Memorials: January 2010 Archives

Martina M. Torres, 72

Martina M. Torres, 72, of Columbia City died at 5:00 a.m. Thursday, January 28, 2010 at her home.
She was born July 23, 1937 in Noble County, Indiana a daughter of Wilbur and Flora (Brown) Witt. Her formative years were spent in Wolf Lake. She attended Wolf Lake High School.
On April 17, 1985, she was united in marriage to Samuel R. Torres. They made their home in Columbia City.
She was employed by Alcoils, Columbia City for 18 years retiring in 1999. She was a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Samuel; two step-sons, Rojelio (Kelly) Torres of Huntington and Rene (Vicki) Torres of Columbia City; a daughter-in-law, Sabrina Youngwolfe and four grandchildren, Jerod Wolfe, Josh Wolfe, Natasha Hilton and Nathaniel Garrison.
There will be no visitation or funeral.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Clara Ellen Fugate, 80

Clara Ellen Fugate, 80, of Washington Township, Whitley County, died at 4:00 a.m. Thursday, January 28, 2010 at her home.
She was born December 22, 1929 in Washington Twp, Whitley County, Indiana a daughter of LeRoy and Clelo (Killian) Hawn. Her formative years were spent in Washington Twp. where she graduated from Washington Center High School.

On April 6, 1947 she was united in marriage to Allen Fugate. They always made their home in Washington Township.
She was employed by the former Blue Bell, Columbia City for 28 years, Plastic Veneering, 6 years and assisted her husband on the farm and Fugate Backhoe Service.
Her memberships included Sugar Creek Church of the Brethren where she was baptized on November 4, 1940. She served as a song leader, pianist, organist and Sunday School Teacher. She was a long time member of Daughters of Rebekah and more recently, Sugar Creek Fellowship Church of the Nazarene.
Surviving relatives include her husband of 62 years, Allen Fugate, a son, LeRoy Allen (Donna) Fugate; a daughter, Kathryn Louise (Jerry) Ray of Columbia City; eight grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Annetta Phillips and Hildreth Wince; three brothers, Carl, Russell and Arlo Hawn.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Pastor Larry Sheets of Sugar Creek Fellowship Church of the Nazarene officiating. The burial will be in Nolt Cemetery.
Preferred memorials are to Sugar Creek Fellowship Church of the Nazarene.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Dusty Williams, 52

Dusty Williams, 52, of Columbia City, IN died at 11:59 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.
Born on August 22, 1957 in Wilkes Barre, PA, he was the son of Ernest G. and Betty L. (Lowmiller) Williams. He attended Warrior Run High School in Watsontown, PA.

On October 16, 1993 he married Laura L. Webster in Warsaw, IN.
A seventeen year resident of Columbia City, he was originally from Pennsylvania but also lived in the Goshen/South Bend, IN area.
He currently was self-employed as the owner of Blue Diamond Transport in Columbia City. He previously worked with the Carpenters Union of Goshen.
He is survived by his wife, Laura L. Williams of Columbia City; 2 daughters, Brea Williams of Bloomington, IN and Amy (Steve) Andrews of Northumberland, PA; mother, Betty Bryant of Middlebury, IN; sister, Linda Hurst of Elkhart; 2 grandsons, Nathan and Ryan Andrews of Northumberland, PA; mother and father-in-law, Janice and George Webster; and sister-in-law, Wendy Schwenn. He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest G. Williams.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 31, 2010 from 1-3 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Dr., Columbia City, IN with the funeral service to follow at 3 p.m. Certified Funeral Celebrant Sharon Brockhaus, GSP, CFC will be officiating. Burial will take place on Monday, February 1, 2010 at Thorn Cemetery, Wolf Lake, IN at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorials to be given in memory of Dusty to the Williams Family c/o DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home.
Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To send a condolence or sign the guest register please visit, www.demoneygrimes.com.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Wayne Heinzelmann, 89

