Winifred Eileen Lant, 94, of Niles
Published 8:08 am Friday, December 21, 2018
Nov. 10, 1924 — Dec. 15, 2018
Winifred Eileen Lant, 94, of Niles, died peacefully at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.
She was born on Nov. 10, 1924, in South Bend, to Vernon and Rachel L. (Craig) McDivitt.
She was graduated from South Bend Riley High School in 1942.
She was a bookkeeper for local businesses, and for the family business, “Lant’s Lodge” on Barrington Lake, Ontario. After many summers at the lodge, the family moved to Canada, living at the lodge, Sioux Lookout, Ontario, and in Winnipeg, Manitoba for eight years before returning to Niles.
Winifred attended the First Church of God in Niles. She enjoyed gardening, with a special interest in the cultivation of roses. She took great care of her appearance, always dressed and accessorized well, and found great pleasure in selecting and acquiring her outfits and jewelry. But her greatest joy was her family.
She was first married on Sept. 4, 1942, in Saint Joseph County, Indiana, to Robert Milliken. Later, on Feb. 23, 1957, in Angola, Indiana, she married Ivan Delane Lant with whom she celebrated the 28th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Jan. 28, 1986. She was also preceded in death by a son, Paul Lant in 1999.
Surviving family includes her sons, Robert (Patricia) Milliken, of Coatesville, Pennsylvania and Keith (Peggy) Lant, of Niles; grandchildren Lori (Christopher) Burns, Robert Milliken, Holly (Andrew) Bizoe, Miah Wells, Grace Wells, Tristin Nemethy, and Courtney Callahan; and great-grandchildren Brenna Burns, Titus Bizoe, and Judah Bizoe.
The family of Winifred Lant will gather privately for committal services at her graveside in Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger, Indiana with the Rev. Robert Jackson of the First Church of God officiating. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles.
Contributions in memory of Winifred may be made to Pregnancy Care Center, 527 East Main Street, Niles, Michigan 49120; pccniles.com. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com