Jakob Gutwein Jr., 92, Warsaw, died Nov. 19, 2017, in Mason Health & Rehab Center. Arrangements are pending at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw.

Gloria Elaine Kerchenfaut, 77, Warsaw, passed away surrounded by family at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 at her residence.

She was born on April 16, 1940 in Warsaw to Edward Warren and Elizabeth (Fairbanks) Warren.  On Jan. 18, 1958 she was married to Clayton August Kerchenfaut, who survives in Warsaw.

Gloria was a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County where she was a homemaker and a lifetime member of Pleasant View Bible Church of Warsaw.  She was a 1958 graduate of Warsaw High School. She farmed with her husband for many years on their family farm.  She enjoyed gardening, but most of all she loved her family, especially her grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 59 years, Clayton August Kerchenfaut, Warsaw; son: Joel Kerchenfaut, Warsaw; and two daughters: Laurie (husband Marc) Linton, Pierceton; Martha (husband Mark) Nunez, Winona Lake.  Also surviving are six grandchildren: Jeremy, Lucas, Zachary, Nicholas, Katrina, and Michael; ten great grandchildren; and her sister: Barbara Keim, Warsaw. She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter Christine Shambaugh in 2000.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at Pleasant View Bible Church, 2782 W.  200 N., Warsaw.

Her funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at Pleasant View Bible Church and officiated by Pastor Mike Hontz. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Pleasant View Cemetery in Warsaw.

Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana Chapter, 50 E. 91st Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana  46240; to the American Cancer Society, 130 Red Coach Drive, Mishawaka, Indiana  46545 and would be appreciated by the family.

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

Helen Lucille Harding, 91, Warsaw, passed away at 2:05 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Mason Health and Rehabilitation Center, Warsaw. 

She was born July 8, 1926 in Fort Wayne to Fred and Hulda (Bareman) Ehinger.

She was united in marriage in Fort Wayne to Kenneth R. Harding on April 22, 1949. She was a 39-year resident of Kosciusko County. In addition, she was a homemaker and member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Warsaw.

Survivors include sons Kenneth (spouse Linda) Harding, James F. (spouse Karen) Harding, and John (spouse Susan) Harding, all of Warsaw; Jeffrey Harding of Windsor, Ontario. Furthermore, 18 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchildren survive. She was preceded by her husband Kenneth July 4, 2006 and two brothers.

Visitation hours are scheduled from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21 in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. A Graveside Service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22 in Oakwood Cemetery with Chaplain Denny Bollenbacher officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church 1720 E. Center St.Warsaw, IN 46580

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

Douglas A. Hoffer, 81, Warsaw, passed away at 3:18 p.m., Nov. 19, 2017, in his residence.

On Dec. 12, 1935 in Clunette he was born to John and Treva M. (Martz). He was united in marriage on June 11, 1975 to Felicia “Phyllis” Ruvo in Warsaw, who survives.

A lifetime Kosciusko County resident he graduated from Atwood High School in 1953. He worked for Creighton Brothers for 46 years retiring in 2001. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960 with the 317^th Combat Engineers.

He was a member of the Indiana State Egg Board and a lifetime Midwest United Egg Producers Board. He was recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash. He was also a Mason and a Shriner.

He is survived by his wife, his son; Steven W. Hoffer of Minnesota, daughter; Kathryn Harrall, Chesapeake, Va., step-daughter; Darlene Whaley of Marco Island, Fla., and step-son; Michael Kelley of Melbourne, Fla. He is further survived by 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Visitation hours are scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Funeral Chapel with Pastor Steven Hoffer officiating. Interment will be private with Military Honors.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2211 N. Oak Park Ave, Chicago, IL. 6070.

McHatton –Sadler Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with all arrangements.

Geraldine “Gerri” Ann Pacific, 77, Warsaw, passed away at 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Warsaw.

She was born on Oct. 11,1940 in Gary to Samuel Mocan and Anna (Antich) Mocan. On July 26, 1986 she was married in Merrilleville to Nunzio Pacific, he passed away on March 17, 2002.

Gerri was a resident of Kosciusko County since 1999 where she was a homemaker.  She was a 1958 graduate of Lew Wallace High School in Gary. She worked for many years at a sheet and tin mill in Gary, prior to working in Hot Springs, Ark. She also worked as a computer instructor. When she returned to Indiana she moved to Hammond, then came to live her final years in Warsaw. Gerrie enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, boating, and fishing.

She will be lovingly remembered by her sister: Joan Munro, Hobart; and her very special friend and a caregiver for 17 years:  John Gilbert, Warsaw. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband.

His funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 24 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw and officiated by Pastor William Whitaker.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Animal Welfare League, 3489 E. 100 S., Pierceton, IN46562.

