Emil Dowan Schmalfeldt
Oct 11, 2016
WHITE PIGEON, Mich. — Emil Dowan Schmalfeldt, 59, of White Pigeon, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 11, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born Nov. 15, 1956, in Benton Harbor, to the late Melvin Schmalfeldt and Juanita (Nolan) Schmalfeldt. Survivors include his life partner of 27 years, Craig Craft, of White Pigeon; one stepdaughter, Coraya (Jake) Siwy, of Goshen;...
Macie Combs
Oct 10, 2016
MUSKEGON, Mich. — Macie Combs, 93, of Muskegon, formerly of Elkhart, passed away Monday, Oct. 10, in Muskegon. She was born March 19, 1923, in Phil Campbell, Ala., to Charles H. and Idella (Cummins) Howard. She married Roy M. Combs on Sept. 15, 1945, in Benton Harbor; he died March 18, 1998. Surviving are a daughter, Karen Lou "Kay" Southard...
Rex E. Franklin
Oct 8, 2016
ELKHART — Rex E. Franklin, 92, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at 4:40 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Elkhart General Hospital following an extended illness. He was born, in Bedford, Sept. 21, 1924, to the late Lex and Truly (Swango) Franklin and later married Marjorie Smith on June 30, 1947. She survives at home after nearly 70 wonderful years of...
Sharon Ann Stout
Oct 7, 2016
ELKHART — Sharon Ann Stout, 70, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at 10:40 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Center for Hospice Care following an extended illness. She was born Sept. 12, 1946, in Goshen, to the late Floyd and Elizabeth (Lee) Kleinfeldt Troyer, and went on to marry Steven C. Stout on July 7, 1984, at Heaton Lake in Elkhart....
Michael J. "Mike" Posthuma
Oct 6, 2016
BRISTOL — Michael J.H. "Mike" Posthuma, 57, of Bristol, passed away unexpectedly Thursday afternoon, Oct. 6, in Elkhart. Mike was born Nov. 24, 1958, in Elkhart, to Dick J. and Helen (Schulte) Posthuma. He married Laurie Sims in Las Vegas on Aug. 11, 2001. Surviving are his wife of 15 years, Laurie of Bristol; children Michael P. (Sheri) Posthuma of...
Steven L. Stewart
Oct 5, 2016
ELKHART — Recently retired Elkhart Police officer Steven L. Stewart, 51, of Elkhart, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Oct. 5, at his home. Steve was born Sept. 29, 1965, in Elkhart, to Robert D. Stewart and Sharon L. (Weaver) Stewart. He is survived by a sister, Kara (Michael) Koons of Granger; two brothers, Tom (Patty Geller) Stewart of St. Johns, Mich....
Mary E. Gard
Oct 4, 2016
ELKHART — Mary Elizabeth Gard, 84, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 4. She was born July 18, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of Ralph Karstetter and Elizabeth (McDonall) Karstetter. Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Russell E. Gard, of Elkhart; three sons, Bob (Joni) Irwin and David (Tari) Gard, both of Elkhart and James (Jolene) Irwin of...
Marilyn J. Bryant
Oct 4, 2016
ELKHART — Marilyn Joan Bryant, 82, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, at the home of her daughter. She was born July 24, 1934, in Elkhart, to the late Claude J. and Vivian (VanHuffel) Adams. Marilyn was a 1952 graduate of Elkhart High School and married Kenneth Bryant on May 2, 1952. He died Aug. 17, 1997. Surviving...
Sergio "Kako" Rocha
Oct 3, 2016
ELKHART — Sergio "Kako" Rocha, 52, of Elkhart, was found passed away at his home at 8:50 a.m. Oct. 3, following a sudden illness. He was born in McAllen, Texas, on June 9, 1964, to the late Celestino and Augustina (Lara) Rocha, and later married Deanna L. Gibson on Sept. 29, 1986, in Ohio. She survives him at home. Also...
Elizabeth V. "Betty" Orlich
Oct 2, 2016
Elizabeth V. "Betty" Orlich, 95, of Westfield, formerly of Elkhart, passed away at IU North Hospital in Carmel Sunday, Oct. 2. She was born, in Fennville, Mich., March 25, 1921, to the late Mr.and Mrs. John Menninga, and later married Sam D. Orlich in 1961. He passed away in 1998. Surviving are her children, Betty Burnett of Michigan, Sandra (Dennis)...
