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James E. Sommer
BOURBON -- James E. Sommer, 84 of Bourbon passed away Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 at 3 a.m.
at home in the care of his family and Hospice.
Jim was born the son of Lester I. Sommer and Barbara Stauffer Sommer Nov. 27, 1927 at Ft.
Wayne. He was a resident of the Bourbon and Etna Green area all his life. He was a 1945
graduate of Leo High School. He also was owner of Bourbon Plumbing and Heating for many
years, served in the United States Air Force during World War II and attended the Philadelphia
Church of God of Elkhart.
July 1, 1949 he married
Edith R. Winebrenner who survives along with their six grandchildren;
Heather and husband Gabe Dobra, Ashley and husband Jeremy, Stephanie Sommer, Rachel
Sommer, Scott and wife Tracey Williams and Aaron Williams. He also was blessed with five
great-grandchildren and one brother, Robert Sommer of North Carolina.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca, his son Stephen, a granddaughter, Norma
Jean and his brother Paul Sommer.
In honoring his wishes services will be private with burial in Pleasant Hill cemetery.
Deaton Clemens Funeral Home is caring for the arrangements.
Priscilla Ann "Penny" Bradley
KNOX -- Priscilla Ann 'Penny' Bradley, 55, died Dec. 20, 2011 at Wintersong Nursing Home.
She is survived by her sisters, Janice (Chuck) Estok of Knox, Yvonne (Larry Larson) Bradley of
Warsaw, Tammy Lynn (Tim) Rowe of Sellersberg; father, Owen Stacy of North Judson; son,
Owen Douglas Massing of Plymouth; daughter, Nichole (Chester) Coon of Muncie; and two
grandchildren.
Services were Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Braman & Son Memorial Chapel, Knox.
Burial will be at Crown Hill cemetery, Knox.
Baker Edwin Gee
PLYMOUTH -- Baker Edwin Gee, 69, of Plymouth passed away at 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec.
20, 2011 in his home. He was born May 31, 1942 in Henderson, Ky. to Baker Gee and Evelyn L.
(Brown) Turnage. March 24, 2000 in South Bend, he married
Mary (DeBlase) Hurst.
Mr. Gee is survived by his wife, Mary Gee of Plymouth; two daughters, Amy (Mike) Trzcinski of
South Bend and Molly (Barry) Hammons of South Bend; three sons, Richard (Deb) Gee of
Wyatt, David Gee of Plymouth and John (Tiffany) Gee of South Bend; two stepsons, Wayne
(Shannon) DeBlase of Edwardsburg, Mich. and Ian Hurst of South Bend; 12 grandchildren,
Beau, Richard, Jennifer, Cara, Caylee, Samantha, Wyatt, Isabella, Sophia, Madelyn, Andrew
and Annestasia and a great-granddaughter, Alexis. He is also survived by three sisters, Beatrice
(Dave) Tompkins of Salem, Ore., Dorothy Heinlein of Texas and Martha Hall of South Bend and
three brothers, Melvin (Carole) Gee of North Liberty, Raymond (Maria) Humphries of Plymouth
and Ernie (Sheila) Turnage of Plymouth.
Mr. Gee lived most of his life in Plymouth. He loved to work and was a self-employed contractor.
He loved to farm, enjoyed tractors, auctions, and the country.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 in the Palmer Funeral Home, 314
S. Michigan St., Lakeville. Graveside services and burial will follow at Fair cemetery, North
Liberty. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Baker Gee may be offered to The Center for Hospice Care, 4320
Edison Lakes Parkway, Ste 210, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or the American Legion, P.O. Box 150,
LaPaz, IN 46537.
Eva Marie Lawmaster
BOURBON -- Eva Marie Lawmaster, 86, of Bourbon passed away Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011 at
6:05 p.m. at home in the care of her family and Hospice.
Eva was born the daughter of Alva Thompson and Hazel Kindig Thompson May 16, 1925 at
Argos. She was a resident of Bourbon and Warsaw area most of her life and spent winters in
Naples, Fla. She was a graduate of Argos High School. She was a homemaker and worked
along with her husband as owners of Lawmaster Roofing at Bourbon where she did the
bookkeeping. She was also a member of the Bourbon First United Methodist Church, Eagles
Lodge of Columbia City, American Legion of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Moose Lodge #1423 of
Warsaw. In her spare time she enjoyed playing in the golf league at Rozella Ford Country Club
and she even scored a hole-in-one at Tippecanoe Country Club. Other interests include sewing
and crocheting.
Nov. 13, 1943 she married
Clifford K. 'Barney' Lawmaster who died Nov. 24, 2002. She is
survived by her daughter, Sandra and husband Glenn Disher of Bourbon, son, Larry and wife
Osie Lawmaster of Pierceton along with 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one greatgreat-grandchild.
She was also blessed with a sister, Erma Ellinger of Bourbon and a brother,
Dale Thompson of Argos.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Nancy Lovendahl, two sons, Bruce and Gary, a
sister, Bertha Jane Thacker and her two brothers, Eldon and Charles Thompson.
The family will receive friends Monday, Dec. 26, 2011 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Deaton-Clemens
Funeral Home, 115 S. Main St., Bourbon, IN 46504.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011 in the Bourbon First United
Methodist Church with Rev. Stormy Scherer-Berry officiating. One hour of visitation will be held
prior to the funeral services at the church.
Burial will follow in the Pleasant Hill cemetery at Bourbon.
The family requests memorial contributions to: Hospice and Palliative Care in her memory.
Marshall County Hospice, 112 S. Center St., Plymouth, IN 46563.
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is caring for the arrangements.
Bishop John P. Reid
Fort Wayne -- Bishop John P. Reid, 82, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, at 7:52 p.m. at the
Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.
He is survived by children Honey Lou (David) Neff, Warsaw; Marcie (Rev. Rick) Cooper,
Warsaw, Polly Miller, Warsaw; and eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers and
a sister.
Visitation is Monday, Dec. 26, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Touch of Life Church, 2339 Old
Road 30 W., Warsaw, IN 46580. Services are Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 10 a.m. at Touch of Life
Church with the Rev. Rick Cooper officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood cemetery, Warsaw.
Memorials may be made to: Touch of Life Christian Academy, Desarmes, Haiti; donations
through the church’s website: www.touchoflifechurch.com.
Titus Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Lou Noel
ROCHESTER -- Betty Lou Noel, 72, of Rochester, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, at Parkview
Hospital in Fort Wayne.
She is survived by her husband, Art; a son Artie (Barbara) Noel of Rochester; daughters Carla
(Larry) VanLue of Charleston, S.C., Mary Noel of Manchester, Tenn., Laurie Noel of Manchester,
Tenn., Barbara (Bob) BeMiller of Goshen, and Debbie Adams of Rochester; six siblings, Barbara
(Don) Linderman of Texas, Alvin (Barbara) Garner of Plymouth, George Garner of Arizona,
Chuck Garner of Washington, Dot (Jim) Stover of Washington, and Don Garner of Arizona; 12
grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
The Mishler Funeral Home in Bremen is assisting the family with arrangements.
Owen A. Miller
NAPPANEE -- Owen A. Miller, 97, of 616 2nd B Road, Nappanee, died at 2:50 p.m., Friday,
Dec. 23, 2011 at his residence.
He is survived by a daughter, Emma (Simon) Borkholder, Nappanee; sons, Daniel (Lena
Borkholder) Miller, Nappanee, and Ervin (Orpha Bontrager) Miller, Colchester, Ill., 25
grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, Leanna Miller, LaGrange, and a sister,
Mary Hochstedler, Kokomo.
Visitation was after 3 p.m. Saturday and all day Sunday at the family home. Funeral services
were at 9:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 26 at Chris Slabaugh Jr’s Residence, 2nd B Road, Nappanee.
Burial is in Weldy cemetery. Arrangements are with Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral
Home, Nappanee.
Dorothy Newberg Reaker
PLYMOUTH -- At the age of 96, Dorothy Newberg Reaker, of Plymouth, went to be with her
precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Dec. 23, 2011.
Dorothy was born to Prescott and Henrietta (Ramp) Piper March 12, 1915, in Wisconsin. She
spent her childhood in the Chicago area, where she attended Lutheran schools. Her family
relocated to Polk Township, where she attended Tyner School, graduating as class valedictorian.