Wayne Heinzelmann, 89, passed away January 26, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital.
The Fort Wayne native was born on December 20, 1920. He was the son of late Julius and Clara Heinzelmann. He attended South Side High School and graduated with the class of 1939.
He was a conductor for Pennsylvania Rail Road and Conrail for 42 years.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 729th Railway Operating Battalion taking men and supplies to the front line often having to lay tracks ahead of the trains.
In 1946, he married his wife of 64 years, Margery Quackenbush.
Wayne and his wife moved to Tri-Lakes, Columbia City, in 1979 and then retired in Florida in 1987.
Wayne was a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Fort Wayne; St. Paul of the Cross, Columbia City; and Resurrection Catholic Church, Lakeland, Florida . He was also a member of the American Legion, Moose Lodge and Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.
Wayne loved his sports playing softball and baseball as a young man. In his later years, he golfed and played in a senior softball league in Florida for 10 years.
He will be mourned by his wife, Margery; daughter Susan (Terry) Miller of Columbia City, sons Robert (Lou) of Columbia, South Carolina, and Thomas of San Jose, California; grandchildren Jackie Miller, Adrian (Casey) Miller, Laura Julius, Tiffany DePriest, Krista, Nicholas (Beth), Christopher and Tavis (Katie) Heinzelmann; and 8 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Donald and Robert.
Mass of Christian Burial is Monday, February 1, 2010 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Church, Columbia City with calling 1 hour prior to service with the Reverend Larry Kramer officiating. Burial at Greenhill Cemetery, Columbia City.
Memorials to Parkview Hospice Huntington/Whitley Branch.
Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register.

Posted by jennifer321 at 08:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Marvene Smith Kneller, 86

Marvene Smith Kneller, 86, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 6:10 a.m. Sunday, January 24, 2010 at her home.
Born on January 30, 1923 in Whitley County, IN, she was the daughter of Oscar and Mildred Irene (Taylor) Smith.

A lifetime Whitley County resident, she graduated from Jefferson Center School, Whitley County with the Class of 1941.
On January 30, 1942, she married Paul "Dutch" Kneller at Jefferson Chapel Church.
A devoted housewife and mother, she was a Girl Scout Leader when her daughter, Pam, was a child. She was a member of Jefferson Chapel United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Paul "Dutch" Kneller of Columbia City; 1 daughter, Pam Hitzeman of Columbia City; 1 son, Doug (Sherree) Kneller of Holly, MI; 2 sisters, Barbara Kinder of Bloomington, IN and Rosella Snyder of Eugene, OR; 2 grandsons, Cameron Hitzeman and Kevin Kneller; 1 granddaughter, Erin Kneller.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Kay Marlene, her sister, Willodene Hively and brother, Arlo Smith.
A funeral service was held Thursday, January 28, 2010 at the funeral home with Pastor Robert Bruckner officiating with burial at Covington Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be given in Mrs. Kneller's memory to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Stephanie Lynn Plattner, 38

Stephanie Lynn Plattner, 38, of West Lafayette, was found dead at her home on Monday evening of natural causes.
She was born January 2, 1972, in Columbia City, a daughter of Richard W. and Linda (Easterday) Plattner. She graduated from Columbia City High School in 1990, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1993, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1999.
She was employed at University of Tennessee in Knoxville from January until October 1993 when she began her employment with Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine where she was instructor of Veterinary Technology.
She was actively involved at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and its Stephen Ministry, The Great Banquet, Women’s Shelter, Soup Kitchen, Prison Ministries and was recently accepted into the Seminary. She also volunteered at Riley Children’s Hospital and the American Cancer Society.
Surviving relatives include her parents, Richard & Linda Plattner of Columbia City; a brother, Bradley (Shannon) Plattner of Kendallville; her nephew and love of her life, Dallas Jackson Plattner; an uncle, Stephan Easterday of Warsaw; and special companion, T. Thomas Tucker Plattner. Her grandparents, Dallas & Marjorie Easterday and Kenneth & Sylvia Plattner, preceded her in death.
A funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1005 North 21st Street, Lafayette with the family receiving friends from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the church.
The family will also receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 207 North Main Street, Columbia City.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church, 204 North Main Street, Columbia City with the family receiving friends after 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
The burial will be in Union Township Cemetery, Columbia City.
Preferred memorials are to American Cancer Society or Humane Society of Whitley County.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com

