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Ralph M. Spencer
Ralph M. Spencer, 82, a resident at 9 Maple Court, North Manchester, IN died Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana, Fort Wayne, IN. He was born Feb. 8, 1920 at Barre, VT to Stephen and Jane (MacLeod) Spencer. He married Barbara Jean Sheller on Dec. 7, 1952; she died April 22, 1989. He then married Virginia Huttman White in North Manchester on June 28, 1992.
He owned Spencer Insurance Agency in North Manchester since 1954, retiring in 1982. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, North Manchester. He was also a member and past president of the Manchester Rotary Club, and was a Paul Harris Fellow; was a member and past Master of the Deming Masonic Lodge, North Manchester; a member of the Fort Wayne Scottish Rite, Mizpah Shrine, and the Flying Shriners; a member of the American Legion and Moose Lodge, both of North Manchester. He was a member of the Wabash County Mental Health Association and a longtime member of the North Manchester Library Board, and a former member of the Wabash County Community Foundation.
He received an Associate Degree from Bentley Business College in Boston, MA and was one of he first recipients of the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters Degree. He was a bomber pilot for the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia White Spencer, North Manchester; three daughters Jane Craney Weaver of Martinsville, IN, Martha Foster of Golden, CO, and Gail Birdwell of Kingsville, TX; a step son, Robert Andrew White of Valparaiso, IN; a sister, Euthecia Gunn of Reading, MA; granddaughters Laura and Kyla Foster of Golden, CO; grandsons Matthew Birdwell of San Francisco, CA, Clinton Rich of Newark, DE and Colt Birdwell of Houston, TX; and four great grandchildren. Preceding him in death were sisters Laura Frigon and Winona Noble, grandson Garret Rich, half brother Stephen Spencer, and half sister, Josephine Needham.
A Masonic Service was held Sunday afternoon at the Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel. Funeral service was held Monday, May 27, 2002 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeffrey L. Hawkins officiating. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery of North Manchester.
Preferred memorials are to the Zion Lutheran Church, North Manchester Public Library, or to the Wabash County Community Foundation. Memorial guest book for Ralph can be signed on-line at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
Thom D. Dunlavy
Thom D. Dunlavy, 70, of 10139 Woodland Ridge West, Fort Wayne, IN, formerly of North Manchester, died Sunday, May 26, 2002 at his residence in Fort Wayne, IN. He was born January 19, 1932 at Indianapolis, IN to E. B. and Helen (Delp) Dunlavy, both deceased. He married Anita Garman Dec. 17, 1955, and she survives.
He graduated Central High School, Class of 1950 and from Wittenberg University at Springfield, IL in 1959. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-1954. He was a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the 56th Fighter Group Association. He was a member of the Lutheran Church.
A retired newspaper executive, he began his career as a printer's devil at his father's newspaper, The News-Journal in North Manchester, IN. He later worked in Indiana at the Connersville News-Examiner and the Lafayette Journal-Courier, as well as in Ohio at the Toledo Blade, and in Illinois at the Rockford Star-Register. For several years he was owner and publisher of he Rising Sun Recorder and Ohio County News. He was also co-publisher of The News-Journal in North Manchester. He retired as publisher of the Delphos (Ohio) Herald and executive vice president of a group of nine newspapers owned by the Delphos Herald. He served 10 years as vice president of the Delphos Industrial Development Corporation, and after retirement to Irish Lake near North Webster, IN he served five years on the Barbee Lakes Association.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Dunlavy is survived by two sons - Shawn Dunlavy of Delphos, OH and Drew (Sheri) Dunlavy of Ft. Wayne; a daughter, Reagan Dunlavy of Galesburg, IL; a sister, Mrs. Dean (Martha Jane) Mitchell of North Webster; and five grandchildren.
Friends may call after 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 1 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, North Manchester, IN. Funeral service will be held at the church at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jeffrey L. Hawkins officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester.
Preferred memorials are to Shriner's Children's Hospital of Tampa, FL or St. Jude's Children's Research of Memphis, TN, c/o DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary No. Manchester Chapel.
Theron M. Bechtold
Theron M. "Zip: Bechtold, 85, of 6628N 650E Urbana, IN, died Saturday, May 25, 2002 at Wabash Skilled CareCenter, Wabash, IN. He was born Feb. 26, 1917 at Huntington County, IN to Conrad and Glennie (Elsie) Bechtold. He married Ruth E. Gahl on May 3, 1940 and she survives.
He was a carpenter and contractor for more than 55 years. He was a member of Salem United Methodist Church. He attended Bippus High School and was a life member of American Legion, Wabash, IN. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth; son Terry (Dian) Bechtold of Frankfort, IN; daughter Mrs. James (Linda) Renz of Urbana, IN; brother Kenneth Bechtold of Roanoke, IN; sisters Imolene Ziegler of Warsaw and Helen Meyer of Roann; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Two brothers and five sisters preceded him in death.
