Winifred Lant

Winifred Eileen Lant, age 94 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on November 10, 1924 in South Bend, Indiana to Vernon and Rachel L. (Craig) McDivitt.  She was graduated from South Bend Riley High School in 1942.  She was a bookkeeper for local businesses, and for the family business, “Lant’s Lodge” on Barrington Lake, Ontario.  After many summers at the lodge, the family moved to Canada, living at the lodge, Sioux Lookout, Ontario, and in Winnipeg, Manitoba for eight years before returning to Niles.

Winifred attended the First Church of God in Niles.  She enjoyed gardening, with a special interest in the cultivation of roses.  She took great care of her appearance, always dressed and accessorized well, and found great pleasure in selecting and acquiring her outfits and jewelry.  But her greatest joy was her family.

She was first married on September 4, 1942 in Saint Joseph County, Indiana to Robert Milliken.  Later, on February 23, 1957 in Angola, Indiana she married Ivan Delane Lant with whom she celebrated the twenty-eighth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on January 28, 1986.  She was also preceded in death by a son, Paul Lant in 1999.

Surviving family includes her sons, Robert (& Patricia) Milliken of Coatesville, Pennsylvania and Keith (& Peggy) Lant of Niles; grandchildren Lori (& Christopher) Burns, Robert Milliken, Holly (& Andrew) Bizoe, Miah Wells, Grace Wells, Tristin Nemethy, and Courtney Callahan; and great-grandchildren Brenna Burns, Titus Bizoe, and Judah Bizoe.

The family of Winifred Lant will gather privately for committal services at her graveside in Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger, Indiana with the Rev. Robert Jackson of the First Church of God officiating.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Winifred may be made to Pregnancy Care Center, 527 East Main Street, Niles, Michigan  49120; https://pccniles.com.