Archive - Obituary
December 30th
Fay E. Brown, aka George Duncan, 77, of Big Lake in rural Noble County, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital in Columbia City following a brief illness.
Born April 16, 1933 in Whitley County, he was a son of Donald E. and Lavonne (Conrad) Brown. He married Marcella Hunt Oct. 1, 1960 and together they recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. He lived in the area his whole life.
Earl A. “Andy” Crider, 63, of Kimmell passed away Monday evening, Dec. 27, 2010 at his home. He was born Aug. 28, 1947 in Auburn to O.N. “Bud” and Patricia R. (Edwards) Crider.
He retired from the United States Air Force after serving 20+ years of service.
Survivors include his wife, Judy Crider; daughter, Tamara Walters; two sons, Jon Crider and Jeff Crider; a sister, Debbie Sabino; and a brother, Michael Crider.
Charles I. Bender, 83 a resident of Columbia City, died at noon Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 in Parkview Whitley Hospital.
He was born June 28, 1927 in Blue Island, Illinois, a son of Lewis Henry and Edna Bell Hayes Bender. His formative years were spent in Blue Island and after completing his education in the local high school, he enlisted in 1945 in the U.S. Merchant Marines, serving during World War II.
Dr. Donald E. Welsh, 81, a prominent Churubusco veterinarian and community leader, passed away Dec. 28, 2010 at his residence with his family by his side. He had been diagnosed with cancer Sept. 2, 2010.
Dr. Welsh was born in Zanesville, Ohio Aug. 7, 1929, a son of Stanley and Doris (Vandenbark) Welsh and graduated from high school there. He had earned an associates degree from Michigan State University, and was engaged in farming until he entered Ohio State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a doctorate in veterinary medicine.
December 27th
Denise M. Craig, 53, a resident of rural Churubusco and wife of Gary E. Craig, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home in Fort Wayne where she had been a patient for the past three months. She had been in declining health since March.
Christeen Seigel, 82, passed away Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010 at her Fort Wayne residence. She was born Sept. 23, 1928 in Toledo, Ohio.
Mrs. Seigel worked as a cashier for Meijer and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary 241.
Surviving are her sons, Tom Seigel of Wolcottville, Mike (Laraina) Seigel of Columbia City and Larry Seigel of Ridgeland, S.C.; grandchildren, Jeff (Jessica) Seigel, Scott (Loretta) Seigel and Sandie Sisco; great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, Abigail, Samantha and Tessa Seigel and Michelle, Nicolas and Tyler Sisco; and great-great-grandchild, Alexis Lock.
Lois Jeanette Johnson, 84, of Fort Wayne and formerly of Columbia City passed away at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at Canterbury Health and Rehabilitation Center, Fort Wayne. Born Oct. 21, 1926 in Columbia City, she was a daughter of Robert Franklin and Tacy Berniece (Hill) Baker.
She graduated from Wolf Lake High School with the Class of 1945 living in Ormas and Columbia City areas, moving to Fort Wayne in 1976. She was a homemaker and a clerk for Hooks Drug Stores in Columbia City and Fort Wayne for many years.
December 23rd
Erma I. Albert, 90, passed away at 9:05 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 in The Oaks, Columbia City.
Born Jan. 20, 1920 in Whitley County, she was a daughter of Charles M. and Pansy M. (Black) Trump.
In Columbia City, May 15, 1937, she married Ernest C. Albert. He survives.
She spent most of her life in the Pierceton area and was a housekeeper for Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw for 10 years. She was also a housekeeper at Grace Village in Winona Lake for 10 years.
She was a member of the Pierceton United Methodist Church in Pierceton.
Frank C. Mercer, 86, of Columbia City, died at 10:44 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at his home.
He was born Nov. 28, 1924 in Portsmouth, Ohio a son of Howard R. and Eunice (Hiller) Mercer. He was educated in Portsmouth and completed his education in criminology in New London, Ohio.
On April 5, 1943 he was inducted in the United States Army, serving during World War II. He was honorably discharged Nov. 10, 1945.
Charles D. “Dave” Kilgore, 63, of rural Columbia City, died at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne where he was transported earlier in the evening after becoming suddenly ill.
He was born Feb. 9, 1947 in Wolf Lake, a son of Charles K. and Lula (Baker) Kilgore. As a young boy his family moved to Detroit and later moved to Columbia City. He attended Columbia City High School and continued his education at Tri State University in Angola.
