Herschel W. Kershner, 79
Herschel W. Kershner, 79, of Montpelier, died Jan. 17, 1992. Mr. Kershner was a veteran of the U.S. Marines during World War II, serving from March 2, 1944 to Nov. 29, 1945. Following his Marine service, he returned to Montpelier, where he lived most of his lifetime. Surviving are three sons, Jerry A. of Montpelier, Thomas W. of Nineveh, and Stephen of Cartersville, Ga.; two daughters, Mrs. Daniel (Sharon L.) Gelatt of Elkhart and Mrs. Jerry (Cathy E.) Craig of North Webster; two brothers, Alfred of Muncie and Paul of Hartford City; two sisters, Blanche Dennis of Muncie and Naomi Smith of Hartford City; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. A brother is deceased. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Glancy Funeral Homes, Walker Chapel, in Montpelier, with Rev. Frank Criswell officiating. Burial will be in Brookside Memorial Park in Montpelier with Montpelier American Legion Post 156 performing graveside military rites. Calling hours at the funeral chapel will be Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. There will be no visitation hours on Sunday. Memorials to Montpelier-Harrison Township Cancer Society.

Dorothy Beilke, 96
Mother of Mrs. Stan (Phyllis) Makowski of Bluffton, Dorothy Beilke, 96, born and resided much of her lifetime. She was a former member of the Gray Ladies and the Book Review Club. From Tomahawk, she had moved to Wausau and to Minneapolis until 1962 when she retired and moved back to Tomahawk. Mrs. Beilke was died in 1969. Surviving, in addition to the daughter in Bluffton, are another daughter, Mrs. Jerry (Jean) Sadlon of Racine, Wis.; 26 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two nieces and two nephews. An infant brother and two sisters are deceased. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tomahawk with Rev. Edward Powell officiating. Interment will be in the Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau. Calling hours at the St. Mary’s Church Corpus Christi Center will be Monday from 9 a.m. until time for services. The Krueger & Sons Funeral Home in Tomahawk is in charge of arrangements.

Infant Donalee Jo Lathem
Infant Donalee Jo Lathem, daughter of Matthew Glenn and Amy Suzette Lathem of Muncie, Cemetery in Wells County. There will be no calling. Memorials to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Arrangements are by Keplinger Funeral Home in Hartford City.

Esther L. Pease, 75
Esther L. Pease, 75, a private instructor in piano and organ for many years who resided at 411 West Wiley Ave., born Aug. 22, 1925, a daughter of Harvey H. and Agnes Dutcher Ginter. Her marriage at Bluffton on April 14, 1946 was to John J. Pease, who survives. Other survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Noel (Gloria) Phegley of Columbia City and Mrs. Herb (Janet) Heyerly of Bluffton; a son, Tom R. of Carrollton, Texas; a sister, Mrs. Marjorie Myers of Bluffton; two grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren. A son, James Alan, died at 8 p.m. Friday at his residence in huntington. Mr. Smith served as Huntington’s mayor from 1976 to 1979. Prior to his election as mayor, he served for 20 years with the Huntington Police Department, holding the ranks of patrolman, detective and chief, the latter position served in 1956 under Mayor Roy Howell and from 1960 to 1968 under Mayor Robert Ambler. He was a 1939 graduate of Huntington High School and served with the U.S. Army during World War II in the Philippines and later in stateside service with the Military Police. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 77 in Huntington, secretary/treasurer of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2689, American Legion Post 7, Exchange Club and Huntington County Historical Society. He attended the East State Street Church of God. Mr. Smith was Cemetery at Huntington. Visitation times at the funeral home are today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.. Memorials to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 77, Huntington.

Roscoe A. Rohrer, 87
A resident of Liberty Center most of his lifetime, Roscoe A. Rohrer, 87, born at Peru Sept. 5, 1913 to Wayne and Cora Keller Rohrer. His marriage at New Haven on Jan. 2, 1943 was to Wahilla Merriman, who survives. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton with Pastor Herbert Edwards officiating. Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel, in Warren, is in charge of arrangements. There are no calling hours.

