Memorials

Frances Geneva Western, 79, of Etna Troy Township, died at 7:45 a.m. Thursday, August 21, 2008, at the Hospice Home in Fort Wayne where she was admitted on Monday, August 11.
She was born September 14, 1928, in Thorncreek Township, a daughter of Jesse F. and Laura (Pheister) Braddock. Her formative years were spent in Thorncreek Township where she completed her elementary education. She graduated from Columbia City High School in 1946.
On July 31, 1949, she was united in marriage to Glenn A. Western at the First Church of God on N. Washington Streetin Columbia City by Rev. Festel E. Link and Rev. Alvin Link. They made their first home at Loon Lake moving to their farm in Etna Troy Township in December 1951.
She worked at City Hall for Columbia City Utilities from 1946 until 1960, was Etna Troy Township Clerk from 1976 until 2002 and Etna Troy Township Deputy Assessor from 1976 until 2002. Her memberships include Troy Presbyterian Church and it’s Women’s Association where she served as moderator from 1992 to 1993. She served on the Whitley County Extension Board of Directors and was a member of the Etna Troy Extension Homemakers. She also was a member of Whitley County Farm Bureau, served on its Board of Directors and was awarded Indiana Farm Bureau farm wife of the year in 1981. In addition to being a tutor for Whitley County Literacy Council, she served on the Board of Directors, was secretary and student coordinator.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Glenn; two sons and two daughters, Steven R. (Jill) Western, Jeffrey G. Western and Gloria J. (Steven) Reimer, all of Columbia City, and Suzanne R. Western of Fort Wayne; five grandchildren, Jarrod and Justin Western, Rodney, Geordan and Mikalah Reimer; a great-granddaughter, Cora Western; and six sisters, Phyllis Bowsman, Betty Dear, Dean Bowman and Sharon Rucker, all of Columbia City, Judy Fisher of Nappanee and Evelyn Egner of New Whiteland.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Bonnie Egner.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 25, 2008, at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Rev. Howard Compton and Chaplain Jeanine Nix officiating. The burial will be in Adams Cemetery. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to Troy Presbyterian Church, American Cancer Society or Hospice Home.