Robert Keith Beck, 85, of rural Whitley County, passed away at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, at the Village of Sycamore, Allen County. Born on July 6, 1929, in Huntington County, he was the son of Gerald S. and Ruth D. (Wilson) Beck. He is a lifetime resident of Whitley County and attended first grade …read more.

Ronald Lee Anderson, 61, of Churubusco, passed away at 2:18 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2015, at his home in Eel River Township. Anderson was born on May 25, 1953, in Garrett, a son of William O. and Esther (Pippenger) Anderson. He spent his formative years in Eel River Township, and graduated from Carroll High School …read more.

In as much as she gave, Rosina Harber was loved abundantly and cherished in the hearts of many. A woman of faith who lived by her convictions, life held many blessings for Rosina. She was thankful for much, and lived life completely and fully at every opportunity. Although she found pleasure in many things, the …read more.

Ronald Lee DeLucca, 55, of rural Columbia City, died Wednesday, April 29, at his home. He had been in failing health. He was born August 5, 1959, in Pequannock Township, Morris County, New Jersey, a son of the late John, Jr. and Geneva B. (Engel) DeLucca. At age 8, the family moved to Peru. He …read more.

Cynthia S. McBride, 57, a resident of rural Albion and wife of George Hayes McBride, passed away at 11:20 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at her home. She had been in declining health since September. Mrs. McBride was born in Columbia City on Jan. 28, 1958, a daughter of Paul T. and Verdonna “Tootie” (O’Connell) Konger. …read more.

Floyd K.  Boland, 76, of rural Columbia City, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, at his home in Smith Township. Mr. Boland was born on Jan. 12, 1939 in Columbia City, a son of Roy F. and Anna (Bauermeister) Boland. He spent his formative years in Columbia City. He was employed at Falstaff Brewery Co., and …read more.

James Robert Clifford, 87, of rural Columbia City, died at 3:25 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, at his home. He was born September 18, 1927 in Arcola, a son of Oscar and Hazel (Felger) Clifford. As a young boy his family moved to Coesse and he completed his education at Coesse High School. On Nov. 10, …read more.

With a life that spanned nearly a century, Genevera Wilhelm Arnold created a priceless collection of memories that will be treasured for a lifetime. A loving wife and devoted mother to be sure, she was delighted to become a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, and her family was her greatest source of pride and joy. With …read more.

Joan Marks, 90, of Huntsville, Ohio, passed away at 10:17 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, Ohio. She was born Nov. 8, 1924, in the Etna Troy township of Whitley County, the daughter of William and Irene (Heintzleman) Clingerman. Joan worked at Blue Bell, the 10 Pin Restaurant, and was a …read more.

Lindsey M. Hively, 27, of Columbia City, owner of Poptique Popcorn, went to be with the Lord Thursday morning, April 23, 2015. She was born July 25, 1987, in Columbia City, the daughter of Gary W. and Carol E. (Pence) Hively. A lifelong resident of Whitley County, she graduated from Churubusco High School (the first …read more.

Thomas C. “Tim” Sherer, 90, of South Whitley, died at 9:25 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at Autumn Ridge Rehabilitation Centre, Wabash. He was born Jan. 22, 1925, in South Whitley, a son of the late Thomas J. and Elsie (Duggins) Sherer. His formative years were spent in South Whitley. He attended South Whitley High …read more.

Phylis M. Zolman, 87, a former resident of Churubusco and wife of Robert Zolman, passed away at 4:20 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2015, at the Presence Sacred Heart Home in Avilla, with her family by her side. Mrs. Zolman was born in Churubusco on July 29, 1927, a daughter of Merl and Fanny (Hossinger) Leitch. She …read more.

Catherine M. Patten, 77, of Columbia City, died at 1:20 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2015, at her home. She was born March 8, 1938, in Wells County, a daughter of Southard L. and Bertha A. (Keller) Leach. Her formative years were spent in the Uniondale area. In 1956 she moved to Ossian until 1984 when …read more.