Mary E. Ferguson
Oct 2, 2016
OSCEOLA — Mary Elizabeth Ferguson, 90, of Osceola, passed to her rest on Oct. 2, at Eastlake Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. She was born on April 18, 1926 in Donken, Mich. to George R. and Olive B. (Nelson) Howell. She married Robert G. Ferguson on May 12, 1946. He passed away on Feb. 23, 2000. Surviving are two daughters, Linda...
Richard J. Ambrosen
Sep 30, 2016
MIDDLEBURY — Richard J. Ambrosen, 88,of Middlebury, passed away peacefully of natural causes at his home on Friday, Sept. 30. He was born Oct. 18, 1927, in Winona, Minn., to the late John and Clara (Janisch) Ambrosen, and went on to marry Frances M. Gallagher on Sept. 4, 1985, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She passed away in 2012. Surviving are...
Pauline J. Rose
Sep 29, 2016
GOSHEN — Pauline J. Rose, 88, of Goshen, passed away Thursday, Sept. 29 at IU Health Goshen. Pauline was born on April 13, 1928 in Ligonier to the late Harry L. and Zulla M. (Stiver) Fahl. She graduated in 1946 from Ligonier High School and then graduated in 1947 from Fort Wayne Beauty School. She married her high school sweetheart...
Patricia C. "Pat" (O'Hara) Fisher
Sep 28, 2016
ELKHART — Patricia C. "Pat" Fisher, 80, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully of natural causes doing what she loved best … spending the day out with her friends and contemporaries on Wednesday morning, Sept. 28. She was born Sept. 9, 1936, in Northport (Long Island) N.Y., to the late Herbert J. and Claudine F. (Becker) O'Hara. She later married John...
Maurice Taylor
Sep 25, 2016
ELKHART — Maurice Taylor, infant son of Ashley Taylor Robinson and Earl M. Morris, both of Elkhart, was pronounced deceased in the emergency room of Elkhart General Hospital at 10:36 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, following birthing complications. He was born the previous evening. Left to cherish his memory are his grandparents, Pearlie D. Taylor of Mishawaka and Pearlie M. Hunt...
Frederick L. Miller
Sep 22, 2016
ELKHART — Frederick Louis Miller, 88, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, Sept. 22, at Eastlake Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. He was born to the late Louis H. and Leona (Hoover) Miller on May 13, 1928. In addition to his parents, Frederick was preceded in death by three sisters, Retha Cline, Wava Meinke, Doris Stout and a brother, Clarence E. Miller....
Anthony "Tony" Serafino
Sep 21, 2016
ELKHART — Anthony M. "Tony" Serafino, 63, of Elkhart, went to join his heavenly father at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21. He was born, in Elkhart, Nov. 19, 1952, to Francis "Frank" Serafino and Helen B. (Wade Serafino) Koller, both of Elkhart. Surviving along with his parents are his son, Daniel "Dan" (Halie Murray) Serafino of Elkhart; brothers Mark Koller...
Norma Jean Hoover
Sep 18, 2016
ELKHART — Norma Jean (Hyska) Hoover, 58, of Elkhart, passed away late Sunday evening, Sept. 18, at her home after a courageous three-year battle with cancer. She was born Nov. 12, 1957, in Sturgis, Mich., to Henry A. and Patricia B. (Ludwick) Hyska. She married William "Bill" Hoover on May 11, 1996, in Syracuse. Surviving are her husband of more...
Rickie A. Filbert
Sep 18, 2016
ELKHART — Rickie Allen Filbert, 63, of Elkhart, passed away Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Elkhart Hospice House. He was born Nov. 3, 1952, in South Bend, the son of William C. and Fay J. (McGary) Filbert. Survivors include his daughter, Brooke (Robert) Wells of San Tan Valley, Ariz, one granddaughter, Izabel Wells and many friends. He was preceded in...
William W. Westlake
Sep 16, 2016
FRENCH LICK —  William W. Westlake, 78, of French Lick, entered into eternal rest Friday, Sept. 16, at Valley Meadows in French Lick. He was born, in Elkhart, Jan. 1, 1938, to Howard Westlake and Clara (Ritchie) Westlake. William married Janis Welmer Sheffield of Shoals and she survives. He is also survived by sons Timothy Westlake of Stockton, Ga. and...
