Rose Conley

Perhaps it was her feisty nature, or her hard working demeanor, yet in every regard, Rose Conley lived her life for others through her unending helpfulness and dedication. Rose possessed a genuine concern for others which knew no bounds. With her welcoming spirit, Rose’s nurturing nature was an example to everyone entrusted to her care and she was just as devoted. Gone yet never to be forgotten are the wonderful memories she lovingly leaves behind.

The year 1928 was an exciting time in our nation’s history as the Roaring Twenties redefined the culture of America. While the entertainment industry boomed, the discovery of Penicillin forever changed the field of medicine, and legendary baseball players set astounding records on the ball fields. Although the U.S. was on the brink of the Great Depression, a most welcome event in the lives of the late Lee and Annie (Lewis) Crisp was the March 31, 1928, birth of their little girl, Rose.

Born and raised in the hills of Kentucky’s small community of Hueysville, Rose’s father was a hardworking coal miner while her mother remained at home as a homemaker. One of four children, Rose grew up alongside her three siblings, Ruth, Mabel, and Miles. As a child, Rose had a variety of interests and later she came to share many stories from her childhood. Despite hard times during the Great Depression, Rose found her share of shenanigans while growing up. She loved pulling pranks on people, telling ghost stories around the campfire, and she had been known to have thrown bean seeds on people's metal roofs to scare them a time or two!

From her earliest years, Rose was a caretaker who took interest in the well being of others. During her teen years, Rose often recalled a time when her brother became drunk and her mom was sure he had been poisoned. Through the insistence of her mother, Rose was sent to get the doctor as they didn’t have a phone. Well aware of her brother’s condition, Rose only pretended to go and upon returning, said that one couldn't come. Always reliable, Rose was also the one to come to the aid of her good friend many times when he, too, was drunk. She’d always take care of him and try sobering him up with coffee and time until he was fit for her to take him home.

Rose eventually met and married Earl Conley. The newlyweds made their home in Kentucky for a time before moving to Indiana where they raised their two sons, Henry and Roger. Rose was a no-nonsense housewife and mother yet just as loving. For most of her life, Rose managed her household along with working outside the home. She worked at Essex Wire in Ligonier, Indiana before moving on to Kraft Foods in nearby Kendallville. Always hardworking, Rose was a dedicated worker and made numerous friends there before retiring in 1985. Sadly, Rose’s husband suffered an injury and ever dedicated, day or night, Rose lovingly saw to his care until his eventual death in November of 1980. Through her family and wonderful friends, not to mention her perseverance, Rose made it through this trying time in her life.

Over the years, Rose spent her free time quilting and gardening, both of which she enjoyed. In earlier years, she made frequent trips to Kentucky to care for her ailing parents, and she was quite instrumental in helping raise her two grandchildren. They each have fond memories of Rose and the special times they shared with her at Bixler Lake in Kendallville and walking around the entire lake one time. She took them blueberry picking, and they picked apples together at Baker's Apple Orchard as well as visits to the Gene Stratton Porter Museum on Sylvan Lake near Rome City.

Never to be forgotten are the little quotes Rose was known for saying such as, “A little bird told me” or the many times she said, “You know when the spaghetti is done when it sticks to the ceiling.” She absolutely adored her beloved feline companion, Abby. No one will forget the time Rose was mowing the lawn and ran inside to check on the beans she was cooking, only to return outside to find the lawnmower heading for the cornfield! Another fun story was the time Rose attempted to help her daughter-in-law, Val fix the fence in the middle of winter to keep the Akita huskies from escaping. Sinking into knee-deep snow, they both kept falling when trying to help the other up. They laughed so hard, neither one of them could get up!

Rose later loved spending the winters in Florida and the showboat trip she took down the Mississippi River was forever etched in her mind. She loved going on fishing trips, and she was a wonderful cook, too. She enjoyed making homemade bread and delicious butter pickles, sauerkraut, string beans, and white half runners. Some family favorites included her soup beans and corn bread, fried chicken, scrumptious chocolate peanut butter balls, fudge, and her banana pudding.

Rose Conley loved her family dearly. When her son, Henry passed away, it was understandably difficult on her. As the years came, Rose required more care and for the past two and a half years she resided at the Lutheran Life Villages in Kendallville. With ways all her own, Rose touched the hearts of her family and others who came to know and love her in a remarkable way. She called her son, Roger every day and loved to ramble on about various things and always wanted to know what the weather was like and if he had to work that day. She was always ready to lend a helping hand (and her opinion) and her compassion for all was the most sincere. Through her feisty nature, Rose overcame much, setting a fine example for her family to live by. Although she will be deeply missed, Rose will continue to be a special part in the lives of all who knew and loved her.

Rose (Crisp) Conley, age 88, of Kendallville, died Friday, January 6, 2017 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Survivors include: son, Roger and Valerie Conley of Hudsonville, Michigan; two grandchildren: Melissa and Tom Mervenne of Byron Center, Michigan and Lee Brian Conley of Kendallville. In addition to her husband, Rose was also preceded in death by her son, Henry Cleveland Conley in 2011; a twin that died a birth; brother, Miles Crisp; and her two half sisters, Ruth and Mabel.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 9th from 4-7 PM at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville. Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 10, 2017, 1:00 PM at Hite Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Orange Cemetery near Rome City. Arrangements entrusted to Hite Funeral Home. To share a favorite memory or photo of Rose with her family and to sign her online guest book or to send her family condolences, please visit www.hitefuneralhome.com.