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Betty V. Wright, 76
The mother of Mrs. Joy (Debra) Penrod of Keystone, Betty V. Wright, 76, of Hartford City died at 1:50 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1 at her home.
Born March 4, 1927 to Frank and Edith Janes Spain, she attended Vera Illinois High School and married
Clarence James Harvey Wright on Feb. 24, 1948 in Vandalia, Ill. She worked at Corning Glass in Bluffton, Sinclair Glass in Hartford City, and Pits Lounge in Portland for 13 years. She also lived in Pennville and Portland before moving to Hartford City, where she was a former member of the Amvets, Moose, Eagles and American Legion.
In addition to Mrs. Penrod, she is survived by three other daughters, Neva Elam of Mulberry Grove, Ill., Oleva Wright of Chicago, and Pamela Sue Welch of Hartford City; a son, Ronald Spain of Vernon, Texas; a brother, Raleigh Spain of Vandalia, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, James Wright; and a brother, Leonard Spain.
Services will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Glancy Funeral Homes, Walker Chapel in Montpelier, with calling at the funeral home today from 2 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Twin Hill cemetery in Pennville.
Preferred memorials to the Family Hospice of Northeast Ind. in Berne.
(Notice dated August 4, 2003)
Norman D. Van Meter, 68
The father of Barb Cullar of Uniondale, Norman Dean Van Meter, 68 of Lima, Oh. died at 11:19 p.m. Saturday at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima.
Born January 24, 1935 in Allen Co., Oh. to McKinley L. and Ruth M. Winegardner Van Meter, he married
Rowena J. Sneary on Oct. 29, 1955. She survives.
He retired from Marathon Electric in 1998.
In addition to his daughter in Uniondale, he is survived by two other daughters, Teresa Ewing and Connie Wheeler, both of Harrod, Oh.; eight grandchilden and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Dale.
Services will begin at 10 a.m. (Ohio time) on Tuesday at Lewis Chapel, Chiles & Sons - Laman Funeral Home in Lima. Burial will be in Salem Westminister cemetery. Calling will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family.
(Notice dated August 4, 2003)
Richard E. Strain, 80
A native of Bluffton, Richard Eugene Strain, 80, died Sunday at 1 p.m. at Timbercrest Healthcare Center in North Manchester.
Born May 12, 1923 in Bluffton to Joseph and Christine Leimgruber Strain, he married
Marjorie Ilo Gay in Camp Swift, Texas in 1943; she died in 1978. He married
Dorothy Deckena on Feb. 14, 1985; she died in 1991.
He worked at Ace Hardware, North Manchester since 1948 and owned the store from 1979-1997. He was a World War II US Army veteran.
He is survived by a son, Dennis Strain of Warsaw; two daughters, Penny Fierstos of No. Manchester and Prudence Strain-Gamso of Columbus; a stepson, Rick Deckena of So. Whitley; three stepdaughters, Amy Lybarger of No. Manchester, Vera Crockett of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Carol Holliday of Bippus; a sister, Theresa Croy of Fort Wayne; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by a brother..
Services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Roberts Catholic Church in No.Manchester. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Grandstaff-Hentgen, Bender Chapel in No. Manchester. Preferred memorials to the American Lung Assoc.
(Notice dated August 4, 2003)
Bernard B. Hickert, 77
The father of Dianne Witwer of Bluffton, Bernard B. Hickert, 77, of Wichita, Kan. died suddenly Friday, Aug. 1 at his home.
Born Aug. 16, 1925, one of 11 children of John W. and Mary L. Fink Hickert, he was married
to Beatrice Schandler on Oct. 23, 1948. She survives. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Military Academy in Hays, Kan., he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and returned to be a life-long farmer and stockman in the Lenora, Kan. area. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Almelo.
In addition to his wife and his daughter in Bluffton, he is survived by six other daughters, four sons, four brothers, five sisters, and 22 grandchildren.
A memorial service is being held this evening at the St. Joseph Parish Center in New Almelo, with a Mass of Resurrection scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. There will also be graveside military rites with burial in St.Joseph cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Parks Funeral Home in Oberlin, Kan. Preferred memorials to Benedictine College, Atchison, Kan.
(Notice dated August 5, 2003)
John L. Stech, 52
Retired longtime Markle Town Marshal and police officer for the town for 20 years, John L. Stech, 52, of Markle, died at 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at his home.