She was married
to Milton Oscar Newberg, farmer and entrepreneur, Sept. 26, 1936. They were
married
for 30 years prior to his death in 1966. They had six children: Victor Carleton (Doris)
Newberg; Alice Marie (David) Ruff; Jon Oscar Newberg; Edna Elaine (Everette) Miller; Robert
Milton (Theresa) Newberg; and Richard Arthur (Cheryl) Newberg. She is survived by Alice and
Richard, both of Plymouth; Edna, of East Lansing, Mich.; their spouses; along with daughters-inlaw,
Doris and Cheryl, both of Plymouth, and Theresa, of Enid, Okla. Dorothy is also survived by
her dear sister, Edna (George) Snyder of Plymouth. Her brother, Prescott Piper died during
WWII.
Other survivors include her grandchildren, Cheryl Hill, Plymouth; Steve Newberg, Buchanan,
Mich.; David Ruff Jr., South Bend; Dawn Hooker, Plymouth; Jane Reynolds, Haslett, Mich.;
Robert Aldridge, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Jeanette Hutchinson, Yukon, Okla.; Robin Unruh, Enid,
Okla.; Robert Newberg II, Enid, Okla.; and Ian Newberg, Plymouth. She is also survived by many
cherished great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, cousins and nieces.
Preceding her in death were grandson, Douglas Ruff of Carmel, and infant granddaughter,
Susan Aldridge.
Dorothy was a lifelong Lutheran, a founder and charter member of Calvary Lutheran Church,
Plymouth, where she and Milton were active and faithful participants.
In 1969, Dorothy married
Earl Reaker of Walkerton. They were married
for 25 years before his
death in 1994. Earl’s children by his previous marriage, Rosemary Scurry, Darlene Kreighbaum,
Owen, Nelson and Donald Reaker, survive, as well as Earl’s grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the:
Calvary Lutheran Church
Dorothy Newberg Reaker, Memorial Fund
VISITATION: WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28, 2011, 4 to 7 P.M.
VAN GILDER FUNERAL HOME
300 W. MADISON ST.
PLYMOUTH, IN 46563 and
THURSDAY, DEC. 29, 2011, 10 to 11 A.M.
CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
SERVICES: THURSDAY, DEC. 29, 2011, 11 A.M.
CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
1314 N. MICHIGAN ST.
PLYMOUTH
BURIAL: SWEDISH cemetery, DONALDSON
Ronda J. Wagner
KNOX -- Ronda J. Wagner, 57, of Knox passed away Friday, December 23, 2011 at St. Vincent's
Hospital in Indianapolis.
Born on June 3, 1954 in Richmond, she was the daughter of Owen and Nellie (Chamberlain)
Ramsey. On October 13, 1990 she married
Rick Wagner, he survives.
She was a Haggerstown High School graduate and was a 1988 Ivy Tech college graduate.
Ronda was a certified QMA. She was a member of Kewanna Church of Christ and she enjoyed
reading, cooking and most of all spending time with her family.
Survivors include her husband, Rick Wagner of Knox, son, Joseph W. Wagner and girlfriend
Justine Hoesel of Knox, daughter, LeAnna M. Salzer and husband Loren of Jacksonville, N.C.,
mother, Nellie Ramsey of Richmond, brother, Owen Ramsey of Richmond and sisters, Susie
Morris of Richmond and Gina Knoff and husband Joe of Thornhope, mother-in-law, Theresa
Olson of Knox and father-in-law, Glen Wagner of Knox. She is also survived by several nieces
and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Owen Ramsey and a brother-in-law Rollie Morris, and
a sister-in-law, Cathy Ramsey.
Services will be at 11 a.m. (EST), Thursday, December 29, 2011 at Harrison-Metzger & Rans
Funeral Homes, 123 E. Main St., Kewanna with Pastor Scott Meneely officiating.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. (EST), Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at the funeral home.
Burial will be at the Culver Masonic cemetery, Culver.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Kewanna Church of Christ.
Merl D. Chupp
WAKARUSA -- Merl D. Chupp, 82, of Wakarusa, died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011 at 3:50 p.m. at
his home after an extended illness.
He is survived by his wife, Carylin Y. Shaum; two sons, Craig (Linda) Chupp and Lyndell (Amy)
Chupp, both of Goshen; a daughter, Nan (Philip) Miller of Goshen; five grandchildren; a sister,
Shirley (Bob) Glenn of Wakarusa; and a sister-in-law, Joan A. Chupp of Nappanee.
Visitation is Monday, Dec. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder
Funeral Home in Nappanee, and also one hour prior to services, at Nappanee Missionary
Church Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will be in Union Center cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Goshen Care at Home Hospice or Nappanee Missionary
Church.