Leamon (Eddie) Lowther Jr., 62, Warsaw, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017 at 3:17 p.m. in his residence.  He was born Feb. 11, 1955 in Westmoreland, Penn. to Leamon Lowther Sr. and Emma Jeanne (Booth) Lowther.

He was discharged as a wounded veteran of the United States Air Force after sustaining a gunshot wound. He loved spending time with his family and spoiling his nieces and nephews.  He also liked watching television with his dog Bud and traveling in his spare time.

He is survived by nephews: Chad (spouse Tonya) Ouimet and Shaun (spouse Janiece) Ouimet both of Warsaw. Other surviving nieces and nephews from Malone, N.Y. include; Leonard and Robine Deshane, Tina and Mike Pritchard, Temecca and Jeremy Rust, Tammy Deshane, Jason and Ashley Grant; numerous other nieces and nephews also survive.  He was preceded in death by one brother, Henry D. Lowther as well as his mother and father.

There are no services scheduled at this time.

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

Verna May Felts, 89, Mishawaka, formerly of Warsaw, passed away at 12:26 a.m., Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, at North Woods Village at Edison Lake, Mishawaka.

Arrangements are pending McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.

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

Verna May Felts, 88, Mishawaka, formerly of Warsaw, passed away at 12:26 a.m., Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in North Woods Village at Edison Lake, Mishawaka. She was born Dec. 15, 1928 in Stratton, Neb. to Gustaf and Hazel (Wollman) Miller.

She was a Warsaw resident since 1957. On Oct. 17, 1957 in Stratton, Neb. she was united in marriage to W. Roland Felts (who preceded her in death on June 14, 2012). She was a Professor of Piano at Grace College in Winona Lake. She attended Community Baptist Church in South Bend. In her free time, she enjoyed music and taking care of her garden flowers. She loved her husband and family dearly.

She is survived by her children: Jeff (spouse Patty) Felts of Millersville, Md.; and Alicia (spouse Allen) Wedertz of Osceola; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters, and one brother.

Visitation is scheduled from 3-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27 in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at Community Baptist Church in South Bend; with Dr. Carl Herbster officiating. Interment will be private.

Alexis Cadence Hall of Warsaw, Ind. passed away unexpectedly at 7:47 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 at Kosciusko Community Hospital of Warsaw at the age of 13.

She was born on March 3, 2004 in Columbia City, Ind. to Amy Renae (Conley) & Joshua Evan Hall.

Alexis attended Washington Elementary School, and was an 8th grader at Edgewood Middle School, both in Warsaw.  She loved music, fashion, and roller skating….countless hours she spent doing just the simple things a kid does and enjoyed. Alexis’ life may seem too short, but she lived each day just being herself.  She may not have realized just how much she touched the lives of everyone around her each day.  Alexis will be dearly missed and will forever remain in the hearts of her family and friends.

She will be lovingly remembered by her parents Amy and Josh Hall (Warsaw, Ind.); brother, Gage Hall and her sister, Zoie Smith (both at home in Warsaw).  She also leaves behind her paternal grandparents: Cory and Jodi Hackney (Warsaw, Ind.); Evan and Trudy Hall (Syracuse, Ind.); and her maternal grandparents:  Barbara and Mark Pozorski (Warsaw, Ind.).   Also surviving is her great-grandfather: Irwin Weinberg (Lake Worth, Fla.); and step great-grandfather: Leroy Schema (Dearborn Heights, Mich.), who was preceded in death by his wife Cecily Schema.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 10 – 1 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Ind.  Her funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. and officiated by Pastor Bryan Lowe.  Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw, Ind.

Thomas R. “Tom” Plew, 70, of North Webster, Ind. passed away at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2017 at Grace Village Healthcare in Winona Lake, Ind. He was born on Sept. 25, 1946 to Bertis “Bert” & Julia (Bruno) Plew.

