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Elizabeth A. Smith
SOUTH BEND — Elizabeth A. Smith, 68, of South Bend, passed away at 8: 55 a.m. Monday,
Feb. 4, 2008 in Hospice House. She was born on Nov. 8, 1939 in Florence, Ala. To George
William and Ruth M. (Sharp) Smith.
Elizabeth is survived by four daughters: Candi Fraschetti of South Bend, Elizabeth Flory of
Walkerton, Barbara and Diane Fraschetti, both of South Bend; son, Charles Fraschetti of South
Bend; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four sisters: Kathy (Roy) Taylor of
Lakeville, Mary Lee Smith of LaPaz, Janice (Jerry) Berger of Plymouth and Faith Lynn (John)
Colliar of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; three brothers: Hershel (Kathy) Smith of Granger, George
(Linda) Smith of Plymouth and James (Pam) Smith of LaPaz.
There will be no services or visitation. Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S.
Michigan St., South Bend is handling the arrangements.
Delann "Dean" Noble Berger
PARRITA, COSTA RICA – Delann “Dean” Noble Berger, 53, a resident of Costa Rica the past
two years, passed away from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident several weeks prior.
Dean was born the son of Noble and Ruth (McCullough) Berger at the Plymouth Parkview
Hospital on Feb. 25, 1954. He was raised in the LaPaz area and graduated from LaVille High
School with the Class of 1972.
Known to be a very personable and outgoing individual, Dean was always seeking warmer
climates and settled in Parrita, on the west coast of Costa Rica in 2006.
Dean was a former resident of Ft. Myers, Fla., where he enjoyed flying his own plane and
cherished his two-term presidency of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Chapter 66.
He leaves behind five siblings and their families; Larry and Doris Berger of Dewey, Ariz.; Jana
and Jack Oliver of Plymouth, Sam and Debbie Berger of Lakeville, Marlene and Steve Allen of
Sommerville, S.C. and Julie and Donald Thornton of Beaver Creek, Ohio.
According to Dean’s wishes, cremation will take place with services in San Jose, Costa Rica. A
local memorial service will be held at the United Pentecostal Church – House of Prayer in
Plymouth. These arrangements will be announced at a future date.
Memorial gifts in Dean’s memory may be made to the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, 112
S. Center St., Plymouth, IN 46563.
The Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home is assisting with local services.
Beatrice J. "Betty" Burke
PLYMOUTH — Beatrice J. "Betty" Burke, 94, formerly of Plymouth, died at 9: 20 p.m., Tuesday,
Feb. 5, 2008 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Columbia City.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews; Katherine Howe, Aileen and John Boggess,
Kathleen and Jerry Bielicki, Susan and Reggie Patrus, Bryan and Enice Burke, Dennis and
Sandy Burke, Michelle and Chuck Rathfelder, and Jim Helsel (nephew-in-law).
A Christian Mass of Memory will be held at Saint Michael Catholic Church on Saturday, Feb. 9,
2008 at 10 a.m. Burial will be in New Oak Hill cemetery, Plymouth, at a later date.
Memorials may be given to Miller’s Merry Manor, “Activities Fund”, 640 West Ellsworth,
Columbia City, IN 46725.
The Van Gilder Funeral Home, 300 W. Madison Street, Plymouth, is in charge of the arrangements.
Isaiah Franklin Merwine
MANSFIELD, Ohio — Isaiah Franklin Merwine, 18, of Mansfield, Ohio, died Sunday, Feb. 3,
2008 as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident. He went to be with his Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. Born Oct.1, 1989 in Ashland, Ohio, he was the son of Larry D. Merwine
and Johna (Ramey) Rosier.
Isaiah served in the Army National Guard. He was a member of First Assembly of God Church,
where he enjoyed participating in church activities and was involved with the youth group. He
enjoyed music, playing the drums, dirt biking, and hanging out with friends. Isaiah loved his
brothers and enjoyed being with them. Sharing his life with his father and Grandpa Ramey were
very important to him.
He is survived by his father, Larry D. Merwine of Mansfield, Ohio; mother and stepfather, Johna
and Jeremy Rosier of Plymouth; two brothers: Andrew J. and Joshua R. Merwine; two
stepsisters: Raven and Dori Rosier, both of Mansfield, Ohio; maternal grandparents, John
Franklin and Janice P. Ramey, Jr. of Mansfield, Ohio; paternal grandmother, Shirley M. Paden of
Shelby, Ohio; maternal great-grandmother, Opal Ramey of Mansfield, Ohio; aunts: Peggy
(Timothy) Klinetop of Bellville, Ohio, Trisene Cline of Shelby, Ohio and Carol Merwine of Galion,
Ohio; uncle, Larry Edward (Janet) Ramey of Mansfield, Ohio; and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Clarence J. Merwine; great-grandfather, John F.
