Valma Jewel Cabage, age 100, died on September 28, 2008 at Wittenberg Lutheran Village in Crown Point, Indiana.

She is survived by her daughter, Lilian (Stuart) Swenson of Dyer, Indiana; grandson, Mark (Susan) Swenson of Northbrook, Illinois; granddaughter, Christine (Robert) Wildeboer of Chicago; niece, Ann (Joe) Rhodes of Evansville and Don (Diane) Williams of St. Louis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Edna Drexler; husband, Burles Cabage; sister, Ruth (Jim) Komis and brother, Claude (Ada) Drexler.

Valma was born on June 28, 1908 in Fornfelt (now Scott City), Missouri, where she graduated from high school. Equipped with her mother’s encouragement and her own determination, she became a teacher. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Southeast Missouri State University) and earned additional graduate hours from the University of Evansville and Washington University. Her teaching career ranged from a one-room school in the Ozark Mountains during the depression to the Evansville schools where she served as a classroom teacher. She was especially proud of her service as a special education teacher at Glenwood School in Evansville, where she became known for her innovative methods. She stayed in touch with many of her students well after her retirement from teaching. After retirement, she and her sister, Ruth Komis, organized reading classes for pre-school children at the Oakland City Public Library.

Funeral services will be 9:30 A.M. Friday Oct 3, 2008 at Lamb-Basham Memorial Chapel in Oakland City, IN. with burial in Locust Hill Cemetery in Evansville, In. Dr. Douglas Low officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Thursday at the chapel.