Wilma Beadle Jingling

Jingling, Wilma Louise Beadle, age 91, of Beavercreek, having lived a very full and meaningful life, passed away on Thursday, August 30, 2023. Wilma was born on October 19, 1931, in Walnut Hill, Illinois, to the late Virgil Arthur and Faye Beatrice (Fore) Beadle. She was the eldest child, and grandchild, in her family. Reared during the Great Depression and Second World War, a sense of family, duty and country permeated her life. Wilma took great pride in having helped her family through tough times, and always found great joy in helping children.

Wilma was an exceptionally bright, inquisitive, thoughtful, caring, outgoing, and unassuming trailblazer. She loved her farming roots, enjoying the outdoors, riding horses and tending them at the family run “Saddle Club,” and showing her beloved horse Rosebud! She also enjoyed lifeguarding, playing field hockey, basketball and golf, helping her father in his dental office, and spending time with family–especially at Christmas and summer canning. Wilma was an amazing hostess, enjoying everything from picnics and Sunday dinners, to bridge night and formal affairs–always using ‘the good stuff’ — but above all she was a learner and a teacher.

In the early 1950’s Wilma graduated Sum Cum Laude Graduate, with a double major in Elementary Education and Physical Education from Southern Illinois University. While at SIU, Wilma served on the Pan-Hellenic Council representing her Delta-Delta-Delta (Tri Delta) Sorority. Although awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, instead Wilma’s adventurous spirit led her to teach her way around the world, accepting a position with the U.S. Department of Defense to teach at Bentwaters Air Force Base in England. In 1959 she married Albert W. Trtanj, whom she met at SIU, and their daughter, Juli Moore Trtanj was born in 1962.

In 1968, after her divorce, Wilma married, U.S. Air Force pilot, professional baseball player, and avid golfer, Robert (Bob) G. Jingling and moved to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Beavercreek, Ohio. Wilma enjoyed her role as a mother, military wife, golfer and bowler! Beginning in 1969, and for the next ten years, she taught the sixth grade at Shaw Elementary School. She was the first to take a class to the Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center, Yellow Springs, Ohio, for a week-long ‘camp.’ Wilma also created a patriotic tribute performance with her students every year, and had the best bulletin boards ever! Never a child's sorrow went unnoticed, nor a joyful moment uncelebrated–she taught and lived from the heart.

Wilma recognized a teaching gap for gifted students and their unique challenges so she developed and initiated what became the BELL (Beavercreek Elementary Learning Lab) Gifted Program for grades three through six. She led that program for almost a decade, carrying satchels and papers in the back of her car between Fairbrook, Main, Parkwood, Shaw, and Valley elementary schools, as there was no dedicated office space for the program. At age 50, Wilma earned a Master’s Degree in Gifted Education at Wright State University, and went on to help other school districts develop their programs and support for gifted students and their families.

Wilma loved the arts, music, dancing, and playing the piano and organ. She sang in her church choirs and even performed with them at Carnegie Hall. She later became an avid supporter of the Arts as an active member of the Friends of the Dayton Ballet, the Opera Guild of Dayton, and the Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer's Association. In fact, she made sure her students were exposed to the Dayton Opera's Children's Traveling Opera, the Dayton Philharmonic’s Orchestra and You, and the Dayton Ballet dancers. Wilma was also involved in the SPARK (Student Partners with Artists Reaching Kids) Program, which worked with the Dayton Philharmonic Volunteers Association & Hauer Music to find and place used musical instruments for students in the Dayton area.

Wilma loved traveling, during which there was never a dull moment. In addition to hosting several teachers from other countries, and many visiting dancers, Wilma joined the Muse Machine, and attended many of Muse Machine's Teacher Training Seminars in Italy, England, New York City. She also traveled to Australia, China, Russia, Egypt, Jordan, and many European countries, and most importantly to visit her nephew (Todd Beadle) and his family in Norway! In addition to her interest in travel and the arts, Wilma was also involved in the Beavercreek Women’s League, Republican Women’s groups.

Wilma was predeceased by her parents Virgil Arthur and Faye Beatrice (Fore) Beadle, sister Barbara Cooper (Bryan Kent), and is survived by her daughter Juli Trtanj (Jonathan Davis), brother, Virgil Arthur Beadle, Jr (Vicki), nieces and nephews Lesa Cooper Byrum (Charlie Byrum), Denise Cooper Covington (Rick), Marcella Cooper Chambers (Roger), Renee Beadle Palmier (Mike), Kevin and Lisa Beadle, Todd and Lene Beadle. She created lifelong friendships with many of her students, colleagues, and classmates.

Wilma never met a stranger and made everyone feel welcome. She loved learning and teaching, had passion for the arts and travel, would not stand for injustice or maltreatment, and found joy in her faith, her family and her work. To honor her mission, donations may be made to the Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center, the Muse Machine, the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, or Westminster Presbyterian Church.

The Memorial Service and Celebration of Life Reception for Wilma B. Jingling will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, October 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., 125 N Wilkinson St, Dayton, OH 45402.

We hope to see you in person to celebrate Wilma's life with her family and friends. But if you are unable to and still wish to participate, here are virtual links:

Livestream for the 2 pm service: https://www.youtube.com/@westminsterdayton

Livestream for the Celebration of Life at 3 pm (downstairs at the church):

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87585409745?pwd=WWhRQStJRVZkdTZidHF4U3YwQk41QT09