Lela Kay Traylor, 50

Lela Kay Traylor, age 50, of Velpen, Indiana passed away at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, in Petersburg.

Lela was born on June 17, 1963 in Washington, Indiana to Leland E. and Patty (Sullivan) English.

She worked at Masterbrand Cabinets for 23 years.

Lela had been an active member and union advocate of Local 2930 for 23 years. During that time she held numerous positions within the leadership, including Local Executive Board positions of Trustee and Treasurer, Shop Steward, and Chief Steward. She had previously served on the local election committee, negotiating committee, contingency fund committee, grievance committee, community action committee, and the safety committee.

She was an elected delegate for three regional councils, including the Great Lakes Regional Council, the Midwestern Council of Industrial Workers, and the Carpenters Industrial Council. As delegate she sat on several convention committees including Organizing and By-Laws Committees.

In the mid-1990s, she participated as a volunteer organizer for the Great Lakes Regional Council. Then in 2003, she was elected At-Large Member of the newly formed Midwestern Council of Industrial Workers, and served on their Midwest Advisory Committee and Finance Committee. In 2003, she served as International Delegate to United Brotherhood of Carpenters Convention.

Lela was always there when her union needed her, she was always available in whatever capacity she could. She was a mentor and friend to those she represented.

Lela is survived by one son, Trevor Traylor of Velpen; mother, Patty J. Sullivan of Petersburg; stepmother, Helen English of Washington, Ind.; two sisters, Tammy Queen, and her husband Terry,of Owensville, Ind. and Sandra Delap of Winslow; six brothers,
Keith English, and his wife, Cheri, of Scottsdale, Ariz., William Carl English of Winslow, Steve English, and his wife Tammie of Winslow, Terry Brothers, and his wife, Debbie, of Petersburg, Bill Brothers of Petersburg, and Rick Brothers, and his wife Lisa, of Evansville; Several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are one son, Lance Harbison, her father Leland E. English, and her companion Ron “Buster” Traylor.

Funeral services for Lela Kay Traylor will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 2014, at the Becher-Kluesner North Chapel in Jasper, with burial to follow at a later date.

Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2014, at the Becher-Kluesner North Chapel in Jasper.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center or to a favorite charity.

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.