Velma Irene Lanning

Velma Irene Lanning, 85 years of age, a 57 year resident of Rush County, died peacefully and went to be with her Lord, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 1:03 PM at Saint Vincent Medical Center in Indianapolis following a very lengthy illness. Born in Knox County, IN. on December 6, 1928, she was the daughter of Ralph and Bessie Mae (Bruner) Watkins, both of which preceded her in death. She was a graduate of Shelbyville High School. On September 17, 1944, she was united in marriage to Charles David Lanning, Sr. at the Brookville Church of The Nazarene by Rev. Carl Amos. Her husband of nearly 70 years survives. Velma retired from Freudenburg-NOK in Morristown, she had also worked at Rush Memorial Hospital and Danners and had been an Avon Sales Representative. She was known as a talented artist as an oil painter and several of her pen and ink drawings were published in the Rush County Artist Association booklet. She was a past member of th Rush County Artist Association. She also designed her home which her husband built in 1957. She was an avid reader of historical novels and devoted studies of the Holy Bible. She was a former member of the Brookville and Andersonville Church of The Nazarene and currently an active member of th Rushville Church of The Nazarene. She served the church well as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Secretary, Bible School director, Missionary Society president, Cradle Roll director and as a delegate to the Nazarene District Assembly Missionary Convention. She loved her Church and was like a mother to all of her Sunday School students. She leaves to mourn her passing her devoted husband, Charles David Lanning, Sr. of Rushville, one son and daughter-in-law, David and Penny Lanning of Rushville, four grandchildren, Catherine Renea' Alysworth of Richmond, IN, Andrew Thomas Sweet, Rashel Michelle (Omar) Dozal and Jonathan David Lanning, all of Rushville; four great-grandchildren, Alexander Kordell Alysworth, Xavier Charles Alysworth, Ashley N. Mohr and Kyllie Rose Sweet, two sisters, Mrs. Raymond Michael (Lola Claretta) Jerger of Cincinnati, Ohio and Mrs. Jim (Wanda Marie Nelson) Fofhee of Little Rock, Arkansas, many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Mrs. Michael Raymond (Brenda Gay) Combs who died on April 14, 2005, two infant children, four brothers, Rev. James Ezra Watkins, Ernest Wilbur Watkins, Herman E. Watkins and Fred L. Watkins, five brothers-in-law, Walter Gene Lanning, James Sheplar, Russell E. Lanning, Wiley E. Nelson and Raymond Michael Jerger and five sisters-in-law, Ruth Cox, Cornelia Lanning, Maxine Watkins, Nellie Lanning and Bonnie Lanning Moberly and a step-grandson Michael Cody Combs. Services will be at 2 PM Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the Rushville Church of The Nazarene. Calling will be from 4-8 PM Friday, August 15, 2014 at Moster Mortuary, Rushville and at the Church from 9 AM until the time of service on Saturday. Funeral services will begin at 2 PM with the Rev. Robert Nathan Malone, Howard Bullard and Rev. Todd Reynolds. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville, IN. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rushville Church of The Nazarene Missionary Society or the Rushville Public Library.

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Velma Irene Lanning

December 6, 1928 - August 9, 2014