Jerry L. Zent, 77, Columbia City, passed away at 12:20 p.m. Thursday July 14, 2016, at Kendallville Manor, Kendallville.

Gary Lavon Gay, 71, Columbia City, died Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at his home.

Jerry L. Zent, 77, Columbia City, passed away at 12:20 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2016, at Kendallville Manor Health Care, Kendallville.

Sandy Kay Albert, 61, Goshen, died of natural causes at her home Wednesday, July 13, 2016.

Cynthia A. Hertsel, 93, Columbia City, passed away at 6:17 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at her home at Miller’s at Oak Point Assisted Living Facility, Columbia City. Born Aug. 20, 1922 in Whitley County, she was the daughter of George O. and Louella (Stallsmith) Alexander. She resided in Washington Township during the early years …read more.

Corey A. Corner, 44, a native of Warsaw, died Monday, July 11, 2016 at Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center in Hazard, Ky. where he was admitted on Saturday morning.

Cynthia A. Hertsel, 93, Columbia City, passed away at 6:17 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at Parkview Oaks, Columbia City. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Martha M. Schlotterback, 80, Albion, passed away at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 11, 2016 at her home in rural Albion.

COLUMBIA CITY – Parker Hazen has made a commitment to play basketball next year at Valparaiso University.

Roger L. Boocher, 73, Paoli, formerly of Sidney and Columbia City, died at 9:45 p.m. Monday, July 4, 2016, in Indiana University Hospital, Indianapolis. He was born March 19, 1943, in Whitley County, to Oscar & Eileen (Miller) Boocher. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1961. On Sept. 30, 2005, he married Judy Hill Oliver. …read more.

Joe Geist, 90, formerly of South Whitley, passed away peacefully at 6:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2016 at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester where he had been a resident with his wife, Thelma Jean, since December 2014.

Ardith A. Smith, 87, Columbia City, passed away at 1:30 a.m. Friday, July 1, 2016, at Betz Nursing Home, Auburn. Born on June 21, 1929, in Whitley County, she was the daughter of David A. and Jennie C. (Quinn) Weigold. Ardith was a lifetime Noble County resident and resided near the Noble/Whitley County Line. She …read more.

Gale Roger Burkholder, 74, of rural South Whitley, died at 5:06 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Parkview Hospital on Randallia in Fort Wayne.

Harmon Ellsworth Shoda, 89, Loon Lake, died Monday afternoon, June 27, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family following an extended illness. He was born Aug. 14, 1926, in Laud, a son of Carl E. and Relta M. (Putman) Shoda. His formative years were spent in Laud. He graduated from Jefferson Center High School. …read more.

Marc Alan Alexander, 44, Fort Myers, Fla., formerly of Warsaw, died June 17, 2016 in his residence.

John M. Hess, 93, rural Columbia City, died at 9:35 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, where he was admitted on Monday. He was born July 26, 1922, in Whitley County, a son of James H. and Ruth Alice (Gangwer) Hess. A native of Union Township, he graduated from …read more.

NORTHEAST INDIANA — Ligonier is the safest city in Indiana according to a SafeWise report.

Roger C. Wait, 86, of rural Columbia City, died Saturday, June 18, 2016, in his beloved city of Cody, Wyo. He was born Aug. 1, 1929, in Decatur, a son of Milo Calvert and Alice Magdeline (Miller) Wait. In March 1941, his family moved to a farm in Union Township, Whitley County from Decatur. Roger …read more.

Helen Cozad, 92, Greenwood, formerly of Columbia City,  passed away at 8:34 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2016, at her home. Born July 23, 1923, in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Bert and Mary (Robbins) Walker. She graduated from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1941. After meeting the man of her …read more.

COLUMBIA CITY — Columbia City High School/Eagle Tech Academy senior McKade Kennedy graduated June 5, from the seminary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over four years of high school, he studied the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon and history of the Latter-day Saint faith in a daily, 50-minute class, which …read more.

Mary R. “Sami” Blomquist, 68, Columbia City, passed away Saturday June 18, 2016 at her residence.

Dennis L. Fetters, Goshen and formerly of Columbia City, passed away at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, June 19, 2016, at Courtyard Healthcare Center in Goshen.

Thomas Lee Milton, Sr., 62, Columbia City, passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, June 18, 2016. He had been in failing health.

COLUMBIA CITY – Brett Eberly will direct the fortunes as the new boys basketball coach at Columbia City.

Lyle Errol Blair, 76, Columbia City, died at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at Coventry Meadows, Fort Wayne, where he had resided since July 2015. He was born April 7, 1940, in Unity, Clark County, Wis., a son of Herman and Eunice (Holmes) Blair. His formative years were spent in the Abbotsford area. He …read more.

CARMEL – Westfield repeated as boys golf state champions, and Columbia City was ninth at the IHSAA State Finals Wednesday.

Barbara Janese Parker, 84, formerly of Columbia City, passed away at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at Hendricks Regional Hospital, Danville. Born July 17, 1931, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Kedric and Ruth (Osborn) Lankford. Barb grew up around Columbia City and lived her entire life in the area until this …read more.

William Fredrick Hall, 78, Columbia City, died at 8:30 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2016, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayn

Barbara Janese Parker, 84, Columbia City, passed away at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Hendricks Regional Health, Danville. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

CARMEL – Westfield leads the field after the first day of the IHSAA Boys Golf State Finals.

Mark Alan Williamson, 43, Indianapolis, died Friday, June 10, 2016 at Community Hospital East after a cardiac arrest on Thursday morning.

Terry Timothy Loe, 43, of Auburn, passed away Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne.

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana made easy work of Kentucky in both the boys and girls all-star games Saturday at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse.

WHITLEY COUNTY — Teegan Michael Brumbaugh, 20, East CR 300S, Albion, lost his life in an accident late Thursday on East Old Trail Road at East Hartman Road east of Columbia City. The accident occurred at 4:45 p.m.

Jean Marie Mossburg, 96, Columbia City, passed away at 5:20 p.m. Thursday, June 9, 2016 at Sycamore Village, Fort Wayne. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Betty Joan Stansbery, 89, formerly of South Whitley, died at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at Miller’s at Oak Pointe, Columbia City where she had been a resident since February 22.

Infant Theodore Mason Nicodemus, two months old, passed away at 10:17 p.m. Tuesday evening, June 7, 2016 at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis

James A. Addis, 64, Churubusco, passed away at 5:26 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at home in Green Township.

Susan Ann “Su” Link, 71, Columbia City, died at 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at Parkview Whitley Hospital where she was admitted on Friday. She was born Feb. 10, 1945, in Wolf Lake, a daughter of Herschell and Nilah O. (Adams) Frank. Her formative years were spent at Loon Lake and Florida. She graduated …read more.

Millicent Mildred Downing, 96, Columbia City, passed away at 3:35 a.m. Monday, June 6, 2016, at North Woods Village, Fort Wayne. Born Oct. 21, 1919, in Huntington, she was the daughter of Dore and Nellie (Howenstein) Kitt. In the second grade, Millie’s family moved to Columbia City and she went on to graduate from Columbia …read more.

Evelyn Platt, 92, Columbia City, passed on at 8:07 a.m. Saturday, June 4, 2016, at Kingston Care Center, Fort Wayne. Born on Aug. 19, 1923, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of William and Anna (Berning) Hegerfeld. Evelyn attended South Side High School in Fort Wayne. On May 20, 1942, she married Max E. …read more.

Nancy L. Western, 86, Columbia City, died at 9 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne surrounded by her family.

Millicent Mildred Downing, 96, Columbia City, passed away at 3:35 am Monday, June 6, 2016 at North Woods Village (Inverness Lakes), Fort Wayne.

Rebecca Ruth Ruyle, 60, Columbia City, died at 5:45 p.m. Friday, June 3, 2016, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne. She was born July 10, 1957, in Detroit, Mich., a daughter of Rev. George C. and Yolanda (Milioni) Ruyle. She attended Robert Burns Elementary School, Detroit, and started high school in Canada. Her …read more.

Betty L. Roberts, 93, a former resident of Cleveland Township, Whitley County resident, died at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at Miller’s at Oak Pointe where she had been a resident since August 2013.

Charles Donald Shively, 89, Wolf Lake, died at 12:18 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family.

arla L. Fulk, 60, Columbia City, passed away at 7 p.m. Monday, May 30, 2016, at her home on Wilson Lake.

Nicole Leigh Crowell, 45, Columbia City, passed away at 12:30 a.m. on Friday, May 27, 2016, at Parkview Whitley Hospital.

Steven Paul Tackwell, 69, Columbia City, passed away at 9:28 a.m. Monday, May 30, 2016, at his home. Born May 15, 1947, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Charles E. and Mary Rose (Chalk) Tackwell. Growing up in Fort Wayne, Steve graduated from South Side High School with the Class of 1967. He …read more.

Carla L. Fulk, 60, Columbia City, passed away at 7 p.m. Monday, May 30, 2016, at her home on Wilson Lake. Born November 4, 1955, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Carl E. and Alice Louise (Mead) Knuckles. She grew up in Fort Wayne alongside her siblings, Leo and Brenda and had another …read more.

