Virginia S. Begley

Virginia S. Begley, 97, of Indianapolis, entered into the Life Eternal on April 23, 2009. Born January 9, 1912 to Francis and Flossie Melin on a farm near Carthage, MO, she went to a one-room schoolhouse where she later would teach for five years. She was graduated from Ozark Wesleyan College in Carthage with a degree in education.For the woman who never met a challenge she didn�t relish, Virginia negotiated nearly a century of living with a warm graciousness, an infectious laugh and a driving curiosity. Wed in 1936 to Luther (Luke) Begley who preceded her in death in 2001, she moved her family frequently as her husband�s promotions dictated. Before retiring to Naples, Florida, in 1978, the Begleys lived in Missouri, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Connecticut and Illinois. Along the way, Virginia developed enviable expertise in a variety of pastimes . . . always with the appropriate how-to manual at her side. She decided she wanted to paint and taught herself the intricacies of oil painting. As with painting, Virginia tackled the piano, cooking, gardening and sewing with self-effacing warmth and purposefulness. Her greatest devotion was to her faith and family, though. In 1986, Virginia and Luke joined Meridian Street Methodist Church after moving to Indianapolis to be closer to their children. She is survived by all three of them: Phillip Begley (Susan) of Columbus, Ohio; Corinne Begley Worzalla (John) of Indianapolis; and Douglas Begley (Susan) of Woodstock, Illinois.She will be remembered lovingly by her grandchildren: Kimberly Worzalla Neidigh (Chip) of Indianapolis; Douglas Worzalla of Athens, Georgia; Julie Worzalla Bohannon (Josh) of Bentonville, Arkansas; Jen Begley Massey (Mike) of Elmhurst, Illinois; and Thomas Begley of Algonquin, Illinois. Six cherished great-grandchildren also survive her: Serae, Kael and Zeff Neidigh and Seth, Taylor and Scott Bohannon. Virginia was preceded in death by her siblings, Naydeen Melin Irby, Mardell Melin Burrus and John Melin.A Memorial Service will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28th, at Shirley Brothers, Fishers-Castleton with visitation at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to The Smile Train, PO Box 96231, Washington, DC, 20077-7377; or the Christian Children�s Fund, PO Box 26511, Richmond, VA 23286-8818.

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Virginia S. Begley

January 9, 1912 - April 23, 2009