Kelly Espich, age 59, of Columbia City, IN, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Sunday afternoon, March 26, 2023, at her residence. Born April 14, 1963, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Tony G. and Virginia R. (Orick) Neely. Kelly graduated from Northrop High School with the Class of 1981. On August 24, 1984, she married Matthew James Espich. They moved to Columbia City in 1991.  For over 35 years, Kelly worked at Lincoln Financial in Fort Wayne as a project...

David Alan Byers, 72, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Monday, March 20, 2023 at Parkview Whitley Hospital. Born November 29, 1950 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Harry Byers and Marjorie Alice (VanCuren) Davis. A lifelong resident of Tri-Lakes in Whitley County, Dave graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of  1969. During high school, Dave worked at Pizza King and after serving in the U.S. Air Force at the end of the Vietnam War, he worked for Dana for a...

Mitchel Jon Winger, age 64, of Columbia City, and formerly of South Whitley, passed away at 5:55 am on Saturday March 18, 2023, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.  Born on January 1, 1959, in Wabash, he was the son of Joe and Rosie (Lambert) Winger. Mitch attended Whitko High School and graduated with the Class of 1977.  He then attended Ball State University and graduated with the Class of 1981, with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.  On October 2, 1982, he...

  Our beloved Mark Donald Chrzanowski, age 61, of Anderson, IN, passed peacefully at home from this earth and into Our Father’s loving arms on March 14, 2023, where he was reunited with his Dad, to continue their quest to win the next big fishing tournament.    Mark was welcomed into this world on July 26, 1961 in South Bend, IN , by loving parents Thomas D. and E. Jean (Greene) Chrzanowski. In 1991 Mark joined apartment industry leader, The Gene B. Glick Company,...

Jerry "Maxx" Vielhauer Jr, 65, of Albion, Indiana, passed away Monday, March 13, 2023 at Stillwater Hospice from complications from a motorcycle accident he had in 2018. Born September 18, 1957 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Jerry Vielhauer Sr. Williamson and Bonnie Jean (Minnick) Vielhauer Williamson. Maxx attended Elmhurst High School and earned his G.E.D. while in the U.S. Army. He married Evelyn Taylor and they had a daughter, Crystal Tanya. Most of Maxx's work career...

Jane Patton, 64, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Monday, March 13, 2023 at her home. Born July 5, 1958 in Augusta, Georgia, she was the daughter of David E. and Betty L. (Irwin) Basinger. With her father serving in the U.S. Army, she and her family moved to Germany when she was 6 weeks old and moved many times as she grew up, attending different schools each year.She graduated from Pandora Gilboa High School in Pandora, Ohio with the Class of 1976. She attended Cosmology School and...

Richard L. Wolfe, 88, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Monday, March 13, 2023 at Coventry Meadows in Fort Wayne. Born January 11, 1935 in Columbia City, he was the son of Walter Wolfe Sr. and Sylvia (Staples) Hursey. Growing up in Whitley County, Richard graduated from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1954. He served in the U.S. Navy during the end of the Korean War and had been stationed in the Okinawa Islands in Japan. After being honorably discharged from the military,...

Rhonda A. Knepple, age 57, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 6:46 pm on Monday March 6, 2023, at Majestic Care Jefferson Pointe, Fort Wayne.  Born on January 18, 1966, in Dowagiac, MI, she was the daughter of Gerald and Arveta (Ferren) Ramsey. Rhonda attended Columbia City High School and graduated with the Class of 1984.  While there she was awarded the John Phillip Souza Award for her excellent clarinet playing.   She went on to attain phlebotomy certification, and...

Sandra L. Morse, age 68, of Columbia City, IN, passed away on Sunday March 5, 2023, at her residence.  Born on June 23, 1954, in Detroit, MI, she was the daughter of Arnold and Patricia (Fryer) Hohf. Sandra attended Howell High School, Howell, MI, and graduated with the Class of 1972.  She then attended Ferris State College and earned her associate degree in social work.  Sandra was a lifelong homemaker.  She was a member of New Hope Wesleyan Church, Columbia City, Awana...

Debbra S. (Rice) Clark, 68, of Columbia City, Indiana and formerly of Defiance, Ohio, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne. Born March 10, 1954 in Napoleon, Ohio, Debby attended school in Napoleon and after her family moved to Archbold, she went on to graduate from Four County Career Center in 1972. The week after graduation, she married Barry Clark on May 27, 1972. Debby caught Barry's eye one afternoon while on a lunch break at the local A &W stand...

