SuzAnne Handshoe

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Wilma SuzAnne Handshoe, age 66, former mayor of Kendallville, passed away, surrounded by her loving family, on June 29, 2026, at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis following a long and brave battle with cancer.

SuzAnne was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 26, 1960, to Floyd Collins Lilley and Martha (Head) Lilley. SuzAnne graduated from East Detroit High School in 1978, and Purdue University, Fort Wayne, with an associate's degree in organizational leadership and management.

SuzAnne joined the United States Marine Corps in 1979 serving 11 years on active duty and retiring from the Marine reserves as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in 2003. While in the Marines she had the distinction of being the first female to graduate from Water Safety Survival School and become an actual Water Safety Survival Instructor.  She served at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Kanehoe Bay Hawaii,  Camp Kinser Okinawa, Japan and at the Pentagon in Washington DC. She also proudly deployed to Desert Storm and served as a Casualty Assistance Officer in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

She married Randy Darrell Handshoe on July 28, 1990, in South Milford.

SuzAnne was elected as Mayor of Kendallville in 2003 and proudly served 20 years in this position, retiring in 2024 to focus on her health as she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2016. Mayor Handshoe devoted her life to serving others. As Kendallville's first and only female mayor, she faithfully led the city for five terms from 2004 to 2023. During her time as mayor, she was committed to make Kendallville a better place to live, work and visit. She had a "never give up," attitude at work and in her personal life. Those closest to her know her true strengths were her unshakeable faith, devotion to her family, community, and her country. Mayor Handshoe exhibited incredible work ethic, and commitment to excellence in everything she did.

SuzAnne loved the beach and the ocean and spending spring break on the beach with her children and grandchildren. She loved cooking and loved her flowers and garden. 

Survivors include:
Husband, Randy Handshoe of Kendallville.
Daughter, Christina and Dexter Hawkins of Butler. 
Son, Brice and Samantha Handshoe of Kendallville.
Her four grandchildren were the center of her world. They include three granddaughters, Kensley Handshoe, Brylee Handshoe, and Laykn Handshoe, and one grandson, Conner Handshoe.
Mother, Martha Lilley of Detroit, Michigan.
Brother, H.T. Huchi of Jacksonville, North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her father, Floyd Lilley and a brother, Phillip Lilley.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 6, 2026, from 2:00 - 7:00 PM at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville. 
Funeral services will take place Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Hite Funeral Home with Pastor Brian Walter officiating.
Burial with military honors will follow at Lake View Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.  

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