Wilma Anna (Washmuth) Lohide

Wilma Anna (Washmuth) Lohide, 92, passed away at the St. Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital (Dearborn County Hospital) on December 19, 2020.  She was born in Switzerland County, Indiana on November 24, 1928, the daughter of Harry and Hazel Washmuth.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Karl F. Lohide, whom she married in 1949.  In 1951 Karl and Wilma moved to their farm in Cass Township, Ohio County, which had been in the Lohide family since 1871 and remains so today. Wilma graduated from Vevay High School in 1946 and immediately began a successful career as a businesswoman.  She retired as Vice-President of Southeastern Beverages, Inc. in 1990 after working there for 24 years.  Earlier she had been employed for 15 years at the Dearborn County Farm Bureau Co-op in Dillsboro, as well six years with the Bruce Miller Oil Company in Aurora. Wilma was a person of deep faith and a lifelong member of New Liberty Baptist Church, located near her childhood home in Switzerland County.  She served in many capacities at New Liberty to include clerk/treasure, superintendent, adult Sunday School teacher and president of the women’s mission group.  She was also active with the New Liberty Cemetery where she developed a list of the 123 veterans buried there.   On each Memorial Day, Wilma personally placed a flag on each veteran’s grave. More than anything else, Wilma loved being surrounded by her family.  For many years she organized a Washmuth Family Reunion at the Markland Dam Park.  Nothing made her happier than cooking a big meal and gathering with all her family members, particularly on Thanksgiving and Easter.  Wilma had a passion for genealogy and did extensive research on the family lines of her and Karl’s families.  Over the years she extended her genealogy research to include many families in both the Switzerland and Ohio County areas.  Wilma had a remarkable memory and people marveled that even in her nineties Wilma could hear a random name from the local community and recite many generations of that person’s family. All her life Wilma remained deeply involved in the local community.  She served on the Board of Directors for the Ohio County Historical Society for sixteen years as well as the Ohio County Public Library Board where she was instrumental in construction of the new library in Rising Sun which was dedicated in 1970.  She was also a longtime member of Internationally Yours, a world-wide friendship club for women. Wilma is survived by her sons Paul Lohide, who lives with his wife Linda on the family farm in Cass Township and Kurt Lohide who resides with his partner Elisabeth Strines, in Napa, California; her three grandchildren:  Christina Lohide Romans and her husband Jamey of Ohio County, Kari Lohide Goodwin of Rising Sun, and Brandon Lohide of Las Vegas, NV; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Wilma lived a long and happy life which she attributed to having a good sense of humor, a curious mind and always maintaining an optimistic outlook.

Family funeral services will be held Saturday, December 26th at 1 PM  at the New Liberty Baptist Church in East Enterprise, IN with Pastor Jay Baker officiating. Public visitation will be Saturday, December 26th from 11 AM - 1 PM at the New Liberty Baptist Church. Burial will be at the New Liberty Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wilma Lohide Scholarship Fund established through the Ohio County Community Foundation (checks payable to OCCF). marklandfuneralhome.com

Due to the current situation dealing with COVID-19, we are following the directives from Governor Holcomb and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning large events and mass gatherings. We are limited to 50 at a time inside and the use of masks and proper social distancing are required. The family deeply appreciates the support and love shown from friends. The health and well being of everyone in our community is of top priority.  Thank you.

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