Brody Alan Barker, 18, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at Parkview Regional Medical Center. His body drew its final breath on Friday, March 3, 2023 and he gave gifts as a donor to help others continue on with their lives. Born May 30, 2004 in Fort Wayne at Lutheran Hospital, Brody was the son of Lloyd Barker and Michelle Dailey. Growing up in Columbia City, he was gifted academically. He may have been known as a class clown, but Brody loved to make people...

Emmaline Marie (Crook) Vebert Middleton Vebert, age 101 of Fort Wayne, IN, passed away at 2:42 am on Sunday February 19, 2023, at Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne.  Born on December 18, 1921, in Nashville, Indiana, she was the daughter of Lewis R. and Mable Marie (Duhamell) Crook, and granddaughter to Ross F. and Lucinda E. (Lantz) Crook and Howard and Lola M. (Waltz) Duhamell.  A sister Hellen joined the family in 1924. After the death of Emmaline’s mother, her father married...

Elnora "Ellie" J. Lewellyn, 83, of Ossian, Indiana and formerly of Blue Lake in Churubusco, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at her home. Born June 8, 1939 in Noble County, she was the daughter of Victor and Erma (Fought) Buckles. She attended Columbia City High School. On August 5, 1972, Ellie married Howard Lewellyn and had lived in 4 homes on Blue Lake before moving to Ossian in the early 2000's. She worked for Dana for 37 years, retiring...

Max E. Felger, 72, of rural Allen County, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Born March 5, 1950 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Forest and MaryJane (Scott) Felger. Max graduated from Arcola High School with the Class of 1968 and attended Fort Wayne Bible College. On June 6, 1970, he married Linda L. Zurbrugg. In May of 2017, Max retired as a Site Engineer for Bastian Solutions. One to come up with solutions and be a problem...

Barbara Ruth Kessie, 97, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Thursday, December 22, 2022 at Mason Health Care Center in Warsaw. Born to Methodist missionary parents in Kongju, Korea on December 24, 1924,  she was the daughter of Charles and Edith (Anderson) Amendt.   Her early schooling for six years was provided by her mother in their home. In 1937 and 1938, she traveled with her family around the world from Korea and back there again, spending a school year in Rochester, New...

Tommy Dean Hill, 79, passed away Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Born July 16, 1943 in Noble County, he was the son of Ira  Hill and Mildred (Bills ) Hill. He attended North Webster High School and served in the U.S. Army. Tom had worked for RR Donnelley & Son and retired from Vent Line in Goshen. Along with his parents, Tom was preceded in death by three brothers, Daryle  Hill, Jimmy  Hill and Jerry  Hill.   Tom...

Loving, compassionate, caring, and strong willed were just a few words to describe Jeannine Slavicek. She loved her family more than anything, but her husband Ladd was her number one. She had a deep faith that got her through tough times, especially after Ladd’s passing. Jeannine was a great  storyteller, and she had a wonderful  memory to recall events from her past.   The world changed throughout the 1930s, the majority of which was still under the shadow...

Collin Alexander Lynn Ream, 17, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2023 at home. Born January 6, 2006 at Parkview Whitley Hospital in Columbia City, he was the son of Rob Ream and Amanda (Kimbrell) Mulkey.   Growing up in Whitley County, Collin had been involved with wrestling, soccer, had been a basketball manager, and was currently a Sophomore at Columbia City High School. He loved being outdoors, swimming, hiking, and going to Bear Lake Summer Camp. With...

Georgia May Ruf, age 75, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 9:18 am on Saturday February 4, 2023, at Stillwater Hospice, Fort Wayne.  Born on February 22, 1947, in South Gate, California, she was the daughter of Carlie and Ruth (Wilkins) Marsh. Georgia attended Norwalk High School in California, before moving to Kansas City, Kansas in 1968, then to Whitley County in 1984.  Georgia worked in the Electronics Department at Walmart, Columbia City from 1989 until her retirement in...

Richard “Dick” Reith, age 86, of Huntington, IN, passed away at 7:23 pm on Friday February 3, 2023, at Dupont Hospital, Fort Wayne.  Born on June 28, 1936 in Kokomo, IN, he was the son of William and Mary (Day) Reith. Dick attended Walnut Grove High School and graduated with the Class of 1954.  He then proudly served his country in the United States Navy before moving to Whitley County. On December 31, 1982, he married Phyllis Eckert in Columbia City.  He worked...

