By Staff
Viola R. Berquist, 100, of S.R. 23 in South Bend, Ind. and formerly of Niles, died at 10:10 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at Sterling House of South Bend, following an extended illness.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 12 at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, with the Rev. Janet Van Lear of the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, officiating.
There will be no visitation.
She was born on Dec. 29, 1907, in Ganges to Frank H. and Mytrie (Lockhart) Sill and graduated from Flint High School. She had lived in this area since 1929.
She was previously employed at the Chamber of Commerce in Niles and Traveler's Insurance in South Bend, Ind.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles and its Women's Bible Study, as well as the Fernwood Botanic Garden and Nature Center.
She volunteered with the Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Community Hospital and meals on Wheels.
At the age of 73, she was the librarian for Healthwin Hospital of South bend, Ind.
She enjoyed playing bridge and taking classes in drawing and watercolors.
On Aug. 4, 1929, in South bend, ind., she married Leonard G. Berquist, who preceded her in death on May 2, 1983.
She was also preceded in death by their son, David Lee Berquist, who died April 20, 2006 and her brother, Harry Sill,, who died in December 1928.
Surviving family includes her daughters, Constance (Edward) Thorpe of South Bend, Ind. and Lynn (Thomas) Scott of Denver, Colo.; grandchildren, Linda (Thomas) Thorpe Gordon, Thomas (Mary) Thorpe, Bruce Thorpe, Brian (Judi) Berquist, Lisa (William) Berquist-Shestowsky, Gretchen Berquist, Stacie Barrow, Lorraine (Michael) Robbins-Dye and Sallie (Michael) Vanasdale; great-grandchildren, Leigh Ann and Scott Thorpe Jeffers, Edward, Grant and Christine Gordon, Chad, Travis and Brandon Thorpe, Victoria Barrow, Sean Robbins and Rylan, Nicki and Katie Vanasdale; two nieces, Marsha Lantero and Charlotte Williams and a nephew, Richard Dietz.
Memorials may be made to The Foundation of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, or Fernwood Botanic Garden and Nature Center.
Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.