Ronald F. “Ron” Miller, 84, Warsaw, passed away at 8:38 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at Visiting Nurse & Hospice in Fort Wayne. Arrangements are pending at Owen Family Funeral Home, SR 13 and CR 500N, North Webster.

Katherine “Kathy” Jaunita Remfrey, of Warsaw, went home to be with Jesus at 4:40 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Mason Health and Rehabilitation Center of Warsaw at the age of 86. She passed away surrounded by her loving family.

Katherine “Kathy” Jaunita Remfrey

She was born a coal miner’s daughter on Feb. 11, 1933, in Phelps, Ky., to Gracie Pearl (Lester) Blankenship and Roscoe Blankenship. On Aug. 21, 1965, she was married to Samual Arnold Remfrey, who survives.

She has been a Kosciusko County, resident for the past 59 years and was affiliated with Claypool Full Gospel Tabernacle Church. Kathy worked for over 21 years at Sun Metal Products in Warsaw. When she wasn’t taking care of her family or working, she enjoyed reading, crafts, loved adult coloring books and her cooking shows. More than anything, she enjoyed her family – especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed. 

Kathy will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 54 years, Samual Arnold Remfrey (Warsaw); son: Joshua (Tara) Remfrey (Waterloo); and two daughters: Regina (Jerry) Wadkins (Kimmell); Sonja (Jeff) Lett (Bourbon). She also leaves behind twelve grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and her brother:  Garney (Cheryl) Blankenship (Warsaw). She was preceded in death by parents, her grandson, Matthew Wadkins, in 2012, four brothers and five sisters.           

Visitation will be on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, from 4-7 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. There will also be time for visitation on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Katherine’s life will be celebrated with a service that will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Rev. Jerry Wadkins. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Graceland Cemetery in Claypool. 

Memorial donations may be directed to Real Services-Kosciusko County, 110 E Prairie St., Warsaw, Indiana  46580 and would be appreciated by the family.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.

Ronald F. “Ron” Miller, 84, Warsaw, passed away at 8:38 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at Visiting Nurse & Hospice in Fort Wayne. He was born on May 5, 1935, in Chicago, Ill. to Joseph and Ann Elizabeth (Spies) Miller.

He graduated in 1953 from Chicago Vocational High School and attended University of Illinois School of Pharmacy. He was a United States Army veteran and was married on April 11, 1959, in Chicago, Ill. to Pirkko A. Virvalo who survives. He retired in 1997 from International Harvester in Chicago after 38 years and moved to the North Webster / Warsaw area in 1999 from Chicago, Ill.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 253 in North Webster and Old Guard Association, former member of the Lakeland Kiwanis in North Webster, and was raised in the Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife, Pirkko Miller, Warsaw; daughter, Patricia (David) Ridenour, Peotone, Ill.; son, Ronald (Gary Aldrich) Miller, Reno, Nev.; granddaughter, Rachel Michelle Zabrodsky, Lexington, Ky.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard Miller.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Owen Family Funeral Home, SR 13 and CR 500N, North Webster. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the funeral home. Cremation will take place at Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, 4356 N. SR 15, Warsaw.

Preferred memorials may be given to the North Webster Public Library, P.O. Box 825, North Webster. IN 46555. To send condolences to the family in memory of Ronald Miller, please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com

Frank Whitehead died Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, with all the blessings of the Catholic Church. He died at home surrounded by his wife and eight children after a full and blessed life.

Frank was born on Nov. 1, 1933, to Alfred and Mamie Moss Whitehead in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. and grew up on the family’s centennial dairy farm. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1952 and served our country in the US Army during the Korean conflict. 

In 1960, he married Diana M. Percha at Sacred Heart Church in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. He went to work for Skelgas/Getty Oil for the next twenty-five years and was the branch manager of Skelgas in Warsaw for twenty years. He retired from Skelgas and then worked at Laketon Refinery and Marble Creations.

Frank devoted his time to his family. Whether traveling with family, attending his children’s activities, visiting relatives, camping, playing with grandchildren or gardening, he enjoyed every moment. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers; Keith, Dale, and Wayne Whitehead. He will be missed by his wife of sixty years, Diana; children, Connie (Willis) Pratt of Warsaw; Tom (Janie) Whitehead of Warsaw; Jim (Shirley) Whitehead of St. Mary’s, Kan.; Linda (Dave) Schroeder of Fort Wayne; Mark (Lana) Whitehead of Canfield, Ohio; Tricia (Kurt) Brandon of Bourbon; Susan (Brian) Poe of Shawnee, Kan.; and Krissy (Paul) Schneider of San Diego, Calif.; forty-eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. 

