Magdalene Marceil Holmes
October 7, 1931 – July 16, 2021
My Grandmother was one of the most special people in my life. I grew up with her teaching me important life lessons. She taught me please and thank you, yes m’am, no m’am, how to drive and then in the end: patience.
The Official Obituary
Obituary:
Marceil Holmes, age 89, of Goshen, passed away Friday, July 16, 2021, at Goshen Hospital. She was born October 7, 1931, in Decatur, IN to Harry W. and Zella R. Steed. On December 5, 1955, in Elkhart, she married Robert L. Holmes who preceded her in death on August 13, 1993.
Marceil graduated from Concord High School and was a former member of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer where she sang in the church choir. She was a member of Eastern Star and White Shrine, the Red Hat Society, both Red Hatters #2 and Mad Hatters of Elkhart, and a member of S&B Sewing Group. She and Robert owned Holmes Insurance Agency for over 40 years and Nu Dimensions Plastics for 6 years. She was a member of Greene Road Church.
Surviving are her children, Pamela Sue (Mike) Chamberlain of Milan, TN., Robert M. (Barbara) Holmes of North Canton, OH., Diane (John) Stellingwerf of Goshen, John (Teresa) Holmes of Elkhart, and Kenneth (Monica) Holmes of River Falls, WI., her niece, Marcia Laurie of Goshen, 20 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister Eileen Rosell and her son Richard M. Holmes.
Friends may visit with the family from 6-8 pm on Monday, July 19, 2021, at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 where funeral services will be at 11 am on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, with Rev. David Van Der Wiele officiating. Memorials may be given to Greene Road Church, 518 Greene Road, Goshen, IN 46526. Online condolences may be made at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com
“Michael… Kenneth William… Jeremy… Bobby, Jake… Damnit… You know who you are get over here!”
The Good, The Bad, The Beautiful
My family is large! Very Large! My Grandma was loved by all and not one person disliked her! She was the coolest person that I had ever met, and I doubt that I will meet another person as cool as her ever again. I am not complaining when I say this, but I am relaying the facts.
As of writing this; the funeral was yesterday. It was nice. No one wanted to say goodbye, they all were wishing that Grandma was not really gone. I certainly wish that she wasn’t gone. As I grew up she was my confidant, my rock, and my best friend. She taught me how to be a better person without ever telling me I was messing up. Rather showing me how to be patient.
“The Favorite Game”
So my cousins and I were always in competition for my Grandmother’s affection; even though we really didn’t need to be. My Grandma loved all of us the same and dearly. She would often complain when she would have to track down her grandchildren for a visit. I would try to remind her that they are all grown now and have a life, she would laugh and state, “I am still in their lives, rather they want me to be or not!” Which is completely true of her, but a little bit of an overstatement. In reality; all of us wanted her in our life!
Jagermeister and All
Now I need you to understand that my Grandmother was not an alcoholic, nor am I. BUT! Grandma did like her drinks that spoke to her Irish lineage: which is all the drinks! 
Before I was married and had children, I would go out to hang with my friends drink some beers, play pool, or whatever I was doing, Grandma made it a point to call out to me to make sure we would do a Jagermeister shot before I left! I would always ask her to come with me, but Grandma preferred to stay home and read her books and watch television. I tried to make it a priority during college to make sure that we went out to eat and a movie, or something, every week! I always felt like I was invading her space living with her for as long as I did, but when I did move out I was there every week to help with the chores around the house.
Grandma and I would often end up at restaurants that were nicer! We liked the full wait staff and bar because that meant better food pairings. We would often eat our dinners and pair them with Guinness pints. Always! Always! Grandma would continue to remind me of my manners about my elbows on the tables and making sure that I would slow down to eat my supper. I would complain to her because the Army taught me to eat this way, but that I would do my best! Grandma didn’t care if we complained, as long as we promised that we would continue to try to do our best!
MORE TO COME… I ACCIDENTALLY PUBLISHED!
Kenny graduated from Indiana University South Bend in 2012 with a Bachelors in General Studies with three major concentrations: English, Political Science, and Electronic Media. Kenny has an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice.
Kenny spent twelve years in the United States Army, Active and National Guard. He was an Infantryman, Airborne qualified and a combat life saver (a medical class). He spent some time overseas in Baghdad, Iraq. Came home and quickly got back to doing what he loves.
Kenny loves to help people. All he wants to do is help people with whatever they need help with; especially Veterans. He is the CEO of FreedomSystem.org a Veteran non-profit organization. Where he donates a lot of his time; the rest of his time he works as an independent graphic artist, designer, and writer.
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