Obituaries

Elkhart, Indiana Obituaries

Betty J. Jones

Betty J. Jones

Jan 30, 2018

UNION, Mich. — Betty J. Jones, 73, of Union, passed away following a courageous battle with an extended illness on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, at Elkhart General Hospital.

She was born July 26, 1944, in Elkhart, to the late William and Margaret (Connelly) Funderburk and leaves behind her loving husband of 55 years, Casey L. Jones, whom...

Keith E. Ott

Keith E. Ott

Jan 30, 2018

ELKHART — Keith E. Ott, 77, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018 at Elkhart General Hospital.

Keith was born on April 3, 1940 in Millersburg to Orion Ott and Inez (Simmons) Pepper.

He married Monica P. Stevens on May 24, 1965 in Elkhart.

Surviving is his wife of 52 years, Monica;...

Helen Ferro

Helen Ferro

Jan 30, 2018

ELKHART — Helen B. Ferro, 92, of Elkhart, passed away from natural causes at her home Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018.

She was born, in Elkhart, July 1, 1925, to the late Anthony and Lenora (Ronzone) Patanelli, and later married Joseph A. Ferro in Elkhart in 1949. He passed away in 2013.

Surviving are her daughters,...

John S. Fitch, Sr.

John S. Fitch, Sr.

Jan 30, 2018

ELKHART — John S. Fitch Sr., 62, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully following an extended illness at his home at 4:35 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018.

He was born, in Goshen, Jan. 15, 1956, to the late George A. and Marjorie J. (Miller) Fitch, and later married Nola J. "Jeanne" Sharp in Elkhart in 1988, where she...

Ronald R.  "Ron" Alexander

Ronald R. "Ron" Alexander

Jan 27, 2018

Ronald R. "Ron" Alexander, 79, of Bristol, passed away peacefully following an illness at Elkhart General Hospital on Saturday, January 27.

Ron and his twin brother, Don, were born in Elkhart IN on November 26, 1938, to Richard R Alexander and Bette J (Eisenbeiss) (Alexander) Thompson, who preceded him in death.  Ron's grandparents, Sam and Gladys Mast,...

William F.  "Bill" Fletcher

William F. "Bill" Fletcher

Jan 26, 2018

William F. "Bill" Fletcher, 91, passed away Friday, January 26, 2018 at Elkhart General Hospital. Bill was born on December 19, 1926 in Lawrenceburg, Tenn. to Henry and Nellie (Stafford) Fletcher. Surviving is a son Michael Fletcher, daughter Cheryl L. (Jody) Weiler; 5 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; step-son, Jim Stump, step-daughter, Patty (R.D.) Miller and several step-grandchildren and step-great...

Lester L. Mahar

Lester L. Mahar

Jan 23, 2018

ELKHART — Lester L. Mahar, 75, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, of natural causes, at the Center for Hospice Care Elkhart.

Lester was born June 2, 1942, in South Bend, to Robert Lewis and Joyce Marie (Larson) Mahar.

He is survived by his three sons, Robert Mahar, John (Heather Robinson) Mahar and...

Jay L. Kauffman

Jay L. Kauffman

Jan 21, 2018

ARCADIA, Fla. — Jay L. Kauffman, 96, of Arcadia, went home to be with his Lord, Jan. 21, 2018.

Born Feb. 27, 1921, in Elkhart, to Ray D. and Margaret (Roderick) Kauffman.

Jay was a great husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Ray D. and Margaret...

Evertt M.  "Mike" Marion

Evertt M. "Mike" Marion

Jan 21, 2018

ELKHART — Everett M. "Mike" Marion, 63, of Elkhart, passed away Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, at Elkhart General Hospital

Arrangements are pending at Billings Funeral Home.

Robin J.  "Rob" Schwartz

Robin J. "Rob" Schwartz

Jan 20, 2018

: Robin J. "Rob" Schwartz, 59, passed away Jan. 21, 2018 at Elkhart General Hospital. Rob was born on April 29, 1958 in Menominee, WI to Donald and LaVonne (Crandall) Schwartz. Surviving are 2 brothers, Ben (Sue) Schwartz, Jeff (Karla) Schwartz; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, brothers, Dan and Rick Schwartz and sister...