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Titus Funeral Home, 2000 East Sheridan Street, Warsaw where visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 13, from 5 to 6 p.m. Beginning at 6 p.m., a rosary service will be held. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m. in St. John Fisher Catholic Church, 3333 East Tillman Road, Fort Wayne with gathering for one-hour prior. Burial will be on Saturday in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, 5950 East 350 South, Pierceton with a committal service at 3:30 p.m.

Memorial gifts may be given to St. John Fisher Catholic Church. Condolences may be sent at www.TitusFuneralHome.com

Shirley “Starbuck” Bragg, 84 and a resident of Warsaw, passed away in her home surrounded by her family at 9:49 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. Arrangements are entrusted to Titus Funeral Home, 2000 E. Sheridan Street, Warsaw. Condolences may be sent and a full obituary viewed at www.TitusFuneralHome.com

Donna Mae Ellis, 86, Winona Lake, passed away at 4:30 a.m.,Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in Grace Village Retirement Community, of Winona Lake. Donna was born on Sept. 20, 1933, in Butler, to Ernest W. and Bessie Mae (Snyder) Hackbirth. She was married to Charles A. Ellis in Kosciusko Co. on Sept. 25, 1953.

Donna lived in Washington State as a young girl and then moved to Kosciusko Co., where she lived the remainder of her lifetime. She graduated from Pierceton High School and continued on to graduate from South Bend Business College of Commerce. She attended Purdue University, Grace College and completed ICS School of Design in 1976. Donna was a interior designer and business manager for 12 years prior to becoming and then owned Interiors One-Three from 1976 to 2013.

Donna was a group leader for Winning Over Widowhood (WOW); associated with the Presbyterian Church, Warsaw. She was also a member of the Salvation Army Auxiliary. She was active in Winona Lake Free Methodist Church Sunday School and Bible studies. Donna enjoyed embroidering and sewing. She was an avid reader and she also loved to travel.  Her greatest joy was taking care of her family of which she loved dearly.

Donna is survived by children, Charlene (David) Johnson of Warsaw; Jim Ellis of Warsaw; Jennifer Ellis of Indianapolis; grandchildren, David Johnson of Warsaw; Caitlin Johnson of Jackson, Mich.; Michelle (Larry) Hollar of Warsaw; Danelle (John) Leeka of Warsaw; Dana (Ralph) Hatfield of Warsaw; in addition, she is survived by five great-grandchildren; brothers, James (Ida) Hackbirth of Texas; Robert Hackbirth of Winona Lake; sister, Ruth (John) Skeel of Winona Lake.

She was preceded in death by husband, Charles A. Ellis in 1999, one grandchild, Justin Ellis; daughter-in-law, Sandy Ellis; two brothers, David and Allen Hackbirth.

Visitation will be from  3-5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw with the funeral service starting at 5 p.m. Pastor Bob Jarboe will be officiating the service. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations may be made to Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice 1515 Provident Dr. Warsaw, IN 46581 or The Salvation Army 501 E. Arthur St.  P.O. Box 175 Warsaw, IN 46581

To Sign the Guestbook or Send a Condolence go to www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com

William K. Sanford, 41, of Warsaw, passed away at 10:55 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in Ligonier. William was born on Dec. 27, 1977.  He was married to Rachel Slone on Oct. 18, 2014, in Warsaw.

William has been a resident of Warsaw since 2009. He worked as a supervisor for TI Automotive in Ligonier.

William is survived by wife, Rachel Sanford of Warsaw; adoptive parents, William and Edith Sanford of Pennsylvania; birth parents, Troy Brown and Marcella Henderson of South Bend; siblings, Shatoria Adams, DeWayne Henderson, Tanika Adams, Latasha Dillard, Troy Dillard, Talia Brown, Kayla Barrs, Tyler Brown, Chaliyah Brown; children, Aniah Terrick, Chyaira Duncan, Abrianna Kennedy, Cam’ron McGuire, William Isaac Huber, Kimora Sanford, Elijah Sanford, Gavin Truex, and Raheem Glenn.

Visitation will be from  4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. His funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m. with a viewing one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Pastor Rick Johnson will be officiating the service. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw is entrusted with his care.

