Mary M. Dale
Jan. 10, 1914 - Nov. 17, 2008 SOUTH BEND - Mary Margaret Dale, 94, of South Bend, passed away with her family at her side on Monday at 6:58 a.m. in Miller's Merry Manor, New Carlisle. She was born January 10, 1914, in South Bend, IN, to Delbert and Eva (Reynolds) Gillis, who preceded her in death along with a brother, John (Florence) Gillis, and a sister, Alta Marie Gillis. As Mary Gillis, she married Lavon Dale in South Bend on July 28, 1934. He preceded her in death on March 23, 1996. They spent many happy years together. She is survived by her son, Darwin (Sharon) Dale of South Bend; a daughter, Frances (Daniel) Van Lake of Spring Hill, FL; her grandchildren, Robert Donat, Bradley (Sarah) Donat, John David Dale, Mark (Lucy) Dale, Richard (Mary) Dale and Rodney Dale. Also surviving are seven great-grandchildren. Mary was a longtime member of the First Brethren Church of Ardmore, where she had served as deaconess. The memory of Mary's life will be treasured by her family and friends forever. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. All will miss her sweet personality and her good sense of humor. Viewing will be from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday followed by funeral services at noon in the First Brethren Church of Ardmore, 23370 Ardmore Trail, Rev. Gene A. Eckerley officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. McGann Hay Funerals | Cremations | Gatherings, Morning Star Chapel, is assisting with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the First Brethren Church of Ardmore, 23370 Ardmore Trail; or to Miller's Merry Manor, 220 Dunn Road, New Carlisle, IN 46552. To send condolences to the family, log on to www.mcgannhay.com.

Wilder, Gerald S.

March 13, 1931 - Oct. 29, 2008 MISHAWAKA - Gerald S. Wilder, 77, better known as "Jerry," of Mishawaka, went home with the Lord on October 29, 2008, at the W.J. Riley Hospice Home in Munster, IN, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He will be missed by many. Jerry was born March 13, 1931, in South Bend, Indiana, to Armel and Hazel (Hall) Wilder, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his beloved son, Jeffery, a brother and three sisters. He is survived by his daughters, Cindy (John) Laughlin of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Julie (Larry) Gephart of Lansing, Illinois; a daughter-in-law; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister. Jerry was a lifelong South Bend/Mishawaka resident attending schools in the Washington Clay district, and finished his education in 1949. He participated in many school clubs, groups and was active in sports. Jerry was a familiar friendly face as he worked for different employers including Ball Band and Commonwealth Insurance Company. He retired in 1996 after nearly 20 years in the automobile business at several area dealerships as salesman, sales manager and financial officer. He received many achievement awards. Being active in many social and fraternal organizations, he was most involved as a member of the Mishawaka Fraternal Eagles #2083. There he served as trustee, bartender and cook, often all at once. Arrangements are being handled by McGann Hay, with a private interment at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. Abiding by Jerry's specific wishes, no memorial or any service will be held. A luncheon and celebration of his life will be held at the Eagles of Mishawaka on Saturday, November 22, at 2:00 p.m. Friends may remember him by sending contributions to Hospice of the Calumet Area, 600 Superior Avenue, Munster, IN 46321. To send condolences, please visitwww.mcgannhay.com.

