Lillian Schwertfager

Lillian Elenor ?Lill? Schwertfager 92, of Phoenix, formerly of Lima, died at 7:59 p.m. October 12, 2007, in Phoenix. She was born June 29, 1915, in Chicago, Ill to Wesley and Mary Kettler, who preceded her in death. On June 22, 1939, she married Burton C. Schwertfager, who died August 3, 1995. Mrs. Schwertfager was a homemaker. She was a member of Trinity Untied Methodist Church. She was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and volunteered for several years with the St. Jude Telethon and its funding events. She was passionate about bowling, beginning her career in the basement of the YMCA, with her husband and father-in-law, and extended through 1996. In 1970, she was the Lima City Singles Champion. She enjoyed several leagues, tournaments and national competitions. She bowled in the Intercity Tournament for more than 30 years, in the National WIBC for 15 years, in most of the Lima Women?s Bowling Association city tournaments and was a permanent member of the Women?s International Bowling Congress. She was inducted into the LDWBA Hall of Fame in 1990. At the age of 70, she rolled her last 600 series, 665. She was known throughout the lanes as ?Whispering Lill.? She loved and spent as much time as possible at the summer home on Lake James, Ind., where she and her husband had originally gone on dates. She embraced her many friends with enthusiasm and warmth and loved sharing those memories. As she reached her later chapter of life, she continued to find new friends and expressed love and gratitude to her caregivers. She moved to Arizona in 2006. Her family has been her wholehearted purpose. Survivors include a son, Roger Schwertfager, of Fremont, Indiana; a daughter, June (Penny Pulz) Schwertfager, of Phoenix; four grandchildren, Doug (Tia) Schwertfager, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Amy Hager, of San Francisco, California, Betsy (Andy) Zenz, of Boulder, Colo., and Carrie (Dan) Marrs, of Los Angeles; three great-granddaughters; her youngest brother, Oren Kettler, of Monroe, Mich.; a sister-in-law, Dolores Kettler, of Lima; and her many beloved extended family members in Indiana. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Janis Elaine Hager; a brother, Carl F. Kettler; and a sister, Lucille Miller. Graveside services will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday in Woodlawn Cemetery, Lima. The Rev. David Harris will officiate. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Allen County. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.