Cindy Lynn Jackson, 44
A nurse practitioner, Cindy Lynn Jackson, 44, born in Blackford County May 23, 1957 to Wayne Lee and Mary Ann Hunnicutt Jackson, both of whom survive and reside at Warren. She never married. Surviving, in addition to her parents, are her maternal grandmother, Delores Hunnicutt of Montpelier; three sisters, Mrs. Dan (Peggy) Whinery and Mrs. David (Jo Ellen) Keller, both of Warren, and Cristina Jackson of Clearwater, Fla.; two nephews and two nieces. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel, in Warren, where calling hours are today from 4 to 8 p.m. Rev. Kathie Jones will officiate at services and burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Warren. Memorials to the Lutheran School or Nursing or to American Diabetes Association.

Tom E. Jackson, 54
Tom E. Jackson, 54, of rural Huntington, born in Fort Wayne March 26, 1947 to Frank and Eileen DePugh Jackson. His marriage in Fort Wayne on Nov. 17, 1979 was to Betty Leist, who survives. Additional survivors include his mother, Elaine Johnson of Fort Wayne; two brothers, Ray Jackson of Zanesville and Robert Jackson of Fort Wayne; two sisters, Rosie Jackson and Karen Mertz, both of Fort Wayne. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Edward. A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Myers Funeral Home, Huntington Chapel. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the Disabled American Veterans Association.

Berneice McBride, 88
Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. today for Berneice McBride, 88 of Markle, with burial in Markle Cemetery. Mrs. McBride died at 2:40 p.m. Saturday at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton. Mrs. Freeland was a homemaker and had worked at several odd jobs over the years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Oneco, Fla., and was a 1932 graduate of East Union Center High School in Wells County. She was died the past May and eight brothers and sisters also are deceased. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Zanesville. A private burial service will take place at a separate time at the Hoverstock Cemetery at Zanesville. Arrangements are by Myers Funeral Home at Markle. Memorials to the church.

Robert A. Melching, 86
Robert A. Melching, 86, of Ossian, born at Ossian June 13, 1915 to Alva and Ethel Roberts Melching. His marriage at Ossian on Oct. 4, 1942 was to Frances J. Mackey, who survives. Other survivors are two sons, Robert D. of Ossian and Douglas W. of Muskegon, Mich.; a brother, Dr. Harold W. Melching of El Paso, Texas; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother. Services at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Homes, Ossian Chapel, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with Rev. Lyle Ewing officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery at Ossian with military graveside rites conducted by Grover Sheets American Legion Post 111. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

Howard R. Smith, 89
A former resident of the Ossian area, Howard R. Smith, 89, born in Allen County Sept. 11, 1911 to George H. and Elizabeth Middaugh Smith. His marriage at Ossian on March 12, 1938 was to Edna M. Vestal, who died July 28 in Florida. A private burial service will take place at a separate time at the Hoverstock Cemetery at Zanesville. Arrangements are by Myers Funeral Home at Markle. Memorials to the church.

Pauline V. Rogge, 97
A native of Wells County, Pauline “Polly” V. Smith Rogge, 97, of Lafayette, born at Poneto Feb. 4, 1904. A first marriage in 1926 was to Hubert F. Smith, who died in 1987. Mrs. Rogge was a member and served as a deacon and elder in the First Presbyterian Church at Bryan and was a member of the Bryan Fortnightly Study Club, Kappa Kappa Gamma National Sorority, Williams County Panhellenic Association and Ohio Library Association. Surviving are a son, Dr. Keith V. Smith of West Lafayette, and two grandchildren. A private family service will be conducted by Rev. James Dunn and burial will be in Elm Grove Cemetery at Bluffton. Memorials to Westminster Village Foundation in West Lafayette.

