Elvira W. Fuelling, 95 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away at 2:15 a.m. on Thursday, November 25, 2010 in the Adams Memorial Hospital located in Decatur. Elvira was born on Wednesday, August 4, 1915 in Allen County, Indiana the daughter of the late William Hockemeyer and the late Clara (Thieme) Hockemeyer. Elvira was baptized in the Lutheran faith on August 15, 1915 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Fuelling by Rev. L.W. Dornseif. Following her instruction of the Lutheran faith, she was confirmed on May 19, 1929 at the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Fuelling by the Rev. L.J. Dornseif and her confirmation verse was John 14:23. As a teenager, Elvira would do housework for other families as needed. This was how she earned money in those days. Even as a teenager, Elvira remembers her grandma's birthday celebration with food being served on the hay wagon. Elvira wrote a letter to invite Louis Fuelling to a family dinner and then continued dating for 2-3 years before their marriage. She was married to Louis on November 27, 1937 at the St. John Lutheran Church, Flatrock and following the wedding, a reception was held at the Fuelling family homestead farm. She and her husband worked together on the family farm and also raised a large family and large garden. Her hobbies included embroidery, crocheting, and quilting. Surviving are her daughter, Janet (Kenneth) Hoffman of Monroeville, Indiana; daughter, Karen (Loren) Gallmeyer of Ossian, Indiana; sister, Lorinda (Oscar) Koeneman of Monroeville, Indiana; brother, Edward Hockemeyer of Monroeville, Indiana; sister, Arnita (Marvin) Schroeder of Hoagland, Indiana; twelve grandchildren: Marjeana Lemler, Judy Lengerich, Diane Somerville, Mark Banning, David Hoffman, Dean Hoffman, Dawn Miller, Amy Kintz, Dan Gallmeyer, Angie Schultz, John Gallmeyer, and Sara Nelson; and twenty-five great-grandchildren: Chad Lengerich, Nicole Lemler, Stephanie Somerville, Shane Lengerich, Jackie Lemler, Kristen Somerville, Jaci Hoffman, Ben Miller, Alex Miller, Olivia Schultz, Lauren Hoffman, Allison Gallmeyer, Haley Hoffman, Jordan Hoffman, Sophia Schultz, Emily Miller, Brice Hoffman, Jonis Hoffman, Jaylyn Gallmeyer, Ella Kintz, Adelyn Kintz, Job Hoffman, Avery Gallmeyer, William Kintz, and Cody Gallmeyer. Preceding Elvira in death were her husband, Louis on May 12, 1972; two sons: Roy G. Fuelling and Dale E. Fuelling; one daughter: Jeanett Banning; and one great-grandchild, Jonah Hoffman. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 29, 2010 in the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Fuelling with Rev. Martin Moehring officiating. Interment will follow in the St Peter Lutheran Cemetery. Friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 28, 2010 in the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Preferred memorials are to St. Peter Lutheran Church, Fuelling or Worship For Shut Ins.
