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Debra Kay Wagner
THORNTOWN — A celebration of the life of Debra Kay Wagner, 51, of Thorntown, will be
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009 at 12 p.m. at the Drury & Leppert Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon St.,
Lebanon. Debra passed away Feb. 3, 2009. She is survived by her best friend and loving
husband of 32 years, John R. Wagner.
She was born Nov. 16, 1957 in South Bend. The eldest daughter of DeWayne Creighton Sr. and
Janice (Mead) Creighton, who survive. Debra is also survived by her three younger siblings: G.
DeWayne Creighton Jr., of Bremen, Kelly Sienicki of Middlebury and Jason Creighton of
Zionsville; six nephews and two nieces. Along with John, she was guardian of their nephew,
Connor Liam Creighton of Zionsville.
In 1976, she married
John, the love of her life and they relocated to Chicago’s Lincoln Park
neighborhood, where they began their young married
life together, later relocating to Annapolis,
Md. in 1986. In 2004, they returned to Indiana to spend more time with family and to enjoy a
new home in a peaceful setting of their dreams — along the waterfront of a private water ski lake
in rural Boone County.
Debra attended several schools of higher education and subsequently earned degrees in biology
and horticulture and was certified as a Montessori teacher. Always seeking new challenges, her
career path was diverse — from teaching young children in the Chicago area; various public
relations/environmental positions in Maryland government; managing Nancy Hammond Editions,
an art gallery in Annapolis — historic district; and serving as a cabin attendant for a private
charter jet service. At the time of her death, she was a personal fitness trainer and Master
Gardener.
Not until her mid-30s, did she learn to slalom course water ski. She gave “coaching” credit to
John for her quickly excelling in the sport. They treasured their summers skiing together. She
first entered the local water ski tournaments in Annapolis in 1994 and qualified to compete in the
U.S. Nationals the following year. She earned that national prerequisite every subsequent year.
Debra still holds the Virginia State record holder in the Women III & IV Slalom Divisions and in
the summer of 2003, she tied the published Eastern Regional Record in a tournament at her
beloved Lake Holly, where she and John were ski club members for several years before
returning to Indiana.
Debra’s involvement in the USA Water Ski Association included her contribution as a volunteer
editor of the Easter Region Guidebook for several years and coordinating the Easters Region’s
winter meeting in Annapolis. She also served as a tournament-rated boat driver and regular
judge for the slalom event, as well as serving as President and Vice President of the Lake Holly
Ski Club.
Gardening was her favorite past-time. She also had a passion for water skiing, bird watching,
jazz music, oenology, art, automobile racing, her cats and riding her Harley. She enjoyed
attending Faith Baptist Church in Lafayette. Her favorite Bible verse was Psalm 34:8 “Oh the
taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” “On Golden
Pond” was her favorite movie, which she frequently re-watched and had most lines memorized!
In 2004, Debra was one of the original founders of the Sugar Creek Art Center in Thorntown,
where she volunteered to be Gallery Director for its first three years, worked on several
committees and had served on its board of directors since 2004. She was also a member of the
Silent Shores Water Ski Club, USA Water Ski Association, Boone County Master Gardeners,
Friendly City Garden Club, Sugar Creek Historical Society and a patron of the Hoosier Art Salon.
Memorial contributions may be made to the following non-profit organizations: Faith Baptist
Church, 5526 St. Rd. 26 East, Lafayette, IN 47905; or Sugar Creek Art Center, 127 S. Pearl
Street, Thorntown, IN 46071 or the Humane Society for Boone County, P.O. Box 708, Lebanon,
IN 46052.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Drury & Leppert Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon.
Robert L. Buss
GOSHEN — Robert L. Buss, 70, of Goshen, died at 4:56 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 at
Goshen General Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Buss; daughters: Cindy (Jon) Werbianskyj of Goshen and
Penny (Denny) Kreager of Columbia City; sons: Mike Buss of Goshen and Scott (Sue) Buss of
Wakarusa;13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother, James (Sharon) Buss of
Nappanee; and sister, Mary Jane (Robert) Pontius.
Visitation is Friday, Feb. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 7 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at
the Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee. Funeral services are Sunday,
Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at South Union cemetery, Nappanee.
Memorials may be made to Baugo Church of the Brethren.