Marjorie J. Holmberg, 69
Marjorie J. Holmberg, 69, retired telephone operator, died Monday at his residence in the Bippus area. In addition to farming, he was a maintenance man with Huntington County Farm Bureau Co-op for 27 years and also had worked in maintenance at Norwood Nursing Center in Huntington for 10 years. Surviving are his wife, Susan A.; two sons, Chris and Eric, both of Bippus; a daughter, Amy Frick of Zanesville; and three grandchildren. Services at 10 a.m. Saturday will be at St. John’s United Church of Christ at Bippus with visitation prior to services. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials to the church or to Huntington County Hospice & Home Health Care. DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary in North Manchester is in charge of arrangements.

Kevin P. Reinhold, 46

A former resident of Bluffton, Kevin P. Reinhold, 46, son of former Wells County Extension agent Hubert “Hugh” Reinhold, Cemetery at Angola. Calling hours at Weicht Funeral Home in Angola will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to Reinhold Education Fund in care of Cheryl Reinhold.

Mildred A. Welch, 89
Funeral services for Mildred A. Welch, 89, of Hartford City, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Glancy Funeral Homes Walker Chapel in Montpelier. Mrs. Welch born in Blackford County Dec. 10, 1911 to Scott and Margaret Cale Shannon. Her marriage on June 9, 1937 was to Ney E. Welch, who died Tuesday, Sept. 25, at her home in Roanoke. Calling hours are today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Roanoke Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery at Roanoke. Born in Hartford City, Mrs. Beghtel retired from Wayne Feeds in Fort Wayne. She was a past president of American Legion Post 160 Auxiliary at Roanoke. Surviving are her husband, George; a sister, Joyce Mickley Worster of Warren; and her parents, Ruth Schmidt and Harry Schmidt, both of Warren. Memorials to Christ United Methodist Church.

Patricia L. Sutherby, 64
Patricia L. Sutherby, 64, of rural Warren, died this past July 14. She had resided in the area since her marriage in 1963. Mrs. Sutherby was a member of the Mt. Hope Lutheran Church in Dearborn, Mich. She was died at 11 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at her rural Bluffton residence. She was a clerk at the former Burger Milk Store and was a member of the Prairie Church and a past president of the USFW Women’s Organization. Born in Huntington County, she had resided in Wells County since 1941. She was died April 20, 1986. Surviving are two grandsons, David Mason of Fort Wayne and Randy Mason of Bluffton; two granddaughters, Mrs. Marvin (Joyce) Crull of Poneto and Mrs. Cary (Judy) Stewart of Bluffton; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Larry (Betty) Arnold of Bluffton; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. A son, Carl, died at 5:50 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at the United Methodist Home in Warren. He was a manager at Merchants National Bank Indianapolis before retiring in 1981. After retirement, he worked for 10 years in real estate for Meid Compton in Indianapolis. Mr. Wiley was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving from April 10, 1942 to Nov. 8, 1945. He was a graduate of Warren High School and Indiana University and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Warren and American Legion Post 34 in Indianapolis. He also enjoyed flying a Piper-Tri Pacer and a Mooney aircraft. Mr. Wiley was Cemetery at Warren. Calling hours at the funeral chapel will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the Eye Bank of Indianapolis.

William S. Bourne, 59
William S. Bourne, 59, who formerly worked for the Hickory Hills Golf Course in Bluffton, born in Portland Sept. 30, 1941, the son of Sanford and Cora Denney Bourne. His marriage on Dec. 17, 1995 was to Nancy L. Zelonis, who survives. Additional survivors are his parents, who reside in rural Pennville; a son, Tait Byrd of Bluffton; two daughters, Mrs. Tim (Melanie) Illig of Dallas, Texas, and Mrs. Jerry (Maria) Coleman of Portland; a sister, Mrs. Jim (Linda L.) Crockett of St. Louis, Mo.; and five grandchildren. Services at the Pennville Chapel of Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday with Pastor Dan Porter officiating. Burial will be in Brookside Cemetery at Montpelier. Calling hours are today from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Memorials to the Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana or to the Jay County Cancer Society.

