- Date Of Birth: February 7, 1925
- Date Of Death: April 2, 2016
- State: Indiana
G. Lucille Schwerha, 91, of Elkhart, died surrounded by family at 1:14 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at home.
Born Feb. 7, 1925, in Chicago, Lucille was the daughter of Leo C. and Gladys A. (Nearanz) Kirsch. On Jan. 8, 1954, she married Eugene A. Schwerha in Fort Wayne, and he preceded her in death in 1999.
She is survived by her two sons, John “Jack” (Sally) of Bridgman, Mich., and Duane of Elkhart; three daughters, Cathy “Kate” Hebel of St. Paul, Minn., Laury (Bill) Benson of Bend, Ore., and Kristin (Gordon) Schwerha-Scott of Elkhart; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother, Fred Kirsch (Marge) of Dowagiac, Mich.; and one sister, Cora Yockim of Goshen.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Phyllis “PJ” Schwerha; a sister, Leota Reed; two brothers, Jack Price Sr. and Leo C. “Butch” Kirsch Jr.; and a grandson, Ronald Schwerha.
Moving from Chicago to Kalamazoo at age 5, Lucille lived her entire life in the Michiana region, settling in Elkhart in 1941. Along with her husband, she operated Schwerha General Construction from 1957 until 1994, owned several rental properties in the city, and operated estate and antique sales, including Antique Heaven Antique Shop. Her many community activities and volunteering included being a Girl Scout Leader for over 25 years, earning her “An Outstanding Women in Elkhart County” Award. She served on the Elkhart County Democratic Committee for 40 years and was a Democratic precinct chairman for 12 years. After completing her GED in 1980, Lucille and her husband both served on the Board of Sister Virginia’s Adult Basic Education for 25 years.
Lucille was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church for 23 years and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bristol for 38 years. She was also a member of Elkhart Moose Lodge Post 599 and the Women of the Moose, American Legion, a lifetime member of the Elkhart Hospital Auxiliary and a supporter of the Elkhart Women’s Shelter. Since 1966, she has been a member and officer of the Daughters of Isabelle (Elkhart Chapter), the Alter & Rosary Society of St. Vincent and St. Mary’s, and the NCCW (National Conference of Catholic Women). For over 60 years she volunteered for various church committees, including being a Eucharistic minister and reconciling the weekly money collections for over 20 years.
