BEECH GROVE - Rosaella E. Cartwright, 91, died February 28, 2011 after a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Cartwright was born in Muncie, Indiana on February 13, 1920 and was the daughter of Edward H. Bird and Lela I (Ruede) Bird.
She was a graduate of Muncie Central High School and Ball State University and taught elementary school in Muncie at Lincoln, Emerson, and Washington-Carver Elementary Schools. After her retirement from teaching she became an active genealogy researcher for the Delaware County Historical Alliance and co-authored the book "Cemeteries in Delaware County, Indiana." She was a life long member of Industry United Methodist Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Harry A. Cartwright; four sisters, Ann Peters, Alice LaChat, Betty Jennings, and Judith Bird; three brothers, Charles M. Bird, G. Frederick Bird, and Danny Bird, and two great-granddaughters, Monica Cartwright and Emily Bothwell.
Survivors include four brothers, Edward J. Bird (Wanda), Ray E. Bird (Joyce), Gary D. Bird, and Michael R. Bird (Diane) all of Muncie; one daughter, Sara J. Lakstins (Modris), and three sons, Harry E. Cartwright (Joan) of Indianapolis, James A. Cartwright (Sharilyn) of La Fontaine, IN, and Donald W. Cartwright (Jan) of Rochester, NY. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 4, 2011 at The Meeks Mortuary, Washington Street Chapel with Pastor Donna Ward officiating. Burial beside her husband will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery, north of Muncie.
Friends and family may call from 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel.