Submitted by: Dan Rich

Lucille Biddle

Sept. 20, 1911 - March 10, 2002

South Bend Tribune 3/13/2002

Lucille "Lucy" Philion Biddle, 90, passed away peacefully at home while sleeping on March 10th. The youngest of four children, Lucille was born at home in Mishawaka, Ind., on Sept. 20, 1911, to Oscar A. Philion (deceased 1930) and Wilhemina Eckstein Philion (deceased 1967). Lucille attended St. Joseph Grade School in Mishawaka through grade 8 and was a 1929 Mishawaka High School graduate. She was the second female cheerleader in the history of MHS. Senior class president while at MHS, she acted in every play and operetta produced in her four years at the school.

On Oct. 19, 1940, Lucille wed Herbert D. Biddle in the rectory of St. Joseph Church. That same year she worked as an assistant on the movie set of "Knute Rockne, All American," which premiered in South Bend. With the exception of living in Elgin and Rockford, Ill., from 1940-1947, Lucille was a lifetime Mishawaka resident. During her life, Lucille worked at many businesses in the South Bend area and, with her husband, owned and operated Biddle's Kiddie Land juvenile furniture store. In 1975, she retired as office manager for Local 65 U.R.W.

Lucille was a league bowler, an avid golfer, and a member of the Eberhardt Women's Golf League, long-term precinct committee woman for the St. Joseph County Democratic Party, PTA president, Camp Fire leader, and St. Joseph's Hospital and church volunteer. Lucille will be remembered for her incredible, ever-present warmth, unyielding faith, indomitable spirit, and zest for life. She was honest to a fault, knew no strangers, and delighted in the warmth of family and friends. Her heart was incapable of holding onto hurt. She will be remembered for both the firm foundation of faith and the wings with which to fly given to her children and grandchildren. Lucille's arms were always open in welcome to all those whose lives touched hers. She bore no malice, spoke ill of no one, and loved nothing more than the feel of the sun on her face, sand under her feet, and the arms of a loved one around her.

Mrs. Biddle was preceded in death in 1990 by her husband of 50 years, Herbert; one brother, Albert Philion; and two sisters, Gertrude Endres and Alexina Schlotterback. She is survived by her five children, Herbert (Bessanne) Biddle of Ft. Worth, Texas, Jane Anderson of Port Townsend, Wash., Barbara (Geza) Loczi of Los Angeles, Calif., Susan (Tom) Shearer of Mishawaka and Christine (Doug) Carrell of Seattle, Wash.; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and by her dear friend, Mary Todd of Mishawaka.

Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, and will also be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today, March 13, in the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, Mishawaka, where a Rosary will be recited today at 3 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, in St. Joseph Church, with Fr. Robert A. Yast officiating. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Mishawaka.