BODINE, Louise Chew - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Covington — Louise C. Bodine, 38-year-old wife of Robert E. Bodine, local funeral director, died Monday at 5:55 a.m. in West Baptist Hospital, Paducah, Ky., from injuries received in a traffic accident near that town Sunday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Bodine were pulling a house trailer to Florida for her parents. Near Paducah, their Chevrolet suburban was forced off the road by a semi-trailer about 9 a.m., according to reports received here, and the suburban and trailer went over an embankment. Mrs. Bodine was thrown out of the truck. Her husband was not seriously injured and is returning here with the body of his wife. Both the truck and trailer were demolished. Mrs. Bodine was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Roy D. Chew. Her father is a well-known local veterinarian. Mrs. Chew is the former Birdella VanVliet. She was born in Covington on Jan. 17, 1920, and was graduated from Covington High School in 1938. She attended Indiana State Teachers College for two years. Mrs. Bodine was a member of the Covington First Presbyterian Church; member and past president of Alpha Gamma chapter of Tri Kappa; member and past president of Coffeenian Club; a charter member of the Pan Arts Club; member of Troy chapter No. 145, Order of Eastern Star, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was married Aug. 3, 1941. Survivors, in addition to her parents and husband, include two sons, David E., 11 years old, and Peter K., 7; a daughter, Elizabeth Ann, 9; a sister, Mrs. Betty Springman of Williamsport; two uncles, and a nephew. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. George Beatty and Rev. Alfred Gresse officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects at the Bodine & Shelby Funeral Home here after noon Wednesday. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services. Coffenian Memorial - Louise Bodine meant so much to so very many. She was with us, an integral part of our community, living a good and contented life, and then with shocking suddenness, she was with us no more. She was respected, admired and loved by a multitude of friends from all walks of life. It goes without saying that Louise was a wonderful wife and mother. She was remarkable in that she found time to do so much besides caring for her home and family. She did a great deal of work with her sorority and clubs, with school and church organizations. Because she had a deep sense of responsibility she served them in many capacities and on many committees. Louise was a treasured Coffeenian. As we grieve, we find that solace does not come too easily from words. One indisputable fact gives a modicum of comfort, though: the fact that we know she loved her life and never wished it to be other than it was. Being Bob's wife; the mother of Pete, Betsy B. and David; a daughter of the Chews — we are glad she filled her niche in life in this fashion, though her time here was all too brief. We are glad too that she was a Coffeenian. She was a faithful member. We had serious moments together in work, and many moments of fun doing skits and programs. Different people will have different memories of her, of course. But we believe that each person to whom she meant something will, without exception, particularly remember Louise's lovely voice. It had a distinctive lilt and a special sweetness. It was a genuinely pleasant voice, just as she was a genuinely pleasant person. Memories of her are all about us: There's Louise at the swimming pool; cheering at Little League games; being a den mother; rushing around on Girl Scout tasks; dancing with Bob in the old gym; square-dancing; supervising at the Coffeenian kindergarten: sewing at home on little girl's clothes; painting the children's portraits; helping out at the mortuary and at the trustee's office; pouring coffee at her kitchen table for frequent visitors; getting gear readied for fishing trips; driving children here and there; teaching Sunday School . . . . .

She was all that young womanhood should be. Even those who were not real close to her somehow sensed that. As we try to describe her vibrant personality, to portray her fine character, to explain how important she was to all of us, we feel the inadequacy of mere words. There just are no words to convey the heaviness in our hearts because she is gone and we miss her so. Louise Bodine was one of the best. The family of Louise C. Bodine wishes to thank all of our friends and neighbors for your acts of kindness and expressions of sympathy extended to us during our recent and untimely bereavement. Special thanks to the Coffeenians for your thoughtfulness around our home; and to the Flower Bearers for your assistance. Tom and Retha Dean, the song was beautiful. The memory of all your deeds will be treasured forever.