Wilma J. Kelley

Wilma Jean Ashley Kelley passed away peacefully at home December 8, 2025 with her loving daughter, Susan Kelley Hawk, by her side. Wilma had been living with her daughter for the past 8 years. They were a team sharing lots of laughter, prayers and many special moments together.

Wilma was born November 22, 1919 to Wayne A. Ashley and Wilma E. Cloud Ashley in Terre Haute, IN. Wilma and her two younger sisters, Dorthy and Mina, grew up in the house built by their grandfather Richard C. Ashley. This house was in the neighborhood of North 22nd and First Avenue. It was one of the first houses in a newly developing area of town. It became home for the three generations of family living together.

Wilma married Earl William Kelley on June 5, 1941. Wilma and Earl had three children: Gene Kelley and wife Beverly of Richmond, IN, Susan Kelley Hawk of Terre Haute, and Larry Kelley and wife Kelley of Greencastle, IN. Wilma and Earl raised their three children in the same family home where she grew up which allowed the children to have the blessing of perspective of the family's history. Gene, Susan and Larry were also blessed with being able to attend the same schools and the same EUB Church at 14th & Chestnut Streets that Wilma had attended as she grew up.

Wilma worked alongside several family members cooking for the workers at "the shops" in the switching yards of the railroad. Later she worked for the Packard Shirt Company until her husband returned home after the war. Wilma's husband passed away Sept. 8, 2002 at the age of 81.

Wilma was blessed with the following grandchildren: David Kelley (1965-2019), Donna Kelley Polley, DeAnna Kelley Gunnels, Eric Hancock, Nathan Hancock (1973 – 2020), Jason Hancock, Kimberley Kelley Bartrum, Michael Kelley, and Adrienne Kelley Miller. In addition to her children and spouses, survivors include grandchildren and great grandchildren, her sister-in-law Martha Kelley of Terre Haute, 4 nephews and 2 nieces.

Throughout her life, Wilma had a strong faith. She enjoyed being a lifelong member of First EUB church at 14th and Chestnut streets. She sang in the choir and played the handbells. She worked as a leader in the children's department teaching Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and as a church camp counselor. Later she taught adult Sunday school classes until she broke her hip at 94 years old.

While her children were young Wilma worked in the office at Warren Elementary School. Later she took care of several other children for working parents. In 1970 she returned to Warren as one of only two cooks in the cafeteria. When Ouabache Elementary School was built she was made the manager of the cafeteria. Wilma retired from the Vigo County School Corporation in 1984.

Wilma was also a wonderful seamstress creating outfits, formals, bridesmaids and wedding dresses. She was the loving caregiver for her mother-in-law, her father-in-law and later for her own mother and her husband until their deaths. In her later years she enjoyed coloring pictures of nature, doing jigsaw puzzles on her iPad, welcoming birds to the feeders, and visits with friends and family.

Wilma was preceded in death by her sisters Dorthy Coleman and Mina Collier and their husbands, her sisters-in-law Marjorie and Mary Lou Kelley, a brother-in-law John Kelley, nephews Dennis Kelley and Mark Coleman, and a grandson Nathan Hancock.

In the Spring of 2026 Wilma will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Earl during graveside services at Roselawn Memorial Park in Terre Haute, IN.