Gerald E. DeBolt, 74
Gerald E. DeBolt, 74, of Markle, died Monday at Highlands Hospital in Sebring, Fla.
He was an inspector on the motor line at International Harvester for 34 1/2 years, retiring in 1980.
Mr. DeBolt was born at Berne Sept. 24, 1926. He was a member of the Church of Christ at Markle.
Surviving are his wife, Marjorie F.; two daughters, Tonya Cossairt of Markle and Wanda Frantz, wife of Bluffton Police Chief Bob Frantz; four sons, Eugene DeBolt of Battle Creek, Mich., Gary A. Myers of Decatur, Westly DeBolt of Hagerstown and Jerry DeBolt of Churubusco; two brothers, Marion L. DeBolt of Decatur and Floyd Wayne DeBolt of Bluffton; 16 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Markle Church of Christ and burial will be in the Hoverstock Cemetery at Zanesville.
Calling hours at Elzey & Haggard Funeral Home at Ossian will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church Saturday for one hour prior to services.   - Published Mar 7, 2000 
  
Harold L. Shepherd, 56
Harold L. Shepherd, 56, of Connersville, died at 9 p.m. Wednesday at Meadowvale Care Center, where he had resided since July 2000.
He was born at Hazard, Ky., and had resided at Connersville for 20 years.
A son of the late Bazle and Hettie M. Tipton Shepherd, he was born June 2, 1944. He never married.
Surviving are sister, Mrs. Antonio (Nannie) Quinones of Bluffton, and three brothers, Bazle Shepherd Jr. and Wilson Shepherd, both of Bluffton, and Felix Shepherd of Mera Mar, Fla.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Goodwin Memorial Chapel and burial will be in Fairview Cemetery at Bluffton.
Visitation hours at the Goodwin Chapel will be Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Memorials to the family.  - Published Mar 8, 2000 

Guinivere M. ‘Sally’ Bute, 87
A native of Bluffton, Guinivere M. “Sally” Bute, 87, died Wednesday at Hawthorn Court Nursing Home in Paulding, Ohio.
She retired in 1996 as office manager at Culligan Water Conditioning at Paulding.
Surviving are her husband, W. Glen; two daughters, Beth Bute of Jackson, Mich., and Kathy Messick of Fort Wayne; a son, Alan of Payne, Ohio; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three stepgreat-grandchildren.
Services at 10 a.m. Saturday will. be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Paulding. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery at Paulding.
Calling hours at DenHerder Funeral Home in Paulding will be Friday from 2 to 9 p.m. with a Rosary service at 7 p.m.
Memorials to Paulding County Area Visiting Nurses Association.  - Published Mar 8, 2000 
 
David B. McCracken, 66
Father of Virginia Vogel of Bluffton, David B. McCracken, 66, of Fort Wayne, died Thursday in Fort Wayne.
He was the owner and director of McCracken Camps for 39 years.
Mr. McCracken was a member and Sunday school teacher at Grace Presbyterian Church, member of American Camping Association, named Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary and was presented the God & Service Award by the Girl Scouts of America and the Presbyterian Church.
Born in Muncie, he is survived, in addition to the daughter in Bluffton, by his wife, Louise; two other daughters, Cathy German and Mary Tyndall, both of Fort Wayne; and seven grandchildren.
Services at 11 a.m. Monday will be at First Presbyterian Church, 300 West Wayne St., Fort Wayne.
Calling hours will be Sunday from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m at D.O. McComb & Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Rd., Fort Wayne, and Monday at the church for one hour prior to services. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery at Hall, Ind.
Memorials to David B. McCracken Camp Scholarship, to Grace Presbyterian Church or to Hospice Home of Northeast Indiana.    - Published Mar 2, 2000 

