Submitted by Dan Rich

Louise Whitfield

Jan. 5, 1930 - July 13, 2000

South Bend Tribune 7/15/2000

Louise Marie Ann (Van Daele) Whitfield, 70, met her guardian angel this day, in her home on July 13, 2000, after her courageous battle with cancer.

Louise came in to this world on January 5, 1930, in the home of her parents, the late Bernard J. and Lena (Van Driessche) Van Daele, in Mishawaka, Ind. She is a 1948 graduate of Mishawaka High School, where she studied Bookkeeping. She pursued this interest in her employment at First Source Bank with 26 loyal years.

Louise is survived by her husband, Elmer Tollie Whitfield, with whom she shared 50 wonderful years of marriage. She met her husband to be, at the "Melrose" in Mishawaka, a popular teenage hangout in the late 1940's. After a two-year courtship, Elmer and Louise eloped. They were married at the Methodist Church in Morocco, Ind.

As an avid gardener, a skilled seamstress, and a self taught knitter and crocheter, Louise lovingly handmade gifts for friends and family. Her sense of humor and caring nature were treasured by all those who had the good fortune to cross her path in life.

She is also survived by her daughter and son. Beverly (Carl) Buss; grandchildren, Shawn and Lance (Nancy); great grandchildren Ashley and Austin of Wakarusa. IN., Nada Whitfield; grandchildren, Kavan and Justyn Smith of Mishawaka; Sue (Vito) Palumbo; grandchildren Michael and Nicky of Elkhart, Ind.; Deborah (LCDR Michael) Whitfield-Peterson USN-Ret; grandchildren Timothy, Heather, Michelle, and Ashley of Round Rock, Texas; Sharon (Scott) Whitfield-Yates; grandchildren Tory and Conor of Round Rock, Texas; Mary Jo (Chuck) Moore; grandchildren Lucas and Jacob of Austin, Texas; and Bryan Whitfield of South Bend, IN. Surviving are three sisters Virginia Holobyn, Frances Kedik, both of Mishawaka, and Barb Elli, Granger; and a brother Richard Van Daele of Cunningham, Tenn.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Laura Jean; her sister, Florence Kline; and brother, Harold Van Daele.

Friends and family may call from 2 p.m. - 4 and from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. on July 16, 2000, in Bubb Funeral Home, 3910 N. Main St., Mishawaka, IN. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on July 17, 2000, in the First United Methodist Church, 201 E. 3rd St., Mishawaka, IN., with burial to follow at the Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.

Friends and family may wish to make donations to Hospice of St. Joe County in Louise's name in lieu of flowers.