Lequita Faye "Lea" (Starnes) Delaruelle

Lequita Faye (Starnes) DeLaruelle, or “Lea,” as her friends knew her, was born in Caraway, Arkansas on June 29, 1938. She moved to Mishawaka, Indiana at the age of 13 where she resided most of her life. Lea was a graduate of Mishawaka High School, class of 1956.  She later met and married the late Bernard “Ben” DeLaruelle on December 20, 1958.

She is survived by her children Bradley (Michelle) DeLaruelle and Suzanne (Jon) West, her grandchildren, great grandchildren who she adored, and her sister Wilma “Nadyne” Starnes-Lacey. Lea’s parents, Albert and Opal (Rogers) Starnes, a brother, Cleburn, a sister Lula (Starnes) Smith and her companion of seven years, Jack Champion, preceded her in death.

Lea had a servant’s heart and spent many hours volunteering at her church.  She had also been a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House and the American Cancer Society.  She enjoyed working with children and worked at Jack and Jill Day Care for many years before moving on to work with Reis Furniture Store and the Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes.  Her friends meant the world to her, and she stayed in touch with all who were special to her.

Visitation will be held from 4-7pm Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at Goethals and Wells Funeral Home in Mishawaka.  Funeral services will be held at 10am Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Goethals and Wells Funeral Home and a private graveside service will follow at a later date in Fairview Cemetery.

Her children would like to thank the staff at The Laurels of Goshen for the loving care they provided Lea for the last 15 months, and her dear friend Teri Foley for her support and the many hours she spent with their mother.  A thank you as well to the Center for Hospice Care for the support they provided the DeLaruelle family in their time of need.

At Lea’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House or The Main Stage; a non-profit theater program which is her son-in-law’s passion.  She had a great appreciation for the arts and enjoyed the countless performances Jon produced and participated in with her grandchildren and great grandchildren throughout the years.

To light a virtual candle, share a story of Lea’s life, or leave a message of comfort for her family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.