Verena E. Shafer
Verena E. Shafer, 93, of Bremen Health Care, formerly of Nappanee and Wakarusa, died at
1:07 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 at Bremen Health Care. She was born Dec. 24, 1915 in
Bourbon to Adam and Lurena (Miller) Lemler. She married
Allen Shafer, who preceded her in
death Dec. 16, 1995.
A lifetime area resident, she was a housewife and had worked at CTS in Elkhart and for the
Mutschler family in Nappanee. She was a member of the Church of the Brethren in Bremen.
She is survived by nieces and nephews: Rich BonDurant, Terry BonDurant, Melvin Lemler, Larry
Pete Lemler, Carolyn Ferro, Dorothy Neff, Beverly Kuhn, Wilma Strevy and Linda Gigous.
She was preceded in death by a brother, John Lemler; sisters: Margaret BonDurant and Martha
Lemler; nephew, Dave Lemler; and nieces: Francis Romine and Eillen Welsh.
A memorial service is being planned for a later date. Cremation will take place. Inurnment will be
in Sandy Ridge cemetery, Bourbon Township.
Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice or The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is in charge of the arrangements.
Leona J. Zechiel
CULVER — Leona J. Zechiel, 96, a Culver resident all her married
life, died at 8 a.m. on Feb 5,
2009 in Miller’s Merry Manor, Culver.
The daughter of Lula and Albert Grosvenor was born in Bourbon Jan. 21, 1913. She graduated
with the class of 1931 in Bourbon.
On Oct. 19, 1933, she married
Ferris Zechiel at Tipp City, Ohio. He survives at 100 years old.
Leona is also survived by a daughter, Betty (Stan) Reinholt; and a son, Larry (Ruth) Zechiel; five
grandchildren: Susan (Marty) Mansfield, Dean (Tina) Zechiel, Jo Zechiel, Ryan (Mindi) Reinholt,
and Beth (Rob) Herzog; and 10 great-grandchildren.
A homemaker, Leona loved to cook, garden, crafts, sew, teach Sunday School, and read her
Bible. She was a 50 year member of Culver Homemakers, Marshall County Extension and a
member of Community Bible Fellowship Church of God.
Leona was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Carol Ann in 1940; three sisters:
Hester Kuhn, Iris Peirson, and Bernice Calvert; five brothers: Arnold, Victor, Leonard, Harvey,
and Calvin Grosvenor; also a set of infant twin siblings.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate the life of Leona Zechiel on Sat. Feb. 7, 2009 from 12
to 2 p.m. Rev. Bob Huddlestun and Bob Collier will officiate funeral services at 2 p.m. on
Saturday. Burial will follow at Culver Masonic cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given in Leona’s memory to the Atlanta Bible College.
The Bonine-Odom Funeral Home, Culver, is in charge of arrangements.
Bridget A. Gourley
HAMLET — Bridget A. Gourley, 48, died Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 in LaPorte Hospital.
She is survived by brothers: Michael (Barb) Gourley of Woodbridge, Va., Matthew (Barb)
Gourley of Hamlet, William Gourley of Valparaiso and Bernard (Lila) Gourley of Stone Mountain,
Ga.; and a sister, Margaret Clark of Plymouth.
Visitation will take place at 10 a.m. (CT) Wednesday, Feb. 10 at Rannells Funeral Home,
Hamlet Chapel.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to LaPorte County Hospice.
Russell John Pletcher
SOUTH BEND — Russell John Pletcher, residing in South Bend, passed away at 12:15 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 in his home following a brief illness. He was 96 years old.
He was born Oct. 15, 1912 in Lakeville, the son of Nathan and Cleo Elizabeth (Beam) Pletcher,
and moved to South Bend in 1940, coming from Plymouth. In 1934, Russell joined the Civilian
Conservation Camp. For the next several years, he moved across the country from Kentucky to
Idaho to California, Montana and Utah. He returned to Plymouth in 1937. On June 2, 1940 in
Plymouth, he was united in marriage to Vera Belle Sullivan. Together, they enjoyed 61 years of
marriage until her passing on June 3, 2001.
It was on South Bend’s south side that he and Vera raised a family of seven children, all who
survive him. They are, Carolyn Pletcher of South Bend, Phyllis Jean (Joe) Shelley of South
Bend, Beverly Joan (John) Telfer of Fishers, Marcia Jayne (Joseph) Hawkins of Boerne, Texas,
Joy Marie Pletcher of South Bend, Larry Lee (Lois) Pletcher of Garland, Texas, and Jack Philip
(Denise) Pletcher of Las Vegas, Nev.
