System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!
Kathy A. Biggs
Kathy A. Biggs, 35, of Oakley, CA died in Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Walnut Creek, Sept. 3, 1997, following an illness of three years. She was born July 15, 1962 to Ed Rice of North Manchester and Luannia Johnson of Antioch, CA.
A native of Antioch, CA, and resident of Oakley, she grew up and attended schools in Antioch and North Manchester, IN where she graduated in 1980 from Manchester High School. She returned to Antioch in 1980 and moved to Oakley three years ago. She worked for two years as Senior Administrative Support Specialist for PeopleSoft Company in Pleasanton, and had previously worked for Brunswick Delta Bowl in Antioch for five years as a bookkeeper. She enjoyed trips to Reno, Bowling, vacations, family time, and collecting frogs.
She is survived by her husband of 10 years, Mike Biggs of Oakley; a daughter, Michelle Nicole Riodan of Oakley; her father Ed Rice of North Manchester, her mother and step father, Luannia and Al Johnson of Antioch; sisters Karen Mello of San Marcos, CA and Bonnie Freeman of Antioch.
Memorial services were held Sunday, Sept. 7, 1997 at Higgins Chapel, Antioch; cremation followed. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer society, P.O. Box 4295, Walnut Creek, CA 94596-0295. Higgins Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Clara B. Frantz
Clara Blocher Frantz, 83, of Timbercrest Retirement Community, died Friday, Sept. 5, 1997 at Timbercrest Healthcare Center. She was born Dec. 13, 1913 in Clinton County, IN to Ray and Mary (Reavis) Wolf. She married Delbert Blocher on March 19, 1938, and he died on March 15, 1965. She then married Glen R. Frantz Sept. 5, 1972. She lived in North Manchester for several years, previously of Clinton County. She was a member of the North Manchester Old German Baptist Brethren Church. She lived at Timbercrest since 1981. She worked for Heckman Bindery from 1965-1972.
Survivors include her husband, Glen of North Manchester; a son, Morris E. Blocher of Delphi, IN; daughters Mrs. Ralph (Mary Evelyn) Karstedt of Bremen, and Mrs. Jerry (Kathleen Lucy) Cable of Rossville, IN; brothers Clarence and Wilbert, both of Rossville, IN; stepdaughters Mrs. Dennis (Ruth) Landes of New Carlisle, OH, Velma Frey, and Carolyn Frantz, both of North Manchester; step son Virgil Frantz of North Manchester; seven grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 10 step grandchildren, 34 step great grandchildren, and five step great great grandchildren. One grandchild and three step great great grandchildren preceded her in death.
Funeral service was held Monday, Sept. 8 at the Old German Baptist Brethren Church with the Home Brethren officiating. Burial was in the Old German Baptist Brethren Cemetery.
Arrangements were by Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel.
Deloris I. Smith
Deloris I. Smith, 80, of 12 Wisteria Lane, North Manchester, died Friday, Sept. 5, at her residence. She was born June 2, 1917 at Randolph County, IN to Ernest and Inez (Wise) Bolinger.
She married the Rev. A. Leon Smith on Aug. 31, 1940 in Elwood, IN. She was a 1935 graduate of Elwood High School; she graduated from the I.U. School of Nursing in 1939 and received her B.S. in Education from I.U. in 1959. and her Masters from I.U. in 1974. She retired as a teacher and was a registered nurse. She taught elementary education in schools in North Carolina, Georgia, and Indiana.
She was a member of the Ashley Order of the Ashley Chapter #229 Order of the Eastern Star in Ashley, IN. She was a member of the Lima Presbyterian Church in Howe, IN. She was a lifetime member of the National Teachers Association, a member of the I.U. Nursing Association and the Indiana State Teachers Association.
She is survived by her husband; a son, Charles E. Smith of El Paso, TX; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.
Memorial service will be held Monday, Sept. 15, 1997 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Robert Schmeiser officiating. Burial was held Sept. 8 in the Oaklawn Cemetery of North Manchester.
Preferred memorials may be given to the Caring Circle at Peabody Retirement Community.
Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Harold Keefer
Harold Keefer, 79, of 360 E. Harreld Rd., Marion, IN, died Sept. 4, 1997 at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis. He was formerly of 470 Alena St., Wabash, IN. He was born May 6, 1918 at Somerset, IN to Harry and Myrtle (Stelts) Keefer. He married Katherine Marie Sutphen Jan. 2, 1946, and she preceded him in death April 3, 1994.
He was formerly employed in the Records Department at VA Hospital of Marion for 30 years. He was a WW II Army veteran.
Survivors include a son, Ralph Keefer of Huntington, IN; a daughter Teresa Keefer of Marion; brothers Gilbert Keefer of Elwood and Milford Keefer of Fairmount, IN; a sister, Ruby Auckerman of Wabash; three grandchildren. A brother and two sisters preceded him in death.
Funeral was held Monday, Sept. 8 at Eddingfield-DeLaughter Mortuary of Wabash, with Rev. Delmar Fenwick officiating. Burial was in VA National Cemetery of Marion.
