Emalu LaRose, 77

Born: June 15, 1935

Died: June 29, 2012

Emalu LaRose, 77, of Niles, died at 11:45 a.m. Friday, June 29, 2012, at her home following an extended illness.

She was born June 15, 1935, in Benton Harbor, to Walter and Ethel (Casad) Palm. She graduated from John Adams High School in South Bend, Ind., and lived in Niles since 1967. She was employed for many years at the United Airlines in South Bend.

Emalu was a member of Orchard Hills Country Club where she enjoyed golfing and helping with tournaments and other club activities. She also enjoyed league bowling and always had pet toy poodles.

On June 24, 1967, in South Bend, she married Paul E. LaRose, who preceded her in death on May 2, 2001. She was also preceded in death by her parents; Paul’s son, J. Gary LaRose, who died in 2005; and her sister, Deanna Schwarz.

Surviving family members include grandchildren, Michael LaRose and Nicole Fayta; sisters, Sandy Wilburn, of Pulaski, Ill., and Kris Taylor, of South Bend; a brother-in-law, Quinten (Becky) Schwarz, of Waukegan, Ill., and dear friend, David Jackson, of Niles. Emalue was also loved by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Services for Emalu LaRose will be 5 p.m. Thursday, July 5, 2012, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Wayne Shearier, of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Niles, officiating. Committal will be at a later date, next to her husband, Paul, at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Emalu may be made to Hospice at Home.