Marian L. Clark, 94, Columbia City, and formerly of Fort Wayne, passed away at 12:34 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Fort Wayne. Born Jan. 9, 1921, in Meadville, Pa., she was the daughter of Leon W. and Helen J. (Parker) Jones. She attended Meadville High School. She was a licensed …read more.

John Frank Kincaid, 80, of Columbia City, passed away at 10:40 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2015, at his home. Born Oct. 31, 1934, in Primrose, Ky., he was the son of Edgar and Effie (Fletcher) Kincaid. He grew up in Kentucky until the age of 14 and then moved with his family to Noble County. …read more.

Ronald “Moe” W. Alexander, 70, of Columbia City, passed away Friday, April 17, 2015, at his home. Born May 20, 1944 in Whitley County, he was the son of Harry C. and Buelah (Juillerat) Alexander. Ron received his education at CCJHS, Columbia City. He also took courses at IU/PU and Ivy Tech. He started his …read more.

Robert “Bob” Roman Laux, 71, of Roanoke, died April 17, 2015, after a farming accident involving a tractor off of Keiser Road in Whitley County. Born Sept. 4, 1943, in Huntington, he was the son of Robert A. and Pauline (Schuman) Laux. Bob graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the class of 1961. …read more.

All who knew Thomas Fortman would agree that he was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was genuine, outgoing, and friendly – the sort of man who never met a stranger. A more devoted family man would be hard to find as there was nothing that was more near and dear to Tom’s …read more.

Lorene Minnix, 68, of Columbia City, died at 6:38 a.m. Thursday, April 13, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born April 3, 1947, in Sewell, Ky., to Ancle B. and Maudie (Smith) Minnix. At the age of seven, her family moved to Columbia City, returning to Kentucky when she was 12. …read more.

John Allen Schenck, 75, of rural South Whitley, died Monday, April 15, 2015, at his home. He was born April 24, 1939, in Marion County, a son of the late Leonard and Edith (Jones) Schenck. He began his elementary education in Speedway. The family then moved to Michigan where he graduated from Owosso High School. …read more.

All who knew Richard Forrester would agree that no one met him and left unchanged. He never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation wherever he went. A more devoted family man would be hard to find as there was nothing Dick treasured more than witnessing his family tree blossom to include grandchildren …read more.

David Jules “DJ” Esterline, 23, a Columbia City native, died unexpectedly Tuesday morning, April 14, 2015. He was born July 16, 1991, in Fort Wayne, a son of David Jules and Denise Rachelle (Roth) Esterline. His formative years were spent in Columbia City. He graduated from Columbia City High School in 2010. He was presently …read more.

Janice A. Vance, 88, of Columbia City, completed her journey to meet with the great spirit at 11:13 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2015. She was born May 9, 1926, in Fort Wayne, a daughter of Ervin and Dorotha (Williamson) Steup. In 1929 she moved to Paulding County, Ohio, to live with her grandmother. On Aug. …read more.

Richard L. Eber, 83, of rural Columbia City, died Monday, April 13, 2015, at his home. He was born March 6, 1932, in Muncie, a son of the late Virgil C. and Clara (Milligan) Eber. He began his elementary education in Selma. The family then moved to Loon Lake and he completed seventh and eighth …read more.

Mary K. Miller, 83, a Columbia City resident, died at 2:45 p.m. Sunday, April 12, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born April 23, 1931, in South Whitley, the daughter of Dwight and Martha (Keiser) Hathaway. She graduated from South Whitley High School in 1949 and continued her education at Ball …read more.

Sharon A. Diffendarfer, 73, a resident of rural Churubusco, passed away at 3:20 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She had been in declining health since July and had entered the hospital on Tuesday. Sharon was born on June 13, 1941, a daughter of John Henry and Eileen (Kilgus) …read more.

Lavonna J. “Bonnie” Best, 83, of Columbia City, died at 3:35 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2015, at Peabody Home, North Manchester where she was admitted on Friday. She was born Oct. 7, 1931, in South Whitley, a daughter of Franklin W. and Sarah C. (Pritchard) Holler. She graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1949 …read more.

