Suzanne “Sue” Morrow Slater, 77, passed peacefully on her 52nd wedding anniversary at 6:10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, at her residence. She was born July 14, 1938, in Columbus, Ohio, to Daniel and Helen (Hurtt) O’Donnell. Mrs. Slater was a 1956 graduate of Central High School in South Bend. She graduated from South Bend …read more.

As party goers begin to make their plans for New Year’s Eve, be sure to note the following local events going on here in Kosciusko County. To have an event added to the list, please email [email protected] with the what, when, where and cost. The listing will be updated until 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31. …read more.

DonnaBelle Hostetler, 94, Elkhart died Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015, at Beardsley House. She was born April 7, 1921, in Goshen to Floyd and Nellie (Doty) Swinehart. On Feb. 20, 1943 she married Kenneth O. Hostetler in Goshen. He died Aug. 5, 1982. Survivors include a son: Jerry (Beth) Hostetler, Nappanee; a daughter: Eileen Borem, Elkhart; …read more.

Jesse E. Hochstetler, 93, Nappanee, died Christmas morning at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Milford, where he had been a resident for five weeks. He was born July 22, 1922, in Marshall County to Eli J. and Sara (Miller) Hochstetler. Mr. Hochstetler lived his lifetime in this area. On May 30, 1943, he married …read more.

Evelyn Egner, age 83, of Nappanee, passed away at 9:06 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015, at Franklin United Methodist Community, Franklin. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Gene M. Heckaman, age 75, of Wakarusa, died at 5:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Wakarusa. He was born Aug. 27, 1940 in Goshen to Ivo “Pete” and Mona Lou “Motz” (Slabaugh) Heckaman. Heckaman lived his lifetime in the Nappanee/Wakarusa area. He was a 1958 graduate of Nappanee High School …read more.

By JESSICA FLORES Communication Specialist, Nappanee Public Library NAPPANEE — Numerous programs available at Nappanee Public Library Cookies, Cocoa and a Movie at the Library Get set for a cozy afternoon at the Library with Cookies, Cocoa and a Movie, on Tuesday, Dec. 29. Fill a mug at the scrumptious cocoa bar and decorate your …read more.

John E. Mishler, 66, Elkhart, died unexpectedly of natural causes, at 4:07 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born June 7, 1949, in Elkhart to Gerald and Eileen (Madlem) Mishler. John was a graduate of Nappanee High School and lived most of his life in this area. On Oct. 24, …read more.

Sanford “Sandy” Kilmer, 89, Goshen, passed away Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, at Courtyard Healthcare. He had been in declining health since August. He was born Feb. 8, 1926 in Foraker to Phillip W. and Ella (Kohli) Kilmer. On Oct. 24, 1948, he married Clara Schwartz in Nappanee. She survives, along with two sons: Tim (Vanessa) …read more.

[weaver_youtube ZzRk41D3OmY rel=0] KOSCIUSKO — Just over a year ago a seasoned Kosciusko County hunter set up his trail cam near Black Lake. Cody Lewis expected to spot the usual game of the season, deer or even a coyote or two. However, when reviewing footage from that night, Lewis was surprised to find something a …read more.

Dana C. Kauffman, 86, Millersburg, passed away Wednesday morning, Dec. 9, 2015, at Courtyard Healthcare after an extended illness. He was born May 25, 1929 in Clinton Township to Alvin and Alma (Showalter) Kauffman. On Oct. 9, 1954 he married Carol L. Hapner at Solomon’s Creek Church. She survives along with two sons: Gregory (Alice) …read more.

Glen “Whitey” Bellman, 81, Nappanee, died at 8:05 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, at Miller’s Merry Manor from a long illness. He was born Oct. 15, 1934, in Bremen, to Earl and Zula (Stump) Bellman. He was a lifetime area resident. Whitey owned several gas stations in Nappanee, and retired from Utilimaster. He enjoyed fishing, …read more.

By JESSICA FLORES Communication Specialist, Nappanee Public Library NAPPANEE — News and events at Nappanee Public Library: New iMac Computer at Library The Nappanee Public Library recently acquired a fully-loaded 27-inch iMac computer with the complete 2015 Adobe Creative Cloud Suite for use in their makerspace, the Cube. The professional-level applications included have the power …read more.

Kosciusko Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigated the following accident: 8:04 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, North SR 19, south of West CR 1100N, Nappanee. Driver: John A. Blakeslee, 61, West CR 900N, Milford. Driver struck a deer. Damages up to $5,000. 5:51 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, East Old Road 30, east of Hunter Ridge, …read more.

NAPPANEE — Workshops and craft night at Nappanee Public Library.

Joseph C. Ludwick, 76, Nappanee, died at 4:55 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born March 8, 1939, in Bronson, Mich. to George and Eva (Kupiecki) Ludwick. He married Carol (Watson) Smith March 16, 1975, at the Christ United Methodist Church in Cambridge, Ohio. Mr. Ludwick was a 1958 graduate …read more.

NAPPANEE – Warsaw took care of business in the pool, beating NorthWood in both boys and girls dual action Thursday night.

NAPPANEE – NorthWood’s girls and Tippecanoe Valley’s boys won dual swim meets at NorthWood Monday night.

