Jan. 29, 2004

Ruthella Creek, 88
A resident of Christian Care Retirement Community for the past seven years, Ruthella Creek, 88, died at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at her residence. Born in Wells County Nov. 23, 1917 to Hirum and Bessie Burgess Lockwood, her marriage to Richard W. McGee occurred Nov. 27, 1952 in Allen County. He is the only survivor. She was manager of the Howser Trailer Park in Fort Wayne for 20 years and also worked at Bowmar Instruments in Waynedale. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Wayne. Services at 10:30 a.m. Saturday will be held at Goodwin Memorial Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Betty Frolick and burial will be in the Stahl Cemetery. Calling hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the church.

Betty J. Gray, 85
Betty J. Gray, 85, of Huntington, died at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the home. Born Nov. 19, 1913 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Edgar and Emma Arnold Irwin, his marriage Nov. 18, 1939 to the former Jane Harnish took place in Lincolnville, Ind. She survives. He was a switchman for 25 years with the Chicago Transit Authority. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Charles (Kathaleen Rae) Pepper of Hoffman Estates, Ill., and Mrs. Charlie (Sandra) Bauer of Barrington, Ill.; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A daughter, Karen Rose Villwock, and three sisters, Betty Aquino Schwartz, Annabelle Irwin, and Margaret Harrod, preceded him in death. Services at 2 p.m. Saturday will be held at the Warren United Methodist Memorial Home under the direction of Pastor Herbert Edwards. Burial will be in the Gardens of Memory, Marion. Calling will begin one hour prior to the start of services. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Memorial Home.

Jan. 30, 2004

Todd A. Bowers, 37
Services for Todd Allen Bowers, 37, of Warren, will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at the Glancy Funeral Home, H. Brown & Son Chapel in Warren. Mr. Bowers Cemetery in Huntington. Preferred memorials to the Bowers Children’s Trust in care of Markle Bank.

Jan. 24, 2004

George W. Rittenhouse, 91
Father of George Rittenhouse of Bluffton, George W. Rittenhouse, 91, Winchester, born July 28, 1912 in Randolph County to Linas and Sidney Merritt Rittenhouse. His first wife was Olive Rittenhouse and his second wife was Virginia Mullen Rittenhouse. Both preceded him in death. He was self-employed as a stone mason. In addition to the son in Bluffton, he is survived by another son, Delbert Rittenhouse of Winchester; four daughters, Jennalee Thurston, Tuscon Ariz., Mrs. Byron (Mary Louise) Smithson of Ridgeville, Mrs. Raymond (Joann) Howell, Farmland, and Diana Sayers, Ocala, Fla.; 20 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by several brothers and sisters. Funeral services Monday at 1 p.m. will be held at Thornburgh/Lightner Funeral Home on Ind. 32 between Farmland and Parker City. Pastor Greg Rittenhouse will officiate and burial will be in the Lawndale Cemetery in Ridgeville. Calling will be held 4-7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Bobby Pinkerton, 42
Bobby Pinkerton, 42, of Glenwood, Ark., born in Fort Wayne on April 14, 1961 and is survived by three sons and a daughter. Services were held today in Glenwood. Arrangements were handled by the Davis-Smith Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Jan. 26, 2004

Dean Haggard, 76
Dean Haggard, 76, Ossian, Cemetery in Ossian. Preferred memorials to Homewood Healthcare Activities Department.

Helen Heffelfinger, 85
Helen Irene Heffelfinger, 85, of Huntington, died in 1942. Her second marriage was to Charley Heffelfinger in 1947 in Wabash County; he Interment will be in Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery, Huntington. Preferred memorials to Parkview Huntington Home Health Care and Hospice.

Jan. 27, 2004

Richard E. Walters, 79
A resident of Albion, Richard E. Walters, 79, died at 1:05 p.m. Thursday, March 25 at Chalet Village in Berne. A native of Wells County, she was died in January, 1977. A 1935 graduate of Lancaster Central High School, she was a homemaker and also worked at Swiss Village in Berne for several years. She was a member of Eastern Star Bluffton Chapter 48 and attended Living Waters United Methodist Church. She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Donald (Carol) Engle of Bluffton, Mrs. Donald (Nancy) Schooley of Plainfield, and Kay Wheeler of Indianapolis; a son, Kelly Wheeler of Berne; ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, William Wasson and John Wasson. Calling hours are Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m. at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt &Chaney Funeral Home in Bluffton and for one our prior to the service on Sunday at the funeral home, which will begin at 2 p.m. with Rev. Ralph Klinker officiating. Burial in Six Mile Cemetery. Preferred memorials to the Gideons or Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana.