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

Jakob Gutwein Jr., 92, passed away quietly on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 in Warsaw’s Mason Health and Rehab Center.

He was born on April 29, 1925 in Schowe, Yugoslovia; the only child of Jakob Gutwein, Sr. and Katarina (Becker) Gutwein.

Jakob was married to Helena Haller on April 29, 1950 in Endersbach, Germany. Together the two started a family and, shortly thereafter, immigrated to the United States, settling near Cleveland, Ohio.

Jakob had worked for WS Tyler Company in Mentor, Ohio as a press operator. He retired in 1987 with more than 35 years of dedicated employment.

Active in his community outside of work, Jakob had served on the St. Mark Lutheran School Board and enjoyed staying abreast of politics and current events. He instilled a strong work ethic in his family and was known to have an optimistic outlook and a good sense of humor. As he had grown up a farmer, he always enjoyed time spent in the large vegetable gardens which he kept with his wife. He also enjoyed tending to more than 85 rose bushes at their home in Ohio. 

Following retirement, Jakob and Helena moved to Warsaw in July 1990 to be closer to family. The pair were active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church for many years.

In addition to his wife, Helena, Jakob is survived by two children: daughter, Lori (husband, Don) Wilka of Russiaville and son, Manny (wife, Sue) Gutwein of Aurora, Ill.; five grandchildren: Nicole (husband, David) Porter of Winona Lake; Adrienne (husband, Matt) Miller of Noblesville, Eric (wife, Meghan) Wilka of Auburn, Ala., Matt (wife, Katie) Gutwein of Downers Grove, Ill., and Jason Gutwein of Westmont, Ill., and nine great-grandchildren: Abbigail, Clara, Ellie, Else, Mallory, Rosalie, Vaughn, Grace and Olivia. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation and sharing of memories from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 from in Titus Funeral Home, 2000 E. Sheridan Street, Warsaw. A funeral service will follow, beginning at 11 a.m., and will be officiated by Rev. Michael Mueller of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Interment will take place in Warsaw’s Oakwood Cemetery.

Although flowers will be accepted, memorials are preferred. Memorials may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1720 East Center Street, Warsaw, IN 46580.

The staff of Titus Funeral Home considers it a great privilege to care for the family and friends of Jakob Gutwein, Jr.

John Edward Buhrt, 95, passed away on Nov. 21, 2017, at 9:39 a.m. at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Milford.

On April 3, 1949, he married Sarah Ellen Orr in Warsaw. She passed away Sept. 18, 1995. He farmed for 45 years in the Warsaw and Milford area.

John graduated from Milford High School in 1940. He earned his pilot’s license at Wawasee Airport and his grandchildren loved to hear him tell about doing loops and tailspins. He served for eight years on the Kosciusko County Farm Bureau Board, and for two years on the first agricultural committee for Warsaw Community Schools. He was a former member of the Milford Masonic Lodge, 65 year member of the Leesburg Lions Club, and longtime member of the Leesburg United Methodist Church. After retirement, he enjoyed golf at Big Boulder in the Senior Men’s League.

He is survived by two daughters, Ann (Larry) Eberle of Fort Wayne, and Jane (Rex) White of Leesburg; four grandchildren, Tim (Misty) Eberle of Auburn, Monica Eberle of Fort Wayne, Scott White of Indianapolis, and Lucas (Lindsey) White of Chandler AZ; and two great granddaughters and two step great granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and siblings, Lewis Buhrt, Violet Lutes, Florence Nemeth, Mabel Waldbeser, Ray Buhrt, and Robert Buhrt.

Services will be held on Monday, Nov. 27, noon at Mishler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 461 W 900 N, Milford, IN 46542.

Family and friends will be received at the funeral home from 10 a.m. – noon prior to the service on Monday. Burial will follow at Leesburg Cemetery in Leesburg.

Memorial donations may be directed to Leesburg United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 175, Leesburg, IN, 46538, and the Leesburg Lions Club, 400 Brubaker St., Leesburg, IN 46538.

Baby Ellie Lynnette Francis, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, in Dupont Hospital, Fort Wayne..  She was born Nov. 22, 2017, in Fort Wayne to Taylor Rothenberger and Anthony Francis.

Baby Ellie Lynnette Francis

Surviving are her parents; Anthony Francis and Taylor Rothenberger both of Warsaw; Taylor is also formerly of  Avilla, also surviving are maternal grandparents; Adam (spouse Kelly) Rothenberger of Avilla, and Erin Sampson of Warsaw, paternal grandmother; Melissa Francis of Warsaw, sister; Olivia Rothenberger, of Warsaw, brother; Addison Francis, of Warsaw, uncles; Tanner Rothenberger, Ethan Francis, Tristan Rothenberger, and Finn Sampson, aunts; Ava Sampson, and Lea Rothenberger also survive.