Also surviving Russell are two brothers: Willard (Ruth) Pletcher of Argos and Gene Arnold
(Leona) Pletcher of South Bend; 13 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
Two sisters: Naomi Ruth Crow and Goldie Elizabeth Barlow, and four brothers: Ralph Orlando
Pletcher, Clarence David Pletcher, Paul Revere Pletcher, and Charles Frederick Pletcher
preceded him in death.
Russell was employed with the Studebaker Corp. for 13 years, and Fabricated Steel for more
than nine years. He also had a watch repair service out of his home for many years. He was a
member of South Side Church of God, South Bend. Many years ago, he helped to build the
Plymouth Church of God.
Memorial services celebrating the life of Russell Pletcher will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at
South Side Church of God, 7351 U.S. 31 South, South Bend. Rev. Randy Kerr, pastor will
officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service Saturday at the Church.
Contributions in memory of Mr. Pletcher may be offered to the Church at 7351 U.S. 31 South,
South Bend, IN 46614.
The Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel 3718 South Michigan St., South Bend is assisting
the Pletcher family with arrangements.
Lewis “Shot” Youngman
WAUKESHA — Lewis “Shot” Youngman, of Waukesha, passed away Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 at his home.
Lewis was born July 27, 1915 in Tipton County, Ind., the son of John and Blanch (nee Duncan)
Youngman. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 71 years, Mary (nee Singrey).
Lewis served in the US Army during World War II. He was a long standing member of the
American Legion in Walkerton, Ind. He was a proud Teamster who worked for Express Freight
Lines for 30 years.
Lewis was the loving father of Michael (JoAnn) and Charles (Lori) Youngman. He is also
survived by family and friends in both Indiana and Wisconsin.
The visitation for Lewis will be held Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009 from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Cesarz,
Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd. Waukesha.
The funeral service at the funeral home and entombment at Prairie Home cemetery, Waukesha,
will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
The Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-planning Services is
serving the family.
Betty J. Smith (Fields, Nelson) Kachelmeier
KOKOMO — Betty J. Smith (Fields, Nelson) Kachelmeier, 74, of Kokomo, died at 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009 in Fairmont Rehab, Kokomo.
She is survived by son-in-law, Leon Sims (companion: Dee Burroughs) of Burr Oak; two
grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Betty J. Smith and several nieces and
nephews.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 in Ellers Mortuary, 725 S.
Main St. Chapel, Kokomo. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service in the mortuary.
A burial of her ashes will be at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be sent to: Rescue Mission 321 West Mulberry Kokomo, IN 46901
or the Kokomo Humane Society 713 North Elizabeth Kokomo, IN 46901.
Kathleen Kukla-Stacy
KNOX — Kathleen Kukla-Stacy, 49, formerly of Hamlet, died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009 in her home
after an illness.
She is survived by her husband, Kenny Stacy; one daughter, Geneva Stacy of Knox; one stepdaughter,
Heather Stacy of Westville and two sisters: Nancy Rivas and Mary Ann Kukla, both of Knox.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009 from 3 to 8 p.m. (CT) and Wednesday, Feb. 11,
2009 after 9 a.m. at Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel.
Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Burial will take place at the Fletcher cemetery, Hamlet.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Geneva Stacy Trust Fund at First
Source Bank.
James F. McLochlin
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — James F. McLochlin, of Sandy Springs, Ga., died Feb. 7, 2009. Mr.
McLochlin was born June 22, 1941 in Plymouth, and was the son of Frances McLochlin, Jr., and
Velma Sanders McLochlin.
He served in the U.S. Navy for four years and then had a 15 year career with the U.S. Marine
Corp where he was on the National Shooting Team winning several Gold Medals.
While he was in Plymouth he owned and operated a locksmith and shoe repair business for 18
years.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Carol J. McLochlin; son, James McLochlin; daughter,
Carla Starry; six grandchildren; sisters: Helen Bush and Peggy Taylor; brother, David McLochlin;
and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to National Military Family Association, Inc., 2500
North Van Dorn St., Suite 102, Alexandria, VA 22302-1601.
A memorial service will be Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009 at 11 a.m. at H.M. Patterson and Son,
Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd, NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.
