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Don McKee
NAPPANEE — Don McKee, 82, of Nappanee, died at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at Harbor
Manor Nursing Home, Noblesville.
He is survived by his daughters: Susan (Wayne) Weise of Noblesville and Marcia McKee of
Lakeland, Fla.; two granddaughters; one great-grandson; brother, Vern (Miriam) McKee of
Culver; and sisters: Mary Powers of Culver and AnneBelle Fisher of Bremen.
Visitation is Friday, June 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral
Home, Nappanee, and one hour prior to the service Saturday. Services are Saturday, June 27 at
12 p.m. at the Nappanee United Methodist Church. Burial will be at South Union cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Nappanee United Methodist Church.
John Richardson
PLYMOUTH — John Richardson, 64, of Plymouth, died Tuesday, June 23, 2009 in Saint Joseph
Regional Medical Center, South Bend.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Rae (Scott) Richardson; three sons: John (Tracy) Richardson
Jr. of New Carlisle, Adam Richardson of New Carlisle and Erik (Kim) Richardson of LaPorte;
stepson, Joe Daigle of Plymouth; six grandchildren; sister, Joan Finnegan of Wisconsin; and two
brothers: Jim Richardson of California and Thomas Richardson of Naperville, Ill.
Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 30 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 612
N. Center, St., Plymouth.
Palmer Funeral Home-Lakeville is handling the arrangements.
Michael A. Davis
ARGOS — Michael A. Davis, 53, passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. in Saint
Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend.
Michael was born June 22, 1956 in Plymouth to James R. and Beverly Thessin Davis. He
graduated from Argos High School with the class of 1975.
Michael and Sandra A. Nykiel were united in marriage on June 1, 1990.
Michael was a small engine mechanic at C&S Outdoor Equipment for six. years.
He retired from Lobdell Manufacturing in Argos after 15 years.
He was a member of the St. Michael Catholic Church.
He loved the outdoors, and loved to hunt, fish, garden, camp, cut wood, and raising peacocks.
Mike also enjoyed riding his Prowler ATV with his family.
Michael is survived by his wife Sandra and their two boys 17-year-old Adam and 14-year old
Gregory, all of Argos; a daughter and son from a previous marriage Dawn and Casey Ickes of
Walkerton, and Dustin and Viki Cullen of Rentown, and one granddaughter, Rebekah of
Walkerton. He is also survived by his parents, James and Beverly of North Ft. Myers, Fla.; four
brothers: James and Melody of Argos, Steve, and Rick, both of Plymouth, and Terry and Lisa of
Cicero; one sister, Deborah and Mel Thomas of Wabash; and several nieces and nephews
survive as well.
He is also survived by Sandy’s parents Bill and Rita Nykiel of Bremen, and Steve and Pam
Nykiel of Colleyville, Texas; four brothers-in-law: Dan and Mary Nykiel of Collierville, Tenn., Ron
and Charity Nykiel, Andy and Lori Nykiel, both of Bremen, and Jerry and Tammy Nykiel of South
Bend; and one sister-in-law, Marlene and Don Dolan of Bremen.
Friends may pay their respects at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St.,
Plymouth Friday, June 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday,
June 27 in St. Michael Catholic Church, 612 N. Center St., Plymouth with pastor Fr. William
Kummer as the celebrant. Burial will follow in New Oakhill cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Catholic Church or St. Michael School
Operation Play Zone.
Karen “Prune” Weaver-Collins
NAPPANEE — Karen “Prune” Weaver-Collins, 58, of Nappanee, died at 11:50 a.m. Wednesday,
June 24, 2009 at LuAnn Nursing Home, Nappanee.
She is survived by a daughter, Kelli Miller of Nappanee; four grandchildren; two great-grandsons;
brothers: Doug (Judy) Weaver of Nappanee and Oscar Weaver of Syracuse; and Stephanie
Eash of Nappanee.
Visitation is Sunday, June 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral
Home, Nappanee. Services are Monday, June 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will
be at Union Center cemetery, Nappanee.
Memorials may be made to the Karen “Prune” Weaver-Collins Memorial Fund.
Gerald Benko
KNOX — Gerald Benko, 62, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009 at St. Joseph Regional
Medical Center, South Bend.
Mr. Benko was born March 26, 1947 in South Bend, to Joseph and Margaret (Horvath) Benko
Sr. and lived in the Knox area for 28 years, coming from South Bend. On March 6, 1982 in Knox,
he was married
to the former Cathy Ewing, who survives.
