James Michael Hageman, age 57, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 1:55 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2010 at his residence after a battle with cancer.

Born on August 17, 1952 in Fort Wayne, IN, he was the son of Richard J. and Wanda M. (Graves) Hageman. He was born and raised in Fort Wayne, IN moving to Whitley County, IN in 1989. He graduated from Bishop Luers High School with the Class of 1970. He attended ITT Technical College receiving a certificate as an Electrical Technician in 1971 and completed Emergency Medical Technician training at Ivy Tech Community College in 1976. On August 11, 1989, he married Joyce Partsch in Fort Wayne, IN. He worked at GTE/Verizon for 35 years as an installer/maintainer retiring in 2007. Then after retirement he worked at Geiger Developing. He was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Hageman of Columbia City; 1 step-daughter, Sharon (Jackie) Monk of Churubusco, IN; 2 daughters, Andrea (Noah) Ladig of Avilla, IN; Michelle (Ben) Lawrence of Fort Wayne, IN; 1 son, Chris Hageman of Columbia City; 1 step-son, Jake (Kelly) Partsch of Markle, IN; 1 brother, Rick (Cheryl) Hageman of Milton, TN; 1 sister, Linda (Tim) Bell of Cummings, GA; mother, Wanda M. Hageman of Fort Wayne; and 9 grandchildren.

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Edward Frank McClure, age 78, of Columbia City passed away at 1:40 p.m. Monday, March 8, 2010 at his home.

Born on December 16, 1931 in Fort Wayne he was the son of Thomas F. and Helen L. (Couts) McClure. As a young child he lived in Ohio and Wolf Lake, moving to a farm in Thorncreek Township and lastly at his Tri-Lakes, Karen Kove home for many years. He attended Wolf Lake High School through the 12th grade. On March 12, 1950 he married Patsy Marie Gray in Lagrange. He first worked at Essex Wire, Ligonier, G.E. Fort Wayne, and retired from Dana, Fort Wayne, as a leadman in the axle line department. After his retirement he assisted local farmers and operated Ed’s Lawn Mowing Service. An avid Cubs fan, he also enjoyed fishing, golfing, mowing and general farming.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Patsy Marie McClure of Columbia City; 2 daughters, Pam (Steve) Loe and Linda (Art Miller) Coulter both of Columbia City; 1 son, Bruce E. (Brenda) McClure of Milford; 3 granddaughters, Brandie (Kevin) Kreps of Columbia City, Cara (Aaron) Likens of Wolcottville and Megan (Bryan) Lee of Fort Wayne; 4 great grandchildren, Jordan Coulter of Churubusco, Dakota and Jaegar Kreps of Columbia City and Vincent Likens of Wolcottville; 3 sisters, Deloris (Bob) Chiddister of Ligonier, Elline (Ruben) Weiner of Ithica, NY and Lynn (Tom) Beard of Sonoma, WI; 1 brother, David (Cindy) McClure of Wolf Lake. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 grandson, Scott Coulter, 2 brothers, Fred and Mike McClure, 1 sister, Jeanne Clark and 1 son-in-law, Mike Coulter. “A special thanks to those closest to Ed who supported him on his journey.
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Herbert Earle Stampe, 99 of Columbia City, died at 5:09 p.m. Saturday March 6, 2010 at The Oaks, Columbia City.

He was born March 31, 1910 in Clinton County, Iowa a son of Peter Johannas and Fredericka Sophia (Hanssen) Stampe. His formative years were spent in Preston, Iowa where he graduated from High School in 1927. He then attended Browns College of Commerce in Clinton, Iowa.

On April 15, 1933, he was united in marriage to Mary Juanita Woll. They made their home in Iowa. In 1943 they moved to Indiana.

During WWII in was employed by Studebaker, Fort Wayne as an accounting clerk. In 1945, he went to work for Fibre Form, Columbia City and also began farming on acreage he purchased in Richland and Smith Twp. In 1950, he went to work for Terratrac which later became part of J.I. Case and they move through various assignments in Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. He retired in 1972 returning to Columbia City.

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Helen J. Gentis, 75, a resident of Fort Wayne, passed away at 12:20 a. m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne.  She had been a patient there since Thursday.

