Mary Jane Phifer

Mary Jane Phifer Jan. 9, 1922 - April 6, 2014
SOUTH BEND - Mary Jane Phifer, 92, of South Bend, passed away on Sunday, April 6 2014, at the Center for Hospice in Elkhart after a brief illness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Conley B. Phifer Jr; a grandson, David R. Correll of Cumming, GA; a granddaughter, Angela Blondell Wenzel of Milwaukee, WI; a sister, Laura B. Hagood of Plano TX; and a brother, Buddy Hyler.

Born in Tampa, FL, on January 9, 1922, to Janie (Hylton) and Fletcher Hyler, and raised in Danville, VA, she is survived by her brother, James V. (Linda) Hyler of Lynchburg. VA.

Married to Conley B. Phifer Jr. on July 6, 1946, she is survived by her 3 children: Barbara (Maynard) Correll, Carolyn (Bob) Blondell and Conley (Jan) Phifer III; grandchildren: Brian (Christi) Blondell, Betsy (Stan) Burgis and Paul (Sarah) Thompson; and 6 great-grandchildren: Alexis, Bryce and Brenden Blondell; Mikaylah and Caiden Burgis and Sydney Rose Thompson.

Mary Jane and her family moved to the South Bend area in 1965.

She retired from Gates Chevrolet after working there as a bookkeeper for 20+ years. Mary Jane loved working for the Gates family, and fondly recalled the personal relationships that she had developed there.

After retirement they purchased the Culver Bed and Breakfast where she enjoyed hosting the families of the Culver Academy cadets for 10 years.

A member of South Side Baptist Church in South Bend.

Mary Jane used her talent of cooking to bless the people of the church as well as at Fairington Apartments, where she has lived for 6 years.

She's gone on to be with the Lord now, leaving a legacy here on earth that shows us how to serve the Lord by serving others.

A memorial service in celebration of Mary Jane's life will be held at South Side Baptist Church, corner of Miami and Jackson Roads in South Bend, on Saturday, April 12th.

The family will greet friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30, with a memorial service to follow beginning at 12:30 pm.

Donations may be made to Angie's Angels, Inc. (a not-for-profit scholarship organization in memory of her granddaughter, Angie), c/o Carolyn Blondell (5004 W. Ford St., South Bend, IN 46619), or to the Center for Hospice in Elkhart.

Private entombment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Arrangements through Chapel Hill Funeral Home.

To sign the guestbook or to offer condolences, please visit www.chapelhillmemorial. com.