Mille G. and Lillie C. Van Luckner
81 and 81, Greater Bass Lake area

Identical twins Millie V. and Lillie C. Van Luckner, each 81, died March 22, 2017, in Bass Lake.

Millie and Lillie were widely assumed to be the oldest living set of twins in Bass Lake. Now, they are the most-recently-deceased set of twins.

Both were born March 22, 1936, in the greater Bass Lake area, to Edward and Mrs. Edward Van Luckner, and remained inseparable most of their lives.

Neither married. Each taught elementary school during the 1950s, sometimes substituting for each other and fooling students right-and-left.

In the 1960s and ‘70s, they launched new careers in what they called “homemaker-journalism,” writing an advice and home-hints column, “Ask a Twin or Two.” for Bass Lake Beacon (then-Bass Lake Daily Beacon).  

The siblings enjoyed many hobbies, including travel, pleasure, socializing and church functions. Later in life, they started a charitable non-profit, “Spinsters for Schools,” a name they giggled about often.

The co-sisters wintered in Florida, summered in Upper Michiana and autumned at home.

They are survived by an older non-twin brother Joseph (Mary) Van Luckner and a non-twin younger sister Mary (Joseph) St. Mary. They were preceded in death by their parents.

Separate visitations are planned for Millie (2 p.m.) and Lillie (3:45 p.m.) Friday at Church of the Church, 1534 Wellside Road, just north/northeast of Bass Lake. A celebration of life/death is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at the church. Graveside committal will take place privately.

Memorial donations may be made to the family. To the family.