He graduated from Warsaw High School and earned a degree from Sam’s Technical Institute in Indianapolis. He served in the United States Navy for four years as a Machinery Repairman aboard the destroyer escort USS Calcaterra. On May 21, 1993 he was married in Warsaw, Ind. to Elizabeth A. “Betty” (Burger) Schaffer who preceded him in death on Feb. 17, 2014. He retired after 30 years from DePuy Orthopedics / Johnson & Johnson as a tooling services manager and was a certified manufacturing engineer. He was a lifetime Warsaw / North Webster area resident.

He was an active member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church of Warsaw where he held many offices including elder and president and was a 50-year member of American Legion Post 253 serving as Post Adjutant and a member of the Honor Guard firing detail. In 2010, Tom was named North Webster Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year. He was a director and Weed Committee Chairman of the Webster Lake Conservation Association and was director and secretary of the Dixie Sternwheeler Inc. He was instrumental in the preservation of the historic Dixie Boat and spent many evenings on his back porch waiting for the Dixie to pass by.

He is survived by: two sons – Ehren (Holly) Plew of Valparaiso, Ind. and Cameron (Christa) Plew of Warsaw; step-son Scott Schaffer of North Webster; best friend and companion Cindy Berghoff of Columbia City; two grandchildren – Caroline and Wilbur; two sisters – Kathy (Don) LeCount of Leesburg and Jill (Ron) Cook of Warsaw; two brothers – Mike (Amy) Plew of Cape Charles, Va. and Kim Plew of Warsaw; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, at Owen Family Funeral Home, St. Rd 13 and CR 500 N, North Webster, Ind. and one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the church.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1720 E. Center St. Warsaw, with Pastor Michael Mueller officiating. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday in the North Webster Cemetery.

Preferred memorials may be given to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1720 East Center Street Warsaw, IN 46580.

J. David Nichols was born in Dallas, Texas on Jan. 30, 1949, to A. Miller and Flora (Paulson) Nichols.  He went to be with his Lord on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, after having multiple health issues.

He was a 1967 graduate of Warsaw Community High School. He spent most of his lifetime in Kosciusko County.  On Aug. 3, 1974, he was married to Karen Conley, who survives.

David enjoyed working at Miller and Sons Lumberyard in Silver Lake. He also spent time working at American Home Center, West Roofing, and Menards. He attended Pillsbury and Grace College. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Oswego. He loved singing praises and was a song leader, helping lead the Sunday Services.

He is survived by his daughter: Erika Nichols of Warsaw; grandchildren: Jordan, Avery, and Jaclyn; his sister: Sara “Sally” Nichols of Pierceton, nephews: Jeremiah Nichols of Illinois, and Joshua Nichols of Florida; brother, Paul Nichols of Warsaw; nephew, Adam Nichols, nieces: Hannah Nichols and Jodi Nichols, both of Warsaw; sister-in-law: Ann Nichols of Ohio; and nieces: Jaimee Nichols of Florida and Kathryn Nichols of Ohio.

David was preceded in death by his parents and his brother James Nichols.

David was an active member of Kosciusko “Back to the Days” where he loved going to historical reenactments portraying mountain men from the 1820’s – 1840’s era.  He was very knowledgeable in all areas of that time period.  He loved sharing information with people at the log cabin at the fairgrounds and with children at the schools.

His voice, whit, sense of humor, and orneriness will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service to celebrate David’s life will take place at First Baptist Church of Oswego on Sunday, Sept. 3rd at 4 p.m. Dr. Ron Manahan will officiate.

The family has asked that gifts in David’s memory be directed to: American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215, First Baptist Church of Oswego, 2985 E. Church Street, Warsaw, IN 46582, or Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

The staff of Titus Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Helen G. Hoy, 96, Winona Lake, passed away at 8:10 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, at Grace Village Healthcare in Winona Lake.

She was born on Aug. 11, 1921 in Budapest, Hungary to Peter Paul & Rose Margaret (Mohachi) Karolyi.