Mildred Brubaker
Mildred P. Brubaker, 85, of 507 N. Beckley St., North Manchester, IN, died Monday, Sept. 9, 1996 at Wabash County Hospital, Wabash, IN. She was born Nov. 8, 1910 in Cass County, IN to Edward and Ida Mae (Frantz) Fraling. She married Calvin O. Brubaker April 6, 1931, and he preceded her in death Feb. 26, 1960.
Mrs. Brubaker was a member of World War II Mothers, and as a dedicated WW II Mother, she provided the annual list of deceased veterans to be remembered on the News-Journal's Memorial Day page.
She was a member of the Christian Fellowship Church of North Manchester, and was retired from Heckman Bindery after 14 years service.
Survivors include sons Robert Brubaker and Wilmer Brubaker, both of North Manchester, Dean Brubaker of Peru, and a foster son, Jim George of North Manchester; 19 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren.
Friends may call at DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 2 to 8 p.m.; World War II Mothers service will be held Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral service will be held at DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary Thursday, Sept. 12, 1 p.m. with the Rev. J. P. Freeman officiating. Burial will be in Old German Baptist Cemetery.
Preferred memorials are to the Wabash County Cancer Fund.
Cecil E. Silveus
Cecil Earl Silveus, 77, of 3386 W. Neher Rd., Silver Lake, IN died Friday, Sept. 6., 1996 at Peabody Retirement Community, following a 14-year illness. He was born April 18, 1919 at Akron, IN to Ernest and Bertha (Young) Silveus, and spent most of his life in the Akron and Silver Lake communities. He married Mary D. Oatess June 21, 1966 at Silver Lake, and she survives.
Mr. Silveus was a retired farmer and former employee of R.R. Donnelley & Sons of Warsaw, IN where he was a shipping clerk and security guard, retiring in 1984. He was a member of the Silver Creek Church of God, Silver Lake.
Survivors in addition to his wife include three daughters - Mrs. Richard (Patricia) "Patsy" Goshert of Warsaw, Mrs. Vernon "Bud" (Diane) Zolman of Mishawaka, Mrs. Bill (Peggy) Gilger of McHenry, IL; two stepdaughters - Mrs. Carl (Carolyn) Haddox of California and Mrs. Richard (Mary Elaine) Beaty of Simi, CA; a stepson, Charles (and Isela) Wendler of El Paso, TX; 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, 10 step grandchildren and 11 step great-grandchildren; a sister, Esther Ruth Silveus of Warsaw and a nephew, Devon (and Marsha) Smith of Akron. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by an infant brother, Paul DeVerl Silveus.
Funeral service was held Tuesday, Sept. 10, 1996 at the Silver Creek Church of God with the Revs. Randy Samuels and Phil Blake officiating. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery, Silver Lake.
Foster & Good Funeral Home, Inc. of Akron was in charge of arrangements.
Cecile H. Wagoner
Cecile H. Wagoner, 92, of Timbercrest Retirement Community, North Manchester, died Sunday, Sept. 8, 1996 at Timbercrest Healthcare Center. She was formerly of Rossville, IN. She was born Oct. 29, 1903 in Clinton County, IN to Albert F. and Addie A. (Jacoby) Cripe.
A homemaker, she was married to Marvin C. Wagoner Oct. 27, 1923 and he preceded her in death July 18, 1948.
She was a 1922 graduate of Rossville High School, a member of W.C.T.U., the Rossville Church of the Brethren Ladies Aid, and was past superintendent of Children's Sunday School at Rossville Church of the Brethren.
Survivors include a son, Morris E. Wagoner of North Manchester; a daughter, Mrs. Charles (Wilma) Anderson of Fort Wayne; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and eight step grandchildren. A son, a daughter, and a brother preceded her in death.
Funeral service was held Wednesday (today) Sept. 11, 1996 at 2 p.m. at the Rossville Church of the Brethren, Rossville, IN; burial was in Rossville Cemetery. Local services will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, at 6:30 p.m. at Timbercrest Chapel.
DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Vernon Skeans
Vernon Skeans, 58, died Friday, August 30, 1996 in Jacksonville, FL from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident.
Born in Prestonburg, KY, he lived in Akron, OH for 25 years before moving to Jacksonville. He worked with CSX Transportation for 44 years and was the General Chairman and an Executive Board member of the American Train Dispatcher Association.
His family includes his wife Nancy, daughter and son-in-law Shirley and Michael LaVole; three sons and daughters-in-law Vernon Michael and Maureen Skeans, Bruce Anthony Taylor Skeans and Tammy, and David Wayne and Renee Skeans; 11 grandchildren, Lisa and Patrick LaVole, Matthew, Sara, Kristen, Lantz, Weston, Eli, Faye, Jessie and Emil Skeans; four brothers Ted, Sol, Bill and Floyd; three sisters Sarah Stone, Rhoda Herman Wade, and Bessie Skeans; many loving nieces and nephews, and many union and railroad friends. He was preceded in death by sisters and brothers.