Robert Eugene Bowers, age 60, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 6:55 am on Wednesday February 1, 2023, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.  Born on March 12, 1962, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Donald and Patricia (Alcorn) Bowers. Robert attended North Manchester High School.  He worked for Campbell’s as a tow truck driver for over 20 years.  Robert enjoyed fishing, camping, and taking care of his family in his free time. Survivors include his...

Shirley Ann Palmer, 85, of Columbia City, Indiana and formerly of Larwill, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at her home. Born October 10, 1937 in Auburn, she was the daughter of Paul and Amelia (Miller) Ruppert.   Her family moved from DeKalb to Huntington County where Shirley attended school in Andrews and was proud that she earned her GED in Warsaw in 1980. On August 17, 1963, she married Donald Palmer in Huntington. In 1973 moved to Whitley County and into Columbia City in...

Betty Jean Bills, 88, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at her home. Born December 19, 1934 in Morocco, she was the daughter of Joseph and Beulah (Lake) Dalton. She lived in Newton County for the first part of her life and by the end of her grade school, Betty's family moved to Whitley County where she attended Columbia City High School. On July 22, 1960, she married Paul Bills in Columbia City by Rev. Graham L. Kleespie. She had owned Betty's Smart...

Grace L. Brower, of Pierceton, Indiana, passed away on her 96th birthday, Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at Majestic Care West. Born January 18, 1927 in Merriam, she was the daughter of Samuel Elza and Josephine A. (Rowland) Gaff. As a child, Grace's family moved to Etna-Troy Township of Whitley County and later moved to Larwill. She graduated from Larwill High School with the Class of 1945. On February 17, 1946, she married Harold L. Brower in Huntington. She was a member of Larwill...

Robert "Bob" Dwight Cornmesser, 96, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away Friday, January 13, 2023 at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Born February 9, 1926 in Green City, Missouri he was the son of Sigel and Lula (Downing) Cornmesser. He graduated from East High School in Waterloo, Iowa with the Class of 1943 and had attended Iowa State. Bob served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War before being honorably discharged in 1952. After coming home from the service,...

Dianna Lawson, 73, of Columbia City, Ind., previously Logansport, passed away peacefully on January 11th, surrounded by her family.   Born January 9, 1950, in Linton, Ind., she was the daughter of William E. and Nancy (Openshaw) Stahl.    Dianna attended Switz City High School where she was a cheerleader, member of the school band, and Salutatorian of the Class of 1968. She attended Lincoln Christian College, transferring to Saint Anthony's Nursing School in Terre...

June Elizabeth Wilson, 89, of Mattawan, Michigan, pass away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 in McKinney, Texas where she had been living with her daughter for the past few years. Born August 16, 1933 in Churubusco, Indiana, she was the daughter of William and Lalah (Zolman) Rowland. She attended Warsaw High School and on June 14, 1952, she married Guy H. Wilson in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After Guy retired from the U.S. Air Force, they moved to Michigan in 1969.  June had been a homemaker...

Stefan Mannes, age 90, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 8:01 pm on Sunday January 8, 2023, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Born on August 29, 1932, in Klenak, Yugoslavia, he was the son of Peter and Justina (Kretler) Mannes. He immigrated to the United States on February 22, 1952, from a displaced persons camp in Austria. He was drafted into the US army in November 1952 and became a US citizen immediately after his sergeant was appalled when he discovered he was not...

Janice Ilene Clingerman, 77, of Kimmel, Indiana, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2023 at her home surrounded with family. Born September 13, 1945 in South Whitley, she was the daughter of Dale and Maxine (Shriver) Reichard. She graduated from Larwill High School with the Class of 1963. On November 3, 1963, she married Tony Clingerman Sr. in Columbia City. Janice worked at Pence Dry Cleaners in Columbia City and then at Alcoils for 10 years. She then worked for Kroger's and in...

Mary Jane Runyan, age 81, of Albion, IN passed away at 11:07 pm on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.  Born on July 29, 1941, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of James M. Albert and Helen (Deck) Potter. Mary had been an Allen County resident before she moved to Noble County in 2004.  She attended Central High School, Fort Wayne. On January 19, 1959, she married James F. Runyan in Fort Wayne. Mary worked for JJR, Wayne Bunn, and...

