Laverne "Vern" H. Fratus, 63, of 411 W. Fifth St., North Manchester, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 1997 at Parkview Hospital, Ft. Wayne, IN. He was born June 10, 1934 at Erie, PA to Harry Joseph and Ellen (Didion) Fratus, both deceased. He married Ann M. Smelser Dec. 8, 1956 and she survives.

Mr. Fratus was self employed at Twentieth Century Upholstering and Trim in North Manchester. He was a U.S. Marine veteran of the Korean conflict.

In addition to his wife, Ann, he is survived by sons Randy, Dennis, and Barry Fratus, all of North Manchester; daughters Beth and Megan Fratus, both of North Manchester, and Mrs. Dale (Rena) Moore of Green Cove Springs, FL; brothers, Leroy and Frank Fratus, both of Erie, PA; a sister, Mrs. Alice Silverman of Maryland; and seven grandchildren. A brother and two sisters preceded him in death.

Friends may call Thursday, Aug. 21, 1997 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at DeLaughter McKee Mortuary. Funeral service will be held at DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary Thursday, 8:00 p.m. with the Rev. Theron Hanes officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery.

Preferred memorials are to the Chester Township Jaws of Life Fund.

A. Darlein Miller

A. Darlein Miller, 77, of 1406 Beckley St., North Manchester, IN died Monday, Aug. 18, 1997 at Whitley Memorial Hospital, Columbia City, IN. She was born at Wabash, IN June 27, 1920 to Frank and Bertha (Frank) McDaniel, both deceased.

She married Truman Miller on Sept. 3, 1938 in Somerset, IN, and he died Feb. 7, 1982. She worked for 27 years at the Heckman Bindery in North Manchester, retiring in 1986. She was a 1938 graduate of Somerset High School.

Survivors include two sons - Larry (DeLara) Miller of Columbia City, IN and Randall R. (Patty) Miller of Wabash; and grandsons Ryan Miller of Wabash and Landon Miller of Columbia City.

Funeral service was held Wednesday morning, Aug. 20, 1997, at the Manchester Bible Church with the Rev. David Stockeland officiating. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester.

Preferred memorials are to the Manchester Bible Church. Arrangements were by Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, No. Manchester.

Cathy A. Bilodeau

Cathy A. Bilodeau, 51, of 4911 W Rd. 50 S, Kokomo, IN. died Saturday, August 16, 1997 at St. Joseph Hospital & Health Center of Kokomo, IN. She was born May 13, 1946 in Huntington, IN to Joseph and Bette (McClure) Reed. She married Dan L. Bilodeau Nov. 20, 1966 in North Manchester.

A 1964 graduate of Manchester high School, she had been employed the last 12 years at Western School Corporation. She was raised in North Manchester prior to moving to Kokomo in August, 1974. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of our Redeemer, Kokomo; Wheel People Bike Club, and Break-away Bike Club.

Survivors include her mother, Bette Reed of North Manchester; two sons and daughter-in-law, Mark and Wanda Bilodeau of Noblesville, IN and Matthew Bilodeau of West Lafayette; a brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Linda Reed of Burnsville, Minnesota; and two sisters and a brother-in-law Nancy Reed of North Manchester and Bette Joe and Bill Grube of Columbia city, IN; and a grandchild, Hannah I. Bilodeau.

Funeral service was held today (Wednesday), Aug. 20, 1997 at the Lutheran Church of our Redeemer, 705 Southway Blvd., Kokomo, IN with the Rev. William S. Allison officiating. Burial was at Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester.

Preferred memorials are to Lutheran Church of our Redeemer or American Heart Association.

Stout & Son of 200 E. Main St., Russiaville, IN was in charge of arrangements.

Cecil Poe

Cecil Poe, 73, of Liberty Mills, IN, died Friday, Aug. 15, 1997 at Whitley County Memorial Hospital, Columbia City, IN. He was born June 2, 1924 at Prestonsburg, KY to Dood and Emma (Prater) Poe, both deceased. He married Carrie Burchett Oct. 14, 1954, and she survives. He had been an employee of Conrail for 26 years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons George of Laketon, John of Roann, Cecil Wayne of North Manchester, Harold and Jack, both of Liberty Mills; daughters Mrs. Carol Warren of Liberty Mills, Mrs. Dwayne (Emma) Barrett, Mrs. Devery (Bonnie) Winterrowd and Mrs. Rick (Rose) Grossnickle, all of North Manchester; 27 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. One son, three brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.

