Valeria Mae Pemberton

SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at First United Methodist Church, 618 8th Street, Columbus, Indiana 47201. Visitation and Music will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary. VISITATION: Calling will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2015 at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home, 3855 25th Street Columbus, Indiana 47203. OFFICIATING: Rev. Howard Boles FINAL RESTING PLACE: Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery, 501 N. Gladstone Ave., Columbus, Indiana 47201. A reception will be held at the First United Methodist Church following the burial at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome. MEMORIAL DONATIONS: Memorial donations may be made to Butler University, School of Music, 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208 payable to Butler University with "School of Music" in the memo line. The family would like for memorial floral arrangements to come from Fisher's Flower Basket 662 N Gladstone Columbus, Indiana 812-372-6688. "Music is God's gift to man; the only art of heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to heaven." Valeria M. Pemberton, age 77, has taken her music to heaven with her passing on October 26, 2015. She was being visited and comforted by her family members at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana in Columbus, Indiana. Valeria was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 29, 1938. She was the first child, and first daughter, of Joseph and Ethel Stillings, Indianapolis, Indiana. Valeria's musical career began at Decatur Central High School, Indianapolis, Indiana where she received a scholarship to enter the School of Music at Butler University. She married Ora C. Pemberton on June 14, 1958 and soon transferred to Concord College, Athens, West Virginia to pursue her talents in music and business education. Valeria and Ora moved to Columbus, Indiana in 1968 where she continued her oboe in several community bands and orchestras. While teaching piano at the Pemberton Piano Studio, Valeria helped her husband Ora educate two children through Purdue University and Ball State University, as well as continue her own piano studies at Ball State University. After 43 years of teaching piano in her own business, Valeria retired from teaching. She taught in the communities of Arlington, Zionsville, and Columbus, Indiana, as well as Princeton West Virginia. She then became the principal oboist in the Greater Greenwood Community Band and the Columbus City Band. "It has been an enjoyable experience sharing the achievement and enthusiasm of the conductors, board members, staff and band members, as well as the listening audience." Valeria was an accompanist, piano adjudicator, and staff member for District/State Solo and Ensemble Contests for the Indiana State School Music Association. She was also an oboe instructor in Columbus, Indiana and an organist for Zionsville Christian Church in Indiana and First Christian Church in Princeton, West Virginia. Her musical talents lead her to be a pianist in several dance bands, big bands, and small combos in central Indiana including Jack Hildreth's Big Band Orchestra and Small Combo Band in Seymour, Indiana. She had been a substitute teacher in Boone, Marion, and Bartholomew Counties in Indiana as well as the Children's Choir Director at First United Methodist Church in Columbus, Indiana. The past and current professional memberships that Valeria held were Butler University Symphonic Band where she was the oboe principal chair, Butler University Marching Band playing the clarinet, life time member of Decatur Central Alumni Association, Piano Teachers Association of South Central Indiana, Music Teachers National Association and State/National Affiliation member, Purdue Extension Homemakers Club, Book Mark Literary Club of Columbus and Columbus Pro Musica Orchestra Advisory Board. Valeria's professional honors include National Honor Society at Decatur Central High School, Indianapolis, instrumental and academic scholarship recipient from Butler University, Indianapolis, and Indiana Music Education for principle instrument, piano, and secondary instrument oboe. "My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul." Survivor's include her husband Ora C. Pemberton, Jr.; daughter, Robin L. Boester (Pemberton) of Fort Wayne, IN; son, Christopher K. Pemberton of Houston, TX; daughter in-law, Jennifer A. Pemberton (Martzell), Houston, TX; grandchildren, Kyle M. Boester, and Tori N. Boester both of Fort Wayne, IN., Leah C. Pemberton, and Gabriel C.H. Pemberton both of Houston TX; and siblings, Dorothy J. Cardwell of Zionsville, IN and Rose M. Gorman of Lady Lake, FL; brother, Joe S. Stillings of Brownsburg, IN. Valeria was preceded in death by her parents. Special gratitude would like to be given to the staff of Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. The professionalism, care, and compassion given to Valeria and her family during such a difficult time is greatly appreciated.

Valeria Mae Pemberton

November 3, 1938 - November 3, 2015