Life Stories

Karen Ann Testo, 66, of Elkhart, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2019 at East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Arrangements are pending at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 812 Baldwin Street, Elkhart.  

Donna M. Throesch, 63, of Bristol IN, passed away to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 22, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Pontiac, MI on November 9, 1955 to the late James Bullen and Stelmo (Dalton) Branson, who survives. She is also survived by her beloved husband Michael Throesch of 46 years and her children, Michael Throesch Jr., Angela (David) Gann, and Cynthia Gillis; grandchildren, Tyler (Virginia) Throesch, Collin  Throesch, Alesha Gann, Sereina...

David S. Peffley, 51, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, August 22, 2019 at home. Arrangements are pending at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 812 Baldwin Street, Elkhart.  

ELKHART—Tony C. Hemminger, 74, of Elkhart, met his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at his home, surrounded by family. Tony was born on October 14, 1944 in Elkhart to the late Carlyle E. and Rosemary (Maust) Hemminger. He married his sweetheart Anne M. Ditmer on August 9, 1969 in Elkhart. Tony is survived by his wife of 50 years, Anne; three spirited daughters, Marci (Brian) Husek, Julie Hemminger (Kris Kammerer) and Courtney (Eric) Gnass; three grandchildren, Bowen, Tad...

ELKHART—Michael John Cudowski, 64, passed away Wednesday evening, August 21, 2019 at his home. Michael was born on May 4, 1955 in Quebec, Canada to the late Ervin J. and Mary Anne (Torok) Cudowski. He married the former Judi Lorraine Higgins on May 27, 1978 at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church. Surviving is his wife of 41 years, Judi; daughter Kristin (Matthew) Weust and his grandson Jackson Matthew Weust; also surviving is his twin brother Joseph (Jean) Cudowski; twin sisters,...

Robert L. Utt, 75, of Elkhart, passed away early Thursday morning, August 22, 2019, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Arrangements are pending at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 812 Baldwin Street, Elkhart.  

Mrs. Phyllis K. Wienhoft, 75, of Elkhart, passed away at Golden Living Center following an extended illness on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. She was born June 23, 1944 in Mishawaka to the late John and Flossie Dimos. On Aug. 4, 1962 she married Mikel Wienhoft, Sr. He passed on May 13, 2014. Surviving are her children Michelle Cross, Stephanie (Jeremy) Hollinger and Mikel Wienhoft; grandchildren Elijah Herring, Kennedy Phillips and  Ellianna and Emmett Hollinger and great...

Mr. Walter A. “Alex” Kemp, 46, of Elkhart, passed away at his home following an apparent heart attack on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019 at 2:55 am. He was born in Elkhart on July 07, 1973 to Walter L. Walls and Doris Rosie Kemp, both who survive him, as well as his significant other, Nicole Larkin. Also surviving are his children Najja, Jahren, Alexis and Alexander Kemp; siblings LaKenya (Akida) Walker, Jenny (Melvin) Frasier and Linda, Shelia and Kenny Kemp, and a host of loving...

Otto Lech, 81, of Elkhart, passed away on Aug 18, 2019, at his residence after an extensive battle with cancer. He was born in Blumenhoff, Ukraine on February 18, 1938 to the late Rudolf and Eugenie (Malzan) Lech. Otto is survived by his wife, Helen, a resident at Riverside Nursing Home. He is also survived by a brother, Edward Lech of South Bend; his children, Robert Lech of Colorado Springs, CO, Mark (Holly) Mueller of Michigan City, Monika (Rob) Mueller of Indianapolis, and...

Michael L. Buck Jr., 52, of Elkhart, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at his residence. He was born in Mishawaka on April 22, 1967 to Michael L. (Alice) Buck Sr. and Vicki (Spice) Davies who both survive. He is also survived by his wife, Tawnya Buck; daughters, Tiffany (Zachary) Hagy and Nikki Buck; grandson, Zayden Michael Stewart Hagy; brothers, Ray and Shawn Buck; sister, Lisa Stcachowski; half-brother, Larry Davies; stepbrothers, Craig Davies and Michael Mace; and...