Born: Dec. 21, 1930

Died: July 26, 2012

Joan I. Witkowski, 81, of South 14th Street, Niles, died at 9:01 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 2012, at her home following an illness.

She was born Dec. 21, 1930, in South Bend to Glen and Evelyn (Troy) Miller, and was graduated from South Bend Riley High School. She has lived in Niles for 55 years, and was employed at the former Pawating Hospital (now Lakeland) for 15 years, retiring in 1993.

Joan was a devoted mother to her four children, and enjoyed cooking and hosting special events, especially Christmas.

On Oct. 20, 1951, in South Bend she married James J. Witkowski, with whom she celebrated the 59th anniversary of their wedding, prior to his death on Dec. 16, 2010.

Surviving family includes their children, Michael J. (Bonnie) Witkowski, of South Bend, Thomas J. (Janice) Witkowski, of Columbus, Ind., James J. (Cindy) Witkowski, of Little Rock, Ark., and Theresa L. (Chris) Teeple, of Osceola, Ind.; grandchildren Joseph Witkowski, Libby (Jason) Springer, Laura Witkowski, Jeffrey Witkowski, Bradley Witkowski, Katie Witkowski, C.J. Teeple, Monte Teeple, Josie Teeple and Noah Teeple; great-grandchildren, Carson and Preston Springer; and Joan’s sister, Maralyn B. (Jack) Swindeman, of Lawton, Mich.; and brother, John T. Miller, of Battle Creek, Mich., and several nieces and nephews.

The Catholic Funeral Liturgy for Joan I. Witkowski was read at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 29, 2012 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by Deacon Roger Gregorski of St. Mary Catholic Church in Niles. The family received relatives and friends at the funeral home beginning at noon Sunday.

Contributions in memory of Joan may be made to Hospice at Home.