Leslie J. ‘Bud’ Cargar, 86
A retired Rockcreek Township, Wells County, farmer, Leslie J. “Bud” Cargar, 86, born Nov. 11, 1914 in Wells County, a son of Jesse R. and Elnora Burley Cargar. A first marriage on June 24, 1938 at Ludlow Falls, Ohio, was to Helen I. Eubank, who Interment will be in Sparks Cemetery in Wells County. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel are today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the Grant County Cancer Society.

Linda ‘Kay’ Lassiter, 55
Formerly a resident of Ossian, Linda “Kay” Lassiter, 55, of Inverness, Fla., born in DeFuniak Springs, Fla., a daughter of Alvis and Ella Lee Gillman. The mother survives and resides in Inverness. Surviving also are her husband, Wayne; a son, Keith A. Lassiter, a daughter, Sheila K. Lassiter, and a brother, Donald Gillman, all of Inverness; a sister, Barbara Cecil of Peninsula, Ohio; and a brother-in-law, James Lassiter of Ossian. A memorial service was held Sept. 25 at Heinz Funeral Home in Inverness. Memorials to Hospice of Citrus County, Fla., or to Key Training Center. Arrangements locally were handled by Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Homes Ossian Chapel.

Kenneth W. Saalfrank, 78
Father of Kathleen J. Brehm of Ossian, Kenneth W. Saalfrank, 78, of Fort Wayne, Cemetery Gardens. Visitation hours also will be Wednesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Rd., Fort Wayne. Memorials to the church or to Turnstone Center for Disabled Children and Adults.

Ralph Edward Jacobs, 75
A retired U.S. mail carrier, Ralph Edward Jacobs, 75, of Ossian, born in Centralia, Ill., Feb. 14, 1926. Surviving are his wife, Alice; two sons, Robin Jacobs of Wolf Lake and David Jacobs of Craigville; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A daughter, Susan Renea, is deceased. Services at 2 p.m. Saturday will be at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home in Ossian, where calling hours will be Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Horeb Cemetery near Uniondale. Memorials to Heartland Hospice.

Dean L. Landrum, 80
Dean L. Landrum, 80, of Wabash, formerly of Bippus, born in Huntington County Aug. 12, 1921 to Raymond and Lilly Burnworth Landrum. His marriage in Huntington County on Dec. 23, 1945 was Beulah M. Colclesser, who survives. Additional survivors are a son, Gerald of North Manchester; a daughter, Mrs. Bill (Janet) Cantrell of Wabash; three brothers, Paul of Huntington, Wayne of Old Town, Fla., and Myron of Warren; a sister, Mary Louise Rich of Huntington; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A sister and a grandson are deceased. Services at 2 p.m. Saturday will be at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel with Rev. William Hainstock officiating. Interment will be in Shock Cemetery in Huntington County. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the St. John’s United Church of Christ.

Richard ‘Roy’ Fields, 99
Richard “Roy” Fields, 99, a retired farmer, school bus driver and seed salesman, born in Adams County Feb. 11, 1902 to David and Lucinda Snyder Fields. His marriage in Adams County on Feb. 9, 1922 was to J. Nema Runyon, who Cemetery at Linn Grove. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until time for services. Memorials to Swiss Village, to Cross United Church of Christ Assistance Fund or to Adams County Community Foundation’s Heart Fund.

Gladys A. Becker, 99
Gladys A. Becker, 99, of Markle, born in Markle Aug. 4, 1902, a daughter of Douglas and Lillian Kelsey Lesh. Surviving are a sister, Hilda Lesh of Fort Wayne, and two nephews, Douglas LeMaster of Howe and Charles LeMaster of Fort Wayne. A sister, Lucille LeMaster, and a nephew are deceased. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Myers Funeral Home Markle Chapel and interment will be in Horeb Cemetery near Uniondale. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the Markle Park Foundation or to the Markle United Methodist Church.

Mildred A. Welch, 89 -- Rites Pending
Mildred A. Welch, 89, of Hartford City, died at 5:50 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Blackford County Hospital in Hartford City. Arrangements are pending at Glancy Funeral Homes Walker Chapel at Montpelier.