Lillian F. Oakes

ELKHART — 

Lillian F. Oakes, 73, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Goshen General Hospital from heart failure.  She was born on February 23, 1945 in Millersburg to Moses E. and Goldie Fern (Miller) Mast. She married Randall Kent Oakes on June 25, 1977 in Elkhart. Randall just passed on January 19, 2018. Surviving are three sons, James (Cindy) Zellers, Quinton “Tony” (Shannon) Oakes, Kevin (Amy) Oakes, two daughters, Tina (David) Schulz, Rita (Aaron) Tiffany; 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Evelyn (Carl) Pendill, Erma I. Yakim and her brother Alvin Mast.  She was preceded in death by her parents and 11 brothers and sisters.

Lillian ran a home daycare for 21 years and then retired from Homecrest Corporation after 10 years. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and an active member of Sugar Grove Church and the Sunday school.   She enjoyed camping, bowling, collecting lighthouses, and was very family oriented; always putting others needs before hers.   She wore her title of wife, mom, and maw maw with great pride. Hundreds of kids came through her doors and were all loved as her own. She had the most amazing laugh, a wonderful sense of humor, a fiery spirit, made the most amazing potato salad and had the greatest ability to forgive and see the good in others. She also had gumption and on the morning of her 9th grade year, she defied her parents and continued her education, graduating in 1964 from Millersburg High School. But most of all, she was by far more precious than jewels, for God had her in mind when he spoke to Proverbs 31:10-31. 

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 PM, Sunday, March 11, 2018 at Sugar Grove Church, 58512 Old CR 17, Goshen, IN. Services celebrating Lillian’s life will begin at 11:00 am Monday, March 12, 2018 with visitation 1 hour prior also at Sugar Grove Church. Pastor Tony Tice will officiate.  Per her wishes, cremation will follow, with interment at a later date at the Veteran’s Tower, Prairie Street Cemetery. The family kindly request any memorial contributions are made in Lillian’s memory to Sugar Grove Church.  Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart.

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