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Colton Isaiah Hershman, was born and passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at Parkview North Hospital in Fort Wayne.
He is survived by his parents Lawrence David & Jennifer (Hale) Hershman of Columbia City; a sister, Alyssa Biddle; brothers, Brandon, Jayden & Caleb Hershman all at home; grandparents, Robert & Karen Hale of Fort Wayne, Larry & Vickie Hershman & Chris & Mike Keenan all of Columbia City; 3 great-grandmothers; lots of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Colton was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Paul Hale, Floyd Flaig, Lawrence Hershman and John Foor.
A funeral service was held Friday, November 27, at D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home in Fort Wayne.
Memorials may be made to the family.
Catherine J. Grubb, 90, of Columbia City, passed away at 1:55 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at Miller's Merry Manor Columbia City. 
Born on May 21, 1919, in Montgomery, she was the daughter of Joseph and Jessie (Reese) Elmore. She lived in Washington, Indiana, until 1998 then moved to South Whitley and in 2000 she moved to Columbia City.
She attended Montgomery High School.
On August 26, 1936, she married Eugene P. Grubb. She was a Homemaker and was a member of Central Christian Church in Washington, Homemakers Extension Club of Washington, and Christian Women Fellowship. She was a current member of Columbia City United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her 2 daughters, Donna (John) Toole of Columbia City; Peggy Berry of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; a brother, Joseph (Nancy) Elmore of Washington; a sister, Louise G. Duzan of Washington, Indiana; 5 grandchildren including: Michael A. Toole of Columbia City; Julie (Rick Cardis) Toole of Chicago, Illinois; Mark (Judi) Berry of Pataskala, Ohio; Tim (Missy) Berry of Scottsville, Kentucky; and Pamela (Mark) Taylor of Scottsville, Kentucky; 6 great-grandchildren including: P. Marshal Berry, Taylor Berry, Tyler Berry, Catherine Taylor, Shelby Taylor and Lola Toole-Cardis.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Eugene P. Grubb in February 1991, son, Rodger W. Grubb, sisters, Mildred Wildrige and Melvina Cone, and brother, Milford Elmore. A funeral service was held November 24, 2009, at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, with Pastor Jean Ness of Columbia City United Methodist Church officiating. Burial was private.
Memorials may be given in memory of Mrs. Grubb to Columbia City United Methodist Church Community Meal Fund or the Whitley County Humane Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.
Dorothy B. Griswold, 89, of Washington Township, Whitley County, died at 7:10 p.m. Friday, November 20, 2009 at Coventry Meadows, Fort Wayne where she had been a resident since January 2008. 
She was born July 29, 1920 in Kingsport, Tennessee a daughter of Joseph Armstrong Phillips and Mary Elizabeth (Calhoun) Phillips. Her formative years were spent in Ironton, Ohio. She graduated from Ironton High School.
On November 4, 1940 she was united in marriage to John B. Griswold. They made their home in Portsmouth, Virginia until 1947 when they moved to Fort Wayne. They later moved to Laud and in 1963 to their home in Washington Township. Mr. Griswold died February 27, 2005. Surviving relatives include four daughters, Mary Ann (Noel) Henschen of Uniondale, Virginia L. Bowling of Fort Wayne, Becky J. (Richard) Schmidt of South Whitley and Melinda “Mindy” Blaugh of Fort Wayne; a son, John M. (Joni) Griswold of Roanoke; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Jones of Fort Wayne.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Elmer Phillips, Shirrill Phillips and Joseph “Jake” Phillips and three sisters, Cecil Phillips, Esther Corn and Edith Lupe.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in Nolt Cemetery. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or American Heart Association.
Velma Ruth Wolfe, 99, formerly of Loon Lake, died Monday afternoon, November 16, 2009 in Lynchburg, Virginia at the home of her niece, Susan Major. 
She was born July 16, 1910 in Whitley County, Indiana a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Snyder) Vanderford. She graduated from Columbia City High School.
On June 6, 1931 she was united in marriage to Arlie F. Wolfe. They made their home in the Loon Lake area where she assisted in the operations of Wolfe’s Apple Orchard. Mr. Wolfe died July 15, 1975.
She was employed at Columbia Woolen Mill and retired in June 1975 from Weatherhead in Syracuse with 25 years of service.
Her church affiliation was with West Point Trinity United Methodist Church.
Surviving relatives include two daughters, Susan (William) Busser of Byron, Illinois, and Carolyn Smith of Columbia City; a son, Harold W. Wolfe of Columbia City; nine grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Vanderford and her twin sister, Verda Major.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in Thorn Cemetery, Ormas. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to West Point Trinity United Methodist Church or Alzheimer’s Association.
Ruth “Joan” Combs, 79, of Shriner Lake, died at 4:20 a.m. Monday, November 16, 2009 at The Oaks Living Center. 
