Deanna Magnuson

Deanna J. "DJ" Magnuson, 73, of Albion and wife of Dick Magnuson, passed away at 7:55 p. m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at North Ridge Village Nursing Home in Albion where she had been a resident for the past year. She had been in declining health for the past three years. Deanna was born on March 8, 1941 in Smith Township in Whitley County, the daughter of George and Marjorie (Herron) Smolek. She had lived her entire life in Albion, and was married to Dick on April 30, 1971 in Albion. She retired from Kraft Foods of Kendallville in 1999 after 31 years of service. She was a member of the Sugar Grove Church of God, north of Churubusco. An avid golfer, she had scored a hole-in-one on two different occasions. In her leisure time she also enjoyed playing Pinochle, a variety of outdoor activities, and most especially loved and cherished her family. The surviving relatives include her husband Dick; two children Christine (William) Gisel of Waterloo and Scott (Teresa) Perry of Albion; two step-daughters Tammy Luce and Chrissie (Charlie Henard) Magnuson, both of Albion; two brothers Rex (Kay) Smolek of Iowa City, Ia., and Jerry (Reah) Smolek of Indianapolis; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son Robert Perry; a daughter Susan Perry; a step-son Derek Magnuson; a step-grandson Kaleb Luce; her father George Smolek; her mother and step-father Marjorie and Charles Peffer; and by four brothers Ken Smolek, Larry Smolek, Richard Smolek, and infant Gene Smolek. Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at the Sugar Grove Church of God with Pastor Timothy Grable, officiating. The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Monday from 2 to 8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, 6316 Mutual Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 **********************************************