Orpha Vincent (nee Peterson) passed away February 23, 2016.

She is predeceased by husband William Bales Vincent, January 1, 2011 and brothers Keith, William Neal, and Douglas.

She is survived by children Vanessa Lee Vincent, Sterling Brian Vincent, Kimberly Kay Vincent (Moran) son-in-law Michael Moran, sisters Betty Flesher, Nancy Rickert and brother-in-law Ervin Rickert and countless beloved nieces and nephews.

Orpha grew up near Dunkirk, IN. the daughter of Russell (Bill) and Dorothy (Fishback) Peterson and attended Albany High School. After marriage to Bill in 1950, she lived in New Albany, IN., Dearborn, MI, Bloomington, MN., Mesa AZ. and finally Ft. Wayne, IN.

She was a hands on mother who strove to give her children wings. She loved her flower gardens, golf and college basketball and anything artistic. Her creative spirit drew her to oil painting, pottery, and countless improvement and beautification projects around the house. She was always willing to learn new things by reading books--including replacing a timing mechanism in an old dishwasher. She always strove to find the most cost efficient way to beautify the home, including some free wood chips for mulch from the electric company. The wood chip episode had some side effects that were not as expected, but the rose bed the next year in Minnesota was spectacular.

She was always in search of the perfect pie crust recipe and tried one new recipe after the other.

Orpha had a joyous, fun-loving spirit, and will be missed by her many nieces and nephews and their children. She loved a good practical joke, and was a bit of a prankster herself. She never stopped learning and was the definition of "continuous learner". It showed in her going to Henry Ford Community College to get her Associate of Arts degree, and in her membership in Bible Study Fellowship in Minnesota. Her knowledge of the I phone always surprised the young people she met in life. Above all, she loved her family and friends.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, February 27, at Meacham Funeral Service with calling one hour prior to the service. Memorial donations may be given to the American Kidney Association.