Riley 1951 Constance E (Kinch) Van Lue

June 14, 1933 - March 7, 2017

Condolences

SOUTH BEND - Two soul mates were reunited by a brief separation. Connie fought the fight of her life for the last year and a half. Constance E. (Connie Kinch) Van Lue, age 83, passed peacefully away at home with her children by her side. Connie was born in South Bend at Epworth Memorial Hospital June 14, 1933, to Lawrence F. Kinch & Margaret E. (Wise) Kinch. Their first home was on Quimby St., South Bend, IN, and has lived in South Bend most of her life. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her children, Nancy (John) Entstrasser of South Bend, IN, Judith (Edward) Williams of Niles, MI, Amy (Chris) Garrett of South Bend, IN, Keith (Michele) Van Lue of South Bend, IN. She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren, Holly (Bruce) Berry Jr., Paul Entstrasser, Heather Van Lue, Rachel (Steve) Adams, Bryan Beaird, Randi Woodham, Tori Rodriguez, Nick (Brooke) Garrett, Alyssa VanLue, Caeden Garrett, and Chase Van Lue. 9 great-grandchildren, Samantha Grace and Bruce Berry III, Samantha, Tyler, Shelby, and Tristan Adams, Riley and Teddie Rose, and Isabella Garrett. Along with many nieces, nephews and God Children. Connie met the love of her life at a young age. They kissed and never looked back. Connie and Richard were together for more than 50 years before preceding her in death on January 20, 2002. Connie married Richard E. Van Lue on December 8, 1951. Connie and Richard taught their children what it meant to be married and committed to one another. Also, preceding her in death, their son, Richard “Ricky” Lawrence Van Lue, their daughter, Peggy Ann Van Lue, her sisters, Barbara Boyer and Arlene Johnson. Her mother, Margaret (Wise) Kinch, and father, Lawrence F. Kinch. She volunteered as a Cub Scout den mother, a Campfire Girls Leader, and at The Niles Haunted Scream Park. Connie participated at Christ the King Church as a cantor for their choir, and later joined St. Paul's Lutheran Church Choir in Niles, MI. Constance was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church for over 60 years as well as St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles, MI, where she was welcomed as a sister and friend to all she met. She also enjoyed reading, sewing and crafting bazaars. Connie was a proud graduate of Riley High School, class of 1951, and was a member of the class of ‘51 Riley reunion committee. In addition to raising her family she worked at Indiana Bell, The South Bend School Corporation for Eggleston Elementary School, Saint Mary's College, and finally at The South Bend Tribune until her retirement after 15 years of service. Her will, strength and tenacity is unparalleled. Family and friends may call from 5 to 8 PM, Thursday, March 9, 2017, at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N.Bendix Drive, South Bend. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM Friday, March 10, 2017, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1340 Sycamore St., Niles, MI, where friends may visit for one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Foundation, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545-5234. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.

Published in South Bend Tribune from Mar. 8 to Mar. 9, 2017

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?n=constance-e-van-lue&pid=184402068&fhid=7050&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.KWn991XT.dpuf