John Watson Bower died Friday, April 10, 2015, at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife: Esther Gates Bower; son: John W. (Mindy) Bower Jr., Wabash; and daughter: Rebecca (Robert Sr.) Bower Kramer, Portage, Mich.; grandchildren: Caitlin (Tyler) Kramer Pawl and Kelsey Kramer, both of Las Vegas; Robert Kramer, Jr., Boston; Mass.; …read more.

Bryan D. Saving, 50, of Fishers, passed away Wednesday, April 8, in his home. He was born March 5, 1965, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Donald F.W. and Karen (Winkler) Saving. He attended Whitko High School in South Whitley. MSG Bryan Donald Saving retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years of service to …read more.

Although she accomplished so much of which to be proud, Shirley Jagger was a humble woman whose greatest source of pride and joy was found in the family she cherished more than life itself. A lifelong resident of the community she loved, she was genuine, approachable, and kindhearted, which all drew others near with ease. …read more.

Jane A. Goble was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a caring professional. She was the glue that held her family together and the strength that her community trusted. Selfless and giving, Jane made a career out of caring for others. Hardworking and vigorous, she lived out her faith in tangible ways. Jane was …read more.

Carolyn E. Fisher, 88, of Columbia City, and formerly of Muskegon, Mich., passed away at 4:26 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at Parkview Whitley Hospital in Columbia City. Born Sept. 27, 1926, in Mishawaka, she was the daughter of Francis L. and Leona (Tharp) Cox. She had worked in Logansport at RBM before moving up …read more.

Stanley “Gene” Pepple, 74, of Columbia City, died at 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 6, 2015, at Parkview Whitley Hospital. He was born Aug. 12, 1940, in Noble County, to Lloyd Albert and Mary Jane (Coleman) Pepple. His formative years were spent in the Huntertown area. He graduated from Huntertown High School. On Jan. 13, 1961 …read more.

William Henry “Bill” Meade Jr., 67, of rural South Whitley, died at 2 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at his home. He was born Sep. 21, 1947 in Kermit, W. Va., a son of William Henry and Ethel (Lackey) Meade Sr. His formative years were spent in Marrow Bone Creek and Sarah Ann. He completed …read more.

Wanda C. Howell, 74, a resident of rural Columbia City, and wife of Earl R. Howell, passed away at 10:43 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 2015, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne where she had been a patient for the past two weeks. Mrs. Howell was born on July 15, 1940, in Fort Wayne, a daughter …read more.

All who knew Robert Martin would agree that he was the heartbeat of wherever he was. He was vibrant, fun-loving, and full of life, which drew others near with ease. It was no secret that Bob shared much of his life with his true love, and together they were filled with immeasurable joy to witness …read more.

Robert H. Boggs, 90, of Columbia City, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday morning, April 5, 2015. He was born Feb. 21, 1925, in Allen County, a son of Ozie and Mabel (Goheen) Boggs. As a second grader, his family moved to the Etna area in northern Whitley County. He graduated from Larwill …read more.

Mary Alice Pugh, 93, a lifelong resident of Columbia City, died at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born Feb. 14, 1922 in Fort Wayne, Indiana a daughter of John E. and D’Maris (Scott) Gates. She graduated from Columbia City High School in 1940. She then …read more.

Gene “Mike” Byram, of Columbia City, , died at 11:02 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. He was born on Jan. 20, 1944, to Herbert and Betty (Sullivan) Byram in Fort Wayne. He had a passion for wood working  and owned and operated his business, “Mike’s Wood”, for …read more.

Franklin D. Schrader, 81, of Evansville, formerly of Columbia City, died Monday, March 30, 2015, at his home. He was born June 17, 1933, in Whitley County, to the late Charles E. and Mary (Gaff) Schrader. He spent his formative years in Whitley County and graduated from Coesse High School. On July 13, 1953, he was …read more.

Janice K. Kimpel, age 66, of Columbia City, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.  Born on Jan. 9, 1949, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Julius Zumbrun and Alice (Debolt) Zumbrun. Janice, “Janie” as she was known, spent all of her life in Whitley County, graduating from …read more.