David L. Bowers, 81, of Nappanee, died unexpectedly of natural causes, Friday morning, Nov. 27, at the home of his son in Lebanon, Ohio. He was born Aug.25, 1934, in Elkhart to Harrison and Freida (Miller) Bowers. David was a graduate of Nappanee High School and Ashland University. He lived most of his life in …read more.

Dr. Forest M. Kendall, age 100, of Nappanee, died at 5:46 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, at North Woods Village, Mishawaka after an extended illness. He was born Jan. 6, 1915, in Greenfield, to John W. and Agnes (Lonsdale) Kendall. On June 8, 1939, he married Madge Stout in Boswell. She preceded in death Feb. …read more.

Micah Lynn Borkholder, 4, of 71985 CR 100, Nappanee, died peacefully at 12:20 a.m., Saturday, November 28, 2015 at his home after a two month illness. He was born Sept. 14, 2011 to Christy Owen and Loranna W. (Borkholder) Borkholder in Nappanee. They survive, along with sisters, Geneva Rose,  Janelle Renae Borkholder; brothers, Owen Eugene, …read more.

In case you didn’t get a chance to plan for Thanksgiving, or you had a kitchen catastrophe, here are a few local places you can gobble up some traditional Thanksgiving cuisine to celebrate: Syracuse Syracuse Eagles will be serving Thanksgiving dinner from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Eagles, Aerie 3760, 12889 Kern Road. Public welcome. Donations appreciated. …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Earlier this week, InkFreeNews posed a question to our readers: What does Thanksgiving mean to you? You took to our website and Facebook page to share your opinions, and although the poll options couldn’t be all-inclusive, you responded with enthusiasm.

NAPPANEE — MedStat Nappanee announces Dr. Kyngin Yang, M.D. and Lori Young, family nurse practitioner, as the main medical staff of MedStat Nappanee.

NAPPANEE – NorthWood pulled away in the second half to beat Triton, 41-26, in girls basketball Tuesday night at The Pit.

Max L. Bigler, 88, Nappanee, died, after a brief illness, at 1:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Wakarusa, where he had been admitted Friday. He was born July 12, 1927, in Nappanee to Harry and Thelma (Metzler) Bigler. Max had lived his lifetime in Nappanee. He was a 1945 graduate of …read more.

Bernice Fay Holdeman, 96, Goshen, died 10:27 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen. She was born March 24, 1919, in Elkhart County to George B. and Clara (Loucks) Moyer. Surviving are sons: Lee Holdeman, Nappanee; Robert Holdeman, Goshen; daughter: Sharon Baker, Irons, Mich.; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Preceding her …read more.

DeWayne L. Carpenter Jr., 76, Elkhart, died 12:30 p.m. Thursday Nov. 19, 2015, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born Nov. 8, 1939, in Mishawaka to DeWayne L. and Letha Arlene (Christophel) Carpenter Sr. He married Ruby (Nusbaum) Carpenter on Nov. 13, 1965. Surviving are his wife: Ruby, Elkhart; sons: Timothy Carpenter, Elkhart; Mike (Lori) …read more.

By JOY J. JOHSE Marketing and Public Relations Director, Lutheran Health Network, KCH Kirk Ray, CEO at Kosciusko Community Hospital, welcomed Nappanee city officials prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new MedStat Nappanee location, 1001 N. Main St., Suite One, Nappanee. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7p.m. Monday through Friday 8 …read more.

NAPPANEE — MedStat Urgent Care and Occupational Health recently opened a new office located at 1001 N. Main St., Nappanee, and marked the event with a ribbon cutting and open house. The open house featured a tour of the facility, food, music, freshly popped kettle corn and hot cider. Children’s prizes were awarded to those …read more.

Kosciusko County Court Judgments Kosciusko County Court New Filings Small Claims The following small claim has been awarded in Kosciusko Superior Court III, Judge Joe V. Sutton presiding: Eastgate Apartments v. Taylor Ables, Muncie, $1,141 Timothy Brady, Warsaw, $1,141 The Car Company v. Elizabeth A. Allen, Elkhart, $431 Anna J. Bender, Elkhart, $431 Terrence Gangwer, …read more.

Tracy Newcomer, 58, Nappanee, died at 5:35 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015, at Elkhart Hospice House with his family by his side. He was born Feb. 26, 1957, in Goshen to Max and Patricia (Replogle) Newcomer. Tracy was a lifetime resident of Nappanee. On May 22, 1982, he married Delores Smith at Union Center Church …read more.

By JOY J. LOHSE Marketing and Public Relations Director, Lutheran Health Network KCH NAPPANEE — MedStat Urgent Care and Occupational Health invites community members to a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the new MedStat, Nappanee location, 1001 N. Main St., followed by an open house from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The open house will feature a tour of …read more.

NAPPANEE — A coloring contest is planned for children ages 5-8 and 9-12. Four winners, two boys and two girls, will receive a new bicycle. The coloring contest pages are available at either Northwood Family Medicine located at 1001 N. Main St., or The Nappanee Chamber of Commerce located at 302 W. Market St., Nappanee.