Roberta Reinhard, 87
Services for Roberta L. Reinhard, 87, of Berne, will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. at Cross United Church of Christ in Berne. She died Wednesday, March 24 after a long battle with lung cancer. She was a homemaker and bookkeeper at Cress Market and the bookkeeper and assistant to the manager at Mizpah Shrine Temple. She is survived by two sons, Robert G. Cress of Bluffton and Rev. Dr. C. James Cress of Fort Wayne; a sister, Mrs. Robert (Irma Lee) Hogan of Checotah, Okla., and four granddaughters. The Service for the Celebration of Eternal Life will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Klaehn, Fahl, Melton Funeral Home, 405 West Wayne St., in Fort Wayne, with visitatin at the funeral home Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour before the service. Preferred memorials are to Grace Lutheran Church of Columbia City.

Esther Rekeweg, 82
Esther B. Rekeweg, 82, a Bluffton native and former Decatur resident, died June 23, 1991. She was a homemaker and a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Decatur. She is survived by a son, Glen Rekeweg of Kingwood, Texas; two sisters, Frances Glass of Fort Wayne and Marie Blow of Newton, Kan.; three grandchildren and one great grandchild. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, with Pastor John Fuchs officiating. Calling will be Monday from 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Concordia Gardens in Fort Wayne.

March 29, 2004

J. Edward Roush, 83
Former U.S. Congressman J. Edward Roush, 83, Huntington, Cemetery in Huntington. Preferred memorials to J. Edward and Polly Roush Scholarship Fund at Huntington College.

March 30, 2004

Betty L. Edington, 82
A native of Bluffton, Betty L. Edington, 82, died at 6:35 p.m. Friday, March 26 at Americare Nursing Center in Hartford City following an extended illness. Born Aug. 9, 1935 to Lloyd and Nellie Irene Fetty Crain, her marriage on July 25, 1955 in Hartford City was to James A. Norton, who preceded her in death. She was a 1953 graduate of Hartford City High School and attended the Calvary Pentecostal Church as a child. She had been blind since 1974. Surviving are two sons, Tom Norton of Alexandria, Va., and Mike Norton of Muncie and six grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Waters Funeral Home, 501 West Washington St., in Hartford City, with Pastor Tom Parsons officiating and burial in the Gardens of Memory in Muncie. Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Clifford S. Franklin, 97
A native of Leicestshire, England, Clifford S. Franklin, 97, died at 4:25 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2004, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. She was a homemaker and formerly worked at the Geneva Public Library and at Nu Door in Geneva. Born July 11, 1923, she was the daughter of Joseph and Lucretia Maggetti Bonando. Her marriage was on July 6, 1947, at Syracuse, Ind., to Alfred Cott, who survives. She and her husband had wintered in St. Petersburg for the past few years. She was a member of the High Street United Methodist Church in Geneva. Also surviving are two daughters, Faye Cott and Mrs. Allen (Elaine) Goebbert, both of Huntington; one son, George Cott, of Lithia, Florida; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Calling will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Downing & Glancy Funeral Home, Geneva, where services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday with Pastor Allen Goebbert officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Geneva.

Harold R. Kreischer, 74
Retired from RCA at Marion after working 371Ž2 years in the maintenance department, Harold R. Kreischer, 74, of rural Hartford City, died Wednesday, June 2, in Bellview, Ky. Born Nov. 24, 1914 in Eggleston, Va., to James C. and Lena T. Cumbie Ratcliffe, his marriage to the former Doris M. Skinnel took place Feb. 10, 1937 in Bluefield, W. Va. She preceded him in death May 18, 1991. A resident of Flatwoods, Ky., Mr. Ratcliffe was a 1933 graduate of Beaver High School in Bluefield, W. Va. He was a past member of the Zanesville United Methodist Church and belonged to the Painters Local 469 Union in Fort Wayne, retiring in 1979. He was also a past member of the Zanesville Lions Club. In addition to the son in Zanesville, he is survived by another son, James E. Jr., of Dayton, Ohio; a daughter, Mrs. Paul (Jerry Ann) Bailey of Russell, Ky.; 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four sisters, Virginia Ratcliffe, Wanda Merchant, Essie May Haggy and Melissa Neal; two brothers, Herbert and Johnny, and a son, Robert. Services Sunday at 2 p.m. will be at Myers Funeral Home, Markle Chapel with Pastor Mike Merrell officiating. Entombment will be at Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne. Calling at the funeral home will begin at 12 p.m. until time of services Sunday. Preferred memorials are to the Zanesville United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Joycey Ada Holdeman, 79
A former Bluffton resident and mother of Priscilla Butcher of Bluffton, Joycey Ada Holdeman, 79, died Dec. 3, 1995. She was a member of the Portland American Legion Auxiliary and the Portland Eagles Lodge Auxiliary. In addition to the Bluffton daughter, she is survived by two other daughters, Mamie Calvert of Elk Grove, Calif., Joyce Lemaster of Syracuse; a son, Dova Butler, of Portland; a step son, Tim Holdeman of Medford, Ore.; a sister, Frances Pullen of Georgetown, Ky.; 20 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. A son, Russell Butler, preceded her in death Nov. 23, 2003. Funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday will be held at the Portland Chapel of Williamson & Spencer Funeral Homes. Rev. Furnew Revels will officiate and burial will follow at Antioch Cemetery, southeast of Portland. Calling at the funeral home is from 4-8 p.m. Friday.

