Eileen M. (Frederick) Fulton

ANGOLA — Eileen M. (Frederick) Fulton, 97, of Angola, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at her home.

She was born on Jan. 18, 1926, in Ashley, Indiana, to Fred and Evangeline (Arnold) Frederick. Her sisters were Phyllis Cass (deceased) and Janice Stoy, of Auburn.

Eileen graduated from Ashley High School, then earned her RN from St. Joseph's School of Nursing in South Bend, Indiana.

During her early career, she was a nurse at Elmhurst Hospital. After raising her family, she became Steuben County Health Nurse in 1965. In 1968, she became school nurse for MSD of Steuben County for 21 years, a job she loved and where she touched the lives of countless students.

In 1948, Eileen married Donald L. Fulton, her husband of 51 years. They raised eight daughters in an equally joyous and chaotic household. She is survived by all of her daughters, Sue (John) Knoll, Marty Burns, Pat Fulton (Joanne McKeag), Bobbie (Marty) Gilbert, Connie (Jim) Crowl, Lori (Tom) Sanborn, Jeannie DeMato and Stacy (George) Gilbert. She was blessed with 20 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren.

Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Don; and sons-in-law, Al Burns and Richard DeMato; and great-grandson, Benjamin Fessel.

Eileen's passion for caring was evident in her volunteer activities. She was an active volunteer for CASA for more than 20 years. She was a member of Santa's Helpers, a Red Cross Volunteer, including Disaster Relief volunteer, and a member of the Alpha Iota Chapter of Sigma Phi Gamma Sorority. In 1983, she was the first recipient of the Herald-Republican’s Woman of the Year award.

Upon the death of her husband, Eileen established the Don and Eileen Fulton Nursing Scholarship for Steuben County high school seniors who will be continuing their education through an accredited nursing program at any Indiana institution of higher education.

Eileen was a member of Angola United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir, played in the handbell choir, and was a member of the Susanna Wesley Circle.

Through the years, she enjoyed extensive traveling with her husband, friends, and daughters, as well as spending winters in Florida. She was an avid bridge player for more than 70 years and passed her love of card playing to her daughters who spent endless hours playing cards with her.

The family is especially grateful to her caregivers for their compassion and skilled care and to Heart To Heart Hospice.

Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at Weicht Funeral Home, 207 N. West St., Angola, and from 10-11 a.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at Weicht Funeral Home, with Pastor Jeff Smith from Leo Methodist Church officiating.

Burial will be immediately following the services at Powers Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Don and Eileen Fulton Nursing Scholarship at the Steuben County Community Foundation, 1701 N. Wayne St., Angola, IN 46703.