Dermer, Marlene R.
April 7, 1920 - Nov. 13, 2008 SOUTH BEND - Marlene Rose Dermer, 88, a lifetime resident of South Bend, IN, passed away Thursday, November 13, 2008, in St. Paul's Retirement Community. Born April 7, 1920, in South Bend, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Fannie Zoss. On September 15, 1941, in South Bend, Marlene married Harry Dermer, who preceded her in death in 1990. Mrs. Dermer retired from the former Milady Shop where she worked for over 20 years as a sales clerk. She is survived by one daughter, Helene E. Hartung of San Antonio, TX; one son, Steven C. (and the late Melissa) Dermer of Peoria, AZ; and one brother, Dr. A.O. (and the late Magda) Zoss of Maplewood, NJ. Four grandchildren also survive, Scott Dermer, Jennifer Dermer, Whitney (Dr. Stephen) Ramirez, William Hartung; and four great-grandchildren, Michael, Jake, Henry and Steve. Mrs. Dermer was a lifetime member of Sinai Synagogue being the daughter of a founding member family. She was active in the Sinai Sisterhood. Known as her "family historian," she enjoyed playing Maj Jong and loved her family and friends. A voracious reader, she was a "Lady... a Real Lady," according to her daughter, and had such a positive attitude. Everyone who knew her will dearly miss Marlene. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today in Sinai Synagogue. Burial will follow at the Hebrew Orthodox Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Marlene's memory to the St. Joseph County Public Library, 304 S. Main St., South Bend, IN 46615. McGann Hay, Forest G. Hay Chapel, is assisting with arrangements, and friends may send condolences to the family by logging onto www.mcgannhay.com.

Walter Harris
June 19, 1939 - Nov. 11, 2008 MISHAWAKA - Walter "Jerry" Harris, 69, passed away Nov. 11, at Holy Cross Care and Rehabilitation Center. He was born June 19, 1939. in Paducah, KY, to the late Claude Hughes Harris, and Thelma Nell (Chandler) Harris, who survives in South Bend. On May 27, 1967, Jerry married Ella E. (Martin) Harris. She also survives. Jerry was a retired truck driver for INDOT. He met many people in his life time, due to his job. He drove all around the country doing road maintenance. Private services will be held at a later date. To send condolences, please visit www.mcgannhay.com.

Rebecca Ann Bacon
June 30, 1965 - Nov. 6, 2008 MISHAWAKA - Rebecca Ann Bacon, Ph.D., 43, of Mishawaka, passed away Thursday at 10:10 p.m. in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center after suffering a heart attack. Becky was born in Indianapolis on June 30, 1965, to the late Roland and Mary Jo (Harding) Bacon. Dr. Bacon was a self-employed Scientific Editor and Technical Writer for scientific journals. On May 17, 1997, she married Kevin Mongrain in New Haven, CT. He survives her and currently lives in Mishawaka with their son, Henry Roland Mongrain. She is also survived by her sister, Julie (Mark) Strubel of McCordsville, IN, and a brother, Robert (Marcia) Bacon of Peoria, IL. Her hobbies included: quilting, gardening and cycling. She loved to cook and was an advocate of locally grown foods. Becky was a volunteer librarian at her son's school, Good Shepherd Montessori School. Her memberships included St. Pius X Catholic Church and the River Bend Quilters Guild. Becky graduated from Purdue University with a BS in chemistry, earned her Ph.D. in cell biology from Yale University and was a Post Doctoral Fellow in Genetics at the University of California-Berkley. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Nov. 12th, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Pius X Catholic Church, Fir and SR 23, Granger, with calling one hour prior to the Mass. Friends may also call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in McGann Hay Funerals | Cremations | Gatherings, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23 (enter off Cherry Road), where there will be a parish vigil service at 6:00 p.m. Donations in her memory may be made to Good Shepherd Montessori School, 1101 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46617.

Charles L. Coy
July 31, 1952 - Nov. 6, 2008 NILES - Mr. Charles Leroy Coy, 56, of Niles, MI, passed away Thursday at 2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend. Charlie was born on July 31, 1952 in Muncie, IN to the late Charles Harold and Gladys Lucille (Darrah) Coy. In Mishawaka, IN, on December 31, 1990 he married Janice Dianne (Hall) Coy, who survives of Niles. Charlie worked his entire adult life as a self-employed Carpenter and was the owner of CC Construction, building new homes throughout the Granger area. Mr. Coy was the President of the Christian Motorcycle Association of Indiana and did their Prison Ministry. He was a member of ABATE and active for many years in the MDA Telethon. Besides his wife Charlie is survived by two sons: Aaron (Crystal) Johnson of Germany in the US Air Force and Benjamin (Young Ju) Johnson of South Korea in the US Air Force; two daughters Rebekah (Charles) Pates of South Bend and Melissa (Kris) Pruitt of Illinois; two sisters: Tyla (Charles) Workman of Delaware and Roxie (Chester) Carroll and a brother Leonard (Nonee) Coy of Mishawaka and nine grandchildren. A Memorial Service is planned for this Sunday Nov. 9th at 2:00 p.m. in the First Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1936 Altgeld, South Bend. Memorial donations may be made in Charlie's name to: Run for the SON, i/c Janice Coy, 71346 Kline Rd., Niles, MI 49120. To send condolences to the family log on to: www.McGannHay.com.

