Leader Publications

Ruth M. Saratore, 88, of Mobile Boulevard, Niles, died at 12:39 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Ind., following an automobile accident.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Dr. Robert Laurent of Granger Community Church, officiating.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Niles.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at the funeral home.

She was born on July 13, 1921, in Montgomery, to Earl Blair and Hazel Gray Blair.

She had lived in Niles since 1962, coming from Benton Harbor.

She was formerly employed at Old Kent Bank in Niles. She was a member of Granger Community Church. She enjoyed shopping and spending time with her grandchildren.
She was “Rosie the Riveter” during the war.

On June 24, 1967, in Saint Joseph, she married James Saratore, who died May 9, 1997.
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Marian Durrant and a brother Marlin “Buster” Blair.

Surviving family include daughters, Linda Powell of Pacheca, Calif. and Jackie Lynn (Larry Sparing) Bella of South Bend, Ind.; a son, Steve Lokker of Madison, Wis.; grandchildren, Eric Powell, Christopher Lokker, Scott Lokker, and Jeni Born and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.