Josephine PeGan, 86, of Niles, passed away at her residence with her family by her side on Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.

She was born on July 24, 1923, in South Bend, Ind. to the late Joseph and Gusta (Ortman) Lewis.

On Oct. 10, 1942, she married Phillip E. PeGan at a ceremony in Niles.

She was a lifelong resident of Niles, longtime member of the First Church of God in Niles and worked at Studebaker, Simplicity, Electro-Voice and Buchanan Metal Form.
She was a very loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Jo is preceded in death by: her parents; brothers, Herbert, Arthur, Joseph and Robert Lewis; sisters, Donnabelle Holt and Florence Tesch; son-in-law, James Bakeman; grandchildren, Rebecca Bakeman and Calvin Miller; and a great-granddaughter, Stephanie PeGan.

She is survived by: her husband, Phillip PeGan; three sons, Robert PeGan of Niles, Roger (Trish) PeGan of Niles and Ron (Leanne) PeGan of Goshen, Ind.; a daughter, Nancy Bakeman of Niles; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

A time of visitation will be held today, Oct. 5, at Brown Funeral Home from 4 to 7 with funeral service on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. at First Church of God in Niles with Pastor Bob Jackson officiating.

Jo will be laid to rest at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Osceola in the Garden of the Last Supper.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jo’s memory care of Phillip PeGan at 521 E. Main Street, Niles, MI 49120 to be distributed to her favorite charities.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services.