Memorials

Gary Lynn Beal, 61, of rural Columbia City, died at 11:36 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2011 at Parkview Main Hospital, Fort Wayne. He had been in failing health.
He was born April 7, 1950 in Hudson, Michigan the son of the late Clarence L. and Eva (Hilbourn) Beal. He spent his formative years in Clare, MI. He graduated from Clare High School in 1969.
On December 12, 1970 he was united in marriage to Deborah A. Van Blaricum. They made their home in Howell, MI.
He spent his work career in the window industry with over 30 years of service at VCF Films, Inc., Howell, MI. Later he worked for St. Cloud Door, St. Cloud, FL.
His memberships included Fraternal Order of Eagles, Kendallville.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie; two daughters, Robin (Ty) Trudeau, St. Cloud, FL and Billie Jo Beal (Rick Halbakken), Albion; a son, Kelby(Angela) Beal, Fowlerville, MI; nine grandchildren; two brothers, George (Dorita) Beal, Bridgeport, MI and Wayne (Judy) Beal, Clare, MI; and three sisters, Connie (Carl) Strouse, Clare, MI, Gloria Miller, Escanaba, MI and Clarice (Bill) Sheldon, Victoria, TX.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, William, Sam, Terry and Michael Beal and a sister, Eva Scheeneman.
The funeral service will be held Wednesday 4:00 p.m. at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Nancy Zummack, certified Life-Cycle Celebrant officiating. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:11 AM | Permalink

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Edward A. Whitacre Sr., 63, of Big Lake, died at 7:28 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2011 at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. He had been battling cancer.
He was born April 13, 1948 in St. Charles County, Missouri the son of Ollis D. and Katherine M. (Farmer) Whitacre.
On December 28, 1996 he was united in marriage to Tammy Prater. They made their home at Big Lake.
A career long truck driver, he was driving for Venture Logistics, Fort Wayne.
He is survived by his wife, Tammy; father, Ollis Whitacre, Decatur; children, Rob Whitacre, Ogden, UT; Kim Whitacre, Huntsville, AL, Eddie Whitacre, Hoagland, Michael Whitacre, Big Lake and Sacha Whitacre, Warsaw; nine grandchildren and a sister, Cindy Whitacre, Columbia City.
Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. at Thorn Cemetery, Ormas.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:10 AM | Permalink

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Annabelle M. Perkins, 76, formerly of Pierceton, died at 6:26 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at The Oaks Living Center.
She was born December 15, 1934 in South Whitley, Indiana a daughter of Leroy and Cora (Sroufe) Baker. Her formative years were spent in Whitley County. She graduated from Larwill High School and Ravenscroft Beauty College.
On December 17, 1955 she was united in marriage to Marlin G. "Pete" Perkins. They made their first home in Warsaw. They resided in Ohio, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Colorado before returning to Indiana in 1980. In April 1985 they moved to Pierceton. Mr. Perkins died August 22, 1998.
A beautician, she worked at Mary Pace Beauty Salon in Fort Wayne for three years, Fibre Form for five years and Essex for 10 years, retiring in May 1997.
She was a member of V.F.W. Post #5582 Auxiliary.
Surviving relatives include six daughters, Debra (Darrell) Byrum of Warsaw, Sandra (Bob) Lane of Churubusco, Cindy Honaker of Columbia City, Penny (John) Santora of Berea OH, Rebecca (Don) Middaugh of North Baltimore OH and Lori Pulley of Albion; 14 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and her faithful canine companion, Bandit.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister, Harold Baker, Ralph Baker and Helen Eberhard.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at New Hope Wesleyan Church, 971 N 400 W, Columbia City with visitation one hour prior to the service. The burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton. The visitation will also be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.
Preferred memorials are to Parkview Home Health & Hospice or New Hope Wesleyan Church.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:10 AM | Permalink

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Rosemary M. Gray, 92, of Crooked Lake, died at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at her home.
She was born September 18, 1918 in Markle, Indiana a daughter of John and Clellah (Redding) Horrell. She graduated from Huntington High School in 1937.
On March 25, 1939 she was united in marriage to Norman A. Gray. They made their home in Huntington until 1972 when they moved to Crooked Lake.
She was a member of the Noble County Home Extension Club.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Norman; four children, Judith (Ronald) Freel of Cromwell, Dennis (Annette) Gray of Silver Lake, Norma Erdly of Ligonier and Lois (Michael) Noel of Columbia City; 12 grandchildren; and 22 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a grandson and a sister, Roberta Barton.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in Thorn Cemetery, Ormas. The visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to Parkview Home Health & Hospice.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:09 AM | Permalink

