Ilarae (Dorhauer) Caudill

Ilarae Caudill, 88, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2025 in Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family.

Ilarae was born on July 5, 1937 in Chicago, IL to Lawrence and Rosemarie (Howse) Dorhauer.  On August 29, 1959 she married Bill “Doc” Caudill.  He died on August 19, 2018.  Ilarae was also preceded in death by a sister Donalee Carlson.

Surviving are three daughters Rosie (John) Beard, Chris Caudill, and Deb (Jim) Ewing, 5 grandchildren Tyler (Leah) Beard, Evan Beard, Conner (Paige) Ewing, Cameron Ewing, and Katie Ewing, 8 great-grandchildren Kynzlee Beard, Brandy Beard, Braden Beard, Jayde Beard, Madyson Beard, Noah Beard, Annabelle Ewing, and Preston Ewing, a sister Rita Dorhauer, and a brother Mack Smigielski.

Ilarae graduated from South Bend Central High School and she was active on the reunion committee for many years.  She worked for Associates after graduating from high school and then retired from South Bend Community School Corporation after working at Pierre Navarre School for thirty-two years.  Ilarae enjoyed golfing, reading and spending winters in Florida. What she liked the most was spending time with her family.

A visitation will be held from 2-5 Sunday, December 28, 2025 in the Zahoran Funeral Home, 1826 Kemble Avenue.  Funeral services will be celebrated at 11:00am Monday in the funeral home.  Cremation will follow.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of South Bend Animal Resource Center.

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