Connie Lee Phend, 89, formerly of South Whitley and Sun City Center, FL, died peacefully at Sunset Senior Community in Jenison, MI on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.

Born on February 5, 1934, in Wabash, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late William and Bertha (Shaffer) Shireman.  Growing up in the Sidney area, she graduated from Sidney High School in 1952.

On October 27, 1967, she married William Henry Phend.  They made their home in South Whitley raising four children.  After retiring, the couple moved to Fort Wayne and then Sun City Center, Florida.

In addition to being a homemaker, she was co-owner and operator with her husband of Phend Business Machines in Fort Wayne.  The couple retired from the business in 1995.

Throughout her life she enjoyed sewing, tailoring her clothing for a better fit and keep her family's clothing in good repair.  In her retirement years, she liked to work jig saw puzzles and word search games.  Spending time with the grandchildren was always a joy and had recently welcomed a great-great granddaughter into the family.

Surviving is her loving husband of 55 years, William; children, Debra (Douglas) Long of North Webster, Donald (Tonya) Reiff of South Whitley, Dennis (Kim) Reiff of Warsaw, and Timothy (Jennifer) Phend of Michigan; grandchildren Tyler Phend, Austin Reiff, Justin Reiff, Amber Reiff, Melissa Long, Phillip Long, Melinda Long Witmer and Brandon Long; eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by half-sister, Alberta "Boo" Brown.

The funeral service is 3 p.m. Sunday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley.  Burial is at the South Whitley Cemetery.  Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the service Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Connie's honor are to the donor's choice.