Barbara A. Childs, 82, wife of Charles E. Childs and long-time Gaston businesswoman, died at 4:40 a. m. on Friday, November 14, 2008, at Muncie Health & Rehabilitation Center in Muncie.  She had been in declining health after suffering a stroke over six years ago, and had been a patient there for over five years.

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Nicole M. Johnson, age 23,  a resident of Churubusco, Indiana died early Tuesday morning November 11, 2008 following a traffic accident on US 33 south of the city. Nicole was born December 13, 1984 in Fort Wayne, Indiana a daughter of Bruce L. and Terri K. (Schlund) Johnson. She was a graduate of Churubusco High School with the class of 2003. She had been employed in Fort Wayne by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store for 3 years and also Logan’s Roadhouse for 2 years.

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Madalene A. Gaff, 93, a former resident of rural Churubusco and widow of Carl E. Gaff, died at 2:25 a. m. on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at the Provena Sacred Hearth Home in Avilla.  She had been in failing health for a number of years, and had been a resident there for the past six years.

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Max G. Gross, 81, a resident of rural Churubusco in Allen County, fell asleep in the arms of Jesus at 12:35 a. m. on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.  He had been in declining health, and had been seriously ill for the past five weeks.

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Harriet E. Fisher, 85, a resident of Churubusco and widow of Charles B. Fisher, died at 7:00 a. m. on Thursday, November 6, 2008, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Columbia City.  She had been a patient there for the past month.

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LILLIAN “JOY” M. BIESIADA, 79, went home to her Lord Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, dying at Lutheran Hospital. Born Nov. 13, 1928, in Fort Wayne, she was the oldest child of Thomas and Edith (Roehling) Hayden. She was happiest when surrounded by her family. She used her computer and the internet daily to stay in touch and was dedicated to her faith in God. “Lillian was well loved and will be deeply missed.” She was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella and the Seton Society. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Thomas; sons, Michael (Jeanine) of Fort Wayne, Thomas (Rosa) of San Diego, Calif., David of Churubusco, and Lawrence (Sonia) of Westland, Mich; and daughters, Lois Wehrle of Fort Wayne and Joyanne (Duane) Barnett of Pleasant Lake; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Lois Mills of Terre Haute and Thomas Hayden of Fairfield Glade, Tenn. She was preceded in death by her sons, Edward and Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial is 11:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 10700 Aboite Center Road, with calling one hour prior. Calling also from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at D.O. McComb & Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, with Vigil at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Burial in Catholic Cemetery. Memorials to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

NILA JEAN PAULUS, 43, of Fort Wayne, died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, 9:37 p.m., at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis. Surviving are her husband, Larry C. Paulus of Fort Wayne; daughters, Joanna Christine Paulus and Rachel Julia Paulus, both at home; son, Nathaniel Luke Paulus at home; daughter, Sarah Florence Paulus at home; parents, Delbert and Carolyn Conrad of Hoagland; brothers, Roger (Michelle) Conrad of Churubusco and Andrew (Mindy) Conrad of Fort Wayne; and maternal grandmother, Vernice Moore of Fort Wayne. Service is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, with visitation from 10 a.m. until service time. Visitation also from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur.

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Jacqueline June “Jackie” Gotz, age 79, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at the Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, IN where she moved when her health failed a couple years ago. Born on June 29, 1929 in West Frankfort, Franklin County, IL she was the daughter of Joseph S. and Theresa Verna (Frick) Spires. During her childhood, she moved from West Frankfort, Illinois to Pontiac, Michigan and graduated from Pontiac Senior High School with the Class of 1947. She attended Pacific Bible College, Portland, OR through her junior year, transferring to Phillips University, Enid OK. On August 23, 1952, she married Reverend Russel B. Gotz, at the Sellwood Park Church of God, Portland, OR. While living in Enid, OK, her husband served as student pastor of a small church in West Liberty and she gave birth to 2 children, Jon Robert in 1953 and Teresa Jean in 1957. In 1955, she earned her Religious Education and Bible degree.

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Vivian L. Shambaugh, age 90, of Churubusco, IN passed away at 4:45 pm Friday, October 31, 2008 at The Oaks, Columbia City, IN. Born on June 26, 1918 in Churubusco, IN, she was the daughter of Frank and Leona (Hawn) Sheldon. She was a lifetime resident of Churubusco, IN and graduated from Churubusco High School with the Class of 1936. On March 21, 1942, she married Harold L. Shambaugh at Pastor Marion Shroyer’s Parsonage, Columbia City, IN.

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Loren J. “Jake” Brumbaugh, 72, widely-acquainted Noble County farmer and a resident of rural Albion, died at 3:23 p. m. on Monday, October 27, 2008, at the family residence in Green Township.  He had been in declining health for the past year.

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Harold G. “Hap” Anderson, 94, a resident of rural Churubusco in Allen County, died at 3:30 p. m. on Monday, October 27, 2008, at the North Ridge Village Nursing Home in Albion.  He had been in failing health for some time, and been a patient there since August.

