Nila Lee HowellDec. 07, 1931 - Feb. 22, 2017SOUTH BEND - Nila Lee Howell, 85, of South Bend passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2017. She was born on December 7, 1931 in Sturgis, Michigan to the late Wayne and Wava J. (Kilbury) Sisk. On March 31, 1951 in South Bend, she married Larry Z. Howell, who preceded her in death in 2000. She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Callie D. Howell.Nila is survived by her daughter, Vicky L. (Jon) Howell Stickley-Freeman of South Bend; two sons, Larry W. (Candence)Howell and Steven E. Howell, of South Bend; seven grandchildren, Ryan Stickley, Shane Stickley, Michael (Kathe) Freeman, Adam (Heather) Freeman, Landon Howell, Cassidy Howell, Anna Howell, two great grandchildren Kyle and Dylan. She is also survived by sister-in-law's, Linda (Wayne) Uglem and Pauline Howell.Nila was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of South Bend. She loved her church and her church family. She was a dedicated volunteer for the church office, food pantry, Budget Corner and education commission. Her son Steve opened the doors for Nila to organize a Downs Syndrome Parents Group and a Logan Industries Parents Group in the 1960's. Over the years she volunteered for local Special Olympics events and fundraising committees.Nila was an avid Notre Dame Football and Women's Basketball fan. She and her husband were season ticket holder for decades. She was thankful for the love and kindness of the basketball ushers to her and her son Steve. She was a professional and college sports fan “Go Bears, Cubs, Colts and Irish!”She enjoyed years of living at Big Fish Lake in Marcellus, Michigan continuing lifelong friendships and good times filled with family gatherings, fishing, and snowmobiling. She and her husband were restaurant owners during their lake years.On Sunday, March 5, visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and memorial service will start at 4:05 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, IN 46615. Rev. Mary Hubbard of First United Methodist church will officiate. Contributions in memory of Nila may be made to the First United Methodist Church Education Fund 333 N. Main St., South Bend, IN 46601 or Logan Center, 2505 E. Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46615. Online condolences may be left to the Howell family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com