She was born August 2, 1930, in Collamer, a daughter Reed and Irene (Rivett) Brower. Her formative years were spent in Collamer. She graduated from South Whitley High School.
On May 7, 1948, she was united in marriage to Roy E. Combs. They made their home in Collamer until 1986 when they moved to Shriner Lake. Mr. Combs died November 25, 1981.
She worked at Kenny’s Drive In for over 20 years, Bayman’s Locker for nearly 15 years and Dwyer for five years retiring in 1990.
She was a member of First Church of God, American Legion Post #98 Auxiliary and Eagles #1906 Auxiliary.
Surviving relatives include two daughters, Carolyn (David) Stidham of Columbia City and Debra (Donald) Humerickhouse of Palmetto, Florida; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Harold Brower of Columbia City; and two sisters, Leola Williamson and Audrey Barker, both of South Whitley.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Robert Brower, Carroll Brower, Richard Brower and Alvin Brower; and two sisters, Lucy LaRue and Mary Lou Keppler.
The funeral service was held at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley. The burial was in South Whitley Cemetery.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to Parkview Home Health & Hospice.
Mary Imolene Ziegler, 91, of Warsaw, died at 7:40 p.m. Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at Masons Health Care where she had been a resident since August 2009. 
She was born June 17, 1918, in Huntington County, a daughter of Conrad and Glenna (Elsea) Bechtold. She graduated from Bippus High School in 1936.
In 1938, she was united in marriage to Gale E. Ziegler. They made their home in the Bippus area before moving to South Whitley in 1955. They moved to Chapman Lake in August 1992. Mr. Ziegler died December 25, 1992.
She was employed at the Heckman Bindery in North Manchester for 20 years.
Her memberships included North Winona Church of the Brethren.
Surviving relatives include a daughter, Judy (Tom) Beaver of Tucson, Arizona; a son, Jerry (Katherine) Ziegler of Columbia City; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Kenneth Bechtold of Roanoke; and a sister, Helen Meyer of Roann.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Merlin “Boss” Bechtold, Jake Bechtold and Theron “Zip” Bechtold; and three sisters, Grace Lofland, Ruth Babb and Dolly Smith.
The graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at South Whitley Cemetery.
Arrangements are being completed by Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley.
James Murphy, 78, of Columbia City, passed away at 7:29 a.m., Saturday, November 7, 2009 at Miller's Merry Manor in Columbia City. 
Born on May 11, 1931, in West Virginia, he was the son of Hobart and Zella (Newberry) Murphy. He graduated from Big Creek High School in Blue Ridge, West Virginia, with the Class of 1949. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1949 to 1951, attaining the rank of military police sergeant.
On March 11, 1955, he married Shirley A. Tucker in Muncie.
He has been a resident of Columbia City since 1964.
He retired from United Technologies Corporation, Columbia City location, with 20 plus years of service as an electrician.
He was a member of Columbia City United Methodist Church, Moose, Eagles Lodge #1906, the VFW and American Legion, Columbia City Masonic Lodge and was a past Boy Scout leader.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley A. Murphy of Columbia City; 5 children, Mike (Amanda) Murphy of Columbia City; Jody (Greg) Grabner of Columbia City; Annette (Ben) Melvin of Columbia City; Kelly (Todd) Shoda of Columbia City; Chuck (Joella) Murphy of Columbia City; 1 sister, Evelyn A. Short of Columbia City; and also 12 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Hobart Murphy; sister, Barbara Roberts and a great-grandson, Austin Purdy.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Arnold of Columbia City United Methodist Church officiating. Burial followed at South Park (Annex) Cemetery. Graveside military honors were conducted by the Whitley County Korean War Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorials may be given in memory of Mr. Murphy to the United Methodist Church Youth Mission Trips or Whitley County Community Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
To send condolences, please log on to www.demoneygrimes.com.
Evelyn E. Jersey, 89, formerly of Bippus, at 5:20 a.m. Thursday November 5, 2009 at Chatuge Regional Nursing Facility, Hiawassee, Georgia.
She was born July 9, 1920 in Bippus, a daughter of Charles and Vernabelle (Funk) Bippus. Her formative years were spent in Bippus. She graduated from Bippus High School in 1938.
After graduation she moved to Chicago with aspiration of becoming a clothing designer. She met Vernon D. Jersey of South Whitley and they were married on March 24, 1940. Mr. Jersey died November 25, 1987.
Her husband was a P51 fighter pilot in the Army 8th Air Force, Eagle Squadron. After WWII, she moved around the country with him as he continued his military flying career.
Primarily a homemaker, she did factory and office work to help support the family. She was the office manager for Jersey Tool and Die in Monticello, Florida, a company that her husband founded.
A cancer survivor, she loved ballroom dancing, gardening and spending time with her family.
