Franklin Daily Journal
Jan. 26, 2009

Mildred F. (Garrigus) Oaks, 89, passed away peacefully with family at her side Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, at Franklin United Methodist Community. She was a resident of Franklin.

She was born April 18, 1919, in Clay County to Lawrence and Ora West Garrigus; she was the eighth child out of 10. Mildred married Merrill G. Oaks in Edinburgh on Dec. 29, 1943. They renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary in 1993.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Merrill; a daughter, Suzie of Richmond; a son, Stephen (Brenda) of Franklin; four grandchildren, Heath, Rachel and Michael of Franklin, and Kyle of Wooster, Ohio; a step-granddaughter, Stephanie (Darren) Deeter of Franklin; a great-granddaughter, Lillian Marie Oaks; and two great-stepgrandsons, Austin and Bronson Deeter. She also is survived by a sister-in-law, Alta Garrigus of Charlotte, N.C.; and 22 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Ralph, Gene, Earl, Arthur and Ernest; and her sisters, Lucille, Margaret, Anna May and Lillian.

She was a 1937 graduate of Brazil High School and received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Butler University in 1941. Mildred taught at Indi­anapolis Public Schools from 1941 to January 1944. She and Merrill lived in Austin, Texas, until June 1944, when he was sent overseas. She returned to Indianapolis and worked in the Butler University Library until February 1946, when Merrill was discharged from the Army. They moved to Franklin, where they resided in their home on Central Avenue for 61 years. In October 2007, they moved into Franklin United Methodist Community, where they were lovingly cared for. Mildred retired from Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson School Corp. in 1981 after 20 years of teaching second, third and fourth grades.

Mildred was a Cub Scout den mother for three years and a Girl Scout leader and council member for 18 years. She was a member of Tabernacle Christian Church in Franklin, where she taught Sunday school for many years and was an active participant in the Hilltop women's group. She also was a leader for Christian Endeavor and served as a deaconess and elder for many years. Mildred and Merrill delivered Meals on Wheels and took audio tapes to church shut-ins, a practice she helped start.

Mildred was a former member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society of women educators, a member of Indiana State Retired Teachers Association, Johnson County Retired Teachers Association, Girl Scouts of America Franklin Chapter No. 439, Order of the Eastern Star, Johnson County Democrat Women and Johnson County Shrine Club ladies auxiliary.

Mildred enjoyed quilting, cooking, reading and the time spent with friends and family, especially her grandchildren. She was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother.

The Rev. Richard Martin will conduct a service at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Flinn & Maguire Funeral Home, 2898 N. Morton St., (U.S. 31 North) in Franklin. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. An Eastern Star service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday by the Franklin Eastern Star Chapter No. 439 at the funeral home. Interment will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin.

Franklin Daily Journal
Jan. 26, 2009

Mildred F. (Garrigus) Oaks, 89, passed away peacefully with family at her side Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, at Franklin United Methodist Community. She was a resident of Franklin.

She was born April 18, 1919, in Clay County to Lawrence and Ora West Garrigus; she was the eighth child out of 10. Mildred married Merrill G. Oaks in Edinburgh on Dec. 29, 1943. They renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary in 1993.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Merrill; a daughter, Suzie of Richmond; a son, Stephen (Brenda) of Franklin; four grandchildren, Heath, Rachel and Michael of Franklin, and Kyle of Wooster, Ohio; a step-granddaughter, Stephanie (Darren) Deeter of Franklin; a great-granddaughter, Lillian Marie Oaks; and two great-stepgrandsons, Austin and Bronson Deeter. She also is survived by a sister-in-law, Alta Garrigus of Charlotte, N.C.; and 22 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Ralph, Gene, Earl, Arthur and Ernest; and her sisters, Lucille, Margaret, Anna May and Lillian.

She was a 1937 graduate of Brazil High School and received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Butler University in 1941. Mildred taught at Indi­anapolis Public Schools from 1941 to January 1944. She and Merrill lived in Austin, Texas, until June 1944, when he was sent overseas. She returned to Indianapolis and worked in the Butler University Library until February 1946, when Merrill was discharged from the Army. They moved to Franklin, where they resided in their home on Central Avenue for 61 years. In October 2007, they moved into Franklin United Methodist Community, where they were lovingly cared for. Mildred retired from Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson School Corp. in 1981 after 20 years of teaching second, third and fourth grades.

Mildred was a Cub Scout den mother for three years and a Girl Scout leader and council member for 18 years. She was a member of Tabernacle Christian Church in Franklin, where she taught Sunday school for many years and was an active participant in the Hilltop women's group. She also was a leader for Christian Endeavor and served as a deaconess and elder for many years. Mildred and Merrill delivered Meals on Wheels and took audio tapes to church shut-ins, a practice she helped start.

Mildred was a former member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society of women educators, a member of Indiana State Retired Teachers Association, Johnson County Retired Teachers Association, Girl Scouts of America Franklin Chapter No. 439, Order of the Eastern Star, Johnson County Democrat Women and Johnson County Shrine Club ladies auxiliary.

Mildred enjoyed quilting, cooking, reading and the time spent with friends and family, especially her grandchildren. She was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother.

The Rev. Richard Martin will conduct a service at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Flinn & Maguire Funeral Home, 2898 N. Morton St., (U.S. 31 North) in Franklin. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. An Eastern Star service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday by the Franklin Eastern Star Chapter No. 439 at the funeral home. Interment will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin.