The funeral of George Alexander's little boy was held at Palestine on Tuesday at 12 o'clock and the interment in the cemetery at that place. Quite a sad accident which caused death happened to the 6-year-old boy of George Alexander Friday afternoon. The little fellow was at his father's saw-mill when one of the teamsters drove up with a load of logs and after unloading the boy thought he would ride up to the house which is only a short distance from the mill. In some way the boy fell off the wagon and one wheel passed lengthwise over the body, injuring the spine. Only a day or two previous the boy run a rusty nail in his foot and the injury received from falling from the wagon together caused lockjaw, from which he died at 2 o'clock Sunday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have the sincere sympathy of the entire community.
Warsaw Daily Times, Kosciusko County, Indiana; 4 Jun 1901
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

CRUSHED BETWEEN TWO ENGINES. Brakeman Verne Allman Instantly Killed in Collision in Garrett Yards.
On Wednesday evening of last week, about 7:25 o'clock, Verne Allman, the twenty-year-old son of N. R. Allman, a prominent lumber dealer and contractor of this city, was instantly killed in a rear-on collision of the yard engine and "pusher," both of which were being run backward. Engineer Howe and Brakeman Clarence Peck were returning from Avilla with the 2001, having pushed a west-bound freight up the grade, and met the yard engine, in charge of Conductor Ed. Turney, Switchman Allman and Engineer Moughler, on the east-bound main track near the coal chutes in the west part of the yards. Messrs. Turney and Allman were standing on the foot board of the yard engine. The former saw the impending danger when the 2001 was only about three feet away and cannot tell how he managed to escape. It is evident his companion never knew what struck him. Neither engine was running over five or six miles an hour, escaping steam from several other engines standing on adjacent tracks completely enveloping them. Engineer Howe supposed he had struck a car, as after the locomotives came together, they backed apart a few feet. Messrs. Howe, Moughler and the others hurried to the point of collision where they found the unfortunate young victim still in death between the two locomotives. He was badly crushed across the thighs and lower extremities and had sustained a fracture of the skull. The remains were at once taken to Tonnesen's undertaking rooms to be prepared for burial. Engineer Howe had used the customary precautions upon entering the yards with the "pusher," telephoning from west end for instructions as to which track, he should come down. Not content with this he had brought the 2001 to a very slow speed, because of the darkness caused by the steam, and Fireman Gould had just started ringing the bell. The yard engine was also proceeding slowly, the crew having no knowledge that the "pusher" would be on the east-bound main, and thinking only that they must keep clear of No. 6, due some few minutes later. Conductor Turney at once looked after the safety of the passenger train, then laid down his lantern to take it up no more in railroad work. It has only been about a year since Ellery Pressler, a flagman of his crew, met death in his presence in the yards. Switchman Frank Neubauer might have shared the same fate, only that he had been left in charge of the dining car. Verne Allman was aged twenty years, eight months and nine days. Last winter he worked for the B. & O. as brakeman, but during the summer months was in the employ of his father at the latter's mill. On December 8 he again entered the service of the company and after a couple weeks on the road began working in the yards. He was very popular among his fellow employes and most obedient to parents and superiors in his work. He is survived by father, step-mother, two brothers and two sisters. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. A. Patterson from the M. E. church Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock and interment made at cemetery North.
Garrett Clipper, DeKalb County, Indiana; 26 Jan 1905
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

MARTHA M. BADIAC, 82, died at Heritage Manor North on Sunday morning. She was an Allen County native and a homemaker. Surviving are one daughter, Ruth B. Warner, of Huntertown; one sister, Eva Hugenard, of Fort Wayne; three grandchildren. Services at 1 p.m. Tuesday at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Ave; calling 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Memorials to the Huntertown United Methodist Church.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, October 26, 1987
Contributed by Karin King

Edna Mae Babcock, 90, formerly of Fort Wayne, died Wednesday in Sebring, Fla. She was a Florida resident the past six years. Mrs. Babcock was a Paulding, Ohio, native. She was the widow of Elmer Babcock, a former Fort Wayne police patrolman, who died in 1961. Surviving are a daughter, Hazel Zimmerman of Ruskin, Fla.; and six sons, Robert, James and Charles, all of Ruskin, and Wilbur, Richard and Patrick, all of Fort Wayne. Another son, Wayne, died a few weeks ago. Memorial services for Mrs. Babcock and her son, Wayne, will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pauley-Schilb Funeral Home, Antwerp, Ohio. buried Maumee Cemetery; Antwerp, Paulding County, Ohio
Journal Gazette; Allen County, Indiana; April 10, 1981
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Fri. June 10, 1955
WM. BADERTSCHER TAKEN BY DEATH - HUSBAND OF FORMER ELMA LOCHER DIES IN BLUFFTON, OHIO
William Badertscher, 60, a farmer living a mile north of Bluffton, Ohio, died at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at his home following a serious illness of two weeks. He was a native of Richland Township, Allen County, Ohio, and was married August 17, 1935, to Elma Locher, who survives. Mrs. Badertscher has many relatives in Berne and community, her mother being a Winteregg. Mr. Badertscher was a member of the First Mennonite Church at Bluffton. Surviving besides his widow are two daughters, Mary Ann and Martha Jane, and a son, John F., all at home; two brothers, Dan J. and Fred, both of Bluffton. The body will remain in the Basinger Funeral Home at Bluffton where friends may call. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home, the Rev. Alvin J. Beachy officiating., Burial will be in Ebenezer Cemetery.
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 14
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

FORT WAYNE - Mildred A. Baker, 86. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fort Wayne. Calling from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Mungovan and Sons Memorial Chapel, Fort Wayne.
Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams County, Indiana, February 9, 1998
Contributed by Karin King

Glendale - Memorial services for Xen Dwight Barbour, 57, of 6459 W. Windsor Blvd., who died Saturday at Maryvale Hospital, will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at Brazill-Whitney Mortuary Chapel. The Rev. Don C. Buck will officiate. Additional services and burial will be in Ft. Wayne, Ind. Mr. Barbour came here in February from Columbus, Ohio. He was a retired foreman for Kroger Stores in Columbus. He was a native of Roanoke, Ind., and a member of the Foremen's Club of Columbus. He is survived by his wife, Mary; a son, Richard, of Ft. Wayne; and two brothers and four sisters, all out of state. Friends may call today until service time at the mortuary.
Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona; Monday, Apr 1, 1963, p. 6
Contributed by Karin King

Daniel F. Barnhart, 79, of 2111 Pauline St. was found dead in his home Friday evening. He was a lifelong Allen County resident and a retired farmer. Mr. Barnhart had worked at General Electric Co. from 1943-60, and had been a crossing guard for the Fort Wayne Community Schools at Brooklyn Avenue. Surviving are four sons, Burlyn, Donald and Ronald, all of Fort Wayne, and Harold, Petoskey, Mich.; two daughters, Mrs. Walter Linville, R.R. 7, Columbia City, and Mrs. Russell Blaugh, Churubusco; and a brother, Ted, Churubusco. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Sheets Funeral Home, Churubusco, where friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Masonic services will be at 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Eel River Cemetery.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, April 26, 1975
Contributed by Karin King

Lawrence J. Barnhart, 83, died at 5:30 p.m. Friday at DeKalb Memorial Hospital after a half-day stay. A 50-year Auburn resident, Mr. Barnhart's late home was at 302 N. Union St., Auburn. He was born May 28, 1892, in Michigan and married Clydia Buttermore Feb. 10, 1913. She preceded him in death in February, 1974. Mr. Barnhart was a former employe of the Auburn Cord Company, and later worked as a painter before his retirement. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Charles (Maxine) Ervin, Garrett, and Mrs. Melvin (Mildred) Bartels, Phoenix, Ariz.; a son, Burgess G. Branhart, 5309 Stonehedge, Fort Wayne; a sister, Mrs. Charles (Alive) Mayme, Wayland, Mich.; a brother, Rev. V. O. Barnhart, Albion; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Two sisters and one brother preceded him in death. The body is at the Dilgard and Cline Funeral Home, Auburn, where calling is after 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Indian Village Church of God, Auburn, where Mr. Barnhart was a member. Rev. Carroll McNutt will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Obit Book - DeKalb County Indiana Library, Volume II, October 25, 1975
Contributed by Karin King

EDWARD A. BECK
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday for Edward A. Beck, 58, of 1314 Camp Allen Drive, who died at 8 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Hospital, where he had been a patient for five days. Surviving are two sons, Perry, and Frank, both of Fort Wayne; six daughters, Mrs. Alice Allred, Fort Wayne, Mrs. Betty Wells, also of Fort Wayne, Mrs. Ella Gaerie, Albion, Mrs. Frances Lee, Socorro, N.M., Miss Norma Jean, at home, and Miss Elsie Beck; five brothers, Charles, Sam, Carl, and Harry, Fort Wayne, and Ted, Denver, Colo.; two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Carpenter, Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Martha Hatcher, Ossian, and eight grandchildren. The Rev. F. W. Battenberg will conduct services at the C. M. Sloan Funeral Home and burial will be in Prairie Grove Cemetery. Friends may call after 7 p.m. today.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana; March 17, 1951
Contributed by Karin King

Lester Dean Beck, 37, of 1213 Huffman St. died at 4:45 p.m. yesterday in Parkview Memorial Hospital, where he had been a patient four weeks. A lifelong resident of Fort Wayne, he worked four (sic) Cinecom Theatres and was a member of North Highlands Church of Christ. Surviving are his wife, Madeline; three daughters, Debra, Susan and Lisa, at home; a son, Mark, at home; four brothers, Kenneth, New Haven, Ralph, Grabill, and Everett and Glenn, both of Fort Wayne; and a sister, Mrs. Nancy Topp of Fort Wayne. Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at D. O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home with calling after 3 p.m. today. Preferred memorials are gifts to the North Highland Church of Christ "In as Much" fund.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana; April 5, 1973
Contributed by Karin King

Services today for Mr. Berghorn
Funeral services for Ernest F. Berghorn, 81, of route 2, Ossian, were held at 1:30 p.m. today at the Elzey funeral home, Ossian, with Rev. A.O. Kaltwasser officiating. Burial was in the Old Concordia cemetery, downtown Fort Wayne. He died Friday evening at the Adams county memorial hospital. Mr. Berghorn was a retired farmer. He was born in Allen county on September 18, 1891, the son of Henry and Louise Kammeyer-Berghorn, and was never married. Surviving are two sisters, Augusta Berghorn, with whom he made his home; and Mrs. Herman (Louise) Gerdom, Fort Wayne.
Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams County, Indiana; January 22, 1973
Contributed by Karin King

Roscoe R. Blair, 87, died Thursday in DeKalb Memorial Hospital following a two year illness.
He was born Aug. 2, 1887 in Edgerton, Ohio, to Wright and Sabina Blair and married Effie Madden who died in 1956. He was a retired upholsterer and his late home was at 105 S. McClellan St., Auburn. One sister preceded him in death. Survivors include two sons, Jack Blair, New York, and George Blair, 105 S. McClellan; and one grandchild. Funeral services will be held in Dilgard and Cline Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Monday. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the mausoleum in Roselawn Cemetery.
DeKalb County, Indiana Library, Volume III, July 15, 1975
Contributed by Karin King

Beatrice B. (Balsley) Boyd, 78, of 231 Springview Drive, died Saturday at Leila Hospital, where she had been a patient five weeks. She was born in Wells County, Ind., and came to Battle Creek 54 years ago. She was employed for 15 years as a sales clerk for the Woolworth Co. and retired in 1961. She was a member of Level Park Baptist Church. Her husband, Milo Boyd, died in 1974. Surviving are daughters, Mrs. Robert (Audrey) MacDonald of 274 Timber Lane and Mrs. Robert (Pauline) Phelps of 3764 W. Michigan Ave.; a son, Wendell G. Boyd of Alpena; 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Edgar (Evelyn ) Somers of Ridge Manner, Fla. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Farley Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be given to the Level Park Baptist Church building fund. [buried Bedford Cemetery; Bedford Township, Calhoun County, Michigan]
Battle Creek Enquirer, Calhoun County, Michigan; Sunday, July 12, 1981
Contributed by Karin King