To Sign the Guestbook or Send a Condolence go to www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com

Norma J. Cowen, 88, of Columbia City, died at 7:33 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, at Miller’s at Oak Pointe where she had been a resident since 2011.

Born Dec. 17, 1930, in Wheatfield, she was a daughter of the late Homer C. and Alma M. (Cooper) Woosley. Her formative years were spent in Tefft, Indiana where she attended Tefft High School.

On Aug. 6, 1960, she was united in marriage to John T. Cowen. They made their home in the Columbia City area. John died on Sept. 11, 2010.

For 20 years, she worked for the former Strouse’s Menswear, Columbia City. The couple owned and operated the Goose Lake resort, then the Wolf Lake Bar, and finally the Crossroads Inn in Ligonier.

Always expanding her knowledge and keeping current, she was an avid reader. Embroidery and flower gardening kept her busy when not at work. She is fondly remembered for delicious fried chicken and her lemon cake. She delighted in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda S. Needler of North Webster; grandchildren, Pamela (Gordon) Baker of Pierceton; and Niki (Mike) Groves of New Paris; four great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Beverly (Reedie) Shephard of North Judson, and Betty Christner of Warsaw.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Howard, and infant sister, and a brother, William Woosley.

A visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial will take place at a later date at the South Park Annex Cemetery.

Preferred memorials are to Heartland Hospice.

George Marion Fletcher of Warsaw, Indiana passed away at 1:35 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 at his residence at the age of 95.

George Marion Fletcher

He was born on Mar. 23, 1924 in Delaware County, Indiana to Edna May (Conwell) and Hewitt H. Fletcher.  George was married on May 6, 1950 to Mary Elizabeth (Anderson) Fletcher.  They shared 61 years of marriage together before she passed away on May 26, 2011.

George graduated from Center High School in Perry Township.  After graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during WWII from 1943-1945.  He was always a hard worker, a lifelong farmer as well as a truck driver.  George never shied away from a hard day’s work.  He was a resident of Warsaw, Indiana for the past 18 years, moving from Columbia City, Indiana.  He attended Trinity United Methodist Church of Warsaw and St. Matthews United Methodist Church of Columbia City.  He will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be dearly missed.

He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter:  Nancy Fletcher (Warsaw, Indiana); two sons: Mike (Doris) Fletcher (Kimmell, Indiana); Randy (Cynthia) Fletcher (Warsaw, Indiana); and his daughter-in-law: Cindi Fletcher (Columbia City, Indiana).  Also, surviving are his beloved six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, two sisters, and his two sons Jack and Hugh Fletcher.

A private family graveside service will be held at South Whitley Cemetery, South Whitley, Indiana and officiated by Chaplain Bob Jarboe.  Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.

Isabel (Tibbits) Hankins, 95, Warsaw, passed away at 4:45 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Miller’s Merry Manor Assisted Living, Warsaw.  She was born on April 20, 1924, in Warsaw, to Samuel C. and Martha J. (Boyer) Tibbitts.

As a young girl Isabel attended and graduated from Claypool High School in 1942. She moved from Warsaw to Huntertown in 1955; where she resided for 55 years before returning back to Warsaw for the remainder of her life. She was united in marriage to Willard S. Hankins on May 4, 1946. 

During her life she worked for the Huntertown United States Post Office; where she retired as Postmaster after 20 years of service.  Isabel was a member of the Huntertown United Methodist Church and First Christian Church, Warsaw. She was also a member of UPMA-United Postmasters and Managers of America. Isabel enjoyed crosswords and knitting; but her true passion was her devotion to the Lord and doing his work thru volunteering at the Churches she attended.

She is survived by a son; Bill (Patricia) Hankins of Sarasota, Fla., numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Willard S. Hankins on Sept. 6, 2010, a daughter, Susan Hankins and seven siblings.

A funeral service will be held at noon, Tuesday, Dec. 17, in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.

Visitation will be two hours prior to the service from 10 a.m.-noon in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.  Pastor Matthew Rogers will officiate.  Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

In honor of Isabel, memorial contributions may be made to: First Christian Church 115 Park Ridge Dr,  Warsaw, IN 46580

To sign the register book or leave condolences electronically, go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com

Floyd F. “Doc” Warren, 97, Ligonier, passed away at 2:05 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at Courtyard Healthcare in Goshen. He was born on July 24, 1922, the son of Floyd F. and Nellie R. (Douglas) Warren Sr. in North Bloomfield, Ohio. On Sept. 27, 1947, he married Ivalou Siegel in Troy, Ohio.