Carla L. Fulk, 60, Columbia City, passed away at 7 p.m. Monday, May 30, 2016, at her home on Wilson Lake.

Robert V. Abott, 83, Columbia City, formerly Warsaw, died Thursday, May 26, 2016, at Parkview Wabash Hospital.

Nicole Crowell, 45, passed away at 12:30 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2016, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.

COLUMBIA CITY — A recap from Wawasee’s regular season finale on the links against Columbia City.

William “Bill” L. Gipe, 83, Fort Wayne, passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at his home. Born June 24, 1932, in Bluffton, he was the only son of Earl E. and Zora (Shock) Gipe. He grew up alongside his older sisters, Evelyn, Eileen, Helen, Bonita and Dortha and younger sister, Carol in the Whitley County …read more.

Bonita “Bonnie” A. Arnold, 81, of rural Columbia City, died at 8:05 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City where she was admitted on Saturday, May 21.

Ross A. Grimes, 76, Columbia City, passed away at 3:54 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Born May 20, 1939, in Noble County, he was the son of John S. and Gladys (Tom) Grimes. He graduated from North Webster High School with the Class of 1957. Following high school, Ross worked …read more.

COLUMBIA CITY — A crash involving two semitractor-trailers, one of which was fully engulfed in flames, has eastbound US 30 at Lincolnway (west side of Columbia City) CLOSED at this time. Westbound US 30 is restricted to one lane at this time and traffic is being routed through slowly. Motorists are urged to find alternate …read more.

Ross A. Grimes, 76, Columbia City, passed away at 3:54 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Gail A. “Bud” Smith, 87, Columbia City, passed away at 7:18 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2016, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana, Fort Wayne.

Raydeen V. Miller Howe, 94, Columbia City, died at 6:47 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at North Ridge Village, Albion, where she had been a resident for the past five days. She was born May 1, 1922, in Fort Wayne, the only child of the late Raymond and Jenny Mae (Bruner) Vordemark. She spent her …read more.

Wayne F. Phillips, 74, Larwill, passed away at 5:55 p.m. Saturday, May 7, 2016, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City. Born July 15, 1941, at the family’s home in Pierceton, he was the son of Frank and Hazel (Elder) Phillips. He attended Pierceton High School and married Judy L. Mettler on July 31, 1964. He …read more.

Linda D. “Di” Schmidt, of Upper Long Lake and formerly of Fort Wayne, died Monday evening, May 2, 2016 peacefully at her home. She was born Aug. 27, 1950, in Wabash, a daughter of Garold Andrew and Hilda Pauline (Gage) Crabill. Her formative years were spent in Wabash, Peru and Paulding, Ohio until moving to …read more.

Dorothy L. Bressler, 85, of Fort Wayne, passed away at 6:57 a.m. Friday, May 6, 2016, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City. Born on Nov. 3, 1930 in Milford,she was the daughter of Cecil H. Huntley, Sr. and Lydia L. (Norton) Huntley. Dorothy was an area resident until 1984, when she moved to Texas for …read more.

Theodore Wallace Green, four day old infant son of Tyler Adam and Alyssa Brickell (Gomez) Green passed away at 9:18 p.m. April 30, 2016, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Ollie M. Roberts, 110, formerly of Columbia City, died at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2016, at Lutheran Life Villages at Pine Valley, Fort Wayne. A centenarian plus 10, she was the oldest living person in the state of Indiana and 52nd oldest in the world. She was born Jan. 17, 1906, in Garrett, Ky., …read more.

Julie J. Kissinger, Columbia City, passed away at 5:39 a.m. Friday, April 29, 2016, at her home. All who knew Julie Kissinger would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was hardworking but she knew how to play just as hard and she lived each and every day to the …read more.

Ronald E. Snodgrass, 71, formerly of Columbia City, passed away quietly at 7:40 a.m. Friday, April 29, 2016, at his home in Garrett. He had been in declining health. He was born Nov. 16, 1944, in Bloomingdale, a son of the late John W. and Pauline (Campbell) Snodgrass. As a young boy, the family moved …read more.

Richard “Dick” Wayne Plattner, Columbia City, passed away at 5:37 p.m. Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. A lifelong resident of the community he loved, Richard Plattner was an extraordinary man to know and love. He lived his life with others in mind and was the sort of person who …read more.

Julie J Kissinger, age 73, Columbia City, passed away at 5:39 a.m. Friday, April 29, 2016, at her home.  Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home Columbia City.

