Juliana “Julie” Pauline Vite, 78, of Las Vegas, Nevada and formerly of Niles, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, February 4, 2016.
Julie was born on August 8, 1936 to the late Lloyd and Frances (Dizard) Jaroch in Niles. After graduating from Niles High School in 1953 she wed the love of her life, Merritt “Hubert” Vite. Over the years, Julie and Hubert raised a small family and became entrepreneurs, owning and operating the Tastee Twirl restaurants in New Buffalo and Cassopolis in addition to selling rare dolls nationally. Juliana was an accomplished violinist, playing for many years in the South Bend Symphony and Elkhart Symphonies and later in Las Vegas and teaching privately in both Michiana and Las Vegas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Lyman Jaroch; and grandson, Caleb Dudas.
Julie is survived by her husband, Merritt “Hubert” Vite; her beloved three children; Deborah “Deb” (Dan) Dudas of Niles; sons, Michael (Linda) Vite of Cassopolis and David (Elisa) Vite of South Bend; proud grandmother of Lisa, Erica, Melissa, Megan, Mike, Molly, Amber and David Jr. and three great-grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Fran Lane-Lawrence, officiating. A time of visitation will be held on Thursday at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
Memorial donations may be made in Julie’s name to The Foundation at First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. 4th Street, Niles, Michigan 49120.