Posted by jennifer321 at 08:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Robert A. "Bob" Ream, 63

Robert A. "Bob" Ream, 63, of Columbia City died at 12:43 P.M. Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital.
He was born on August 6, 1946 to William A. and Evelyn M. (Gephart) Ream.
He graduated from Northside High School, Fort Wayne with the class of 1964. He attended college in Florida before enlisting to serve his country in the US Army in 1967 where he was deployed with Special Forces. On July 13, 1971 he married Victoria "Vicki" Bullinger in Fort Wayne, IN. For 32 years, he worked for the Dana Corporation before he retired in 2004. He worked for Dana Fort Wayne, Dana Syracuse and Dana Venezuela.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Vicki Ream of Columbia City; son, Robert C. Ream of Syracuse, IN; daughter, Stacy A. Ream of Muncie, IN and; son, Joshua W. (Itala) Ream of Weston, FL; 6 grandchildren, Chelsey Ream and Luther Gilmore IV of Muncie, IN, Alyssa Ream of Albion, IN, Blake Ream of Fort Wayne, IN and Emiliana and Matteo Ream of Weston, FL; sister-in-law, Cheryl (Alan) Shoemaker of Lakeville IN and brother-in-law, Fred (Nancy) Bullinger of Evansville, IN; several aunts and uncles as well as numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Terry L. Ream.
Visitation with the family will take place on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Dr., Columbia City, IN. Memorial service will be on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral with Fr. Alex Dodrai of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Arcola officiating. Graveside military honors will take place at the funeral home after the service. Memorials may be given in honor of Mr. Ream to the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To send the family a condolence or sign the guest register, please visit www.demoneygrimes.com.

Posted by jennifer321 at 01:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Gregory Eugene Darr, 41

Gregory Eugene Darr, 41, of Columbia City, passed away at 5:23 a.m. Saturday, January 23, 2010, at Parkview Whitley Hospital in Columbia City.
Born on October 16, 1968 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Eugene Stanton Darr, Jr. and Marcia L. Gawthrop.
A lifetime Whitley County resident, he graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1987.
He was a construction worker and an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys.
Survivors include his mother, Marcia L. Gawthrop and father, Eugene Stanton Darr, Jr. both of Columbia City; 2 daughters, Kelsey Renea Darr of Columbia City; Kaley Marie Darr of Churubusco; 2 brothers, Ronald S. (Debra) Darr of Columbia City; Dr. Bradley S. (Carrie) Darr of Linton, IN; fiance, Lori L. Cameron of Columbia City; 2 nephews & 1 niece, Benjamin, Hannah and Ian Darr all of Linton, IN; grandmother, Marilyn Darr of North Manchester, IN; 2 grandchildren, Ryan Rose and Kaylyn Cameron both of Columbia City.
Visitation is Monday, January 25, 2010 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral service is 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at the funeral home with Reverend Mark Woods of Burr Oak Baptist, Albion officiating. Memorial gifts may be given in Mr. Darr's memory to Marcia L. Gawthrop for family needs or the Kidney Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.

Posted by jennifer321 at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Verlin L. Kehmeyer, 94

Verlin L. Kehmeyer, 94, formerly of South Whitley, died at 10:05 a.m. Saturday, January 23, 2010 at The Laurels of Defiance in Defiance, Ohio, where he had been a resident since October 2009. He had been a resident at the Tipton House in Huntington since October 2007.

He was born August 14, 1915, in Whitley County, Indiana a son of Fred and Clara (Briggeman) Kehmeyer. His formative years were spent in Washington Township. He graduated from Washington Center High School.

On April 1, 1939, he was united in marriage to Loretta M. Jenkins. They made their home in Fort Wayne until 1941 when they moved to their home in South Whitley. Mrs. Kehmeyer died May 30, 2001.

On December 18, 1943, he was inducted into the United States Army, serving during World War II. He was honorably discharged April 21, 1946.

