Betty Jean Kaiser, 79, a resident of Warren and wife of Rev. William W. Kaiser, passed away at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne with her family by her side. Betty was born on Sept. 2, 1936, in Mishawaka, a daughter of Clyde and Gladys (Hamilton) Perkey. …read more.

Etta I. Lopshire, 92, formerly of Churubusco, and widow of Warren R. Lopshire, passed away at 4 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville. She had been taken there from Northridge Village Assisted Living in Albion where she had resided for the past year. Mrs. Lopshire was born on Jan. 14, …read more.

William H. “Skeet” Fletcher, 87, Churubusco, passed away at 9:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Fletcher was born in Jackson, Ky. on March 27, 1928, a son of Doc and Maude (Stamper) Fletcher. He moved to the Collins-area as a youth with his parents, and served with …read more.

SOUTH WHITLEY – A recap with quotes, video and photos from Whitko’s thrilling 34-27 win over Churubusco in the sectional 35 semifinals.

Weekly picks of local prep, college and pro football games from IFN sports writer Nick Goralczyk.

Marsha K. Elward, 62, Churubusco, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, at Franciscan St. Francis Health in Indianapolis. Born on Nov. 8, 1952, to Robert and Florence Wafer in Fort Wayne, Marsha graduated from South Side High School in 1971. She married her high school sweetheart Robert Elward on May 25, 1973, and they had three …read more.

SOUTH WHITLEY – Whitko will play host to Churubusco Friday night in prep playoff action.

Nancy Sue Traxler, 78, a resident of Fort Wayne and formerly of LaOtto, passed away at 3:39 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne with her family by her side. Nancy was born on Nov. 13, 1936 in Swan Township in Noble County, a daughter of William D. and …read more.

Gene E. Herron, Jr., 63, Fort Wayne, passed away at 1:47 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, at VA Hospital in Marion Mr. Herron was born on Feb. 18, 1952, in Columbia City, a son of Gene E. Herron and Shirley (Shively) Herron. He spent his formative years in Churubusco and graduated from Churubusco High School …read more.

Estel L. Murphy, 81, a resident of rural Churubusco, passed away at 4:10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, at the VA Northern Indiana Healthcare System in Fort Wayne. He had been in failing health for some time and had been a patient there for one day. Mr. Murphy was born on Dec. 13, 1933, in …read more.

Elizabeth “Bette” Simpson, 79, of the Churubusco area, passed away surrounded by her family Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Born on May 2, 1936 in Newton, Iowa, she was a daughter of Elgia and Lena (Combs) Meade. She was one of nine children. Growing up in central Iowa, …read more.

Edwin L. Gordon, 80, Huntertown, passed away at 11:55 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Mr. Gordon was born on June 11, 1935, in Allen County, a son of Herbert and Wanda (Strite) Gordon. He spent his formative years in Churubusco, and graduated from Churubusco High School in …read more.

CHURUBUSCO — The Churubusco Public Library is pleased to announce the first Fine Arts Festival, taking place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, outside the library, 116 N. Mulberry St., Churubusco.

Marna J. (Sage) Widmer, 63, Leo, passed away at 7:25 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. Marna was born on Nov. 1, 1951, in Fort Wayne, a daughter of Russell and Fern (Rhodes) Sage. She spent her formative years in Huntertown, and graduated from Carroll High School in 1970. …read more.

Ann M. Stoll, 67, a resident of rural Albion and wife of James R. Stoll, passed away at 8:16 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at the Presence Sacred Heart Home in Avilla. She had been in failing health for several months, and had been a patient there for the past two weeks. Mrs. Stoll was …read more.

Carol Scott, 65, of Los Osos, Calif., passed away at 2:20 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Carol was born on Nov. 30, 1949, in Ojai, Ca, a daughter of John and Beverly (Bauer) Scott. The surviving relatives include a son: Matthew Allie, Cayucos, Calif.; a daughter: Gwyn …read more.

Christina Kaye Keyes, 46,  Churubusco, passed away at 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Aug.  23, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne surrounded by her family. Mrs. Keyes was born on Feb.  2, 1969, in Winamac, a daughter of Mickey and Connie (Lowery) Baker. She spent her formative years in Rochester, and graduated from Rochester …read more.

Brooks O. Heffley, 54, Churubusco, passed away Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, at his home. He had been in failing health for three years, but had been more seriously ill for the past year. Heffley was born Sept. 1, 1960, in Fort Wayne, a son of Harold D. and Helen J. (Timmerman) Heffley, and was a lifelong …read more.

Joanne B. Johnston, 83, a resident of Churubusco, passed away at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, at her home following a brief illness. Joanne was born in Fort Wayne on Jan. 6, 1932, a daughter of Luther K. and Opal G. (Cripe) Johnston. She graduated from Churubusco High School in 1950 and was a …read more.

Todd A. “Goose” Guisinger, 46, a resident of Butler and a native of Tri-Lakes, passed away at 2:20 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne following an illness of two years. Todd was born on May 23, 1969. He spent his formative years on Shriner Lake and graduated from …read more.

William E. Berry, 84, a resident of rural Churubusco, passed away at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2015 at his home in Smith Township following an extended illness. Mr. Berry was born in Fort Wayne on Dec. 26, 1930, a son of Everette M. L. and M. Bernice (Deem) Berry, and spent his formative years near …read more.

M. Phyllis Gordon, 92, a resident of rural Churubusco and widow of Sanford D. Gordon, passed away at 10:27 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at her home in Smith Township. Mrs. Gordon was born on April 18, 1923, in Eel River Township, a daughter of Neil J. and Alma M. (Grady) Walker. She spent her …read more.

Ronald W. Rohrer, 60, a resident of rural Churubusco and well-known Churubusco businessman, passed away unexpectedly and was found on Monday morning, July 27, 2015, at his home in Smith Township. Mr. Rohrer was born in Columbia City on Sept. 22, 1954, a son of Ralph and Louise (Hitzemann) Rohrer. He spent his formative years …read more.

Margaret B. Rekeweg, 99, a resident of High Lake near Albion and widow of Wilbur D. Rekeweg, passed away at 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at her home. Mrs. Rekeweg was born on Feb. 6, 1916, in Ravenna, Neb., a daughter of Frederick and Amanda (Bohn) Stein, and spent her formative years there until …read more.

Donna R. Hibbs, 77, of Churubusco, passed away at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Mrs. Hibbs was born on Jan. 5, 1938 in New Amsterdam, a daughter of Floyd and Evaleen (Voyles) Froman. On April 17, 1954 she was married in New Amsterdam, to Devillo “Jack” Hibbs. She was …read more.

Thomas M. Scherschel, 72, of Churubusco, passed away at 1:55 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Mr. Scherschel was born on Sept. 27, 1942, in Fort Wayne, a son of Martin and Velma (Bobay) Scherschel. He spent his formative years in New Haven, and graduated from Central Catholic in …read more.

Sandra Kay (Herron) Speakman, of Churubusco, passed away shortly before 2:30 p.m. Monday, July 6, 2015, at Parkvew North Hospital in Fort Wayne from complications of heart disease. Sandy was born on Dec. 27, 1939, in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of Kenneth and Emily (Waters) Herron. She spent her youth in Whitley, Noble and Allen …read more.

James D. Hibbs, 55, of Churubusco, passed away at 6:32 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at his home in Churubusco. Mr. Hibbs was born on Jan. 27, 1960 in Auburn, a son of Devillo “Jack” and Donna (Froman) Hibbs. He spent his formative years in Churubusco. He was self employed as a farmer and handy man. …read more.

Jason Daniel Spurgeon, 29, a resident of Fort Wayne and a native of rural Allen County, passed away unexpectedly early on Monday, June 29, 2015, at his home. Jason was born in Fort Wayne on Dec. 1, 1985, a son of Dan J. and Jane (Miller) Spurgeon.  He spent most of his formative years in Allen …read more.

Glen L. Nicodemus, 83, of rural Churubusco, passed away at 1:48 p.m. Thursday, June 18, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne following a brief illness. Glen was born in Jefferson Township near Columbia City on March 21, 1932, a son of Jesse and Velma (Crawford) Nicodemus. On June 1, 1952 he was …read more.

Claude Keith Tarr, 68, of Churubusco, passed away at 8:10 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at VA Hospital in Marion. Mr. Tarr was born on March 8, 1947, in Bluffton, a son of Claude C. and Florence (Maddux) Tarr. He spent his formative years in Jefferson Twp., Grant County, and graduated from Hartford City High …read more.

Francis M. Harter, Jr., 79, of Fort Wayne, passed away at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 11, 2015, at Signature Health Care in Fort Wayne. Mr. Harter was born on Sept. 23, 1935, in Churubusco, a son of Francis M. and Jessie (Freeman) Harter. He spent his formative years in Churubusco, and graduated from Churubusco High …read more.

Claude Keith Tarr, 68, a resident of Churubusco, passed away at 8:10 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at the Marion VA Medical Center in Marion. Arrangements are pending with Sheets and Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco.

Charles F. Rollins, 81, of Churubusco, passed away at 6:46 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2015, at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne. Mr. Rollins was born on Feb. 5, 1934, in Churubusco, a son of Marvin and Florence (Deck) Rollins. On June 29, 1984 he was married in Allen County to Betty (Heffelfinger) Geiger. …read more.

