Life Stories

Betty S. (Mills) Irelan, 93, of Elkhart, went home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, April 29, 2024. She was born on July 15, 1930, in Elkhart, to the late Albert and Hattie (Young) Mills. Betty is survived by her sons, William “Bill” (Dialene) and Mike (Linda) Irelan; twin daughters, Linda (Denny) Weltz and Shirley Hershberger; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; friend in Christ and caregiver, Debbie George; and a loving host of extended family, friends,...

Nicholas Robert “Nick” Culp, 40, of Elkhart, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 29, 2024 at his home. Nicholas was born on March 9, 1984 in Elkhart to Kevin J. Culp and Leanne Laub. Nicholas is survived by his father Kevin J. (Sylvia) Culp and mother Leanne Laub; brother Alexander W. Culp; sister Catherine L. Culp as well as a niece Chloe Culp and nephews, Evin Culp and Wyatt Culp. Nick was preceded in death by his Aunt Catherine Bellamy, grandparents, Robert L. and...

Vincent F. Sharp, 59, of Elkhart, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at Indiana University Methodist Hospital. Arrangements are pending at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, IN 46514.

Ronald G. “Ron” Silc, 80, of Coloma, Michigan and formerly of Elkhart, finished the race of life today, 28 April 2024. Ron was born on February 12, 1944 in Joliet, Illinois, to the late Harry F. and Hazel R. (Janssen) Silc. He is survived by his wife Chris (Hoffman), two sons, Aaron and Sarah (Meyer) of Chicago, Ryan and April (Zanfardino) of West Palm Beach, Florida. A graduate of Joliet High School 1962 and graduate of Governor State University with a bachelor’s degree...

Jeanette Alice Light, 88, of Edwardsburg, MI passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at her home. Jeanette was born on May 10, 1935, in Cassopolis, MI, to the late, Carlisle and Alice (Dixon) Hartsell. She was married to the love of her life, Earl T. Light, on September 22, 1957, in Elkhart. He passed away on November 21, 2018. She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Earl; and brother, Delbert Hartsell. Jeanette is survived by her daughters, Lori (Jim) Pierce, Lisa (David)...

Joyce Eileen Carver, 86, of Granger, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Center for Hospice Care’s Esther House in Elkhart. She was born on March 23, 1938, in Richmond, IN, to the late Lyle and Edna (Seaver) Carver. Joyce is survived by her loving partner of 45 years, Frances “Kika” Brown, of Elkhart; nephews, Terry (Sue) Carver of Cape Coral, FL, and Chris (Amanda) Carver of Clayton, NC; niece, Janice Chavers of Carmel, IN; close friends, Maureen Bowersox, and...

Ella Louise Lewis, 66, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at her home on April 25, 2024 at 6:21 pm. She had been courageously battling some ongoing health issues. She was born in Olive Branch, Mississippi on June 1, 1957 to the late Reverend Roosevelt and Eliza Mae (King) Baker, Sr., and later married Ernest Eugene Lewis in Elkhart on February 3, 1975. He passed away in 2019. Along with her parents and her beloved Ernest, Ella is also preceded in death by her sons Maurice and Irvin C. Lewis...

Ralph L. Leiby, 81, formerly of Mottville, MI, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at Woodland Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation. Ralph was born on September 28, 1942 in Middlebury, IN to the late Arthur and May (McCay) Leiby. He married the love of his life, Joann (Swartzell) Leiby on February 12, 1966 in Bristol, IN. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and May Leiby; siblings, Delbert Leiby, Floyd Leiby, Leona Patterson, Dorothy Haseman and Marlene Stewart. Ralph is...

Cheryl K. Etherington, 73, of Edwardsburg, MI, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Cass County Medical Care surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Covington, KY on August 15, 1950, to the late John and Florence (Williams) Etherington. Cheryl is also preceded in death by her brother, Jack Etherington. She is survived by her children, Josh (Karley) Vandiver and John Scott (Kathy) Vandiver; grandchildren, Jon, Erin, Bently, and Markus Vandiver; honorary granddaughter,...

  ELGIE R. MERRYFIELD Aug. 15, 1930 – April 20, 2024 SOUTH BEND – Elgie Richard Merryfield, 93, of Elkhart and South Bend, died peacefully after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (March 20) at home with his son and caregiver, William. His daughter (Jenny) and family visited him shortly before his death. He was born Aug. 15, 1930, in Elkhart to Elgie and LaVeta (Brumbaugh) Merryfield. He was a 1948 graduate of Elkhart High School and...

