Mildred “Millie” L. Neal Koerner,Warsaw, passed away peacefully on Dec. 7, 2016, at the AVOW Frances Georgeson Hospice House in Naples, Fla., at the age of 96. Born on July 11, 1920, Millie was predeceased by her husband, Edwin Koerner, who transitioned to his new life on Aug. 25, 1999. They were married on June 22, 1946. Millie was also predeceased by her parents, Sebern and Ethel Ward Neal; brothers and their spouses: James (Lova) Neal, Carl (Ruth) Neal, Ralph (Clara) Neal and Gail (Evilyn) Neal. In addition, several of Millie’s sisters and their spouses predeceased her: Pearl (Neal) “Frank” Hargis, Mae (Neal) “Gerald” Sneed and Helen (Neal) “Gerald” Heimer. Two other brothers-in-law also predeceased Millie: Norbert Klosowski and James Odom. Surviving Millie are two sisters, Faye (spouse Neal) Klosowski and Loretta (spouse Neal) Odom; her daughter, Lois Jean Koerner Niemier; a son-in-law, Charles E. Niemier; granddaughters and their husbands, Sara Ann (Niemier) and John D. Mohr and Emily Jean (Niemier) and Vincent J. DeStefano; grandsons and their spouses, Matthew E. and Hope R. Hart Niemier and Ryan L. and Kelly A. Paulus Niemier. Millie has eight great-grandchildren: Aidan DeStefano, Charlie Ann Mohr, Samuel DeStefano, Layton Niemier, Chase Mohr, Jude DeStefano, Reese Niemier and Eliza Jane DeStefano. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren fondly referred to Millie as “Mimi.” Her kitchen was appropriately labeled by them as Mimi’s Kitchen. After being raised on a farm in southern Illinois, Millie spent almost 25 years in Hammond, Ind., where she worked in various capacities: banking, dry cleaning and finally retiring as manager of the school kitchen at Gavit High School. For the past 35 years, Millie resided in Warsaw, most recently at Miller’s Senior Living facility on County Farm Road. Millie truly appreciated the other residents and the care she received at this location! She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Millie routinely participated in the church’s senior lady member’s Lunch Bunch Group. After her family, cooking and crocheting were Millie’s passions. She made an untold number of afghans for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her pumpkin pie and banana bread were family favorites! It wasn’t just Mimi’s cooking and crocheting her family loved; they also dearly loved everything about her! Millie had an extended network of friends. Many originated from her family; she knew no strangers! Millie was an engaging woman with an incredible memory. She was the go-to person whenever a question of family history arose; Millie always knew the correct answer. Millie, “Mimi,” will be sorely missed by her family and her friends. The life celebration for Millie will be at First United Methodist Church, 179 S. Indiana St., Warsaw, on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, and officiated by Pastor Mark Need and Pastor Matthew Niemier. There will be viewing from noon to 1 p.m. at the church; service to immediately follow. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, at 2 p.m., and there will be a 2:30 p.m. luncheon back at the church. Visitation will also be at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2016. ***** Please consider a donation to First United Methodist Church, 179 S. Indiana St., Warsaw, IN 46580, in memory of Mildred L. Koerner.
