Juanita M. Searfoss

Juanita M. Searfoss was born on March 27, 1927, to Dorotha M. and Herschel A. Sharp, whom she called “loving, Christian parents.” She quietly and peacefully drew her last breath at the Ernestine M. Raclin House on March 4, 2026. She was just a few weeks short of her 99th birthday.

Juanita had three brothers, David C. Sharp, Jerry D. Sharp and Ronald Sharp. On October 7, 1950, she married Clifford L. Searfoss, a marriage that lasted 55 wonderful years until his death on October 28, 2005. She is also predeceased by her parents, her brothers David and Ronald, her sons-in-law Jack Blue and Paul Wills and her granddaughter Rachel Bellinger Bridegroom.

Family meant the world to Juanita. She and Cliff had six children: Karen Blue Andrews (Kenn), Jodi (James) Kalka, Barbara Wills, Diana Bellinger Middleton, Steve (Cyndy) Searfoss and Scott (Deenee) Searfoss. She is survived by 15 grandchildren – Kyle Blue, Amanda (Thomas) Stammich, James Kalka, Jason Kalka, Joel Kalka, J. Andrew (Amy Grill Kalka) Kalka, Amy (Rob Robaska) Kalka, Jessica (Murad) Al Kassem, Eric (Nicole) Bellinger, Alex Searfoss, Zach Searfoss, Holly (Clark) Gallagher, Nicholas (Brittaney Unger) Searfoss, Blake (Tiyanah) Palicki and Grant Searfoss – who adored her. They also knew she loved them unconditionally, even when she threatened to attend school with them if she thought their grades were slipping. The addition of every great-grandchild brought her much joy. They are: Ava Blue, Scarlett Blue, Alivia Limberty, Alaina Limberty, Tommy J. Stammich, Justyn (Brooke) Kalka, Alexis Kalka (fiancé James Snyder), Nolan Kalka, Mercedez Kalka, Maxton Kalka, Nico Kalka, Makenzi Robaska, Aleah Robaska, Dylan Al Kassem, Luke Al Kassem, Corey Bellinger, Kayleigh Bellinger, Kaiden Bridegroom, Roman Searfoss, Vincent Feitz, Chloe Gallagher, Adriana Searfoss, Winston Palicki and August Palicki. She is also survived by great-great-grandchildren Emery Moore, Colter Snyder and Oaklee Kalka, sister-in-law Alice (Roy) Burlington and many nieces, nephews and cousins, her brother, Jerry, and her sister in law Mary Lou Sharp.

Juanita graduated from Central High School in 1944 and from IU Bloomington with a degree in medical technology. She retired from a job she loved at the South Bend Medical Foundation after 21 years of service. She cultivated friendships diligently, as evidenced by her staying in touch with her 11 med tech classmates for decades, enjoying reunions across the US, including a 60-year reunion with seven of them in Las Vegas.

In 2008, she was awarded the Golden Hoosier Award for her volunteer work. For many years, she planned and made a meal once every two months for Hope Ministries as a part of her service to her church, Sonlight Fellowship Wesleyan Church. She became a member there at the age of 10. She was a member of Faith in Action and did respite care for several families, paying back the help she received when Cliff was ill. She also supported several missionaries, the Northern Indiana Food Bank and Chiara House. She was a member of the St. Joseph County Home Extension Normain Club and was the county secretary and historian. She loved to read, play the piano and crochet.

In addition, food was one of Juanita’s love languages. She spent hours cooking and baking for her family and friends. Occasionally, though, something didn’t turn out exactly as expected, and she would express her concern that it didn’t meet her standards. We ate it anyway.

Juanita left her family with amazing gifts, starting with her love and advice. As she planned for the end of her life, she made sure to leave detailed directions, including instructions not to sugarcoat her life because there were things she had done wrong (honestly, the list is short). She also noted she was thankful for her good life, her faith in God and all the people God had placed in her path over the years. She made sure to say, “Go have lunch with a friend to celebrate my life.”

The family invites you to join them in honoring Juanita’s life of love and giving at Palmer Funeral Home – Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, March 10. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, March 11, at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Pl, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, 702 Chapin St, South Bend, IN 46601.

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