June 8, 2004

Donald C. Basen, 62
A retired carpenter for the Department of Defense, Donald C. Basen, 62, of Yoder died Sunday, June 6 at Hospice Home of Fort Wayne. She retired from the Huntington County Auditor’s Office in 1992. She was a member of the Dorcas Circle at Trinity English Lutheran Church. Born Aug. 7, 1928 in Battlecreek, Mich., to Carol and Charlotte Littlefield, she married Lester L. Dubach on June 30, 1950 in Bluffton. Survivors include a son, Brent Dubach of Fort Wayne; a daughter, Mrs. Mitchell (Judy) Sheckler of Goshen and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; two sisters, Murial Stowell and Elinor Shimkus and a brother, Albert Littlefield. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at D.O, McComb & Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road. Calling at the funeral home will be Wednesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Burial will be in Lindenwood Cemetery. Memorials to Trinity English Lutheran Church or Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home.

Susan L. Edwards, 50
A former resident of Montpelier, Susan L. Edwards, 50, of Fort Wayne Cemetery in Montpelier. Calling at the funeral home will be today from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Preferred memorials to the Lance Armstrong Cancer Research Livestrong Foundation.

Della E. Kem, 84
Della E. Kem, 84, of rural Huntington, died at 12:40 p.m. Monday, June 7, at his residence. Born June 7, 1923 at Morton Ill., to Carl and Hilda Menold Keiser, he married the former Jean E. Shipp in Peoria, Ill., Nov. 29, 1947. She survives. A lifelong farmer and a member of the Gridley, Ill., Apostolic Church, he served in the United States Navy during WW II. In addition to his wife and the son in Bluffton, he is survived by four other sons, Robert, David and Paul, all of Bloomington, Ill., and Carl of Gibson City, Ill.; four daughters Bonnie Kaeb, Paxton, Ill., Mary Kuenzi of Silverton, Ill., Emily Maurer, Saybrook, Ill., and Barbara Spencer, Bloomington, Ill.; three brothers, Richard of Pekin, Ill.; Alfred of Tremont, Ill., and Albert of New Port Ritchie, Fla.; three sisters; Gertrude Kieser of Pekin; Anna Kieser of Peoria, and Alice Snodgrass of Walnut Ridge, Ark.; 40 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. A daughter, Marie, preceded him in death, as well as three brothers, two sisters, a granddaughter and one great-grandson. Funeral services at 10 a.m. Thursday will be held at the Gridley Apostolic Church. Ministers of the church will officiate and burial will follow at 2 p.m. in Scoggin Hill Cemetery near Bloomington, Ill. Calling at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso, Ill., will be held Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to the church or to BroMenn Hospice.

June 9, 2004

Earl G. Johnson, 83
A brother of Leona Mahnensmith of Ossian, Earl G.Johnson, 83, of Fort Wayne died Tuesday, June 8 at Christian Care Retirement Center in Bluffton. She had been a resident at Christian Care for the past three years. Born June 6, 1914 in Crawfordsville to Harley and Loma Wood Bruce, her marriage on Nov. 6, 1937 in Elwood was to Wayne Davisson, who preceded her in death on June 30, 1992. She was a 1931 graduate of Rensselaer High School and a graduate of Ball State Teacher’s College. She began her teaching career at Center School in Rensselaer and later taught at several schools in the Rensselaer area. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Rensselaer, United Methodist Women and the Day Circle. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution Coterie, the Rensselaer Pantry Pals Extension Homemakers Club and an active volunteer with the Meals on Wheels. Survivors include two daughters, Janet D. Patterson of Decatur and Kathy A. Stringer of Fort Wayne; four grandchildren and one great grandchild. She was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Jackson Funeral Chapel in Rensselaer with Pastor Rick Hawks officiating and interment at Weston Cemetery. Calling at the funeral home will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. until time of services. Memorials may be made to The Chapel in Fort Wayne.

Elmer Elswick, 81
Brother of Velma McDonald of Warren, Elmer Elswick, 81, Cemetery in Marion. Calling hour are 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to New Life Baptist Church, Huntington.

Enedina M. Hesse, 77
Mother of Mrs. Allen (Linda) Brinneman of Warren, Enedina M. Hesse, 77, died Wednesday, June 16, at Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne. A resident of Fort Wayne he retired in 1995 as supervisor in the circulation department of Fort Wayne Newspapers. He was an army veteran of the Korean War. In addition to the sister in Zanesville, he is survived by two sons, Kent of Fort Wayne and Kevin of Maumee, Ohio; two daughters, Brenda Babits and Linda Bender, both of Fort Wayne; the children’s mother, Doris J. Conn of Fort Wayne; a brother, George, of Muncie; step-sisters Judy Mullen, Mirle Smith, Jean Kloer and Marge Walters; and eight grandchildren. Services Friday at 11 a.m. will be at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home in Fort Wayne with calling from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. today. Burial will be at Glenwood Cemetery, Roanoke. Memorials may be made to Thirteen Step House.