Ramey, Sr.; great-grandmother, Hattie Rose; and great-grandfather, Tilden Rose.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008 at the Ontario Home of
Wappner Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the First Assembly
of God conducted by Rev. Thomas Blair. Friends may also call from 12 to 1 p.m. Friday at the
church. Military graveside services will follow in Oak Grove Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation to pay tribute to
Isaiah’s grandfather, John F. Ramey, Jr.
Jerry Wayne Reed
PLYMOUTH — Jerry Wayne Reed, 67, formerly of Plymouth, died of natural causes at his
residence in Washington, Ind., where he has lived for the past six years.
Born on Aug. 13, 1940, in Washington, Ind., Jerry was the son of James and Autumn Dove Reed.
An Operations Officer of the United States Navy and a veteran of Vietnam, he had retired after
30 years of service to his country.
He enjoyed flower gardening, wood working and oil painting.
He was a member of the American Legion and the V.F.W. in Washington, Ind.
Two sons, William (Cynthia) Rackley, South Bend, and Jerry J. Reed, of Washington, Ind., and a
daughter, Debra (Mark) Housand, of Osceloa, survive his death.
Seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren survive his death.
Jerry is also survived by three sisters: Patricia Reed, Elkhart; Donna Brown and Tanya (Phil)
Harmacinski, both of South Bend, and a brother, Jack (Cecilia) Reed of Lynnville, Tenn.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: James Reed and James Alfred Reed
Friends are invited to visit with Jerry’s family and share memories of his life on Saturday, Feb. 9,
2008, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Funeral services for Jerry will be held after the visitation at noon on Saturday in the funeral
home. The Rev. Dr. E. Dean Fager, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, Plymouth, will officiate.
Burial will be in New Oakhill cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial gifts in his memory may be given to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Betty Jean Rouch
NAPPANEE — Betty Jean Rouch, 74, of Nappanee, died at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5 at home.
She is survived by her husband, Lavere Rouch; daughter, Gloria (Ed) Moser of Nappanee; sons:
John (Wanda) Rouch of Watkinsville, Ga. And David (Gretchen) Rouch of Ada, Ohio; nine
grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister, Janet (Dave) Buck of Nappanee; and brothers:
Roger (Rachel) Pittman of Nappanee and Larry (Nancy) Pittman of Osseo, Wis.
Visitation is Thursday, Feb. 7 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Nappanee Missionary Church
Chapel and one hour prior to the service Friday. Funeral services are Friday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. at the church.
Burial will be at South Union cemetery, Nappanee.
Memorials may be made to the Nappanee Missionary Church or the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is in charge of the arrangements.
Jesse J. "Bill" Calvert
ROCHESTER — Jesse J. “Bill” Calvert, 89, of Rochester, died at 4: 45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6 at Hickory Creek of Rochester.
He is survived by a son, Marc (Julie) Calvert of Rochester; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren;
sisters: Mary Rock of Tippecanoe, Carol Saenz of Mishawaka, Helen (Richard)
Enyart of Rochester and Barb (Bud) Tullis of Rochester; and daughter-in-law, Shirley Calvert of Rochester.
Visitation is Friday, Feb. 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester, and
one hour prior to the service Saturday. Funeral services are Saturday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will be at the Rochester IOOF cemetery. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the
LeRoy Shelton American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Eldon Frank Cowen
March 2, 1921 - Feb. 6, 2008
ARGOS — Eldon Frank Cowen, 86, of Argos, died at 3: 40 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6 at Miller's
Merry Manor, Culver, following a brief illness. He was born March 2, 1921 in Green Township to
Frank Orange and Hallie (Lowry) Cowen. On March 27, 1964 in Culver, he married
Betty J. Young.
Living his whole life in Green Township, he was a farmer for 62 years. He was a graduate of
Argos High School with the class of 1939, a member of the Maxinkuckee I.O.O.F. Lodge #373,
and the Poplar Grove United Methodist Church both of Culver. He also belonged to the Indiana Farm Bureau.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Betty J. Cowen of Argos; daughter, Susan E. (fiance Jeff
Jenkins) Cowen of Indianapolis; three grandchildren: Corina J. (Collin) Bruce & Lennard A.