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Mary A. Rice, 88, of Columbia City, died at 3:40 a.m. Monday, May 23, 2011 at Millers Merry Manor. She was born May 6, 1923 in Fort Wayne, Indiana the daughter of the late Edward and Edna (Lehman) Baker. She spent her formative years in Fort Wayne. She attended Central High School.
On February 11, 1945 she was united in marriage to Merlin A. Rice. Mr. Rice died March 16, 2003.
She was employed by Precision Plastics for over 23 years. She was a life-long member of Coesse United Methodist Church. Other memberships included, American Legion Auxiliary and Order of the Eastern Star. After her retirement, she loved spending time with her family. She was an avid Euchre and Bingo player at the Whitley County Senior Center.
Surviving relatives include four children, Merlin (Alice) Rice of Albion, Trois (Dennis) Ray, Columbia City, Patty Felver, South Whitley and Jim (Cheryl) Rice, Columbia City; 12 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren and a brother Harold H. Baker, Fort Wayne
She was preceded in death by eight siblings and a grandson, Terry N. Boyles.
The funeral service will be held at 10.00 a.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in the Uniontown Cemetery. The visitation will be from 2:00 to 4.00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to the Whitley County Community Foundation - Whitley County Cares Fund.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:06 AM | Permalink

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Earl L. Bromley Sr., 51, of Noble County, died at 10:29 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at his home. He had been battling cancer for the past three years.
He was born February 12, 1960 in Columbia City, Indiana a son of Floyd and Evlon (Harrington) Bromley. His formative years were spent in Noble County. He completed his education at West Noble High School.
On July 29, 1983 he was united in marriage to Linda S. Wade. They made their home in Whitley and Kosciusko Counties before moving to Noble County in 1991.
He was a member of Ormas Baptist Church and a lifetime member of North American Hunt Club.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Linda; two sons, Earl (Katie) Bromley Jr. of Noble County and Tim (Bonnie Smith) Halsey of Columbia City; three grandchildren, Nick Bromley, Jasmine Smith and Ashley Smith; a sister, Shirley Richards of Avilla; and four brothers, Don Bromley of Huntington, Willie Bromley of Cromwell, Ronnie Bromley of Auburn and Arnie Bromley of Cromwell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister, Robert Bromley, David Bromley, Chuck Bromley and Nancy Elliott.
The funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with visitation from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the final expense account at Smith & Sons Funeral Home.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:05 AM | Permalink

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William Ellsworth "Bill" Wass, 95, of Columbia City, died at 2:20 p.m. Monday, May 16, 2011 at Parkview Whitley Hospital of complications from congestive heart failure.
He was born December 8, 1915 in Fort Wayne, Indiana a son of Romney and Dessie (Wilkerson) Wass. He graduated from North Side High School in 1935 and worked at Sherman White & Company.
In 1939 Bill moved to California where he enjoyed working for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation for over 35 years, retiring in 1975. His work there was interrupted in August 1945 when he enlisted in the United States Army, serving with the 57th Field Artillery Battalion in Korea. He was honorably discharged January 19, 1947. Following his retirement, he joined his first cousin, Roxane Gutermuth. in Omaha, Nebraska until they moved to Columbia City in 1981 to be near family.
His memberships included Monterey Park Lodge #457 Free & Accepted Masons in California and a lifetime charter member of the World War II Memorial.
Surviving relatives include a sister and a brother, Garneta Dickmeyer and Milo Wass, both of Hoagland; four nephews; and dear friends, John & Mary Lou Fries of Columbia City and their family, Gregg & Mary Fries Palmer, Olivia Palmer and Stephen Fries.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Viola Froebe and Virginia Bauer and his cousin, Roxane Gutermuth.
The graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Greenhill Cemetery. There will be no public visitation.
Arrangements are being completed at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:04 AM | Permalink

