Archive - Jul 2012 - Obituary
July 30th
Janice “Mama” Sue Holmes, 71, of Churubusco, died on Sunday, July 29, 2012.
An Elkhart native, she had lived in Churubusco since 1984.
Along with her husband she co-owned and operated Papa’s Place Restaurant in Churubusco for more than 20 years, retiring in 2004. She was a member of Churubusco United Methodist Church.
Surviving relatives include her husband Timothy A. Holmes; sons Anthony (Sarah) Truax of Kendallville, Christopher (Tammy) Holmes of Elkhart, Todd (Jen) Holmes and Timmy (Tera) Holmes, both of Churubusco; 19 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Helen L. Crowell, 92, of Columbia City, died at 2:10 a.m. Sunday, July 29, 2012, at The Oaks Living Center where she had been a resident since October 2011.
She was born Feb. 14, 1920, in Huntington, a daughter of Ora and Alice B. (Neal) Ward. Her formative years were spent in Huntington where she graduated from high school.
On Oct. 22, 1948, she was united in marriage to Walter D. “Bud” Crowell. They made their home in Huntington until their retirement in 1984, when they moved to Webster Lake. Mr. Crowell died Dec. 8, 1987. In 1990, Helen moved to Columbia City.
Marjorie Leedy Magner, 85, of Columbia City, died at 12:13 a.m. Sunday, July 29, 2012, at her home.
Born on Nov. 28, 1926, in Columbia City, she was the daughter of John Franklin and Blanche Hermena (Hunnicutt) Julian.
She was born and raised in Whitley County before moving to Ohio for a few years as a young girl. She attended Etna Troy Township grade school and graduated from Larwill High School with the class of 1944.
Her first marriage was to Ira Allen Leedy and her second marriage was to Albert E. Magner.
Abigail Marie Little, 4 year old princess of Anthony Charles and Ashley Marie (Green) Little, died Friday afternoon, July 27, 2012, as a result of injuries sustained in a multi-vehicle accident at Kroemer Rd. and U.S. 30, Fort Wayne.
“Our Little Sunshine” was born July 28, 2007, in Fort Wayne.
Mona M. Case, 78, died at 1:25 p.m. Saturday, July 28, 2012, at her home. She had been in failing health for the past two years.
She was born May 24, 1934, in Ithaca, N.Y., a daughter of the late Lawrence S. and Kathleen (Molowa) Powers.
Her formative years were spent in Cortland and Ithaca where she graduated High School. She went on to Cornell University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Government.
Following her graduation, she took a job with the Immigration Service in New York, N.Y. Returning to Ithaca, she became a middle school teacher.
Jack H. Kessie, 88, of Columbia City, died at 1:20 a.m. Saturday, July 28, 2012, at Parkview Whitley Hospital where he was admitted on Tuesday, July 24.
He was born Dec. 17, 1923, in Whitley County, a son of William H. and Wilda Mae (Grable) Kessie. A lifelong resident of Whitley County, he completed his education at Columbia City High School.
On June 23, 1946, he was united in marriage to Beulah Mae Holycross. Mrs. Kessie died Aug. 27, 2008.
A truck driver, he retired from STAFCO in March 1993, with 39 years of service.
July 28th
Michael Walter Smith, 66, died on July 23, 2012, at home. He was born in Van Wert, Ohio, later moving to Columbia City. He served two years in U.S. Army.
He worked for Indiana Michigan Power as a draftsman for over 30 years. Later he worked for the City of Columbia City until his retirement.
Surviving relatives include his wife of 44 years, Wanda Smith of Columbia City; two children, Kurt Smith of Fort Wayne and Kami (Nicholas) Hamilton of Fort Wayne; one sister, Connie (Richard) Steinbacher of Fort Wayne and three grandchildren, Jaylen, Andrew and Brooklin.
July 27th
Annette Fabray Yoh-Farris, 44, of Cromwell, died Wednesday, July 25, 2012. Born March 20, 1968, she was the daughter of Harold B. and Jilda Mae (Searfoss) Yoh.
Survivors include her husband, Elden Farris; four children; father, Harold B. (Daphne) Yoh; mother, Jilda Yoh ; and one brother.
Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, Columbia City. Memorial gifts may be given to the Yoh-Farris Family in care of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com.
Donald Lowell Smith, 65, of Columbia City, diedat 10:16 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.
Born Dec. 26, 1946, in Huntington, he was the son of Albert L. and Lois (Walker) Smith.
A lifetime Whitley County resident, he graduated with the class of 1965 from Columbia City High School.
He was honorably discharged from the U. S. Coast Guard where he served from 1966 to 1970.
On July 1, 1967, he married Susan E. Dautz in Columbia City. From 1965-1997, he worked at General Electric, Fort Wayne.
Betty M. Ballard, 86, of Columbia City, died at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 2012, at Renaissance Village where she had been a resident since June.
She was born Sept. 4, 1925, in Columbia City, a daughter of Guy and Mabel (Graves) Putman.
She graduated from Columbia City High School in 1943.
On May 28, 1943, she was united in marriage to Delbert Ballard.
They made their home west of Columbia City. Mr. Ballard died in 1975.
She was a sales representative for Avon from 1953 until 1968, and a custodian at Columbia City High School from 1975 until 1990.