A Funeral Service is scheduled for noon on Wednesday, Nov. 29,  in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Chaplain Ken Locke will officiate the service.  Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery’s Garden of Angels, Warsaw.

Memorial Contributions may be made to The Ellie Lynnette Francis Funeral Fund, C/O McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw, IN 46580.

Lana J. Warnacut, 67, Warsaw, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw. She was born March 30, 1950 in Vincennes, to Harold and Catherine (Gentry) Clifford.

Lana J. Warnacut

She was a Warsaw resident since 1976. On Aug. 15, 1981 in Clunette, she was united in marriage to Jay Warnacut. She was formerly employed by Barth, INC of Milford and L.M. Berry of Warsaw. In addition, she was Office Manager of the The Butterfly, Warsaw and Co-Owner of Lakeview Liquors of Silver Lake.

Survivors include her husband Jay Warnacut of Warsaw, son Brian Stalder and fiance Jamie Elder of Warsaw, sisters Connie and Ranko Trukulja of Osceola, Barb Morton of Warsaw, brother Rodger and Rhonda Clifford of Foley Ala. and grandchildren Jason, Vincent and Autumn.

Calling hours are scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel. A Service will follow at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Chapel with Chaplain Bob Jarboe officiating. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County , 3489 East CR 100S, Pierceton, IN 46562 or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Donna Jean Lehman of Warsaw passed away at her residence surrounded by family on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 at the age of 75.

She was born on March 9, 1942 in Columbus, Ohio to Samuel Walter Baggs and Waveline Marie (Siebert) Baggs.  She was married to William Paul Lehman Sr. and later divorced.  They had three children together and she is survived by their son:  William Paul and wife Susan Lehman, Jr. of Winona Lake; two daughters:  Collette Jane and husband Kenneth Olson of Winona Lake; and Lynelle Joy and husband Ryan Peugh of Montclair, Virginia.

Also surviving are twelve grandchildren and her brother Walter Ray and wife Charlene Baggs of Lewis Center, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one granddaughter. 

Donna attended Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music for three years, and worked as a secretary for Bartel Printing Company in Warsaw from 1975-2007.  She was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church where she was active in the group Women of Grace for Missions, as well as being active in a number of prayer groups, she sang in the choir, and very much enjoyed working in children’s ministries.  Donna was a member of the Winona Literary Club. She was very loved and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.            

Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

Her funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, and officiated by Pastor Bruce Barlow.  Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial donations in Donna’s name may be directed to the WLGBC Women of Grace, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, Indiana, 46590 for missions and would be appreciated by the family.

Lewis “Lewie” Lee Fruit, 88, Warsaw, passed away at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, at his residence.

He was born on Sept. 29, 1929 in Claypool, to Violet Maurine (McComb) Fruit and Walter Homer Fruit. On June 19, 1949 he was married to Barbara Nel (Schaaf) Fruit, who survives.

Lewie was a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, where he was a 1947 graduate of Silver Lake High School. He farmed the family farm in Jackson Township until 1961. In 1965 he moved to Silver Lake and attended International Business College in Fort Wayne. Lewie was a truck driver for Alloys of Wabash for 32 years, and after retirement he continued to drive by delivering school buses for Kerlin Bus Sales in Silver Lake. He enjoyed listening to Gaither music, but most of all he had a real love for family, spending time with them and helping whenever he could.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 68 years, Barbara Fruit, Warsaw; two sons: Rick (wife Sandy) Fruit, Michigan City; David Fruit, Warsaw; and his daughter: Peg (husband Greg) Burgher, Warsaw. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Tiffany Fruit, Warsaw; Brandon Fruit, Fort Wayne; Rachael Fruit, Warsaw; Katie (husband Jake) Jacquay, Warsaw; Lori (husband Paul) Chase, Louisville, Ky.; Josh (wife Robin) Burgher, New York, N.Y.; Matt (wife Julie) Burgher, Evansville; Ryan (wife Neena) Burgher, Warsaw; and his brother: Jim Fruit, Lincoln, Calif.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister

Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 29, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

His funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Kenneth Miller.  Burial will follow with a graveside service at Ulrey Memorial Cemetery in Silver Lake.

Memorial donations may be directed to Parkview Warsaw YMCA, 1305 Mariners Drive, Warsaw, Indiana  46582 to go towards Kid’s Club; or to the American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, Northwest Indiana Office, 130 Red Coach Drive, Mishawaka, Indiana  46545 and would be appreciated by the family.

