Patricia Jeanne Challis
July 5, 1925-Jan 26, 2014
South Bend Tribune, Tuesday, January 28, 2014; obituary page, St. Joseph County Public Library Free Source
Patricia Jeanne Challis, 88, of South Bend, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2014, in Healthwin Specialized Care.
Patricia was born July 5, 1925, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to the late Bliss and Laura (Schafer) Bonfoey. On October 25, 1947, Patricia (Bonfoey) married Bertram Wallace Challis, who passed away April 29, 1986. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Gwendolyn Bonfoey, brother, Clair R. Bonfoey, and Aunt Clara Clark of Niles, MI, who lovingly raised her during the Depression years, as well as a very special grandson, Jeremy Groth of Granger, IN.
Patricia is survived by her daughters, Rita J. (Stephen) Bagley of Granger, and Kathryn A. Barnes of Sherwood, Michigan; sons, Greg Challis of Portage, Michigan and Mark Challis of Central Lake, Michigan; nine special grandchildren, Quntessense (Carl Loveday) Challis of Bradenton, FL, Christopher (Joy) Groth of LaPorte, IN, Shawn Barnes of Coldwater, MI, Aaron Barnes of Auburn Hills, MI, Jillian Groth of Mishawaka, IN, Brian Groth of Mishawaka, IN, Adam Challis of Port Charlotte, FL, Stacey Groth of Granger, IN and Alesha (Ben) Flynn of Traverse City, MI, and ten precious great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her loving companion of the last three years of her life, Ralph Bartells of South Bend, IN.
Patricia graduated in 1946 from Borgess School of Nursing in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and began a varied and dedicated professional career. She worked in several hospitals, as a Physician's office RN, private duty care, and as the head RN for Allied Products in South Bend. Many were thankful for her loving care and compassion.
She was a very active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of South Bend.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 30, 2014, at Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Rd., with Rev. Gregory Fiechtner officiating. Committal service and burial will follow at Silver Brook Cemetery, Niles, Michigan. Friends may visit with the family from 9:00 a.m. Thursday until the time of service at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 51490 Laurel Rd., South Bend, IN 46637. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.