Delight Bobilya diary collection

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: UA-058

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the diary of Delight Bobilya (Wier) kept from August 31 1940-August 30, 1945 during which time she was an undergrad at Ball State University. The diary details information about her life, relationships, and the effect of World War II on student life. Three versions of the diary are kept in the collection including the original, and a typed and bound version transcription created by Delight's daughter, Rebecca Wier Lock, in both physical and digital versions.

Dates

1940-08-31 - 1945-08-30, 2020-06

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Ball State University Libraries make every reasonable effort to provide accurate information regarding the copyright status of materials held by Archives and Special Collections. Patrons may scan items or request a reproduction of one or more items in the collection; however, it is the responsibility of the patron to evaluate whether or not the intended use complies with copyright law.

Biographical / Historical

Delight Bobilya was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on September 21, 1923 to Inez and Clarence Bobilya. From 1940-1944, during World War II, Bobilya attended Ball State University. During this time, she kept a detailed diary, chronicling her time as a student. Bobilya was a committed singer, artist, and student. She would also go home each weekend to help out on her family’s farm. Her diary chronicles this as well as her personal relationships and experience with the war.

After graduating from Ball State, Bobilya became a teacher of music and art at the Waynedale, Hillcrest, and Anthony Wayne elementary schools. She eventually married Ralph Wier and went on to have seven children, including Rebecca Wier Lock who transcribed this diary. In 1983, Bobilya was named “Illinois Mother of the Year.” She continued to write throughout her life, much of which was made into a series of books: I Married a Farmer (1974), Diary of a Farmer’s Wife (1976), Delight Wier’s Kitchen (1980), My Heart’s in the Home (1986), and Circle of Love: A Tribute to Farm Women (1990).

Extent

0.3 Cubic Feet (1 archival letter box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically.

Subjects

Ball State University -- History Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Ball State University -- Students Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Diaries Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Student Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings