Regina May Wilhite

Regina May Wilhite went home to Jesus on November 7, 2020 at age 99.

Regina was born to Ruth and Elbert Charpie on September 15, 1921 in Indianapolis, IN.  She was the fifth of six children.  Regina graduated from Arsenal Tech High School in 1939.

Regina met her husband Hartsel in 1943 in Indianapolis and they married later that year.  They had 3 children, Janet Hinzman of Shepherdstown, WV, Doug Wilhite of Holly Hill, FL, and Dan Wilhite (Vicki) of Indianapolis.

Regina was not your typical woman in her era.  In the 40’s, she and Hartsel owned a small Aircoupe aircraft, which he flew in the central Indiana area.  She took lessons and flew one solo flight.

She worked for Merchants Armored Car, earning an expert marksman certification with a handgun.  Regina also worked for Central Rubber and Supply Co., McGinty Conveyors as a secretary and Chrysler Corporation, as secretary to the plant manager, later running the insurance department until retirement.

In the 50’s, Regina founded Holiday Enterprises, Inc.  She flew to Florida and enlisted 29 businesses throughout the state to offer coupons in which she put together a coupon book.  There was a total of $130 in savings.  She had a booth at the Indianapolis Travel Show selling the coupon books for $5.00 per book.  Regina also sold painted baby turtles for 10 cents.  The turtles were a big hit; the coupons not so much.  She was ahead of the time that coupon books became popular.

In addition to being a dedicated pastor’s wife and loving mother, Regina was a musician who played trumpet for church most of her life.  She played handbells and directed the handbell choir.  She sang in the choir and sang duets and trios with family members.  In later years, she played the piano for services on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, even into her 90’s.

Regina was an artist, painting landscapes in acrylics and oils; she painted a portrait of her son Dan, too. She also had a hobby of painting animals on rocks, which she sold in a gift shop in Brown County Indiana. She also tried her hand at woodcarving and was quite successful; carving owls was her specialty.

She loved gardening, planting a large vegetable and flower garden every year.  She delighted family members with her apple and berry pies, made from the trees and bushes in her yard.

In the 80’s, Regina and her daughter, Janet, hosted a radio program, “New Horizons Radio Travelogue”, that was aired in several states and on shortwave radio.

She was a published author with articles appearing in several Christian publications and national magazines.

Regina loved to play Scrabble, flying around the country to play in tournaments, and was a certified tournament director, holding national tournaments in Indiana and Florida.

Throughout her entire life, Regina held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her, especially children.

Regina joins her parents, brothers, Joe, Glen, Bert, sister, Martha, and grandson Doug Jr.  in Heaven.  She is survived by her brother, Wes Charpie, Greenwood,IN, her 3 children, 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Restoring Hope Community Church.