Archive - Obituary
February 11th, 2013
June L. Scofield, 100, formerly of Columbia City, passed away at 3:19 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, in Dunlap, Tenn.
Born June 15, 1912, in Rosemont, Neb., she was the daughter of Claus and Gertrude Estella (McWilliams) Rose, Jr.
June grew up in Stratton, Colo. graduating with the Class of 1929 at the age of 17. In September 1929, she enrolled at the University of Colorado, in Boulder, until January 1931, at which time she returned to Stratton to teach in a one-room, eight-grade country school north of Stratton.
Viola G. Baker, 68, of Columbia City, died at 1:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, at Parkview Oaks.
She was born Oct. 13, 1944, in Livingston County, Mich. to Clyde and Mary (Robinson) Beauchamp. As a teenager, she moved to Jackson, Mich. She graduated from Jackson High School.
Her last employment was with Marlin Manor.
Surviving relatives include three children, Richard (Tina) Baker Jr. of Columbia City, Michael (Vicki) Baker of Jackson and Karen Baker of Jackson; 13 grandchildren; a brother, William Beauchamp of Michigan and a sister, Connie Beauchamp of Michigan.
February 8th
Lt. Col. James (Jim) Obermiller passed away Jan. 30, 2013, in San Antonio, TX. He was born June 30, 1921, in Ft. Wayne.
After high school, he was selected to attend the Army Air Corps Pilot Training program. He became one of the first class of enlisted pilots, followed by his commission as an officer and assignment to the 339th Fighter Squadron, flying P-38s in the South Pacific.
Mildred L. Sweeden, 82, of South Whitley, died at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, at her home of natural causes.
She was born Aug. 27, 1930, in White Pine, Tenn., a daughter of Arthur C. and Flora J. (Mattox) Coleman. Her formative years were spent in Tennessee.
On Oct. 3, 1949, she married J.T. Sweeden. They made their home in Windfall before moving to Summitville. Mr. Sweeden died May 14, 1978.
She was employed at Kraft Foods in Summitville, Chamberlin Products in South Whitley and retired from Seamco in South Whitley with more than 10 years of service.
Leona M. Uptgraft, 83, a resident of Merriam and widow of William A. Uptgraft, passed away at 8:20 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013.
Mrs. Uptgraft was born April 20, 1929, in Allen County, a daughter of Earl and Mary (Harter) Geiger.
Surviving relatives include her six children; two daughters-in-law; three brothers; three sisters; 24 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Churubusco with Father Danney Pinto, the celebrant.
February 6th
Frances Maxine Overholser, 83, of Columbia City, passed away at 1:20 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.
Born Sept. 13, 1929, in Churubusco, she was the daughter of John Franklin and Zula (Hawk) Davis.
Her early years were spent in Churubusco where she graduated from Churubusco High School with the Class of 1947.
Following her marriage to Kenneth Clark in 1950, she resided in Thorncreek Township Whitley County for 24 years. Sadly, their 19 year marriage ended in 1969 with Kenneth’s passing.
February 4th
Stephen A. Garard, 61, of Big Lake, Columbia City, passed away at 12:30 a.m., Jan. 31, 2013, at his residence.
Born on Sept. 20, 1951, in Wabash County, he was the son of Frank and Madelyn (Barnett) Garard.
Stephen was a 1970 graduate of Snider High School in Fort Wayne. He was employed as an oil field land surveyor and in recent years was self employed as a construction contractor. On Aug. 3, 1997, in Fort Wayne, Stephen married Denise Dickmeyer.
Catherine M. (Strack) Nagy, 84, of Fort Wayne passed away Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013.
Mrs. Nagy was born in Fort Wayne on Oct. 9, 1928, to the late Charles L. Strack and Priscilla (Freiburger) Strack.
Surviving relatives include her husband, two sons, four daughters, 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, one brother and two sisters.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church hall, 12305 Arcola Rd., Fort Wayne, and one hour prior to the funeral mass on Thursday. A rosary will be held Wednesday at 4 p.m.
February 1st
Talbert Wilmont Pittenger, 94, of rural Columbia City, died at 3:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, at Parkview Oaks where he had been a resident for the past two weeks.
He was born July 18, 1918, in Union Township, a son of Wayne G. and Mary R. (Worden) Pittenger. A lifelong Whitley County resident, he graduated from Coesse High School in 1936.
On Aug. 17, 1940, he was united in marriage to Georgianna Miller. They made their home on Shriner Lake. Mrs. Pittenger died Jan. 9, 1950.
Shelly L. Bills, 52 of Columbia City, died at 6:10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, at Covington Manor Nursing Home, Fort Wayne. She was on born Nov. 5, 1960, in Columbia City to Larry Robert and Carolyn Alice (Miller) Bills.
She spent her lifetime in the Whitley County area graduating from the Columbia City High School. She was formerly employed at Goss Grocery Store and Hilltop Tavern, Big Lake.