Richard D. Marrese
April 23, 1932 - Nov. 5, 2008 SOUTH BEND - After a two week illness, Richard "Rick" Marrese, our loving husband, father, brother and grandfather quietly passed from this world surrounded by the loving arms of his family. Born April 23, 1932 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, he was the son of the late Samuel and Bernice (O'Gels) Marrese. On November 3, 1967, he married Herminne (Yager), who survives. He leaves to cherish his memory two sons, Doug Marrese of Vandalia, Michigan, and Dan Frew of Alfaretta, Georgia; one daughter, Tammy (Greg) Kacarab of Granger; two brothers, Ron (Barb) Marrese of Alberta, Canada and Duncan (Jean) Marrese of Winnipeg, Canada; one sister, Marlyne Marrese of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada; and five grandchildren, Justin, Caleb, Chris, Ashley and Chloe. Richard served five years in the Canadian Navy during the Korean War. He was a member of the Michiana Brits Car Club, and a past member of the Elkhart Optimist Club. He loved his yard, his cat Otis, the view of the lake from his deck, but most of all his joy was his children and his family. He will miss his Thursday night homies. We will miss his dry sense of humor and his impeccable sense of style. Friends may visit with the family Saturday, Nov. 8 at the McGann Hay, Granger Chapel from 2 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care. To send condolences, please visit www.mcgannhay.com. The family wishes to thank the angels on 6N at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center for their care and compassion, and the angels at Hospice House for making his last days on earth peaceful.

John D. Carroll Jr.
July 17, 1973 - Nov. 4, 2008 ELKHART - Mr. John David Carroll, Jr., 35, of Elkhart, passed away on November 4, 2008 at Memorial Hospital of natural causes. John was born July 17, 1973 in South Bend, IN to John D. and Mary (Kretchmer) Carroll, Sr. He is survived by his mother Mary (Alan Steffey) Carroll, his father John D. Carroll, Sr., and his sister Desiree Steffey all of South Bend. Services will be held at a later date. To send condolences to the family please log on to www.McGannHay.com. McGann Hay Funerals Cremations / Gatherings, University Chapel is handling the arrangements.

