Nellie E. VanMarcke, a longtime resident of Barbee Lake and of the Warsaw area, passed away at 5:10 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in Warsaw Meadows Care Center.

Set to turn 101 years old on Saturday, Nellie was born on Dec. 21, 1918, in Connersville. She was the daughter of Walter L. and Almeta (Frick) Adams. She grew up in Connersville, graduated from high school there and was married to Achiel VanMarcke on August 13, 1938. The two made their home in Connersville before moving to Barbee Lake in the 1960s.

Nellie had worked for the Kosciusko County TB Association before accepting a position with the Kosciusko County Health Department. She would spend more than thirty years there, retiring as office manager. She was a longtime member of North Webster United Methodist Church and was a very outgoing, active person. She loved to fish and birdwatch. She enjoyed flower gardening, butterflies and time spent with family. She was a true “mother bear” who protected her family and made sure each of them knew how special they were to her.

Nellie was preceded in passing by her husband, Achiel; a brother Charles Adams and her parents. Surviving are her daughter, Sue Wegert of Warsaw; grandsons, Eric (Stacia) Wegert of Kokomo and Dan Wegert of Elgin, Ill.; granddaughter, Kathy (Tim) Cochran of Noblesville; five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

A Life Celebration has been planned on her birthday, Saturday, Dec. 21, at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 East Sheridan Street, Warsaw. The family will receive visitors at 10 a.m. with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Connersville’s Dale Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to a charity of the donor’s choosing. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.TitusFuneralHome.com