PHOENIX -- Virginia Irene Spees, 90, of Phoenix, formerly of Elkhart, Ind., died at 11 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 17, 2010) in Hospice of the Valley, Scottsdale, Ariz.

She was born April 28, 1919, in Albion, Mich., to Donald and Marie (Pratt) Conkey. On June 5, 1937, she married Frederick J. Spees in Angola, Ind. He died Aug. 2, 1986.

Mrs. Spees is survived by one daughter, Deborah (Martin) Newton of Phoenix; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Clarice (Ernest) Nelson of Phoenix and Dorothy Tharp of Showlow, Ariz.

Three sisters, Agnus Montgomery, Donna Stillson and Jean Ashcraft, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Spees worked as a waitress at Bill's Restaurant, The Kettle and YMCA restaurant while living in Elkhart. She was a member of Freewill Baptist Church, Elkhart, and Mountain View Christian Church, Phoenix, where she worked as a caregiver.

Friends may call for one hour prior to the 1 p.m. Thursday funeral service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor Lloyd Montgomery of Diamond Cove Missionary Church, Cassopolis, Mich., will officiate. Burial will follow in Adamsville Cemetery, Edwardsburg, Mich.

Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.