ELKHART — F. Gayle Lerner, 91, went home to her Lord on Thursday, Jan. 15, at Greenleaf Health Campus.

She was born in Elkhart on June 25, 1923, to Edgar W. and Lois (Cripe) Elliott.

She graduated from Elkhart High School and from St. Joseph Holy Cross School of Nursing with an RN degree in 1945.

She married Lowell C. Lerner on Sept. 20, 1945, in Elkhart.

Gayle practiced nursing for many years in Indiana and Illinois. She then found a love and desire to teach young people about the medical field and founded the health occupations class at Elkhart Area Career Center. She returned to college at that time to gain her teaching certification and taught at the career center for 15 years. She was active in instructing courses for the Red Cross.

Also, she was very involved in expanding vocational and professional education in the state of Indiana. Gayle enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle and wintering in Seabrook, S.C., with her beloved husband, Lowell.

She loved to bake, and there was never a day that there wasn't something sumptuous in her kitchen, much to the joy of her children and grandchildren.

Gayle is survived by a son, John E. (Teresa) Lerner, and daughter Linda (Larry) Deiber, both of Elkhart; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lowell Lerner; a son, Thomas and his wife Lea Lerner; grandson Patrick Lerner; brother Howard Elliott; and a sister, Dorothy McIntosh.

Friends may call for an hour prior to the 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, memorial service at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2715 E. Jackson Blvd., Elkhart. The Rev. Karen Bray will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Center for Hospice Care, Hospice Foundation, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545, or to Trinity United Methodist Church.

Arrangements for Gayle are under the care of Billings Funeral Home.

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