Mildred Grace Pope

February 23, 1917 - August 25, 2019

Mildred Grace Pope, 102, died on the evening of Sunday, August 25, 2019, at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center in New Castle, Indiana, following an extended illness. She was born February 23, 1917, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a daughter of the late Joseph Mason and Myrtle (Branstrator) Mason. Mildred was a 1934 graduate of Elmhurst High School in Fort Wayne, where she played on the women’s varsity basketball team. After graduation, she attended the Fort Wayne Business School. She has lived in New Castle since her marriage to Wilson Eugene Pope in 1935. During her years in New Castle, Mildred operated three restaurants and worked at Chrysler Corporation and Modernfold Doors. She is a past member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Epson Sigma Alpha Sorority, New Castle Chamber of Commerce, Brotherhood and Sisterhood Club, New Castle Veterans Club and was a Trojan Basketball Fan and ten-year volunteer guide at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Those left to cherish Mildred’s memory include her son, Ron Pope, of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter-in-law, Dottie Pope of New Castle; five grandchildren, Cindy (husband: Mark) Holzinger of Middletown, Scott Pope (partner: John Harvey) of Tappahannock, Virginia, John (wife: Penny) Pope of Fort Wayne, Jackie Owens of New Castle, and Jamey Pope; eight great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Doris Baker of Indianapolis; several nieces and nephews and a “Special Friend” Cindy Wakeman (husband: Fred) of Fort Wayne. Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Wilson Eugene Pope in 1985; a son, Gerald E. Pope in 2017; sister-in-law, Mary Louise Pope; six brothers, James Mason, Wayne Mason, George Mason, William Mason, and Bert Mason and two sisters, Velma Rorick and Bernice Stone. The family would like to thank the staff of both the Raintree Square Retirement Home and Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center for their kind care of Mildred during her stay at their facilities. Viewing will be held from 5:00 - 8:00 pm Tuesday, September 3, 2019 and from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Wednesday at Sproles Family Funeral Home. Following the viewing, family and friends will travel in procession to South Mound Cemetery for a graveside service with Ben French officiating. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Mildred Grace Pope.