June 4, 2004

Randy A. Brickey, 37
A volunteer firefighter with the Bluffton Fire Department since 1988, Randy A. Brickey, 37, of Bluffton, died at 5:35 a.m. Saturday, June 5 at his home. Born in Wells County on Oct. 7, 1927 to Lester and Jenny Zimmerman Zehner, he married Mary E. Linn on May 22, 1958 in Hartford City; she died at 11:05 p.m. Friday, June 4 at the Muncie Health & Rehabilitation Center in Muncie. Born in Montpelier on Nov. 9, 1914 to Scott and Maggie Cale Shannon, she married William Howard Buckland on Jan. 6, 1962 in Montpelier; he Cemetery in Montpelier.ºº

June 1, 2004

Harold L. Betz Jr. 61 — Rites Pending
Harold L. Betz, Jr., 61, of Bluffton, died Thursday afternoon, May 27 at her home. Born March 8, 1931 to Levi and Lillian Falber Maller, she married James A. Hauck in Bluffton on July 25, 1953; he survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Lizabeth Crovetti of Alford, Fla. and Kimberly Reed of West Palm Beach, Fla.; two sons, Gregory Hauck of West Reading, Conn. and Michael Hauck of Danbury, Conn.; a sister, Agnes Henenberg of Arlington, Va.; and two grandchildren. Services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Welsheimer Funeral Home in South Bend. Calling hours are Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Preferred memorials to Hospice of the Comforter in Altamonte Springs, Fla., or the Benedictine Grange.

Elsie Clifton, 92
The mother of Robert Clifton of Bluffton, Elsie F. Clifton, 92, Portland, died Aug. 8, 1962. A homemaker, she lived in Redkey for 37 years and farmed with her husband in Jay County. She was a 26- year member, past president and secretary of the Redkey chapter of the Mothers of WWII and Korean Wars and was the last surviving member of that organization. In addition to the son in Bluffton, survivors include a son, Richard Clifton, of Portland; a daughter, Carol Lovell McQueary of Marion; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by three daughters, Jeanine Coats Adams, Marlene Schell and Patricia Clifton; a brother and a sister. Calling hours are Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Portland Chapel of the Williamson & Spencer Funeral Home. Services will begin Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Redkey.

June 2, 2004

Harold L. Betz Jr., 61
A Navy veteran and past commander of Bluffton Grover Sheets Post 111 of the American Legion, Harold L. Betz Jr., 61, of 207 East Townley St., Bluffton, died Monday, May 31 at her residence. Born May 11, 1921 in Wells County to Solomon W. and Ruth Anna Williamson Brinneman, she retired from General Electric Co. in 1980. She was a member of the G.E. Retirees Club. Survivors include two daughters, Gloria M. Ely of Indianapolis and Jo Jean Clouse of Grabill; six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Hockemeyer Funeral Home in Harlan, where calling will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Rev. Ken Weaver will officiate at services and a private burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton. Preferred memorials to Parkview Home Health and Hospice.

Rosie E. Lough, 90
Mother of Thomas E. Lough of Craigville and Mrs. Richard (Judy A.) Ehrsam of Ossian, Rosie E. Lough, 90, of Decatur, born Oct. 25, 1913, at Preble to William and Pearl Gause Cook. Her marriage was on Aug.19, 1941, to Everett C. Lough, who preceded her in death on Jan. 18, 1990. Surviving, in addition to the Craigville son and Ossian daughter, are four brothers, Virgil, Richard and Herbert Cook, all of Decatur, and Willie Cook of Kendallville; one sister, Isabel King of Decatur; 5 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death, in addition to her husband, were five brothers, Albert, Roy, Lester, Dale and Wilbur Cook, and four sisters, Josephine Hirschy, Betty Kipfer, Hazel Johnson and Opal Hess. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m.Thursday and for an hour prior to the services Friday at Haggard & Sefton Funeral Home in Decatur. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday with Rev. Sylvester Martin officiating. Burial will be in Decatur Cemetery. Memorials to the ACCF Cancer Angel Fund.