Born: May 12, 1934

Died: Nov. 22, 2012

Ann Prestine, 78, of Belmont Lane in Niles, died at 5:17 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, at her home following a brief illness. “The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all of Ann’s friends who expressed their love, friendship and caring thoughts by telephone and mail to Ann prior to her passing – it was good for her (and us) to hear these things, as usually these sentiments are expressed later at the funeral.”

She was born in Niles as Frances Ann to Beryl F. and Margaret A. (Tichenor) Harrington.

She lived in Niles all of her life and  graduated from Niles High School in 1951. She and her husband, Bob, lived in Howard Township for many years and, in the 1990s, built a home on Pokagon Highway. She helped her husband with his land surveying service.

Ann was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles. She was entering her 40th year as a volunteer to the Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Community Hospital, where she had served as secretary of the board and treasurer of the gift shop. She enjoyed the hummingbirds which came to her feeders, and her greatest joy was her grandchildren.

On Aug. 31, 1952, in Niles, she married Robert W. Prestine with whom she celebrated the 51st  anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on March 9, 2004. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Jack A. Harrington, who died on Dec. 13, 1999.

Surviving family includes three sons, Robert (and Sharon) Prestine, Patrick (and Jody) Prestine, and Scott (and Veronica) Prestine, all of Niles; grandchildren, Melissa Prestine, Laura (and Jason) Bradley, Katherine (and Jacob) Lemon, Sara (and Jeremy) Bowersock, Tony (and Jenny) Prestine, Michelle (and Anthony Kusnierek, Kristi Topping, and Michelle Vegso; eight great- grandchildren; Ann’s sister Doris Blackmun, of Niles; and several nieces and cousins, including a dear cousin, Lois Tichenor.

Services for Ann Prestine will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence and Pastor Ray Fulbright officiating.

Interment will be at the Sumnerville Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Ann may be made to The Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church, or to Hospice at Home.

www.halbritterfunerals.com