Lorraine Slifer

1937 - 2022

Barbara Lorraine Slifer died at her home in North Manchester, Indiana on March 23, 2022 at age 84. She was born Aug. 24, 1937 in Milledgeville, Carroll County, Illinois, to Howard and Beulah (Shilling) Slifer. She was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law Lawrence H. Slifer, Sr., and Marilyn (Kitzmiller) Slifer; her parents; nephew Larry Slifer; and great-nephew Robert A. Linton, Jr.

Lorraine's early childhood years were spent with her parents and brother on a farm near Lanark Illinois. When she was in fourth grade her family moved to nearby Polo and she graduated from Polo Community High School in 1955 with 54 other classmates.

Lorraine moved to North Manchester in 1957 to attend Manchester College and remained in the community she loved the rest of her life. After obtaining a two-year degree in Secretarial Studies from Manchester, she started working at the college as secretary to the Dean of Students. Lorraine remained at the college her entire working career, retiring after 47 years, where her final position was Administrative Assistant to the Office of Student Development. She collected a lifetime of student practical jokes and, at her surprise retirement party in 2002 was awarded, among other gifts, the desk she had used for 47 years.

Lorraine kept in touch with many of the students whom she came to know while working at Manchester and was always thrilled to learn of their successes. She could recount their names, the year they graduated and something special about each person. Lorraine had many humorous stories to share about her time at Manchester College as well as more serious stories from living through the on-campus and societal changes of the latter half of the 20th century.

Lorraine was an active member of Zion Lutheran in North Manchester, editing the church newsletter, keeping some of the church records, leading a women's bible study group, and helping with the church library. She was an avid reader, sharing books with friends and donating many to the public library's book sale. Lunches with friends were regular entries on Lorraine's calendar. She was a cat lover, taking in a stray cat who sought her out, and naming her Kitty – a great companion during the last years of her life.

Family was important to Lorraine. She often drove to Illinois to spend time with her brother and his wife and with her nieces and their families, and was looking forward to moving to Sterling Illinois to live with niece Laurie (Slifer) Free and husband Bill. Lorraine had many friends in the North Manchester community and maintained ties with several high school and college classmates.

Lorraine is survived by niece Sandra Slifer, Rockford, IL.; three nieces and their husbands, Laurie and William Free, Sterling, IL.; Barbara and Robert Linton, Sterling, IL.; Valarie and Daniel Stallings, Rockford, IL.; 12 great-nieces and nephews; 20 great-great nieces and nephews; and 6 great-great-great nieces and nephews.

Calling is on Tuesday March 29 from 1:00-3:00pm at Zion Lutheran Church, 113 W. Main St., North Manchester with a service to follow. Graveside services will be held in Sterling, Illinois at a later date. Preferred memorials are to Manchester University, 604 E. College Ave, North Manchester IN 46962. A scholarship will be established at the university in Lorraine's name. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, North Manchester, Indiana.