Lois Lignell, 96
Born: Oct. 30, 1915
Died: Aug. 7, 2012

Lois E. Lignell, 96, of Dowagiac, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, at The Whitcomb in St. Joseph.
Lois’ life began Oct. 30, 1915, in Highland Park, Mich., the daughter of Roy E. and Ida (Grant Shay) Newkirk. She was united in marriage to Steg J. Lignell on June 10, 1939, in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Lois came to Dowagiac in the 1960s. She had attended Grand Rapids Central and South high schools and Grand Rapids Junior College. She was a member of the Grand Rapids Women’s City Club, Alpha Women’s Club, Cora Barbara Service Guild of Butterworth Hospital, Santa Claus Girls, Grand Rapids Bar Auxiliary and charter member of Lawyers Wives of Michigan and Faith and Bethlehem Lutheran Churches and Gamma Sigma Chi Sorority. She was also a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Beta Gamma Upsilon Sorority, Junior Arts Club, Cass County Bar Auxiliary, Community Artist Guild, Town and Country Garden Club, past secretary and treasurer of Cass County unit of the American Cancer Society. Lois served on the executive board of the State American Cancer Society Division in Lansing. She was a sponsor of cotillion parties for several years and worked with Ms. Dowagiac Contest and she was a clerk in the 4th District Court for several years.

Lois’ loving family included her children, Dr. Kirk W. (Connie) Lignell of Bellaire, Mich., Kent D. (Pam) Lignell of St. Joseph, daughter-in-law, Sue Lignell of Tampa, Fla.; brother, Robert R. (Alice) Newkirk of Wyoming; grandchildren, Kelly Lignell, Kent Lignell, Matthew Lignell, Elizabeth Gest, David Lignell and Andrew Lignell, Stephanie Coates, Carrie Schmidt, Kirk Lignell and Brent Lignell; great-grandchildren, Ryan Ramirez, Kelsey Ramirez, Jacob, Phoenix and Dominic Lignell, Cameron, Tyler, Landon and Spencer Coates, Morgan, Connor, Braedon, Emmett and Marian Lignell, Morrie, Macy and Aden Schmidt.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Steg; son, Kim Lignell; parents and grandson, Joseph “Joey” Lignell.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated Monday, Aug. 13, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Dowagiac with a time of fellowship to follow.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to American Cancer Society or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Yazel and Clark Chapel is serving the family.

Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Lois at www.yazel-clark.com.