Lois J. Antonelli

ELKHART – Lois J. Antonelli, 93, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

She was born January 27, 1927 in Elkhart to the late Dwight & Lillian (Wise) Stickel. Lois married Louis A. Antonelli on June 25, 1952 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Elkhart. He preceded her in death on July 24, 2011.

She is survived by five children, Kathy (Bob) Bevilhymer, Nick (Cindy) Antonelli, South Bend; Donna (Chuck) Girten, Sherry (Derek) Hubartt, Elkhart; and Alex (Jocie) Antonelli, Granger. Surviving are five grandchildren Angie (Adrian) Turner, Ben (Heidi) Girten, Lennie, A.J. and Rosemary Antonelli. Lois is survived by one sister, Phyllis Spangle, Elkhart.

In addition to her husband, Lois was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings: Mary Coolidge, Albert Stickel, Warren Stickel, Evelyn Keating, Letha Kirkby, and Vera Wallace.

Lois worked at General Telephone as an Operator in the 1940s and early 50s. She worked for 16 years on the 2nd shift, Alka-Seltzer line at Miles Laboratories, retiring in July1986.

Lois and Louie’s house was the center of family gatherings where love, laughter, food, playing cards, croquet and Bocce ball were shared. She was a kind-hearted, loving, quiet soul. Lois’s comment in her Jimtown High School Yearbook was “Why talk? Others do enough of it.”                                               

She and Louie enjoyed many years traveling to Florida beginning with their Honeymoon. They made annual family trips in December to visit her parents in Sebring. After their retirement, they enjoyed three months each year in the Florida Sunshine until 2011. They enjoyed going to flea markets, playing a little tennis, a little golf and Euchre with family. Lois also enjoyed shopping with her daughters and her sisters Phyllis and Vera.

Even though she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, Lois still would smile, clear her throat or give a twinkle of her eyes to communicate.

The family gives special thanks to her loving caregivers: Jeannie Hayes, Mitzi Miller, Kathi Sharkey and Barbara Treadwell and to the staff from the Elkhart Center for Hospice Care.

Memorial Contributions may be given to the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545; Alzheimer’s Association or St. Thomas the Apostle Church.

A Private Mass for Family will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart.

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