Friends may call one hour prior to funeral service which will be held Sunday, June 9, 2002 at 3:00 p.m. at the Salem United Methodist Church, located at CR 6750E & 700N, near Bippus, IN. Pastor Randell Webb and Rev. J. P. Freeman will officiate.
Preferred memorials are to Wabash County Hospice or Wabash Skilled CareCenter, c/o DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary North Manchester Chapel.
Beverly Kay Smith
Beverly Kay "Tootie" Smith, 57, of 769 Centennial St., Wabash, IN, died Saturday, May 25, 2002 at Wabash County Hospital, Wabash, IN. She was born Oct. 30,. 1944 at Huntington, IN to Wayne and Lula (Shorter) Brinson.
She was a 1973 graduate of the Lutheran School of Nursing, Fort Wayne. She worked as an L.P.N. for Millers Merry Manor East Nursing Home, Wabash. She loved to play Bingo.
Survivors include a step mother, Myrtle Brinson of Sweetser, IN; a daughter, Camey Sullivan of Sparta, TN and grandchildren Carman, Alan, and Jacky Sullivan all of Sparta, TN; four brothers - Harold "Mike" Brinson of Linton, IN, Winston "Pat" Brinson of Caraway, AR, Robert Lee Brinson of Linton, IN and David Brinson of LaFontaine, IN; four sisters - Mrs. Jean (Wanda) Siders and Mrs. Donald (Mary) Siders, both of Wabash, Mrs. Lou (Helen) Palmer of Williamsport, IN, and Mrs. Dan (Linda) Tucker of Lagro; and a special friend, Sharon Hembree of Lagro. Two brothers preceded her in death.
Friends may call at Grandstaff-Hentgen, Manchester Avenue Chapel, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash on Wednesday from 2 to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be held there Thursday, May 30, at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Gerald Zook officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Lawns Cemetery of Wabash.
Preferred memorials are to the family of Beverly Kay Smith. The memorial guest book for Beverly can be signed on-line at grandstaff-hentgen.com.
Florence Airgood Stouffer
Florence Airgood Stouffer, 89, 1035 Manchester Ave., Wabash, IN, died Friday, May 24, 2002 at Millers Merry Manor East, Wabash. She was born June 8, 1912 at Wabash County, IN to Harry C. and Fern (McClintock) Smith. She was first married to Chauncy Mann Airgood in Wabash on June 19, 1942; he died Nov. 18, 1955. Her second marriage was to Howard R. Stouffer in Lafayette, IN on Oct. 17, 1982; he died June 8, 1991.
She was a member of the Wabash First United Methodist Church and a 50-year member of the Wabash Order of the Eastern Star. She was a homemaker and a 1930 graduate of Lagro High School.
Survivors include two daughters - Mrs. John (Donna) Friedersdorf of Wabash and Mrs. David ( Doris) Stephenson of South Whitley; a son, Dennis (Diane) Airgood of Fort Wayne; step sons James P. Stouffer of Kalamazoo, MI, John R. Stouffer of Troy, MI, and Stephen R. Stouffer of Indianapolis; a stepdaughter, Sister Ann Stephen (Judy) Stouffer of Gardena, CA; six grandchildren, eight step grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Monday, May 27, 2002 at Falls Cemetery of Wabash where burial took place. Preferred memorials are to Wabash First United Methodist Church Choir, or Wabash Carnegie Public Library.
The memorial guest book for Florence can be signed on-line at grandstaff-hentgen.com of Wabash.
F. Leon Lines
F. Leon Lines, 92, a resident of Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, IN, died Friday, May 24, at Peabody Healthcare Center. He was born August 12, 1909 at Cincinnati, OH to Charles F. and Nora (Poland) Lines. He married Thelma Lyons on Sept. 18, 1948; she died Dec. 8, 1985.
He was a member of St. Robert's Catholic Church of North Manchester. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and was formerly employed at Peabody Seating Company for 26 years.
There are no survivors.
Graveside service was held Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at South Whitley Cemetery with Father Ron Ramenaden officiating. Arrangements were by DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary, North Manchester Chapel.
Mary K. Keaffaber
Mary Katherine Keaffaber, 88, of 346 Birchwood Ct., Wabash, IN, died Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at Millers Merry Manor West, Wabash. She was born Sept. 26, 1913 at Servia, IN to Henry and Velva (Chronister) Frantz. She was a 1932 graduate of Chester Township High School in Wabash County. She married Claude Keaffaber in North Manchester on Sept. 11, 1932; he died May 23, 1987.
Mary was a homemaker, a member of the Bachelor Creek Church of Christ, and a charter member of the Progressive Home Economics Club in Wabash County.
She is survived by a daughter Lois Ann Murphy of Wabash; granddaughter Mrs. Richard (Renee) Day of Denver, IN; grandsons Brett Murphy of Pendleton, IN and Greg (Tina) Murphy of Wabash; great granddaughters Brook Fry of Peru and MaKayla Murphy of Wabash; great grandsons Brandon Wideman of Urbana, Aaron Day of Denver, IN and Chandler Murphy of Wabash; and a great-great grandson Carson Day of Denver, IN. A grandson and two sisters preceded her in death.
