Enid Louise (Wenger) Sills

Enid Louise (Wenger) Sills, 99, died Friday, October 23, 2015,  in Millers Merry Manor, Plymouth, IN passing away on her 99th birthday.

She was born to George and Jane (Kollar) Wenger in a farm house built by her great grandfather in 1875 into a rural lifestyle without electricity, running water or central heating that her ancestors for many generations would have recognized.

Enid attended the Hoosier School (a one room school house) on the corner of Oak and Roosevelt Roads and graduated from  Greene Township High School, Class of '34. An accomplished violinist, she became a charter member of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra when it was founded in 1932 and remained a member of the violin section for the next 20 years. She was playing her violin at a garden party when a friend cornered her husband-to-be Joe, saying to him "I'd like to introduce you to this cute little redhead, I think she might just be the girl for you." They were married at Sumption Prairie Methodist Church,, December 28, 1941.

Enid was preceded in death by her husband, Joe on November 9, 1999, her sister, Gwendolyn Stuck and daughter-in-law, Maddy Sills. Enid is survived by her four children; David Sills, South Bend, IN, Georgia (Andrew) Batcho, Seattle, WA,  Eric (Marsha) Sills, Portland, OR and Wayne ( Mary) Sills, Winfield, IL, four loving grandchildren;  Deanie (Art) Kopec, South Bend, IN, Casey Sills, South Bend, IN, Doug Sills, Chicago, IL, Danny Sills, Winfield, IL., and three loving great-grandchildren; Madison and Emma Kopec, South Bend, IN and Kiala Jerzak, Edwardsburg, MI

Enid and her husband Joseph (Joe) B. Sills were members of Southlawn United Methodist Church where she was Choir Director for 25 years and where her gardening and floral arranging talents enabled her to grace the church alter with home-grown floral arrangements for over 60 years. Enid and Joe spent 54 years together in their Gilmer Park home where the flowers in their yard were always a highlight. She was affectionately known to many as "Grandma Red", because of her red hair. She enjoyed having the grandkids and their friends over annually to make Christmas cookies. Enid was the lady with the straw hat and sunglasses that walked Gilmer Park and Forrest Park for years as her daily exercise and enjoyed communing with nature on each walk.

Enid's interests included: being one of the first docents at the Oliver Mansion, "Copshaholm" where she enjoyed providing animated and educational tours. For over 55 years she was a member of the Progressive Homemakers Club, President of the Michiana Plate Collectors Club for many years, and a traditional-style rug hooker, producing many beautiful rugs, still used and appreciated by her family. She also did readings of books by Emma Bombeck to audiences and her delivery of those reading could make the crowds roar with laughter every time! Grandma Moses reviews were also done in full dress of the era with copies of her art and stories of her history. Enid made many friends thru these  organizations whom she enjoyed thru life, including Polly Lindenman and Blanche Ryan.

Visitations for Enid will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

at Hanley & Sons Funeral Home "Southwest Chapel" located at St. Rd.23/W. Ireland Road, South Bend.

Funeral services will take place Wednesday, October 28, 2015, 11:00 A.M. at Southlawn United Methodist Church. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to service at the church. Pastor Darrel Weaver and  Pastor Patti McConnell will officiate.

Enid will rest next to her beloved husband Joe at Southlawn Cemetery not far from home in Gilmer Park. 

In lieu of flowers the family ask remembrances be made to Southlawn United Methodist Church, PO Box 10043, South Bend, IN 46680.

Enid will be remembered and missed by many. The family would like to express our gratitude and thanks to the staff at Millers Merry Manor in Plymouth for their wonderful care over the past 7 1/2 years. 

Condolences may be expressed online through our website:

www.hanleyandsonsfuneralhome.com

The HANLEY & Sons Funeral Home handled arrangements and extends  its deepest sympathy to the Sills family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Enid Louise (Wenger) Sills, please visit our floral store.