Mrs. Gentis was born in Bluffton on July 19, 1934, a daughter of George Edward and Annabell (Leanch) Betz, and spent her formative years there.  She lived much of her adult life in Blackford County, where she was employed at Sheller Globe in Montpelier for 33 years.  She later returned to Wells County and lived there until moving to Fort Wayne in 1991.

While living in Fort Wayne she was employed at Hospital Laundry Service, retiring from there five years ago.

She was a member of the International Chemical Workers Local 444.

The surviving relatives include her children Ernest (Colleen) Betz of Sylva, NC., and Gene E. Hawk and Lenah A. Hawk, both of Fort Wayne; four brothers Homer (Phyllis) Betz of Franklin, Jim (Treva) Betz of Poneto, Joe (Connie) Betz of Decatur, and Robert (Annie) Betz of Bluffton; six sisters Esther (David) Clements of Indianapolis, Blanche (Bruce) Willette of Bluffton, Wilma (Pat) Ohern of Hartford City, Sue (Tom) Johnson and Linda (John) Stinson, both of Bluffton, and Lori Ann (Bill) Zent of Huntington; and two grandchildren.

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Amy Elizabeth Klein, age 38, of Columbia City, IN passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 due to injuries she sustained in an accident on US 35 South of Kingsbury.

Born on January 5, 1972 in Fort Wayne, IN she was the daughter of Lloyd E. and Kathy Sue (Nebehy) Klein. She graduated with the Class of 1991 from Northrop High School, Fort Wayne. She earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in mathematics from Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne in 1993. For twenty plus years, she was employed by Walgreen Drug Stores, serving in various capacities prior to becoming the assistant manager for Walgreen’s located on Coventry Road, Fort Wayne. The majority of her lifetime was spent in Fort Wayne until she moved with her family in 1998 to Columbia City.

Survivors include her mother, Kathy Sue Klein of Columbia City; sister, Jennifer Anne (Brent Bartol) York of Columbia City; nieces, Leah and Kayla York and nephew, Christopher Bartol, all of Columbia City; aunt, Carol (Tracy Swiontek) Nebehy of Chicago; uncles, Lee (Pat) Klein of Warsaw and Larry J. Klein of Churubusco. A niece, Elizabeth Lynn, preceded her in death. Amy’s father also died on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from injuries he incurred in the same accident.

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Phyllis M. Geiger, 85, a resident of Churubusco and widow of J. D. “Jake” Geiger, passed away at 11:30 p. m. on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at her home following an extended illness.

Mrs. Geiger was born on December 19, 1924 in Eel River Township, a daughter of John I. and Fern S. (Brandon) Jones, and spent her formative years on the family farm there.  On January 18, 1945 she was married in New Port, Kentucky to J. D. “Jake” Geiger.  She lived all of her adult life in the Churubusco-area, and had resided at her present home since 1976.

A homemaker, she was a member of the Good News Baptist Church in Churubusco.  She enjoyed reading, her home, and most especially loved and cherished her family.

Mr. Geiger preceded her in death on January 17, 1989.

The surviving relatives include her daughters Sherral (Steve) Marschand of Columbia City, Kenna (Lawrence “Butch”) Woodring of Hartville, Ohio, and Kathy (Rex) Shisler of Albion; a sister Avonelle (Roger) Stampe of Churubusco; two brothers Roger (Mary) Jones and Robert (Nancy) Jones, both of Churubusco; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

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Robert V. Saylor, 84, a resident of Churubusco, passed away at 6:45 p. m. on Sunday, February 21, 2010, at North Ridge Village Nursing Home in Albion following a lengthy illness.  He had been a patient at the nursing home since Thursday.

Mr. Saylor was born in Fort Wayne on November 21, 1925, a son of Arley and Cleo (Harzog) Saylor.  He spent his formative years in Fort Wayne and graduated from Central High School in 1943.

As a young mane he served in the U. S. Navy during World War II, and was married on June 10, 1947 in Cecil, Ohio to Mary Ellen Grew.  The couple lived in the Leo-area for 28 years, and moved from Whitmer Lake near Wolcottville to Churubusco in 1997.