Funeral service was held Monday, Aug. 18, at Sweetwater Assembly of God Church, SR 114E, North Manchester, with the Rev. Ralph Dotson and Luther Bailey officiating. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester.

DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

J. Russell Miller

J. Russell Miller, 73, of 44 W. Lakeside Dr., North Manchester, IN died August 12, 1997 at his residence. He was born April 20, 1924 at Mt. Vernon, OH to Leroy Curtis and Josephine (Griffin) Miller, both deceased. 

He had been a Marion, IN resident until 1975, and had resided in North Manchester since 1979. He married Mary Ellen Swaney July 28, 1946. He was an Air Force veteran of World War II and he served on Iwo Jima. He had been a public school teacher and administrator. He was employed with Marion Community Schools for 20 years as a teacher, administrator, counselor and director of personnel. He retired from Heartland Career Center, Wabash as administrative Assistant in 1986. He attended Purdue University. He graduated from Ball State University in 1949 where he received his B.S. He received his Masters Degree in 1951 from Ball State University.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen Miller of North Manchester; sons Rev. Donald (Nancy) Miller of Marion, Stephen R. (Lori) Miller of Winona Lake, and Russell L. (Karen Lynn) Miller of Kokomo; a daughter, Karen Ann (Mrs. Everett) Wells of Perrysburg, OH; brothers Raymond Miller of Tipton, IN and Richard (Lucy) Miller of Indianapolis; and eight grandchildren.

Funeral service was held Saturday, August 16, at Needham-Storey North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN, with the Rev. Donald Miller officiating. Burial was in Grant Memorial Park, Marion, IN. with gravesite military honors.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 139 E. Third St., Marion, IN 46952. 

John W. Howard

John W. Howard, 71, of 358 E. Maple, Wabash, IN died at his residence Monday, August 11, 1997. He was born Oct. 23, 1925 at Wabash to Ray "Butch" and Irma (Liechty) Howard.

He was a graduate of Wabash High School, and attended Indiana University, and graduated from Manchester College. He retired from United Technology in Andrews, IN. He was a World War II Navy Veteran.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Daniel (Nancy) Phend of Laotto, IN; a son, Michael (Marsha) Howard of Northport, MI; an aunt Eleanor Liechty of St. Louis, MO; and a granddaughter, Willa Howard of Northport, MI.

There were no funeral services, but the family received friends Friday, Aug. 15, at Honeywell Room in Honeywell Center, Wabash. Cremation took place at the Hoosier Crematory of Akron, IN.

Grandstaff-Hentgen Manchester Avenue Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

Oscar H.C. Schultz

Oscar Henry Carl Schultz, 78, of 150 W. Redwing Canyon Rd., Kingman, AZ, formerly of Fort Wayne, IN, died July 28, 1997 at Kingman Reg. Medical Center. He was born Feb. 19, 1919 at Coesse, IN to Adolph and Hanna (Stoppenhagen) Schultz. He married Deloris L. Peck Feb. 19, 1949 and she survives.

Mr. Schultz had been employed as a machinist for the Dana Corporation of Fort Wayne for 35 years. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church of Kingman, AZ.

Survivors include his wife; daughters Rose Freeman of Kingman, AZ, and Mrs. Pete (Carol) Schmidt of North Manchester; a sister, Mrs. Kurt (Marie) Schoeneman of Fort Wayne; two grandchildren. A brother and a sister preceded him in death.

Graveside service was held Saturday, Aug. 16, 1997 and burial was in Lindenwood Cemetery, Ft. Wayne, IN. 

Eddingfield-DeLaughter Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. Preferred memorials are to Make a Wish Foundation.

