Wilma Jean Willey

Wilma Jean Willey, age 89 of Crown Point passed away on October 11, 2014. Jean was a PTA officer from the 50s through the 70s and very active in all PTA activities. She and her late husband opened their home to foreign exchange students from Peru, Chile, and Japan. One of her hobbies was growing plants. She worked with local, state, and national African Violet Society. She started the Hoosier African Violet society in Crown Point, IN. She assisted each year in putting on the local African Violet show and won many awards with her plants as well as awards at the Crown Point Fair. She had been featured on the Crown Point Garden Walk for several years and assisted other years as a volunteer. She was involved with Hoosier African Violet Society of Crown Point for many years. She formed the Garden Club of Waterford Townhomes. Another hobby was working with miniatures houses and rooms. She attended local, state and national conventions across the country. She was President of the South Holland Miniature Association. Currently involved with the Crown Miniature Society and She has been a past officer of both of this group. She received numerous awards for her needlework at the Lake County Fair. She has been active with her church both in Harvey, IL and Crown Point. She was president of Women’s Society at First United Methodist of Harvey. She was a member of Crafty Grannies which helps with the preparation of the weekly programs at First United Methodist Church of Crown Point. Jean was a stay at home mother who also worked in her husband’s business but still enjoyed a weekly bowling league for more than 30 years. She and her late husband also found time to travel extensively through the United States and the world. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Robert “Leon” Willey; brother, Elmer Archie Packingham, sister, Evelyn Davis and grandson Sean Willey. Wilma is survived by 2 daughters – Dawn Johns of St. Croix, Virgin Islands and Anita (Theodore) Murack of Wylie, TX; 2 sons – Richard Willey of Cartersville, GA and Roger (Marilyn) Willey of Alpharetta, GA; brothers – Norman Packingham of Homewood, IL and Ronald (Jo) Packingham of Hermitage, TN; 6 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service Friday, October 17, 2014 at 3 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, Rev. Mark Wilkins officiating. Friends are invited to meet with Jean’s family on Friday from 2-8 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home. Private interment at Cedar Park Cemetery, Chicago. www.burnsfuneral.com

Wilma Jean Willey

March 18, 1925 - October 11, 2014