James R. Semler, age 81, of Churubusco, IN, passed away at 4:05 pm on Thursday January 5, 2023, at his residence.  Born on June 28, 1941, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Paul and Marydell (McBride) Semler. James attended local schools before becoming an independent contractor and carpet layer for over 30 years. On April 7, 1994, James married Cindy Terman. James enjoyed fishing, woodworking, shopping, traveling, reading science fiction books, and was an avid aquarium enthusiast with...

Lois Ann Downing, age 82, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 6:04 pm on Monday January 2, 2023, at her residence.  Born on May 9, 1940, in Whitley County, she was the daughter of Herschel and Helen (LaRue) Coulter. Lois attended Coesse High School and graduated with the Class of 1958.  On August 15, 1959, she married Carl Downing in Columbia City. Lois was a homemaker and also worked at Magnavox, General Electric, and Citizen’s Bank. She was a member of Coesse United...

Donald G. Wilhelm, 78, of Allen County, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2023 with his daughter by his side. Born April 13, 1944 in Columbia City, he was the son of Edward and Genevera (Gaff) Wilhelm. Don grew up working on the family farm. For over 40 years, he was a truck driver, with the handle "Tree House" and retired from Garrett Trucking in Fort Wayne. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Arcola. Don enjoyed being outdoors and relaxing at his cabin. Don is...

Bonnie L. Hollenbaugh, age 90, of Columbia City, IN, passed away Friday, December 30, 2022, at StoryPoint West, Fort Wayne.  Born on January 29, 1932, in Whitley County, she was the daughter of Gerald and Ruth (Wilson) Beck. Bonnie attended Washington Center High School and graduated with the Class of 1950. On October 29, 1950, she married Max E. Hollenbaugh, in Columbia City. Bonnie was a lifelong homemaker, a member of Laud Christian Church, Laud, and Washington Township Home...

Thomas Lee Clark, 82, of Whitley County, passed away Friday, December 30, 2022 at his farm house in Jefferson Township. Born April 11, 1940 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Thomas A. and Lillian M. (Grodrian) Clark. In 1952, Tom moved to Whitley County. He attended Jefferson Center High School until he was a Junior and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in 1959. Tom served in the U.S. Army from 1963 until being honorably discharged in 1971. On September 28, 1963, he married...

Linda L. Mahoney, 60, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Friday, December 30, 2022 at The Waters of Columbia City. Born December 26, 1962 in East Chicago, she was the daughter of  Conrad "Mac" Lisek and Margaret (Burton) Van Til. She graduated from Merrillville Senior High School with class of 1981 and from Indiana Tech with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. On September 24th, 1985, she married James "Jim" E. Mahoney III. In 2002 they moved to Huntington...

Julia A. McQueen, 68, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Thursday, December 29, 2022 at her home. Born March 2, 1954 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Donald and Edith (Schrader) Chapman. While attending Columbia City Joint High School, Julia enjoyed playing basketball and graduated with the Class of 1972. She would go on to further her education at Indiana University where she received her Associates Degree in Interior Design. On May 19, 1973, she married Ronald McQueen at...

Marianne VanEmon, 70, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Monday, December 26, 2022 at her home. Born January 1, 1952 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she was the daughter of Alfred and Cornelia (Lemmers) Sopjes. She graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School with the Class of 1970 and Bronson Hospital of Nursing. On May 16, 1981, she married Brian Van Emon. Marianne had been a nurse with Parkview Huntington, retiring in 2017. She was a member of Whitley County Extension Homemakers and a...

Edward Gray Rollins, age 86, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 1:45 am on Saturday December 24, 2022, at his residence.  Born on May 10, 1936, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he was the son of Fred and Hixie (Tedder) Rollins. Edward attended Wayne Memorial High School, Wayne, Michigan and graduated with the Class of 1954.  He then proudly served his country in the United States Air Force.  Following that he earned a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University, Detroit,...

John Devon Jagger, age 93, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 7:45 am on Thursday December 15, 2022, at The Waters of Columbia City.  Born on October 14, 1929, in Whitley County, he was the son of John and Audrey (Egolf) Jagger. John attended Columbia City High School and graduated with the Class of 1947.  On July 23, 1949, John married Maxine Kesling at Merriam Christian Chapel. John spent several years working for Culligan and in law enforcement as a whitley county deputy...

