Antonia Fruits

Antonia “Toni” Fruits, 70, passed away from health complications on Monday, October 18, 2021, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.

She was born October 6, 1951, in San Bartolo de Berrios, Guanajuato, Mexico to Jesus and Maria Mendoza.

While working at Pilgrim Farm Pickle Plant in Plymouth, Toni met Garah Fruits. The two would wed in a traditional Spanish wedding on November 2, 1973, in St. Michael Catholic Church in Plymouth. She would sew dresses for her daughter as she grew, and Toni would turn her love of sewing and quilting into her dream, opening Country Quilting in Plymouth which she ran for over 40 years.

Toni was full of love. She had a giving spirit that could never be at rest. Her faith meant a great deal to her and attended Sunday mass at St. Adalbert Church in South Bend or St. Michael Church devotedly. Toni enjoyed leading by example, and taught others to care for one another with great respect, especially the elderly.

She enjoyed crafting and would often find things at garage sales that just needed a little love and elbow grease and would resell them. She enjoyed playing Bingo and making doll dresses and clothing items for friends and family.

Toni is survived by her husband, Garah, and daughter, Felena (Aaron) Chandler of Trafalgar, IN; grandson Darren; her father, Jesus of Plymouth; siblings: Martha (Steven) Wright, Jose Martin Mendoza, Connie Mendoza, Jesus Junior (Terri) Mendoza, Mary Oviedo Mendoza and Susi Mendoza as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Maria.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, October 25, 2021, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 612 N. Walnut Street with Fr. Fernando Jimenez officiating. Friends are welcome from 11 a.m. until the start of mass.

Burial will follow in the New Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Adalbert Church 2505 W. Grace St., South Bend, IN 46619 or St. Michael’s Church, 612 N. Walnut Street, Plymouth, IN 46563.