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

Maudie Ford, 89, Warsaw, passed away at 7:50 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Grace Village Health Care, Winona Lake. Arrangements are pending McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.

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

Maudie Ford, 89, Warsaw, passed away at 7:50 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Grace Village Health Care, Winona Lake. She was born May 13, 1928 in Blue River, Ky. to Henry and Evelyn (Gibson) Slone.

A long time Kosciusko County resident, she was united in marriage to Jack Ford on July 31, 1965 in Clinton, Va. Jack preceded her on Nov. 11, 2015.

She was a homemaker.

Maudie was a loving mother and grandmother.

Survivors include daughters, Pricilla Ford of Boaz, Ala.; Judy Skeans of Prestonsburg, Ky.;, sons, Charles Haywood and Henry Ford, both of Warsaw; thirteen grandchildren, Blake Ford, Zack Ford, Josh Ford, Andrea Ford, Alison Ford, Judy Haywood, Charlie Haywood, Bobbie Junker, Robert Ford, Billy Ford, Tammy Ritz, Michael Hale, Jodi Zook and numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded by her husband, one daughter, Anna Grace Hale, three sister and one brother.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Nov. 30. Funeral Services will follow at noon at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. Pastor William Whitaker will officiate the services.

Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

The family is requesting that the memorial contributions be made to Kosciusko County Home care & Hospice, Inc., P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, Indiana 46581-1196.

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

Lauretta Lee Moore, 93, rural Macy (Gilead), died on Nov. 24, 2017 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, at 3:12 p.m.

She was born on Feb. 11, 1924 in South Bend, to Lynn L. and Rhea M. (Rager) Landis.  She graduated from Gilead High School in April of 1943.

Lauretta married Earl Lester Moore on May 9, 1945 in Fulton. She spent all but twenty-three years of her life living on a farm previously owned by her great grandparents Vernon “Vernie” and Flora (Todd) Rager.  Lauretta worked at American Fork & Hoe (later known as the Shovel Factory) now the location of Sonoco Products in Akron. She also worked for Playtime Products in Warsaw and was a homemaker and helped work with her husband Earl on the farm.

Surviving Lauretta are three sons: Gary Lee (Sherri) Moore of Peru; Jerry Eugene (companion Mary Pruitt) of Gilead; Terry Lester (Julie) Moore of Macy; one granddaughter: Amana (Phil) Spann of Wabash; six grandsons: Adam Moore of Virginia; Brandon (Erica) Moore of Roann; Kevin (Sarah) Moore of Denver; Joshua (Heather) Moore of South Bend; Christopher (Grace) Moore of Peru; Jordon Moore of Macy; and four great-grandchildren: Thomas, Conner, Ainsely, and Aubrey; one brother: Leroy (Rose Anna) Landis of North Manchester; one brother-in-law: John Hoover of Warsaw; one sister-in-law: Helen Landis of Warsaw; several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Lauretta in death are her parents; her husband Earl Lester Moore on June 5, 2005; her sister Loreen A. Hoover 2012; her brother Lloyd R. Landis 2016.

Visitation and viewing will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Earl-Love Funeral Home in Akron, Indiana.

Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 30 at the funeral home with Chaplain Jason See officiating.  Burial will be in the Akron IOOF Cemetery in Akron, Indiana.

Memorial contributions can be made to the family of Lauretta Moore.

The staff of Earl-Love Funeral Home considers it a privilege and an honor to care for the family and friends of Lauretta Moore.

John B. Vance, 91, Dowagiac, Mich. passed away at 11:35 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, at Lakeland Regional Health Systems, St Joseph, Mich. 

He was born on Sept. 2, 1926 to William Harvey and Lola Iealea (Shores) Vance in Des Arc, Ark.

He was a US Navy Veteran serving more than 20 years and receiving the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E7). After his military career he worked for St Joseph hospital and The Strand, both of Michigan.

He has lived in Michigan for 50 years. He married Mildred Minnix and she preceded him in death.

John loved to hunt and was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed gardening.

He is survived by his daughter in law, Linda Minnix of Niles, Mich.; two granddaughters, Valerie Minnix of Wichita, Kan. and Daniel Minnix Jr. of Niles, Mich.; three great grandchildren, Brain Pompa, Serra Minnix and Ethan Pompa; also survived by several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1, then a funeral service will follow the visitation at 2 p.m. at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. Reverend Ken Chupp will be officiating. Interment will be in Tippecanoe Cemetery, Tippecanoe.

The family is requesting that the memorial contributions be made to the Miller’s Vets Homeless Shelter, 747 S. Michigan St., South Bend, Indiana 46601.

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

Ronnie Lee Anderson, 77, Warsaw, died at 9:40 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. Arrangements are pending at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw.