Life Stories

Orville D. Newell, 91, of Wakarusa, passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at Millers Merry Manor in Wakarusa. Arrangements are pending at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart.   

Mary Jane DiGiacomo, 94, of Elkhart, passed away on Monday, June 17, 2019 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Arrangements are pending at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. 

Kathleen Sue “Kathy” Melchi, 59, of Elkhart, passed away after a sudden illness at Elkhart General Hospital on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Kathy was born on June 23, 1959 in Leonidas Township, Michigan. Surviving is a son Gordon Melchi; her companion of 35 years, Tom Biggs; mother Nancy Jackson; sister Mary and 3 brothers, Scott Gibson, Charles (Dee) Jackson and Malon (Kathy Ann) Jackson. Her birth father, Harry “Bud” Gordon and the father who raised her, Gordon...

Jerry H. Struble, 90, of Goshen, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 14, 2019 at his home. Jerry was born on May 2, 1929 in Millersburg to the late Harold and Cornelia (Duma) Struble. He married Jeri Elizabeth Waterman on June 21, 1953 in Elkhart. He was her loving caregiver until she passed away on April 30, 2019 after 65 wonderful years of marriage. Surviving are his daughters Cathie (Steven Lisi) Struble, Cindie (Jeff) Dale; grandsons Joshua (Krystal) Dale and Chad Dale; 4 great...

Phyllis J. Wysong, 90, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at Greenleaf Health Care Campus in Elkhart on Thursday, June 13, 2019 following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born in Laporte on May 31, 1929 to the late George and Mary (Carlin) Kiefer, and later married Wilbur E. “Windy” Wysong on Sept. 6, 1959 in Elkhart. He passed in 2003. Surviving are children Diane Kershner, Deb (Pete) Russell, Terry (Tomii) Wysong, Sally Webber, Patricia (Donald) Griffey and...

Eddrel "Ed" Miller, Jr., 78, of Citra, FL, formerly of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the home of his daughter. Arrangements are pending at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 812 Baldwin Street, Elkhart.

Erick J. Kidd, 61, of Elkhart, passed away Wednesday evening, June 12, 2019 in his home, surrounded by his loving family, after a hard fought battle with cancer.  A native of Charleston, West Virginia, he was born on January 5, 1958 to the late James Kidd and Alice (Stevenson) Wells. He married Nora J. Winn on June 3, 1989 in Elkhart, Nora survives, as well as a son Eric Kidd, three step-daughters, Denise (Charles) Lambert, Jennifer (Marc) Dunderman, Pamela (Brad) Aaron; also surviving...

Irene M. Paul, of Bristol, passed away of natural causes,  Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at Eastlake Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Elkhart, at the age of 96. Irene was born in Cleveland Township, Elkhart Co. on June 23, 1922 to the late John and Goldie May (Smead) Lowell. She married John Worley Paul on April 20, 1943 in Ft. Wayne, John died on December 21, 2016 in Elkhart. Surviving is a son Charles (Deborah) Paul, her daughter Pam (Wally) Ross; 7 grandchildren, 3 great...

Robert “Bob” D. Windsor, DDS, 67, of Middlebury, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart. He was born on December 22, 1951 in Elkhart to the late Richard L. and Esther J. (Emmons) Windsor. He is survived by his life partner, Debra Taylor, and his sons, Robert Windsor II, Michael Windsor, and David (Rebecca) Windsor. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Skyler and Wesley Windsor; brother, Richard...

Thomas J. “Tom” Donnell, 87, of Elkhart, was called home on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born in Elkhart on March 23, 1932 to the late Robert and Lucille (McCormick) Donnell, and later married Mary Ellyn Campbell on Aug. 23, 1958 in Chicago. She survives after nearly 61 wonderful years together. He is also survived by his sons Joseph (Cindy) of Long Grove, IL, Martin of Newton, MA, Kevin (Shelley) of Valparaiso and David (Lorrie) of Chicago, IL;...