Gwynn Ann Wilkins

Gwynn Ann “Herbie” Wilkins, 61, longtime Neil Armstrong Kindergarten Teacher, died peacefully at home on July 23, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer. Gwynn was born December 9, 1950, in Martinsville, to the late Harold Eugene and Edith May (Cooper) Swinney.

Gwynn graduated from Mooresville High School in 1969 and from Ball State University in 1973. She later earned a Master’s Degree from DePauw University. Gwynn’s first teaching job was at Hall Elementary School, west of Monrovia. She served as a substitute teacher when her children were young. In 1981 when each of the elementary schools in Mooresville opened kindergarten classrooms, Gwynn began at Neil Armstrong. She retired in 2012, due to illness. She said she loved her career, her fellow teachers, the children, and the families with whom she worked. She said, “I never felt like I was going to work.”

Gwynn was a member of West Newton Friends Meeting, the Indiana State Teachers Association, and Casting for Recovery. She loved nature and being outdoors.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Dale Swinney and her twin sister, Lynn Alice Chambers.

Survivors include her husband and high school sweetheart, James “Hairy” Wilkins, to whom she was united in marriage July 20, 1973; children, Craig Wilkins (Cherie) of Martinsville, Kori Valbert (Wesley) of Martinsville, and C. Morgan Wilkins (Stephanie) of Martinsville; sisters, Brenda McWhirter of Mooresville and Barbara K. Foust of Elwood; grandchildren, Harlie Sue Wilkins, Wade Valbert, Emmy Valbert, Millicent Wilkins.

The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 28, 2012, at Neil Armstrong Elementary School, 1000 State Road 144, Mooresville, with calling there from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, July 27, 2012. Cremation will follow the service at the Morgan County Crematory, Mooresville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Camp Scholarship Fund, in memory of Gwynn Wilkins, c/o The Community Foundation of Morgan County, 250 N. Monroe St., Mooresville, IN 46158. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.