Milo G. Boyd, 77, of 30 Byron St., a retired Kellogg Co. employee, died Thursday in Community Hospital, where he had been a patient one week. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Farley Funeral Home. He was born in Decatur, Ind., and had been a Battle Creek resident 47 years, coming here from Bluffton, Ind. Boyd retired in 1962 after 31 years at the Kellogg Co. He was a member of the Kellogg 25-Year Club. Surviving are his widow, the former Beatrice Balsley; daughters, Mrs. Robert (Audrey) MacDonald of 262 E. Bridsall Drive and Mrs. Robert (Pauline) Phelps of 3746 W. Michigan Ave., a son, Wendell G. Boyd of Alpena; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and sisters, Mrs. Ruth Philp (sic) of Kalamazoo, Mrs. Wilson (Virginia) Stoner of 106 Oakland Place and Mrs. Henry (Reba) Troskey of Lorain, Ohio. [buried Bedford Cemetery; Bedford Township, Calhoun County, Michigan]
Battle Creek Enquirer, Calhoun County, Michigan; Friday, Mar 22, 1974
Contributed by Karin King

Sophia A. Brandon, 76, 713 S. Hazel St., Auburn, died this morning at 3:40 a.m. in DeKalb Memorial Hospital, following a three-month illness. A former Dana Employee, she had resided in Auburn for the past 48 years. She was born 76 years ago today, on October 15, 1903, the daughter of Romeo and Emma Draggoo. She married the late Melvin Brandon on Nov. 5, 1923. Surviving are three sons, Robert of Coldwater, Mich.; Harold of Ashley, and Richard of Auburn; one daughter, Evelyn Casselman of Auburn; one sister, Thelma Taylor of Columbia City; 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. One son and one brother preceded her in death. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Feller-Graffis Funeral Home, Waterloo. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Auburn. Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.
DeKalb County, Indiana library; Obit Book, Vol II; handwritten: Oct. 15, 1979
Contributed by Karin King

NORTH MANCHESTER--Mary Ruth (Dilling) Butterbaugh, 88, Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, died at 11:20 p.m. Saturday, March 13, 1999, at the Peabody Healthcare Center. She was born on Aug 3, 1910, in North Manchester, to John and Fannie (Brookins) Hendricks. She married H. Wayne Dilling in 1935, in North Manchester. He died on May 30, 1955. She then married Paul R. Butterbaugh on Aug. 4, 1962, in North Manchester. He died on April 14, 1978. She graduated from Central High School, North Manchester, in 1928. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Manchester College in 1933. She taught third grade for eight years in Urbana, and for 12 years at Laketon Elementary School. She was a lifelong North Manchester area resident, and a member of the Manchester Church of the Brethren. Surviving are two sons, Wendell L. Dilling, Midland, Mich., and Roger L. Dilling, New York, N.Y.; and three granddaughters. Three half sisters and one half brother are deceased. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Peabody Chapel, North Manchester. Pastors Susan Boyer and Christen Miller-Rieman will officiate. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, North Manchester. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, North Manchester, and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the Peabody Chapel. [buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery; North Manchester, Wabash County, Indiana; she married again]
THE WABASH PLAIN DEALER, Wabash, Indiana on March 15, 1999
Contributed by Karin King

Harvey B. Calhoun, 69, Pittsburgh, father of Don R. Calhoun, and Mrs. L. G. Joyner, both of Fort Wayne, died at his home last week. Other survivors include his wife, Emma B.; another daughter, Mrs. J. G. Erdman, Pittsburgh, and four grandchildren.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, December 1, 1960
Contributed by Karin King

SAMUEL CARNAHAN, FORMER DEKALB COUNTY MAN, DIES - Father of Mrs. Edith Neukom of Auburn Passes Away at Home of Another Daughter in Elwood
Final rites were held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Clark chapel, Elwood, Ind., for Samuel Smith Carnahan, 74, a native of Jackson township in DeKalb county. He died at 9:20 p.m. Wednesday in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Kelley of Elwood. The Rev. R. E. Boyle, pastor of the First Methodist church at Elwood, officiated at the services. Immediately following the services, the body was brought to Auburn for burial at 2 p.m. Saturday in Woodlawn cemetery. Mr. Carnahan, a retired farmer, died from complications following an illness extending over the past several months. He had resided in the home of his daughter for the past year. Previously, he lived on a farm north of Elwood. He was born April, 5, 1876, the son of James and Julia Carnahan, late Jackson township residents. On Jan. 22, 1898, he married Flossie House. She preceded him in death Oct. 26, 1947. Surviving, besides the daughter in Elwood are another daughter, Mrs. Edith Neukom of Auburn; a son, Noble Carnahan of Elwood; a third daughter, Mrs. Thomas O'Neal of Fort Wayne; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and a sister, Mrs. Harry L. David of Mishawaka. Mr. Carnahan had resided in the Elwood community for about 20 years.
Garrett Clipper, DeKalb County, Indiana; 10 July 1950
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

KENDALLVILLE: Alma Louise Carper, 68, died at 11:35 p.m. Friday in McCray Memorial Hospital. Surviving are three daughters, Frances Brown, of Silver Springs, Fla., Karen Carunchia, of Kendallville, and Theresa McCabe, of Poway, Calif.; one son, Russell, of Kendallville; one sister and 17 grandchildren. Services at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Hite Funeral Home, with calling from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. Memorials to Northeast Center, Kendallville.
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Allen County, Indiana; 23 Aug 1987
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

AUBURN - Dorothy Bishop Carper, 85, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, at 9:35 p.m. in DeKalb Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Carper retired in 1982 after 14 years of service at Messenger Corp. in Auburn. She lived in Auburn and was a member of Auburn Order of the Eastern Star Lodge 103 and Sigma Beta Sorority. She attended St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Auburn. She was born Dec. 30, 1916, in Barberton, Ohio, to M. Jay and Anna (Drabb) Sisson. She married John E. Bishop on June 2, 1935, in DeKalb County. He died in February 1969. She married Chalmer Carper in 1975 and he died in 1994. Surviving are two sons and one daughter-in-law, Robert L. Bishop of Auburn and John M. "Jack" and Judy Bishop, also of Auburn; one sister, Matie M. Mitchell of Auburn; and eight grandchildren. One brother, Russell "Peck" Sisson, preceded her in death. Graveside services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in Woodlawn Cemetery, Auburn. There will be no calling. Memorials are to DeKalb Hospice. Feller Funeral Home, Waterloo, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to sympathy@fellerfuneralhome.net.
Evening Star, DeKalb County, Indiana; 6 Feb 2002
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

ST. JOE -- Floyd O. Carper, 57, died at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in Meadowhaven Nursing Home in Butler. Mr. Carper had been ill for two months. He had been a rural St. Joe resident for 16 years. He was born Feb. 16, 1929 in rural Auburn to George and Mary (Beaty) Carper. On March 6, 1948, Mr. Carper married Romelda Wolfe in Auburn. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Ronald of Butler and Rickey of St. Joe; two daughters, Julie King of Auburn and Melody Mack of St. Joe; three brothers, Forrest of Auburn, Donald of Michigan and Leo of Spencerville; a half brother, James Webb; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Jane Handshoe of Wawaka; Mrs. Shirley Vogts of Fort Wayne and Mrs. Bonnie Hopkins of St. Joe; one half sister Gladys Warstler of Auburn; and 10 grandchildren. Preceding him in death were two step-brothers, one brother and one sister. Mr. Carper was a member of the Lutheran Church of St. Joe. Servives will be Saturday at 1 p.m. in Dilgard, Cline and Southern Funeral Home, 502 N. Main St., Auburn. Burial will be in the Roselawn Cemetery, Auburn. Friends may call tonight from 5-9 in the funeral home. The family prefers memorial gifts be given to DeKalb Hospice.
Obits of DeKalb County, Indiana, Volume III - April 16, 1986
Contributed by Karin King

Forrest D. Carper, 61, of rural Auburn, died Wednesday at 10 a.m. in DeKalb Memorial Hospital, Auburn. A lifetime residence of Auburn, he was employed on the maintenance crew at Zollner Corp., Fort Wayne, for 23 years. He was a World War II Army veteran and a member of American Legion Post 97, Auburn. He was born July 14, 1927 in Auburn to the late George W. and Mary E. (Beaty) Carper. He married Patricia A. Ohmort on Jan. 12, 1948 in Angola. She survives. He also is survived by two sons, Roger D. and Danny L., both of Butler; two daughters, June A. Genson of Butler and Peggy S. Garman of Auburn; two brothers, Donald E. Carper of Snover, Mich., and Leo Carper of Spencerville; one half-brother, James Webb of Bronson, Mich.; three sisters, Mary Jane Handshoe of Wawaka, Shirley Vogts of Fort Wayne, and Bonnie Hopkins of St. Joe; three grandchildren; and four stepgrandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Floyd Carper and George Carper Jr.; one sister, Dorothy Harker; two half-brothers, Lawrence and Merle; and one half-sister, Gladys Walker (sic) Friends may call Friday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. in McComb, Dilgard & Cline Funeral Home, Auburn. Services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home, with the Rev. Rodney Buzzard of Calvary Chapel, Auburn, officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemtery, Auburn. Memorial donations may be given to the DeKalb County Cancer Society.
The Evening News, DeKalb County, Indiana, December 8, 1988
Contributed by Karin King

Mrs. Thos. Carr died Wednesday. The funeral will be held at the M. E. church today.
The Butler Weekly Record,DeKalb County, Indiana; March 2, 1900
Contributed by Karin King

Mr. and Mrs. Carry (sic - Cary), living on the South Side buried their child in Mt. Pleasant cemetery, Wednesday.
Butler Weekly Record, DeKalb County, Indiana, February 23, 1900
Contributed by Karin King

BETTY E. CHAUSSE, 81, died at 3:26 p.m. Monday in Parkview Memorial Hospital. Born in Fort Wayne, she retired in 1970 from Ford Motor Co. in Newport Beach, Calif. Surviving are two sons, Paul Blauser, of Urbana, Ohio, and Gerald Blauser, of Grabill; one daughter, Kathryn Stopher, of Norco, Calif.; one sister, Marie Ellis, of Fort Wayne; and 10 grandchildren. Services at 11 a.m. Friday in Hockemeyer Funeral Home, Harlan, with calling from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Burial in White City Cemetery, Spencerville.
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Allen County, Indiana; 31 Dec 1986
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

AUBURN - Amoriel V. "Amy" Chorpenning, 83, died Wednesday at 3:05 p.m. in Miller's Merry Manor, Garrett. Mrs. Chorpenning was a homemaker and lived in Auburn. She was a member of the Indian Village Church of God in Auburn, where she was an adult Sunday School teacher and member of the Ladies Missionary Society. She was a member of the DeKalb County Council on Aging, Jackson Township Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, and Sixth District Fire Department. She was born June 6, 1913, in Fort Wayne to the late John and Anna (Stitz) Keener. She married Oakley Chorpenning in 1930 in Auburn, and he died in 1979. Surviving are two sons, John L. of Hamilton and Perry A. of Waterloo; one daughter, G. Lavalle Timmerman of Auburn; one sister, Beatrice Brock of Fort Wayne; 12 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. Two brothers, Vernon and Rutherford, and one sister, Gwendolyn, preceded her in death. Friends may call today from 5-8 p.m. in McComb, Dilgard & Cline Funeral Home, Auburn. Services will be conducted Saturday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home, with the Rev. Paul Burrus of Indiana Village Church of God officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Auburn. Memorial contributions may be given to the church or the Jackson Township Fire Department.
Evening Star, DeKalb County, Indiana; 5 Jul 1996
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

RAYMOND H. CHRISTMAN, 77, died Tuesday at home near Hartford City. Born in Payne [Paulding Co], Ohio, he lived in Fort Wayne most of his life and was a former employee at General Electric Co. and Zeis Security Systems. Surviving are his wife, Alice; and one stepdaughter, Betty Halter, of Ottawa, Ohio. Services at 1 p.m. Friday in C.M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Home, 1327 Wells St., with calling from 2 to 7 p.m. today. Entombment in Covington Memorial Gardens.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, October 23, 1986
Contributed by Karin King

Mrs. Kate Clark, 74, of 6701 S. Anthony Blvd., died at 10:15 a.m. yesterday in Lutheran Hospital. She was a native of DeKalb County and had lived most of her life in Fort Wayne. She was active in Girl Scouts for many years. Surviving are her husband, Ralph E.; a son, Willard E., Fort Wayne; and two daughters, Mrs. Faith Richardson, Zanesville, and Mrs. Mary Ellen McCurdy, Cinnamonson, N. J. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Chalfant Perry-Klaehn Funeral Home where friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Allen County, Indiana; 26 Apr 1975
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

Services for Ralph E. Clark, 75, who died at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday in the Lutheran Home, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Chalfant-Perry-Klaehn Funeral Home. Mr. Clark was a letter carrier for the Postal Service for 50 years and a past president of Branch 116 of the National Association of Letter Carriers. He was a veteran of World War I. Surviving are a son, Willard E., Fort Wayne; two daughters, Mrs. Faith Richardson, Zanesville, and Mrs. Mary Ellen McCurdy, Cinnaminson, N. J.; and three brothers, Paul, Dale and Robert, all of Fort Wayne. Friends may call from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Preferred memorials are gifts to the Lutheran Home and the Boy Scouts of America.
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Allen County, Indiana; 23 Jul 1975
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

ALBION - Marion E. Cobbs, 96, of Albion and formerly of Fort Wayne, died at 9:10 a.m. Tuesday. Services at 2 p.m. Friday in D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Ave., with calling 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
The Evening News, DeKalb County, Indiana; December 8, 1988
Contributed by Karin King

Final Rites Held for Dallas Claude Cole, 46
Funeral services for Dallas Claude Cole, 46, who resided at 1010 South Main street, Auburn, were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Dilgard & Cline funeral home in Auburn. Officiating at the services was Rev. Dale Hoak, minister of education at the First Methodist church in Auburn, and burial followed in Woodlawn cemetery, near Auburn. Mr. Cole, owner of the Little Brown House in Auburn and a photographer for Galbreath Studios in Fort Wayne, suffered a heart attack at his cottage at Sylvan Lake, near Rome City, Sunday morning and was dead on arrival at McCray Memorial hospital in Kendallville. He had been under a doctor's care for three weeks but had not suffered a previous heart seizure. Mr. Cole had just finished breakfast about 10:30 a.m. Sunday and was sitting at the breakfast table when he was stricken suddenly. He called to his wife, who was upstairs at the time. Born In Hartford City on Nov. 3, 1914, he was the son of the late Sherman and Maude Baker Cole. He and Doris Freeman were united in marriage in 1941 at Hartford City. Surviving in addition to the wife are two daughters, Mrs. James Morr of Rt. 3, Auburn, and Susan, at home; a son, David Cole, who is serving with the U. S. Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and a grandchild. Mr. Cole was a member of the First Presbyterian church and the Masonic lodge in Auburn. He had resided in Auburn for the past 10 years.
Garrett Clipper, DeKalb County, Indiana; 31 Aug 1961
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

Howard Conner, 73, Stroh, died Friday, July 16, 1993, in Vencor Hospital LaGrange. He was born April 20, 1920, in Tuscola, Ill., to Marvin and Lula (Halsey) Conner. He was a resident of Stroh for 46 years and graduated from Salem Center High School. He retired in 1981 after 30 years as a supervisor at Dana Corporation in Auburn. He was past president and a charter member of Stroh Lions Club, a member of Stroh Church of Christ, and a charter member of the Stroh Fire Department. He married Phyllis Freeman November 23, 1946, in the Church of Christ in Hicksville, Ohio. She survives. Other survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Steve (Susan) Keeslar, Hamilton, Mrs. Bob (Joyce) Getts, Columbia City, and Mrs. Ronald (Kathy) Bruce, Kendallville; a son, Timothy Conner, Stroh; a sister, Christine Woolever, Corunna; a brother, Elmer Lee Conner, Sturgis, Mich.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday in Johnson Funeral Home, Hudson, with the Rev. Eugene Woolever officiating. Burial was in Lake Bethel Cemetery, Stroh. Preferred memorials are to the Stroh Fire Department.
Lagrange Standard, Lagrange County, Indiana; 21 Jul 1993
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

FORT WAYNE - Cecil L. Cox, 75, died at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Services at 1 p.m. Saturday at D.O. McComb & Sons Foster Park Funeral Home, 6301 Fairfield Ave., with calling 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. Friday.
The Evening News, DeKalb County, Indiana; December 8, 1988
Contributed by Karin King

CRAWFORD, DOROTHY I., 81, of Largo, died Sunday (Feb. 3, 1991) at home. She was born in Indianapolis and came here in 1951 from Akron, Ohio. Survivors include her husband, James; a son, James R., Largo; and two grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Clearwater.
Tampa Bay Times, Florida; 5 Feb 1991
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

CULLY, Glenn -- Services at 2 p.m. Monday in Calvary Evangelical United Brethren Church, Rev. Karl Tauber officiating. Burial in Lindenwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the D. O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home from 2 p.m. until 10 a.m. Monday when the body will be taken to the church, where friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of services.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, October 14, 1962
Contributed by Karin King

Funeral services for the late Henry Deetz of 719 East Seventh street, former county assessor, were held Tuesday afternoon. Short rites from the home of the son, Jay E. Deetz, with whom the deceased lived, were held at 2 o'clock and at 3 o'clock the funeral was conducted from the church at Fairfield Center with Rev. C. H. Jennings, pastor of he Waterloo Methodist church, officiating. Burial was made in the Fairfield Center Cemetery. Mr. Deetz died Sunday morning at 7:30 o'clock at the Souder hospital in Auburn as the result of age and complications.
Evening News, DeKalb County, Indiana, June 18, 1935
Contributed by Karin King

Mrs. Mary Ann Deventer, 81, R. R. 2, Fort Wayne, died at 8 a.m. Wednesday at her home. She was a lifelong resident of Allen County and a member of the Robinson Chapel Church. Surviving are two sons, Homer, Auburn, and Walter, Fort Wayne; a daughter, Goldie, Fort Wayne, 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. The body was taken to the D. O. McComb Funeral Home. Services there at 1:30 p.m. Friday, the Rev. James Rhine officiating. Burial in Leo Cemetery.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, February 1, 1951
Contributed by Karin King

L. DEWART, 57, IS FOUND DEAD - Heart Attack Is Fatal in Barnyard of Home Near Milford. Lester Dewart, 57, life-long resident of near Milford was found dead in the barnyard of his home Tuesday night at 6 o'clock by employees, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Morehouse. He had been in poor health for the past month and had been under a doctor's care. Over exertion during loading of a fruit truck is believed to have caused the fatal heart attack. Coroner Leslie Laird of North Webster was notified and pronounced death due to acute heart attack. The deceased was born on the Dewart property located three and one half miles east of Milford, the son of the late John and Rebecca Dewart. He had successfully managed the Dewart apple farm for many years and was one of Milford's prominent businessmen. Mr. and Mrs. Morehouse were employed by Mr. Dewart a month ago when his health became too poor to operate the farm by himself. Surviving relatives are a daughter, Mrs. Florence Vandermace of Goshen; two brother, Lawrence and John Lloyd Dewart, of Milford; two sisters, Mrs. Bert Whitehead of Syracuse and Mrs. Harry Strieby of Chicago. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the New Salem church, southeast of Milford. Burial will be held in New Salem.
Warsaw Daily Times, Kosciusko County, Indiana, October 25, 1939
Contributed by Karin King

CARL E. DRAKE, SR., 71, died Sunday while driving his family car in Huntington County. The Marion native was a truck driver and member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Surviving are his wife, Valentina W.; daughters, Mary Robertson of Columbia City and Kathy Raptis of Fort Wayne; sons, Donald, Ronald, James and Carl, Jr., all of Fort Wayne; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
News-Sentinel, Allen County, Indiana, October 9, 1990
Contributed by Karin King

Rolla Otto Durbin, was the second child born to William Ambrose and Ollie Pearl Wolfe Durbin. He was born on April 14, 1906 in Adams County, Indiana. William farmed in Washington Township in Adams County, while Ollie maintained the household. Rolla married Florine A. Ray in Adams County, Indiana on September 10, 1927. Around that time, he began working at the Phelps Dodge Magnet Wire in Fort Wayne, where he worked as an inspector, eventually landing a job as a foreman. They rented a home on 5th Street in Fort Wayne, and later moved to the Weisser Park area. Rolla's father, William Ambrose, died when he fell from his neighbor's cherry tree. He was 53. In January of 1934, Rolla and Florine welcomed their first child, Roger W. Durbin, and a daughter, Annette Lucinda, was born in 1945. Rolla's mother, Ollie Pearl Wolfe Durbin passed away in 1947 at the age of 62. In 1949, the postwar building boom opened new suburban areas to Fort Wayne residents wishing to escape city life, and Rolla and Florine purchased a home on Rt. 30 in New Haven, Indiana. The couple lived at this residence for the remainder of their married life.
Unknown source
Services for Rolla O. Durbin, 64, of 415 U.S. 30 East, New Haven, will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at E. Harper & Son Funeral Home, New Have, the Rev. Thomas Weigand officiating. Entombment will be in Covington Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Mr. Durbin died about 4:40 a.m. yesterday at his home. He was a patient at Parkview Memorial Hospital one month prior to returning to his home two weeks ago. He was a foreman at Phelps Dodge Corp., where he was employed 41 years. He was a native of Adams County who had lived here before moving to New Haven in 1949. Mr. Durbin was a member of the New Haven United Methodist Church and belonged to New Haven Lodge 740, F&AM, of which he was a past master. He was also a former master of Home Lodge, F&AM, Fort Wayne, and was a member of New Haven Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. He also belonged to the Scottish Rite and the Phelps Dodge Men's Club.
Journal Gazette, Allen Co, IN; Saturday, January 23, 1971, p. 2A
Contributed by Karin King

Mitchell Allen Durnell, 23, died Friday in Lutheran Hospital.
The Fort Wayne native was an auto body repairman. Surviving are his parents, Linda and Luke Durnell; a sister, Angela Durnell; a brother, Matt; and grandfather, Frederick Haas, all of Fort Wayne. Services are 10:30 a.m. tomorrow in Klaehn's Wayne Street Chapel, 420 W. Wayne St., where calling is 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Preferred memorials are gifts to Charter Beacon Hospital.
News-Sentinel, Allen County, Indiana, March 20, 1989
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Tues. July 5, 1955
Mrs. Ida Eldridge Dies Last Evening - Local Lady's Mother Is Taken By Death
Mrs. Ida F. Eldridge, 86, of Boswell, died at 6:10 o'clock Monday evening at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John M. Doan, 522 Jefferson Street, following an illness of eight months of complications. She had made her home with the daughter here for the past seven months. Born in Benton County June 30, 1869, (missing) She was married July 17, 1892 to Ned Eldridge, who preceded her in death. Mrs. Eldridge was a member of the Methodist Church at Boswell. Surviving in addition to the daughter (crunched) Her body was removed to the Gillig & Doan Funeral home, where a brief prayer service will be held.. Burial will be in the Boswell Cemetery [Benton County, Indiana].
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 19
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Mrs. Margaret Ely, widow of Edward Ely, residing at 1923 Rivermet Avenue, died at 5:15 o'clock Tuesday morning at St. Joseph's hospital from a brain affection at the age of 64 years, 4 months and 23 days. She had been in failing health for some time. Mrs. Ely was born in Knox County, Ohio, but came with her parents to Allen county fifty years ago, and was united in marriage to Mr. Ely in 1862. The husband, who was a former ditch commissioner and who superintended the construction of the Little River ditch, died a few years ago. Surviving are six children - Mrs. James [sic] Barva, Aboit Township; Mrs. Samuel Fulkerson, Washington Township; Mrs. Charles Boller [sic], Cedar Creek; Mrs. J. S. Porter, St. Joseph Township, and Mrs. Frank O. Current and Albert E. Ely, of this city. There are eighteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
The Weekly Sentinel; Allen County, Indiana; Wednesday, June 22, 1910
Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011
Name: Margaret Ely [Margaret Treace]
Gender: Female; Race: White; Age: 64; Marital status: Widow
Birth Date: 29 Jan 1846; Birth Place: Knox County Ohio; Death Date: 21 Jun 1910; Death Place: Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana, USA
Father: Henry Treace; Mother: Elizabeth Clayton; Spouse: Edward Ely; Informant: Albert E. Ely
Burial: June 23, 1910; Lindenwood Cemetery
Contributed by Karin King

A FORMER GARRETT MAN DIES AT 67 OF SEIZURE
A former Garrett resident, Daniel R. Farner, 67, who resided at 1201 Belmont avenue, South Bend, died at a Mishawaka hospital at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Mr. Farner had been in good health until suffering a severe heart attack at his home Tuesday morning. He was rushed to the hospital where he died about 12 hours later. He had been treated for a heart ailment for some time but was not considered to be in ill health. Mr. Farner was born Nov. 17, 1897, in Tennessee, the son of Arthur L. and Minnie Doub Farner, now both deceased. He graduated from Garrett High School and was one of six from Garrett who enlisted on April 17, 1917, during World War I and the group served together all through their service careers. Mr. Farner interrupted his high school education to join the Army and he returned to high school in Garrett after the war to finish his studies and graduate. The other five included Herbert Wilcox, John Hopper, Carl Sliger, Edgar Beeber and the late Paul Stewart. Mr. Farner left Garrett a number of years ago and moved to South Bend. He was retired and was a member of the American Legion post and Presbyterian church at South Bend. The couple was married in Garrett on Oct. 16, 1921. Surviving are his wife, the former Helen Swartout of Garrett; two sons, Dr. James E. Farner of South Bend and Robert Farner of Hammond; a daughter, Mrs. William (Betty) Meyer of South Bend, and nine grandchildren. Mrs. A. L. Farner of Garrett is his step-mother and Charles Swartout of 310 South Main street, Auburn, is his brother-in-law. The body is at the Willshermers Funeral Home in South bend, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery, near Auburn.
DeKalb County Library Obit Book, Volume III
Contributed by Karin King

GARRETT - Mrs. W. J. Farnsworth, one of the oldest residents of Garrett, died Saturday at the advanced age of seventy-five years. The funeral took place at the M. E. Church Tuesday, a ?? minister from Indianapolis officiating.
Butler Weekly Record, DeKalb County, Indiana, March 2, 1900
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Aug. 2, 1955
SIZE CONCIOUS
Police reported that 13-year old Thomas Feierstein, of Portland, Ind., "self conscious because of his size," apparently shot and killed his mother, Mrs. Loretta Feierstein, and then killed himself. The boy weighed 230 pounds. His father, George, a Portland Newspaper pressman, told officers the boy suffered from a thyroid condition. [Buried Center Cemetery, Greene Township, Jay County, Indiana]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 25
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Mrs. William Finnie (sic), 72, died at 3:15 o'clock yesterday morning at the Anthony Wayne sanitarium, after an illness of a year from carcinoma. Mrs. Finnie has been a resident of this city for the past 20 years. She is a member of the United Brethren church. Surviving are five sons, Delbert Finnie, of Houston, Ark.; William, of Cranton, Pa.; Jerry, Frank and Henry, all of this city; the mother, Mrs. Jeremiah Gump, of Churubusco, and three sisters, Mrs. Albert Pepple, of Laotto, Ind.; Mrs. Alvie Disler, of Churubusco, and Mrs. M. C. McCurdy, of this city, and two brothers, Albert and Jesse Gump, of Churubusco. Funeral services will be held at 1 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the North Side Funeral home and at 2:30 o'clock at the Methodist Episcopal Church at Huntertown. Burial will be made in the Fair View Cemetery.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, May 4, 1923
Contributed by Karin King

Funeral services for Mrs. Myrtle M. Fitzgerald, 75, of 1330 W. Main St., who died at 11:30 a.m. yesterday in St. Joseph's Hospital, will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in Mungovin & Sons Mortuary, and at 9 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Durkin officiating. Burial will follow in the Catholic cemetery. A Fort Wayne native, she was a member of auxilaries of the Eagles, Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, and Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers. Mrs. Fitzgerald was a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Surviving are her husband, John S. Sr.; two sons, John H. Jr., Los Angeles, and Robert J., Fort Wayne; a daughter, Mrs. N. J. Getz, Fort Wayne; a sister, Mrs. John Hursh, Fort Wayne; four brothers, Fred and George Bellinger, Fort Wayne; Frank Bellinger, Kalkaska, Mich., and Asa Bellinger, Orland; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today. The auxiliary of Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen will conduct services at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, December 1, 1960
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Fri. Nov. 18, 1955
MRS. JOHN GERBER DIES IN WISCONSIN - BLOOD CLOT FATAL TO WIFE OF FORMER ??
Word was received here today by Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Stauffer of the death of Mrs. John Gerber of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Death is believed to have occurred early today and was due to a blood clot. Mrs. Gerber's husband, Rev. John Gerber, is a native of this community and the brother of Mrs. Stauffer. Mrs. Gerber gave birth last (missing) from the hospital to her home and the blood clot caused sudden death. She was the former Ione Rochlus of Kohler, Wisconsin. Her husband is pastor of the Bethlehem Reformed Church at Sheboygan. Surviving in addition to the husband are three daughters, Miriam, Ruth and Lois. Miriam and Ruth are in school. Lois is at home. Funeral services will be held at Sheboygan on Monday. The message received by Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer of the death of Mrs. Gerber was the second sad message received by them in two days. Yesterday they were informed of the death of Mrs. Orlando Stauffer at Seattle, Washington. Waldo and Orland Stauffer are brothers. [Buried Wildwood Cemetery, Sheboygan, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 34
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Handwritten-Fri. May 4, 1956
Miss Emma Gerig, 74, of Grabill, died Wednesday at 11:00 p.m. in the Cherry Grove Nursing Home in Fort Wayne. She had been a patient there since March 21. Miss Gerig was a distant cousin of Mrs. Walter Henkel of this place who was formerly Kathleen Gerig of Auburn. [Buried Old Leo Cemetery, Leo-Cedarville, Allen County, Indiana]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 14
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Handwritten-Tues. Sept. 20, 1955
Last rites for Mrs. Lydia A. Gerig, 89, a life-long Allen County resident, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Evangelical Mennonite Church, the Rev. Don Klopfenstein, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Leo Cemetery. Mrs. Gerig died at 7 p.m. Monday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Edward Gardner, Convoy, O. She had been in failing health for several months. Mrs. Gerig lived in Grabill and was a member of the Evangelical Mennonite Church there for ?? years. Surviving in addition to the daughter are two other daughters, Mrs. David A. Rediger, Spencerville, and Mrs. Denver Stucky Archbold, O.; five sons, Noah Gerig, Flat River, Mo., Alvin Gerig, Hicksville, O., E. S. Gerig and David H. Gerig, both of Ft. Wayne, and Jess J. Gerig of Grabill; 22 grandchildren, and ?? great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the Walters Funeral Home, Spencerville, at 7 p.m. today until noon Thursday when the body will be moved to the church to lie in state until the services. Friends are asked to omit flowers. [Buried Old Leo Cem., Leo-Cedarville, Allen County, Indiana]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 25
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Louis Gerke died at his home at Fort Wayne Monday morning as the result of an operation performed Sunday. For many years he resided in this county and was well known here. The funeral services were held at Fort Wayne yesterday afternoon.
Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams County, Indiana, June 5, 1902
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Mon. June 11, 1956
Father of Mrs. John Zuercher Succumbs
Lloyd Cleveland Grogg, 71, native of Miami County, died at 11:40 a.m. Saturday in the Bakie Nursing Home, Columbia City. He was a resident of Churubusco. Mr. Grogg, a machinist and a salesman, had been ill five years. He was the father of Mrs. John Zuercher of Churubusco. Mr. Zuercher is a son of Albert Zuercher of this place. Also surviving are the widow, two other daughters, a son and two sisters. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Church of the Nazarene in Churubusco. (Rest is missing) [Buried Riverview Cemetery, Dunn Mill, Allen County, Indiana]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 17-18
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Death Claims Wife of Rev. Jesse Gump - Was Ill for One Year with a Complication of Diseases - Rites to be Held Friday at Pleasant Hill
Mrs. Alice Gump, 71, wife of Rev. Jesse A. Gump, died at 7 o'clock this morning at the Gump residence on Whitley street in Churubusco, after a year's illness. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Pleasant Hill church, two miles east of Churubusco. Interment will be made in Fairview cemetery. The body was taken to the Sonday Funeral Home in Churubusco, but will be returned to the residence this evening. Mrs. Gump was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Brumbaugh Shively and was born in Whitley county November 5, 1871. Surviving besides the husband are one son, George H. Gump of Churubusco; two daughters, Mrs. Wyland Zumbrun of Columbia City and Mrs. Clifford Runyon of Churubusco; and three brothers, Clarence, William and Charles Shively of Churubusco. A devout member of the Church of the Brethren, Mrs. Gump was an able assistant to her husband in his various charges.
Columbia City Post, Whitley County, Indiana, May 4, 1943
Contributed by Karin King

Russell J. Gump, 76 of 3016 Glenwood Drive died at 5:55 p.m. yesterday in St. Joseph's Hospital.
Mr. Gump, a native of Huntertown, was an employe of Roethele Lumber Co. He was former owner of Gump's Grocery on North Clinton Street and previously worked in the City Engineer's office. Surviving are his wife, Viola J.; a son, F. Thomas, Trumbull, Conn.; a daughter, Mrs. Donna Deen Miller, Flagstaff, Ariz.; a brother, Walter of Huntertown; and two sisters, Mrs Martha Badiac and Mrs. Eva Huguenard, both of Fort Wayne. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Mungovan and Sons Lakeside Chapel and 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Calling will be after 3 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, December 23, 1973
Contributed by Karin King

Walter Gump, ex-Perry trustee dead at 69 Services for Walter C. Gump, 69, of 1227 Cedar Canyons Road, Huntertown, will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Huntertown United Methodist Church. He died at 6:45 a.m. yesterday in his home. Mr. Gump was an Allen County native and a retired farmer. He was a former member of the Northwest Allen County School Board and a past Perry Township trustee. Surviving are his wife, Mary; three sons, Lloyd, Grabill, Larry, Huntertown, and John, Churubusco; four daughters, Marily Maloney, Churubusco, Ann Blessing, Huntertown, Beverly Giannoni, Kettering, Ohio and Linda Peter, of Kouts; and two sisters, Eva Huguenard and Mrs. Martha Bodiac (sic), both of Fort Wayne. Friends may call at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home. Burial will be in Huntertown Cemetery. Huntertown Lodge, F&AM, 689 services will be at 8 p.m. today. Preferred memorials are gifts to the church or the Huntertown Lion's Club. Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Dickes, Merl Amstutz, Delphos Martin, Roy Waters, Alfred Sordelet, Glenn Shank, Wilbur Spangle, Earl Myers and Everett Faylor. Active pallbearers will be William and Marlow Gump, Don and Greg Blessing, Thomas Brunner, William Arnold and Kip Weikel (or Welkel).
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, June 16, 1976
Contributed by Karin King

Clarence E. Hammons, 63, died unexpectedly at 12:30 p.m. yesterday at Leonicos Township, Mich., where he had been a farmer for many years. He was a veteran of World War I and a member of the church of God at Athens, Mich. The body was taken to the Spencer Funeral Home at Athens and is to be brought to the Klaehn Funeral Home here where friends will be received after 5 p.m. Saturday. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the funeral home by the Rev. Leonard Steininger of Athens. Burial will be in the Prairie (smudge) Cemetery. Survivors include the wife, Eliza E.; six daughters, Mrs. Wilbert Wells, Mrs. Jack Cox, Mrs. James Parker, all of Fort Wayne; Mrs. Franz Bollman, Albion; Mrs. William Breault, Fort Benton, Mont.; Mrs. William Cornett, Burton, S. C.; two sons, Harold and Robert Hammons, Fort Wayne; four stepchildren, Mrs. Albert Magner, Mrs. Robert Reed, Charles Trine and James Trine, all of Fort Wayne; three sisters, Mrs. Oscar Clear, Michigan; Mrs. Susan Halter, Ohio, and Mrs. Viola Reynolds, Fort Wayne; 55 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, August 28, 1959
Contributed by Karin King

FORT WAYNE - Roy L. Harding, 65. Services in Cannelton. Calling from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at the C. M. Sloan and Sons Funeral Home, Fort Wayne.
Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams County, Indiana, February 9, 1998
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Mon. Aug. 29, 1955
NATIVE OF BERNE COMMUINITY DIES - RITES HERE WEDNESDAY FOR MRS. CATHERINE HUSER HAWK
A native of this community, Mrs. A. W. Hawk, 75, of Anderson, died at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at a hospital in Anderson. Death followed an illness of two years. Mrs. Hawk, the former Catherine Huser, had suffered a stroke some time ago. Mrs. Hawk was born northwest of Berne, Sept. 17, 1879, the daughter of Jacob and Lydia Liechty Huser. She was married to A. W. Hawk who preceded in death in 1941. The Hawks lived in Anderson for many years. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Mildred Dillsworth, Anderson; six brothers, Albert, Rufus and Amos Huser of this community; Levi Huser, Celina, Ohio; Vilas Huser, Fayette, Ohio and David Huser, Detroit. Two sisters, Mrs. David D. Habegger and Mrs. Amos Kirchhofer preceded in death. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Mennonite Church, following services in Anderson. The body will lie in state in the church from 12:00 noon until 2:00. Burial will be at Rockford, Ohio. [Buried Riverside Cemetery; Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 24
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

FORT WAYNE - Bob N. Heironimus, 67, died at 12:15 a.m. Wednesday. Services at 11 a.m. Saturday in D.O. McComb & Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road, with calling 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Friday.
The Evening News, DeKalb County, Indiana; December 8, 1988
Contributed by Karin King

(Handwritten date: Monday, March 25, 1935)
DEATH TAKES ELLEN HOLMES - Dies At Home Of Daughter, Mrs. Louie Neaderhouser Sunday
Mrs. Ellen Holmes, aged 72, widow of the late G. W. Holmes, died Sunday morning at 7:08 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Louie Neaderhouser, of Berne. Death was caused by complications. She had been sick one week and critically ill the past several days. Mrs. Holmes had been staying with her daughter here the last few weeks. Mrs. Holmes was a native of Hoagland and was born there April 20, 1862, bringing her age to 72 years, 11 months and 4 days. She spent most of her life in and around Hoagland and Decatur. Her husband died in 1917 and since then she stayed at Fort Wayne much of the time with Mr. and Mrs. Oliver P. Schug. The deceased was born on an Easter Sunday and during her 72 years, her birthday fell on Easter Sunday just three times. Her death also came on a Sunday. Surviving are the following children: Mrs. Louie Neaderhouser of Berne; Mrs. O. P. Schug of Fort Wayne; Rev. Gordon Holmes of Ottawa, Ohio. One brother survives, Enos Harr??, of Hoagland, who is sick at the present. Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the Neaderhouser home here and at 2 o'clock at the M. E. church at Hoagland, Rev. Herman Jennings officiating. Burial will be in the Antioch cemetery at Hoagland.
Adams County, Indiana Historical Museum Scrapbook
Contributed by Janice Vasilovski

ENDS HIS OWN LIFE BY DRINKING POISON - Torrance D. Hursh, 55, Employe of Pennsy Shops, Found by Daughter
Torrance D. Hursh, 55, a pipefitter at the Pennsylvania railroad shops, was found dead at his home, 1231 Elm street, at 8:55 o'clock last night. He had committed suicide by drinking poison. A daughter Inez, who has been living at home with her father, found the body lying in the doorway between the dining room and the kitchen when she returned home from a downtown theater. Deputy Coroner Berghoff, after a preliminary examination of the body, said death was due to poisoning. An empty bottle was found in the back yard last night. A post-mortem will be held this morning and the contents of the stomach examined. Hursh did not report for work Thursday or Friday and was feeling ill, the daughter said, but he was not thought to be despondent over ill health or other worries. Surviving are two daughters, Inez, at home; Mrs. Alfred Johnson, of this city; one brother, Allen, of Celina, O., and three sisters, Mrs. Dilla (sic) Pelkey, Mrs. Clara Hickman, of this city, and Mrs. Ollie Naricle (sic), of Churubusco. Funeral arrangements have not been made.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, September 20, 1924
Contributed by Karin King

FORT WAYNE - Toody Catherine Hutson, 87. Services at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne. Calling from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the C. M. Sloan and Sons Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, and one hour prior to services at the church..
Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams County, Indiana, February 9, 1998
Contributed by Karin King

Cullora Johnston was born Oct. 23, 1882, and departed this life Feb. 13, 1900, aged 18 years, 3 months and 21 days. She united with the M. P. church at Fairview during the revival meetings at that place in 1898, of which she was a faithful worker until the end. She leaves a father, mother, one sister, two brothers and a large circle of friends to mourn their loss. The funeral services were held at Fairview Sunday by Bro. Johnston, present pastor at that place.
Butler Weekly Record, DeKalb County, Indiana, February 23, 1900
Contributed by Karin King

FORT WAYNE - Wilmer F. Koehlinger, 72, died at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Services were Wednesday in Fort Wayne.
The Evening News, DeKalb County, Indiana; December 8, 1988
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Mon. Jan. 16, 1956
AUNT DIES
Emanuel Schmitt of north of Berne has received word of the death of his aunt, Mrs. Joe Kuepfer, 71, of Melverton, Ontario, Canada. [Buried 7th Line Amish Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 12
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

CORUNNA - Mrs. John Lippsett died very suddenly at her home in this city Sunday morning. Funeral services were held at the U. B. church Wednesday morning conducted by Elder Mellenger, pastor of M. E. Church.
Butler Weekly Record, DeKalb County, Indiana, February 23, 1900
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Wed. Aug. 31, 1955
FATHER OF BERNE MAN SUCCUMBS - FUNERAL TODAY FOR EDWARD MARHENKE, 76
Edward Marhenke, 76, living near the St. John's Church north of Decatur, died at 12:58 p.m. Monday in St. Joseph's Hospital in Fort Wayne where he had been a patient until a few weeks ago when he suffered a relapse. A member of the Zion Lutheran Church, he is survived by the widow, Louise; five sons, Alfred, Berne; Ben, Hoagland; Frank, Zanesville; and Robert and Louis, Fort Wayne; five daughters, Mrs. Martin Schroeder, Ossian; Mrs. Gus Kleinschmidt, Mrs. Keith McFarland and Mrs. Robert Crist, all of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Phil Warner, Rochester, N.Y.; a brother, Martin, Fort Wayne; 27 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. The body was taken to the D. O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home in Fort Wayne for services. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery.
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 21
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Handwritten-Fri. Sept. 2, 1955
Roy E. Merica Dies Thursday evening Local Man's Brother Dies At Fort Wayne
Roy E. Merica, 67, of Fort Wayne, retired Pennsylvania railroad engineer, died at 7 o'clock Thursday evening at St. Joseph's Hospital, where he had been a patient three weeks. Mr. Merica was a member of the First Evangelical United Brethren Church, A. G. Porter Lodge 141 and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers. Surviving are his wife, Catherine; a son, Lester A. Merica; three brothers, Ernest Merica of Decatur, Walter Merica of Modesto, Calif., and Clifford Merica of Homer, Mich.; two sisters, Mrs. Amy Rupp of Fort Wayne and Mrs. Blanche Springer of Kalamazoo, Mich., and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Klaehn Funeral Home, the Rev. E. E. Petznik officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home until time of the services. (Handwritten-Edgar Yoder's cousin)
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 25
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Handwritten-Mon. Jan. 16, 1956
BROTHER-IN-LAW DIES IN OHIO
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Girod of northeast of Berne have received word of the death of Sam J. Miller, 71, of Holmes County, Ohio. He was Mr. Girod's brother-in-law. Services were held Saturday. [Buried Moses Coblentz Farm Cemetery, Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 12
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Funeral services for Joseph Munoz, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Rodolfo Munoz, 445 E. Masterson Ave., were at 3 p.m. yesterday in the Mungovan & Sons Mortuary, the Rev. James C. Kofahl officiating with burial in the Prairie Grove Cemetery. The infant died Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in the Parkview Memorial Hospital, a few hours after birth.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, July 14, 1960
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Mon. June 13, 1955
MRS. FRED NIELSEN DIES IN OREGON - HALF-SISTER OF MRS. RALPH STAGER TAKEN BY DEATH
Mrs. Ralph Stager received word Sunday evening of the sudden death of her half-sister, Mrs. Fred Nielsen, 74, of Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday, June 8. Mrs. Nielsen was the former Selma Schneck, daughter of Abraham and Lena Bixel Schneck. Mrs. Nielsen, who had been in poor health for some time, was born in Missouri and also lived here at one time, leaving Berne about 48 years ago. Survivors are the husband; three daughters, Mrs. Joseph Cechmanek, Portland, Oregon, who received the death message about an hour after she and her family arrived in Chicago Sunday to visit relatives; Dora May of South America, who is visiting in Portland, Oregon, and Bernadine of Milwaukee, Oregon; a sister, Emily, residing in California; six grandchildren; the half-sister, Mrs. Stager, and a half-brother, Ivan Schneck of Park Ridge, Illinois. Burial will take place in Portland.
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 19
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Arthur R. Opliger, 93, died yesterday at Regency Place. He was a lifelong resident of Allen County. He was an Army veteran of World War I. He retired in 1984 from farming and was a retired housekeeper for Veterans Administration Medical Center. He was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school and its superintendent. He also was the choir leader. His wife, Dessie Tonkel Opliger, died in 1976. Surviving area son, Howard Opliger of Fort Wayne; three daughters, Berniece Goodin of Wolcottviller, Lorraine Gangwer of Ligonier and Vera Reider of Leo; a sister, Martha More of Fort Wayne; 19 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Services will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Bethel United Methodist Church, 8405 Lima Rd. Calling is 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at D.O. McComb & Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road, and 9 to 10 a.m. tomorrow at the church. Burial will be in Leo Cemetery.
News-Sentinel, Allen County, Indiana, June 21, 1988
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Fri. May 11, 1956
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Mager of Van Wert, Ohio, Mrs. Laura Dunifon of Fort Wayne and Mr. and Mrs. Crayton Grubb were at Carroll, Ohio, on Wednesday where they attended the funeral of Charles Poling, 81. Mr. Poling was the last uncle of Mr. Grubb and his two sisters, Mrs. Mager and Mrs. Dunifon. [Buried Forest Rose Cemetery; Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 24
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

MRS. SIDNEY REED DIES AT DECATUR - Born in Pleasant Township, Allen County, Where She Lived Many Years
(Special to the Journal Gazette)
DECATUR, Ind., Jan. 1. - Mrs. Sidney Reed for the past six years a resident of Decatur, died Tuesday afternoon at her home of Bright's disease and stomach trouble. Mrs. Reed was fifty-two years old. She was born in Pleasant township, Allen County, where she resided continuously until she moved to Decatur. The surviving relatives include one son, J. J. Somers, of Muncie, Ind., and one daughter, Mrs. Lydia Hymes of Chicago. There are also a sister, Mrs. Jene Chapman, of Poe, Ind., and three brothers - Levi Somers, of Fort Wayne, Samuel Somers of Sturgis, Mich., and Theodore Somers, of Des Moines, Iowa. The funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 11 o'clock at the Christian church at Poe.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, January 2, 1907
On last Thursday occurred the funeral services of Mrs. Samuel Reed, from the Christian Church, of this place. The Rev. Wharton conducted the services and delivered the sermon. He was assisted by the Poe Christian Choir. The remains were interred in the Poe cemetery. Mrs. Reed was the wife of Mr. Samuel Reed, who still survives her. Mr. and Mrs. Reed formerly lived at this place and are well known. Six years ago, they moved to Decatur, Ind., and have resided there since, and at which place Mrs. Reed's death occurred on Jan. 1. Mrs. Preston Chapman of this place is a sister of the deceased. Sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved relatives and friends.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, January 6, 1907
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Fri. Sept. 9, 1955
FORMER FRENCH TP. WOMAN DIES FROM INJURIES - Funeral Sunday For wife of Elias Reineck
Mrs. Fannie Catherine Reineck, 59, Bluffton, formerly of northwest of Berne, French Township, was critically hurt in a head-on collision near the Brookwood Golf Course south of Fort Wayne on (missing) She died yesterday at Lutheran Hospital. This brought to two the death toll of the holiday accident. William H. Teeple, 61, of Bluffton died several hours after the accident. Elias Reineck, 64, husband of the Wells County woman, remained in serious condition last night at the same hospital. [Mr. Teeple buried Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onondaga, New York]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 25
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

WATERLOO - Mrs. John Ridge near town, died Monday night and the funeral will be held at the U. B. Church Wednesday forenoon.
Butler Weekly Record, DeKalb County, Indiana, March 2, 1900
Contributed by Karin King

Charles W. Roop, 67, 322 Trent St., died at home Tuesday after suffering a heart attack. Born in Harvey W. Va., Mr. Roop lived in Toledo 24 years. He was a machine operator for Production Metal Stamping division of Bishop & Babcock Corp., 15 years, retiring 2 years ago. He was a member of the Lewis Avenue Baptist Church, Damascus Lodge, F&AM, and Waupaukonica Lodge of the Odd Fellows. Surviving are his wife, Sudie; daughter, Mrs. Zola Van Meter, of Oakland City, Ind.; sister, Mrs. Grace Cochran, of Mount Hope, W. Va.; brother, Oral Roop, of Glen Jean, W. Va., and a grandchild. Services will be Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Walker-Felibach Mortuary, Talmadge Road. Graveside services will be Friday at 3 p.m. in Montgomery Cemetery, Oakland City, Ind. Odd Fellows services will be tonight at 8 o'clock and Masonic services Thursday at 8 p.m.
Toledo Blade; Lucas County, Ohio; Wednesday, June 12, 1968
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-missing (same page as July 1955 articles)
Nettie Roop, 88, died at noon Saturday at the home here of a son, John W. Smith. Also surviving are another son, William G. Smith; a daughter, Mrs. Frances Huffman; a stepson, Orville R. Roop, and a stepdaughter, Mrs. Sarah Durbin, all of Decatur; 23 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Roop was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church here. The body is at the Gillig & Doan Funeral Home where friends may call. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. at the Evangelical U. B. Church, the Rev. John Chambers officiating. Burial will be in Monroeville Memorial Cemetery.
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 22
Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011
Name: Nettie Roop [Nettie Hart]
Gender: Female; Race: White; Age: 88y 9m 12d; Marital status: Widowed
Birth Date: 15 Nov 1866; Birth Place: Allen County, Ind; Death Date: 27 Aug 1955; Death Place: Decatur, Adams, Indiana, USA
Father: Johnathon Hart; Mother: Sarah Hines; Informant: John W. Smith, Decatur, IN
Burial: August 30, 1955, IOOF Cemetery, Monroeville, IN
Contributed by Janice Vasilovski

Handwritten-Fri. July 29, 1955
WIFE OF DAVID SAUDER IS DEAD - FUNERAL SATURDAY FOR MOTHER OF JERRY, MABEL SAUDER
Mrs. Lydia Shanebeck Sauder, 86, died at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday at her home in Grabill. She had been in failing health since 1952. She was the wife of Rev. David Sauder and a member of the Evangelical Mennonite Church at Grabill for 65 years. Her husband was a former pastor of the church. The Sauder family is well known to many local people. Surviving in addition to the husband are one daughter, Miss Mabel Sauder, currently home on leave after 16 years of missionary work in Africa; one son, the Rev. Jerry Sauder, Grabill; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The body was taken to the Walter Funeral Home in Spencerville where friends may call. The body will be taken to the Grabill Mennonite Church at noon Saturday to lie in state until services. Burial will be in Leo Memorial Park.
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 11
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

SAYLOR Spencerville, Jan. 18 - Funeral services for Mrs. Menta Saylor, 80, who died yesterday at her home near here, will be held Friday at 2 pm at the Methodist Church here with burial in Spencerville Cemetery; Rev. J. M. Scholes will officiate. The Kinsey Funeral Home at St. Joe is in charge of arrangements. Surviving are one son, Hurley Saylor with whom she lived; two grandchildren; one brother, Wesley W. Wyatt and two sisters, Mrs. May Latson and Mrs. Cecelia Johnson.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana; January 19, 1940
Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011
Name: Menta Saylor [Menta Wyatt]
Gender: Female; Race: White; Age: 80 years, 29 days; Marital status: Widowed
Birth Date: Dec 1 (the rest cut off); Birth Place: Wilmington Twp DeKalb Co; Death Date: 17 Jan 1940; Death Place: Spencerville, Allen, Indiana, USA
Father: Nathan Wyatt; Mother: Mary Anne Gibson; Spouse: C H Saylor; deceased; Informant: Hurley Saylor; Spencerville, Indiana
Burial: January 19, 1940; White City Cemetery; Spencerville, Indiana
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Tuesday, June 21, 1955
BERNE-Funeral services were held today at the Presbyterian Church at Phoenix, Ariz., for Solomon J. Schwartz, 70, of that city, who died Friday at the home of a son, Bernard Schwartz, at Colorado Springs, Col. He and Mrs. Schwartz were visiting at their son's home when he died from a heart attack. He was associated for many years with the Southern Pacific Railroad. Mr. Schwartz was a native and former resident of this community. Surviving are the widow, Rosa; a son, Bernard; two brothers, David J. Schwartz, Berne, and Joel K. Schwartz. [Buried Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 10
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Retired Businessman Dies; Rites Monday
Funeral services for William Schwartz, 63, 530 Archer Ave., who was dead on arrival at 11:05 p.m. Thursday at Lutheran Hospital, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the D. O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home, the Rev. Richard G. Frazier officiating. Burial in Lindenwood Cemetery. Mr. Schwartz, a World War I veteran, was a retired co-owner of Well Fur & Wool Co. H had been associated with the business for 12 years. He was a member of Trinity English Lutheran Church, charter member of Maumee lodge 725, Free and Accepted Masons, Scottish Rite, Mizpah Shrine, Star of the East Chapter 514, Order of the Eastern Star, and past worthy patron of the chapter and a member of Miriam White Shrine. He is survived by his wife, Hattie M., and one sister, Mrs. Joseph Schlatter, Woodburn.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, April 26, 1958
Contributed by Karin King

SCOTT, Mrs. Tony - Services at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the Klaehn Funeral Home,Dr. Willian J. Ratz and Rev. R. A. Worthman officiating. Burial in Lindenwood Cemetery.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, October 14, 1962
Contributed by Karin King

ST. JOE - Merlin E. Simanton, 66, of rural St. Joe, died today at 12:20 a.m. in DeKalb Memorial Hospital. He had been a patient there for the past 20 months. Mr. Simanton was a retired farmer, a former Concord Township Trustee and a former Concord Fire Department volunteer. He was born in DeKalb County on Oct. 25, 1917, the son of George and Pearl (Wyatt) Simanton. He was a lifelong county resident. He married Dorothy (Rowe) on April 5, 1944 in Spencerville. His wife survives. Also surviving are a son, Jerry, of Butler; a daughter, Mrs. Tom (Janice) Weaver, Waterloo; a brother, George of Phoenix; and four grandchildren. Two brothers preceded him in death. Services will be Friday at 2 p.m. in Dilgard, Cline & Southern Funeral Home, Auburn. The Rev. Russell Tague, pastor of Concord United Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, St. Joe. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-9 p.m. Thursday. Memorials may be given to the DeKalb County Preschool for Handicapped Children or the Concord United Methodist Church.
Evening Star, DeKalb County, Indiana, September 12, 1984
Contributed by Karin King

Mrs. Elizabeth Skinner, 60, of 606 Madison St., died at 5:15 p.m. yesterday in Parkview Memorial Hospital following a year-long illness. A native of Birmingham, Ala., she lived here since 1950. Mrs. Skinner belonged to the New Hope Spiritual Church. Surviving is her husband, A. L. Skinner, Farrell, Pa.; a daughter, Miss Jacqueline Skinner, Fort Wayne; two grandchildren and a niece. The body was taken to the Ellis Funeral Home where arrangements are pending.
Journal Gazette; Allen County, Indiana, Thursday, December 1, 1960
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Fri. June 10, 1955
WIDOW OF ELMER SMELSER DIES - FORMER BLUE CREEK TP. WOMAN DIES AT CELINA, OHIO
Mrs. Olive Belle Smelser, 81, Celina, Ohio, a native of Blue Creek Township, Adams County, died at 5:15 a.m. today at the Otis Hospital in Celina. She had been ill several days from a stroke and last Sunday was found helpless in her home by a son, Gordon, who with his family live upstairs in the Smelser house. She was removed to the hospital Sunday. Mrs. Smelser was born May 21,1874, the daughter of Franklin P. and Lucinda Boze Ruby. She was married to Elmer E. Smelser, who preceded in death. Before moving to Celina the Smelsers lived on a farm in Blue Creek Township. Surviving are five sons, John, Gordon and Hugo Smelser, all of Celina; True, Ada, Ohio and Jesse, Dallas, Texas; two daughters, Mrs. Vilas Huser, Fayette, Ohio and Mrs. Frank Kohn, Celina and a brother, Frank Ruby, Saginaw, Michigan. The body is at the Vale Funeral Home in Celina where friends may call after 7:00 p.m. Saturday. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Evangelical Church in Celina, Rev. George officiating. Burial will be in the Swamp College Cemetery. The body will remain in the funeral home until time for the services. Mrs. Smelser was a member of the Evangelical Church and the Ladies' Aid and the Ladies' Bible Class of the church.
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 17-18
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

GUAM - Caryl Ann (Stoner) Smith, 63, of Guam and formerly of Battle Creek, unexpectedly passed away Saturday, October 18, 2003, at Guam Memorial Hospital in the Northern Marianas Islands, following a brief illness. Caryl was born in Battle Creek November 12, 1939, to Wilson E. and Virginia D. Stoner. Educated in the Lakeview School District, she went on to earn her undergraduate and Masters degrees in Western Michigan University. Throughout her life, Caryl was devoted to children, both her own and those she taught in her classroom. She had a gift for communicating with youngsters, particularly those for whom learning was difficult. In the eleven plus years Caryl spent in Saipan, she taught in the special education classrooms and was a respected resource for regular classrooms when student learning disability situations arose. Caryl would want to be remembered as having a positive and lasting influence on her students. Caryl is survived by her sons, Edward S. Smith of Redmond, WA, and Chief Petty Officer Michael B. Smith of Virginia Beach, VA, her daughter, Casey G. (Michael) Webb) Smith of Redmond, WA, sister, Mary E. (Philip) DuMond of Caldwell, ID, and cousin Robert F. Philp of Battle Creek. A memorial service was held October 25 for her students, their parents and her colleagues from the Saipan Public School System with 300 persons attending. Services will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, Saturday, December 6, 2003, at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Robert Muirhead officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial contribution to any children's charity of one's choice. Local arrangements by Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home. Personal remembrances may be made at www.farleyestesdowdle.com. [buried Memorial Park Cemetery; Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan]
Battle Creek Enquirer, Calhoun County, Michigan; December 4, 2003
Contributed by Karin King