Brenda K. Carter, 72, of Columbia City, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at Cleveland Clinic. Born September 2, 1950 in Wolf Lake, she was the daughter of Franklin Dear and Betty (Braddock) Dear. She graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1968 and from Purdue University with a degree in Nursing. On May 31, 1969, she married Gene Carter at the First Baptist Church in Columbia City. Brenda had been a beautician and after becoming a mother, she began working in...

Paula D. Thompson, 64, of South Whitley, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at The Waters of Columbia City. Born July 7, 1958 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Paul L. and Judith E. (Reimer) Thompson.  Growing up in South Whitley, Paula graduated in 1976. She began her nursing career at Alfran Nursing Home and would graduate from Lutheran College of Health Professionals with a Registered Nursing Degree in 1990. The majority of her career was with Miller's...

Connie S. Foster, 82, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Monday, December 5, 2022 at The Waters of Columbia City. Born February 20, 1940 in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Walter and Eleanor (Harter) Pontzius. She graduated from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1958. On September 13, 1958, she married William Foster in Brimfield. Connie had worked for Precision Plastics, Bluebell and Weatherhead. Connie is survived by her daughters, Billie Jo Cunningham and Jody (Gary)...

Dessie J. Arnold, age 70, of Columbia City, IN, passed on at 7:15 am on Sunday December 4, 2022, at Stillwater Hospice, Fort Wayne.  Born on August 14, 1952, in Indianapolis, IN, she was the daughter of Herbert and Vivian (Mulford) Arnold. Dessie attended North Central High School, Indianapolis, and graduated with the Class of 1970.  She then attended Butler University and graduated with the Class of 1974.  Dessie also earned an associate degree in Computer Science from...

E. Maxine Kolb, 90, of Albion, Indiana, passed away Friday, December 2, 2022 at her home. Born October 3, 1932 in Allen County, she was the daughter of John and Mildred (Lee) Wagner. She graduated from  Elmhurst High School with Class of 1950 and earned her Associates Degree from Ivy Tech College. On September 9, 1953, Maxine married Henry Kolb, Sr. Maxine had worked for Inland Chemical, Fisher Brothers Paper and retired from Lincoln Life in 1989. She was a member of Living Water...

Annette M. Lamle, 61, of Columbia City, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday evening, November 29, 2022 in New Iberia, Louisiana. Born October 9, 1961 in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Carl and Rosina (Hinen) Harber. She graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1980 and attended IPFW. On April 16, 1988, she married Tim Lamle. Annette had been a dental assistant, a homemaker, and retired from Ag Plus Raber Division. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic...

Deanna Darlene Heffley, 76, of Larwill, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at home with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. Born November 14, 1946 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Dean and Laura (Hennig) Bentz. She graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1965. For 27 years Deanna worked at Whitley Memorial Hospital and retired after 25 years with Kroger in 2014. Deanna loved spending time with her daughter and grandpups. She was an avid...

Linda Lou (Burnworth) Gosnell, 80, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away Sunday, November 27, 2022 at her home with her daughter's by her side. Born May 6, 1942 in Pierceton, she was the daughter of Carl and Betty (Tuttle) Burnworth. Growing up in Pierceton, Linda and her family attended Morris Chapel United Methodist Church. She graduated from Pierceton High School with the Class of 1960 and went on to college at Ball State. After college, Linda moved to Fort Wayne and retired from...

Tyler Michael Etter, age 32, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at his residence on Thursday November 24, 2022.  Born on January 8, 1990, in Kendallville, IN, he was the son of Richard Etter and Lisa (Wilson) Bruff. Tyler attended East Noble High School and then went on to become a self-employed horticulturist. Tyler enjoyed gaming in his free time and tending to all of his plants. Survivors include his mother and stepfather Lisa (John) Bruff of Columbia City and father Richard Etter...

Paul McIntosh, 70, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Parkview Whitley Hospital. Born January 25, 1952 in Hazard, Kentucky, he was the son of Eugene and Willa Mae (Daniels) McIntosh.   As a teenager, his family moved to South Whitley, Indiana where he went on to graduate from Whitko High School with the Class of 1970. On November 29, 1970, he married Victoria Vasquez who he had met while they worked together at Penguin Point. For over 45 years, Paul...