Willadene J. Holycross, 94 , of Columbia City, went to be with her Lord & Savior at 4:46 a.m. Monday, August 23, 2021, from her home.

Born September 25, 1926, in Columbia Township, Whitley County, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Lowell G. and Lylia M. (Mosher) Heil. Completing her elementary school at the Huffman School in Whitley Co., she then graduated from Larwill High School in 1944.

On July 16, 1948, she married Glen D. Holycross. They made their home in Richland Township. Glen died on February 8, 2003. In 2005, she moved to Columbia City.

She began her work career at Schultz Brothers, Columbia City, then W.H. Kissinger Law Office, Grants Dental Office, and the Whitley County Welfare Office. After having two children, she returned to the workforce in 1967, joining United Telephone in Warsaw. In 1977, she transferred to the Columbia City office retiring in 1979.

A strong woman of faith, she was the song leader at the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church for 27 years and taught Sunday School. She was a member of the UMC Missionary Society. A self-taught pianist, she could play by ear. At home, she liked flower gardening and catching her favorite game shows on TV.

Her grandchildren were her joy, spending time with them whenever possible and taking an occasional camping trip. As her eyesight diminished later in life, being in the grandchildren and great-grandchildren's presence was comforting.

Surviving is her daughter, Leah A. (Mark) Phillipson of Columbia City; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren; and a son-in-law Roger Studebaker of Pierceton.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a daughter Sue E. Studebaker and a sister, Marilee J. York.

The funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Friday at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 2943 E 400S, Warsaw. Burial is at the Lake View Cemetery in Larwill. Visitation is 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the church and one hour prior to the funeral on Friday. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Memorials are to Pleasant Grove Building Fund.