Sept. 6, 1921 - Nov. 16, 2008
Submitted by: Dan Rich
Sept. 6, 1921 - Nov. 16, 2008
South Bend Tribune 11/20/2008
SOUTH BEND - We say goodbye and celebrate
the life of Vera Ellen Montgomery, 87, of South Bend, who
passed away after an extended illness on Sunday, Nov 16, 2008.
Vera's care in her final years was provided by her children in
their homes; most recently in Grenada, West Indies, where Vera
died peacefully in her daughter's warm embrace. Vera Ellen Gahman
was born on Sept. 6, 1921, in Wells County, Indiana, to Martin
and Ethel (Warthman) Gahman. She married Eugene
Edgar Montgomery on January 30, 1944, in Fort Wayne, IN. Vera and
Eugene lived most of their 60 years of married life in South
Bend. Vera was preceded in death by her husband, brother, Robert
Gahman, and by a sister, Alice Wilkinson. Vera is survived
by her brother, Arthur Gahman of Craigville, IN; eight children,
10 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Vera's three daughters
are Kay Montgomery of Grenada, West Indies, Karen (Zach) Klymman
of Reno, NV, and Rebecca (Jay) Britton of Indianapolis,
IN. Vera's five sons are Michael (Marilia) Montgomery of Hamden,
CT, Steven (Anita Manning) Montgomery of Honolulu, HI, Bruce
Montgomery of White City, OR, Gary (Jan) Montgomery of Roswell,
GA, and Kenneth (Cindy) Montgomery of Mishawaka. Vera provided
her children with encouragement on many science, music, and 4-H
endeavors in Clay Township. She won Indiana's homemaker of the
year award in 1964. Vera served as a USDA lab specialist for 22
years in Niles, MI, working with insects for biological control
of crop pests. An excellent seamstress with patience for fine
detail, she also enjoyed gardening, nature, and watching birds
and butterflies. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests memorial
donations to the Fernwood Botanic Garden and Nature Center, 13998
Range Line Road, Niles, MI 49120.
Friends may visit from 7 to 9 p.m. on
Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, followed by 1
p.m. funeral services in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley
Highway, Osceola, IN. Vera will be laid to rest at St. Joseph
Valley Memorial Park in Granger, IN.