Verna Claire Wichman

WICHMAN, VERNA CLAIRE (THORN) Passed away Sunday, October 12, 2014 at her home in Kalamazoo. She was born May 18, 1922 to Ernest B. and Claire (Buek) Thorn in Topeka, KS. She graduated from Topeka High, Topeka Business College and attended Washburn University. During WWII she was on the staff of Sen. Arthur Capper of Kansas in Topeka and Washington, DC. Verna loved choral singing and while in Washington met James R. (Jim) Wichman of Cincinnati, OH, in a church choir. They were married in 1946, and moved to Kalamazoo a year later. Jim died in 1989. Verna was employed as a school secretary for Kalamazoo Public Schools, retiring in 1983. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo and sang for 45 years in the choir. She volunteered for her church, Kalamazoo Senior Services, and as a Girl Scout leader. She was a past member of Kalamazoo Community Chorale, and P.E.O. Chapter BN. She sang in the Ladies' Chorus at Friendship Village until shortly before her death. Verna was an avid reader, good writer, and interested in genealogy, travel, and gardening, but the chief delight of her life was caring for her family. She is survived by daughters Julie (Phil) Kechele, Plainwell; and Patricia 'Tissie' (Rick) Hughey, Kalamazoo; and grandchildren Pete (Leah) Kechele, Madison, WI; Dan (Elise) Kechele, Carrboro, NC; Megan Hughey, E. Lansing; and Logan Hughey, Kalamazoo. Brothers Ernest B. Thorn and Frank Thorn preceded her in death; surviving are her brother Bob (Bernita) Thorn, Topeka, KS and sister-in-law Helen Thorn, Frisco, TX; several nieces and nephews. Friends and family will gather to celebrate her life at the Kiva at Friendship Village, 1400 N. Drake Rd., Kalamazoo on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Employee Appreciation Fund at Friendship Village or to First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo.