Obituaries

July 24, 1924 to July 25, 2022

WINAMAC - Julia Ann (Knarr) Binkley, 98, of Winamac, passed away Monday, July 25, at her residence.

She was born at home on July 24, 1924 in Thornhope, to the late John and Dessie (Nice) Knarr. She graduated from Pulaski High School in 1942 - 80 years ago. She and John Binkley met on a blind date at Indiana University and married on Dec. 26, 1945 while he was in the navy and she was finishing college. He preceded her in death.

Julia Binkley

She is survived by:
Steven (Ann) Binkley, Pearcy, Ark., Son
Barbara (Dean) Neal, Winamac, Daughter
Grandchildren: Paul (Liane) Binkley, Cliffton (Nikki Sedges) Binkley, Ben (Jenna) Neal, Ellen (Andy) Stellhorn,  and Ali (Bryan) Myers.
Great-grandchildren: Delilah Neal, Damien Neal, Hailey Neal, Evan Bishop, Braylin Bishop, Sophia Binkley, Ireland Myers, Archer Myers, Nick Binkley, Matt Binkley, Alex Binkley, Ashley Binkley, and Adam Binkley.
One Great-great-granddaughter

Preceded in death by:
Stuart Binkley, Son
Stanley Binkley, Grandson

Mrs. Binkley graduated from Indiana University in 1946 with a bachelor’s degree in business. Julia and John moved back to her parent’s farm where he farmed with his father-in-law. Soon they had two sons, and moved to their own farm. Eight years later a daughter was born. She kept the accounts for the farm and held the family together when John was unable to farm due to health reasons. She was a member of the Country Maids Home Extension Club. She was a master of everything she did: seamstress, gardener, food preservation, refinishing furniture, wallpapering, cookie and cake decorating, quilting, oil painting, caning chair seats, wool-hooked rugs and needlepoint pictures of her design, and every craft that could be done. She was a member of the Wheat Weavers and taught this skill at the local power show. She taught classes to make Ukrainian Pysanky eggs and corn husk dolls at the local library.

Mrs. Binkley was also an interviewer for the Indiana Oral History project through Purdue Extension and many of her interviews were published in a set of books. She served on the Pulaski County Public Library Board, was a member of the Pulaski County Memorial Hospital Pink Ladies Auxiliary, the local genealogy society and historical society. One of her greatest achievements was her lifelong work in genealogy, researching both her and John’s families. Family trips included visits to courthouses, libraries and cemeteries to document and add to the family trees. She has published family history books and is the family keeper of photos and memorabilia. She was proud of having ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary, Civil and both World Wars. She was honest, hardworking and a good example to all. She was very proud of her family.

Private burial will take place at Pro Cemetery in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.