Archive - Obituary
December 21st
Lavida P. Kethcart, 94 of Huntington passed away at 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010 at Norwood’s Health and Rehabilitation Center. She had worked at Square D Corporation as a coil winder. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother; she was a very caring and giving person.
She was born June 12, 1916 in Whitley County, a daughter of Herbert and Mary (Stallsmith) Clapp.
She was united in marriage to Laurence A. Kethcart June 7, 1936 in Indianapolis. He preceded her in death March 1, 2000.
Helen Lois Johnson, 81, of Columbia City, passed away at 11:58 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. Born July 6, 1929 in Toledo, Ohio, she was a daughter of Albert and Evelyn (Bushrey) Bourdeau.
She was raised in Toledo, Ohio but lived the majority of her life in Temperance, Mich. before moving to Columbia City in 2001. She attended the Toledo, Ohio school system. A mother and homemaker, she worked for several years as a bus aide for the handicapped in the Bedford School System.
Dorothy M. Murphy, 81, of Columbia City, passed away at 6:16 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City. Born Nov. 5, 1929 in Kokomo, she was a daughter of Carl and Pearl (Hyndman) Boyer. She was the widow of Garner E. Murphy.
At Mrs. Murphy’s request there will be no visitation or services. Burial will be private.
Memorials may be given in memory of Mrs. Murphy to Angelfood, c/o Eagle Quest Church, 1120 N. SR 109, Columbia City, IN 46725.
Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.
Robert James Adams, 58 of Churubusco died at 11:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010 at Parkview Main Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Born in California, he was a son of John and Connie Adams.
Survivors include his wife, Carol (Sharp) Adams; a son, Jarrod Adams; a daughter, Aryan Young and a brother, Richard Adams.
A memorial service will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 26 at 113 W. North Park Drive in Columbia City.
Dr. William Leroy Walker, 78, of Winona Lake, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010 at 10:17 p.m. at his residence in Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake.
He was born Jan. 4, 1932 in Flagler, Colo. to Roy Fred Walker and Jeanette (Teter) Walker. On June 27, 1954 he was married to Donna Jean Troyer, who survives.
December 20th
Alma A. Snyder, 95, of Winona Lake, died at 1:18 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, 2010 at Kosciusko Community Hos-pital in Warsaw.
She was born Aug. 7, 1915 in Ash Hill, Mo. a daughter of James M. and Manda B. (Wells) Simpson. She completed her education in Fisk, Mo.
On Aug. 1, 1936 she was united in marriage to George W. Snyder. They made their home in Pontiac, Mich. before moving to Columbia City in 1945. In 1981 they returned to Missouri. Mr. Snyder died Aug. 5, 1984. In 1987 Alma moved to Warsaw.
Ralph E. Ervin, 61, of rural Columbia City, died at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010 at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.
He was born March 23, 1949 in Huntington, a son of Thomas W. and Barbara Rosetta (Garrison) Ervin. He was married to Joann Cavicchioni who preceded him in death.
He is survived by a son, James Ervin; a sister, Linda Webber and a brother William Ervin.
The funeral service will be held 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, with visitation from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery.
Josephine C. Ostermeyer, 94, formerly of Loon Lake, died at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, 2010 at Miller’s Merry Manor where she was admitted Nov. 26.
She was born June 4, 1916 in Fort Wayne, a daughter of Joseph and Carrie (Harmon) Laisure. Her formative years were spent in Fort Wayne. She graduated from South Side High School.
On Sept. 25, 1938 she was united in marriage to Frederick H. Ostermeyer. They made their home in Fort Wayne until 1950 when they moved to Loon Lake. Mr. Ostermeyer died Oct. 24, 2003.
She worked at Columbia City Utilities for numerous years.
Anna Margaret Swihart, 94, of Columbia City, passed away at 7:50 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2010, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Columbia City.
Born on April 15, 1916 in Elgin, Ill. she was a daughter of Peter H. and Phoebe Helen (Farney) Bahr. She married Ralph Jacob Swihart.
Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Davis and Eleanore Bodenhamer; a son, Leroy Swihart; and brother, Dr. Robert Bahr.
Bernice L. Sheets, 84, of Columbia City, died at 9:24 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital where she was admitted Dec. 11.
She was born Jan. 1, 1926 in Seymour, a daughter of Louis William Henry and Martha Lisetta Elisa (Petering) Terkhorn. She graduated from Seymour High School and received her degree in nursing from Lutheran School of Nursing in 1947.
On Sept. 27, 1947 she was united in marriage to Harold E. “Gene” Sheets. They made their home in Columbia City. Mr. Sheets died Nov. 29, 2006.