Frieda M. Williamson, 72
Frieda M. Williamson, 72, of Decatur, died at 5:31 p.m. Wednesday at Adams County Memorial Hospital in Decatur following an extended illness.
She retired in 1988 from NIPSCO after 361ò2 years and was a former officer of NIPSCO Credit Union.
She was a member of Union Chapel United Methodist Church in Decatur and the United Methodist Women, Decatur Christian Women Club and a former volunteer at Adams County Memorial Hospital.
She was born in Adams County June 25, 1928 to Lawrence L. and Glenn I. Grover Williamson. She never married.
Surviving are two brothers, DeWitt Williamson of Centerberg, Ohio, and Nile Williamson of Decatur. A sister and two brothers are deceased.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur with Rev. James M. Patch officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Warren.
Visitation hours at the funeral home will be Saturday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. until time for services.
Memorials to Union Chapel United Methodist Church, to Arthritis Foundation, or to donor’s choice.   - Published Mar 2, 2000 
 

Olen A. Murchland, 88
Olen A. “Tony” Murchland, 88, of Fort Wayne, brother of Eugene Murchland of Ossian, died Thursday at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.
He retired in 1979 as a repairman from Fruehauf Trailer Co. after 37 years.
Surviving, in addition to the brother in Ossian, are three daughters, Carole Waltmire of Decatur, Katherine Essex of North Canton, Ohio, and Barbara Murchland of Fort Wayne; a son, John of Fort Wayne; another brother, William of Parowan, Utah; three sisters, Edith Siders of Florida, Glenna Murchland of Fort Wayne and Jean Renier of Monroeville; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
His wife, Ruth M., died in 1973, and a son, Paul, died in 1943.
Services at 11 a.m. Saturday will be at D.O. McComb & Sons Foster Park Funeral Home, 6301 Fairfield Ave., where calling hours are today from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Burial will be in Lindenwood Cemetery.
Memorials to American Lung Association or to American Heart Association.   - Published Mar 2, 2000 
 

Sue Colson Skinner, 52
Sue Colson Skinner, 52, of Bluffton, died at 4:25 a.m. Saturday at Caylor-Nickel Medical Center. She had been in failing health one and one-half years.
She was a partner with her mother, Martha Colson, in the Kitchen Witch Gift Store until they closed the business.
Mrs. Skinner, who was born in Bluffton, was a 1967 graduate of Paris, Ill., High School and attended Southern Illinois University. She returned to Bluffton in 1974.
She was a past treasurer of Tri Kappa Sorority and served as chairman in 1981 of the Tri Kappa Follies. She was named in 1982 as Tri Kappa of the Year for her many fundraising projects for the sorority. She was a member also of First Presbyterian Church.
She was born Sept. 25, 1948 in Bluffton to U. Gordon and Martha Cline Colson. Her father died in 1986. Her marriage in Paris, Ill., on April 25, 1970 was to Donald K. Skinner, who survives also.
Other survivors are a son, G. Scott Skinner of Bluffton; a daughter, Sara E. Skinner of Jacksonville, Fla.; a sister, Mrs. John (Anne) Meo of Sarasota, Fla.; and an uncle, William L. Cline of Bluffton. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert W. Skinner, in 1976
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Robert Heimach officiating. Burial will be in Elm Grove Cemetery.
Calling hours at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home are today from 2 to 8 p.m. A Tri Kappa service will be conducted at 8 p.m. The body will be taken to the church one hour prior to the service Tuesday.
Memorials to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Wells County Foundation.   - Published Mar 5, 2000 
 

Russel Jauregui, 82
Russel Jauregui, 82, of rural Decatur and Corning Glass Co. retiree, died Saturday in Decatur.
Mr. Jauregui retired in 1983 after 17 years with Corning Glass..
He was a veteran of U.S. Navy service in the South Pacific during World War II and was a member of American Legion Post 111 and St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church.
He was born in Renfro, Okla., Oct. 8, 1918 to Simon and Apalonia Conde Jauregui. His marriage on Nov. 23, 1938 was to Ruth I. Blount, who survives.
Surviving also are a son, Russel “Sonny” Jauregui of Decatur; a daughter, Mrs. Jerry (Mariane) Tharp of Decatur; a brother, Michael Jauregui of Ossian; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. A daughter, Nancy Lambert, a brother, a sister and a great-grandson are deceased.
A prayer service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Haggard & Sefton Funeral Home in Decatur, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church with Father John Gillig as the officiant.
Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery at Decatur with military graveside rites by American Legion Post 111.
Visitation hours at the funeral home are today from 4 to 9 p.m. A Rosary service will be conducted at 8 p.m.
Memorials to the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association.   - Published Mar 5, 2000 

