Darlene Louise Siekman, 78, of Niles died at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend of natural causes.

She was born May 29, 1932 in Arkansas City, Kan. She lived here for 62 years, and resided with Hester Scott when she moved here from Missouri.

She taught for more than 26 years and retired from the Buchanan School System in 1991. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, John “Jack” Siekman; her parents, George and Bernice Hathaway; and a daughter at birth, Cynthia Siekman.

She is survived by a son, Nick (Mary) Siekman, of Niles; a daughter, Constance James, of Niles; a brother, Herbert Hathaway; sisters, Juanita Zook and Joyce Holden; a granddaughter, Heather Goins; and great-grandchildren, Isaac, Elijah and Darius.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Niles with the Rev. Carl Bassett of the church officiating.

Burial will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan at a later date.