In addition to his long police service and years of loyal assistance to and association with Wells County, Huntington County and state police in many episodes including major investigations prior to his police retirement in February of this year, he also served for several years with the Markle Volunteer Fire Department.
Born July 7, 1951, in Huntington County, he was a son of Kenneth H. and Deloris C. Hart Stech. He was a 1969 graduate of Huntington North High School.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1975 with much of his service time in Panama.
Mr. Stech attended the Indiana Academy of Law Enforcement.
He was a member of the Markle Church of Christ and was a volunteer for the annual Vacation Bible School program.
Surviving are two sons, Eric Stech of Strawberry, Arkansas, and Jonathon Stech of Markle; one daughter, Victoria Stech of Markle; one brother, David Stech of Wakarusa, and a significant other, Aline Shriner of Markle. He was preceded in death by the parents, his step-mother, Ruth A. Stech, and two infant sisters.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Myers Funeral Home, Markle Chapel. Services will be at the Markle Church of Christ at 10:30 a.m. Friday with Gerald Moreland officiating. There will be a one-hour visitation at the church prior to the service. Burial will be in the Lancaster cemetery in Huntington County.
Preferred memorials to The Trust Fund for the Children of John Stech in care of MarkleBank, or to the Markle Church of Christ.
(Notice dated Oct. 1, 2003)
Ruth R. Sellers, 81
A school teacher for more than 43 years, Miss Ruth Rosella Sellers, 81, died at 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003 at Meadowvale Health & Rehab Center. Death was from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. She had been in ill health the past 21ˇ2 years.
Miss Sellers retired in 1986 after 43 years of teaching in Wells County to a total of 1, 185 students. She began teaching at the elementary level in 1943 at the Rockcreek School and spent 13 years there before becoming a first grade teacher in the Bluffton-Harrison school system in 1957.
Miss Sellers graduated from Petroleum High School in 1940 as class valedictorian and earned her bachelor of science degree in elementary education in 1943 at Manchester College. She received her master’s degree in 1965 at Ball State University. She was listed in the 1970 edition of “Outstanding Educators of America.”
Born near Poneto on May 18, 1922 to Emory Bing and Nora L. Doyle Sellers, she is survived by two sisters, M. Margaret Sellers and Dorotha D. Sellers, both of Poneto. She was preceded in death by a brother, Leroy Thomas Sellers.
Miss Sellers was a member of the Baptist Church of Poneto. She was a past president of the Psi Iota XI Sorority, a member of Business and Professional Women’s Club, Wells Community Hospital Auxiliary, and the Retired Teachers and Indiana State Teachers Retirement Organization. She is a past officer of Alpha Phi chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for Key Women Teachers, as well as a charter member and officer of the local International Reading Association Chapter.
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Van Buren cemetery with Rev. Roy Nevil and Cliff Rush presiding. There will be no calling hours.Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Preferred memorials are to Parkinson’s Disease Research or the Wells County Foundation Scholarship Fund.
(Notice dated Oct. 1, 2003)
Charles T. ‘Pete’ Butler, 81
Father of Mrs. John (Belva J.) Patterson of Ossian, Charles T. “Pete” Butler, 81, of Fort Wayne, died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, at Heritage Park Nursing Home in Fort Wayne.
He was a retired electronic technician after 36 years with Magnavox.
Mr. Butler was born Aug. 25, 1922, in Kentucky to Roy and Lena Austin Butler. His marriage was on July 14, 1957, in Fort Wayne to Peggy Winkle, who survives.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II.
Surviving, in addition to his wife and the Ossian daughter, are one brother, James Butler of Apple Creek, Ohio; one sister, Dorsie Smith of Morgan Town, Ky.; two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
There will be no calling and no services. Burial will be in Oak Lawn cemetery at Ossian. Arrangements by Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Homes, Ossian.
(Notice dated Oct. 1, 2003)
Roger D. Mertz, Sr., 69 — Rites Pending
A former Bluffton resident, Roger D. Mertz Sr., 69, of Sutherlin, Oreg., died at 9:45 p.m. PST Monday, Sept. 29 at Rose Haven Nursing Center in Roseburg, Oreg. Rites are pending at Goodwin Memorial Chapel in Bluffton.
(Notice dated Oct. 1, 2003)
George Jonathan Edwards, 80
Father of George M. Edwards of Ossian, George Jonathan Edwards, 80, of Fort Wayne, died Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, at his Fort Wayne home.
