Wilma J. Haney Pitts, 74 was born in Harrod, Ohio, on Sept. 13, 1940, to LeRoy and Bonnie (Arnett) Haney who preceded her in death. One sister, Lillimae Whitaker of Kenton, Ohio, preceded her in death and one brother, Donald Haney of Lafayette, Ohio, passed the day of her death.
She is survived by two sons and two daughters: James H. Pitts and Bonetta J. (Pete DeFinis) Burden of Waynesfield, Ohio, Suzanne M. Osborne of Austin, Texas and Joseph L. (Trudy) Pitts of Wapakoneta: one brother: David (Ardith) Haney of Harrod, two sisters: Shirley (Tom) Bendele of Wapakoneta and Judy (Clyde) Jackson of Harrod, Ohio, one brother-in-law, Charles Whitaker and one sister-in-law, Cheryl Haney.
She has seven grandchildren: William Bly, Anthony Burden, Megan Dugan, Danielle Dugan, Joseph Pitts, Tara Pitts and Lucas Pitts: six great-grandchildren and a very special friend who was like a daughter, Brenda K. Collins of Lima, Ohio.
As a young woman, she and her sister traveled and sang gospel music, as the Haney Sisters. As talented singers, songwriters and musicians, they were often accompanied by their father, LeRoy Haney, also an accomplished gospel musician. Their work has been noted in: Finding Her Voice: Women in Country Music by Bufwack and Oermann; The Bluegrass Reader by Goldsmith; online article by the Miami University Hamilton.
She attended Rhodes State College receiving a R.E. Certificate and worked for her sister’s company, Whitaker Realty. Earlier she worked at Superior Tube and was manager of Kenton Apartments. She worked for several years as an in-home health provider.
She attended Bible Believers Church of Lima, Ohio.
Funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, at the Bible Believers Church of Lima at 3500 Spencerville Road, Lima, Ohio 45805 with Rev. Craig Booher officiating. Burial will be in Preston Cemetery, Alger.
Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, April 10, at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Alger and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the benevolence of the family c/o Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, P.O. Box 41, Alger, Ohio 45812.