Employed as a wire enameler at Phelps Dodge in Fort Wayne, he retired from there in 1989 after 37 years.  He was a member of the St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Churubusco, and the former Prominaders Square Dance Club.

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Carolyn “Jean” Middaugh, 77, of Ossian, passed away Friday, February 19, 2010 at Bluffton Regional Hospital.

Born October 12, 1932 in Roanoke, IN, Mrs. Middaugh was a homemaker and had previously worked at Ossian State Bank until 1961. She enjoyed cooking and spending time with her grandchildren.

Surviving are her husband of 58 years, Doyle Middaugh, Ossian; daughter, Julie (Greg) Rice, Markle; brother Pastor Greg Patten, Fort Wayne; sister, Kay Hoover, Churubusco and grandchildren, Tyler Rice and Ashli Mari Rice, both of Markle.

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Dorothy A. Adams, 69, a resident of Churubusco and widow of D. Lyle Adams, passed away at 1:05 a. m. on Thursday, February 18, 2010, at her residence. She had been in declining health since 2005.

Mrs. Adams was born on March 3, 1940 in Noble County, a daughter of Dale F. and LaVelda K. “Betty” (Keller) McCoy. She spent her formative years in Green Township, and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1958.

On March 24, 1962 she was married in Ari to D. Lyle Adams. The couple spent much of their married lives on the family dairy farm in Eel River Township in Allen County, where she assisted her husband until moving to Churubusco in 1991. She had also been employed as a quality control worker at Noble Wire near Albion for six years, retiring in 2005.

She attended the Ari Church of God, east of Churubusco. Always known as a person who enjoyed helping other people, she loved her dog “Max,” enjoyed the farm livestock, and most especially loved and cherished her family.

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Hilda I. Glass, age 95, formerly of Kendallville and Avilla, died February 14, 2010 while on winter break in Bradenton, Florida.

She was born on June 12, 1914 in Avilla and was the daughter of Thomas and Ethel (Owen) Cramer, both deceased.

She was a graduate of Avilla High School, and a member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Avilla. Mrs. Glass worked in the Avilla school cafeteria for 25 years.

Surviving are a son and daughter n law, Richard and Connie Glass of Kendallville. A son n law, John Cluver of Lowell, Indiana. A sister, Thelmas Leitch of Churubusco. Four grandchildren, Ginger Forbes, Corey (Mindy) Glass of Kendallville, Marna (Eric) Meyer of Indianapolis, and Michael (Paula) Cluver of West Virginia. Ten great grandchildren, Keith (Melinda) Forbes of Kendallville, Trey Forbes at Manchester College, Taylor, Josh, Brianna and Joel Glass of Kendallville, Julia and John M. Cluver of West Virginia, and Madelyn and Mason Meyer of Indianapolis.

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Kenneth L. Lemley, Sr., 79, a resident of Churubusco, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2010 at 8:41 p. m. at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home in Fort Wayne following an extended illness.  He had been a patient there since Tuesday.

Mr. Lemley was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on November 5, 1930, a son of Harry Harold and Caroline (Carpenter) Lemley, and spent his formative years in Marcellus, Michigan.

As a young man he served with the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict, and was married on November 24, 1968 in Centerville, Michigan to Donna Jean (Reynolds) Reno.  The couple lived in Centerville, Michigan for a period before moving to Churubusco in 1985.

Employed as a concast worker with Essex Wire, he retired from there in 1992 after 30 years.

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Ronald Wayne Pratt, age 49, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 11:50 p.m., Thursday, February 11, 2010 at his home.

Born on November 13, 1960 in Columbia City, IN, he was the son of Russell Wayne and Heddy (Dietrich) Pratt. He has lived his entire lifetime in the Churubusco and Columbia City, IN areas. He attended Churubusco High School. On May 12, 1979, he married Debra D. McDevitt at Grace Lutheran Church, Columbia City, IN. He worked at North American Van Lines, T&E Construction, Pratt Construction, Bunn Trucking and Lentz Enterprizes. He was the Columbia City Football Booster president in 1999 and loved Columbia City High School Eagle Football and watching the Indianapolis Colts. He loved kids and spending all the time he could with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Debra D. Pratt of Columbia City; son, Braden (Amanda) Pratt of Columbia City; daughter, Tiffany (Jeffry Goddard) Pratt of Warsaw, IN; granddaughter, Raegan Pratt of Columbia City; parents, Russell and Heddy Pratt of St. James City, FL; brother, Russell (Chris) Pratt, Jr. of Columbia City; several nieces & nephews and great nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lynn Pratt.