She graduated in 1941 from Payne High School in Payne, Ohio and in 1943 from Skadron Business College in Fort Wayne. She was married on Jan. 15, 1946 in Fort Wayne to DeVon Staley who preceded her on Feb. 3, 1977.  She remarried on Jan. 8, 1983 in North Webster to John Burdette “J.B.” Hoy, who preceded her on Dec. 25, 1996. She was employed as the supervisor of accounts payable for the I & M Electric Company in Fort Wayne for 11 years and retired as a paraprofessional bookkeeper in the offices of Bob Christian Accountants in Fort Wayne after nine years. She lived in Fort Wayne, resided for 30 years at Tri-Lakes in Whitley County, moved to Tippecanoe Lake in 1983, before moving to Warsaw and Winona Lake in 2008.

She was a member of the North Webster Church of God and the Lakeland Quilt Club in North Webster and was a former member of the Lakeland Kiwanis Club in North Webster and Junior Achievement in Whitley County. She was raised in the Catholic Church and attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warsaw. She was active at the North Webster Senior Center, American Legion Auxiliary in North Webster, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, volunteered at Millers Merry Manor in Warsaw, and was involved in local politics. She played Mrs. Santa Clause for the annual North Webster Christmas Party for several years, was 2001 Senior Queen for the Kosciusko County Fair, and in 2008 was Woman of the Year for North Webster.

She is survived by her brother, Arthur Michael Karolyi, Fort Wayne; several nieces and nephews, including Rex (Bev) Hathaway, Warsaw.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, two sisters: Elizabeth Karolyi and Clara Burgoon, and two brothers: Louis & Joseph Karolyi.

Visitation will be from 6– 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1 at Owen Family Funeral Home, St. Rd 13 & CR 500N, North Webster. Entombment will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2 in the chapel at Covington Memorial Gardens, 8326 Covington Rd., Fort Wayne with Fr. Jake Runyon of the St. Jude Catholic Church officiating.

Preferred memorial may be given to Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, IN 46581 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To send condolences to the family in memory of Mrs. Hoy, please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com

Betty L. Gadson, 87, Warsaw, passed away at 1:05 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw. Arrangements are currently pending with McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels.

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

Betty L. Gadson, 87, North Manchester, (formerly of Warsaw), passed away at 1:05 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw. She was born Sept. 22, 1929 in Remington to Hiram and Loretta (Hancock) Alberts.

On Jan. 12, 1952 in Rensselaer she was united in marriage to Lee Gadson. She was the owner of The Beauty Nook in Remington. She also worked at Unique Bakery, the Burger Dairy Store and retired as a Switch Board Operator at Zimmer Inc. She was a present member of Atwood Otterbein United Methodist Church. In addition, she was an avid quilter and also enjoyed sewing for family and friends. She received two Grand Champion Blue Ribbons for quilting at the Kosciusko County Fair.

She is survived by her husband, Lee Gadson; daughters: Betty Ann (Spouse Bob) Justice of Crestview, Fla.; and Mrya (Spouse Gary) Gadson of Placitas, N.M.; sons: Steven (Spouse Janice) Gadson of North Fort Myers, Fla.; and Jerry (Spouse Marie) Gadson of Warsaw; seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; sister: Audrey (June) Shorter of Kingman, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and three sisters.

Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. A Funeral Service will follow immediately at 1 p.m. with Pastor Jim Lawson officiating. Interment will be in Stony Point Cemetery, Etna Green.

Memorial contributions may be made to:
Great Lakes Caring Hospice Foundation
900 Cooper St.
Jackson, MI 49202
In Memory of Betty L. Gadson
OR
Atwood Otterbein United Methodist Church
306 E Main St.
Atwood, IN 46502

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

Deanna “Dede” Myers, age 78 and a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, passed away quietly on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 in Warsaw’s Kosciusko Community Hospital.

Deanna ‘Dede’ Myers

Deanna was born on July 25, 1939 near North Webster. She was the daughter of Fredric Kuhn and D’Maris (Shock) Kuhn. She was a 1957 graduate of Leesburg High School.

On Sept. 24, 1960, Deanna was united in marriage to Ralph J. Myers in their pastor’s Dunkirk home. Together the two would share nearly 57 years before her passing. Ralph survives in Warsaw.

