York, Lena M. (Kiste)

Obituaries

Lena York, 84
Aug. 12, 1926-Aug. 6, 2011

Lena M. York, 84, of 21st Street in Niles, died at 10:23 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at her home following a brief illness.
She was born Aug. 12, 1926 in Niles to Charlie Kiste and Nettie (Jeffey) Kiste. She was a lifetime area resident. Lena married Donald L. York Sr. on Nov. 19, 1949.
She retired in 1987, after more than 15 years of service at St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Ind. She enjoyed sewing and spending time with her grandchildren, doing puzzles and coloring books.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald L. York, three brothers and one sister.
Lena is survived by her son, Donald L. (Mary) York Jr. of Niles; daughters, Donna L. Ritcher of Purcell, Okla. and Ellen L. (Tim) Helt of Buchanan; her sister, Ethel Thomas of Niles; Lisa D. Wagner, John A. Kiste and Michael L. York, all of Niles, whom she also raised as her own; and 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
The funeral service for Lena will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, officiated by the Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church.
She will be buried in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
Friends may call beginning one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:26pm Monday, August 8, 2011