Obituary of Lois Bernice Wilson

Lois was born on January 14, 1929, in South Bend, Indiana to Erick W. and Edna (Benninghoff) Starnal. He was a German immigrant father and she was a German heritage mother. She was raised by her parents in an apartment above Block’s bakery on Mishawaka Ave in Mishawaka, IN where her father, a baker by trade, was employed. She became the eldest of three after the birth of brother Erick Jr. and then William (Bill). She attended the Mishawaka Community Schools where she met the love of her life Robert (Bob) Wilson. Lois started the next chapter of her life when she married Bob on June 18, 1947. They moved to Niles, MI and soon started a family. Initially, Lois was a homemaker, rearing her children while Bob worked in the shoe department at Montgomery Ward Department store in Niles, MI. In the late 1960’s Lois and Bob came to a life-changing decision. They would become small business operators. With funds from a second mortgage on their house, they launched Gold Crown Ambulance Service. Lois managed the office operations and Bob managed the field operations. As they experienced success in their venture, they expanded with WGC Medical Supply and then Pet Rest Casket Co. They operated the companies until the time Bob and then Lois’s mother developed health issues. The businesses came to an end and Lois spent the next few years nursing both until they passed. Alone and retired did not suit Lois well. She was full of life and artistic talent, so she went to work for Real Services of South Bend, IN operating a community nutrition center at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Cleveland Rd in South Bend, IN. During holidays she spent hours preparing centerpieces, favors and gifts for attendees, her way of making things special for so many. She made so many acquaintances and friends during her time there that she cherished so deeply. Retirement finally came when Real Services closed her site. As life came full circle, Lois took upon herself the care of a disabled son. Fulfilling her destiny to the end was the true measure of her devotion to all her loved ones. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Wilson on March 17, 1990; her parents; and her brother William. Lois is survived by her brother Erick Jr. and her children, Robert L. (Mindy) Wilson of Conover, Ohio; Douglas (Jere) Wilson of Niles; Sandra Boyce of Mishawaka; Lois (Gary) Walston of Mishawaka; Tony Wilson of Niles; and Murray (Debora) Wilson of McKinney, Texas; eight grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 24, 2020, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. A time of visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions in her memory may be directed to The Arthritis Foundation.