Harold Eugene “Gene” Harding, 90, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born on March 3, 1934, in New Castle, IN, to the late Willard Harding and Vela Mae (Anderson) Thomas. Gene is survived by his loving wife, Dianne (Mettert) Harding of Elkhart; sons, Michael Harding of Osceola, and Tim Harding of St. Petersburg, FL; grandson, Little Wolf of Osceola; sister, Patricia “Patty” Harding of New Castle; brother-in-law,...

Lucinda "Cindy" Fay Mamoran, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2024, at St. Vincent Heart Hospital in Noblesville, Indiana, surrounded by her loving family. Born on July 11, 1951, in Elkhart, Indiana, to Beatrice Staley, Cindy lived her entire life in the community she cherished. Sadly, she was predeceased by her mother and her son, Daniel Staley. Cindy's life was enriched by a loving family. She leaves...

Cora Jane Reed, 90, of Elkhart, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at her home. Cora was born on July 7, 1933 in South Bend, IN to the late, Oscar Henry Chaney and Hazel Chaney. She is preceded in death by her parents; 5 sisters and 2 brothers. Cora is survived by her children, Donald E. (Donna) Curtis, Debra J. Shafer (Dennis Schott), Bobbie (Buddy) Webber and Lorraine (Eric) Wong; brother, Dale Chaney; many grandchildren, great grand children and great great grandchildren. Cora...

David J. “Dave” Clingerman, 65, of Elkhart, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born in Goshen, IN to John William Clingerman and Shirley J. (Weiland) Myers, who preceded him in death. Dave is also preceded by father-in-law, Bill Wain. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Valerie Clingerman; son, Chad (Michelle) Clingerman; sister, Jackie (Mike) Gingerich; brother, Jerry Clingerman; sisters-in-law, Rachel Wain, Mary (Mike) Wain, and...

Margie L. Patterson, 76, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at Elkhart General Hospital on April 13, 2024 at 5:29 pm while convalescing from an extended illness. She was born in Wilson, Arkansas on May 11, 1947 and was raised by her mother, Ophelia (Hays) Jackson and her stepfather George Jackson. Besides her parents, Margie is preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Bryant. Margie is survived by a host of loving family, extended family and friends that include a daughter, Ashalina L. Gary, and...

Deems T. Gallimore, 83, of Elkhart, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Deems was born on October 5, 1940 in Caretta, WV to the late Perry Irdell and Bessie Alma (Witt) Gallimore. Deems is married to the love of his life, Janice I. (Weltz) Gallimore on July 1, 1962 in Elkhart, IN. He is preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Bessie and son in law, Tony Tucker. Deems is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janice Gallimore; daughters, Tamara (Randy) Rowe, Sheryl Tucker, Tonya...

Daniel Bernard “Dan” Cavanaugh, 81, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 12, 2024, at his home. He was born on February 7, 1943, in Michigan City, IN, to the late Bernard and Margaret (Carbury) Cavanaugh. Dan is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Donna; children, Brian and Julie; 3 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a loving host of extended family and friends. In addition to his parents, Dan was preceded in death by his two brothers and two...

Patty Lou Sharkey, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away on Saturday afternoon, April 6, 2024, at her home. She was surrounded by love, laughter, and a bucket of tears. At 89 years old, Patty had seen it all and left a trail of joy wherever she went. Born in Goshen, Indiana on December 29, 1934, Patty came into this world ready to spice things up. She was the offspring of Carl and Alberta Sharkey, who surely never had a dull moment with Patty around. Patty married...

Mr. Rodney Knoll Strang, 86, passed away Friday, April 5, 2024 at Elkhart General Hospital.  Arrangements are pending at Billings Funeral Home

Flora “Ann” Sowers, 82, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at the Center for Hospice Care in Mishawaka on April 4, 2024 at 2:32 pm while convalescing there. She was born in Muskegon, Michigan on September 12, 1941 to the late William and Doris (VanHook) Bate and is preceded in death by her brother Richard Bate and her sister Linda Obert, as well as a granddaughter, Elizabeth Sowers. Surviving Ann are her sons George W. Sowers of Granger and Michael R. Sowers of LaVergne,...