April
26, 1925 - Oct. 15, 2008SOUTH BEND - Ethel Igaz Staley, 83, of South Bend, passed away peacefully in her home at 3:05 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2008. Mrs. Staley was born April 26, 1925, in South Bend, to the late Joseph and Ethel Mary (Karsas) Igaz, and was a lifetime area resident. On August 2, 1945, in South Bend, as Ethel Igaz, she married Donald E. "Rosebud" Staley, who preceded her in death on September 14, 1994. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Eleanore Igaz McColm, and a brother, Anthony Igaz. She is survived by two daughters, Sandra (James) Palmer of Cleveland, OH, and Deborah (Craig) Smith of Gilbert, AZ; one son, Charles E. (Cathy) Staley of South Bend; eight grandchildren, Jennifer (Fred) Trayers, Jeff (Krista) Staley, Nathan Bethke, Charlie Staley, John Staley, Jeremy (Miki) Palmer, Clark Palmer and Kathleen Palmer; and two great-grandchildren, Victoria Palmer and Marianne Palmer. Ethel was a longtime member of Memorial Presbyterian Church. She was an elder and deacon in the church for many years. Ethel worked for many years as a histologist at the South Bend Medical Foundation where she loved her work. After her retirement she was very active in her church and was a longtime volunteer at Memorial Hospital, serving as a past vice president of the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Ethel also had many hobbies and was very gifted doing beautiful needlepoint, handwork, beadwork and watercolors. In her last years Ethel was lovingly cared for by her friend and caregiver, Gloria Allen of South Bend. Ethel will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and her many friends. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 23rd, in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N. William St., with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating. The family will greet friends in the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at welshfh@yahoo.com.