Lila Jean Blake

Lila Jean Blake, 84, of St. Joseph, passed away, Thursday, June 30, 2016 at The Willows in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Fred Davey officiating. Burial will follow at Crystal Springs Memorial Park in Benton Harbor.  Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.  Those wishing to sign Lila’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Lila was born January 14, 1932 in Meadville, Pennsylvania to Fred & Emalene (Walker) Smith. She graduated from Meadville High School in 1950.  On June 10, 1950 she married Joseph E. Blake in Meadville.  Lila and Joe worked in the restaurant business all her life.  The list includes Blossomland Restaurant, Blake’s on the Lake, Sinbad West, Mott’s Apple Core, Benton Harbor Holiday Inn & Benton Harbor Elks #541.  Lila was proud of her family that worked by her side to make the business successful.  She was a member and vice-queen of the Red Hat Society-Lighthouse Chapter, The Sing-A-Lings & the Women of the Moose.  Lila was a very outgoing lady who enjoyed life.  She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. Lila is survived by her children-Mark (Lisa) Blake of St. Joseph, Kari Blake of Berrien Center, Kelly (Glen Hunter) Prince of Freeport, TX; five grandchildren-Jennifer (Stephen) O’Neil, Ryan Prince, Nickolas (Britney) Sherrill, Melissa (Robb) Robison & Kaitlin Blake; her great-grandson Knox Blake O’Neil; and numerous nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe on June 13, 2014, her son Michael on January 31, 1993, her parents and three brothers.