Orella Whicker

Orella Whicker, 91, of Homecroft, IN, passed away on October 16, 2018.  She was born on January 8, 1927 in the mountainous southeastern region of Skyline, Kentucky to the late James and Loretta (Caudill) Halcomb.  Orella liked living on the small farm surrounded by forests and the many wild animals.  As a result of the depression, in 1935, her father decided to relocate to Indiana to start a new job.  Their first home was in Cross Plains where she first attended school.  Soon they bought a house in Versailles, Indiana.  Here she learned farming and gardening.  She graduated from Versailles High School in 1945.  It was during WWII and jobs were scarce.  She moved to Indianapolis and lived in an all female boarding house, the Ballard.  She made several lifelong friends during her 5 years at the Ballard.  She got a secretarial job at the Veteran's Administration.  It was during this time that she met her husband, Joseph, at a dance at the Scottish Rite.  He was a Purdue student when he asked her on a blind date.  She had a vivid memory of the night as it was -10 degrees out.  They dated for two years before she met his mother.  Joe graduated from Purdue with a degree in engineering.  They were married in June 1950 at Broadway Methodist Church.  Joe's first job was in Chicago. They lived there for 2 years before moving back to Indianapolis.  He retired from Allisons as an engineer.  During his time at Allisons, Orella often escorted him to various locations in the world, sparking a love for traveling that continued into his retirement.  Their son, James Edmonson, was born in 1954.  They needed more room and moved to Homecroft in 1963 where she lived until this last year.  Their home was across the street from Southport Presbyterian Church where she is a lifelong member.  Orella enjoyed gardening, birds and keeping track of her farm in Clayton.  She especially enjoyed watching the humming birds.  Orella was also a patron of the Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis Repertory Theatre for over 30 years.  The Whickers enjoyed traveling with friends through the Ambassadair Club.  Orella often had a list of people she called to check on when they were ill.  She enjoyed her neighbors in Homecroft and continued to attend community events until last year.  Orella will be missed by family, friends and neighbors.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph Whicker; sister, Louie Mae Hendricks; brothers, Albert (Faye)(Jean) and Douglas (Lila) Halcomb.  Funeral services will be Friday, October 19, 2018 at 2:00 pm in Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home where friends may call from 1:00 pm until time of service.  Burial will follow at Clayton Cemetery.  Survivors include her son, James (Brenda) Whicker; brother, George (Shirley)(Edna) Halcomb of Versailles, IN; grandchildren, Suzanne (Justin) Hart, Andy Whicker and Burton Weed; great grandchildren, Adrianne, Julianna and Damon Hart; 14 nieces and nephews; 19 great nieces and nephews.