Also surviving are four sons: Raymond Manns of LaPaz, Jerry Manns of Culver, Brian Manns of
Culver and Stephen Benko of Knox; five grandchildren and two brothers, Joseph Benko Jr. and
John Benko, both of South Bend. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Benko was an employee of Stanz Food, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and a
member of the Teamsters Union Local #364.
Friends may call Thursday, July 2, 2009 from 4 to 8 p.m. CDT and Friday from 9 a.m. until the
time of services at Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel.
Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Eagle Creek
cemetery, Knox, where military graveside services will be conducted.
Lela Carole Conner
KNOX — Lela Carole Conner, 67, of Knox, died Thursday, June 25, 2009.
She is survived by her mother, Catherine Caudill of Knox; son, Lloyd Conner of Knox; daughter,
Carolyn Conner of Bass Lake; one granddaughter; brothers: Thomas (Loretta) Caudill of Culver
and Phillip Caudill of Plymouth; sisters: Brenda Bailey of Knox, Cathleen (Howard) Lange of
Knox and Rebecca Czapla of Griffith; and sister-in-law, Sharon Caudill of Knox.
Visitation is Sunday, June 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Braman & Son Memorial Chapel, Knox.
Services are at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
LaVerne E. Geiger
CULVER — LaVerne E. Geiger, 90, of 18B Road, Culver, died Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 5:18 p.m.
She is survived by two sons: Dennis A. (Lynn) Geiger and Michael L. (Cindy) Geiger, all of
Culver; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
There will be no visitation.
A graveside service will take place at Culver Masonic cemetery Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 11 a.m.
Memorials may be made to the Finney-Shilling VFW Post 6919 Ladies Auxiliary.
The Bonine-Odom Funeral Home, Culver, is in charge of arrangements.
Cindy Lynn Quaife
KNOX — Cindy Lynn Quaife, 50, of Knox, died Thursday, June 25, 2009 at Porter Memorial Hospital.
She is survived by her father, Dale Quaife of Knox; her mother, Patty Jo Quaife of Knox;
brothers: Mark Quaife of Knox and Matthew Quaife of North Judson; and sisters: Connie Young
of Knox, Carla Lortie of Fordsville, Ky. And Christine Moore of Westville.
There will be no visitation. Graveside services will be Saturday, June 27 at 1 p.m. at Highland
cemetery.
Braman & Bailey Funeral Home, North Judson, is in charge of the arrangements.
Arlene "Liz" Hartman
PLYMOUTH – Longtime Plymouth resident, Arlene ‘Liz’ Hartman, 89, passed away at home, in
the company and care of her family at 9:33 a.m., Friday, June 26, 2009.
She was born the daughter of Glenn D. and Anna Glee Billhimer on Feb. 3, 1920 in Gas City. Liz
was a member of the 1938 graduating class of Green Township High School in St. Joseph County.
On Jan. 9, 1949, in Plymouth, she married
Willis E. Hartman, he would precede her in death on
Feb. 6, 1992.
Liz was a homemaker and along with raising her three children she was an expert grower of
African Violets and a member of the Plymouth Club. She was also a former member of the First
Christian Church in Plymouth. Liz and Willis were collectors of fine glass and were members of
the National Toothpick Holders Society. Later Liz acquired a large number of Boyd’s Bears.
Her children include: a daughter, Marlene A. Harrison of Plymouth, and two sons: Ronald L.
Whickcar of Koontz Lake and Clay E. Hartman of Daytona Beach, Fla. Along with four
grandchildren: Dan Rader, Melissa Kreitzer, Steven Whickcar and Kelli Reichel. Nine great grandchildren
also survive.
She is also survived by a brother, Milford (Mary) Billhimer of South Bend and two sisters: Wilma
Doll and Betty (Richard) Uceny, both of Plymouth, and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Sunday, June 28 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson
Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, where services will be held Monday at 11 a.m.
with the Rev. Charles Krieg officiating.
Burial will follow in the New Oakhill cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made in Liz’s memory to
the research departments of Parkinson, Cancer or Arthritis Foundations.
Nathaniel James Piper
KNOX - Nathaniel James Piper, 9 months, died Friday, June 26, 2009 in his home.
He is survived by his parents: Jimmie and Natasha (Bradley) Piper; one brother, Cayleb Bradley
of Knox; maternal grandparents, Robin Griffith and David Griffith, both of Knox and Clinton
Bradley of Grovertown; paternal grandparents, John Piper Sr. of Grovertown and Sheila
Wireman of Knox; maternal great-grandparents, Charles Burkhart of Knox, Patricia Burkhart of
Birmingham, Ala. and David and Eunice Griffith of Winamac; paternal great-grandparents, Ron
and Karen Sobieck of Knox and Jerry and Virginia Greenwell of Fla.; and great-great
grandparents, Jack and Marielena Singleton of Knox.