Martha Swathwood

Martha Swathwood

Jan 20, 2018

Martha P. Swathwood, 99, of Elkhart, passed away at her home on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 at 9:00 am.

She was born Jan. 17, 1919 in Elkhart to the late Raymond E. and Daisy V. (Waldrof) Saunders.  In December of 1938 she married Ellsworth J. Swathwood, who passed away in 1972.

Surviving is her son...

Randall K. Oakes

Randall K. Oakes

Jan 19, 2018

ELKHART — Randall Kent Oakes, 71, passed away Friday morning, Jan. 19, 2018, at his home, following a battle with cancer.

He was born Dec. 28, 1946, in Elkhart, to the late Albert E. and Lois Mae (Kluth) Oakes.

He married Lillian F. Miller on June 25, 1977, in Elkhart.

Surviving are his...

Sue C. Bishop

Sue C. Bishop

Jan 18, 2018

ELKHART — Sue C. Bishop, 68, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully following a brief illness at Elkhart General Hospital at 7:25 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018.

She was born May 8, 1949, in Logansport, to the late Ralph and Ruth (Rasp) Bargerhuff.

She married Patrick C. Bishop in 1972; he passed away in Elkhart in...

John H. Brouwer

John H. Brouwer

Jan 18, 2018

ELKHART – John H. Brouwer Jr., 74, passed away Thursday morning, Jan. 18, 2018 at his home.

John was born Feb. 9, 1943 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to John H. and Maxine (Smith) Brouwer Sr.

He married Judith A. Smith on April 17, 1965 in Kalamazoo.

Judy survives, as well as a son, William...

Marilyn Marie Sanders

Marilyn Marie Sanders

Jan 16, 2018

ELKHART – Marilyn Marie Sanders, 77, passed away Tuesday morning, Jan. 16, 2018 at Elkhart General Hospital, after complications from a lifelong struggle with diabetes.

Marilyn was born on July 25, 1940 in Goshen to Mark B. and Pearl (Evans) Schrock.

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, James F. Sanders; son Eric...

Richard O. Miller

Richard O. Miller

Jan 16, 2018

ELKHART — Mr. Richard O. "Rich" Miller, 73, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully with his family at his side following an extended illness at his home on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018 at 10:35 p.m.

He was born April 21, 1944 in Mishawaka to the late Robert and Gertrude "Trudy" (Thornton) Miller.

On July 25, 1986,...

Jerry E. Robison

Jerry E. Robison

Jan 15, 2018

ELKHART — Jerry E. Robison, 83, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at his home following an extended illness.

He was born Aug. 3, 1934, in Goshen, to the late Forrest and Wilma (Williamson) Robison and later married Marla J. Atkinson on Nov. 21, 1953 in Elkhart.  She survives at home after 64 wonderful...

Kathryn J. Ferguson

Kathryn J. Ferguson

Jan 15, 2018

GOSHEN — Kathryn Joyce Ferguson, 74, of Goshen, passed away Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in the presence of her family.

She was born Oct. 19, 1943, and married Jimmie L. Ferguson on April 2, 1961; he died Dec. 4, 2014.

Surviving are her children, Debra Welles, Donald (Sheila) Ferguson and David (Susan) Ferguson Sr.; many...

Kenneth R. Fink

Kenneth R. Fink

Jan 14, 2018

Kenneth R. Fink, 63, passed away, Sunday, January 14, 2018 at his residence. Ken was born on August 19, 1954 in South Bend to Charles and Barbara (Troyer) Fink. Surviving is his wife Cecilia Landy, daughter, Kristen (Dru) Sweinhart; sister, Karen Hay; niece Jami (Craig) Redman, nephew Justin Hay and 4 step-children. He was preceded in death by his...

Kathryn M. Steckly

Kathryn M. Steckly

Jan 14, 2018

GOSHEN — Kathryn M. Steckly, 93, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 at Greencroft Healthcare in Goshen.

Kathryn was born on Jan. 28, 1924 in Kalona, Iowa to Enos J. and Amy L. (Hershberger) Steckly.

She is preceded in death by her sister Lois (Steckly ) Miller; a nephew Warren Miller; and two brother-in-laws...

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