Clay 1951 Marlene A (Thompson) Bishop

June 4, 1933 - Jan. 13, 2017

Condolences

GRANGER - Marlene A. Bishop, 83, of Granger, formerly of Michigan City died at 10:01 p.m. Friday, January 13th in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka following a brief illness. Mrs. Bishop was born June 4, 1933 in South Bend to the late Ruth (Syson) and Dewey Thompson and had lived in Michigan City since 1954 until recently moving to Granger. She graduated from Washington Clay High School in 1951. On September 18, 1954 as Marlene A. Thompson she married Richard Bishop who preceded her in death in June of 2011. She is survived by nieces and nephews, Bruce D. Carter (Nancy) of Elkhart, Marcia Rentfrow (Tom), Becky Helfrich (Jim), and Linda Meador (Scott) all of Niles, Michael Cain (Michele) of Jacksonville, FL, Julie Carter of South Daytona, FL, Judy Tomaszewski (Martin) of South Bend and Wendy Schmalkuche of South Bend; and many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Marian A. Carter and Mildred A. Cain.

Marlene will be missed by all who knew her. She was a bright and shining star in our lives with a loving and kind soul that radiated through her smile. She was a model for aging gracefully with beauty and dignity. Marlene enjoyed a full life with her husband Richard (Dick) in Michigan City. They were boaters who enjoyed the beauty of Lake Michigan and members of the Michigan City Yacht Club. Together they built a successful recreational vehicle sales business - Bert's Trailer Sales - that grew to be the largest Airstream dealer in the country. They traveled the country delivering and promoting Airstream RVs. After retiring from the RV sales business, Marlene entered the banking business and worked at Michigan City Savings Bank. She enjoyed family time with her sisters and looked forward to the annual “Sisters weekend”. She enjoyed playing cards and dining with her friends and visiting with family in Niles and Elkhart. She was known as Aunt Molly by all of her nieces and nephews. Marlene joined the First Presbyterian Church in Michigan City in 2014. In 2016 Marlene moved to the Hearth at Juday Creek where she made many friends. Marlene was a devoted sports fan and followed the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears and Notre Dame football and basketball teams. She was a tough competitor in fantasy football winning the championship in 2015 and was runner up this year. Marlene's passing leaves a big hole in the lives of those who were lucky enough to know her.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 18th followed by funeral services at 1:00 p.m. in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Rd., with Rev. Ericka Parkinson-Kilbourne of Michigan City Presbyterian Church officiating. Committal services and burial will follow in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger.

Memorial contributions in Marlene's name may be made to the Operation Homefront, 1355 Central Parkway S, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78232. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.

Published in South Bend Tribune on Jan. 16, 2017

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