She is survived by two daughters, Judy (Mitch) Richardson of Ventura, California, and Patricia Ann DeSerio of Florida; two sons, Steve (Sandy) Jersey of Hayesville, North Carolina and Anthony Jersey of South Whitley; 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded by a brother, John Bippus and two sisters, Wilma Bippus and Hazel Rupley.
The funeral services were held Tuesday at Smith and Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley.
The burial was in the South Whitley Cemetery.
Memorials contributions may be made to American Cancer Society.
Margaret “Margo” Kaler Langohr, 97, died October 24, 2009, at her home for the last seventeen years, The Forest at Duke in Durham, North Carolina. 
Margo was born October 27, 1911, in Columbia City to Walpole and Bertha Mossman Kaler. She attended Columbia City Schools and graduated from Wayne State University with her B.A. degree and received her M.F.A. from Columbia University.
In 1934, she married John Lewis Langohr and they eventually returned to Columbia City in 1947 where John practiced surgery at the Linvill Memorial Clinic until his death in 1969.
Margo, a born teacher, taught art for eight years in Ferndale, Michigan, and then studied at St. Francis College and Manchester College to qualify for teaching social studies. She taught at Marshall Memorial School in Columbia City from 1959 until 1974.
Margo was an artist and crafts woman. She studied watercolor painting in workshops all over the U.S. and in several foreign countries and won many prizes for her work. She taught watercolor classes and mentored many emerging watercolor artists in the Columbia City area.
She also created works in silver and copper enamels. Her love of jewelry and its crafting led her to collect and sell antique jewelry through her business "Past and Precious."
In Columbia City, Margo was a member of Coterie, Tri Kappa and Grace Lutheran Church.
Margo spent her time on earth appreciating beauty and inspiring others through her teaching and love of learning. Any of life's problems were always treated as opportunities to which she applied her creative spirit.
Margo's loved ones are relieved that she no longer must endure the trials of her many long years of dementia which she bore in the same loving and sweet manner she had always lived. We will miss her infectious love of life and will remember her years of devotion to her family, friends, students and community. We are so grateful to the residents and staff at The Forest at Duke who first welcomed her and then cared for her.
Margo was preceded in death by her husband, John, and her brothers and sisters-in -law William and Harriet Kaler and James and Shirley Kaler.
She is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Judy and Dwight Ebeling and Lucy and John Grant; and grandchildren Stacey and husband Jim McMahon; John Ebeling, Andrew and wife Rebecca Grant, Margaret Kaler Terry and husband Warren Terry; and great-grandchildren Griffin and Katie McMahon, Abby and Hudson Grant, Kaler and Davis Terry. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Jean and Kit Langohr and numerous nephews and nieces and their children.
A burial and celebration of her life is planned for August 7, 2010, in Columbia City, Indiana.
Those wishing to remember Margo may honor her with donations to The Forest at Duke Benevolent Fund, the Margaret Kaler Langohr Art Scholarship c/o Whitley County Community Foundation or the Whitley County Historical Society both in Columbia City, Indiana 46725.
Pauline V. Michel, 100, of Columbia City, died at 6 a.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at Miller’s Merry Manor where she had been a resident. 
She was born January 6, 1909, in Huntington, a daughter of G. Ross and Lodema (Stultz) Kennedy. Her formative years were spent in Huntington. She graduated from Huntington High School in 1926 and received an Associate’s degree from Huntington Business Institute.
In 1927, she married Herbert L. Michel in Bippus. They made their home on farms in northern Huntington County before purchasing their farm in Washington Township, Whitley County in 1939. They spent many summers in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and winters in Florida. Mr. Michel died in 1980.
In addition to being a farm wife, she was employed at Sealtest Dairy in Huntington from 1926-27. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing and reading.
She is survived by two sons, Donald (Nancy) Michel of Richmond and Richard (Betty) Michel of Huntington; two daughters, Joyce Butler and Becky Puckett, both of Columbia City; 26 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; a step-great-great-grandchild; a step-great-great-great-grandchild; and a sister, Waneta Brown of Mt. Etna.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by four sons, Loren, Lyle, Robert and Raymond (Richard’s twin); two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Kennedy.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery. The visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Debra A. Muniga, 50, died Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, where she was admitted on Monday. She had been battling breast cancer for the past two years. 
She was born February 3, 1959, in Fort Wayne, a daughter of Norbert and Elizabeth (Tanner) Sterling. Her formative years were spent in Huntington where she attended high school. She completed high school in Orange County, California, and continued her education at Rancho Santiago College.
On August 4, 1990, she was united in marriage to James A. Muniga. They made their home in Orange County for a few months before moving to their home in rural Huntington.
She worked at J-Mc Enterprises in Huntington from 1994 until 2005 when she became director of the Humane Society of Whitley County in Columbia City. She remained director of the Humane Society until 2006.
