Juanita E. Connerley-Wallpe, Batesville, passed away on December 24th, at Heritage House in Greensburg, Indiana.
She was born December 12, 1928 in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of Edna and Forrest Thomas.
Juanita graduated from Barret Manual Training High School in Henderson, Kentucky in 1946. She attended Purdue University where she graduated in 1950. She graduated from Drew University Seminary in New Jersey in 1978. She was an ordained Pastor with the United Church of Christ.
She was married to Jim Connerley on August 19, 1951 and he preceded her in death on December 19, 1996. They both graduated from Purdue University, and then spent most of their working years and raised their family in Wayne, New Jersey. After Jim took early retirement, they returned to their midwest roots and settled in Penntown, IN.
Here, she was able to fulfill a dream of hers where she pastored the congregations of St. Jacob’s UCC and St. John’s UCC from 1982 to 1995. After this retirement, she continued to Pastor St. Steven’s (near Spades) for many additional years, finally “officially” retiring in 2013.
She married Jim Wallpe in 2005. She and Jim enjoyed traveling, visiting with many friends and family, and introducing one another to new things. They enjoyed bowling and shared several league seasons together. They’d let you know whose team had bragging rights! She loved living on lakes. She lived on Packanack Lake in New Jersey for many years. She spent several years living at Lake Santee, and she always enjoyed the yard, wildlife, and lake view at Jim’s house.
She had many passions in her life, but in retirement she enjoyed spending time volunteering and helping the Batesville Library, organizing Crop Walk, and supporting other pastoral activities in the area. One thing we all knew her to be passionate about was her bridge games. She’d travel far and wide for a bridge game, and never had one she didn’t cherish, win or lose!
In addition to her parents and husband Jim Connerley, she is preceded in death by brothers Fred Thomas and Sonny Thomas.
She is survived by husband Jim Wallpe, sister Madelyn Posey, daughter Jenny (Greg) Faulkner, Batesville, IN, son Jim (Skye) Connerley, Fort Thomas, KY, and daughter Becky (Sam) Callis, Windsor, ON, Canada. She is also survived by grandchildren John and Jessica Callis, Chad, Eric, and Brian Faulkner.
Visitation will be at St. John’s UCC Penntown on December 27th from 5-8 P.M. Funeral service will also be held at St. John’s in Penntown, IN on December 28, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make a gift to your local church. Meyers Funeral Home is handling arrangements. www.meyersfuneralhomes.com