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Pearl E. Smith, 86, 818 Indian Bridge Lane, Defiance, died at 2:15 a.m. today in the Defiance Hospital. Born Sept. 15, 1892, in Hawley, Kan., she was the daughter of John H. and Elenor (Ernhart) St. Clair. She married Charley C. Smith on Nov. 13, 1913. He preceded her in death Feb. 8, 1972. A former Auburn resident, Mr. and Mrs. Smith operated the Culpertson Hardware Store in Auburn until 1968 when they moved to Defiance. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church and Jesse Circle. Survivors include two sons, George H., Defiance; Ralph C. Moore, Haven, Fla.; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Services will be held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Lawson-Stick Funeral Home, Defiance. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Auburn. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m.
Obit book - DeKalb County Library, DeKalb County, Indiana, 1979
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Wed. June 8, 1955
DAVID SMUCKER DIES TUESDAY IN TRAFFIC MISHAP - Son of Rev. J. N. Smucker Killed in Collision Near Chicago
David Smucker, 29, Bluffton, Ohio, son of Rev. and Mrs. J. N. Smucker of Goshen, was killed at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday in a traffic accident at Holland, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Mr. Smucker was well known to many local people and was a cousin of Mrs. Roy Sprunger of Berne. His father, formerly of Bluffton, Ohio, editor of "The Mennonite", is a former president of the Mennonite General Conference and has spoken at the First Mennonite Church here on several occasions. The extent of Smucker's injuries have not been learned here but he was dead on arrival at a hospital in Harvey, Illinois, and is believed to have been killed instantly. He is believed to have suffered head and internal injuries. Smucker, who was engaged in farming near Bluffton, Ohio, and a Bluffton High School student, Paul Glaze, had just started on their return trip to Bluffton from Chicago where they had delivered a few Dalmatian puppies to a dog kennel. Smucker raised Dalmatians' on his farm along with broilers, feed lambs and other livestock. Smucker was born at Smithville, Ohio, April 14, 1926, the son of Rev. and Mrs. J. N. Smucker. He graduated from Bluffton College in 1949. While in college he played on the Bluffton basketball team and participated in other sports. Last Saturday evening he was elected president of the Bluffton College Alumni Association at the annual dinner at Bluffton, succeeding Howard Gilliom of Berne. In the summer of 1949 Mr. Smucker married Barbara Jean Triplett of Bluffton. Her father is associated with the Triplett Electric Meter Works in Bluffton. Surviving in addition to the wife are two children, Susan, 3, and Allen, one month old; the parents who moved a week ago from Chicago to Goshen; two brothers, Leonard, of Chicago and Joseph, a student at Bethel College, Newton, Kansas, and a sister, Mary Ann, a school teacher who resides with her parents at Goshen. The body is being returned from Harvey, Illinois, to the Basinger Funeral Home at Bluffton, Ohio. Funeral arrangements had not been learned here at noon today. [Buried Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton, Allen County, Ohio]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 17-18
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Handwritten-Mon., Jan. 16, 1956
Rites at Lima for Mrs. A. P. Sprunger
Funeral services were held this afternoon at the Childs Funeral Home in Lima, Ohio, for Mrs. A.P. Sprunger, of that city, who passed away last Friday evening. (rest is missing) [Addie Hazel Sprunger buried Memorial Park Cemetery, Lima, Allen County, Ohio]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 16
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Handwritten-Fri. June 10, 1955
FUNERAL TODAY IN ILLINOIS FOR ASA SPRUNGER - Berne Native, Teacher for Many Years, Dies
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. today at Mendota, Illinois for Asa Sprunger, 68, a native of Berne who died in his home at Mendota Tuesday evening. Burial was at Mendota. Mr. Sprunger had been in failing health for several years and quite ill the past 18 months. He suffered several strokes and a heart attack and had been an invalid for two years. He was a retired school teacher, quitting the profession about eight years ago. For 29 years he was principal of the high school at Decatur, Illinois. He graduated from eh Berne High School in 1904, attended Bluffton College at Bluffton, Ohio, for two years and graduated from Oberlin College. He taught school in the local grades for two or three years and left Berne in 1915. He was born in Berne October 8, 1886, the son of C. C. and Rosina Reusser Sprunger. He was married to Mabel Rice of Mendota. Surviving are the widow; a son Robert, of Chicago; four brothers, Oswald, of Adams County; Franklin of Berne; Victor of north of Berne and Paul of Milwaukee, Wis.; three sisters, Mrs. A. J. Neuenschwander, Wadsworth, Ohio; Mrs. Rena Reusser, Berne, and Mrs. M. A. Thomas of Union City, and one grandchild. A son, James, a brother, Wesley, and a sister, Ella, preceded in death. [Buried Restland Cemetery; Mendota, LaSalle County, Illinois]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 19
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Pearl Squires, 91, died of complications of old age at 6 a.m. today in the Allen County Home, Huntertown, where she had lived for the last 25 years. Miss Squires was born Jan 8, 1882 to Sam and Jennie Squires in Jackson Township, DeKalb County. She was a nurse in Allen County. Her parents, one brother and two sisters preceded her in death. Surviving is one sister, Mrs. Ione Schultess, Garrett. Services are at Gerig's Funeral Home Wednesday at 10 a.m. with Rev. Carl Wirey officiating. Calling is after 2 p.m. Tuesday. Burial is in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Obits of DeKalb County, IN, Volume II, May 21, 1973
Contributed by Karin King

Prof. Oliver E. Steiner
Oliver E. Steiner, director of the school of Music of Fort Wayne Bible College, passed away about 7:00 a.m. on March 8, 1955, at his home in Fort Wayne. He had been convalescing since August of last year when he suffered a heart attack while spending the summer in Flint, Michigan. Mr. Steiner joined the faculty here in 1944. He was director of the A. Cappella Choir, and traveled widely on annual concert tours with the group. He was an instructor in voice, music theory and instruments. He was well-known in the Fort Wayne area for his outstanding work as conductor of the "Messiah" performance each Christmas season. [Buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 8
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

MRS. WILSON E. STONER
Mrs. Virginia D. (Boyd) Stoner, 63, of 106 Oakland Place, died Friday in Community Hospital shortly after arrival. She was born in Blackstone, VA. She had been employed as a marketing clerk at Michigan Bell Telephone co. since November 1951. She was a member of the Michigan Bell Pioneers Club. Surviving are her husband, Wilson E. Stone; daughters, Mrs. Caryl S. Smith of Monroe and Mrs. Bruce (Mary) Burns of Seattle, Wash.; sisters, Mrs. Ruth Philp of Battle Creek and Mrs. Henry (Reba) Trosky of Lorain, Ohio, and three grandchildren. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Farley Funeral Home. [buried Memorial Park Cemetery; Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan]
Battle Creek Enquirer, Calhoun County, Michigan; Saturday, Jan 31, 1976
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Mon. Aug. 1, 1955
MOTHER OF M.A. THOMAS SUCCUMBS
Mrs. Clara B. Thomas, 83, widow of the late Lemuel A. Thomas, died at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Jay County Hospital in Portland where she had been taken on July 19 after suffering a hip injury in a fall at her home on West Race Street, Portland. Among the survivors is a son, M.A. Thomas, of Union City, the husband of the former (rest is missing) [Buried Skeels Cem in Mercer County, Ohio]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 23
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

The ashes of Winfred S. Thomas, former Auburn and St. Petersburg, Fla. resident, will be interred in the Thomas private mausoleum in Woodlawn Cemetery at 10 a.m. Saturday. The service will be conducted with full military rites. Mr. Thomas, a former Messenger Corp. salesman, died Sept. 7, 1973 in St. Petersburg. He was the son of William and Frenchy Thomas. A 50-year American Legion Veteran of World War I, Mr. Thomas belonged to the Masonic Lodge and Shrine. Survivors include Mr. and Mrs. Dale (Sylvia) Thomas, Mrs. Stanley (Phyllis) Thomas, Stephen Thomas and Mrs. Ruth Baird. Gerig's Funeral Home, Auburn, is in charge of arrangements.
Obit Book DeKalb County Library, Volume II
Contributed by Karin King

Josephine L. Tonkel, 80, died at 5:10 a.m. Tuesday in Covington Manor Nursing Home. Surviving are three daughters, Jane Neuman, Ruth Gallmeier and Donna Elliott, all of Fort Wayne; two sons, Walter of Winterhaven, Fla., and Ronald of Fort Wayne; a brother, Clifton McComb of Pendleton; and a sister, Mary McClure of Fountaintown. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in C.M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Home. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. today in the funeral home. Burial will be in Leo Cemetery.
Journal-Gazette, Allen County, Indiana, June 2, 1982
Contributed by Karin King

Mrs. Elizabeth Tonnelier, mother of Mrs. Louis Weber and Mrs. Jacob Miller of this county, died at her home at Fort Wayne Monday night of infirmities and general disability. She was eighty-five years old and had been ailing for several years.
Decatur Democrat, Adams County, Indiana, May 29, 1902
Contributed by Karin King

Mary Wappes, 84, Dies In Hospital, DeKalb Native and Lifelong Resident of Jackson Township Passed Away Following Long Illiness.
A native of Dekalb county, Mary Inez Wappes, passed away at 10 p.m. Wednesday in DeKalb Memorial hospital in Auburn following an illness of several years. She was 84. Mrs. Wappess was admitted to the hospital July 3 of this year. A lifelong resident of the county, Mrs. Wappes was born September 18, 1883, in Jackson township. Mrs. Wappes was the widow of Joe Wappes, who died in 1942. The couple were married April 14, 1914, in Auburn. The body was taken to the Gerig funeral home in Auburn, where final rites will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday. Rv. Clair Bixler, pastor of the Hopewell United Brethren church, will officiate, with burial following in the Cedar Chapel cemetery. Friend may call at the funeral home after 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Surviving are three sons, Lawrence, Rt. 1, New Haven, Merl, Rt. 2, Hamilton, and Forrest, of Huntertown; two daughters, Mrs. Vera Creager of Rt. 2, Butler, and Mrs. Wanda Wilks of Rt. 1, Auburn; a brother, Ed Freeman of Rt. 1 Butler; a sister, Mrs. Margaret Lochner of Fort Wayne; 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Mrs. Wappes was the daughter of Alexander and Sylvia Freeman, both deceased. Three sisters and three brothers are deceased.
Evening Star, DeKalb County, Indiana; 29 Aug 1968
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

Elmer L. Warner, 81, of 1125 Lynn Ave. died at 3:10 a.m. yesterday in Veterans Administration Hospital where he had been a patient nine weeks. Mr. Warner was retired from General Electric Co. where he had given 40 years of service. He was a lifelong resident of Allen County and was a veteran of World War I. He was a member of the Crescent Avenue United Methodist Church; American Legion Post 47, Quarter Century Club of General Electric; and Leo Lodge No. 224 F.&A.M. Surviving are his wife, Lola; three daughters, Mrs. Marjorie Wakeland, Argos; Mrs. Mary Lou Thomas, Elkhart; and Mrs. Doretta Gilliam, Athens, Greece; a son, P. Byron, Fort Wayne; a sister, Mrs. Velma Seehawer, Fremont; and two stepsons, Max Wakeland, Fort Wayne; and Gene Wakeland, Argos. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, where friends may call after 2 p.m. today. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Allen County, Indiana; 27 Jan 1975
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

WATERLOO -- Delores J. Warstler, 51, died a 7 p.m. Monday at St. Joseph's Hospital, Fort Wayne. Surviving are her husband, Donald; three daughters, Lucinda Hansen, of St. Joe, and Denise Grate and Dawn Cory, both of Auburn; two sons, Gary L., of Auburn, and Leslie B., of Waterloo; two sisters, two half-sisters, three stepsisters, two half-brothers , two stepbrothers and eight grandchildren. Services at 11 a.m. Thursday at Auburn Missionary Church, Auburn, with calling also after 2 p.m. today at Feller Funeral Home. Memorials to the church or American Cancer Society.
Journal Gazette, Allen County, Indiana; 7 May 1986
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

Mrs. Mary J. Wayer, 47, of 2217 Kenwood Ave., died at 11:45 a.m. yesterday in Parkview Memorial Hospital. She was a member of Curdes Avenue Missionary Church and is survived by her husband, Wesley H.; three daughters, Mrs. Linda M. Keeman, Fort Wayne, Cheryl and Margaret Wayer, at home; five sons, Neil W., Dean A., Gary P., Dennis P., and John H., at home; a sister, Mrs. Bernice Schneider, Fort Wayne; and three brothers, Carl Wilcokson, Auburn, Harold Wilcokson, Lewiston, Mich., and Woodrow Wilcokson, Anchorage, Alaska. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in D. O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home, the Rev. William Cox officiating. Burial will be in Lindenwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 3 p.m. today.
Journal Gazette, Allen County, Indiana; 6 Oct 1969
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