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Lisa Mullins, 57, formerly of Columbia City, died at 8:09 a.m. Sunday, May 15, 2011 in the emergency room of Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.
She was born September 20, 1953 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The daughter of Dale and Clemmentine (Jackson) Cleland spent her formative years in Columbia City. She graduated from Columbia City Joint High School.
Her employment was with Magnavox and for the past 11 years with Ultra Electronics USSI. She made her home in Columbia City until five years ago when she moved to Fort Wayne.
She was a member of Boy Scouts of America Venture Crew #2392.
Surviving relatives include three children, Samantha Mullins, Kerrie (Daniel) Dean and Kris Mullins, all of Fort Wayne; three grandchildren, Kamryn Mullins Hoffman, Daniel Dean and Joshua Dean; and a sister, Andrea Halt of Columbia City.
Her parents preceded her in death.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in South Park Annex Cemetery. The visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to Humane Society of Whitley County.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:02 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

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Sue L. King, 82, of Columbia City, died at 3:35 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2011 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne where she was admitted on Thursday, May 12th.
She was born September 10, 1928 in Lagrange County, Indiana a daughter of Daniel J.S. and Ida S. (Eash) Yoder. She graduated from Columbia City High School in 1947 and received her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from St. Francis College in 1974.
On May 28, 1947 she was united in marriage to Benjamin F. King. They made their home in Smith Township, Whitley County with the exception of a couple years in Arizona. Mr. King died July 21, 1983. She made her home at Troy Cedar Lake for a short period of time until 1981 when she moved to Fort Wayne. In 2005 she returned to Columbia City.
She worked at Etna Troy Elementary School for 3 years and Don Hall's Hollywood Drive-In Restaurant, retiring in 1998 from the job she loved most.
Her church of attendance was New Hope Wesleyan Church.
Surviving relatives include six children, Dallas (Judy) King of Columbia City, Steve (Beth Ann) King of Sahuarita AZ, Randall (Pat) King of Avilla, Greg (Bernie) King of Columbia City, Linda King of Columbia City and Tammera (Bryan) Humes of Columbia City; 20 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and four sisters, Mazie Harper of Coolidge AZ, Edna Hunt of Huntington, Peggy Carrel of Dallas TX and Dorothy Hansen of Pahrump NV.
She was also preceded in death by a brother, Harley D. Yoder.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date at Riverview Cemetery, Churubusco.
Preferred memorials are to the American Heart Fund.

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:02 AM | Permalink

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Betty A. Faylor, 89, of Columbia City, died at 10:20 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester where she had been a resident since April 2010.
She was born November 2, 1921 in Aboite Township, Allen County a daughter of Carl L. and Hazel M. (Truman) Klaehn. She completed her education at Central High School in Fort Wayne.
On February 1, 1941 she was united in marriage to Arthur Faylor Jr. They made their home in Fort Wayne until 1971 when they moved to a farm in Jefferson Township, Whitley County. After their retirement from farming in 1984, they built a home in Thorncreek Township where they resided until moving into Columbia City in May of 1994. Mr. Faylor died February 1, 1998.
A homemaker, she was a member of Laud Christian Church and a former member of Rebekah Lodge in Laud.
Surviving relatives include a son and a daughter, Mack D. Faylor and Patricia M. Wickerham, both of Columbia City; a granddaughter, Hallie R. Grant of Columbia City; and three great grandchildren, Zachary Grant, Tanner Grant and Sierra Grant.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Angela Wickerham and a brother, Frederick Klaehn.
A private family graveside service will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne. There will be no public visitation.
Preferred memorials are to Laud Christian Church.
Arrangements are being completed by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. 

Posted by jennifer321 at 09:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

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Larry Dale Hambleton, 63, of Killeen, Texas died, April 30, 2011 at his home. He had been battling cancer.
He was born April 13, 1948, in Fort Wayne, IN a son of Max and Monnabell (Ruby) Hambleton. His formative years were spent at Big Lake and he graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1967.
After completing his education, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for twenty one years. He had been stationed in Germany and Korea.
He has made his home in Killeen since his retirement.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Sue; a daughter, Angie; a son, Chad Hambleton ; five grandchildren; mother, Monnabell Hambleton, Fort Wayne; three sisters, Sandra (David) Shafter, Fort Wayne, Brenda (Don) McCurdy, Fort Wayne and Cindy Hickman, Fort Wayne.
He was preceded in death by his father.
There will be no services.