June 12, 2004

Irene M. Burkholder, 77
A resident of Decatur, Irene M. “Granny” Burkholder, 77, died at 8:56 p.m. Sunday, June 13 at his home after an extended illness. Rev. Cahoon had been involved in the ministry for 34 years, serving several churches, including Zanesville, Epworth and Petroleum United Methodist Churches. His most recent ministry was with the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, where the chapel there was named after him. Born Dec. 22, 1947 in Anderson to Robert W. Sr. and Margaret Cahoon, he was married to his wife, Karen S. Cahoon, on May 1, 1970 in Anderson. Rev. Cahoon graduated with a business degree from Anderson University in 1970 and earned his Masters of Divinity in 1974 from United Theological Seminary. He was a member of the Wells County Ministerial Association. He had been a resident of Wells County since 1985. Surviving in addition to the mother and wife are two sons, John M. Cahoon of Bluffton and Philip D. Cahoon of Bloomington and a sister, Elizabeth “Liz” Dunn of Fillmore. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Epworth United Methodist Church in Bluffton with Rev. Don Wilks officiating and burial in Elm Grove Cemetery. Calling at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home will be Wednesday from 2 to 8 p.m. Preferred memorials are to the Epworth United Methodist Church, Petroleum United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana and Hope Lodge.

Roger Fey, 55
Roger D. Fey, 55, of rural Geneva, died at 8:40 p.m. Saturday, June 12 at the United Methodist Memorial Home in Warren, where she had been a resident since 1981. Born in Warren County, Ky. on Jan. 16, 1906 to J. Thomas and Brilla Phelps Delp, she lived most of her life in Indianapolis where she was a member of the Wallace St. Presbyterian Church, serving on the executive board of the Women’s Association for ten years and taught Sunday school. She was a graduate of Greene Township High School and Lafayette Business College. She was a staff aide volunteer with the American Red Cross for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lynn B. Cray, who Cemetery in Warren. Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel in Warren is in charge of arrangements.

Helen Gilbert, 84
A Wells County native, Helen Gilbert, 84, of Berne, died Aug. 11, 1968. A homemaker, she was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ, where she taught Sunday school. Survivors include two sisters, Ardis Gilbert and Pauline Haggard, both of Monroe. Calling hours are Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Haggard & Sefton Funeral Home in Decatur, with services scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Decatur Cemetery. Preferred memorials to the church or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Luella Steiner, 94
A sister of a former Bluffton resident, Luella Steiner, 94, Berne, died at 7:26 p.m. Monday, June 14, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Born May 2, 1944 to Lester and Anna I. Lautzenheiser Liby, his marriage to the former Sharon Lewis took place June 14, 1964 in Bluffton. He was a 1962 graduate of Bluffton High School and attended the Milo Bennett School of Linotype in English, Ind. He worked for more than 20 years as a Linotype operator at the News-Banner. An employee of Franklin Electric and a maintenance worker for the City of Bluffton, he worked many years with his father in the painting business. He was a member of the First United Church of Christ, the Elks Lodge and the Moose Lodge. Survivors, in addition to the wife, include two sons, Brian of Boston, Va., and Chris of Bluffton; a brother, Jack, of Bluffton; and five grandchildren. Services at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will be at Goodwin Memorial Chapel with Ted Ellis officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Calling from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday will be at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Cornelia DeLang Syndrome Foundation.

Donna Kay Hiner, 55
Funeral services for Donna Kay Hiner, 55, of Markle, who died at Wesley Health Care in Auburn Sunday, June 13. A lifetime farmer in Stafford Twp. in DeKalb County, he was the son of Milo and Lucille Gee Provines. He married the former Letha Weisz in Edgerton, Ohio May 24, 1941. She preceded him in death Sept. 1, 2000. He was a former member of the DeKalb County Fair Board and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau where he had served on the Board of Directors. Additional survivors include daughter Mrs. Patrick (Mary) Crow of Spencerville; two brothers, James of Butler and Darwin of St. Joe; a sister, Melva Eakright of Butler; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Devere, killed in WWII, and a sister Lorene Berry. Funeral services at 10 a.m. Thursday will be held at Feller Funeral Home, Waterloo with Rev. Tony Brooks officiating. Burial will follow in the Farmer Cemetery, Farmer, Ohio. Calling will be from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday and one hour prior to services Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Newville United Methodist Church or to the Mt. Plesant United Methodist Church.