Betty Allen

Services are pending at DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary, Inc. for Betty Allen, 75, P.O. Box 1362, Warsaw, IN, who died this morning (Wednesday) Aug. 20, 1997 at Mason Health Care, Warsaw, IN.

Everett R. Brandenburg

Everett R. Brandenburg, 82, a resident of Timbercrest Retire-ment Community, North Manchester, IN, died Saturday, Feb. 15, 1997 at Timbercrest Healthcare Center. He was born Aug. 15, 1914 in Kosciusko County to William E. and Julia (Fultz) Brandenburg, both de-ceased.

Mr. Brandenburg was a lifelong North Manchester area resident. He married Ruth Helen Keppler in North Manchester on April 3, 1937. She passed away Jan. 20, 1991. Mr. Brandenburg had worked at the North Manchester Foundry for approx-imately 40 years and had retired. He was a member of the Liberty Mills Church of the Brethren.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. John (Laurale) Kreps of Wabash; a son, Ron Brandenburg of Oak Ridge, TN; a sister, Elta (Kreider) Pyle of South Whitley; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren. A brother and three sisters preceded him in death.

Funeral service was held Tuesday, Feb. 18, 1997 at Bender Chapel, Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, with the Rev. Mark Flora-Swick officiating. Burial was in Oaklawn Ceme-tery.

Noles E. Wolfe

Noles Eugene (Gene) Wolfe, 67, of 202 Arthur, Sidney, IN died at his residence Saturday, Feb. 15, 1997. He was born Sept. 15, 1929 at Warsaw, IN to Noles and Gladys (Grindle) Wolfe. He married Beulah Gregory Nov. 22, 1963 in Pierceton, IN. He was a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, and was re-tired from Warsaw Plating Works, Warsaw, IN. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife, Beulah; two daughters - Angela Speicher, Knapp Lake, IN and Kris Van Curen of Pierceton, IN; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.

Funeral services were held to-day (Wednesday), Feb. 19, 1997 at McHatton Sadler Funeral Chapel, Pierceton, IN with Pas-tor William Whitaker officiating. Burial was in Hillcrest Ceme-tery, Pierceton. where the Pierceton American Legion held military graveside services.

Dr. James E. Flohr

Funeral services were held for Dr. James (Jim) E Flohr on Sunday, February 16, 1997 at Eagle Creek Foursquare Church; interment was at Sandy Ridge Cemetery in Boring, OR. He died in a Clackamas Hospital on Feb. 13, 1997; he was 78 years of age.

He was born Feb. 18, 1918 in Wabash, Indiana to Ivan and Edythe Flohr. He received his primary education in Indiana and graduated from Akron High School in 1936. He moved to Tacoma, WA in 1940 and went to work for a furniture factory. Be-fore moving back to Indiana in 1942, he married Jeanne Rager Feb. 25, 1942 in Sumner, WA. He continued to work winters in Tacoma. He farmed in Indiana until 1962 at which time they moved to California. He went to work for Bartel Lumber Co. as a partner.

He started training for the ministry in 1963, and was ordained at Pacific College in South Fresno. He served on the Board of Directors of the Fresno Rescue; he also served four years with International Union Gospel Missions Inc. He served 20 years with the San Diego Rescue Mission and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Evangelical Christian Seminary. He was a member of the Eagle Creek Foursquare Church and served as pastor to the seniors. He was also a mem-ber of the Estacada Chamber. He enjoyed people and counsel-ing.

He is survived by his wife Jeanne of Boring; two sons, Kerry L. Flohr of Eagle Creek, and Kim M. Flohr of Billings, Montana; six grandchildren and one great grandson.

The family suggests preferred memorials be made to Eagle Creek Foursquare Church youth and children's ministries.

Estacada Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 1390 of Estacada, OR 97023 was in charge of funeral ar-rangements.

Dr. John R. Wagoner, M.D.

Dr. John R. Wagoner, M.D., 78, a resident of Timbercrest Re-tirement Community, and for-mer Anderson, IN resident, died Feb. 14, 1997 at Community Hospital, Anderson following a brief illness. He was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana May 29, 1918 to John E. and Mary A. (Studebaker) Wagoner, both deceased. He was a resi-dent of Anderson since 1959, moving from Texas; he moved to North Manchester in May 1994.

