Lulu Belle Town, 88, peacefully went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, June 10, 2022. She was born on December 11, 1933, to Lily Caroline (Johnson) and Russell Lacher. Lu attended Plymouth High School and was a graduate of the Class of 1951.
On September 12, 1953, she married her soulmate William (Bill) Gene Town in Plymouth. Bill was stationed in Sanford, FL in the US Navy and they lived there until his honorable discharge in 1956 when they returned to Argos and began farming relocating to Bremen in 1960.
Lu was always supportive of Bill’s wishes and desires and learned to participate in his love at that time whether it was farming, loving the lake and being the first to learn to water ski in the family, learning to ride a motorcycle, or becoming involved in the fencing/construction business, T & T Construction, they owned and even running a crew. She was an incredibly organized individual in all she did and happy/willing to feed anyone that showed up at their home. Over the years, she served hundreds of people from Navy buddies, hired hands, crews of T & T Construction, family, and friends.
Lu loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally and enjoyed watching any and all school and sporting events as well as cattle shows. Lu was always willing to take the grandchildren to appointments to help out her children. There was nothing that made her happier than to have her family all together or when one of them stopped by to visit.
Lulu Belle was a faithful and active member of the Riverside United Methodist and loved God deeply. She drove bus for the Bremen Public School System for many years and was a founding member of the Bremen Bible Class. She also served on the Bremen Hospital Auxiliary, Marshall County 4-H Fair Board, and the Bremen Historical Society Board.
Born to the union of the Lulu Belle & Bill’s marriage are Jackie Rensberger, Plymouth; Tina Balsley, Winnette, MT; William O. (Mary) Town, Plymouth; Douglas Town (deceased) and Sherry (Larry Swank), South Bend. Lu was blessed with grandchildren Shawn (Elizabeth) Mattern; Brian (Leslie) Town; Tom (Genie) Town; Clint (Tara) Town; Brandi Mattern; Angel (Joel Harman) Balsley; Travis (Lisha) Town, Lily Caroline Swank; and Chloe J Swank.
Also surviving are her siblings, sister Shirley Cox; brothers Wayne (Joyce) and Larry Lacher, all from Plymouth.
She was predeceased by her parents; son, Douglas Alan; grandson, Jaxson William Augustus Swank; sister, Irene Taylor; and brothers Robert Lacher and LaVerne Lacher.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 10-12 pm at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth. Funeral Services will immediately follow with Pastor Stephen Wilhelm officiating.
Please click the link below to live-stream the funeral service on June 15th, 2022 at 12 pm:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82260616529
Burial will take place in the Richland Center Lodge Cemetery, Rochester.
The family would like to thank the caregivers that have taken care of Lulu Belle the past four months: Lori Faucett, Joey Balsley, Shacoda Betz, Melanie Dove, Autumn Leed, Rachelle Warrick, and Juanita Yoder.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jaxson William Augustus Swank Foundation (JWAS), Attn: Jeanie Shuck, 3900 Edison Lakes Pkwy Suite #201
Mishawaka, IN 46545 or to Center for Hospice Care, 112 S Center St. C. Plymouth, IN 46563.
Jo Ann Williams says
You all have my deepest sympathy and understanding. You know what Bill and Lu’s friendship meant to us.. We love them. The obit is perfect. Describes just how special she was/is. He has called one of his best home. God Bless all of you. Tears flow. Prayers for you, Bill
Jo Ann Williams
Jim and Barb (Bick) Cox says
Bill, Jackie, Tina, Billy, Sherry and family,
Jim and I are so sorry for your loss. We are so glad that we got to see and visit with Aunt Lulu Belle and Uncle Bill just a few short weeks ago. I remember fondly all the holiday family gatherings that we at their house for so many years. May you feel comfort that she lived a good life and all your many happy memories you have of your mom.
With sympathy and love,
Jim and Barb
Deb Davis says
Sorry for your loss . Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family ❤️🩹
Bob & Judy Eppich says
Dear Sherry & Family,
We are saddened to learn that you have lost your Mother. She sounds like an incredible person and one that touched many lives. We all know that losing our mother leaves a deep void as well as a wealth of warm memories. May God bless you and give you strength throughout this difficult time.
