ELKHART -- Willis Frederick "Bill" Lemna, 80, formerly of 500 N. Michigan Ave., died at 2:55 a.m. Saturday (April 12, 2008) in Woodland Manor Nursing and Rehab Center after an extended illness.

He was born Feb. 14, 1928, in Nappanee to E. Leonard Lemna and Florence V. Hampshire. He married Virginia Kathleen Marshall on July 2, 1950, in Elkhart.

She survives along with four sons, Timothy C. Lemna, Michael T. Lemna and Kevin M. (Debra) Lemna, all of Elkhart, and Kent M. (Yolanda) Lemna of Niles, Mich.; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one son, Lee W. Lemna; two sisters, Phyllis Hoagland and Ethel E. Balyeat; and two brothers, Robert and Wade Lemna.

There will be no visitation or funeral. Cremation will take place. There will be a private family graveside service at a later date. Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is assisting with arrangements.

Mr. Lemna was a master millwright who retired from Adams & Westlake in Elkhart in the early 1990s after a career that spanned more than 25 years. In his earlier years, he was a cook in the U.S. Army Air Corps with the 3380th Food Service Squadron based at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. His love for cooking remained with him throughout the rest of his life. He loved gardening and used his vegetables in his recipes. He was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and was the past assistant chief for the Osolo Township Fire Department in the early 1960s. He also enjoyed bowling.

Memorials may be given to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, or to the Osolo Township Fire Department. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences or mail cards for Virginia to 29198 Lantz Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46516.

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