November 3, 1974 – November 19, 2023
Rachel A. Wooley, nee Anker, age 49, of Munster, IN, went home to her Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Beloved wife of Robert S. Wooley. Loving mother of Aaron and Benjamin. Dear sister of Kathy (Ross) Mulder, Mary Ann (Randy) Pals, Lynn (Mike) Briney, Kim (Tahar) Mettache, Shawn Singleton, Anitha Singleton, and Marcus Williams. Sister-in-law of Andrew Boose and Cecelia Boose. Kind aunt of many nieces and nephews: Mark Mulder, Phillip Mulder, Jonathan Mulder, Michael Pals, Jill Maloney, Eric Miller, Joshua Miller, Kendra Biella, Kaitlin Mettache, Elizabeth Mettache, and Elliot Mettache. Preceded in death by her parents Harvey and Lenora Anker.
Rachel came to the Anker household as their 30th foster baby, and Harvey and Nora adopted her when she was age 4. A serious bone disease in her hip was discovered very early which needed care throughout her life, but that did not stop Rachel. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, married Robert, and raised two sons. She always loved teaching and caring for children and held many jobs as a daycare director, teacher’s aide, and elementary school teacher. Her favorite age to teach was 4th grade. She also ministered to countless people in her church her whole life by using her beautiful God-given singing voice. But Rachel’s most glowing virtue was to be an active listener and supporter of family and friends. Her cancer may have taken her body, but her hopeful grace-filled spirit and her ear-to-ear grin will live on in our memories.
Visitation Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Smits Funeral Home 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN. Funeral service Monday, December 4, 2023, at 11 a.m. at First Reformed Church, 15924 South Park Avenue, South Holland, IL with services conducted by Rev. James Oord. Interment Oak Ridge Cemetery – Lansing, IL. Memorial contributions may be given to First Reformed Church. For further information, please contact 219-322-7300.
