- Date Of Birth: June 30, 1932
- Date Of Death: August 15, 2015
- State: Indiana
Mildred Boes peacefully passed away on Saturday afternoon at Hearthstone Health Campus. She had been a resident at Brookdale (formerly Sterling House) in Bloomington since March, 2012, which she often referred to as the ‘office’. Not exactly sure why, but it was charming all the same. Many thanks and sincere appreciation goes out to the staff at Sterling House for their love and support of mom. The last month of her life following gall bladder surgery in July were at Hearthstone.
The staff at both all loved and appreciated mom for her smile and sweet disposition. Born June 30, 1932, mom was the daughter of Ernest Prevo and Opal (Whitaker) Shumaker. Mildred is survived by her son, Joe (Terrill Cosgray) of Bloomington, IN, a brother, Ernest Prevo Shumaker (Lahoma) of Terre Haute, IN, a niece Robin Shumaker Sautor (Jeff) of Shelburn, IN, and three cousins who fondly called her ‘Francie’ or ‘Millie Francis’, Gordon Whitaker (Bob Hellwig) of Chapel Hill, NC, Becki Whitaker of Indianapolis, IN, and Richard Whitaker of Bloomington, IN, and former daughter-in-law Debbie Shields, Bloomington, IN.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents, and the untimely deaths of her husband, Rev. Don Boes and son, Mark with whom she is now reunited. Mom graduated from Black Hawk High School in 1950 and married the love of her life, Don, on August 8, 1952. During her lifetime, mom began her work career with Simplicity Pattern Co in Terre Haute. Later she taught piano lessons, was a case worker for Orleans Elementary School, church secretary and choir director. Her greatest role was that of a minister’s wife which she faithfully served alongside dad for 26 years at Decker, Brooklyn, Centerpoint/Ashboro, Orleans, Loogootee, and Bloomington.
When mom and dad moved to serve Fairview United Methodist Church, Bloomington, in 1978, she began working as an administrative assistant with the IU Admissions Office where she developed lifelong friends. She was also co-owner of The Mole Hole gift shop (1984-89). She retired from I.U. in 1999.
However, retirement did not last long as she secured an administrative assistant position for the Southern United Methodist Church Conference office. She retired a second time in 2007. Mom never had many hobbies but she did love men’s I.U. Basketball, singing and playing the piano, butterflies, starlight mints, Happy Travelers, Cracker Barrel, playing games, and dessert, but not necessarily in this order! She was a lady of great faith and she held a cherished quality…an unconditional love for her sons.
Thanks mom for the wonderful memories and for being such a loving person! This devotion to family and service of faith was a life-long mission and those touched by her life have been forever blessed by her unfailing love and unwavering walk of faith.
