Mildred F. (Fikes) Delacruz, 99, of Riverside, went to be with her Lord on Friday, March 24, 2017, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville.
Services celebrating her life will be held at Riverside United Methodist Church, 4401 Fikes Rd. in Riverside on Saturday April 1, 2017, with visitation at 10 a.m. and services at 11 a.m. Private burial will be at a later date.
Those wishing to leave a message for the family may do so by selecting the “Sign the guestbook” option on the right.
Memorials may be made to the Riverside United Methodist Church, North Berrien Senior Center, Hanson Hospice Center or donor’s choice.
Mildred was born in Eau Claire, Mich. on October 22, 1917 to Grayson and Gladys LaVanway and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1936. On June 26, 1937 she married Wilbur L. Fikes in Benton Harbor. Together they had three children. Wilbur passed away in October of 1990 after 53 years of marriage.
On November 19, 1994 she married Juanito Delacruz, soul mate, traveling and dancing partner and love of her life. Together they took many cruises and visited a multitude of foreign countries and traveled many states in their R.V. visiting relatives and friends along the way.
Mildred was a faithful, active, long time member of Riverside United Methodist Church. In her early years she was a 4-H leader. She was an extremely active member of the Pier School PTA while her children were in grade school. She enjoyed dancing, sewing, cooking, traveling, and was most happy when surrounded by family and her many close friends. She did not want to miss the party! She loved her church and church family. She welcomed new neighbors into the area taking them a pie.
Mildred worked for many years cleaning homes and cottages along with being the custodian of the Hagar Twp. hall. She also retired from Riverside Hagar #6 School in July of 1988 after 23 years as custodian.
Mildred is survived by her husband, Juanito; son Darrell E. (Brenda) Fikes of Benton Harbor; daughters Lorna (Ed) McGill of Honor, Mich./Summerdale, Ala. and Gladys (Craig) Christian of Riverside; Juan’s children, Mike (Wanda) Delacruz and Karen (Greg) Davis, all of Chicago, and Eve (Mike) Takahashi of Springfield, Ore.; 11 grandchildren, Ray (Karen) McGill, Trish (Joe) Richard, Darrell W. (Richlie) Fikes, Wesley (Michelle) Fikes, Justin (Kelly) Voit, Andy Davis, Nina Davis, Matthew Davis, Stephanie Delacruz, Eric Delacruz and Rachel (Chris) Johnson, 12 great grandchildren; one great-great grandson and special friends Pat & Tony Valenti and Jackie & Danny Mitchell.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Donald LaVanway in WWII, Forest LaVanway, and sister Dorothy Sauri.