Yvonne Farris, 96, of Niles, died Oct. 20, 2009 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

Yvonne was born June 2, 1913 in Gleason, Tenn. to Johnathan Glen Verdell and Vergie Owen Verdell. She has lived in Niles since 1947, when she moved from South Bend. She retired in 1978 from Simplicity Pattern Co. in Niles. She married James David “JD” Farris on July 9, 1933 in Fulton, Tenn. James died Oct. 19, 1987.

Yvonne was a member of the Church of Christ on Huron Street and was very active, including serving nursing homes with worship services.

Vvonne is survived by her son, James L. (Diane) Farris, of Niles; daughter, Joyce (Robert) Meek, of Decatur, Mich.; grandchildren: Gary Wilkinson, Rodney Wilkinson, James Farris and John Farris; 10 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Yvonne is preceded in death by grandson Tim Wilkinson, who died in February 2001; sister, Virginia Bonnie Verdell; brothers, Gene, Joseph and Thomas Verdell; and her husband.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with David Thompson of Church of Christ of Niles officiating. Burial will be held at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens of Niles. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to Hospice Care of Cass and VanBuren Counties.