Rosalie Ann Templeton, 80, of Elkhart, passed away quietly and peacefully at Elkhart General Hospital on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. She was born in Auburn, New York on February 12, 1944, to the late Joseph and Josephine (Guarino) Castiglione. On July 24, 1993, she married Gregory A. "Cowboy" Templeton in Elkhart. He also precedes Rosalie in death along with infant sons Gerald D. and "Baby" Dawley; a stepson Gregory "Sean" Templeton, Sr.; son in law Matthew Sheline, a brother-in-law Charles Bunnell, and her first spouse, Gerald D. Dawley.

Surviving Rosalie are her daughters Renee A. (Keith Merritt) Prince, Kim E. (Gary Smith) Viers and Debbie J. Sheline, all of Elkhart; stepdaughters Crystal (Chris) Longbrake and Holly (Juan) Rivera, also both of Elkhart; brother Thomas (Beth) Castiglione of Geneva, New York; sister Patricia Bunnell of Cedarville, Ohio and a whole host of loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family and good friends. It would also be noteworthy to mention that Rosalie was and always had been the neighborhood "block mom", as scores of children of all ages would find their way to her yard. Ever since her own kids were young, it has been a role she has been content and happy with.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart is honored to host Rosalie's homegoing services beginning with a gathering of family and friends on Friday, July 19, 2024, at 4:00 pm, followed by a funeral service at 5 pm. In accordance with Rosalie's wishes, cremation will follow the services.

Rosalie worked for nearly three decades in the medical field in housekeeping and food services, spending 22 of those years at Elkhart General Hospital. She grew up as a "cradle catholic" in New York but later got exposed to a huge dose of "home-spun Americana" after her second marriage to Cowboy. She found that her Italian heritage blended in quite nicely with her "Indiana lifestyle", resulting in an outgoing, fun-loving, effervescent personality that would even humble the unsinkable Molly Brown. "Life of the Party" would be an understatement when describing Rosalie, but her warm smile and super-friendly disposition earned her many friends and acquaintances. She was also a huuuuuuge animal lover and considered her furry pals as integral parts of her family.  Among her past cat buddies were the late Phoebe and Tom Tom, her late dog Brutus, and her current pooch, Buddy, who could not be reached for comment.

Rosalie was one of those folks who expressed her love through cooking, and her Italian heritage only enhanced her already expert level at throwing down in the kitchen. Her advice for the success of ANY dish? "Ya gotta be able to maka the gooda meataballa…" she would say in her best faux Italian accent, patting her hands together as if she were making a batch and then dancing in place in front of the meatballs. Family tradition dictated that everything tasted a little better "iffa you geev a lil dance before you maka da food!" She obviously enjoyed dancing. A lot. (specifically, disco) and loved to sing karaoke when her husband Cowboy was still alive.

Finally, it should be noted that Rosalie always championed the underdog, and always rooted for those who had the odds stacked against them. In a final act of kindness that best reflected Rosalie's selfless morality, she became an organ donor through the Indiana Donor Network. Today is the best day ever for some organ recipient somewhere that no one even knows, thanks to Rosalie's gift.

In respect and tribute to Rosalie's friends and lifestyle, casual attire is encouraged.