June 27, 1958 — March 17, 2015

Rhonda Lin Panczak, 56, of Niles, died with her family gathered around her at 7:47 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at her home following a brief illness.

She was born on June 27, 1958, in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Troy and Sandra Kay (Sweet) Champion, Sr. She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived here most of her life. She was most recently employed at the McDonald’s in Mishawaka, and had been previously employed at the former Niles plant of Sheller-Globe/United Technologies and the former Buchanan Industries.

Rhonda enjoyed entertaining and being entertained with groups of friends. She also enjoyed cooking, especially her famous potato salad, and was a fan of the University of Notre Dame football team. She always had pets in the house, including her current cat.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Sandra Kay Jann, and by her father, Troy Champion, Sr. She was formerly married to Steve Panczak.

Surviving family includes her children, Amy Panczak and Nicole Panczak, both of Niles; grandson, Taylor Panczak; her siblings, Sue Ann Champion of Portland, Oregon, Troy Champion, Jr. of Salem, Oregon, Sue Jann Grice of Buchanan, Michigan, and Keith Allen (Stephanie) Jann, Sr. of Niles; several nieces and nephews; and a long-time companion, Harold Johnson of South Bend, Indiana.

The funeral service for Rhonda Lin Panczak will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Mr. Randy Schram of Niles officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

www.halbritterfunerals.com