Doc is survived by two sons, William E. (Susan) Warren of Geneva; and Robert K. (Vivian Ernsperger) Warren of Cromwell; three daughters, Ruth E. (Randy) Jones of Warsaw; Beth A. Wenger of Goshen; and Connie J. Estep of Goshen; eight grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren; and brother, Kenneth (Jean) Warren of Grand Rapids, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his bride of 55 years, Ivalou R. Warren in 2002; his parents; and four brothers, Calvin, Harlan, Charles, and Philip.

Doc served his country honorably during WWII in the United States Army and was a recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army Reserve Veterinary Corps. Doc and his wife, Ivalou moved to the area in 1952 from Ohio and were long time members of Ligonier Presbyterian Church. Doc was the very definition of a community servant. He served as Mayor of Ligonier from 1976-1980, was a former Noble County Commissioner, and served the area as a veterinarian for 44 years. He was active in the community his entire life and was a member of the Ligonier Historical Society, the Ligonier Masonic Lodge 185, Scottish Rite 33rd degree, York Rite, The Shrine Order of The Eastern Star 325, charter member of Stone’s Trace Historical Society, Gene Stratton-Porter Society, and the Ligonier American Legion Post 253. In his spare time, Doc loved to travel and had visited every continent except for Antarctica.

A funeral service will be held in Doc’s honor at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South; Ligonier, IN 46767. Burial will follow at a later date at Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier where full military rites will be rendered.

Family and friends will be received from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Yeager Funeral Home. A Masonic service will be held at 7PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Stone’s Trace Historical Society, 1588 N 650 W, Kimmell, IN 46760 or Honor Flight Northeast Indiana, PO BOX 5, Huntertown, IN 46748.

Yeager Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dora Jeanne Weirick, affectionately known as Jeanne, passed away at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, at Miller’s Merry Manor of Warsaw, at the age of 81.

She was born on Aug. 4, 1938, in Warsaw, to Helen Marguerite (Hoffer) and William Harry Frush. On Sept. 10, 1961, she was married to Gerald Willard Weirick.

Jeanne was a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, Indiana where she was a 1956 graduate of Atwood High School. Before she married, she had the distinction of working at Lake City Bank as the first drive-up teller. Later she worked for Kosciusko County Government for 19 years where for eight years she served as Clerk of Circuit Court. Jeanne was always involved in her children’s lives and loved to volunteer her time. She was a former Girl Scout Leader, member of Rural Youth Indiana, member of the Kosciusko County Extension Homemaker Club; her local club was Atwood Home Study. She made time for delivering Mobile Meals, member of Kosciusko County Historical Society and Kosciusko County Mental Health Association. Jeanne was also a member of the Red Hat Society, was a weekly mentor at Claypool Elementary School, and was a State Officer for the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association. Jeanne and her family were members of Walnut Creek United Methodist Church of Warsaw. She loved to garden, read, sew and quilt. Jeanne was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed by all.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 58 years, Gerald Willard Weirick, Warsaw; three daughters: Gail Weirick (Bob Livingston), Belchertown, Mass.; Teresa (Larry) Landis, Warsaw; and Nancy (Mike) Hobbs, Warsaw. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Andrea Landis, Dean Landis, Laura (Cole) Foltz, Tanner (Marissa) Hobbs, Trenten Hobbs, Mark (Laura) Livingston, and Kerry Croskey; four great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and two brothers: Charles Frush, Warsaw; Richard (Nancy) Frush, Lititz, Penn. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Marilyn Penn.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. Jeanne’s life will be celebrated with a service conducted at 6 p.m. and officiated by Pastor Greg Hiatt. Burial will take place at a later date at Harrison Center Cemetery, Atwood.

Memorial donations in Jeanne’s memory may be directed to Nurturing Knight Fund, c/o Marsha Sands, 2024 W. 700 S., Claypool, IN 46510. Please make checks payable to Claypool Elementary School.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.

Michael “Mike” Stahly, 56, Warsaw, passed away at 9:40 p.m., Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Arrangements are pending McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.

To Sign the Guestbook or Send a Condolence go to www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com

Shirley Bragg, 84, passed away on Dec. 11, 2019, in her son’s home on Chapman Lake. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing.

