Loretta J. (Lewis) Pedigo, 70, a resident of rural Churubusco, and wife of Walter L. Pedigo, passed away at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, at her home in Noble Township with her family by her side. She had been in declining health for nearly three years, and had been more seriously ill for the past month.

Loretta was born on Nov. 29, 1945, in Huntertown, a daughter of Glenn W. and Bertha I. (Kumley) Lewis. She spent her formative years in Huntertown and graduated from Huntertown High School in 1964. On Nov. 21, 1964, she was married to Walter “Buddy” Marlow, and with that marriage gained nine more brothers and sisters from his family. Although that marriage was dissolved in 1987, she always remained close to the Marlow family.

On Dec. 1, 1990, she was married in Merriam to Walter L. Pedigo and again gained five more brothers and sisters from his family. She lived most of her adult life in Green Township in Noble County, and had lived at her present home in Noble Township since 2004.

Employed as an assembly worker at General Electric in Fort Wayne for 33 years, she retired from there in 1997. She had also owned and operated Marlow’s Market near Churubusco for several years. Loretta will long be remembered for her incredible work-ethic, and in her leisure time enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She took great pride in making fudge and caramels, and most importantly loved and cherished her family.

She was an active member of the Cornerstone Wesleyan Church in Merriam, and had volunteered with Cornerstone Christian School’s “SCRIP” program.

The surviving relatives include her husband: Walter; three children: Joyce (Todd) Sherman; James (Doni) Marlow; and John (Gabriela Figueroa) Marlow, all of Churubusco; three brothers: Stewart (Arlene) Lewis, LaOtto; William ‘Bill’ (Sue) Lewis, Fort Wayne; and Larry ‘Smoke’ Lewis, Monroeville; three sisters: Glenna Robinson; Shirley Lewis, both of Churubusco; and Bettie (Bill) Began, Rossville, Ga.; sister-in-law: Bonnie Lewis, LaOtto; and her five beloved grandchildren: Brennan Sherman; Braden (Maddie) Sherman; Loren Marlow; Bryce Marlow; and Austin Marlow. In addition to her parents and first husband, she was preceded in death by a brother: David Lewis; and by a sister-in-law: Sandra “Hillbilly” Lewis.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Cornerstone Wesleyan Church in Merriam with Pastor George Cecil, officiating. The family will receive friends at the church fellowship hall from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, or one hour prior to the service Thursday morning. Interment will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.

The family requests that memorials be directed to Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, Albion. Sheets and Childs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.