Juanita Faye Lindemann, 94
A former Bluffton business woman, Juanita Faye Lindemann, 94, of South Whitley, died at 8:06 p.m. Friday in Whitley Memorial Hospital in Columbia City.
She formerly owned and operated in Bluffton the Jack & Jill Children’s Clothing Store and later was employed as a sales clerk for Sears & Co.
She was born in Wells County July 22, 1906 to Delbert and Ivah Shady and completed her education in the Craigville School. She was a member of the Collamer Christian Church.
Her marriage near Tocsin in 1926 was to Ralph J. Lindemann. The couple resided in Fort Wayne and in 1965 moved to South Whitley. Mr. Lindemann died Nov. 11, 1975.
Surviving are a daughter, Joyce C. Nestel of South Whitley; a sister, Mrs. Violet Albertson of Fort Wayne; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Five sisters are deceased.
Services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Smith and Sons Miller Chapel in South Whitley with Pastor David Wagner officiating.
Visitation will be two hours prior to the services.
Memorials to the Collamer Christian Church.   - Published Mar 5, 2000 

Mildred L. Kemplen, 45
Mildred L. Kemplen, 45, of Montpelier, died at 2:55 a.m. Sunday at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne.
She was a homemaker and member of the Ladies Lift at the Olive Branch Church of the Nazarene in rural Hartford City. She was a graduate in 1973 at Clinton County High School at Albany, Ky.
She was born in Burksville, Ky., June 14, 1955, to Love B. and Maude Gilbert Brown. Her marriage at Birdstown, Tenn., on May 12, 1972 was to Wendell L. Kemplen, who survives. Her parents and a foster daughter are deceased.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, are two adopted sisters, Karen Tarr of Montpelier and Rebecca Pauley of Hartford City, and her adopted parents, Jack and Phyllis Speece.
Visitation hours at Glancy Funeral Homes, Walker Chapel, in Montpelier, will be Tuesday from 2 to 7 p.m. with a services there at 7 p.m. with Rev. Jessie Klingaman officiating.
Burial will be at Cave Springs Cemetery at Albany, Ky., with arrangements there pending at the Stephen M. Talbott Funeral Home in Albany, Ky.
Memorials to the family’s funeral expenses.   - Published Mar 5, 2000 

Carl G. Beitler, 82
Father of Karen Beitler of Bluffton, Carl G. “Pappy” Beitler, 82, died Saturday at his home in Decatur.
He was born in Mercer County, Ohio, and was retired from Decatur Casting.
In addition to the daughter in Bluffton, he is survived by five sons, Jerry and Ed, both of New Haven, Ronald and Brian, both of Decatur, and Mike of Fort Wayne; another daughter, Marlene Beitler of New Haven; two stepdaughters, Gloria Gonzales and Tammy Neilands, both of Fort Wayne; a brother, Alford of Geneva; 19 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services at 10 a.m. Wednesday will be at Haggard & Sefton Funeral Home in Decatur, where calling hours will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Moose Lodge memorial services will be at 6 p.m. and Redmen’s services at 8 p.m.
Burial will be in MRE Cemetery at Berne. Memorials to Moose Heart.   - Published Mar 5, 2000 

Clark J. DeWalt, 84
Clark J. DeWalt, 84, of Fort Wayne, died Friday at Riverbend Health Care Center.
Born in Huntington County, he retired in 1978 from farming and was a school bus driver for 26 years in Wells County.
His wife, Verdella M., died in 1996.
Surviving are two daughters, Marjorie Viehland of St. Louis and Carolyn A. Egolf of Fort Wayne; a sister, Helen Smuts of Fort Wayne; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Elzey & Haggard Home for Funerals, 6810 Old Trail Rd., Fort Wayne, where calling hours are today from 4 to 9 p.m. Burial will be in Prospect Cemetery in Wells County.
Memorials to Prospect United Methodist Church or to Heartland Hospice.   - Published Mar 5, 2000 
 
