Ida Mae Wilsey

Ida Mae Wilsey, age 86, of Bourbon, MO, passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at her home, surrounded by her family.

Ida Mae was born in Lineville, Iowa, June 29, 1934, to Sears S. and Gladys Eva (Bettis) Jones. She was united in marriage to Bennie Jerome Wilsey on July 3, 1956, in Cordon, Iowa, and they were blessed with four children: Mark, Sharla, Darla and Kevin. Bennie was a Methodist Minister and Ida Mae was always by his side. Together, they ministered for 48 years. 

Ida Mae was very education oriented and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She was employed as an elementary school teacher for Lonedell, Union and Silex schools. She was also a substitute teacher throughout southeast Missouri. Ida Mae was a very spunky lady. She loved horseback riding and kept horses until the age of 80. On her 85th birthday, Ida Mae and her family went ziplining at Meramec Caverns. Ida Mae had a green thumb and could bring a plant back from the brink of death. She also enjoyed watching Roy Rogers Movies, listening to Gaither Music and visiting Silver Dollar City. She and Bennie took several motorcycle rides to the Smoky Mountains, Colorado Rockies and Pikes Peak. 

Ida Mae is survived by her children: Mark Wilsey and wife, Christine, of Paragould, AR, Sharla Kinder and husband, Joel, of Sullivan, MO, Darla Yates and her husband, Frank, of Sullivan, MO, and Kevin Wilsey and wife, Nanette, of Winfield, MO; eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Karen Teater and her husband, Warren, of Fresno, CA; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Ida Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Jerome Wilsey; her parents, Sears and Gladys Jones; one granddaughter, Shawna; two brothers, Jimmy and Billy Jones; and one sister, Louise Grimme.

Funeral services were 2 p.m., Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at Grace United Methodist Church in Sullivan, MO, with Pastor Brenda Stobbe officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery – St. Clair, MO. 

Visitation were held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, prior to the funeral service at Grace United Methodist Church. 

Memorial contributions in Ida Mae’s memory may be made to Grace United Methodist Church of Sullivan.

All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.