Columbia City, IN. Obituaries

Jan 5, 2023

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.

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Jan 2, 2023

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...

Jan 1, 2023

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...

Dec 30, 2022

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...

Dec 30, 2022

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...

Dec 30, 2022

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...

Dec 29, 2022

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...

Dec 26, 2022

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...

Dec 24, 2022

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...

Dec 22, 2022

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...

Dec 15, 2022

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...

Dec 13, 2022

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...

Dec 7, 2022

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...

Dec 5, 2022

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...

Dec 4, 2022

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...

Dec 2, 2022

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...

Nov 29, 2022

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...

Nov 29, 2022

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...

Nov 27, 2022

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...

Nov 24, 2022

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...