Lucille Virginia Harrell

Lucille Harrell, 94, residing at 700 Dickenson Rd, Chesterton, IN, entered into rest at 3:13 p.m. Tuesday, February 10.

Lucille was born on March 4, 1931, to the late Emmett and Florence Webber. She was a lifelong resident of Niles, except from 1950 to 1954, when she joined her husband, Violus “Jake,” during his service in the Air Force. During that time, she lived and worked in Austin, Texas, where he was stationed.

She graduated from Niles High School in 1949. During her senior year, she split her days between attending classes and working at Tyler Refrigeration as part of the school’s first cooperative education (Co-op) program. While attending Niles High School in grades 10 through 12, she enjoyed playing basketball and volleyball through the Girls Athletic Association.

After her time at Tyler Refrigeration, Lucille moved to Austin, where she worked as a receptionist for the Texas Highway Department and once typed a legal brief for the former governor of Texas. Upon returning to Niles, she served for many years as a secretary at the Church of Christ on Yankee Street, followed by eight years at the Fairland Church on River Bluff Road. In her later years, she worked for 26 years as secretary and receptionist for Dr. Betty Parker, chiropractor, in Niles. She also volunteered her time at the Niles Senior Center.

In the earlier years of her marriage, she and Jake enjoyed camping and exploring with their sons Alan and Michael, often in the south (Tennessee and Kentucky). They did a lot of sightseeing from 1970 to 1983. She loved spending time with her sons and their families. She also loved making her homemade English toffee and sharing it with family and special friends.

She and Jake were married on December 26, 1950, and then she joined him in Austin Texas, South Dakota and Puerto Rico during the four years he was in the Air Force. She is survived by her sons Alan (Ginny) of IN, Michael (Sara) of FL, grandchildren Courtney of IL, Alaina of IN, Megan (Tyler) of MN, Taylor (Quincy) of WI and Justin (Danielle) of AZ and 5 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emmett and Florence Webber,  brothers Donald Whalen, Clare and Leroy Webber, sisters Norma Mochour and Iva Skinner and her husband Violus “Jake”.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Palmer Funeral Home-Hoven Chapel in Buchanan Michigan. Ron Webber will be officiating the service. Friends may visit with the family Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the funeral home and Thursday, February 19, 2026 beginning at 11:00 am. Burial will immediately follow at Union Cemetery, Berrien Center, MI.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lucille’s memory may be given to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be offered at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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