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Robert L. Marker, 94, a resident of Naples, Fla. and formerly of Fishers and Churubusco, died at 6:54 p. m. on Saturday, October 25, 2008, at the Naples Community Hospital in Naples.

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Dorothy E. Montgomery, age 89, a former resident of Churubusco from 1971 to 1978, died Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 9:45 p. m.  at the Bethlehem Woods Nursing Home in Fort Wayne where she had been a patient for the past two and a half years.

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Wendell L. Ward, 75, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, at home, surrounded by all of his children after a battle with cancer. Born in Terre Haute, he was a pattern maker with the Ward Corporation for 33 years, retiring in 1997. He was a member of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church. Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, American Legion Post 82, and St. Vincent Men’s Club. He had 41 years of service with the St. Vincent Scouts and was a U.S. Navy Korean War Veteran.

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Melissa Sue Pletcher, age 27, of Churubusco, IN passed away at 11:34 a.m. Friday, October 17, 2008 at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana, Fort Wayne. Born on July 21, 1981 in Warrensburg, MO, she was the daughter of Tony E. and Debra Sue (Smith) Coe. She spent most of her lifetime in Noble County, IN where she attended Central Noble High School. On June 21, 2003, she married Mark Thomas Pletcher in Albion, IN and they have lived at their present home since March, 2008. A wife and homemaker, she loved her three boys and family time, jigsaw puzzles, precious moments, and talking on the phone.

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Savilla I. “Sally” Green, 94, a resident of Eel River Township and widow of Chester R. Green, died at 9:40 p. m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2008, at Parkview North Hospital in Fort Wayne.  She had been in declining health for some time, and was taken to the hospital earlier in the evening after collapsing unexpectedly at the home of her daughter.

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Beverly Ann Maley, age 46, passed away at 1:35 p.m. Sunday, October 12, 2008 at her residence. Born on March 23, 1962 in Columbia City, IN she was the daughter of Mary Ann (Jacob) and Leo C. Maley, Jr. She attended Carroll High School and the Chicago Public School System. A Whitley County resident for the majority of her lifetime, she was currently employed by EMT Company and she was a former employee of Dana, Columbia City for 13 years. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, fishing and mushroom hunting. Survivors include her daughters, Mary Ann Maley and Rita Elswick both of Columbia City; sister, Karen Goodwin of Fort Wayne; brothers, Robert Maley of Churubusco, IN and Leon “Short” Maley of South Whitley, IN; grandchildren, Thalia Maley and Adam Gaerte; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her parents and brother, Patrick Maley, preceded her in death. Visitation is Thursday, October 16, 2008 from 1 to 5 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral service is at 5 p.m. immediately following visitation at the funeral home with Father Larry Kramer officiating.

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DR. ROBERT E. OTT, 91, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008, in Torrance California. Robert was born in 1917, in Whitley County. He completed Merriam Grade School, Wolf Lake High School and Manchester College. He also graduated from the College of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati. He attained the honor of being the first in his graduating class at both Manchester College and the College of Medicine at UC. After leaving Manchester College, he taught mathematics in high school and operated a painting business, mostly serving nearby farming communities. He then proceded to pursue his medical training. After completing his medical training, he served as a physician at the Gallipolis State Institute in Ohio. During the early 60’s, he completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco, Calif. He then continued to serve at Kaiser Hospital and various clinics in San Francisco Bay area until his retirement. He is survived by his son, William Ott of Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.; his daughter, Patricia of El Segundo, Calif.; his brother, Ronald Ott of Churubusco; his sister, Marjory DeVeny of Lancaster, Calif.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Inez Ott; his son, David Ott; his parents, William and Gertie Ott; and his sister, Eva Groh. Burial was held at Merriam Christian Chapel Cemetery.

Robert G. Selner, age 83, of 120 Windsor Drive, Churubusco, Indiana, passed away at 9:56 a.m. on Monday, October 6, 2008, at his home.

Robert was born on December 13, 1924, in Wakarusa, Indiana, to Emery and Gertrude (Birk) Selner. On June 11, 1949, Robert married the former Shirley A. Pittman, in Nappanee, Indiana. Shirley passed away on December 16, 2006. Together they raised their six children. They moved from the Plymouth area, to the Churubusco area in 1972. Robert had been employed by the Studebaker Company, in South Bend, Indiana and retired from the E.H. Tepe Company of Fort Wayne, Indiana, as the Stockroom Manager. Robert proudly served his country in the United States Army during WWII. He enjoyed camping with his family and friends. Robert was a member of the Churubusco Lions Club, Campers Association of Indiana, and was a past President of the Marshall County Pathfinders.

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Sylvon J. Pulfer, 89, a resident of Churubusco, died at 8:27 p. m. on Thursday, October 2, 2008, at the University Park Nursing Home in Fort Wayne.  He had been in declining health for some time, and had been a patient there since August.  More…