Tressie Veda Nowlin

Tressie Veda Nowlin, 94, of Elkhart, IN and formerly of Ft. Myers, FL, passed from the earthly hands of family into the Heavenly hands of the Lord on Monday, May 26, 2025 at Brickyard Healthcare in Elkhart.  

Tressie was born on November 18, 1930 in Wanamaker, IN to Claude and Tressie (Sexson) Smith. She married Robert Jerome Nowlin on April 23, 1948 and together they built a family and lifelong friendships from their times living in Indianapolis, Champaign, IL, and Elkhart. Over the course of her life Tressie worked for the Judge Advocate General at Ft. Harrison and Midwest Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, both in Indianapolis; Welcome Wagon and Medco Nursing Home, both in Elkhart. In 1993 she retired to Ft. Myers.  

Tressie had a smile that lit up a room and was known as the consummate hostess. She loved entertaining friends, often over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. From bridge games to pool parties and everything in between, she loved bringing friends and family together in an atmosphere of love, laughter, and joy. She enjoyed boating and regular family vacations to the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers and summers on the Morse Reservoir in Indiana. She also enjoyed travel, especially cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska. 

Tressie leaves behind daughters Colleen (Christine) Davidson-Nowlin and Roxanne (Phil) Niemzyk, all of Elkhart, son Bruce (Patty) Nowlin of South Haven, MI; grandchildren Meghan (Phil) Tarver, Dustin Balyeat, Robert Niemzky and Hunter Niemzyk, all of Elkhart; Briana Nowlin of Tuscumbia, AL, and Lily Nowlin of Indianapolis. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; son, Larry Edward; and 13-year companion Bill Kinney. 

No services and rites are planned and Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.  

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