Dan Weaver, 90, dies, calling today
Daniel H. Weaver, 90, formerly of Garrett, died at 10:24 p.m. Tuesday at Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne. Friends may call from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Klaehn's Chalfant-Perry Funeral Home, Fort Wayne. Garrett Elk's Lodge 1447 will hold twilight services at 7 p.m. this evening and Rosary Services will be held at 8 p.m. The family has requested preferred memorials to the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Peters Catholic Church, Fort Wayne, and burial will be in Christian Union Cemetery, Garrett. Mr. Weaver was born Nov. 24, 1891, in Garrett to Joseph and Christina Weaver. He and Gladys Schulp were married Sept. 25, 1952. He resided in Garrett at 307 South Peters street until about 30 years ago when he moved to Fort Wayne. He retired in 1961 from the B & O Railroad where he worked as a dispatcher. He worked on the B & O for over 53 years. Survivors include his wife, Gladys; one daughter, Mrs. Lyle (Yvonne) Hunter, 609 South Randolph street; one brother, Earl Weaver, Fort Wayne; one sister, Etta Kokenge, Auburn; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. One son, Richard, preceded him in death.
Unknown source; 23 Jul 1982
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

S. Milford Farmer Found Dead From Heart Attack
John R. Weihmiller, 71, of northwest of South Milford was found dead in a field at the farm Tuesday afternoon. He was dragging a plowed field with a tractor. His wife noticed that the tractor motor was running at the same spot for some time and went to the field to investigate. She found her husband's body on the ground beside the tractor. Coroner M. K. Shoup pronounced the death due to a heart attack. The body was taken to the _______ Hutchins Funeral home at Kendallville. The deceased leaves the widow, Nellie, and a son, Ned. of Kendallville, Rt. 1.
Lagrange Standard, Lagrange County, Indiana; 23 Apr 1959
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

Deaths of Tannersville Doctor at Philadelphia Hospital
Stroudsburg, April 23. Word was (received) yesterday afternoon of the death of Dr. A. A. Wertman, of Tannersville, in the Jefferson hospital, Philadelphia, at 9:20 o'clock in the morning, following an attack of acute dilation of the heart, complicated with rheumatism. Dr. Wertman had been suffering from rheumatism during the entire winter, but with his characteristic fortitude, he kept at his work of administering to the sick, until Washington's birthday when a severe attack forced him to take to his bed. He remained at home for many weeks and then came to the General hospital in East Stroudsburg. He only remained there a short time and then returned to his home. On Tuesday, April 13, he was removed to the Jefferson hospital in Philadelphia. On Tuesday friends went to Philadelphia, with the intention of bringing him home on Wednesday, but the heart attack come during the preparations to bring him home and he succumbed yesterday morning. His body was shipped home and arrived here early this morning.
Alexandria Times-Tribune, Madison County, Indiana; 23 Apr 1926
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

Dr. Austin G. Wertman, of Effort, Monroe county, who died so suddenly last Wednesday evening, after returning home from a visit to his parents, was buried last Monday forenoon at Zion's Stone Church, West Penn township. Dr. Wertman had a stroke of paralysis that ended his life in less than several hours. He had attained the age of 32 years, 11 months and 10 days. The Dr. was graduated from the Baltimore Medical College in 1898. The following year 1899, he was married to Miss Carrie Longacre, daughter of John Longacre, of North Penn, from where the funeral was held, having been brought there from Effort via Tamaqua. Dr. Wertman started in to practice medicine at Kunkletown and later on moved to Effort, where he died the 18th inst. Revs. Wuchter, of Effort, and William H. Strauss, of Lehighton, officiated at the funeral the former preaching from John 14th chapter and 6th verse, in English, and the latter from Lamentations 3rd chapter, 31-33 verses, in German. The remains were in charge of W. A. Wertman, the undertaker at Mantzville, who is a brother of the deceased. Six members of the Jr. O, U, A, M., of Effort, were the pall bearers and DDr. C. F. Ruch, Dr. Warren C. Sittler, Dr. Jacob Longacre and Dr. Jacob Behler were the honorary pall bearers. Dr. Wertman was the former Republican Committeeman from Eldred township, Monroe county, which contains only six Republicans out of nearly 200 voters.
Miners Journal; 26 Jan 1905
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

UPPER SANDUSKY---Charles A. Wertman, 72, Wyandot County native, died at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Veterans Hospital in Dayton after a 16-month illness. He was a World War I veteran. Born May 31, 1896, he was a son of Daniel and Mary Ellen Bolyard Wertman. He was a former member of Little Sandusky United Methodist Church and disbanded IOOF Lodge of Haroster. Surviving is a brother, Ralph of Crimora, Va. Services will be Friday at 2 p.m. in Lucas Funeral Home here. Burial will be in Chapel Heights Memory Gardens of Marion. Friends my call at the funeral home.
Marion Star, Grant County, Indiana; 22 Aug 1968
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

UPPER SANDUSKY --- Earl Otis Wertman, 78, died at 1:05 p.m. Monday in the Wyandot Memorial Hospital at Upper Sandusky. Ill two years, he was in the hospital two days. The former Harpster mayor had been residing in the Colonial Manor Rest Home at Harpster. Born Sept. 5, 1883, in Pitt Township, he was a son of Daniel Z. and Mary Ellen Wertman. March 6, 1907, he married Mab Mouser. He was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church at Brush Ridge and a 50-year member of Warpole Lodge 176, F&AM at Upper Sandusky. Surviving are his widow who resides at the rest home; a daughter, Mrs. George Britton of Westlake; a son, Donald Wertman of Lakewood; two grandchildren and two brothers, Ralph Wertman of Crimora, Va., and Charles Wertman of Marion. A brother preceded him in death. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m. in the church at Brush Ridge. Elder Daily Hite will officiate. Burial will be in Grand Prairie Cemetery at Brush Ridge. Friends may call at the Lucas Funeral Home in Upper Sandusky until Thursday noon then at the church.
Marion Star, Grant County, Indiana; 12 Sep 1961
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

Charles Wey, better known to the boys of the 160th regiment as "Windy" Wey, died Friday night at Frankfort, in the county jail, where he had been placed for the night. His death was caused by delirium tremens [sic]. The deceased was a man aged about thirty-five years, who when a young man joined the regular army. During the Spanish-American War he enlisted in the volunteers and was a member of Co. R. of this city. He was known by every man in the regiment and was one of its unique characters. The young man came from one of the prominent families of Peru, and the remains were taken there for burial.
Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams County, Indiana, May 29, 1902
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Fri. Aug. 19, 1955
WOMAN KNOWN HERE DIES ON HIGHWAY - MRS. JACOB WICKEY, 55, KILLED WHEN THROWN FROM BUGGY
A woman well known in this community, Mrs. Susan Wickey, 55, wife of Jacob Wickey of LaGrange Route 1, was killed at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday when a horse bolted, tossing her from a buggy on a county highway. Mrs. Wickey was a resident of an Amish settlement near LaGrange. Her husband is a brother of Daniel Wickey of south of Geneva. The accident happened a mile north and two miles east of Shipshewana. There were no witnesses of the accident, and LaGrange County authorities had not established what frightened the horse. Mrs. Wickey was riding alone in the buggy. The horse, dragging the wreckage of the buggy, ran between 300 and 400 feet before it came to a stop. Mrs. Wickey suffered a basal skull fracture when tossed out of the careening carriage. Among the survivors are the husband, four sons and a daughter. The body of Mrs. Wickey was taken to the Carney Funeral Home in LaGrange. Several from this community are expected to attend the services. Services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Leo Yoder home near LaGrange with Rev. Eli Lehman officiating. Burial will be in the Miller Cemetery. [Buried Miller Amish Cemetery, Lagrange, Lagrange County, Indiana]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 25
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Services for Margaret O. Witmer, 90, of R. R. 1, Spencerville, will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Evangelical Mennonite Church, Grabill. Mrs. Witmer died at 2:50 a.m. yesterday in Turtle Creek Convalescent Centre North. She was a lifelong area resident. Surviving are a son, Merle, Spencerville; two daughters, Mrs. Leonard Krumbigel, Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Ervin Becker, Woodburn; and a sister, Mrs. Lizzie Goldsmith, Butler. Calling will be from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at D. O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home and after 1 p.m. Monday at the church. Preferred memorials are gifts to the church or favorite charities.
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Allen County, Indiana; 18 Nov 1973
Contributed by Scott Bowmar; Transcribed by Mark Barnhart

Thomas Woods died last Saturday morning. He was one of the oldest settlers of the county, having entered the land which he owned until his death in 1837. He moved his family to this county in 1847. He was past 85 years old.
Butler Weekly Record, DeKalb County, Indiana, March 2, 1900
Contributed by Karin King

Mrs. Mary A. Wyatt, of Ashley, mother of Mrs. J. H. Latson, died Tuesday evening. Funeral Friday at Newville.
Butler Weekly Record, DeKalb County, Indiana, February 23, 1900
Mary Anne Gibson, was born in Oliver Parish, Scotland, April 4, 1828. With her parents she removed to Glasgow, where they resided one year. They then took ship and sailed for the U. S., settling in Summit Co., Ohio, near Akron. Seven years later she removed to DeKalb Co., Ind., where she lived until the time of her death. In June 1853, she was married to Nathaiel Wyatt, who died in March 1885. To them were born eight children, three boys and five girls, all living. Two brothers, one sister, fourteen grandchildren and many friends and acquaintances mourn her departure. She united with the United Brethren church at the age of twenty years, and has lived a consistent Christian life without murmur or complaint through months of extreme suffering. She died in Ashley Feb. 20, 1900, aged 71 years, 8 months and 15 days. The funeral was preached in the U. B. Church at Newville, by Rev. E. E. Neibel, of the Lutheran Church of Butler. Interment in the Newville Cemetery.
Butler Weekly Record, DeKalb County, Indiana, March 2, 1900
Contributed by Karin King

Handwritten-Sat. Jan. 14, 1956
Funeral services for Andrew S. Yaggy, 89, retired Woodburn farmer, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Woodburn Evangelical Mennonite Church, the Rev. Charles Rupp officiating, assisted by Rev. E. M. Roche. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Mr. Yaggy died at 1:35 ?? Friday in Lutheran Hospital where he had been a patient since ?? 26. He had been ill three months. Mr. Yaggy was a native of Cedar Creek Township and a charter member of the Woodburn Mennonite Church. Surviving are a son, Jesse, Woodburn, two daughters, Mrs. Joseph Rediger, Woodburn and Mrs. E. G. Steiner, Berne; three brothers, Henry, Pleasant Mills; Menno, Van Nuys, Calif., and J.R., Fort Wayne; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. The body was taken to the ?? Funeral Home, Harlan, where friends may call from 7 p.m. until 11 a.m. Monday, when the body will be removed to the church to lie in state until the time of services. [Buried Woodburn Mennonite Cemetery, Woodburn, Allen County, Indiana]
Adams County (IN) Historical Museum 1955 March-April 1958 Scrapbook, image 20
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Mrs. Libbie E. Zegenfus, 85, 1320 S. Van Buren St., Auburn, died Friday at 7 p.m. in DeKalb Memorial Hospital. She had been ill four years and hospitalized 13 months. She was born Nov. 12, 1886 in Allen County to Aaron and Julia (Morgan) Erskine. She married Alfred Zegenfus during 1907. He preceded her in death in 1931. Mrs. Zegenfus was employed by the Auburn School System from 1931-58. She was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Auburn, and Order of Eastern Star. Survivors include two sons, Floyd, 2040 Bradford Dr., and Garthard, 1320 S. Van Buren St., Auburn; three brothers, Robert Erskine, California, George Erskine, Jackson, Mich., and William Erskine, Battle Creek, Mich.; two sisters, Mrs. May Payne, Hillsdale, Mich., and Mrs. grace Forrest, Brookfield, Wis., and one grandchild. Three brothers and six sisters preceded her in death. The Rev. George Schuette will conduct funeral services Tuesday at 2 p.m. in St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Auburn. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may call in Dilgard and Cline Funeral Home, Auburn, after 2 p.m. Monday.
Obit Book - DeKalb County, Indiana, Volume II, January 4, 1972
Contributed by Karin King