Linda Rae "Wirts" Pulver

Linda Rae Pulver, age 84, of Roanoke, IN, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Parkview Huntington Hospital surrounded by her family. Linda was born on November 15, 1940, in Fort Wayne, IN, to the late Jess and Helen (Zent) Wirts. Linda was united in marriage to John R. Pulver on August 25, 1962, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Roanoke. In 1983, they relocated to Springfield, Ohio, for a number of years, then moved back to their farm west of Roanoke. Linda graduated from Roanoke High School in 1958, then attended St. Francis College and Ball State graduating with a Degree in Elementary Education in 1962. She worked at the Roanoke Drug Store during her high school years earning enough money to pay for her college education. After her college graduation, she taught first grade at Huntertown Elementary prior to raising her children. Throughout the years, she did substitute teaching, cleaned homes, taught classes at St. Joseph Catholic Church, and managed the Roanoke Heights Apartments for 7 years. Linda was a loving and devoted wife and mother who also felt strongly about keeping in touch with her cousins throughout the years. She had many talents: playing the piano and singing to her children, a skilled seamstress, upholstering furniture, and an artistic ability. Linda helped John with the Percheron Draft Horses by braiding their manes and tails when traveling to county and State fairs for shows and even helped to deliver a foal when John was not home to assist. She was a caregiver by nature, helping to care for her ailing mother, her two aunts, and her sister. Linda was an avid card player beating family members on a regular basis in euchre and double solitaire. She enjoyed putting puzzles together, bird watching, riding around the farm on the Gator with John, and just sitting on the porch of their cabin overlooking the pond and watching the purple martins come and go. She is survived by her husband John; her two children, Gwen (Jeff Ricklefs) Pulver, Roanoke, IN, Joe (Fran) Pulver, Columbus, OH; one brother, Sam (Christine) Wirts, Fort Wayne, IN; four grandchildren, Jake Furnas, Fort Wayne, Ally (Dean Varvel) Furnas, Mooresville, Jack Pulver, Columbus, OH, Anna Pulver, Columbus, OH; and one great-granddaughter, Vivienne Rae Varvel. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Susan (Bud) Kirchner. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 11 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with one hour of visitation prior from 10 AM to 11 AM, at 641 N. Main Street, Roanoke, IN, with Rev. Eustace Okorie presiding. A burial will follow Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Roanoke, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church in care of McElhaney Funeral Home – Roanoke Chapel, 240 Crestwood Drive, Roanoke, IN, 46783. McElhaney Funeral Home Roanoke Chapel, 240 Crestwood Dr., Roanoke, IN, 46783, is honored to serve the Pulver Family. Online condolences to www.mcelhaneyhartfuneralhome.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda Rae (Wirts) Pulver, please visit our floral store.