He was employed at Kuhner Packing Co. in Fort Wayne for six years and retired in October 1977 from Transport Service in Columbia City with 34 years of service.

His memberships include St. John’s Lutheran Church and V.F.W. Post #2919.

Surviving relatives include a daughter, Patricia (Adrian) Kuhlman of Defiance, Ohio; three grandsons, Tim Kuhlman of Corpus Christi, Texas, Dennis Kuhlman of Middletown, Ohio, and Chad Kuhlman of Dublin, Ohio; six great-grandsons; and a half sister, Bernice Abbett of Roanoke.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Walter Kehmeyer.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley. The visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

The burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery with military honors presented by Whitley County Korean War Veterans Honor Guard.

Preferred memorials are to Community Health Professionals of Defiance or St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Posted by jennifer321 at 05:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Mary Joan Boschet, 71

Mary Joan Boschet, 71, of Columbia City, passed away at 8:40 a.m. at The Oaks, Columbia City.

Born on December 29, 1938, in Ohio, she was the daughter of Francis and Ruth (Birkhold) Ross.

A former resident of Ohio, Whitley County, Indiana, Illinois, and a short time in Arizona, she returned to Whitley County in 1973. She attended Columbia City Joint High School and received her GED in 1984. She also attended IPFW, Fort Wayne.

She retired from the Whitley County Sheriff's Department with 12 years of service. She also worked in Columbia City for H&R Block, the Columbia City Moose Lodge and Precision Plastics with 9 years of service.

Her memberships included Grace Lutheran Church, Columbia City Moose, American Legion and the Womens Bowling League.

Survivors include her companion, Jim Cuvo of Columbia City; son, Otto A. Boschet, Jr. of Columbia City; 6 daughters, Lila (Emerson) Smith of Joliet, Illinois, Carol (Pete) Guarjardo of Tulare, California, Jackie Huntley of Miami, Florida, Jane Huntley of California, Michelle Vincent of Buckeye, Arizona and Valerie (Jason) Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona; son, James (Peg) Huntley of Decatur; her mother, Ruth Ross of Columbia City; 16 grandchilddrena and 15 great-grandchildren; a brother, John (Laura) Ross, Sr. of Columbia City; and sister, Betsy (Jack) Thompson of Bear Lake.

Her father, Francis Ross, preceded her in death.

Visitation is from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, January 23, 2010 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home in Columbia City. Funeral service is at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 24, 2010 at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home with Rev. Joyce Gerwing of Grace Lutheran Church officiating.

Memorials may be given in memory of Ms. Boschet to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana or Parkview Home Health and Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.

Posted by jennifer321 at 02:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Alice R. Kincaid, 83

Alice R. Kincaid, 83, of Fort Wayne, died Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Parkview Hospital Fort Wayne at 11:48 a.m. after a sudden illness.

She was born on September 28, 1926 to Robert and Daphy (Counterman) Rhodes in Fort Wayne.

A lifetime resident of Fort Wayne, she attended Central High School. She was a devoted homemaker and mother.

She was an active member of Northside Church of Christ.

Survivors include her husband of 24 years, Millard Kincaid of Fort Wayne; daughter, Dixie Coleman of Fort Wayne; 2 sons, Mark (Annette) Calhoun of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Sam Green of Georgia; step-sons Roy (Sharon) Kincaid of Fort Wayne and Shelby (Fran) Kincaid of Rochester; 3 step-daughters, Edna (Mike) Ward of Venice, Florida, June Lotti and Aloise (Mike) Miller of Fort Wayne; 3 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Charlotte (Virgil) Messenger of Fort Wayne and Barbara Neely of Wayndale.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a step-daughter, Darnell Nirot; 6 brothers, Collin, Jack and Raymond Rhodes, Paul, Kenneth and Donald Brandt; and 3 sisters, Gertrude Tracey, Wava Stillwill and Ruth Beard.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 from 10-12 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home with the service to follow at 12 p.m. Jerry M. Paul, Minister of Northside Church of Christ will be officiating. Burial to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne.

Memorial gifts may be given in memory of Mrs. Kincaid to the Northside Church of Christ Building Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.

