Lucia Janet Hendershott

Lucia (Brothers) Hendershott, 94, of Niles, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Born on May 10, 1931, in Niles, Michigan, she was the fifth of six children born to Edward and Cecelia Brothers. She attended Niles High School and, in 1948, married Ralph W. Hendershott on November 13 in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Over the years, Lucia worked as a waitress, a cook at Associates Lodge, and a lab technician for the USDA in Niles. She cherished traveling with her mother and daughter to Ireland, Hawaii, and Las Vegas, where she especially enjoyed seeing Siegfried and Roy and Liberace. She found joy in visiting casinos, playing the lottery and bingo, and spending quiet hours assembling puzzles, completing her last one during the summer before her passing. A devoted correspondent, she kept in touch with out-of-state family and friends through letters and treasured every moment spent with her loved ones.

Lucia is survived by her son, Ralph W. (Suzette) Hendershott Jr. of Buchanan; two grandchildren, Levi (Monica) Hendershott of Portage and Carisa (Randy) Simpson of Niles; three great-grandchildren, Ginger Hendershott, Devon Simpson, and Esme Simpson; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-eight years, Ralph W. Hendershott; her daughter, Janet Hendershott; two brothers; and three sisters.