Life Stories

Patricia A. Richards, 72, of Elkhart, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at the Elkhart Hospice House. She was born on March 23, 1947 to the late August and Anna (Doncilovic) Vlaeminck. Patricia is survived by her son, David (Deanna) Richards; daughter, Nancy Misener and Jim Prentkowski; grandchildren, Patrick “Clay” Misener, Cody Alan Franks, Drew Ann Richards; great granddaughter, Guinevere Elysse Misener “Gem”; and brother, Steven Vlaeminck. She is preceded...

James E. “Jim” Swathwood, 80, passed away peacefully at his home in Osceola following a long battle with cancer on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. He was born Aug. 8, 1939 in Elkhart to the late Ellsworth J. “Bus” and Martha P. (Saunders) Swathwood. Surviving is his beloved Susie (Sue Swathwood); children Alysa (Andy) Snell, Adam Riddle, Leslie (Mark) Zoroya, Lori (Steve) Beggs and Lisa (Alan) Kowalewski; grandchildren Landon Snell, Bre Riddle, Nick (Ashley) Zoroya,...

Sharon Kay Rice, 80, of Valparaiso, formerly of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at her residence with her family by her side to be reunited in heaven with her loving husband, Marvin “Eddie” Rice, who preceded her on January 20, 2003. She was born on March 13, 1939 to the late Pierre “Pete” and Eileen (Moore) Lemon. She is survived by her daughters, Cindy (Mark) Kroft and Amy (Matt) Hostetler; sisters, Sally Wierich and Patricia Misener; and three grandchildren, Ben...

James Ignatius Pirrie of Elkhart, IN died on Wednesday, October 9 at the age of 92. Jim was born on October 4, 1927 in Melbourne, Australia to his parents, Richard and Isabel (Maguire) Pirrie, who preceded him in death. He was the beloved husband of Maria (Cooney), loving father of Elizabeth (Martin) Hoffmann and Helen (Joe) Roy, and cherished grandfather of Jules, Louise, and Johanna James Roy. Jim was preceded in death by all six of his siblings: sister, Helen; brothers, Richard, Kevin,...

Mr. Stephen E. “Steve” Drudge, 67, passed away at his home in Elkhart of natural causes on Monday morning, Oct. 7, 2019.  He was born May 19, 1952 in Elkhart to the late John W. and Ruth (O’Connor) Drudge. Survivors include a son, Craig Drudge of South Bend and a sister, Denise K. (Danny) Hosler of Elkhart. He is also survived by a host of loving extended family and friends, including his life-long best friend Roscoe Scheetz, with whom he even enlisted and served with...

Brian S. Davis, 50, of Elkhart, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2019 at Elkhart General Hospital. Arrangements are pending at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin Street, Elkhart.

Olden “Fuzzy” Couch, 80, of Elkhart, passed to his rest on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at Greenleaf Health Campus, surrounded by his loving family. Fuzzy was born on April 19, 1939 in Barboursville, Kentucky to the late Woodson and Stella (Smallwood) Couch. He married Wilma, his wife of 27 years, on April 11, 1990. She survives, as well as 5 children, Barbara (Gene) Lawhorn, Emma Smith, Homer (Candy) Couch, Anita Huhn and Adrian Couch; 14 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 5...

Justin Lee Holaway, 34, of Goshen, passed away at his home on Thursday, October 3, 2019. He was born on September 7, 1985 in Goshen, Indiana to Ronda (Holaway) Harrison. Justin loved being with his sons, Harrison and Hank. He enjoyed spending time with them, especially when he could teach them how to play ball, ride a bike, and fish.  Justin graduated from Northridge High School in 2004 and had worked at Keystone RV in Goshen as a group leader. He also enjoyed hanging out with his...

Douglas D. “Doug” Lewandowski, 67, of Elkhart passed away at his residence on October 2, 2019. He was born on July 31, 1952 in South Bend, IN to the late Clem M. and Pauline M. (Pierport) Lewandowski Sr. He is survived by his brother, Clem Lewandowski Jr.; Patricia Kron and Rita Lolmaugh; stepbrothers, Craig A. and Kristopher Craft; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Michael Lewandowski. Doug served proudly in both the United...

ELKHART: Paul E. Fuller, 85 passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 29, 2019 at his home. Paul was born on February 21, 1934 in St. Joseph County to the late Paul and Lola Irene (Barr) Fuller. In addition to his parents, three brothers, Jim, Don and Herb Fuller and a grandson Shane Ream preceded him in death. Surviving is his wife Betty L.  (Henkler) Fuller, they were married August 26, 1995 in Elkhart at the First Church of God. His four children, Paula Wood, Barb Winer, Shelley...