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Donald R. Linsley, 81, a resident of rural Churubusco, passed away at 4:18 a. m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.  He had been in declining health for some time, and had been taken to the hospital on Thursday evening from North Ridge Village Nursing Home in Albion.

Mr. Linsley was born on March 21, 1928 in Calhoun County, Michigan, a son of L. Z. and Alta (Rice) Linsley.  He spent his formative years on the family farm near Battle Creek, and graduated from Bellevue High School in 1946.

On May 21, 1950 he was married in Eaton County, Michigan to Gloria J. Smurr.  The couple lived all of their married lives in Michigan until moving from Battle Creek to Churubusco in 1993.

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ROBERT EDWIN NOTESTINE, 83, of Atlanta, Ga., formerly of Churubusco, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010.

Born July 4, 1926, in Allen County, he retired from International Harvester in 1987. He loved fishing, playing cards, traveling, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife, Sharon Lee (Brown) Notestine of Churubusco, currently of Atlanta, Ga.; children, Edwin (Debbie) Notestine of Atlanta, Shareen (Terry) Miles of Charleston, S.C. and Eileen (Terry) McWhorter of Atlanta; seven grandchildren, Dana, Sara (Day) and Brian Notestine, Nicholas and Mitchell Miles, and Jake and Shelby McWhorter; brother, Earl (Ilah) Notestine of W. Lafayette; sister, Donna Foote of Churubusco; and sisters-in-law, Evelyn (Parker) Notestine, Fayetta (Davis) Notestine and Annabelle (Taylor) Notestine, all of Fort Wayne. He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Boyce; and brothers, John, Dick and Glenn Notestine.

Service is Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, in Atlanta, Ga. A memorial service will be held in July in Leo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Southwest Christian Care (Hospice), Southwest Christian Church, Atlanta, or Cedar Creek Church of Christ, Leo.

Click here to send family online condolence.

JEAN “BABE” HOEFFEL, 74, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Friday Feb 5, 2010.

She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother. She loved to laugh and have a good time. She also loved to cook and bake, and was famous for her homemade pies. She also collected pigs, losing count after 500. She retired in 2003 after 21 years as head cook at Most Precious Blood Catholic School.

She is survived by her children, Cynthia (Andrew) Boneff of Churubusco, Michael (Sheila) Hoeffel of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Bill (Tracy) Hoeffel of Royal Oak, Mich., James Hoeffel, Joseph Hoeffel and Daniel (Tracy) Hoeffel, all of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Julie Hoeffel, Andrew, Jesse and Sam Boneff, Garand Hoeffel, Cody and Kristina Hoeffel, Crystal Braswell and Jamie Henderson; sisters, Ruth Johnston and Mary Foltz; and brother, Art Jordan. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, James Hoeffel; brother, Kenneth Jordan; and sister, Dora Jackson.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m. Thursday at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, with visitation 1/2 hour prior at the church. Visitation also from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at C.M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Home, 1327 N. Wells Street, with a Rosary service at 7 p.m. Burial in Covington Memorial Gardens.

Ervin ‘Erv’ A. Richman, 74, of Big Long Lake, formerly of New Haven, died Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Born in Jefferson Twp., Allen County he was the son of the late Joseph and Esther Richman.  He was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, Big Long Lake.  The Air National Guard veteran was a member of American Legion Post #423, Orland, IN and was a former director for the Big Long Lake Association.  He was a brick mason and foreman for Hagerman Construction, retiring in 1998.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Doris; sons, Kirk (Renee) Richman of Hudson, Doug (Jennifer) Richman and Bruce (Tish) Richman both of Churubusco, and Bob (Debbie) Richman of Mishawaka; siblings, Donna Marquart of Monroeville, Weldon Richman of Hoagland, and Norman Richman of New Haven.  He was preceded in death by his son, Steve in 1981; and siblings, June Knefelkamp and Earl Richman.