Never one to shy away from work, Deanna held several jobs throughout her life. From 1960 – 1972 she managed Bibler Trailer Court. She had also worked for the Times-Union Newspaper in several capacities but, most recently, she had worked in central filing for Lake City Bank. She retired from the bank in 2004 with 22 years of faithful service.

Equally as fun-loving as hardworking, Deanna served as a girl scout leader through the 60s and 70s. She loved children and time spent with family and her grandchildren. She had worked in the Kosciusko County Fair Agricultural Department for 25 years and enjoyed both canning and baking. She was also a 50-year member of the Herscher Home Extension and was county president at one time. She loved to camp and had a special fondness for the mountains. Locally, she was a longtime member of New Salem Church of the Brethren.

In addition to her loving husband, Ralph, Deanna is survived by two daughters, Bobbi (Garry) Barnes, Claypool and Penni Myers, North Webster; seven grandsons: Jason Spore (Kylie Seaton), Phoenix, AZ, Sean (Karri) Spore, Winona Lake, Jeff (Loretta “Gabby”) Barnes, Lafayette, Brian (Amber) Barnes, Wanatah, Doug (Lindsay) Barnes, Jackson, TN, Brad Barnes (fiancé, Jess Chilcutt), Rochester and Jacob (Sarah) Myers, Churubusco; one granddaughter, Amanda Myers (companion, Alan Wireman), Churubusco; 13 great-grandchildren;  four brothers: Paul Kuhn, Silver Lake, Kim (Shirley) Kuhn Warsaw, Chad (Deb) Kuhn, Warsaw and Harry “Lowell” (Nina) Miller, Franklin; and four sisters: Ruth Ann (Dick) Weymouth, Owensville, Janet Miller, Goshen, Karen (Ron) Gifford, Vernal, UT and Pam (Keith) Harrison, Indianapolis.

She was preceded in passing by her mother and step-father, D’Maris and Harry Miller; father and step-mother, Fredric and Mary Maxine Kuhn; and brothers, Derk Kuhn and Bruce Kuhn.

The family will receive friends at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 East Sheridan Street, Warsaw, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6. A funeral service which celebrates the life Deanna lived will take place in the funeral home at 11 a.m. on Thursday with viewing one hour prior; Pastors Bob Rice and Tim Yoder will preside. Burial will follow in North Webster Cemetery, Mock Addition.

 Those wishing to express their sympathy are encouraged to give gifts to K21 Health Foundation’s Cancer Care Fund, PO Box 1810, Warsaw, IN 46581, or to the New Salem Church of the Brethren, 900 North 200 East, Milford, IN 46542.

The staff of Titus Funeral Home considers it a privilege to care for the family and friends of Deanna “Dede” Myers.

Rose Robinson Elliott

Rose Robinson Elliott, 79, of Warsaw, went home to be with the Lord on Aug. 31, 2017.

Rose was born Oct. 20, 1937 in Wabash County to Clay and Annie (Whitaker) Shepherd. She married Donald “Robby” Robinson on June 22, 1957; he preceded her in death on Sept. 15, 1988.

Rose loved to sing gospel music and speak God’s word to everyone she came in contact with. She was a faithful servant and loved serving people. Rose was a woman full of compassion for others. She enjoyed decorating and cooking. She loved her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren dearly. She left a legacy of love for Christ and will be missed by many.                          

Rose is survived by two daughters, Christine (Rick) Hall of Silver Lake and Sophia (Robert) Yocum of Etna Green, five grandchildren, Thomas, Amanda, Frankie, Kassity and Malachi and ten great grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Marie Shepherd and Ruth (Tim) Sharp and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband Robby, parents, five brothers and four sisters.

A celebration of Roses life will be held at noon on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Harvest Community Church, 512 S. Seventh St, Pierceton, IN 46562. Officiating will be Pastors Glenn Hall and Lee Perry. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to noon at the Church. Burial will be at Pilgrims Rest in Huntington following the service.

Memorial contributions may be given to the family.

Mamie June Fields

Mamie June Fields, 76, of Warsaw, passed away Saturday, Sept. 2, in Warsaw.  She was born July 4, 1941 in Dwale, Kentucky to Virgil and Lillie Jane (Castle) Blair.

