Adele Joan Squires , 91, formerly of rural Columbia City, died peacefully in the company of family at 5:50 p.m. Thursday, August 17, 2023, at Grace Village Healthcare Facility in Winona Lake, where she has been a resident since June 2022.

Born on March 26, 1932, in Whitley County, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Chester D. and Amelia (DePoy) Phillips. Growing up in Whitley County, she started at West Ward school, then moved to the Cox School in Columbia Twp.  She graduated from Columbia City High School in 1950.

On December 28, 1951, she married Donald W. Squires. They made their first home in Columbia City, then moved to Washington Twp.  Purchasing a farm in Etna-Troy Twp., they lived there for twenty-five years.  In 1986, they moved to Thorncreek Twp.  After 37 years of marriage and raising four children, Donald died on February 17, 1989.

A full-time homemaker, she had worked for four years at Gates & Gates Law Firm, Columbia City.

She was a member of the First Church of God, where she participated in the Woman's Christian Society, the choir, and the church orchestra.  A long-term member of Delta Theta Tau, she is a past President, Vice-President, and Secretary.  She also served as a national delegate.  While living on the farm, she was an active member and leader of the Etna-Troy Home Extension Club.

Surviving are her children, Donna J. (Douglas) Brickel of Daytona Beach, FL, Jerry W. (Roxanne) Squires of Warsaw, Sharon A. (Richard) Briggs of Columbia City, and Paul D. Squires of Columbia City; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a brother, Roger Phillips, and grandchildren, Dawn Paris, Stephen Brickel, Crystal Squires, and Damion Jarausch.

The funeral service is 3 p.m. Saturday (August 26th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Joan will be interred next to her husband at the Nolt Cemetery.  Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the service Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Joan's honor are to the American Cancer Society or Wounded Warrior Project.