It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, mother and grandmother, Cynthia (Cindy) Sue Stocker Wileman. Cindy passed away on February 25, 2018 with her loving family at her side.
Cindy was born on Easter, March 28, 1948 in Santa Paula to William and Patricia Stocker of Fillmore. She spent a great deal of time with her sister, Melinda at the family owned Stocker’s Department Store and later at the popular teenage hangout, Tip Top Drive-In, where her father put her to work. Exceptionally beautiful and vibrant, she was a song leader at Fillmore high school where she graduated with the class of 1966. She was honored to be named Miss Fillmore and Miss Ventura County Fair. During her reign, she cut the ribbon to open the newly built Highway 126 and took the inaugural drive with the mayor of Santa Paula and other dignitaries.
She married her childhood sweetheart, Ross Wileman, in 1967 and together they raised three children, Lori, Melanie and Ryan. As a homemaker, she liked cooking and sewing for her family. She was a devoted mother spending countless hours volunteering in her children’s classrooms, driving on field trips and helping her daughter Lori’s cheerleading squad raise money by painting house numbers on curbs. She treasured family vacations at cabins on Faria Beach and waterskiing on numerous lakes, including Lake Powell.
Each fall, Fillmore families enjoyed purchasing pumpkins the family grew on local land and sold from their front yard on Highway 126. Later, Cindy worked for Mirage Clothing where she paired her sense of style with her love for people. She proudly ran Wileman’s Produce and later Cindy’s Produce. She also worked for Fillmore & Western Railway Company.
Years passed and Cindy met Jess Leon. They spent 29 years together, during which they raised Jess’s 3 granddaughters; A highlight of raising the girls was cheering them on at their softball games at local and state levels. The Santa Ynez Valley was one of their favorite places where they took countless trips to the Chumash Casino. Cindy always had a green thumb and at their home on Blaine Avenue, she took pleasure in working in their yard with the help of her son Ryan.
Cindy had a big heart for children and adults alike. She spent many hours involved in her grandchildren’s lives and took pride in all their accomplishments. She could always be counted on to attend their sporting events and delighted in having them over for frequent sleepovers. After the passing of her daughter, Melanie’s children would often go to her home after school to receive love, comfort, encouragement and lessons in responsibility. Cindy loved catching up with high school friends for lunch and at the annual Fillmore Alumni Banquet. Her many Facebook friends were greeted each day by her cheerful good morning posts and were encouraged by her courageous and positive attitude, despite her many health challenges.
Cindy was preceded in death by her grandparents, Samuel and Helen Stocker, Floyd and Doris Spangler and her daughter Melanie Wileman. She is survived by her parents William and Patricia Stocker; daughter Lori Bennett (Donny), son Ryan Wileman (Angelo); grandchildren Alyssa and Tim Bennett, Frank and Keanna Lozano, Carmen, Cody, Mathew and Kailyn Pineda, Brianna Wileman, Elena, Elisha and Enessa Lopez and great- granddaughter Riley Lozano; sister Melinda Naas (Chuck); nephew Jeff Naas (Kelly), nieces Lisa Given (Jessica) and Laura Counts (Chad), and numerous great nieces, nephews and step children.
Thank you for all your kindness, love, and prayers for Cindy and her family.
Visitation will be held at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, 600 N. Central Ave., Fillmore on Wednesday, March 7 from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Graveside service will take place at Bardsdale Cemetery, Fillmore on Thursday, March 8 at 11:00 A.M.
Contributions in Cindy’s name may be made to the Fillmore Alumni Association.