June
24, 1916 - April 23, 2009SOUTH BEND - Vera Belle Kalter Kennedy, 92, of South Bend, passed away at 7:55 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2009, in her home. Mrs. Kennedy was born on June 24, 1916, in Lakeville, IN, to the late Elmer and Estela (Harley) Roush, and was a lifelong area resident. On August 18, 1940, she married Simon E. Kalter, who preceded her in death in 1981. On June 28, 1985, she married Rev. Merl H. Kennedy, who preceded her in death in 1992. She was also preceded in death by her two stepdaughters, Mary Nelson and Onalee Ray; two sisters, Myrtle Brinson and Gleo Clark; and two nephews, Al and Chuck Clark. Mrs. Kennedy was in the first graduating class of Lakeville High School. She retired in 1973 from Bendix Corporation where she had worked for 36 years in the accounting department. She was formerly a longtime member and elder at Ridgedale Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Kennedy was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and the Bendix Retirees' Group. She is survived by her stepdaughter, Janet Baker of Park Ridge, IL; two stepsons, Donald Kennedy of Glenside, PA, and David Kennedy of Riverview, FL; two granddaughters, Laura Stults of Osceola and Sharon Renno of Brooksville, FL; two great-grandsons and four great-great-grandchildren; one niece, Linda Tucker; five nephews, David Brinson, Larry, Ronald, Rudy and Dennis Clark; and her goddaughter, Sheleaha Egly. A memorial service was held on Saturday, April 25th, in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, South Bend, officiated by Rev. Lauren Hall. Burial took place at Riverview Cemetery, South Bend. Contributions in memory of Vera Belle Kalter Kennedy may be donated to the Heifer Project International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202; or to Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 S. Twyckenham Drive, South Bend, IN 46614. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.