Her memberships included St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, American Business Women’s Association and formerly Southside Business Association of Huntington. She was also a volunteer for Smaller Paws Animal Rescue.
Surviving relatives include her husband, James; two sons, Gregory Bryant and Jeffrey Bryant, both of Bloomington; a step son, Timothy (Erica) Muniga of Sunnymead, California; and seven grandchildren.
The funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S. Line Street, Columbia City with visitation one hour prior at the church. Visitation will also be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with a Prayer Service at 8 p.m.
Preferred memorials are to Humane Society of Whitley County or Giving Circle c/o Whitley County Community Foundation.
April Elaine Hartung, 41, of Columbia City, passed away at 7:52 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2009, at Parkview Whitley Hospital. 
Born on March 29, 1968 in Fort Wayne , IN she was the daughter of C. Richard and Allie (Johnson) Hartung.
A graduate of Carroll High School with the Class of 1986, she continued her education at Ravenscroft Beauty College graduating with the Class of 1987.
A Columbia City resident for the past 17 years, and a former Huntertown resident, she was employed by Meijer Stores as an order writer for 14 years.
Survivors include a son, Joseph A. Hartung of Columbia City; daughter, Meghan E. Hartung of Columbia City; parents, Richard and Allie Hartung of Huntertown; brother, Alan Hartung of Los Angeles, CA; special friend, Michael Dale Reynolds of Columbia City; uncle, Robert Hartung of Huntertown; and cousin, Joyce Saltsman of Auburn, IN.
Visitation is Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 4-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive , Columbia City, IN. Funeral service is Friday, November 6, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Reverend Mitchell Kruse officiating. Memorials may be given in memory of April to the Hartung Family. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or to sign the register book.
Dottie Roxie Emline Turner, 84, of South Whitley, passed away at 6:40 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2009, at The Oaks, Columbia City.
Born on December 8, 1924, in McClain County, Kentucky, she was the daughter of William Lovelace and Sadie Anna (Steele) Miller. 
She attended school in Kentucky. On May 21, 1942, she married Lonnie B. Turner in Tennessee.
She worked as a nursing home aide for several years in Texas, several years at Holley Carburetor Company and was a church pastor for numerous congregations.
Survivors include her 4 sons, Lonnie D. Turner of Huntington; Bobbie R. (Lena) Turner of Bowling Green, Kentucky; Jim L. (Debbie)Turner of South Whitley; Darrel W. (Louise) Turner of Rising Star, Texas; 2 sisters, Monna Bell Turner of Jonesboro, Indiana, and Naomie Berry of Lewisburg, Kentucky; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lonnie B. Turner on October 17, 1998, son, Gary A. Turner, daughter, Mary J. Turner, brothers and sisters, William A., Walter L., Henry L., Homer C., Edward L., Annie B.J., Martha M., Dorothy F., James C., Martin L. and John R. Miller.
Visitation will be held from 2-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at the Johnson-Vaugh-Phelps Funeral Home, 901 Fairview Avenue , Bowling Green, Kentucky. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at Plano Baptist Church, Bowling Green, Kentucky, with Pastor Johnny Cranor officiating. Burial will follow at Plano Baptist Church Cemetery.
Local funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the staff of DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home in Columbia City.
Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.
Pamela Marie Tackett, 54, of Albion, passed away at 3:27 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2009, at Parkview North Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Born on August 20, 1955, in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Harold Leroy and Rose Marie (Lindsey) Fry. 
She attended Central Noble High School and graduated from Wayne Beauty College, Fort Wayne, with a degree in Cosmetology.
She spent her lifetime in Whitley and Noble Counties and worked at Lyall Electric, Cromwell Products and Tenneco Automotive, Ligonier, for the past 20 years as a machine operator.
She was a former member of the Wawasee Women's Bowling League, Syracuse.
Survivors include her daughter, Heidi C. (Kenny) Noe of Albion; a granddaughter, Karmen L. Noe of Fort Wayne; 2 grandsons, Alex E. and Zachary R. Noe, both of Albion; a companion, Fred L. Hass of Albion; her mother, Rose Marie Fry of Columbia City; a sister, Toni R. Gomez of Columbia City; a brother, Len (Tami) L. Fry of Columbia City, a sister, Debbie S. Bitting of Kendallville, and brothers, Ed (Joannie) Fry and Chad (Holly) E. Fry, both of Columbia City; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Leroy Fry, second husband, Leo Tackett and nephew, Troy E. Bridegan.
Visitation is from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home with Sharon Brockhaus, DeMoney-Grimes Certified Funeral Celebrant, officiating. Burial will follow at Sweet Cemetery , Albion . Memorial gifts may be given in Mrs. Tackett's memory to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, PO Box 650309 , Dallas , TX 75265 or Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.