Romanel R. Biberstine, 90, of LaPorte, died Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at Settlers Place in LaPorte.
She was born Romanel Ruth Reid on Feb. 8, 1925, in Redkey, IN, to Chauncey Kenneth “CK” Reid and Cleeda E. (Schafer) Reid.
Romanel graduated from Bluffton High School in 1943 and attended Purdue University. She worked as an independent real estate broker in LaPorte County. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and Tri Kappa Sorority, for which she served as president of the active LaPorte chapter, participated in many events like Carnation Capers, and was active in the associate chapter. Romanel was active in the community and loved to meet new friends. She always listened with a warm heart and spoke kindly of everyone. She loved to travel, read, laugh, and play a game of bridge with friends.
On June 19, 1944, she married Lt. Joe Biberstine in a Marine Corps Dress Military wedding at Cherry Point, North Carolina.
She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Joe; two daughters, Elaine Schiel of LaPorte and Brenda Finney of Mishawaka, IN; one son, Reid (Mary) Biberstine of LaPorte; seven grandchildren, Kimberly Mattinson, Christopher Schiel, Jill Finke, Joseph Biberstine, Jonathan Biberstine, Carrie LaMar, and Kyle Lapczynski; and nine great-grandchildren.
Romanel was preceded in death by her mother, father, stepmother Wilda (Kattell) Reid, sister Norma (Reid/Schacht) Gerber, and infant brother Richard Dale Reid.
The family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church, LaPorte, on Saturday, April 11, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. A Celebration Of Life Service, officiated by Rev. Evan Lash, will be held Saturday at the church from 11:15 a.m. to noon. A graveside service will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton, IN, on Monday, April 13, at 1 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Memorial bequests may be given to the American Diabetes Association, 30 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 3240, Chicago, IL 60602. (Please do not send flowers.)
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.