The angels were singing as Wilma L. Crouch, age 88, of Wauseon, Ohio and formerly of Elwood, Indiana went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 5, 2014. Her last thoughts and voiced words were about seeing her husband, Bob, who preceded her in death. Wilma was born in Tipton County, Indiana on June 15, 1926, the daughter of Harold and Ninez (Cook) Wilburn. Wilma grew up around Elwood where she lived most of her life. She was a 1944 graduate of Elwood High School and married the love of her life, Bobby F. Crouch, later that same year. Bob died just 6 weeks before they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. She was a homemaker all of her life and also worked as a bus driver for the Madison-Grant school system for many years. Wilma was an avid gardener and often mentioned in her last years how much she missed going out to the garden and working. Inside, she had an abundance of African violets which she kept going year after year, even though they are difficult to grow. Wilma was also an accomplished seamstress. She was well known for her sewing talents, making her daughter Marcia's wedding dress in addition to all of the bridesmaid dresses. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and quilting. Wilma passed her love of reading to her children at very early ages. Going to the Elwood library was a weekly treat. Wilma would borrow 5-10 books every week. The three girls would also get books and spend hours reading. Wilma was a true friend to many. She worked hard for the Lord as a member of Harmony Christian Church and will be missed by all. Most of all, Wilma will be missed by her family. Ever the "fixer" and stoic mother, she was a rock upon whom her children relied. Just before she died, she said to the nurses that she "taught her children to pray" and that is so true. She is in Heaven with Bob and the Lord and all is well!

Wilma's family includes a son, Maurice G. "Buck" (wife Nancy) Crouch of Jamestown, IN; 3 daughters, Dr. Marcia (husband Larry) Rozevink of Wauseon, OH, Carol (husband Joe) Mendoza of Greentown, IN, and Sandy (husband Jerry) Tate of Tipton, IN; brother, John Wilburn of Florida; sister Judy McLoughlin of Florida; 11 grandchildren, Jennifer Abbott, Julie Wright, Jeremy Crouch, Kenneth Rozevink, Richard Rozevink, Christina Mendoza, Bobby Mendoza, Randy Tate, Karie Badgley, Daniel Tate, and Joseph Tate; numerous great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of nearly 50 years, Bobby F. Crouch who died June 24, 1994; brother, Charles Wilburn who died in 2014; and 2 great-grandchildren, Michael Paul Badgley and Kaylee Jo Badgley.

A funeral celebrating Wilma's life will be held at 11:00 on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Harmony Christian Church in Leisure, with Rev. Ron Meyer officiating. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery in Windfall. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 8 PM on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Wednesday. Online condolences: www.copherfeslermay.com.