Columbia City, IN. Obituaries

Apr 21, 2023

Keith Alan Rieder, 70, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Friday, April 21, 2023 at his home. Born March 21, 1953 in Indianapolis, he was the son of Frederick and Margaret "Peggy"  (Hammond) Rieder.

At a young age his family moved to Leesburg where he attended Wawasee High School. He was on the football team, ran track,...

Apr 20, 2023

Phil E. Hively, 76, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Parkview Whitley with family by his side. Born May 25, 1946 in Allen County, he was the son of R. Jack Hively and B. Josephine (Gilbert) Hively-Hibbs.

A lifelong resident of Whitley County, Phil graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with...

Apr 17, 2023

Eleanor M. Grennan, age 97, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 4:30 am on Monday April 17, 2023, at Adams Heritage, Monroeville.

Private family services will be held for Eleanor’s family.

Arrangements by DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City, Ind.

Apr 12, 2023

Joseph Anthony Murphy, 89, of Columbia City, Indiana,  passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Stillwater Hospice. Born October 9, 1933 in Nauvoo, Illinois, he was the son of Walter and Marie (LaFeber) Murphy.

He served in the U.S. Army and was employed at Navistar for 45 years. Joe was a member of  St. Paul of the...

Apr 11, 2023

Shirley Rose Keplinger Deem Shaw, 85, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away on April 11, 2023,  at Kingston Care Center Fort Wayne. The daughter of the late Charles and Nellie (Couch) Keplinger, Shirley was born in 1938, in Huntington County, Indiana.

She graduated from Huntington Township High School.  Her first job after graduation was with Model Engineering...

Apr 9, 2023

Willa Mae Brase, age 100, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 2:42 pm on Sunday April 9, 2023, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.  Born on January 28, 1923, in Montpelier, OH, she was the daughter of Andrew and Ida (Baker) Clay.

Willa attended North Side High School, Fort Wayne.  On June 9, 1941, she married...

Apr 7, 2023

Compassionate, giving and great sense of humor were just a few words to describe Tyler Yoder. When Tyler was around, you knew it because you could hear him talking.  Tyler’s talking voice was most individuals yelling voice, but it was something to love about him.  You never had to worry about not hearing what he was saying.  Tyler was...

Apr 4, 2023

Melody A. Semler, 75, of North Manchester, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at her home. Born June 15, 1947 in Muncie, she was the daughter of Halbert “Gene” and Alice Mae (Swallow) Eley.

Growing up in Muncie, Melody graduated from Central High School with the Class of 1965 and had retired from Dana. Melody was...

Mar 31, 2023

Carol A. Terman, age 78 of Fort Wayne, IN, passed away at 6:36 am on Friday March 31, 2023, in Fort Wayne.  Born on August 31, 1944, in Allen County, she was the daughter of Earl and Mary (Buchanan) Smith.

Carol attended Elmhurst High School and graduated with the Class of 1962.  On April 12, 1975, she...

Mar 27, 2023

Carl J. Lutomski, 52, of Roseville, Michigan, passed away Monday, March 27, 2023 at Ascension St. John's Hospital in St. Clair Shores. Born July 24, 1970 in Trenton, Michigan, he was the son of Arnold J. Lutomski and Ruth C. (Felger) Rivard.

He graduated from Clintondale High School with the Class of 1988. Carl worked as a...

Mar 26, 2023

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...

Mar 20, 2023

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 ...

Mar 18, 2023

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...

Mar 14, 2023

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...

Mar 13, 2023

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...

Mar 13, 2023

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...

Mar 13, 2023

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...

Mar 6, 2023

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. ...

Mar 5, 2023

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.

...

Mar 5, 2023

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...