Geraldine Traphagan
January 19, 1931-December 29, 2009
Geraldine "Jeri" (Elliott) Miller Traphagan, 78, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth, Indiana.
Jeri was born on January 19, 1931 in Marion, Indiana to the late David and Estella D. (Lewis) Elliott.
Jeri always showed a hard work ethic and was an entrepreneur. She worked for several years at Snelling Services before starting her own employment agency in Roseland and Elkhart. She also worked for many years in credit management in local hospitals and nursing homes. Jeri was currently employed by the Century Center where she greeted everyone with a smile as a hostess or parking booth attendant.
In her spare time Jeri enjoyed traveling and camping. She traveled both nationally and internationally. An avid fan of the Highlander Series, Jeri traveled to California where she met and became acquainted with Adrian Paul as well as other movie stars. Jeri loved all movies and always stayed current on movie stars and their lives. She also enjoyed European history and archeology. Jeri was a very determined and carefree lady. Although she was always busy, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always a priority and she always found time for them.
She is preceded in death by her parents, a son Jay Gordon Miller in 1988, two brothers Richard and Wayne Elliott and a sister Yvonne Hanks.
Jeri is survived by three daughters; Kathryn Miller Denaut of Plymouth, Indiana, Linda Miller of Niles, Ann (Josh Payne) Traphagan of Niles, ten grandchildren; Jeff G. Miller, Alycia and Danny Denaut, Ian and Nicole Miller, Lacey, Jay and Chad Wiemuth, Cody Schilke and Jacob Sams and three great-grandchildren; Kila Stamper, Lily Sherwood and Connor Denaut, and two nieces Judith Dixon Eldridge and Vicki Hanks Baker of Marion, IN.
A time of visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home on Saturday, January 2, 2010, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be on Sunday at 1:00 p.m., visitation one hour prior. A private interment will be held on Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jeri's memory to her family.
Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.
Niles Daily Star, Published 6:00am Friday, January 1, 2010