November 1, 1928 – February 19, 2019
Irma Pearl Hiatt, 90, Sheridan, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, February 19, 2019 at Maple Park Village in Westfield. Born November 1, 1928 in Brazil, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Otis F. and Susan E. (Smith) Brown and was a 1946 graduate of Brazil High School.
Always keeping herself busy and on the go, Irma was one of those people who seemed to have an endless supply of energy. In her younger years, she worked as a bookkeeper for both Kroger and Huber Office Supply Company. Later on while raising her family, she also worked part time for a few Sheridan businesses, including Pickett’s Dime Store, Weaver’s Department Store and Hoggatt’s Hardware. As the children grew older, Irma and her husband decided to open Hiatt’s Flower and Garden shop. Irma had a gift for gardening and an eye for flowers. She helped many people over the years fall in love with both flower and vegetable gardening.
Irma was very forward thinking, creative and in a lot of ways, ahead of her time. Believe it or not, Irma held the very first garage sale in the history of the town of Sheridan. One day as she was reading a magazine, she came across an article talking about an unusual new way of getting rid of unwanted items laying around the house. She figured, “why not,” and the rest is Sheridan history. Irma also enjoyed canning, cooking and baking, but more than that, she liked sharing what she made with people around town. She would take her goodies, which usually consisted of famous poppy seed cake, sour cream coffee cake, oyster dressing, or persimmon pudding, around town and share them with whoever she felt needed some homemade happiness that day. Sometimes a hug and a visit from Irma was just what the doctor ordered.
Irma was a member of the Home Ec Club and the United Methodist Women’s group. She also enjoyed singing with her Barber Shop group, the Sweet Adelines, and dancing with Charles in their group, the Sheridan Squares.
As active as Irma liked to stay, sometimes she enjoyed a quiet moment to herself, crocheting, working a crossword puzzle, or just gazing out the window watching the cardinals play in her yard.
After the children were grown and starting to have families of their own, Irma and her husband Charles took on the roles they were born to play – Grandma and Grandpa. You would be hard pressed to find two better grandparents than Irma and Charles. They were lucky enough to live within walking distance of their grandkids, and that allowed them to play an active role in their lives. And when their great-grandchildren came along, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Irma and Charles were fully retired and had all the time in the world to devote to babysitting and spoiling.
Irma is survived by her daughter, Dianne Lynn Grinstead (Sam), Sheridan; four grandchildren, Susan Elizabeth Grinstead Rowe, Sheridan; Joshua Jason Grinstead (Becca), Sheridan; Jill Lynn Minkner, Indianapolis; and Lindsay Ann Minkner (Johan Robinson), Indianapolis; and her five great-grandchildren, Samantha, Luke, Liam, Ivy and Adia.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Susan Ruth Minkner six brothers, Lee, Carl, Luther, Joseph, William and Johnny; three sisters, Laura, Audrey and Maude; and by the love of her life, her husband Charles Edward Hiatt on August 17, 2017. She and Charles were married on June 7, 1953.
A Celebration of Irma’s Life will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from 5 p.m. until the time of service. Reverend V.J. Stover will be officiating.
Arrangements
Calling: 5 to 7 p.m., Feb. 24
Service: 7 p.m., Feb. 24
Location: Kercheval Funeral Home
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com