Phyllis Joan Waldrip

Phyllis Joan Waldrip, 89, of Bloomington, peacefully transitioned from her home to her new home in Glory in the early morning of March 26, 2026, with her daughter, Susan, and granddaughter, Megan, by her side. She was born on December 12, 1936, to Martin Luther Hillenburg and Hattie Josephine (Harden) Hillenburg. She had three brothers, Charles Edward Ferguson, Raymond, Harley, and Junior Luther Hillenburg. She married Bill Waldrip on February 6, 1954, and they lived in San Diego, California while he trained and served in the US Navy as a Medical Corpsman in the Korean War.

Upon returning to Bloomington, Joan and Bill had two children, Curtis Anthony (Tony) Waldrip, and Susan Waldrip Taylor, and were happily married for 54 years until Bill's death in 2008.

Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband Bill, her beloved son Tony, her parents, all her brothers, and good friends Susie Hedrick Utterback and Joan Rice Mitchner.

Joan was a lifelong member of the Apostolic faith and served in various capacities such as a teacher at Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Children's Church, was the Church Newsletter Editor, and served wherever else as needed.

Her interests were many, for example she was a Brownie leader, enjoyed cake decorating, crocheting, ceramics, fishing, camping, making and selling crafts, sewing, collecting cookbooks, attending and displaying their refurbished engines at Antique Engine shows, using her computer for social media such as Ancestry.com, Facebook, email, and shopping on Amazon. Joan also enjoyed thrifting at the Opportunity House. She enjoyed planning family reunions and having games prepared for all ages.

She excelled at Genealogy and Family History, remembering names and relationships extremely well. She has contributed articles and stories to various Genealogy books across the country and written books herself on both the Hillenburg and Waldrip families. Another thing she was well known for is growing huge tomato plants that were more like trees since they grew to be over eight feet tall. She thoroughly enjoyed laughing and having fun.

Along with her lifelong friend, Joan Mitchner, she had a cleaning business and cleaned for various IU Professors for over 30 years. They were lovingly known as the "Two Joan's."

Joan loved her family and was overjoyed with the recent birth of another great granddaughter to Megan Malone Davis (Kevin) and equally so with the birth of another great granddaughter to Josh Waldrip (Allison), and a great-great granddaughter to Ashlynn Waldrip Spires (Mason). These babies brought her much comfort and happiness the remaining days of her life.

She is survived by her daughter Susan Taylor (Steve), grandchildren Megan Davis (Kevin), Josh Waldrip (Allison), Shannon Waldrip Dorsett, and Sean Waldrip (Shelley). Her great grandchildren are Hayden Waldrip, Ashlynn Waldrip Spires (Mason), Delaney Davis, Morgan Waldrip, Billy Waldrip, Emily Waldrip, Xandra Waldrip, Curtis Waldrip, Brianna Dorsett (Dawson), and Jasmyn Dorsett Crist (Dale). Great Great Grandchildren are Everleigh Spires, Bexleigh Dorsett, and Dale Crist. Joan is also survived by many beloved nephews, nieces, and friends.

We would like to extend our appreciation to Redcrest Hospice and nurse Judy, and aide Alyssa who took wonderful care of Joan.

Arrangements are being handled by Allen Funeral Home and Crematory and are as follows: Visitation will be at Shiloh Temple, 77 W Smithville Rd, Bloomington, IN on Monday, March 30 from 2 – 8 pm, with the Celebration of Life service on Tuesday, March 31, at Shiloh at 11 am with Reverend Bruce Kelly and Pastor Robert Akers officiating. Visitation will be 1 hour before the service. Following the service burial will take place at Valhalla Memory Gardens.

We invite ladies to wear a fancy hat in honor of Joan and her love for wearing hats.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Landmark Church, 2429 S Ford Ave, Bloomington IN 47403 for their building fund.