Wilma Fairbanks

GREENFIELD – Wilma L. (Graham) Fairbanks, age 98, formerly of New Palestine, passed away Monday, December 16, 2024 at Springhurst Health Campus in Greenfield, Indiana. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 27, 1926 to Chandos Otho Graham Sr. and Dora Gladys (McFarland) Graham. She graduated from Arsenal Tech High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. She married Francis E. Fairbanks on November 28, 1946 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She worked for RCA as an assembler for several years. Wilma then transferred into a payroll supervisor position at Naval Avionics in Indianapolis, Indiana and worked there until her retirement in 1985. Wilma was baptized at East 16th Street Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was also a long-term member of the Greenfield Red Hats Society. Wilma enjoyed going to the movies and going out to dinner with friends and family. She was also an avid bingo player at Springhurst. She cherished and loved her family. She is survived by her daughter, Martha “Marty” (Jack Harrison) Welter of Greenfield, Indiana; son, Roy (Jonie) Fairbanks of Needham, Indiana; brother, Jr. Graham of Greenfield, Indiana; sister, Letha Luchinger of Fillmore, Indiana; brother-in-law, Michael Kelley of Greenwood, Indiana; grandchildren, Cyndi (Cindy) Welter, Billy Welter, Christy (Ty) Woodburn, and Angie (Chris) Tyler; eleven great-grandchildren; twelve great great-grandchildren; and four great great great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Chandos and Dora Graham; husband, Francis Fairbanks; and sisters, Julia Bailey, Etta Wheeler, Dora Evans, Carolyn Leonard, Karen Graham, Janice Kelley, and Gloria Helton. Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A funeral service will be held following the visitation at 1:00 p.m. at the mortuary. Entombment will take place at Washington Park East Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to The ARC of Indiana Foundation (Supporting individuals with disabilities throughout Indiana) at 143 W. Market Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204, by website at https://www.arcind.org, or envelopes will be available at the mortuary. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.

Wilma Fairbanks

March 27, 1926 - December 16, 2024