Posted by jennifer321 at 08:59 AM | Permalink

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Dean E. Miller, 65, of Columbia City died Tuesday evening May 3, 2011 at his home. He had been in failing health.
He was born February 21, 1946 in Huntington, Indiana a son of the late Gene L. and Ila (Stensel Gradeless) Miller. His formative years began in Huntington then following the death of his father, they moved to South Whitley. He graduated from South Whitley High School in 1964.
On June 24, 1972 he was united in marriage to Margaret Pepple. They made their home in Whitley County.
He began his career in the retail business with JC Penny, LS Ayres and others. For twenty years, he was a baker with Scott’s Food Stores until his retirement.
He was a member of First Church of God and will be remembered as a strong and caring family man.
Surviving relatives include his wife of 38 years, Margaret; a son, Christopher Miller of Warsaw; a daughter, Elizabeth Lorene “Biz” (Rich) Dickmeyer of Fort Wayne; two granddaughters, Grace Elizabeth Dickmeyer and Caroline Alyse Dickmeyer and two sisters, Nancy (Larry) Walters of Grabill and Nora (Lloyd) Engleberth of Greenwood, Wisc.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Rev. Johnny McCallister officiating. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Huntertown. The visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to First Church of God.

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Robert James Byer, 85 went to his heavenly home Saturday , April 30, 2011, in Fort Wayne.
He was born October 27, 1925 near Marshall, Michigan, a son of the late Herbert and Ruby Laukhart Byer. A 1944 graduate of the Wolf Lake High School, he served in the U.S. Navy during W.W. II.
Following his discharge from Navy, he returned to Noble County where he farmed until retiring at age 75.
On November 19, 1949, he was united in marriage to Lois Shivley, who survives him.
Robert loved teaching the youth of the Ormas Baptist Church for forty-seven years. He wanted the youth to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Strive to live for the Lord. In later years, he was the head of the Ormas Baptist Mission Board for over thirteen years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children, Beverly (Rick) Merritt of AZ, Kevin Byer of CA, Cheryl (Robert) Broxon of IN, James (Stacia) Byer of CA and Michele (James) Crowley of IN; 10 grandchildren: Shane Merritt, Joshua (Mary) McClain, Laura (Christian) de Veer, Carrie Broxon, Craig (Lauren) Broxon, Kyle Broxon, Grant and Garrett Byer, Danielle (Robby) Schultz and Megan Crowley; 5 great grandchildren: Jordan & Tyler Merritt, Ruby & Paul McClain & Serena Broxon; a sister, Mary Lou (Les) Phipps and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by siblings, Eugene Byer, Betty Wolfe, Kathryn Holt and Herbert Junior Byer.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Christian Chapel Church in Merriam with Rev. Terry Zolman, officiating. The visitation will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City and one hour before the service at the church. The burial will be in the Thorn Cemetery at Ormas.
Preferred memorials may be made to the University Baptist Church for Mark Lehman, a Missionary to Taiwan; Box 1643, Clemson, SC 29633.

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Barbara Lou Rider, 78, of Larwill, died at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2011 at The Oaks where she had been for the past two weeks in rehabilitation.
She was born February 25, 1933 in Noble County, IN a daughter of the late George and Effa (Owen) Kimmel. Her formative years were spent in Noble County. She graduated from Churubusco High School in 1951.
On January 15, 1955 she was united in marriage to Jack L. Rider. They made their home in Noble County moving to Larwill in 1959. Mr. Rider died January 2, 2000.
In addition to a homemaker, she was self employed in the upholstery business from 1962 to 1977.
Her memberships included the former Larwill United Methodist Church now Oak Grove United Methodist Church.
Surviving relatives include a son, Kim L. (Sarah) Rider, Columbia City and daughter, Jackie L. (Steve) Adang , Pierceton; two additional sons, David (Brenda) Anweiler of Mentone and Dennis (Jackie) Anweiler of Kouts; two additional daughters, Diane (Brent) Krider of Colorado and Denise Greenway of Colorado; 23 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren and two sisters, Lalia (Kenneth) Hand of Huntertown and Margaret (Bob) Marshall of Kimmell
She was preceded in death by a daughter Tammy L. Walter; two brothers, Edward Kimmel and William Kimmel and three sisters, Maxine Collins, Faye Lemish and Betty Mote.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Rev. Gene Roher officiating. The burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Larwill. The visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Posted by jennifer321 at 08:57 AM | Permalink

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