Visitation will take place Wednesday, July 1 at 11 a.m. (Central Time)at Rannells Funeral Home,
Hamlet Chapel until the time of services.
Funeral services will be Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Burial will be at Fletcher cemetery, Hamlet.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the funeral home.
William Russell
It was Tuesday afternoon, June 23, an apparent routine day of disking the fields turned to
tragedy and great sadness when Michael, Bill’s grandson, and key farming partner found him
down in the field and unresponsive, on one of the family’s farms. William “Bill” Russell was born
in Kewanna to Everett W. and Pauline Ault Russell on Aug. 12, 1946. He was one of three
children growing up with sisters Barbara and Becky.
As a young man, Bill grew up on his family’s Richland Township farm. A hobby of his youth was
hunting rabbit and fishing on the farm. He was a graduate of the Argos High School class of
1964. He attended Ft. Wayne Business College and studied accounting. Later our country
beckoned him, answering the call Bill was a proud member of the U.S. Army serving during the
Vietnam War. During his tour of duty he was awarded two bronze stars.
On Sept. 20, 1969 in Leiters Ford, he married
Victoria Bell “Vicky” McGlothlin. Their marriage
spanned nearly 40 years. Vicky passed away on April 5, 2008 following a valiant fight with
cancer. Their union produced three children Scott, Gretchen and Haidee. On Jan. 31, 2009, in
Logansport, he married
Beth Lucile Davis who survives at home.
Bill was a skilled man and versatile with many interests. He worked at Sealed Power until its
closing. Later he was an employee of the Pat Hiatt Construction Company. Bill served the
Aubbee Community for 39 years as a volunteer firefighter and many of those years as Chief,
until his health required he step aside. As an entrepreneur Bill founded the Able Home Care
Service back in 1982. He is currently co-owner of the company. Bill continued to drive the school
bus for the Culver Community Schools.
With a desire to serve his community and friends Bill was currently a member of the Fulton
County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Aubbeenaubee Improvement Corporation and served as a
former member of the Hazardous Waste Committee.
Bill enjoyed several passions in life: his church, his family, farming and 4-H. An active member of
the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints he fulfilled many callings as a servant to his
church. Farming and 4-H were paramount to his family. As the patriarch of the Russell clan, Bill
instilled traditional family values, work ethic to his children and grandchildren. Togetherness was
a key element of this close-knit family’s success. Whether it was the special care given to the
cattle or goats or sharing trade secrets and techniques on construction — Bill was there to lead
the family pack. It was just a few years back and the family erected a barn with Grandpa Bill
overseeing the project. With sheer guts and determination Bill battled cancer’s grasp and
prevailed as a survivor. He leaves behind his family who loved and adored him, the church family
with whom he worshiped, along with his buddies at the Marshall County 4-H Beef Barn, students
whom he safely took to school and returned home each day, the Aubbee Volunteer Firefighters
and the many friends he made along the pathways of life’s journey to cherish his memory of the
many good times they shared.
Survivors include wife Beth at home; one son, Scott Russell and wife Kellie and their children
Claire, Madeline, Laura, Jessica, Katelyn and Evelyn, all of Plain City, Utah; two daughters:
Gretchen Johnson and husband Scott and their children Michael, Renae, Rebekah and
Elizabeth, Haidee and husband Michael Temme and their children Zachary, Russell, and
Alexandra, all of Leiters Ford. Bill’s extended children include: Kristina Risner, Richard
Ganshow, Karla and husband Mitch Rutledge, Rob and Kira Bettcher and his foreign exchange
daughter Jantje Roder of Germany. Also surviving are two stepsons: Jim Davis and wife Jessica
of Monticello, and Mike Davis and wife Kelly of Aults, Okla.; a stepdaughter, Sarah Davis and
companion Josh Isom of Monticello; seven grandchildren of his extended family; five step grandchildren;
and his faithful and loving canine companion Wilson, a Springer Spaniel;
numerous cousins, nieces and nephews also survive.
He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife; and two sisters: Barbara Wagoner and Becky
Nelson.
A celebration of the life of Mr. William “Bill” Russell will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Good
Family Funeral Home 1200 West 18th St., Rochester, with President William Tincher presiding.
Friends may visit with his family from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday and an hour prior to services. He will
be laid to rest at the Leiters Ford IOOF cemetery. Military graveside rites will be conducted by
the LeRoy Shelton American Legion Post and the Manitou Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Preferred memorials may be made to the Russell Grandchildren 4-H Group c/o Haidee Temme.