She was a Warsaw resident since 1957.  On March 12, 1958, she was united in marriage to Harvey Ray Fields.  She was a former employee of Holiday Bowling Lane.

She is survived by her Sons; Ed R. Fields of Warsaw and Larry Fields of Warsaw, Daughters; Teresa “Rita” Jackson of Warsaw, Melissa “Lisa” (Spouse Scott) Kessler of Warsaw, Lillian “Pip” (Spouse Mike) Bradley of Claypool, Sisters; Betty Jane Lewis of Pierceton, Virgie Little of Prestonsburg, Kentucky, 13 Grandchildren and several Great-Grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her Husband, Harvey Ray Fields in 1994; two Brothers, four Sisters and one Granddaughter.

Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.  A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.  Pastor Jimmy Shepherd will be officiating the service.  Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Fields Family C/O McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw, IN 46580.

Thelma Ruth Hammond, 85, Angola, formerly of Warsaw, passed away at 4:35 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017 at 4:35 p.m. at Northern Lakes Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Angola. She was born on Feb. 13, 1932 to John and Marie (McKibbon) Lursen in Kosciusko County.

She was a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County.

She retired from Uniroyal, Warsaw. She also worked part time for various other business including Pizza Hut and Country Door and Frame.

She was a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Leesburg and Leesburg Eastern Star.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Hammond, Warsaw; a sister-in-law, Jean Lursen, Leesburg; a niece Cindy (spouse Brian) Lursen and several other nieces and nephews and her beloved cat Willie. She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Howard and Fred Lursen and a niece, Robin Lursen.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw with Pastor Rob Seewald officiating.

Visitation will also be held on Friday one hour prior to the service at the Funeral Chapel

Burial will be in Leesburg Cemetery, Leesburg at a later date.

The family is kindly requesting memorials be made to Leesburg United Methodist Church, 111 W. Prairie St., Leesburg, Indiana 46538 or Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

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

Brittany Ann Weaver, 27, Warsaw, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, at her residence. Brittany was born on April 9, 1990, in Adams County to Bradley Weaver and Pamela (Worthington) Weaver.

Brittany is survived by her mother, Pamela (Les Hunter) Weaver of Decatur; her son, Breylin Hurd of Warsaw and a brother, Greg Amstutz of Monroe. She was preceded in death by her father Bradley Weaver.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, at Haggard-Sefton & Hirschy Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Charlyn Ann “Char” Bucher, 69, Warsaw, passed away at 4:20 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester. 

She was born May 15, 1948 in Warsaw to Floyd and Francis (Clover) Faurote.

She was a lifetime Kosciusko County resident. On Aug. 13, 1988, she was united in marriage to Ken Bucher in Warsaw. She was a former employee of Warsaw Chemical, where she worked as a Human Resource Manager. She was a member of Walnut Creek United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the church choir.  In addition, she loved her horses, farm life, gardening, exercise and being outside in the great outdoors.

She is survived by her husband; Ken Bucher of Warsaw; daughter; Deana Eberly of Warsaw; son; Don (Spouse LaWanda) Wertenberger of Oklahoma City, Okla.; brothers; John (Spouse Glenda) Faurote of Fort Wayne; and Jim (Spouse Cathy) Faurote of Greensboro, N.C.; grandchildren; Alexis Cox, Lane Collier, and Trevor Austin; great grandsons: Cordyn Rayl and Arlo Austin, along with one niece and two nephews. 

She was preceded in death by both parents and one brother.

Visitation is scheduled from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10 in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Pierceton.  A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Pierceton. Pastor Greg Hiatt will officiate the service. Interment will be held at a later date in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association PO Box 96011 Washington, D.C. 20090

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

John L. Schroeder, Jr., 74, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017 at 6:53 p.m. in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw, Ind.

On May 27, 1943, John was born in Warsaw to John L. and Betty J. (Betzer) Schroeder.  He was a 1961 graduate of Warsaw High School.

John entered the United States Army on July 7, 1965.  He served in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Sp5 John L. Schroeder, Jr. was honorably discharged April 10, 1967.

