On October 1, 2019, Ruth Eloise Waggoner went home to her Lord in peace. Born on June 7, 1927, she was welcomed as the first daughter and second child of Henry and Julia Hyten. Ruth Eloise Hyten Waggoner, who went by ELOISE and always has, was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband Robert Waggoner, her only son-in-law Bill Lyons and her brothers Oral, Tim and David Hyten. Born and raised by her parents in Brownsburg, Eloise made that a condition when she agreed to marry Bob. He had to understand that she would never move away from Brownsburg. On that condition she said yes and became his wife of 71 years…side by side until his passing May 27, 2018.

Together they raised four kids…Pam Lyons (Bill), Larry Waggoner (Sharon), Patty Carroll and Don Waggoner (Jennie). Her son and daughters-in-law were considered her children. They rejoiced in welcoming 8 grandchildren…Michelle (Mark), Natalie, Brad (Jenn), Nick (Emily), Brandon (Julie), Matt (Erica), Jonathan and Andrew (Liz). They delighted every time a new great-grandchild arrived…10 so far: Garrett, Gracie Eloise, Landon, Lyric, Samantha, Anna, Axl, Tyler, Braxton and Tommy.

Bob was the breadwinner, but Eloise was the COO and CFO who made the Waggoner family gears turn. She stretched the budget, established the house running routines, made sure her kids had what they needed, attended every event they engaged in, and was a quiet strength that her children only came to recognize as adults. Bob was the big personality…the one who loved the spotlight, but Eloise was his rudder. When he got a little "too big for his britches," Eloise had a way of reigning him in without diminishing his ego.

She asserted herself when her kids needed her to…made sure that Pam could go to college, welcomed Larry's friends when they stopped by even at mealtimes, guided Patty as a new mother, covered for Don in the way only a mother can do.

Eloise was a talented seamstress, could create a scrumptious meal for 6 out of anything, took pride in her family, and loved to prep the travel trailer for one of their many trips all over the US. Vacations were financed by Bob, but it was Eloise who packed and navigated so that all trips had a successful result.

An active church lady, Eloise was raised in Calvary United Methodist Church and then with Bob began a long-term membership later in life at Messiah Lutheran Church. Her friendships and socializing were often church-rooted, and her quiet faith has been a foundation for her family and for her.

Eloise lost her anchor when Bob passed, but she fought the good fight and went home to the greater life with hope and joy.

Visitation will be from 11am to 1pm Fri. Oct. 11 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 801 S. Green St., Brownsburg, IN 46112, with funeral services there at 1pm. Burial will be Brownsburg Cemetery.