Funeral service was held Friday, May 24, 2002 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Manchester Ave. Chapel with Rev. John Leinbaugh officiating. Burial was in Memorial Lawns Cemetery of Wabash. Preferred memorials are to the American Diabetes Association. The memorial guest book for Mary can be signed on-line at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
Robert William Murray
Robert William "Bob" Murray, 74, of 3556N 400E, Lagro, IN, died Thursday, May 23, 2002 at Wabash Skilled CareCenter of Wabash. He was born March 22, 1928 at Chester Township of Wells County, IN to Alfred and Stella May (Starr) Murray. He was a 1946 graduate of Chester Center High School in Wells County. He married Rita M. Savieo in Fort Wayne on June 3, 1949.
He was a member of the Urbana Yoke Parish. He was a retired dairyman and drove school bus for the Metropolitan School District for many years. He was an avid sportsman and loved to attend ball games.
Survivors include his wife, Rita M. Murray of Lagro; a daughter, Linda Townsend of Lagro; a granddaughter Mrs. Larry (Nichole) Lambert of Lagro; a grandson Aaron (Rachel) Mendenhall of LaCrosse, IN; a great granddaughter Alyssa Lambert and great grandson Heath Lambert, both of Lagro; and a sister, Virginia P. Griffin of Fort Wayne. Three brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 29, 2002 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peters United Church of Christ, SR 13N, Urbana, with Pastor Ken Parsons officiating. Burial will take place in Memorial Lawns Cemetery of Wabash.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Urbana Yoke Parish. Memorial guest book for Robert can be signed on-line at grandstaff-hentgen.com.
Julie M. McKinley
Julie M. McKinley, 78, of 501 Kech S., North Manchester, IN and formerly of rural Lagro, IN, died Thursday, May 23, 2002 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN. She was born Nov. 6, 1923 at Augsburg, Germany to Josef and Magdalina Schmid, both deceased. She traveled to America in July 1953 aboard the Andrea Doria. She married Arnold "Bus" McKinley in October 1953; he died June 3, 1974.
She was a member of the Lagro United Methodist Church. She was a member of Wabash Chapter #90 Order of the Eastern Star, Wabash. She was former owner and operator of the Marion Cafeteria, Marion, IN from 1969-75. She was later employed with Chartwell's at Manchester College.
Survivors include a son, E. Norman (Marilyn) McKinley of Pittsburg, PA; daughters Mrs. Greg (Carrie) Williams of Warsaw, Mrs. Tim (Evelyn) Bradford of North Manchester, and Mrs. Benjamin (Marceil) "T.L." Kemper of Claypool; a brother Adolf (Anna Marie) Schmid of Augsburg, Germany; a sister-in-law, Mrs. William (Rita) Sunderman of Huntington; and five grandchildren.
Funeral service was held Monday, May 27, 2002 at DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary No. Manchester Chapel, with Rev. J. P. Freeman officiating. Burial was in Lagro Cemetery, Lagro, IN. Preferred memorials are to the Lagro United Methodist Church, c/o DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary, N. Manchester Chapel.
Claudine Fannin
Claudine Fannin, 86, of 600 Washington St., Wabash, IN died Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at Americare Health Center, Wabash, IN. She was born Feb. 14, 1916 at Auxier, Floyd County, KY to Homer and Katherine (Bazes) McKinzie. A homemaker, she married Clarence Fannin May 10, 1935 in Floyd County, KY; he died January 1981. She was a member of the Cathedral of Praise Church of God, Wabash.
Survivors include a son, Charles Fannin of Denver, IN; six daughters - Mrs. Phil (Carol) Hall of Knoxville, TN, Mrs. Glen (Patsy) Bolden of Dixon, TN, and from Wabash, IN Soreana Bowman (Butcher), Mrs. Henry (Bonnie) McCoart Sr., Mrs. Thomas (Barbara) Auiles, and Mrs. Billy (Alice) Hashbarger; a sister, Jocelyn Sisco of Dayton, OH; 21 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and 22 great-great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were a brother, sister, grandchild, and a great-grandchild.
Funeral service was held Thursday, May 23, 2002 at McDonald Funeral Home Eddingfield Chapel with Rev. Bill Hashbarger and Rev. Jim Morsett officiating. Burial was in Memorial Lawns Cemetery of Wabash.
Myron R. Metzger
Services for Myron R. Metzger, 72, of 802 Crestview Dr., North Manchester, were held Saturday, May 11, 2002 at Manchester Church of the Brethren. Officiating were Pastors Susan Boyer and Christen Miller; Susan Clark presided at the organ.
Burial was in Ulrey Memorial Cemetery of rural Silver Lake, IN. Pallbearers were David Metzger, Douglas Metzger, Duane Metzger, Linden Williams, Cory Metzger, and Matthew Metzger. Arrangements were by DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary, No. Manchester Chapel.