Dr. Wagoner was a graduate of Calgary High School in Alberta, Canada; he received the B.A. degree from Manchester College in 1939 and a Masters of Secondary Education from Indi-ana University in 1942. He re-ceived medical training and graduated from Western Reserve University in 1948. His in-ternship from 1948-49 was at St. Elizabeth's Hospital of Lafayette. He served his residency in Urol-ogy in Houston, TX from 1955-59, then went to Anderson and practiced as a Urologist until 1990.

Dr. Wagoner served as princi-pal at Richland Township High School near Rochester from 1942-44; he taught school in Carroll County from 1939-42. He had a family practice in Delphi, IN from 1949-1955, and from 1960-1993 he worked for Ander-son University Student Health Services.

He was a member of the Anderson Church of the Brethren. He also was an ordained minis-ter and pastored the Pittsburg, IN Church of the Brethren from 1939-42.

Dr. Wagoner was a member of the American Medical Assoc., the American Urological Assoc., and the Madison County Medi-cal Assoc. He served as Chief of Staff, Chief of Surgery and President of the Staff of both St. John's and Community Hospitals in Anderson. He also served as president of the Mounds Kiwa-nis Club for a year.

He was a trustee for Manchester College from 1970-80; was a member of the Board of Lib-erty Christian School for many years, and was Moderator for five of the Churches of the Brethren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Stoffer Wagoner, May 17, 1995. He is survived by three children - daugh-ters Mrs. John (Helen) Wenger of Anderson, Mrs. Douglas (Colleen) Miller of West Salem, WI; and a son John D. Wagoner and wife, Betsy of Fort Wayne; seven grandchildren - Greg, Adam and Megan Wenger; John Michael and Katie Wagoner; and Cole and Clay Miller; a sister, Mary A. Catron of Pyrmont, IN; and several nieces and nephews. A brother, Dwight D. Wagoner preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 17, 1997 at Rozelle Johnson Funeral Service with Dr. John Bunch and Rev. Eldon Petry officiating; graveside ser-vice was held at Pyrmont Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Brethren, or Liberty Christian School.

Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service is located at 229 S. Rangeline Road, Anderson, IN 46012.

Harold D. Miller

Harold David Miller, 84, of 13615N 100E, North Manchester, died February 13, 1997 at Wabash Healthcare Center, Wabash, IN. He was born Sept. 26, 1912 at North Manchester, IN to Ellis and Elizabeth (Albright) Miller, both deceased. 

He married Eleanor Gable in North Manchester on August 9, 1936 and she survives. He was a member of the Manchester Church of the Brethren, and a 1931 graduate of Chester High School. He has lived on the same farm in North Manchester all his life.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Richard E. Miller of Syracuse, IN; and daughters Mrs. John (Rosemary) Rouch of Milford, IN, Carol Miller of Fort Wayne, IN, and Joann Miller of Portage, MI; 11 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son and two sisters.

Funeral service was held Saturday, Feb. 15, 1997 at the Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, North Manchester, with the Rev. Byron Miller and Rev. Bruce Hostetler officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, North Manchester.

Preferred memorials are to the Wabash County Cancer Society or the Manchester Church of the Brethren.

Hatcher Howard

Hatcher Howard, 69, of 1275 Chapman Lake Dr., Warsaw, IN, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997 at Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN. He was born Jan. 28, 1928 at Salyersville, KY to Fred and Bertha (Allen) Howard. He married Mary Rit-tenhouse January 8, 1968 and she preceded him in death Nov. 11,1995. He was retired from General Tire of Wabash after 38 years employment. He was a part-time employee for Lewis Oil of Warsaw. He had been a resi-dent of Warsaw for 15 years.

Mr. Howard was a member of the Christian Fellowship Church of North Manchester, and at-tended Warsaw Wesleyan Church of Warsaw. He was vet-eran of the U.S. Army.

