Lila J. Penrose

Lila J. Penrose, 87, of Goshen, died Sunday afternoon, February 11, 2013, at Hospice House of Elkhart after a month long battle with congestive heart failure. She was born November 25, 1925 in Vistula to Henry and Pauline (Sautter) Gates. She married William L. Penrose November 25, 1943 in Goshen. He died March 20, 2004. She is survived by two daughters, Marilee E. (Gerald) Nixon of Goshen and Nancy L. Stuart of Temple Terrace, Florida; three grandchildren, Dr. Amy Stuart of Temple Terrace, Florida, Jennifer Baumann of Paupack, Pennsylvania and Andrea Calhoun of Kirkland, Washington; three great-grandchildren, Aspen Stuart-Cunningham, Coral Stuart-Cunningham and Margaret Calhoun; and a brother, Ned (Charlene) Gates of Santa Rosa, California. She was preceded in death by two sons, David E. and Kim R. Penrose; a granddaughter, Alicia Stuart and two sisters, Ethyl Gates and Alice Penrose. A 1943 graduate of Middlebury High School, she worked at Miles Laboratories for 25 years, retiring in 1987. A lifetime area resident, Mrs. Penrose was a member of the Bayer Century Club and First Baptist Church, Goshen. She was an excellent baker and loved to cook. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, February 12, and one hour prior to the 10 a.m. funeral service on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. Dr. Gregg Lanzen and Pastor Jim Shrock, First Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Violett Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Goshen.