Lounelle Wheatley Prince

Lounelle Prince (nee Wheatley), 96, of Vermilion, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, after a long period of declining health.

She was born Sept. 6, 1927, in Lexington, Tenn., and had called Vermilion her home for the last 47 years.

In Tennessee, Lounelle went to college to become an educator, and afterward taught in a one-room schoolhouse. After moving to Ohio, Lounelle worked as a bookkeeper for Sears for 30 years and retired in 1987.

Lounelle considered herself blessed in every regard. She loved reading her Bible daily (especially Psalm 121), her numerous travels sightseeing across America with family and being with her husband, Lyle, and their sweet dog, Lacee.

She was the perfect host of big family gatherings and made the best home-cooked meals and Christmas cookies you could hope to enjoy. When she wasn’t inviting loved ones into her home, she was reaching out to keep up on news, share in victories and defeats, and always offer a prayer.

Lounelle was fiercely spiritual and always excited to talk about her faith and relationship with God. When she knew her days in this life were numbered, she'd frequently remind those who loved her most, “whether I go or whether I stay, I'm a winner either way.”

Those who knew and loved Lounelle are truly better for her having lived in this world.

She is survived by her husband of 74 years, Lyle Prince, her children, Don (Gwen) Prince of New Albany, Ohio, Phyllis (Al) Prieto of Lubbock, Texas, and Dianne (Bob) Armburger of Lorain, as well as seven grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Mae (nee Goff) Wheatley, her sister Norma Jean Wheatley and brother Pete Wheatley.

Friends may call on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at noon at Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South St., Vermilion, 44089. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Firelands Baptist Church, 12320 OH-113, Wakeman, OH, 44889.

Expressions of sympathy can be made at riddlefuneralhome.com.