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John Vinogradov, 72, a resident of rural Churubusco, passed away at 5:30 a. m. on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at the family residence in Smith Township following an extended illness.

Mr. Vinogradov was born on April 21, 1937 in New York City, a son of John Peter and Madeline (Sway) Vinogradov.  As a young man he served in the U. S. Navy for 18 years, and had lived in the Churubusco-area since 1965.  He retired as an electronic engineer with Magnavox after 32 years.

A member of the Gilbert Davis American Legion Post 157 in Churubusco, he had formerly served as its finance officer.

On July 7, 1969 he was married in St. Croix to Eunice J. Collier.  She survives.

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Ryan E. Hamilton, 34, a former resident of Churubusco and more recently of Fort Wayne, was pronounced dead on arrival on Thursday morning, January 28, 2010, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne after being found unresponsive at his home.

Born in Bluffton on March 21, 1975, he was the son of Robert E. and Sandra J. (Lacoax) Hamilton.  He moved with his family to Churubusco from Uniondale in 1985, and graduated from Carroll High School in 1994.  For the past few years he had been employed by Anthony Wayne Services in Fort Wayne.

The surviving relatives include his father and step-mother Robert E. and Etta Hamilton of Churubusco; his brother Chad Hamilton of Fort Wayne; two step-sisters Paula (Scott) Hunsberger of Churubusco and Erica (George) Gebhart of Albion; two grandmothers Pat Lacoax of Fort Wayne and Jane Hamilton of Bluffton; six nieces and one nephew.

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Mildred Birkey, 91, Bunker Hill, passed away at 8:47 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, at the IU Medical Center, Indianapolis.

She was born March 1, 1918, in Howard County, the daughter of William and Pearl Miller King. She married Dwight E. Birkey on Dec. 5, 1937, and he preceded her in death on Sept. 10, 1993.

Mildred graduated from Greentown High School in 1937. She was a member of the Howard Miami Mennonite Church where she was active in helping wherever there was a need. Mildred was an avid quilter with many quilts going to charitable causes. She was a past member of the Miami County 4-H Board and the Harrison Homemaker’s Club, and participated in many other activities. Her favorite was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are her daughters, Evelyn Yoder and husband Wilbur, Middlebury, Loretta Chupp and husband Carl, Goshen, and Phyllis Fitchpatrick and husband Otis, Amboy; sons Duane Birkey, Churubusco, and Dale Birkey and wife Mary Faye, Bunker Hill; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Rozella Layton, Greenfield.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dwight, two brothers, Paul King and Milphert King and two great-grandchildren.

A service celebrating the life of Mildred Birkey is 10 a.m. Saturday at Howard-Miami Mennonite Church, 3976 E. 400 South, Kokomo, with Pastor Randy Detweiler officiating. Burial will follow in Mast Cemetery, Howard County. Family and friends will gather from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Laird-Eddy Funeral Home, 201 N. Main St., Amboy. Memorial donations may be made through the funeral home to the Howard-Miami Mennonite Church.

Gregory Eugene Darr, age 41, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 5:23 a.m. Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City, IN.

Born on October 16, 1968 in Fort Wayne, IN, he was the son of Eugene Stanton Darr, Jr. and Marcia L. Gawthrop. A lifetime Whitley County resident, he graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1987. He was a construction worker and an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

Survivors include his mother, Marcia L. Gawthrop and father, Eugene Stanton Darr, Jr. both of Columbia City; 2 daughters, Kelsey Renea Darr of Columbia City; Kaley Marie Darr of Churubusco; 2 brothers, Ronald S. (Debra) Darr of Columbia City; Dr. Bradley S. (Carrie) Darr of Linton, IN; fiance, Lori L. Cameron of Columbia City; 2 nephews & 1 niece, Benjamin, Hannah and Ian Darr all of Linton, IN; grandmother, Marilyn Darr of North Manchester, IN; 2 grandchildren, Ryan Rose and Kaylyn Cameron both of Columbia City.

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