Wilma Grace's Obituary
Wilma Grace, age 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 21, 2022, at Hospice of Dayton.
Born and raised in Peoria, Illinois, Wilma (Johnson) Grace never met a stranger, only friends she didn’t know yet. With a beautiful smile that could light up any room, Wilma’s kindness, charm, and wit created lasting relationships wherever her adventurous life took her.
Pursuing her passion for antiques and history, Wilma was very active in the Peoria Historical Society and spent many hours volunteering at the Pettengill - Morron House while raising her children. An entrepreneur at heart with an eye for retail, she launched her career with The Dolph House, a historic home featuring a gift shop and tea room which became a destination across Central Illinois. From there, she moved to Chicago to be closer to her children and ran retail operations for hospitals and hotels. After visiting her dear friend Lee Philpott for many years, Wilma decided to trade in city life for the quaint Main Street of Waynesville, Ohio. Wilma quickly became well known in her role as the Executive Director of the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce and later in the same position for the Waynesville Chamber. Before retiring, she successfully sold residential real estate for Henkle Schueler in Lebanon, Ohio. In addition to her work, Wilma produced horse-drawn carriage parades with friends Joe and Linda Wilson during the holidays and was active within the Waynesville Museum, Progressive Women’s Club, and Lytle United Methodist Church.
Young at heart, upbeat and curious, Wilma always maintained a positive outlook and embraced any opportunity to travel and learn something new. Her trips to Europe with family and friends were special memories she held dear, and she most recently celebrated her 85th birthday with children and grandchildren in Hawaii. A voracious reader, she would always have an interesting book recommendation or story to share. One of Wilma’s biggest passions was her love of flower gardening, and she was known for the beautiful landscaping around her home. In Peoria, she was very proud to have her home featured on the Garden Club’s walking tour. Entertaining and cooking for friends in her home was something she enjoyed throughout her lifetime; from intimate dinner parties to her annual Christmas Tea for over a hundred women, Wilma’s events always left a lasting impression.
Wilma’s relationships with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the joy of her life. She traveled several times a year to California and Illinois to visit them and maintained traditions of baking frosted sugar cookies at Christmas, playing Rummikub, and making morning pancakes after sleepovers in her home. Through traditions like these and wonderful memories, Wilma’s family and friends will continue to shine her brilliant light out into the world.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, John and Juanita Johnson, and her sister, Kay Haas. She is survived by her one son, Rick Duval; two daughters, Susie Duval (Steve Roberts) and Jennifer Grace (Robert Taylor); seven stepchildren; twelve grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Wilma’s incredibly full life will be held from 4-8 PM Wednesday, November 2, at Benham’s Grove in Centerville, OH. Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton. Wilma’s family is eternally grateful for the exceptional care she received there. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
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