Robert N. De Graff
Sept. 29. 1931-Nov. 3, 2008 SOUTH BEND - Surrounded by his loving wife and children, Bob De Graff, 77, died on Monday, November 3, after a courageous battle with cancer. A life-long resident of South Bend, Bob was born on September 29, 1931, the middle son of Oreal and Carmel (Hartford) De Graff. He attended St. Joseph Grade School and Central Catholic High. On January 29, 1955 he married the love of his life, Eleanor Van Overberghe. "THIS, I WILL REMEMBER, WHEN THE REST OF LIFE IS THROUGH: THE FINEST THING I'VE EVER DONE IS SIMPLY LOVING YOU." Bob proudly served his country in the Korean War. He also bravely served the City of South Bend as a Firefighter for 20 years. After retirement he opened The Pretzel Palace, a hot dog stand in downtown South Bend. Later, this restaurant moved into a store front beside the State Theatre and became Diggie's Hot Dogs and More. Bob and his wife also owned a second restaurant in downtown South Bend called The Lunch Box. His outgoing personality made friends fast and he knew virtually every business person that worked in downtown South Bend, for which his children dubbed him the unofficial mayor of South Bend. After owning and operating these downtown favorites for 20 years, Bob retired. He is survived by his wife of 53 years and his four children, of whom he was exceedingly proud: Michael N. (Tamar) of Monroe, Washington; Renee C. of Springboro, Ohio; Andrea G. of South Bend; and Martin T. (Julie) of Lexington, Kentucky. "MY FATHER DIDN'T TELL ME HOW TO LIVE; HE LIVED AND LET ME WATCH HIM DO IT." He is also survived by four grandchildren whom he adored: Malchijah (Monroe); and Zachary, Maxwell and Matthys (Lexington) De Graff. Additionally, two brothers survive Bob: Richard A. of Lisle, Illinois and William O. of Woodbury, Connecticut. Preceding him in death were his parents and an infant son, Robert N. De Graff, Jr. Bob was a faithful fan and spectator at his childrens' various events and athletic contests and thus, spent a lot of time on bleachers. He was a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus and a die-hard fan of the University of Notre Dame and the Chicago Cubs. Bob also served as an usher at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Bob maintained his iron will, sharp wit and clever sense of humor until the end. He will be missed dearly by his wife, children, extended family and numerous friends. Visitation will be today from 2 to 4 & 5 to 8 pm at McGann Hay Funerals | Cremations | Gatherings, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23 (enter off Cherry Rd.), where the Rosary will be prayed at 3:00 pm. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at St. Anthony's de Padua Church, 2120 E. Jefferson Blvd. at Ironwood at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bob's name to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, 46637. To send condolences to the family or for directions log on to:www.McGannHay.com.

Bowmar, Alice M. Nov. 17, 1923 - Nov. 2, 2008 NEW CARLISLE - Alice M. Bowmar, 84, died Nov. 2. Surviving are two nieces, Myrna L. (Gerald) Harder of LaPorte, IN, and Johna L. (Arthur L.) Horvath of Mishawaka; and one nephew, Edward A. (Judy) Bowmar of Union Mills, IN. A memorial service will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 in Hamilton Grove, New Carlisle. Contributions may be made to United Cerebral Palsy, 1660 L Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036, or the Salem United Church of Christ, 302 S. Main, Wanatah, IN 46390; or to the donor's choice. To send condolences, please visit mcgannhay.com Gerald S. Wilder
March 31, 1931 - Oct. 29, 2008 MISHAWAKA - Gerald S. Wilder, better known as Jerry, of Mishawaka, went home with the Lord on October 29, 2008 at the W.J. Riley Hospice Home in Munster, IN., following a lengthy battle with cancer. He will be missed by many. Jerry was born March 31, 1931 in South Bend, Indiana to Armel and Hazel (Hall) Wilder, who preceded him in death. Also preceding was his beloved son Jeffery; a brother; and three sisters. He is survived by his daughters Cindy (John) Laughlin, of Rapid City South Dakota, and Julie (Larry) Gephart of Lansing, Illinois; a daughter-in-law; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister. Jerry was a life long South Bend/Mishawaka resident attending schools in the Washington and Clay district, and finished his education in 1949. He participated in many school clubs, groups and was active in sports. Jerry was a familiar friendly face as he worked for different employers including Ball Band, and Commonwealth Insurance Company. He retired in 1996 after nearly 20 years in the automobile business at several area dealerships as salesman, sales manager and financial officer. He received many achievement awards. Being active in many social and fraternal organizations he was most involved as a member of the Mishawaka Fraternal Eagles #2083. There he served as Trustee, bartender and cook, often all at once. Arrangements are being handled by McGann Hay, with a private internment at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. Abiding by Jerry's specific wishes, no memorial or any service will be held. A luncheon and celebration of his life will be held at the Eagles of Mishawaka on Saturday, November 22. 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Friends my remember him by contributions to Hospice of the Calumet Area, 600 Superior Avenue, Munster,IN. 46321. To send condolences, please visitmcgannhay.com.

Henrietta A. Gallagher

October 10, 1923--October 27, 2008