Rebecca M. Bodine Gibson

ELKHART- Rebecca “Becky” Bodine Gibson, 88, of Elkhart, passed away Monday May 28, 2018 at Eastlake Terrace, Elkhart. She was born Jan. 27, 1930 in Logansport, IN to Willard B. and Bessie (Erwin) Hill. Becky is survived by her only niece, Leslie Hill Shen of San Jose, CA; her two nephews: Stephen C. Hill of Scottsdale, AZ and James W. Hill of Arlington, TX.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Robert E. Hill and Willard C. Hill., her husbands, Dick Bodine and Jack Gibson and her companion Dick Murray.

Becky graduated from Logansport High School in 1947. She received her B.S. degree from Purdue University in 1951 and her M.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1965.

Mrs. Gibson was a member of the education profession as a teacher, counselor and administrative assistant for 40 years in Indiana and Florida.

Following her first five years of teaching, she was honored as an Outstanding Educator by Purdue. The University of Notre Dame invited her to serve as a guest lecturer for several of their graduate level classes following her successful leadership in a Federal Pilot Project for Elementary School Counseling, one of the first in the state of Indiana for the Mishawaka School Corporation.

These honors led Becky to be hired by IUSB to co-ordinate one of their Title I Projects utilizing her expertise in teaching, counseling and administration.

Mrs. Gibson is a member of the Purdue Alumni Association and the Notre Dame Alumni Association.

She has held local and state offices for Delta Kappa Gamma (International Education Honorary Society). She has been selected for local and state offices for Kappa Kappa Kappa (Indiana charitable sorority).

Even following her retirement in 1992, Becky continued her love for teaching by volunteer tutoring at a nearby elementary school wherever she resided in Florida and Indiana. Other enjoyments were reading, walking, puzzle games, tending her flowers and watching the birds at her backyard feeders.

Becky especially enjoyed keeping close contact with her family and friends; especially her former colleagues and students at Mishawaka High School. She was a sports fan of Indiana, Notre Dame, Purdue, the Chicago Cubs and Indianapolis Colts.

Cremation has taken place. A “Thanks for the Memories” celebration will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be given to Kappa Kappa Kappa State Scholarship Endowment Fund, Indianapolis, IN.

Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.