Submitted by: Alice Marie Beard

From the South Bend Tribune:  

Vada Mae Slates   Jan. 12, 1927 - Oct. 21, 2009
MISHAWAKA - Vada Mae Slates (Gramma, G.G.), 82, passed away from an illness at 3:50 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21 in her daughter's residence in the midst of her loving family who never left her side.  Vada was born on January 12, 1927 in South Bend, IN, to Earnest and Vada Engdahl, who preceded her in death.  On October 25, 1945, as Vada M. Engdahl, she married the love of her life, Duncan L. Slates, in South Bend.  Duncan preceded her in death on February 10, 2005.  She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Earl and Earnest Neil Engdahl and a sister, Florence Williams.   Surviving Vada are her children, Connie Navarro of Mishawaka, William (Carolyn) Slates of South Bend and Donna (Walter) Chadwell of Mishawaka; two sisters, Norma Jean Watkins of Bremen and Vera DeMike of Mishawaka; nine grandchildren, Misty (Scott) Austin, Genie Weesner, Patti (Bob) Reppert, Bill (Adrienne) Slates, Chad (Kim) Slates, Chris Chadwell, Jason Chadwell, Tiffany Seese and Tabitha Seese ;and 18 great-grandchildren, Heather (Jason) Waldron, Stephanie (Phil) Sterry, Andrew, Matthew and Kaitlyn Austin, Tiffany Weesner, Tanner Boyd, Tyler, Allison, and Carson Reppert, Austin, Alex and Andy Slates, Taylor Smetanka, Preston Slates, Lyric and Emily Chadwell and Payton Seese and five great great-grandchildren.   Vada worked at the Philadelphia Restaurant and Bakery in South Bend.  She owned and operated the Burger Dairy Store on Milburn in Mishawaka from 1988 until 1988, when the store closed.  She worked at Burger Dairy for a total of 25 years.  After that, she worked at Osco Drug Store on Ironwood in Mishawaka for over 10 years before retiring.  Vada was a member of VWF Post 360 Women's Auxiliary and attended Osceola United Methodist Church.   Family and friends may visit on Sunday, October 25 from 2 to 5 p.m. in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka.  Funeral services will be on Monday, October 26 at 10 a.m. with an hour visitation prior in the funeral home with Rev Bob Vale officiating.  Entombment will follow in Riverview Cemetery Mausoleum, South Bend.