May 16, 1919 -- Oct. 31, 2004

Georgia M. Vernasco, 85, of Center Street, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away at 7:40 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, in the Countryside Place Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Mishawaka.

Georgia was born on May 16, 1919, in Willow Branch, Ind., to Iassac and Louise (Holden) Smith.

On Nov. 23, 1944, in Mishawaka, as the former Georgia Smith, she married Torino Vernasco, who preceded her in death on April 22, 1979. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and by two sisters, Eliza Hoover and Dicie Miles.

She is survived by her two daughters, Judy Sawyer and Becky (Tom) Ditmer, both of Mishawaka; four grandchildren, Jason (Jessica) DeRoo, Josh (Shelly) Ditmer, Jodie (Rev. Charles) Wiseman and Richard Sawyer; six great-grandchildren, Jade DeRoo, Thomas, Savannah, Preston and Elizabeth Wiseman, and Essence Ditmer; a sister, Sarah Gay of Elkhart, Ind.; and by a brother, Howard Smith of Tucson, Ariz.

Georgia was a member of Cedar Road Missionary Church, Osceola, Ind. She enjoyed and spent much time sewing and doing alterations for the people at 100 Center Street; she also provided transportation for people who needed to get to the doctor or to the store. Georgia was a loving, caring, wonderful person; she will be truly missed by all who knew her.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 3rd, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St., Mishawaka. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4th, in the funeral home, with Rev Mark Slabaugh of Cedar Road Missionary Church officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.

Contributions in memory of Georgia may be made to the American Cancer Society.