Posted by jennifer321 at 05:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Robert L. McConnell, 88

Robert L. McConnell, 88, of Tri Lakes, died at 11:20 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital where he was admitted on Sunday.

He was born May 26, 1921 in Des Moines, Iowa a son of Ross and Irene (Kenner) McConnell. As a young boy, his family moved to Fort Wayne. He graduated from North Side High School and International Business College.

During World War II, he served in the United States Army.

In 1968 he moved to Columbia City and in 1979 to his present home on Little Cedar Lake.

He was employed at Fort Wayne Transit, later I & M Electric and later Midwestern United Life Insurance. He also worked at Parkview Hospital as head of public relations and retired from Whitley County Memorial Hospital as administrator on December 24, 1980.

On June 29, 1980 he was united in marriage to Juanita B. (Perry) Wait.

His memberships included Plymouth Congregational Church in Fort Wayne.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Juanita; a step daughter, Joyce PeGan of Arizona; four step children, C. Bryan Wait of Columbia City, Karen M. (Michael) Cook of Bloomfield, Mark A. Wait of Grovertown and Shawn D. (Teresa) Wait of Columbia City; a granddaughter, Addie Bhuiya; four great grandchildren;12 step grandchildren; and four step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, William McConnell.

The funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

The burial will take place at a later date at the Catholic Cemetery.

Preferred memorials are to Alzheimer’s Association or Parkview Whitley Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com

Posted by jennifer321 at 05:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Wilbert C. “Wib” Welling, 73

Wilbert C. “Wib” Welling, 73, of Larwill, went home to be with his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ at 3:07 a.m. Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital where he was admitted on Wednesday, January 6.

He was born April 22, 1936, in Greene County, Pennsylvania a son of Lee Roy and Cora (Yoder) Welling. He graduated with the Class of ’55 from Richhill Township High School in Wind Ridge, Pennsylvania.

On December 26, 1957, he was united in marriage to Bernetta (Hartley) Seifert in Aleppo, Pennsylvania. In 1963, they moved to Warsaw until 1972 when they moved to Columbia City. In 1986, they moved to their home near Larwill.

He retired from Omni Source in 1999 with 33 years of service and from Ace Hardware in 2004 with five years of service.

His church affiliation was with Grace Brethren Church.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Bernetta; four children, Randy (Ann) Welling of Greenfield, Saundra (Brad) Fredrickson of Brush, Colorado; Crystal (Robert) Salesman of Columbia City and LeRoy Welling of Fort Wayne; seven grandchildren, April Dix, Calvin Welling, Ben Welling, Cayla Walchle, Savannah Welling, Cathryn Fredrickson and Jennifer Salesman; five great grandchildren; a brother, Floyd Welling of Goshen; and two sisters, Cheerful (James) Pettit of Cameron, West Virginia; and MaryEllen (David) VanNorman of McCracken, Pennsylvannia.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Homer, Wayne, Marion and Lester; two sisters, Mae Morris and Shirley Welling; and his mother in law, Dorothy Lemasters.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in Union Township Cemetery. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to Parkview Home Health & Hospice or Columbia City United Methodist Church Walking Ministry.

Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com

Posted by jennifer321 at 08:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Naomi I. Alexander, 91

Naomi I. Alexander, 91, of Washington Township, Whitley County, died at 10:25 a.m. Sunday, January 17, 2010 at the Hospice Home where she was admitted Monday, January 11.

She was born May 10, 1918, near Berne, Indiana, a daughter of Charles and Ina Orilla (Heche) Studler. Her formative years were spent near Berne where she graduated from high school. She received a Masters degree in Education, attending Ball State Teacher’s College and St. Francis College.

On July 9, 1950 she was united in marriage to Clare F. Alexander. They always made their home in Washington Township. Mr. Alexander died December 1, 1989.

A school teacher, she taught 4th, 5th & 6th grades at Columbia Township School for the last 24 years of her teaching career.

Her memberships included First Church of God and Washington Township Home Extension Club.