On July 27, 1968 and also in Warsaw, John and Karen Davidson were joined in marriage. They were blessed to share 49 years.

John was employed by Robert Henry Corp., South Bend, for 25 years retiring as the job superintendent.

He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, American Legion Post #49, and Carpenters Union Local 413, South Bend.

With memories to cherish those who survive are his wife, Karen of Warsaw; 3 sons: Joseph Schroeder, Fort Wayne; Benjamin Schroeder, Warsaw; and Lucas and his wife Megan Schroeder of Springboro, Ohio; and 2 granddaughters:  Ava and Penelope.

John was preceded in passing by his parents and his sister, Elaine Hawley (Sept. 13, 2013).

A time of sharing with the family will take place Sunday, Sept. 10 from 3 – 6 p.m. at Titus Funeral Home. A service celebrating John’s life will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 11 in the funeral home.  Rev. Michael Mueller of Redeemer Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post #49.

The family has asked that memorial gifts be directed to K-21 Health Foundation – Cancer Care Fund, PO Box 1810, Warsaw, Indiana 46581-1810.

The staff of Titus Funeral Home is honored to care for the family of John L. Schroeder, Jr.

Beecher Wiggins of East Wade Road in Warsaw passed away Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017 at Kosciusko Community Hospital at the age of 92.

He was born October 25, 1924 in Thorntown, Ind. to Ernest and Lottie Beck Wiggins.  His family later moved to Warsaw, and he graduated from Warsaw High School in 1942.  Beecher was a WWII Veteran.  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a rear gunner and radio man on an Avenger torpedo bomber, flying off the U.S. aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hancock in the South Pacific.

Beecher worked at the U.S. post office in Warsaw, as a sales representative for the L.M. Berry Co. selling ads for the yellow pages in the Midwest, as a local contractor for many years, and he and his wife Doris owned and operated the Village Inn Pizza Parlor and Top of the Inn Restaurant in Warsaw.

Beecher was a Warsaw City Councilman and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Warsaw.  He had his private and instrument pilot licenses and loved to fly his Cessna 182 and attend fly-ins with his Beechcraft Staggerwing airplane.

Beecher will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 69 years Doris Maxine (Engle) Wiggins; two children, Ernie Wiggins (and spouse Deb) of Warsaw, and Jan Wallace (and spouse Charlie) of Simpsonville, Ky.; three grandchildren, Chris Wiggins (and spouse Sarah) of Warsaw; Liz Domenico (and spouse Derek) of Denver, Colo.; and Courtney Wallace of Evanston, Ill.; three great-grandchildren, Nash, Stella and Crew Wiggins of Warsaw; and brother: Marion “Red” (and spouse Susanne) Wiggins.

He was preceded in passing by two brothers: Charles “Norris” Wiggins and Ernest Beck Wiggins, and a sister: Mary Ruth Stiver.

No visitation is planned. Friends and family are invited to attend a graveside service in Oakwood Cemetery on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m.  Pastor Denny Wilson will officiate.  Arrangements are entrusted to Titus Funeral Home in Warsaw.

Memorial donations in Beecher’s name may be directed to Honor Flight Northeast Indiana, P.O. Box 5, Huntertown, Ind. 46748, which provides trips to Washington, D.C. for local area veterans.

Jay Kevin Rice of Warsaw, Ind. passed away at 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017 at Kosciusko Community Hospital of Warsaw at the age of 51.

He was born on June 26, 1966 in Ashland, Kentucky to Ella Ruth (Taylor) and Cecil Hager Rice. On Oct. 28, 1988 he was married to Patricia Ann Conkle, who survives.

Jay graduated from South Point High School in South Point, Ohio in 1984. He moved to Warsaw in 1987 and worked at Dalton Foundries in Warsaw for 15 years.  In 2005 he began working at Chore-Time Brock International in Milford, Ind.  He worked as a machine operator until his early retirement due to illness.  Jay loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, camping and canoeing.  He was a resident of Kosciusko County, Indiana for the past 30 years and during his lifetime he met many people and will be missed dearly by his co-workers, friends, and beloved family.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 28 years, Patricia Ann Rice (Warsaw, Indiana); two brothers:  Mark Rice and Kenneth (wife Tracy) Rice (both of Warsaw); and two sisters:  Sharon Farren and Susan Bickles (both of South Point, Ohio).

