Mildred Vanita Edwards , 105, a life-long resident of rural Albion, passed away peacefully in the company of family at 7:40 p.m. Monday, December 11, 2023, at Orchard Pointe in Kendallville.

A centenarian recently celebrating her milestone of 105, she was born on November 24, 1918, in Noble County, Indiana, the daughter of the late LeRoy and Addie (Fogle) Wheeler.  Growing up on a farm in Washington Twp., Noble County, she completed Washington Center Elementary School and graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1936 and played basketball for the Wolf Lake Wolves.

On November 20, 1940, she married Harry J. Edwards.  They made their home near Wolf Lake, where they raised three children. Harry died on August 24, 1990.

A full-time homemaker, Mildred maintained the household and cared for her children.  For over 50 years, she served as an Election Poll Worker for Noble Twp, Noble County.  With her years of experience, she knew almost everyone who came to vote. She was a member of Merriam Christian Chapel Church.

Throughout her life, she was a sports fan following the Detroit Tigers baseball, IU Basketball, and, more recently, Women's Sports, including college basketball and volleyball.  She liked to watch the birds, especially cardinals.  Keeping her mind sharp she enjoyed puzzles of all types especially cross-word puzzles often challenging those around her for the correct spelling. In her quiet time, she liked to read mystery novels.

Surviving are her children, Diane (Vern) Saggars of Columbia City, Wayne (Carol) Edwards and Keith (Dawn) Edwards both of Albion; grandchildren, Cheri (Timothy) Grable, Jeff Coy, Kim (Jim) Gaff, Kristi Coy, Brent Edwards, Matthew (Melinda) Edwards, Aaron (Jennifer) Edwards, Tina (Bryan McKinley) Cochard, Paula Edwards, and Vicki (Jeff) Stanley Cochard; step-grandchildren, Kevin (Laura) Saggars and Teresa (Mitch) Hoffman; 21 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Wheeler, a brother, Max Wheeler, a granddaughter, Paula Edwards and a great-grandson, Drew Coy.

The funeral service is at 3 p.m. Sunday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is beside her husband at the Merriam Christian Chapel Cemetery, Albion. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the service Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Mildred's honor are to Gideons International or Missions of Merriam Christian Chapel.

This service will be live-streamed through our Facebook page.