Velma Lucille Marquis Newton passed away at home on July 7, 2022.
“Velma Lou” was born on March 11, 1927, at home in Burnett, Indiana. She was the youngest child of John Marquis and Christiana Stott Marquis.
Velma was a member of the Otter Creek High School class of 1945. During high school, she started working at Modern Aluminum in the office. She had brief stints at Columbia Records and Vigo County government offices. First and foremost, she considered herself to be a homemaker, not a housekeeper.
She met the love of her life, William Paul Newton, through her sister Pauline and brother-in-law Red Long. Paul, a recent army veteran from WWII, saw a picture of Velma at their home and didn’t waste any time. The next evening Paul and Velma went on a double date and it was love at first sight. Just a few weeks later, they eloped to Vincennes on November 10, 1945. Together they shared 47 years of life centered around family, church and community.
She was very in tune with politics. In 1948, at age 21, she voted in her first presidential election, casting a vote for Harry S Truman.
Velma’s mother was a wonderful cook, but Velma had not yet acquired top culinary skills. After she married Paul, he paid for her to attend a cooking school at the Indiana Theater and eventually Velma found a love for cooking and baking. Velma collected recipes and cookbooks, making wonderful meals and treats until the end of her life. When anybody came through her doorway, she would demonstrate her love by making their favorite meal or treat during the visit.
While her favorite place to be was home, she enjoyed traveling. Her favorite vacation spot was Door County, Wisconsin. At the age of 73 she acquired her first passport to travel to Ireland. It was only then when she discovered on her birth certificate her name “Velma Lou” was in fact “Velma Lucille.”
Velma cared about everyone she met. Each of her children always felt they were her favorite. She truly made everyone feel important and special in every interaction with her. Velma was known to be inclusive to all and often would invite strangers and new acquaintances into her home, or to family events and parties. She had a love for all living creatures, especially stray cats and dogs.
She attended Barbour Avenue, Fourth Avenue, Grace, and Mount Pleasant United Methodist churches. She was very proud of her Methodist heritage. In 2013, at the age of 86, she was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Velma has loved well and served all her life. She was a member of the Town and Country Home Economics Club for over 50 years. She enjoyed the gatherings of the Red Hat Club Society and AARP. Velma could always recollect people, names, dates, and places. She instilled a sense of family pride and compassion in each of her descendants. It is a reflection of how she lived that she had so many dedicated to her throughout her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her siblings, Anna Constance (Chet McLain), and Mary Pauline Long (Red), John Charles Marquis, Eugene Marquis (Marge), and Bill Marquis (Wanda); her infant children Andrew, Abby, and Matthew; and all twelve of her nieces and nephews from her siblings.
She is survived by her children: John (Kim), Joe (Jeani), Dan (Susan), Chris (April), and Margi (Denny Byram).
Her grand-children Angie (Doug Reusser), Anne (Lane McFadden), Mandy (Jesse Payne), Colin (Megan), Katy (Ryan Romack), Tiel (Garrett Ike), Holly (John Paul Kanizer), Elliott (Kristina), Todd Byram (Katie), Haley, Trevor Byram (MaKenzie), Hillary (Luke Kleinhenz), and Ian (Mikala); and her great-grandchildren Deming & Mazie Mae Hawkins, Addie & Eli Reusser, Gracie & Tiger Payne, Hadley & Jocie Newton, Lark McFadden, Jude Hall, Ivan, Niko & Mila Newton, Jovi & Jet Byram, Hayden Hendricks, Newton & Wren Kleinhenz, Bexley & Bruin Byram and Samus & Skadi Newton.
Velma was blessed to live a long full life. She was a gentle soul and loved by all whose lives she touched. Within the past few weeks, she was able to see each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each of whom brought joy to her on a daily basis.
Velma was graciously cared for and spent many hours with Morgan Booe, Keeley Flynne, Robin Lindley, and staff from VNA & Hospice of Wabash Valley. We would like to acknowledge Dr. Nawar Mercho and his compassionate care for Velma in recent years.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to VNA & Hospice of Wabash Valley or a charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1845 N. 6 ½ St. Terre Haute, IN 47804 on Sunday July 17, 2022 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and on Monday July 18, 2022 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Funeral services will follow at the church following, on Monday July 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
Virtual streaming at:
Meeting ID: 928 0831 5058
Passcode: 818308
Burial at New Harmony Cemetery to follow. Arrangements entrusted to Greiner Funeral Home.
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