Lois Peabody, of Niles
March 8, 1925 — Jan. 2, 2017
Niles Daily Star, Published 8:23 am Wednesday, January 4, 2017
March 8, 1925 — Jan. 2, 2017
Lois Jean (née Rooks) Peabody, 91, of Niles, died Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, at West Woods of Niles of a brief illness.
Lois was born March 8, 1925, in Holland, to Albert and Maude (Miller) Rooks. Her family moved to Niles when she was 5. She attended Niles schools, and was the salutatorian of the Niles High School graduating class of 1943. Her good friend Jane Zabel Waxman was valedictorian.
On May 30, 1952, she married Arthur Lee Peabody in Niles. He preceded her in death on Jan. 30, 2007, after 55 years of marriage.
Lois retired after 23 years of service from Old Kent Bank in 1990. She was active her entire life as a member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles, serving as a trustee and deacon, singing in choirs, and as a member of various Bible study groups, and the What-So-Ever Class. She was also active in the Niles-Buchanan Meals on Wheels organization as treasurer of their board of directors, and as a meals driver. She was a member of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery, a former Girl Scout leader, was a tutor for the Michiana Literacy Council and volunteered at Eastside School and the Friends of Niles Community Library.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; her parents, Maude and Albert Rooks; her brothers, Leon and Leslie Rooks; her sisters-in-law, Shirley and Hazel Rooks; and a granddaughter, Carrie Ann Tyler.
Lois is survived by her brother, Lloyd Rooks, of South Bend; her children, Virginia “Ginny” (Todd) Tyler, of Cassopolis, and Robert “Bob” (Jane) Peabody, of Scroggins, Texas; grandchildren Patrick (Monica) Tyler, of Dublin, Ohio, Daniel (Michelle) Tyler, of Chicago, Rob (Medea) Peabody, of Plano, Texas, Drew (Lindsay) Peabody, of Dallas, Joel (Allison) Peabody, of Richardson, Texas, and Laura Jane Peabody, of Seattle; and great-grandchildren Graham, Hadley, Caroline, Max and Luca Tyler, and Liam, Tate, Eloise and James Peabody, with one more on the way.
There will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. The family will meet privately to honor Lois’ wishes, and would like to thank her neighbors on Regent Street — Martha and Tom Rockhill, Linda and Ed Gourlay, Taryn and Joe Ray, and June and Wayne Jonas — for helping her to live in her home and enjoy their families as they grew. Martha Rockhill cared for her daily.
The staff at Lakeland Niles ICU and West Woods of Niles Nursing Care Center were also extremely caring.
Contributions in memory of Lois may be made to the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Fourth St., Niles, MI 49120, or to Meals on Wheels of Niles-Buchanan c/o Lakeland Hospital-Niles, 31 N. Saint Joseph Ave., Niles, MI 49120.
Arrangements were completed at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Service in Niles.
halbritterfunerals.com.