June 14, 1952 – September 20, 2024
Ilene Karen McHone, 72, Carmel, went to be in the loving arms of Jesus on September 20, 2024, while surrounded by loved ones. Ilene was born on June 14, 1952, to Sheldon and Dorothy Frazier in Kankakee, Ill. Ilene spent her childhood years in the Kankakee/Bradley/Bourbonnais area, helping her parents and four siblings on their family farm and homestead. In her youth, Ilene developed a strong work ethic, generous nature, kind heart, and a true appreciation for family, all of which she carried with her through her life. In the early 1970s, Ilene began decorating cakes by learning from a Wilton magazine and helped her sister with her wedding cake. Ilene went on to make cakes for other friends and family at a young age.
Ilene graduated in 1970 from Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School. Her love for children led her to go on to study at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., where she graduated in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in early education. After graduation, Ilene began teaching elementary school. She eventually taught at Westside Christian School in Indianapolis. It was in Indiana that Ilene met the love of her life, Mike, when the two of them were at the same church and both wanted to hold a fellow churchgoer’s baby at the same time. Little did they know at the time that their banter over who should hold the baby would lead them on a lifetime journey full of love, children, and grandchildren of their own, and a wealth of cherished memories.
Ilene and Mike were married on June 30, 1979, at Westside Church of the Nazarene. As a skilled baker and decorator, Ilene made and decorated her own wedding cake for the occasion. Ilene and Mike were excited to start a family of their own and welcomed their first son, Jay, in June 1980. In October 1983, their family grew again with the birth of their son, Ryan. Ilene adored being a mother to her boys, who kept her on her feet at all times. Ilene decided to leave her teaching position to focus her full attention on raising her children. While doing so, Ilene re-discovered a passion for baking and cake decorating, and her love for those activities led her down the path of entering competitions at the Indiana State Fair, which ultimately put her on the path of becoming a professional cake decorator. Ilene decided to open her own business, Classic Cakes, which she owned between 1995 and 2019. Ilene’s vision for her business and hard work materialized into Classic Cakes becoming a top-ranked bakery within Indiana. Her beautiful designs and delicious cakes brought joy to families on weddings, birthdays, and all the special days they celebrated, won her many awards, and made her a premier cake artist in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. Always seeking out a challenge, Ilene competed in gingerbread house competitions and created masterpieces with intricate and beautiful designs as well, and she was always up to the challenge when customers requested complicated cakes.
Ilene’s love of baking and her creativity poured over into her family life, too. As Ilene and Mike welcomed seven grandchildren into their family between 2009 and 2016, Ilene shared with her grandchildren her talents, making them amazing cakes for birthday celebrations and having them over to the cake shop or her home to bake with her. She also shared with them her love for learning, by reading to them regularly and teaching them how to garden and how to cook and bake.
In 2019, Ilene retired from Classic Cakes. In her spare time, she enjoyed creating different kinds of masterpieces via her gardening. Her flower gardens overflowed with beauty every year. Ilene continued to embrace her love for baking and would regularly bake bread for her church community and could often be found handing out cookies to friends and family. She also continued to embrace her love of learning and her love of reading and often could be found snuggled up with a blanket with a fire roaring in the fireplace and a book in her hands. Ilene was an active member in her church and sang in the choir, as well as participated in seasonal church shows to celebrate her love of Jesus with her community. Ilene regularly connected with family and friends near and far, reaching out to those she loved to simply check in, send words of encouragement, or let them know she had been thinking of them. Ilene also regularly attended her grandchildren’s special events, whether it be a game, concert, church event, or anything else they may have asked her to join them at. Her pride in her family was unmatched.
Ilene fought a strong battle against pancreatic cancer and faced the challenge with remarkable grace and a positive attitude at all times. During this time, she continued to bless her family and friends with her generous nature and she reminded those around her that she found peace in knowing that salvation would be found in Jesus.
Ilene is survived by her loving husband of 45 wonderful years, Michael McHone of Carmel; her two sons, Jay (Koryn) McHone and Ryan (Tiffany) McHone; her seven amazing grandchildren, Brayden, Delainey, Bryson, Ellarie, Amiyah, Brody, and Jocelynn; her sister, Donna (Tom) Hofmann of Sun Prairie, Wis.; her sister, Carol Frazier of Kankakee, Ill.; and one brother, Donald Frazier of Pompano Beach, Fla.; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ilene was preceded in death by her parents, Sheldon and Dorothy Frazier, and her brother, Roger Frazier.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2024, at Legacy Bible Church, 13490 Howe Road, Fishers. A celebration of Ilene’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2024 (with an additional visitation period immediately preceding this from 1 to 2 p.m.), also at Legacy Bible Church.
Condolences: randallroberts.com
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