Indiana University. Her Doctor of Education degree was granted by the University of Arkansas (1984). She also studied in Paris, France, at the Experimental School in Theatre and taught English in France to French speakers.
Flo believed deeply in the importance of working for a more just world, and in raising one's voice with heart and creativity to help bring it about. In addition to many her many years as an educator, she was a political activist, writer, and playwright.
Her theatrical works include Bells & Balls, a musical she co-wrote and produced; From Nebo Mountain, a tragicomedy about a fiery activist who stood up to the powerful Indiana Klan; Voices of a Little City: Muncie Elegy; and Chance, Life & Death in Middletown, 1900s-1950s. Her writings also include poetry, countless letters to the editor, and the non-fiction book, White Magic/Black Truth: It Takes a City, which recounts the grave injustice committed against Martin Lee Anderson.
Flo also believed that access to the arts is a right for all individuals, not a privilege afforded by income. She co-founded and dedicated herself to the Middletown Arts Project, a non-profit that gave under-served youth the opportunity to learn violin, participate in interactive theatre and practice conflict resolution through the arts.
Flo was also passionate about promoting Hoosier performing artists. To that end, she founded the GoldSpace Theater, a black-box venue that showcased Indiana talent. In that same spirit, she established the Florence M. Lapin Endowment Fund at the Center for Middletown Studies at Ball State University to continue supporting Hoosier literary and performing artists.
Flo was always marveling at the incredible beauty of the world around her. She could see and appreciate the good in people, whoever they were and she had a gift for finding joy in the simple things in life.
She is survived by her sister, Rochelle Popkin; her 3 nieces, Suzanne Popkin, Andrea Main, and Maureen Chiquet; seven great nieces and nephews, and two cousins, Marcia Torobin and Joyce Nelson. She was preceded in death by her life partner of forty years, Chris Stiles; along with her parents.
You can read more about Flo Lapin at https://flomlapin.wordpress.com.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday, November 2 at 12:30 p.m. at Temple Beth El, Muncie, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Florence M. Lapin Endowment Fund at the Center for Middletown Studies at Ball State University.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.