Nyla Hile

Nyla R. Hile

HARTFORD CITY, IN

Nyla R. (Willmann) Lee-Hile, 85, passed late Thursday morning, July 14, 2022 in IU Health/Ball Memorial Hospital after a recent illness.

A life resident of Blackford County, she was born April 1, 1937, one of six children of the late Arlo L. and Pauline E. (Nelson) Willmann and graduated from Hartford City High School, class of 1955.  She married Raymond L. Lee on April 13, 1958. They were married almost thirty-five years, prior to his sudden and un-expected passing March 19, 1993.  She later married L. Max Hile on January 16, 1999.

Nyla was well-known throughout the community as the church organist for Zion Lutheran Church, in which she was a member her entire life.  She played for countless weddings and funerals over the decades and was piano accomplished as well.  She had accompanied her daughters in competitions and ensemble, in their musical ventures.

She also was employed by Citizens First State Bank (now First Financial Bank), retiring in 2000 after twenty-two years of employment.

Besides her devotion to her family, her church and her music, Nyla excelled in sewing and cross-stitch. She exhibited regularly in the open fair and had also been awarded Grand Champion at the Indiana State Fair for her cross-stitch.  She also was into card-making.  She was the first one to send a card to someone in need, whether it was a get-well card, sympathy card, or just a cheer-you-up card.  She enjoyed gardening and also was known for her apple dumplings.

In addition to Max, she leaves behind three daughters:  Tamara “Tammy” Sorrell (Sean) of Westfield, Jody Stanley (Tim) of Hartford City and Michelle Monce (Chris) of Hartford City. One sister, Claretta Dutro of Hartford City; two brothers: Eldon Willmann (Ann) of Hartford City and Stephen Willmann (Viola) of Muncie.  Seven grandchildren:  Christian Sorrell (Kate), Landon Sorrell, Jared Stanley (Laura), Cory Stanley, Ashley VanDevender (Cody Jones), Zackary Monce and Colton Monce.  Two great-grandchildren, to which Nyla “doted-over”:   Tacy VanDevender and Raymond Boozer. Sister-in-law, Marjorie Willmann of Anderson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law:  Everett Lee (Joyce) of Montpelier and sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Ann Hogston (Jim) of Marion, Indiana.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her first husband, Raymond, a brother, Norman Willmann; a sister, Nondus Lou Willmann; a brother-in-law Francis Dutro and a sister-in-law, Betty Hogston.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 19th in The Zion Lutheran Church, 308 S. Monroe St., Hartford City, with Pastor Sharilyn Wendt officiating.  Burial will follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery, East of Hartford City.

Visitation will be from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 18th, in the Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City and at the church on Tuesday, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.watersfuneralhomes.com.

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