Reba Josephine Meno

Reba Josephine, Meno, 89, of Indianapolis, IN, went to meet her Lord and Savior, Wednesday night, June 22, 2016. Reba was the beloved daughter of Oris Albert Wirey and Esther Mae Switzer-Wirey. She was born on February 3rd, 1927 at her parent’s home in Muncie, IN., the second of three children. Following the untimely death of her dear mother in January 1932, Reba and her 2 siblings were raised by their paternal grandparents Alvin Wirey and Nettie Coy-Wirey on their farms just south of Franklin, IN. in Johnson County.

Reba grew up on a large working farm during the depression era, and enjoyed the love of a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins nearby. Reba completed her schooling in Johnson County, attending Union Elementary, and then Hopewell High School for two years. In the summer of 1941 shortly before the US would enter World War II, Reba chose to leave Franklin, and moved to Muncie to live with her father and step mother. She “fudged” about her age, and landed a “sweet” job at 14 ½ working in an ice cream plant. Reba would find herself living and working in Indianapolis before WW II had ended in 1945. As the world celebrated the end of the war, love was in the air with thousands of servicemen returning home. While a man in uniform was some girl’s choice, Reba spotted a single successful engineer named George Meno while they both worked for Holliday Steel in downtown Indy. George’s pickup line of “what’sa purty girl like you doin workin in a place like this” proved irresistible. Wedding bells rang for the couple, on May 10, 1946 as Reba Jo Wirey became Mrs. George Meno at St. John’s Catholic Church in Indianapolis. George showed his new bride more of the world than she’d ever seen as they Honeymooned driving to Smokey Mountain National Park where George let his new bride feed marshmallows to the bears! Still alive they cruised the entire coastline of Florida, East and West, and then partied in New Orleans, before returning to Indy to start their new life together.

They were blessed with their first child Richard in 1948, followed by Steve in 1951, Dan in 1957, and finally a girl, Ellen in 1959. The couple bought their second home at 4524 Stratford Avenue in 1956, and would never move again. This was home for 47 years, until October 2013 when the home was sold following George’s passing, and Reba’s move to live with her daughter Ellen and family.

Reba and George would tell you they had three families: their children, their neighbors, and camping friends. They were truly blessed to have many of the same neighbors for decades. Watching everyone’s children grow up, marry and move away. They relished the special bond that long life gives you with close friends. They enjoyed an annual neighborhood street sale each year, and as the years passed and folks began to retire, they established the 8:30am morning walk. Some days there would be a dozen or more putting in a daily TWO mile jaunt keeping them healthy.

Starting around 1960, they bought their first of many RV’s, and joined a large statewide organization called The Indiana State Campers Association. Scheduled campouts occurred March thru November every year for decades. Additional camping trips and eating out with especially close camper friends added to their busy schedule. During the years with kids in the house, annual 2 week spring vacations camped on Ft. Meyers Beach, FL. and 3 week summer vacations trips were all spent in the RV. Once the kids were gone, and especially after Dads retirement in 1976, the trips across country and Canada, and partial winters camping in Florida became routine and memorable with friends and family.

Reba absolutely relished being a stay at home mom. Perhaps not having her mom as a child filled her with even more love that she shared with her family. Like clockwork, she made sure breakfasts were eaten before school. Was there to welcome her kids home in the afternoon or help with school activities. Like a Norman Rockwell painting she was at the backdoor to greet her hubby with a kiss and have supper on the table at 5:30 promptly, always followed with a dessert. Reba was a wonderful cook and will be remembered for her fried green tomatoes, zucchini pancakes, German potato salad, pickled beets n boiled eggs, and her homemade pickles. Her taste in hobbies varied over the years, proving herself to be a talented artist, square dancer, and organist. Reba and George loved gardening and landscaping and had the yard and veggies to show for it.

Reba was over the moon being a grandma. She couldn’t get enough time with her precious grandchildren. Baking together, play cards and board games, or camping of course were some of her favorite times. And somehow when the grands went home they also had some little nick nack that their Grandma felt was something they just had to have from her. With two of her kids also having RVs of their own, family times was often camping time.

Reba loved the Lord, attending church faithfully almost her entire life. She will now bask in the presence of God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit and chorus of angels. She will be rejoined with her beloved husband George, and her mother Esther, her very dear cousin Delores, who was like another sister in her life, and all her loving family that arrived before her. But knowing her sense of humor, as she stands with St Peter at the pearly gates we know she’ll ask if they can still get Wendy’s Frosty’s in heaven because she just LOVED her Chocolate Frosty’s.

She leaves behind a family that loved her very much and will miss her dearly. Reba was the loving Mother of 4, Richard (Marg) Meno, Steve (Martha) Meno, Dan (Debra) Meno, and Ellen (Joe) Bocik. Cherished Grandmother of 13, Julie (Chuck) Alender, Melissa (Jackie) Meno, Chris Meno (Dave Harstad), Deb Meno (Andy Pollpeter), Joshua Meno (Brandy Nikaido), Nicholas and Jason Meno, Bryan (Evan Newman) & Lauren Wood, Adam (Amanda) Bocik, Sarah (Caleb) Hawkins, Sharon (Kalani) Lancaster, and Hannah Bocik. Proud great-grandmother of 4, Jessica Woodard (Jonathan Laney), Jacob Woodard, Emma Meno, and Ari Bocik. Blessed great-great-grandmother to Jaela Laney. She is survived by her sister Leah Freeman, and her brother Gene (Geneva) Wirey, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and friends whom she cherished deeply.

Reba and family especially want to acknowledge the loving care provided by Melissa Robinson during these last years of her life. Our family is forever grateful to you for your skills, warmth, and compassion. Reba’s family wishes to also thank Senior Helpers Elder Care of Greenwood, IN, and the Community Hospital Hospice program in Indianapolis for the gentle, and loving care our family and mother received from their wonderful staffs.

Visitation is from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 26th, at Flanner and Buchanan – Washington Park East, 10722 E. Washington St. Eulogy services at 2:30 p.m., followed by her interment at same site, and a reception hosted by her family.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking you to consider a fully tax deductible donation to the Gifts Of Grace Adoption Support Center, 100 Executive Dr, Ste, K, Lafayette, IN. 47905. Phone 765-807-5117. Website: www.giftsofgraceadoption.com/donate