Shirley was born in Springfield, Ill. on Oct. 27, 1935. She was the daughter of Louis and Ida Starbuck who preceded her in passing. She was a graduate of Southside High School in Fort Wayne. On Dec. 29, 1956, Shirley was united in marriage to the love of her life Richard Bragg, Sr. They raised three boys together Rick, Mark, and Kevin. Shirley and Richard were married for 50 years before his passing in 2007.

Shirley was loyal, courageous, and caring. She was very organized while maintaining a household full of boys. As a young family, they enjoyed summers on Chapman Lake where many treasured memories were made. She enjoyed the pontoon rides, fishing, and the sunsets on the lake. Shirley was a motherly figure for her entire family and friend to all who knew her. She enjoyed IU Hoosiers basketball and Chicago Cubs baseball. She had a strong faith in the Lord and knew someday she would reunite with her husband.

Shirley was a devoted mother and will be survived by her three sons, Rick Bragg, Chapman Lake; Mark(Missy Rees) Bragg, Chapman Lake; Kevin Bragg; Warsaw; seven grandchildren; brother Fred Starbuck; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, her brother James Starbuck preceded her in passing.

A private graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery. A Life Celebration will be held at Chapman Lake. Arrangements were entrusted to Warsaw’s Titus Funeral Home.

Memorials may be gifted to Chapman Lakes Conservation Association P.O Box 776 Warsaw IN.; K21 Health Foundation- Cancer Care Fund, 2170 North Pointe Drive, Warsaw, IN.; Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice, 1515 Provident Drive, Suite 250 Warsaw, IN. or Riley Children’s Hospital, 30 South Meridian Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Condolences may be left by visiting www.TitusFuneralHome.com

Michael “Mike” Edward Stahly, 56, Warsaw, passed away at 9:40 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2019, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. His fun-loving stories, quips, and joy for the simple things in life will never be forgotten. 

Born on Jan. 16, 1963, to parents, Jim Stahly (wife Sharon) and Dana Stahly (Wagner). He was the oldest of their three children, Shelly (Mark) Aker and Jason Stahly. Mike graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 1981 before attending Ball State University. He is survived by his wife, Pamela (Wildman), two children Taylor and Tyler Stahly, his siblings Shelly Aker, Jason Stahly, Duane Davis, Dale Davis, Greg Davis, and Jennifer Lease, parents, and several nieces and nephews.

Remembered by many as “Stinky,” a nickname fondly given to him by his closest of friends and worn as a badge of honor, his young and teenage years were filled with wrestling matches, motocross, and road trips with friends. With a zest for mischief and adventure, he continued finding the fun in life well into adulthood.

Always the last to leave a party, Stinky, entertained his family and friends with tales of past shenanigans with his fraternity buddies and endless jokes to keep everyone laughing. A thoughtful kidder, birthday cards were likely printed with the words Happy Anniversary only to have the word anniversary crossed out and replaced with ‘birthday’ in his handwriting. 

An avid music listener and air guitarist, Mike passed on his love and immense appreciation of a good song to his family. Topping his playlist was The Who, Todd Snider, Styx, Rush, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. He found much pleasure in the simple things in life, like a colorful sunset, and found peace when taking in his surroundings. He enjoyed a good campfire well into the night, especially during the annual family salmon fishing trip in Northern Michigan. He also appreciated sailing and boating, golfing, racing, mushroom hunting, playing pool, and working with his hands. All which suited his love of a good ball cap and distaste for suits and ties. 

He deeply loved his family. He spent much time with his children, raving about his daughter’s long, beautiful hair and training his son to cut lenses and operate the machinery in the lab at the Spectacle Shoppe, the family business in which he served as a lab technician. When not at work, he could be found sharing laughs, more stories, and drinks with his family and friends in Warsaw or on Chapman and Tippecanoe Lakes. 

With a heart of gold and generosity to a fault, he did not know a stranger. Everyone was greeted with a smile and warmth. Mike leaves behind a legacy of kindness and friendship. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his friends and family. 

Tremendous heartfelt gratitude goes to the compassionate nurses, chaplains, and staff at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN. The comfort and tenderness provided for Mike and family brought peace and tranquility in a time of sorrow as Mike transitioned from this life into the next. 

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the funeral service immediately following on Friday, December 20 at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. Mike’s long-time friend and fraternity brother, Pastor Dereck Fields, will be officiating the service. Mike will be laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

Memorial gifts may be given toward Mike’s final expenses at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Home and would be greatly appreciated by the family.

