Born: Jan. 20, 1923

Died: Jan. 3,

Delphine Lenke Layman,  89, of North Fifth Street in Niles, died at 1:50 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at Riveridge Manor in Niles following an extended

illness.

She was born on Jan. 20, 1923, in Eau Claire  to Frank and Charlotte (Sooker) Lenke.

She  graduated from Niles High School in 1941 and lived here all of her life. She was employed for 17 years at the former Saint Joseph Bank in South Bend, retiring from its successor, Systematics.

Delphine was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles. She was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy WAVES as a radio operator.

She enjoyed painting in acrylics, completing crossword puzzles and actively watching the “Jeopardy” television game show.

She was formerly married to Pierre A. “Pete” Layman, who has died, and she was also preceded in death by her parents.

Surviving family includes her children, Cathy Layman of Bay City, Dale (and

Kathleen) Layman of Joliet, Ill., and Dean Layman, of South Bend, Ind.; several grandchildren, including Pete, Alexis, Amanda and Andrew; and great-grandchildren; and Delphine’s brother, Alfred (and Marge) Lenke, of San Diego, Calif., and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Delphine Lenke Layman will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday,

Jan. 5, 2013, at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles with the Rev. Carl Bassett

W. Bassett of the church officiating. The service will conclude with the Veteran’s

Flag Presentation and “Taps” in the churchyard by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.

Committal services will be private, on Monday, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Delphine may be made to the donor’s choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com