Services were held in the chapel of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL with the Rev. Father Dan Cody officiating.
Gerald E. Miller
Gerald E. Miller, 62, of Rt. 1, Denver, IN died Thursday, Sept. 5, 1996 at Hospice Home of Northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne, IN. He was born May 29, 1934 in Miami County, IN to Roy W. and Agness Fewell. He married Geneva (Jenny) Cagle Sept. 12, 1954 in Bunker Hill.
He was a member of the Roann Church of the Brethren. He was a 1953 graduate of Bunker Hill High School, was a Vietnam Army Veteran, and was an employee of Carnation in Kokomo for 10 years, served Peru Schools for six years in maintenance, and Timbercrest for six and one-half years.
Gerald was a farmer in the Bunker Hill area. He was a volunteer fireman and an EMT for Bunker Hill, and assisted at the Allen Funeral Home in Bunker Hill. He moved to the Roann community in August of 1989.
Survivors include his wife, Jenny, of Denver; a daughter, Mrs. Marlin (Cindy) Ash of Wabash; a son, Andy Miller of Amboy; a brother Russell Miller of Peru and a sister Mrs. Ronnie (Joy) Boswell, also of Peru; five grandchildren - Jeremy and Shane Miller of Amboy, and Beth, Lucas and Amber Ash of Wabash. A brother preceded him in death.
Funeral service was held Monday, Sept. 9, at the Roann Church of the Brethren with the Rev. Bruce Hostetler officiating. Burial was in Springdale Cemetery, Bunker Hill.
Preferred memorials are to the Roann Church of the Brethren Building Fund or Hospice Home of Northeast Indiana. Roann Chapel Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral, Roann, IN was in charge of arrangements.
Mary A. Whinery
Mary Alice Whinery, 78, of 681 W. Maple St., Wabash, IN died Thursday, Sept. 5, 1996 at Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne. She was born Jan. 7, 1918 in Wabash County to J. B. and Edna Ghloe (Blevins) DeFord. She married Don L. Whinery Oct. 24, 1941 in Anderson, IN.
She had worked at the First National Bank in Wabash, and was affiliated with the Christian Science Church and the Wabash Friends Church.
Survivors include her husband, Don at Wabash; a son, Joseph Mark Whinery of Wabash; a daughter Blythe A. Whinery of Salamonie Reservoir; a brother, Robert J. "Bob" DeFord of North Manch-ester; and granddaughters Kristine and Kaitlyn Whinery of Wabash.
Funeral service was held Sunday, Sept. 8, at Main St. Chapel Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash, with the Rev. David Phillips officiating.
Preferred memorials are to Wabash County Animal Shelter.
Laverne H. Fratus
Laverne "Vern" H. Fratus, 63, of 411 W. Fifth St., North Manchester, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 1997 at Parkview Hospital, Ft. Wayne, IN. He was born June 10, 1934 at Erie, PA to Harry Joseph and Ellen (Didion) Fratus, both deceased. He married Ann M. Smelser Dec. 8, 1956 and she survives.
Mr. Fratus was self employed at Twentieth Century Upholstering and Trim in North Manchester. He was a U.S. Marine veteran of the Korean conflict.
In addition to his wife, Ann, he is survived by sons Randy, Dennis, and Barry Fratus, all of North Manchester; daughters Beth and Megan Fratus, both of North Manchester, and Mrs. Dale (Rena) Moore of Green Cove Springs, FL; brothers, Leroy and Frank Fratus, both of Erie, PA; a sister, Mrs. Alice Silverman of Maryland; and seven grandchildren. A brother and two sisters preceded him in death.
Friends may call Thursday, Aug. 21, 1997 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at DeLaughter McKee Mortuary. Funeral service will be held at DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary Thursday, 8:00 p.m. with the Rev. Theron Hanes officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery.
Preferred memorials are to the Chester Township Jaws of Life Fund.
A. Darlein Miller
A. Darlein Miller, 77, of 1406 Beckley St., North Manchester, IN died Monday, Aug. 18, 1997 at Whitley Memorial Hospital, Columbia City, IN. She was born at Wabash, IN June 27, 1920 to Frank and Bertha (Frank) McDaniel, both deceased.
She married Truman Miller on Sept. 3, 1938 in Somerset, IN, and he died Feb. 7, 1982. She worked for 27 years at the Heckman Bindery in North Manchester, retiring in 1986. She was a 1938 graduate of Somerset High School.
Survivors include two sons - Larry (DeLara) Miller of Columbia City, IN and Randall R. (Patty) Miller of Wabash; and grandsons Ryan Miller of Wabash and Landon Miller of Columbia City.
Funeral service was held Wednesday morning, Aug. 20, 1997, at the Manchester Bible Church with the Rev. David Stockeland officiating. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester.
Preferred memorials are to the Manchester Bible Church. Arrangements were by Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, No. Manchester.
