Carmella Dalenberg, 83
Oct. 20, 1928 — Dec. 15, 2011

Carmella T. Dalenberg, 83, of Beeson Road, Niles, died at 8:50 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles.

Dalenberg was born on Oct. 20, 1928, in Wilmington, Del., to Dominic and Mildred (DeOrrio) DeStefano and moved to Niles in 1945.  She retired after 21 years of service as Niles Township deputy treasurer.  She was also formerly a waitress at B & L Inn. At age 50, she was proud to become a Niles Township Reserve police officer.
Carmella attended Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles. Her greatest love was for her children and grandchildren, and she enjoyed many different crafts.  She babysat for many friends’ children as well as her grandchildren and was lovingly known as “Nannie” to all. Carmella touched so many lives and is deeply loved by family and friends alike. She had a warm, compassionate heart and would do anything to help anyone in need. She was the most loving, caring and wonderful person you could know.
On Dec. 1, 1984, in Niles, she married Jack Dalenberg, who preceded her in death on July 29, 1998. She was also preceded in death by her mother, Mildred Wallace; a sister, Leigh Boettcher; a nephew, Craig Ciaffi, and a grandson, Michael Joseph Pflug.
Dalenberg is survived by her daughters, Paula (Jim) Marston, Debbie Pflug, Patricia (Tom) Gregor, all of Niles; grandchildren. Tina (Tim) Bunch, Toni Harbin, Cory (Vicki) Pflug, Terry (Lindsay) Pflug, David (Jenny) Pflug, Tonya (Dean) Wirth, Michelle Pellico; stepchildren, Diane (Denny) Hill, Dennis (Sandy) Dalenberg, Jerry (Ginger) Dalenberg, all of Florida; step-grandchildren, Jeff (Mary) Hill, Brent (Tina) Hill, Chad (Nichole) Hill, Heather Johnson, Tracy Paquette, Trisha Dalenberg, Tami Dalenberg, Taner (Becca) Dalenberg, Sean Dalenberg and Robyn (Ron) Dalenberg; 40 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; twins; sister and brother, Marie Ciaffi of New Castle, Del., and Joseph (Rena) Almondo of Wilmington, Del.; nephews, Gary (Doreen) Ciaffi, Mark Ciaffi, Joey Almondo; niece, Debbie Almondo; and several great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Carmella T. Dalenberg will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Jeffrey L. Whittaker of Michiana Christian Embassy officiating.
Interment will be at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Carmella may be made to the Niles Community Library.