Survivors include two sons - Ralph Howard of North Manchester and Bill Howard of Liberty Mills, IN.; a stepson, Michael Lee Bowers of Leesburg, IN; his mother Bertha Howard of Lake-ton; four sisters - Lou Owens of North Manchester, Opal Meck of Warsaw, Ora Lee Guillend of Richmond, VA and Jeannie Johnson of Laketon; four brothers - Mitchell Howard of Wabash, Wade Howard of Alexandria, IN, and Lawrence and Eddie Howard, both of North Manchester; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ken and Fred Howard, Jr.

Funeral service was held Saturday, Feb. 15, 1997 at Titus Fu-neral Home of Warsaw, with the Rev. J. P. Freeman officiating. Burial was in Oakwood Ceme-tery of Warsaw.

Preferred memorials are to the American Cancer Society, the North Manchester Christian Fellowship Church or the War-saw Wesleyan Church.

Ellis George Cox

Ellis George Cox, 85, of 414 N. Line St., Columbia City, IN, died February 13, 1997 at Whitley Memorial Hospital, Columbia City. He was born Feb. 22, 1911 at Collamer, IN to George W. and Myrtle I. (Pugh) Cox, both deceased.

Mr. Cox was united in marriage with Pearl Irene Bair, a Thorncreek Township native on April 5, 1933, and she survives, along with a son, Keith De-Wayne Cox and a daughter, Mrs. Rick (Linda) Wood, both of Columbia City; a brother, Cleon L. Cox of North Manchester; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his par-ents, his step father, Schuyler Thompson, and brothers Alva, Lester, Howard and Weldon Cox.

Mr. Cox resided on his Columbia Township farm for 27 years before moving in 1969 to Columbia City. After moving from his farm, he was employed for three years with the Columbia City Street Mainte-nance department. He was a member of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church of Columbia City, and he served four years as a member of the Columbia Township Trustee's Advisory Board.

Funeral service was held Saturday, Feb. 15, 1997 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Fu-neral Home, Columbia City, with the Rev. Andy Martin officiating. Burial was in Eberhard Lutheran Cemetery of Columbia City. 

Preferred memorials are to the Oak Grove United Methodist Church, North SR 5, Larwill IN 46764. 
 

Phyllis H. Conliff

Phyllis H. Conliff, 68, of 701 E. Main St., Peru, IN, died Feb. 17, 1997 at Community Care Center, Wabash, IN. She was born at Lagro, IN to Jess and Agnes (Ballard) Parrett, Sr. She mar-ried William E. Armstrong, who preceded her in death.

A homemaker, she was a member of the Church of the Nazarene of Wabash.

Survivors include sons Greg Armstrong of Georgia, Bill Armstrong of Peru, IN, Michael E. Armstrong of Greentown, IN and Philip Scott Armstrong of Indianapolis; a daughter, Tammy Long of Peru; a brother Carl Parrett of Wabash; and sisters Ethel Eckelbarger of Peru, Mildred Music and Jean Martinez, both of Wabash, and Evelyn Richards of Marion; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, Feb. 20, 1997 at 3:00 p.m. at the Eddingfield-DeLaughter Mortuary, 231 Falls Ave., Wabash, with the Rev. Gary Cunningham officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery.
 

John M. Blocher

John M. Blocher, 77, of Community Care Center, Wabash, IN and formerly of Warsaw and North Manchester, died at Community Care Center Tuesday, Feb. 18, 1997. He was born in Wabash County June 10, 1919 to Samuel and Mary Gertrude (Eiler) Blocher, both deceased.

A retired farmer, he is survived by sons Larry L. Lotz of Fairmount, IN, Samuel G. Blocher of Warsaw, and John Blocher of Wabash; daughters Debra Blocher of Rochester and Diane Blocher of Arizona; a sister, Mrs. Ronald (Louella) Wrightsman of Sidney, IN; 17 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren. A son, two brothers and a sister preceded him in death.

Friends may call at DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary from 3 to 8 p.m today, (Wednesday), Feb. 19th. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home Thursday, Feb. 20, 1997, 1:00 p.m. with Rev. J. P. Freeman officiating. Burial will be in Old German Baptist Cemetery.

 
 

Indiana Obituary Links
 
 

Marriage Search Engines

FamGen.net