Began, both of Chardon, Ohio; and Doug South of Ferny Hills, Australia; two great-grandchildren:
Joshua and Andrew Bruce of Chardon, Ohio; four sisters: Lida (David) Norris,
Marjorie (Harold) Andersen, Betty (Rex) Castleman, all of Argos, and Ruth Gordon of Plymouth;
stepdaughter, Linda “Stevens” (Craig) Hjorth of Glen Ellyn, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Edith Staley, Irene Hissong and
Florence Baker; first wife, Melita (Johnson) Cowen; his second wife, Ardith (Stevens) Cowen;
and two daughters: Charla (Cowen) Began and Linda (Cowen) Schuler.
Friends may visit with the family Friday, Feb. 8, 2008 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Earl-Grossman
Funeral Home, 208 N. Michigan St., Argos, and a memorial service with the Maxinkuckee
I.O.O.F. Lodge #373 will be at 7: 30 p.m. Friends may also call one hour prior to the funeral
services at the church with services being held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008 at the Poplar
Grove United Methodist Church, West S.R. 10, Culver, with Pastor Robert Metzger officiating.
Burial will be at the Maxinkuckee I.O.O.F. cemetery, Culver.
Memorial contributions can be made to: Poplar Grove United Methodist Church or the donor’s choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted with the Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, Argos.
Timothy Lee Blubaugh
WARSAW — Timothy Lee Blubaugh, 60, died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, at 8: 50 p.m., at Mason
Health Care and Rehabilitation, Warsaw.
He was born July 17, 1947, in Plymouth, to Robert and Lois (South) Blubaugh.
He married
Judy (Britton) (Bowen), Feb. 14, 1981 in Bourbon.
He worked in Quality Control at Honeywell in South Bend, for 36 years, retiring on June 30, 2003
He moved to Warsaw in 1999 coming from Bourbon.
He was a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the View Nam Conflict, honorably
discharged on Oct. 28, 1971
He was a member of the American Legion Post #49, Veteran of Foreign Wars, and was a 1965
graduate of Plymouth High School
He is survived by his wife, Judy (Britton) Blubaugh, Warsaw; parents: Lois and Clayton
Bowman, Plymouth; three daughters: Dawn and Ryan Beam, Cicero, Ind.; Denise and Jason
Hawley, Noblesville; and Michelle (Bowen) and Tim Rogers, Winona Lake; one Son: Richard
Bowen, Warsaw; seven grandchildren: Brittony and Morgan Rogers, Cody and Tanner Hunt,
Makayla, Alexis and Blake Hawley; and five brothers: Terry and Marilee Blubaugh, Georgetown,
Texas; Steve Blubaugh, Milwaukee, Wis.; Daniel and Rebecca Bollinger, West Lafayette;
Jon Bollinger, Indianapolis; and three sisters: Beth (Bollinger) and Charles Braun, Indianapolis,
Lisa Bollinger, Indianapolis, and Toni (Blubaugh) and Tim Zablocki, Iron Mountain, Mich.
He was preceded in death by his father: Robert Blubaugh and one son, Robert L. Blubaugh
Visitation is Monday, Feb. 11, , from 2 to 8 p.m. at TITUS FUNERAL HOME, Warsaw.
Services are Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 10 a.m. at Warsaw Wesleyan Church, Warsaw with the Rev.
Wanda Carter officiating.
Burial will be at Pleasant Hill cemetery, Bourbon and military honors will be conducted by
American Legion Post #49.
Memorials may be made to Home Health Care and Hospice, Warsaw.
Alfredo Jr Soriano
ETNA GREEN — Alfredo Soriano Jr., 61, of Etna Green, died at 5: 20 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2008
in Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care of Milford.
He is survived by his wife, Anita; children: Kyle, Jonas, and Anilyn, all at home; sister, Clarita
Rosete and her brother: Arsenio Soriano, both of Bourbon.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Feb. 16 at 10: 30 a.m. in The Country Church. Visitation is
from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the church.
Burial will follow in the Pleasant Hill cemetery at Bourbon.
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, Bourbon, is in charge of local arrangements.
Charlotte E. Warner
WARSAW — Charlotte E. Warner, 86, of Warsaw, died Friday, Feb. 8, 2008 at 10: 23 a.m. at
Mason Health Care Center, Warsaw
Survivors include her husband Glenn B. Warner of Warsaw; four daughters: Karen Smith of
Warsaw; Marsha Holland of New Palestine; Leah Johnson of Argos; and Denice Albertson of
Warsaw; one son: Jan Burns Warner of North Manchester; 11 grandchildren 13 great-grandchildren.
Friends may visit with the family Monday, Feb.11, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Earl-Grossman
Funeral Home, 208 N. Michigan St., Argos.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, at the funeral home with Evelyn Taylor Haney
officiating.
Burial will be at Burr Oak cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Plymouth Office,
10872 Queen Rd. Plymouth, IN 46563. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
