February 29, 2008
Velma Kiester, 89, a resident of rural Kimmell and widow of Max J. Kiester, died at 1:43 p. m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne following a brief illness.
Mrs. Kiester was born in Green Township in Noble County on October 14, 1918, a daughter of Fred and Clara (Diffendarfer) Owen, and spent her formative years in that community.
John D. Washburn, 100
JOHN D. WASHBURN, 100, a lifelong resident of Columbia City, died at 10 p.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at his home. 
He was born August 24, 1907 in Columbia City, Indiana a son of John L. “Dot” and Ada B. (Gongwer) Washburn. He graduated from Columbia City High School in 1924.
In 1925 he was united in marriage to Mary Bauer. Mrs. Washburn died in 1946. In 1948 he was united in marriage to Helen Raupher Bunting. She died December 11, 1961.
He began his employment with the State of Indiana in 1939 and was known throughout the state for his work in the conservation department. Following his retirement in 1971 as a State Conservation Officer, he began wintering in Naples, Florida until 2005.
He was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, Columbia City Elks and Columbia City Moose Lodge.
Surviving relatives include six children, Mary Jane (Robert) McElroy of DesPeres, Missouri, John B. “Jack” (Joan) Washburn of Palm Desert, California, Ann (John) Caggiano of New York, New York, James (Janet) Washburn of Naples, Florida, Thomas (Sandi) Washburn of Naples, Florida and Gina Washburn of Hendersonville, North Carolina; eight grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, David James Washburn and a brother, James Washburn.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2008 at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Father Larry Cramer, pastor of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, officiating. The burial will be in Catholic Cemetery. The visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com
February 27, 2008
Pacqstan Quentin Bridegam, 35
Pacqstan Quentin Bridegam, age 35, of Columbia City ,
died Sunday, February 24, 2008 at 2:06 a.m. as the result of a motorcycle accident in Charlotte , NC . Born in Pinellas Co., Florida on August 16, 1972, he was the son of Dennis Eugene and Sheila Denise (Hanegan) Bridegam.
At the age of 6 months he and his family moved to Thorncreek Township , Columbia City where he has resided most of his lifetime, moving to Charlotte , NC one year ago. He graduated with the Class of 1991 from Columbia City High School , Columbia City , IN. He served in the National Guard and then entered the United States Army, serving from 1992-1996. He married Heidi Lynn Gaff in Columbia City , IN on September 1, 2001. He first worked at Hammond Oil Company, Columbia City , Bushe, Albion , IN as a machinist, then he worked for Keystone R. V., Goshen , IN and currently was employed as a service writer for Tom Johnson Camping, Charlotte , NC . He was a former member of the Columbia City Eagles Lodge #1906 and was an avid motorcyclist and dirt biker. He also loved to entertain by doing karaoke.
Survivors include his wife, Heidi Lynn Bridegam, Churubusco, IN; parents, Dennis Eugene and Sheila Denise Bridegam of Chandler, AZ; a daughter, Evelyn Nicole "Eve" Bridegam, of Churubusco, IN; sister, Crystal Nichole (Ryan Ethan) Erne of Chandler, AZ; grandparents, Lois Jean Bridegam, Columbia City, IN, Princie Alene (Leo) Allen, Bossier City, LA and Denis Alexander (Mary Ann) Hanegan, Wilmington, MA. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Harold Eugene Bridegam who died on March 26, 2004.
Visitation is 2-8:00 p.m. Friday, February 29, 2008 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive , Columbia City , IN. Funeral service is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2008 at the funeral home with Pastor Aaron Peer of Charter Oak officiating. Burial will follow at St. Matthew's Cemetery, Columbia City . Memorials may be given in Mr. Bridegam's memory to Fund for his daughter, Evelyn N. Bridegam. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To send family condolences or sign the register book, please visit www.demoneygrimes.com
George Edward Coverstone, 83
George Edward Coverstone, age 83, 
died at 6:12 p.m. on Monday, February 25, 2008 at Parkview Whitley Hospital , Columbia City , IN. Born in Fort Wayne , IN on April 6, 1924, he was the son of Lawrence Jacob "Bob" and Odetta (Clingerman) Coverstone.
A Columbia City resident since the age of 3, he graduated with the Class of 1942 from Columbia City High School , Columbia City and he attended Findlay College , Findlay , OH for 2 years. He was employed by Timkin Detroit Axle for one year, and he worked as a printer for the Post & Mail , Columbia City for 15 years and also Fort Wayne Newspapers from 1962 - 1986. From 1943 - 1946, he served in the United States Navy during World War II on the USS Vicksburg. On December 31, 1947, he married Georgia C. Hall in Columbia City . His memberships included First Church of God, American Legion Post #98, VFW Post #5582, Little Turtle Archaeological Research Society, Whitley County Historical Society, bowling and horseshoe leagues. In his leisure time, he enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, hunting, traveling and horseshoes.
Survivors include 4 children, daughter, Amy (Gale) Herron, 3 sons, Michael (Jennie) Coverstone, and Kim (Melody) Coverstone all of Columbia City, and LaMont Coverstone of Louisville, KY; a sister, Phyllis (William) Herendeen of Columbia City; 6 grandchildren, Carrie (Brandon) Crawford, Mindy Coverstone, Joel (Shannon) Herron, Nathan, Zachary and Mason Coverstone and 4 great-grandchildren, Houston Heineman, Madalyn and Maylee Crawford and Rylan Herron. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Georgia C. Coverstone on June 15, 1999, and sister, Barbara Lou Coverstone.
To honor Mr. Coverstone's wishes, there will be no visitation. Memorial service is 6 p.m. Friday, February 29, 2008 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive , Columbia City with Pastor Thomas Beers of Columbia City Church of the Nazarene officiating. Burial is 10 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2008 at Thorn Cemetery, Ormas, Noble County, IN. Memorials may be given in memory of Mr. Coverstone to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana or VFW Post #5582. Envelopes will be availabe at the funeral home. To send family condolences or sign the register book, please visit www.demoneygrimes.com