Surviving relatives include a daughter, Joan (Rick) Null of Columbia City; two grandchildren, Macy (Brad) Wolfe of Columbia City and Ryan (Michaela) Null of Fort Wayne; four great grandchildren, Kaya & Kasyn Wolfe and Veda & Penelope Null; and a sister, Joan (Otto) Arndt of Boynton Beach, FL.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Studler and Louise Kistler; and a brother, Russell Studler.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 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 are to Hospice Home or First Church of God.

Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com

Posted by jennifer321 at 07:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Rosanna Miller, 86

Rosanna Miller, 86, of Columbia City passed away at 12:30 a.m. Thursday, January 14, 2010 at The Oaks Nursing Home, Columbia City.

Born on June 27, 1923, in Coin, Iowa, she was the daughter of Elija Lewis and Minnie (Starns) Lewis. She was raised in Iowa. She attended Coin High School. On October 7, 1939, she married Hubert Miller in Maryville, Ohio.

After her marriage to the Reverend Hubert Miller in Maryville, Ohio, they moved to their first home in Clarinda, Iowa. In 1946, they moved to Findlay, Ohio, and in 1947 to Tiffin, Ohio, then in 1952 they moved to Indiana where her husband became Pastor of the Oak Grove Church of God.

From 1963 to 1965, she and her husband lived in Fort Wayne before moving to Columbia City in 1966. She taught Sunday School and was a teacher at the First Church of God Nursery School. For a short period she also worked for F.W. Woolworth's in Findlay, Ohio.

She was a member of First Church of God, Columbia City, where she was active in the Women’s Christian Service Council.

She was also a devoted housewife and mother.

Survivors include her son, Jan (Karen) Miller of Columbia City; granddaughter, Tami (Todd) Likes of Kendallville; 2 great granddaughters, Taylor and Torri also of Kendallville; 3 sisters, Alice Rogers of Culver, Indiana, Lois (Al) Therrien of Grandbury, Texas, and Lorretta (Max) Hemmert of Astoria, Oregon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Rev. Hubert Miller on July 31, 2001; daughter-in-law, Sue Miller; 2 brothers, Bill Kell and Dale Lewis and 4 sisters, Bertha Lewis, Maxine Beauchamp, Myrtle McCall and Virginia Melcher.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2010, from 2-6 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive , Columbia City. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 18, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with calling one hour prior to the service. Pastor Jim Martin of First Church of God will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Columbia City.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the First Church of God Building Fund or Heartland Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.

Posted by jennifer321 at 08:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Jamie L. Rex, 61

Jamie L. Rex, 61, of Columbia City, died Sunday, January 10, 2010, at Miller's Merry Manor Nursing Home, Columbia City.

At Ms. Rex's request there will be no viewing or services. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, Columbia City.

To sign the guest register or leave the family a condolence, please visit www.demoneygrimes.com.

Posted by jennifer321 at 07:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Edna W. Gondek, 93

Edna W. Gondek, 93, of Fort Wayne, died Tuesday morning, January 5, 2010 at her home.

She was born October 1, 1916 in Fort Wayne, Indiana a daughter of Henry William and Marie W. (Thiele) Wedler. She attended South Side High School and graduated from Elmhurst High School.

On December 27, 1942 she was united in marriage to Frank S. Gondek. They made their home in Fort Wayne and San Antonio, Texas. In 1954 they moved to a farm in Columbia Township, Whitley County. In 1984 they moved to their home at Lake Pleasant where they spent their summers until 1995. In 1993 they moved to their home in Fort Wayne. Mr. Gondek died June 16, 2003.

She was employed at Blue Bell for over 10 years.

A member of Grace Lutheran Church, she was a former Sunday School teacher and Cub Scout Leader.

Surviving relatives include two sons, Richard S. Gondek and Thomas F. Gondek, both of Fort Wayne; two granddaughters, Emily Sweet of Fort Wayne and Elizabeth Gondek of Florida; and a niece whom she raised, Marie.

There will be no public visitation or service. Burial will be in Nolt Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Condolences may be posted at www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com

Posted by jennifer321 at 08:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Mary Joan Rogers, 79

Mary Joan Rogers, 79, a former resident of Columbia City, died Friday, January 1, 2010 in Midland, Michigan following a lengthy illness.

