CORDELIA MAY BROWNING

Cordelia May Browning, age 88, of Pierceton, IN, passed away at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, November 12, 2011, at Miller's Merry Manor Inc. Columbia City.Born February 7, 1923, in Chicago, IL, she was the daughter of Drue Dresher and Forest Ethel (Denlinger) Funderburg.

She spent her childhood in Illinois, where she graduated from Elgin High School. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Ball State University. On August 24, 1941, she married Paul William Browning in Elgin, IL. They moved to Muncie in 1954, and in 1978 they moved to the family farm south of North Webster. In 2004 she and her husband both moved into Timbercrest Retirement Center, North Manchester, until 2010, when they returned to their farm.

In addition to being a homemaker, she was an elementary school teacher for several years.She and her husband have passionately supported Heifer International, Smile Train, and Habitat for Humanity for many years. Her memberships included Union Grove Church of the Brethren, Eaton, and North Webster Church of the Brethren.

Survivors include her husband of 70 years, Paul William Browning of Pierceton; 5 children: Pamela Dee Shreves of Muncie; Kay Lynn (Jerome) Sponseller of Pierceton; Rita May Breedlove of Muncie; P. David (Debbie) Browning of Muncie; and Kathleen "Kathy" Diane Browning of Pierceton; 8 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Frances Farling; and infant twin sons, Billy and Johnny Browning.

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 17, 2011, from 6-7 p.m. at North Webster Church of the Brethren with service following at 7:00 p.m. Pastor Robert Wyman will officiate. Visitation will also be held Friday, November 18, 2011, from 1-2 p.m. at Union Grove Church of the Brethren, Eaton. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Eaton, at a later date. Memorial gifts may be given in Mrs. Browning's memory either to North Webster or Muncie food pantries or to Heifer International. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.