Velma Vernice (Bunch) Sample, 99, of rural Kingman passed away at 6:32 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Union Hospital, Clinton.
Velma was born Sept. 6, 1924, in Warren County, Indiana. She was the daughter of the late Jesse Dee and Clara Linda (Sowers) Bunch. After the death of her parents, she lived in an orphanage and foster homes. She was living with George and Mary Lindley until her high school graduation in 1943 from Veedersburg High School. She married O. Dean Sample on Sept. 15, 1944. Dean preceded her in death May 30, 2012.
Velma was a 73-year member of the Fountain Chapter #313 Order of the Eastern Star and also served as a past worthy matron of the chapter.
Velma was a wonderful seamstress for more than 65 years and her hobbies were sewing, crocheting, knitting, all kinds of crafts, canning and preserving and spending time with her family.
Velma leaves behind son Larry (Marilyn) Sample of Terre Haute; seven grandchildren, Kimberly (John) Bryant of Clinton, Jennifer (Todd) Hoagland) of Crawfordsville, Sarah (John) Bray of Terre Haute, Brian (Erika) Sample of Indianapolis, Samuel Hazelrigg of Brownsville, Texas, Allison (Andrew) Steiner of Terre Haute and Jason (Lauren) Sample of Clark, Colorado; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Elaine Sample of Kingman; half-sister Anna Marie Howard of Williamsport; and sister-in-law Maxine Hoffman of Lafayette.
She was preceded in death by son Gary Sample; daughter Rosealea Hazelrigg; two sisters, Katherine Watt and Clara Christine Sample; and two brothers, Francis Lowell Bunch and Everett Carlson Bunch.
Friends may call 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Maus Funeral Home, Hillsboro, with an Eastern Star service beginning at 7:45 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 at the funeral home, with Pastor Bob Cruea officiating. Burial will follow in the Bonebrake Cemetery, south of Veedersburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New Beginnings Christian Center, P.O. Box 57, Kingman, IN 47952 or the Prairieton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 67, Prairieton, IN 47870.
Condolences may be sent online to www.mausfuneralhome.com.