She was born in Columbia City on November 16, 1930, a daughter of Keller and Mary Betzner Grant. Her formative years were spent in Columbia City and she completed her education in the local high school.

She was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church while a resident of Columbia City.

In 1961, she was united in marriage to James W. Rogers and they made their home in Columbia City until 1978 when they moved to Corral Springs, Florida and since 1999, they have made their home in Clare, Michigan.

The surviving relatives include her husband, James; a son, Douglas (Barbara) Cowen, Columbia City; two step sons, James Rogers, Clare, Michigan, Kenneth Rogers, San Diego, California; a step daughter-in-law, Barbara Rogers, Clare, Michigan; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Michael Grant and a step son, Dennis Rogers.

A memorial service will be held at 7 pm Friday, Jan. 8, 2010 in the Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, with Rev. Gene Rohrer, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before the service.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the donor’s favorite charity.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Posted by jennifer321 at 05:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

James A. Bowman, 57

James A. Bowman, 57, of Columbia City, died at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, January 3, 2010, at Parkview Whitley Hospital where he was admitted on Wednesday, December 30.

He was born January 26, 1952 in Huntington, Indiana, a son of Delbert M. and Naomi L. (Fosnaugh) Bowman. As a teenager, his family moved to Columbia City. He graduated from Columbia City Joint High School.

On February 27, 1971, he was united in marriage to E. Jane Taylor. They have always made their home in Columbia City, moving to their present home in 1975.

He was employed at Chamberlin Products, Weatherhead and began his employment with Essex in 1974, currently called Coupled Products LLC.

His memberships included First Church of God.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Jane; two daughters, Terrina (Harold) Caldwell and Angela (Tad) Harris, all of Columbia City; four grandchildren, James A. Bowman, Tharren J. Caldwell, Shayla & Cameron Harris; two great-grandchildren, Delaney Caldwell and Skyler James Bowman; his mother, Naomi Bowman of Columbia City; two brothers, Dennis Bowman of Huntington and Jack Bowman of Andrews; and a sister, Cheryl Wolfe of Columbia City.

His father preceded him in death on December 19, 2009.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in South Park Annex Cemetery. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to American Cancer Society.

Condolences may left for the family at www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com

Posted by jennifer321 at 03:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Memorials

January 30, 2010

Martina M. Torres, 72

Clara Ellen Fugate, 80

Dusty Williams, 52

Wayne Heinzelmann, 89

January 29, 2010

Marvene Smith Kneller, 86

January 26, 2010

Stephanie Lynn Plattner, 38

January 25, 2010

Robert A. "Bob" Ream, 63

Gregory Eugene Darr, 41

January 24, 2010

Verlin L. Kehmeyer, 94

January 21, 2010

Mary Joan Boschet, 71

January 19, 2010

Alice R. Kincaid, 83

Robert L. McConnell, 88

January 17, 2010

Wilbert C. “Wib” Welling, 73

Naomi I. Alexander, 91

January 14, 2010

Rosanna Miller, 86

January 10, 2010

Jamie L. Rex, 61

January 07, 2010

Edna W. Gondek, 93

January 05, 2010

Mary Joan Rogers, 79

January 04, 2010

James A. Bowman, 57

James A. Bowman, 57, of Columbia City, died at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, January 3, 2010, at Parkview Whitley Hospital where he was admitted on Wednesday, December 30.

He was born January 26, 1952 in Huntington, Indiana, a son of Delbert M. and Naomi L. (Fosnaugh) Bowman. As a teenager, his family moved to Columbia City. He graduated from Columbia City Joint High School.

On February 27, 1971, he was united in marriage to E. Jane Taylor. They have always made their home in Columbia City, moving to their present home in 1975.

He was employed at Chamberlin Products, Weatherhead and began his employment with Essex in 1974, currently called Coupled Products LLC.

His memberships included First Church of God.

His father preceded him in death on December 19, 2009.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in South Park Annex Cemetery. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to American Cancer Society.

Condolences may left for the family at www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com