A native of Fort Wayne, born Feb. 14, 1923, he was retired since 1985 from Zollner Corp. after 32 years with the company, and he was a World War II Army veteran.
Surviving, in addition to the Ossian son, are the wife, Charlotte A. Edwards; another son, Steven M. Edwards of Fort Wayne; four daughters, Mrs. Albert (Nancy) Deininger of Garrett, and Mrs. Jerry (Sharon) Smith), Mrs. Gene (Denise) Keller and Amy Edwards, all three of Fort Wayne; one brother, Carl Edwards of Fort Wayne; 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. A sister, Lucille Keller, is deceased.
Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home in Fort Wayne, where services will be at 1 p.m. Friday. A military graveside service will be conducted by American Legion Post 241 at Highland Park cemetery. Preferred memorials to Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice and Cancer Services of Allen County.
(Notice dated Oct. 1, 2003)
Ada Marea Miller, 94
Services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Goodwin Memorial Chapel for Ada Marea Miller, 94, formerly of Bluffton, who died at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003, at Martin Memorial Hospital, Stuart, Fla.
Born Feb. 19, 1909 to Albert and Ethel Hauk Steiner in Wells County, she was married
to Robert F. Gelow Sr., who preceded her in death. She married
Clarence Miller in Bluffton Sept. 11, 1954. He also preceded her in death Aug. 30, 1990.
A graduate of Bluffton High School she retired after 20 years with Franklin Electric and was a member of the First Church of Christ. She was a resident of Stuart, Fla. for the past 13 years.
She is survived by one son, Robert F. Gelow Jr., who has residences at Pine Hill, N.J. and Jensen Beach, Fla.; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
One son, Kenneth Gelow, preceded her in death.
Calling at the funeral home will be two hours prior to services Tuesday, from 9-11 a.m. Rev. Neil Wilson will officiate the services and burial will be in Six Mile cemetery.
(Notice dated Sept. 25, 2003)
Ronald W. Jones, 45
Ronald W. Jones, 45, of Elwood, died at 5:18 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 as a result of an automobile accident. He was the nephew of Mrs. and Mrs. Robert (Babette) Myers of Keystone.
He was born in Grant County to William and Joan Boswell Jones; they survive. He is also survived by three children and two sisters. He was preceded in death by a brother.
Services were held Wednesday at the Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Home in Gas City. Memorials may be made to the Jones Children Education Fund.
(Notice dated Sept. 25, 2003)
Florence B. Harris, 87
Florence B. Harris, 87, Bluffton, died at 3:10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003 at Bluffton Regional Medical Center.
She was born Oct. 8, 1915 to Charles and Constance Thompson Harris in Griggs County, N.D. A member of the First Church of Christ in Bluffton, she worked as a housekeeper and cleaned the Thoma Furniture Store and Funeral Home for many years. She was a 1936 graduate of Bluffton High School. She had been a resident of Meadowvale Health and Rehabilitation since 1971.
She is survived by two brothers, Clyde Harris and William “Bill” Harris, both of Bluffton; an uncle, James O. Harris, of Bluffton; and 14 nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Claude Harris.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Sprinkle officiating. Burial will be in Elm Grove cemetery.
Calling hours are from 2 to 8 p.m. today and one hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the First Church of Christ.
(Notice dated Sept. 26, 2003)
Harriett J. Kendall, 79
Harriett J. Kendall, 79, of Liberty Center, died at 11:33 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Born in Bluffton on March 25, 1924 to William G. and Carrie M. Sturgis Robbins, she married
George Nevin Kendall on March 19, 1955 in Angola; he survives. She was a 1942 graduate of Bluffton High School and was a homemaker.
Other survivors include two sons, David W. Kendall of Liberty Center and Steven K. Kendall of Orlando, Fla.; a daughter, Mrs. Michael (Jodi Ann) Pinkerton of Bluffton; a step-daughter. Mrs. David (Lissa) Kitchen of Marshfield, Mass.; a sister, Margaret Lusk of Angola; one grandchild; three step-grandchildren; and three step-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, William Robbins.
Visitation will be held today from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Goodwin Memorial Chapel in Bluffton. Services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Daniel Sommer officiating. Burial in Mossburg cemetery in Liberty Center. Preferred memorials to the Wells County chapter of the American Cancer Society.
(Notice dated Sept. 29, 2003)