June 16, 2004

Tina M. Worthington Foster, 42
A sister of Mrs. Steve (Julia) Prible and Mrs. Jimmy (Tonya) Ragg, both of Bluffton, Tina M. Worthington Foster, 42, of Huntington, died at 10:20 a.m.Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at the United Methodist Home in Warren. A homemaker, she was member of the Markle United Methodist Church and a 1925 graduate of Markle High School. Born Aug. 23, 1907, in Wells County, she was a daughter of Elmer and Nona Zimmerlee Burnau. Her marriage was on Nov. 27,1927, at Markle to Glen I.Wilburn, who survives and resides in Warren. Also surviving are a son, Larry Wilburn of Bluffton; a daughter, Mrs.Ralph (Marjorie) Mautz of Huntington; two grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were an infant brother, Gail Burnau, a sister, Faye Anderson, and two grandsons, Roger Mautz and Tim Wilburn. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.Thursday at the Myers Funeral Home, Markle Chapel, where services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday with Rev. Kaye Patton officiating. Interment will be at the Markle Cemetery. Preferred memorials to Family Hospice of Indiana in care of the funeral home.

Ruth Neuenschwander, 96
A former resident of Bluffton, Ruth Neuenschwander, 96, died at 7:55 p.m. Thursday, June 17 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Born in Huntington on August 24, 1948 to Donald and Eileen Swoverland, she married David A. Conner on July 20, 1968 in Huntington; he died at 11:20 a.m. Sunday, June 20 at the Adams County Memorial Hospital in Decatur. Born in Wells County on Nov. 5, 1919 to Jacob and Florence Jones Howdyshell, she married Irvin J. Miller in Wells County on May 20, 1936; he died at 7:26 p.m. Friday, June 18 at Lutheran Hospital. Born in Huntington on Aug. 15, 1923 to Cyril F. and Evalyn Dinius Mayne, he married Ellen Adamson in Huntington in 1956; she survives. A graduate of Huntington High School and Michigan State University, he was a retired engineer with International Harvester. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II and had been a Wells County resident since 1954. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a member and past Exalted Ruler of the Bluffton Elks Lodge, a member of the Amity Masonic Lodge in Huntington, American Legion Post 111 in Bluffton and the Rubber and Plastics Group of America. Other survivors include three sons, Thomas, Michael and John Mayne, all of Bluffton; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. Robert Mayne. Calling hours are today from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home. There will be an Elks Memorial Service at 7 p.m. this evening. Services are Tuesday at the funeral home beginning at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Gary Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Gardens of Memory in Marion. Memorials are to donor’s choice.

Vance Travis, 83
A former Bluffton resident, Vance W. Travis, 83, of Fort Wayne, died in August of 1979. He attended Poplar Grove School and graduated from Bluffton High School in 1939. A veteran in the U.S. Army during World War II, he was a postal carrier in Bluffton from 1952-1959 and in Fort Wayne from 1959 to 1970. He also worked as a federal police officer at the Federal Building in Fort Wayne from 1970-1985. While living in Bluffton, he was active in various Boy Scout programs. He was a member of Calvary Temple in Fort Wayne, active in the bus ministry. Survivors include a son, Steve Travis, and a daughter, Wendy Gehring, both of Fort Wayne; seven grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Gary Travis in 1987; and a brother, Vaughn Travis. Services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Calvary Temple in Fort Wayne, with calling two hours prior at the church. Burial will take place at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home in Bluffton.

James Schneider, 79
Services for Bluffton native Lt. Col. James M. Schneider, 79, of Fort Wayne, will be held at 2 p.m. Wed. at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne. He died Saturday, June 19 at Parkview Hospital. Born in Bluffton on July 9, 1924, he graduated from Liberty Center High School and Indiana University before enlisting in the Air Force in 1943. His 27-year career included serving as a bombardier and navigator in B-17’s over Europe in World War II and combat service in Vietnam. He returned to Fort Wayne after his military career to manage Zeis Securities and was Parking Administrator of the City Parking Garage. He was a member of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, was a founding member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana, and was active in a number of organizations. Survivors include a son, Peter Schneider of Leo; two grandchildren; and two sisters, Anne Perrotta of Pompton Plains, N.J. and Rosemary Dunkin of Oklahoma City, Okla. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Marie (Hogan) Schneider in 2001. Calling hours are Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the D.O. McComb & Son Foster Park Funeral Home in Fort Wayne. Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery. Memorials to the Masses.