Alice L. Sparger Via

Alice L. Sparger Via, 87, the "Grand Duchess of Canterbury", of Lafayette, formerly of Richmond, Va., Ashland, Va., and Bozeman, Mont., died at 5:35 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011 at St. Mary Health Care.

Born on April 1, 1924 in Greensboro, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Edwin Mitchell and Carrie Smith Sparger.

She attended State Teacher College in Virginia and High Point College in North Carolina.

She married Hugh D. Via Jr. on Dec. 17, 1949 in Greensboro, N.C., and they later divorced.

Mrs. Via was a secretary for Indiana Vocational Technical College, retiring in 1989.

She was also a housemother for 1˝ years at Beta Pi at DePauw University and for two years at Alpha Delta Pi at Purdue University.

She was an elder of Sherwood Christian Church, and a member of Preceptor Delta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi International Honorary Sorority, and the St. Elizabeth Hospital Auxiliary.

Surviving is a daughter, Anna Titus (husband Doug) of Lafayette; a sister, Elizabeth Burke (husband John) of Hollywood, Fla.; five grandchildren, Norman M. Henry, IV (wife Cortney) and Alyesha Henry (fiancé Andy Young) both of Lafayette, Glen and Nathan Rasch and Erica Waugh all of Minnesota, and six great-grandchildren, Nicholas Marshall, Airanna, Hannah and Raina Rasch, and Alyson and Carlee Jean Waugh.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Melany Rasch.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at Sherwood Christian Church, 600 Kirkwood Drive, Greencastle, with Rev. Jim Staggers officiating.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Sherwood Christian Church.

Hippensteel Funeral Home, Lafayette, is assisting the family. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com