With love,
Bob & Judy Eppich
Anna & Donn Jensen says
Sorry for your families loss🙏🏼❤️
Deb says
Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Lu touched many lives during her lifetime.
May the memories carry all of you through this time of loss.
Les and Deb Booker.
David Schmidlin says
So sorry for your loss. She was a great woman. Now she can rejoice with Verna Kay and the rest of the family. She will be truly missed.
Sally Smith says
Sorry for the loss of Lu,, she and Bill used to attend the luncheons at Bremen Senior citizens ,, we were always glad to see them my condolences to Bill and the family,, she will be missed
Norma Young says
Please accept my sincere sympathy. I remember the Lacher family well. LaVerne was in my graduation class. He was gone way to young. Gods Blessing to your family.
Carol Griswold says
Sorry for your lost 💔,take care.
Marilee (Davis) Johnson says
It is with deeply sorry to learn of the passing of Lulu Belle. I send Love and Prayers to the whole Family.
Cadrolyn Lutz says
My love and prayers are with each of you who loved and cared for our precious Lu. Such a vibrant person will leave a void that none could ever replace. Hold fast to all the great memories you have. Hold them close to your hearts. Now Lu has a new home and it’s a mansion prepared especially for her. She is rejoicing at the feet of the Master and with all those gone before In Jesus Love,
Carolyn Lutz says
My love and prayers are with each of you who loved and cared for our precious Lu. How I recall all our fun times with all the Towns and Lachers. I often tell people of some of the antics we had together. My son Jon recalled how Lu gave him his first haircut and how he did not like it. Then how we would all help out with chores so we could do things together. Still use Lu’s delicious barbecue chicken recipe. I love you all and I cry tears of sadness with you. In Jesus Love.
Rollie Inks and Kathy Schnitz says
We’re so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to you all.
Debbie O’Keefe says
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss…Lu will be greatly missed 💔
William Patterson says
Prayers for everyone. Ms. Town was a great family friend and an amazing Sunday school teacher. I remember often hanging out and playing with her when the adults would get together. She will be missed!
Rick Hand says
So sorry to hear about your family’s loss. She was a lovely lady. Always enjoyed seeing her. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Doug and Pam Spurlock. Haines City, Fl says
Bill and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Lu leaving us, this side of heaven. We are rejoicing knowing that she is organizing her new home in heaven! She had such a love for people and was Always doing something at church or in the community! We will Never forget the many breakfasts and lunches we all shared together with Bill and Lu! Love you both so much!
As a pastor’s wife, I appreciated Lu’s seat, that she always kept, next to her, for me. To me, it was the best seat in the house, sitting next to the matriarch of our church! She always supported Doug and I in whatever we were doing in the church.
Until we meet again❤️❤️
Andrea Tangredi says
Dear Sherry & all your family. Peter & I had the pleasure of being with your Mom on a number of occasions over the years as we visited with you and Larry. Your Mom was always sweet & welcoming to us & we have very warm memories of those times. We send our love to you and Larry during this time. 💖
Sheila Reed says
I am so sorry. Lu drove the lead bus on many, many 4th Grade Wander Indiana trips. She and I were ‘the ladies in charge’. I absolutely knew Lu would get us where we needed to be, when we needed to be there 100% safely. She chatted the routes and handled any and all detours, traffic snafus, and assorted kid emergencies on the bus. We made sure she got a cushy hotel room when we were sleeping on the local elementary school gym floor. She pitched in with food duties, kid watching, and hangin’ out time. After we both retired, she gathered volunteers for the CHB auxiliary chicken BBQ.
My deepest sympathies to all who loved her.
Sheila Reed says
I am so sorry. Lu drove the lead bus on the 4th grade Wander Indiana trip for many, many years. She and I were the ‘ladies in charge’. She charted our routes, handled detours and assorted kid bus emergencies with a smile. I never worried about getting where we needed to be, when we needed to be there, 100% safely. She pitched in with food chores, kid watching, and hangin’ out time.
After we both retired, Lu organized help for the CHB auxiliary chicken BBQ. When she called for volunteers, I couldn’t say no to her.
My sincerest sympathies to all who loved her.