Lois Ann Leyes

Lois Ann Leyes, 90, of Mishawaka, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2018, in Sanctuary at Holy Cross, South Bend.

Lois was born January 7, 1928 in Mishawaka, a daughter of the late Cyril and Bertha (VanDaele) DeMeester. She was a 1946 graduate of Mishawaka High School.

Lois married William “Bill” E. Leyes on December 28, 1946. The couple made Mishawaka their home.

Lois was a homemaker who was a great cook and loved baking and was especially known for her “Happy Birthday Cake.” She also enjoyed trivia games, music and especially Big Band, watching Jeopardy and classic movies and was an avid reader.

Lois was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and their Rosary Society and also assisted with funeral luncheons. She belonged to the Mishawaka Garden Club and Mishawaka Alumni Association.

In Lois’ younger years she had a rare form of cancer from which she recovered.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; and a grandson, Aaron Leyes.

Lois’s surviving family includes four children, Greg Leyes, Kathy (Larry) Lovechio, Mike (Jan) Leyes and Kevin (Carolyn) Leyes; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Greg) Wozniak, Joseph (Michelle) Lovechio, Christopher (Megan) Leyes, Matthew Leyes and Amy Leyes; five great grandchildren, Adam and Jacob Wozniak, Dominic and Louis Lovechio, and Holden Leyes; a sister, Patricia DeMeester; a brother, John DeMeester; and many nieces and nephews.

The family is especially grateful to the Sanctuary at Holy Cross for the care Lois received.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 pm on Saturday, May 5, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 225 S. Mill Street, Mishawaka, with Rev. Christopher Lapp officiating. Cremation will follow with burial later at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Mishawaka.

Visitation will be from 4 – 7 pm on Friday, May 4, in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka, where the Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 pm.

Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Church.