James E. Waldrop, 84, Columbia City, passed away at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at his residence.

Allen H. McCoy, 61, a lifelong Jefferson Township, Whitley County, resident, died at 1:22 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at his home. He was born March 3, 1955, in Columbia City, a son of Roy G. “Sam” and Deloris M. (Byroade) McCoy. Allen graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in 1973. On Feb. 17, …read more.

Otto Karl Behrens Jr., age 77, of Columbia City, passed away peacefully at 10:56 p.m., surrounded by his loving family, on Friday April 22, 2016 at his residence.

Ruby I. Keller, age 80, of Columbia City, passed away at 12:53 a.m. Monday, April 25, 2016 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Betty G. Hansen, 80, of Columbia City, (formerly of Warsaw) passed away at 9:47 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, as the result of an automobile accident on Tuesday, April 19.

Otto K. Behrens, Jr., age 77, of Columbia City, passed away at 10:56 pm Friday, April 22, 2016, at his home. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City,

Shawn E. Gibson, age 56, of Larwill, passed away at 1:17 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at his home.

John Robert Stevens, 79, of Columbia City, died Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at his home. He had been in failing health.

Henry Wright Jr. COLUMBIA CITY — Henry Wright Jr., 25, pleaded guilty in the Whitley Circuit Court to charged counts of rape, kidnapping and robbery stemming from events, which occurred in Columbia City and South Whitley on Dec. 15, 2015, according to the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office. Wright also acknowledged being a habitual felony offender. …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS – Recently, Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb announced the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs awarded six communities funding for economic development initiatives through their Downtown Enhancement Grant program. The Cities of Aurora, Columbia City, Seymour, Peru and the Towns of Veedersburg and Vevay will each receive grant funds ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 …read more.

WARSAW – Columbia City used big bats to outslug Warsaw, 10-7, in softball Saturday afternoon.

COLUMBIA CITY — Whitko picked up a win over its county rival Friday night.

WARSAW – A wrap of games for Warsaw on April 14.

Terry Lynn Frye, age 65, of Columbia City, passed away at 7:37 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.

Ruby J Briggs, age 88, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 10:45 am Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at her home.

George Easterday Jr., 90, of Columbia City, died Monday, April 11, 2016 at Parkview Whitley Hospital after being admitted on Wednesday, April 6.

Rose Marie Daniels, 76, of Columbia City, passed away at 9:04 p.m. Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne.

Allen J. “Joe” Fisher, age 78, of Columbia City, passed away at 8:39 a.m. Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, Fort Wayne. Born on May 4, 1937 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Walter J. and Lucille (Metzger) Fisher.

Rose Marie Daniels, age 76, of Columbia City, passed away at 9:04 p.m. Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Allen J. “Joe” Fisher, age 78, of Columbia City, passed away at 8:39 AM Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.

Allen J. “Joe” Fisher, 78, Columbia City, passed away at 8:39 a.m. Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Vera Lucille (Ross) Dodd, 90, Columbia City, passed away at 7:19 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2016, at Parkview Whitley, Columbia City. Mrs. Dodd was born Nov. 27, 1925, in Benton County, a daughter of Earnie P. and Bertha (Zolman) Cripe. She spent her formative years in Whitley and DeKalb Counties. March 3, 1942, she was married …read more.

Weather has interrupted Triton baseball; Whitko track, softball and baseball; and future games for Grace College.

COLUMBIA CITY — The third annual Family Trout Fishing Derby will be held from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 16, at Morsches Park, Columbia City. The event is free. No fishing license or trout stamp is required because Saturday, April 16, is one of four Free Fishing days offered by the DNR. Before April 16, the …read more.

Linda Landis, 65, of Columbia City, passed away unexpectedly Monday morning, April 4, 2016, at her home.

Lynn D. Goodrich, 83, of Kimmell, passed away Saturday afternoon, April 2, 2016.

Linda Landis, age 65, of Columbia City, passed away at 10:25 am Monday, April 4, 2016, at her home.

Lynn D. Goodrich, age 83, of Kimmell, passed away at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Gretchen V. Moore, 90, formerly of Ossian, died at 4:38 a.m. Friday April 1, 2016, at The Hearth at Sycamore Village, Fort Wayne where she had been a resident since March 2015.

Imogene J. Crowder, age 90, of Columbia City, passed away at 10 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at Millers Merry Manor at Oak Pointe. Born on July 31, 1925, in Falling Rock, W.V., she was the daughter of William and Altha (Melton) Myers. Imogene attended West Virginia Schools. On Nov. 8, 1947 she married …read more.