Margaret A. Gephart, 73
Margaret A. Gephart, 73, a Franklin Electric retiree, died at 5:50 p.m. Monday at her residence at 328 West Central Ave. She had been ill two and one-half weeks.
Mrs. Gephart retired in 1985 after 37 years from Franklin Electric Co. in Bluffton. After retirement, she and her late husband, Joseph, moved to North Webster, where they lived for 15 years. Mrs. Gephart moved back to Bluffton the past July.
She was active in a number of organizations in the North Webster area and was a member of the First Church of Christ in Bluffton.
She was born in Wells County Dec. 8, 1927 to LaRoy and Eunice Mosure Cobbum. Her marriage at Poneto on July 30, 1948 was to Joseph Gephart, who died Oct. 15, 1990.
Surviving are two sons, Kenneth W. and Gary L., both of Bluffton; two sisters, Mrs. Jack (Jayne) Schoeff and Mrs. Bertha Jones, both of Bluffton; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Two brothers are deceased.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home with Larry Sprinkle officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be Wednesday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Thursday for one hour prior to services.
Memorials to Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana.   - Published Mar 6, 2000 
 

Ralph E. “Hoop” Widner, 85
A former resident of Warren, Ralph E. “Hoop” Widner, 85, died at 2:30 p.. Monday at Markle Health Care.
Born Oct. 24, 1915 in Pulaski County to William J. and Mary E. Winters Widner, he was employed by the Indiana State Highway Department until his retirement in 1980.
Survivors include two sisters, Sattie Sisson of Delphi and Bonnie Whittecar of Lagrange, plus several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by five brothers and five sisters.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Grant Memorial Park in Marion.
Funeral arrangements are through Glancy Funeral Homes — H. Brown & Sons Chapel in Warren. Preferred memorials to Markle Health Care.  - Published Mar 6, 2000 
 

Fannie M. Hanson, 79
Mother of Jeanette M. Dickey of Ossian, Fannie M. Hanson, 79, of Muncie, died Sunday afternoon at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie following an extended illness.
A native of Muncie, she was the daughter of Erskine E. and Scyleesa Lucas Holt. She attended Muncie Central High School and retired in 1987 after 15 years at Warner Gear (now Borg-Warner).
She moved in 1955 to Marshfield, Mich., returning to Muncie in 1967. She attended the Full Gospel Temple and was a member of the Muncie Women of the Moose and the Warner Gear Sympathy Club.
Surviving, in addition to the daughter at Ossian, are two other daughters, Lois Vlaskamp of Bloomfield, Ind., and Toni Drammeh of Lincoln, Neb.; three sisters, Katherine Satterfield of Muncie, Clara Busby of Jacksonville, Fla., and Dorothy Habben of Yorktown; one brother, Fred L. Holt of Muncie; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Her husband, Richard C., four sisters and three brothers are deceased.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Parson Mortuary in Muncie with Pastor Denny Helton officiating. Burial will be in Lawndale Cemetery in Ridgeville. Visitation hours are today from 4 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday prior to services.  - Published Mar 6, 2000 
 

Joseph William Corn, 71
A funeral service and burial were held Feb. 27 in Albany, Ga., for Joseph William “Joe” Corn, 71, who died Feb. 23 at his residence in Albany.
He was an apartment manager for Pointe North Apartments and had lived in Albany for the past 18 years, moving from Lake Wales, Fla. He was a 50-year member of Masonic Lodge 100 at Homestead, Fla., member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church and a volunteer for Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. He also had served in the National Guard.
Surviving are his wife, Pat; three daughters, Cindy Knauss of Orlando, Fla., Alline Moorehead of San Francisco, Calif., and Jenny Blackburn of Albany; a son, Keith of Fayetteville, N.C.; two brothers, Rev. Jack Corn of Sebring, Fla., and James Corn of Fort Wayne; a sister, Joyce Hadley of Sebring; and five grandchildren. Memorials to Albany Community Hospice or to Covenant Presbyterian Church.  - Published Mar 6, 2000