Mildred Hoffman Lower, 86, passed on to her eternal reward on June 17, 2008, after suffering a stroke on June 12. Born on June 3, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mildred graduated from Creston High School and attended Calvin College for five semesters. Mildred married James Meredith Lower on January 28, 1942. Together they ministered in rural churches in Iowa before moving to Wheaton, IL in 1959, when James began a new career in higher education. Mildred was the consummate home economist, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and volunteer at Wheaton Bible Church, Corinthian Co-op, and Repeat Boutique. She enjoyed reading and needlework throughout her life, most recently finding pleasure in embroidery, which became her primary pastime following her previous stroke in 2001.

Mildred was the daughter of Dr. Robert and Mrs. Pauline Hoffman. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Dr. Robert Hoffman. In addition to her husband Dr. James M. Lower, she is survived by her sister Marion Glerum, Grand Rapids, MI; her children James Lauer, Brentwood, TN; Ruth Willis, Elgin, IL; Rhoda Engstrom, Cedar Rapids, IA; Jonathan Lauer, Mechanicsburg, PA; and Daniel Lauer, Harrison, ID; and by 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Visitation, 9:30 am, and funeral service , 10:30 am, Thursday, June 19, at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main Street, Wheaton, IL . In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the American Bible Society. American Bible Society. 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023-7505.