Charlene (Fuhrman) Bailey, 99, a former resident of Churubusco and more recently of Syracuse, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Syracuse.  She had been a patient there for over five years. Mrs. Bailey was born on April 28, 1916, near Marion, a daughter of Charles and Faye (Smith) Barnhouse.  …read more.

Marjorie A. Daniels was a loving family woman and an accomplished profession. Her vigor for living was evident in her career advancements as well as in her personal life. She was always there for her family and deeply committed to others. Strong in faith, hope and love, Margie brought joy to her husband, children, grandchildren, …read more.

Marjorie A. Daniels, age 70, of Churubusco, passed away at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday May 24, 2015, at her residence. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, A Life Story Funeral home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Martha (Tomlinson) Bushong, 88, of Albion, passed away at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at Northridge Village Nursing Home in Albion. Mrs. Bushong was born on Nov. 2, 1926, in Hillsdale County, Michigan, a daughter of Charles Mory and Mary (Tucker) Wilkins. She spent her formative years in Churubusco, and graduated from Churubusco High …read more.

Evelyn Maxine DiGregory, 96, a resident of rural Churubusco and wife of Alfred DiGregory, passed away at Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at Miller’s Merry Manor at Oak Pointe in Columbia City following a lengthy illness. Mrs. DiGregory was born on Aug. 31, 1918, in Thorncreek Township in Whitley County, a daughter of LeVerr (Gaff) Shanabarger, …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.

CHURUBUSCO – Warsaw again proved it was the toast of the Turtle Town Classic Saturday at a dreary Churubusco High School. The Lady Tigers blew away the competition to repeat as champions for the fourth straight year with 158 points, 73 more than runner-up Columbia City’s 85 points. Warsaw claimed 10 of the 16 events …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.

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.

Larry M. Teague, 59, a resident of Churubusco, passed away early Friday morning, March 20, 2015, at his home. Although he had been in declining health for the past two years, his death was unexpected. Mr. Teague was born in Fort Wayne on March 5, 1956, a son of Ben L. and Victoria (Partin) Teague. …read more.

Kenneth Leo Lemley Jr., 60, of Churubusco, went home to be with the Lord at 4:48 a.m. Thursday March 26, 2015, at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, Fort Wayne. Born on Feb. 24, 1955, in Centerville, Mich., he was the son of Kenneth Leo and Doris (Klein) Lemley Sr. Ken attended Centerville, schools and then …read more.

SYRACUSE – Wawasee has gone 0-for-March thus far in terms of spring sports versus weather. As temperatures are expected to range in the mid-30s Saturday, all of the Wawasee High School-based events are cancelled. The softball season opener at Westview was cancelled and will not be made up. Wawasee’s season opener now is pegged for …read more.

CHURUBUSCO – It was a night that could soon be forgotten for the Lakeland Christian boys basketball team. LCA traveled to Turtle Town, USA Tuesday night and produced its second-best offensive performance of the season. Unfortunately, it was the worst defensive performance by the Cougars all season. Class AA No. 7 Churubusco would take the …read more.

Americans, The Beautiful People, a new book by Bernard Caley, has been released by RoseDog Books. Bernard Caley wrote this book because he is sick and tired of America the Beautiful being used, kicked around, and criticized by other countries that then turn right around and ask for help. Americans need to turn inside and …read more.

Churubusco Town Marshal Mike Engle, Deputy Marshal Garry Jones and Reserve Officer Zach Bell discovered not one, but 17 one-pot methamphetamine labs during an investigation of a suspicious vehicle. Police responded at 11:05 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, to a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot in Churubusco. They found a 1999 GMC Jimmy occupied by two …read more.

CHURUBUSCO – It wasn’t a pretty night for the LCA girls basketball team. Churubusco (2-1) was on all cylinders Tuesday night, walloping Lakeland Christian Academy 81-32. Hannah Delp paced the Lady Cougars (1-2) with 11 points, hitting one of her two three-point attempts. Melissa Goss scored eight points and Carrissa Urshalitz tallied six points while …read more.

A horse, which escaped its pasture along SR 13 south of Syracuse, was struck by a vehicle at 2:26 a.m. today and had to be put down. The accident was just west of North Grandview Drive, in the area of Lakeland Animal Clinic of Lake Wawasee. Syracuse Police Officer Joe Salazar was the first officer …read more.

Indiana State Police are investigating a single vehicle crash that occurred early this afternoon in rural Churubusco in Whitley County that killed a 26-year-old man who was fleeing a police officer. The preliminary investigation by Sgt. Aaron Cook indicated that at approximately 1:54 p.m., a 1989 Dodge Neon driven by Tristan Andrew Bender, 26, from …read more.

Eighteen people were arrested in Whitley County Saturday night after police received a tip that illegal dog fighting was taking place at a Churubusco home. According to a police report, police obtained a search warrant for a home in the 900 block of East SR 205 in Churubusco after an initial investigation and raided the …read more.