April 29, 1933 - May 18, 2010SOUTH BEND - Lavetta J. Stankus, residing in South Bend, passed away at 7:52 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2010, in Memorial Hospital of South Bend. She was 77 years old. She was born April 29, 1933, in Doniphan, MO, a daughter of Harry and Clarice (Mabry) Vance, and had lived in South Bend since 1952, coming from Missouri. On August 19, 1955, at the First Presbyterian Church, South Bend, Lavetta and Thomas C. Stankus were united in marriage. She is survived by her loving husband, Thomas of 54 years; a son-in-law, David Klopfenstein of West Lafayette, IN; and five grandchildren, Heather (Phil) Wilkins of Indianapolis, Ben Klopfenstein of Wallkill, NY, Sara-Jane Klopfenstein, Martha Klopfenstein and Mary Klopfenstein, all of West Lafayette. Also surviving are two sisters, Arletta Stickley of South Bend and Shirley (Bill) Bishop of Desha, AR; and a brother, Robert Harold Vance of Buchanan, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Monica Klopfenstein in May 2006; a sister, Darlene Vance; and by a brother, Harry Edsel Vance. Mrs. Stankus was a member of First Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Women, and made banners and cushions for the church. She was also active with the Audubon Society. Lavetta was the former owner-operator of Sewing Specialties. Memorial services celebrating the life of Lavetta Stankus will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 22, in First Presbyterian Church, 333 West Colfax Ave., South Bend. Dr. Robert Agnew will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Stankus may be made to the St. Joseph County Parks Dept. at Spicer Lake, 50651 Laurel Road, South Bend, IN 46637. Online condolences to the Stankus family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.