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, David and Everett, and his sister, Gloria.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 from 3 – 5 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

A graveside service will be conducted on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Highland Memorial Gardens of South Point, Ohio and officiated by Reverend Bob Chaffins.

The Rev. Dr. Henry G. Church, Jr., 75, of Warsaw, Ind., entered Heaven on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, after a short illness.  He passed away at 3:42 p.m. at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He was born on Sept. 14, 1941 in Los Angeles, California to Reverend Henry G. Church, Sr. and Velma Audrey (Hensley) Church.  On July 3, 1962 he was married to Bonnie Elizabeth (Blews) Church, who survives.

From his youth he had wide interests, earning an associate degree in Music from Modesto Junior College, a bachelor’s degree in Speech from Seattle Pacific University, a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of San Francisco and a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Malawi.

An ordained elder in the Free Methodist Church, Henry served churches in Seattle, Wash. (including a deaf congregation where he preached in sign language), Corralitos, Calif., Sacramento, Calif., and Winona Lake, Ind.  He and Bonnie served as missionaries in Africa for 30 years and in the Middle East for four years, retiring to their home in Warsaw in 2016.  Fluent in several languages, Henry established Bible schools in Malawi and Zimbabwe based on an instructional model he developed.  This model is still in use worldwide in religious education.

Henry served as Africa Area Director for the Free Methodist World Missions.  In recent years, he served as Executive Director of Impact Middle East.  He was a member of the Warsaw Optimists Club, the Area Ministerial Association, and the Board of Directors of Impact Middle East.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Bonnie Elizabeth Church (Warsaw, Ind.); two sons:  Eric (wife Becky) Church (Diamond Head, Miss.); and Evan (fiancée Annette) Church (Ypsilanti, Mich. and Saint Louis, Mo.).  Also surviving are two grandchildren:  Serena and Connor Church; and his brother, Daniel Church and his wife, Lorinda (Bonnie’s sister) (Lakeside, Ohio).

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017 from 3 – 5 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

His funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 (Henry’s 76th birthday) at Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, 902 College Avenue, Winona Lake, Ind. and officiated by Pastor Rick Neir and assisted by Pastor Doug Balzer.  Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial donations in Henry’s name may be directed to Impact Middle East, designated for refugees, impactmiddleeast.org and would be appreciated by the family.

Maxine D. Barbee of Grace Village Retirement Community of Winona Lake, Ind. passed away at 7 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017 at Grace Village Health Care of Winona Lake at the age of 90.

She was born on Aug. 5, 1927 in Batavia, Mich. to Fern Irene (Smead) Parker and George Dillon.  On Aug. 18, 1956 she was married to Glenn L. Barbee, who preceded her in death in February 1986.

Maxine graduated from high school in Coldwater, Mich. in 1945, and continued her education for two years at Houghton College in New York.  She also attended Marion College in Indiana and graduated in 1955 with a bachelor degree in elementary education, and received her master’s degree in 1970 from Indiana University.

She spent a lifetime teaching hundreds of children during her teaching career.  Maxine was a kindergarten teacher at La Porte Community Schools until 1987, and retired in 1999 from Grace Baptist Christian School in Plymouth, Ind.  She was a resident of Kosciusko County, Indiana since 2008 where she attended Community Grace Brethren Church in Warsaw and was a member of the Winona Literary Club.  She will be dearly missed by her former students, friends, and her beloved family.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter:  Aimee (husband Gary) Nifong (Warsaw); and her granddaughter:  Emily Nifong (Warsaw).  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Duane Dillon, and her step-brother, Dale Parker.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 from 4 – 8 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

Her funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 at Community Grace Brethren Church, 909 S. Buffalo Street, Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Roy Chapin.  Burial will follow with a graveside service at Door Village Cemetery in La Porte, Ind.