The Mike Stahly Funeral Fund c/o McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel 2290 Provident Ct. Warsaw, IN 46580

To Sign the Guestbook or Send a Condolence go to www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com

Carmen J. Lock, 83, Warsaw, passed away 2:44 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in her residence. Carmen was born on Aug. 14, 1936, in Miami Co, to Mourice and Josephine (McIntosh) Houser.

She grew up in Ossian, where she attended and graduated from Ossian High School in 1955. She was united in marriage to Milford Lock on November 12, 1955 in Fort Wayne. She moved to Kosciusko Co. in 1969 where she lived the remainder of her lifetime. Carmen worked at the Warsaw Nursing Home and was the acting director at Millers Merry Manor of Warsaw. She owned and renovated the Warsaw Train Depot, turning it into the Warsaw Depot Gift & Ceramics. She was the executive director of WCDC Warsaw. Carmen attended various churches throughout the community. She enjoyed sewing, making clothes and ceramics. She was a member of the morning Warsaw Optimist Club. She was a foster parent for the impaired.

Carmen is survived by her husband, Milford Lock of Warsaw; children, David (Blinda) Lock of Virginia Beach, Va.; Steven (companion Rusty Brubaker) Lock of Warsaw; Richard Lock of Warsaw; Sherry Montague of Warsaw; Teresa (John) Ludwig of Warsaw; in addition, she was survived by nine grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.

Visitation will be from  2-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 21, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw at 10:30 a.m. with a viewing one hour prior to the service. Chaplain Forrest Tabor will officiate. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

In honor of Carmen, memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice 1315 Directors Row #210 Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808

To Sign the Guestbook or Send a Condolence go to www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com

Mary Carol Chrisenberry, 70, Warsaw, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in her Warsaw home. Arrangements for her Life Celebration® are pending with Titus Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and updates to service information may be viewed at www.TitusFuneralHome.com

Nellie E. VanMarcke, a longtime resident of Barbee Lake and of the Warsaw area, passed away at 5:10 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in Warsaw Meadows Care Center.

Set to turn 101 years old on Saturday, Nellie was born on Dec. 21, 1918, in Connersville. She was the daughter of Walter L. and Almeta (Frick) Adams. She grew up in Connersville, graduated from high school there and was married to Achiel VanMarcke on August 13, 1938. The two made their home in Connersville before moving to Barbee Lake in the 1960s.

Nellie had worked for the Kosciusko County TB Association before accepting a position with the Kosciusko County Health Department. She would spend more than thirty years there, retiring as office manager. She was a longtime member of North Webster United Methodist Church and was a very outgoing, active person. She loved to fish and birdwatch. She enjoyed flower gardening, butterflies and time spent with family. She was a true “mother bear” who protected her family and made sure each of them knew how special they were to her.

Nellie was preceded in passing by her husband, Achiel; a brother Charles Adams and her parents. Surviving are her daughter, Sue Wegert of Warsaw; grandsons, Eric (Stacia) Wegert of Kokomo and Dan Wegert of Elgin, Ill.; granddaughter, Kathy (Tim) Cochran of Noblesville; five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

A Life Celebration has been planned on her birthday, Saturday, Dec. 21, at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 East Sheridan Street, Warsaw. The family will receive visitors at 10 a.m. with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Connersville’s Dale Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to a charity of the donor’s choosing. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.TitusFuneralHome.com

Linda L. Branning, 78, of Warsaw, died at 9:44 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, at her home in the company of family.

She was born Dec. 3, 1941, in Noble County, a daughter of the late Donald C. and Pauline M. (Trumbull) Caskey. She grew up in the Ligonier area, where she graduated from Ligonier High School in 1959.

On June 2, 1967, she was united in marriage to Paul L. Branning. They made their home in rural Columbia City. In 1991, they moved to Pike Lake in Warsaw.

She began her work career with the Whitley County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS). She then worked for the Whiteleather Law Office and completed her work career with More’s Farm Store, Columbia City.

She enjoyed friends, family, and church family and would often send them handwritten letters. She loved her flowers and watching the birds at their lakeside home. Until unable, she did scrapbooking, documenting her family’s life.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Paul; a daughter, Diane (Rocky) Reed, Pierceton; a son, Charlie (Debbie) Dull, Fort Wayne; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Marilyn Grant, Goshen.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a sister, Georgia Underwood.

The funeral service is 10 a.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is at the Sparta Cemetery in Kimmell. Visitation is 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to Heart to Heart Hospice.