Obituaries

Elkhart, Indiana Obituaries

Scott L. Harris

Scott L. Harris

Oct 30, 2014

BRISTOL — Scott L. Harris, 59, of Bristol, passed away at Elkhart General Hospital at 7:52 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, following a sudden illness. He was born June 9, 1955, in South Bend to the late William R. Harris and Gweneth (Strope) Harris. His mother survives him in Elkhart. Surviving are his sons, Brian Harris of Fort Worth, Texas, and...

Joseph "Joe" A. Rueff

Joseph "Joe" A. Rueff

Oct 30, 2014

GOSHEN — Joseph A. "Joe" Rueff, 85, of Goshen, passed away at 7:35 a.m. Oct. 30 at Greencroft Healthcare Center in Goshen from complications following an automobile accident. He was born in Chicago on May 26, 1929, to the late Joseph A. Sr. and Gladys (Oeffinger) Rueff. He later married Virginia "Jini" Thorburn in 1951 in Ames, Iowa. She preceded...

Kirk Antonio Coleman

Kirk Antonio Coleman

Oct 29, 2014

NEW PARIS — One of God's special angels on earth has gone home to be with his Heavenly Father. Kirk Antonio Coleman, 19 months, passed away at 11:48 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at IU Health Goshen Hospital following a sudden illness. He was born in Elkhart on March 17, 2013, to Anissa Garza of New Paris and Cody Coleman of...

Charlene "Minnie" M. Kildow

Charlene "Minnie" M. Kildow

Oct 27, 2014

ELKHART — Charlene M. "Minnie" Kildow, 72, of Elkhart, passed away Monday, Oct. 27, at Elkhart General Hospital. She was born in Elkhart on April 21, 1942, to the late Olin and Katherine (Bixler) Breden. She was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters. She is survived by her children, Denise (David) Bevins of Avon, Ohio, Allen (Angel) Kildow...

James Robert Wood

James Robert Wood

Oct 25, 2014

DENTON, Texas — James Robert Wood, 91, formerly of Elkhart, Ind., passed away Oct. 25. He was residing in Denton so that he could be close to both of his daughters. James was born March 15, 1923, in Augusta, Ill. He married his beloved wife, the late Eileen Simons, in Elkhart on Feb. 15, 1947. James retired from the New...

Gray "Joe" Gran

Gray "Joe" Gran

Oct 24, 2014

ELKHART — Gary "Joe" Gran, 72, of Elkhart, passed away Friday, Oct. 24, at his residence. He was born Aug. 31, 1942, in Elkhart, to Victor D. Gran Sr. and Carrie M. (Dawson) Gran. On Oct. 4, 1996, he married Janet (Reed) Gran in Elkhart. She survives at home. Other survivors include two daughters, Christine (Loren) Chupp of Goshen and...

Robert William Bunner

Robert William Bunner

Oct 24, 2014

ELKHART — Robert William Bunner, 94, of Elkhart, passed away Friday, Oct. 24. He was born on June 28, 1920, in Fort Wayne, to the late Forest and Orilla (Moeschberger) Bunner. Robert is survived by his two brothers, James Bunner of Erie, Pa., and Alan Bunner of Culver. Robert graduated from Purdue University, earning a Bachelor of Science in electrical...

Robert E. Whipple

Robert E. Whipple

Oct 24, 2014

ELKHART — Robert E. Whipple, 78, of Elkhart, passed away Friday afternoon, Oct. 24, at Elkhart General Hospital, following an extended illness. Robert was born Aug. 6, 1936, in Detroit, to the late Ivan and Thelma (Westphal) Whipple. Robert was preceeded in death by his brothers, Ronald Whipple and Gary Hopkins; and a sister, Sandra Condon. Robert married his high...

R. Wayne Stealy

R. Wayne Stealy

Oct 24, 2014

ELKHART — Ralph Wayne Stealy, 80, of Elkhart, passed away Friday, Oct. 24, at Elkhart General Hospital following an extended illness. He was born in Elkhart on Sept. 8, 1934. Wayne married Julia A. (Nunemaker) Rose on Jan. 28, 1989, in Elkhart. She survives him at home. Other survivors include son, Joseph (Dawn) Stealy of Hampton, Va., daughter Sue Higham...

Tammy J. Massart

Tammy J. Massart

Oct 22, 2014

ELKHART — Tammy Jean Massart, 51, our angel, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 22, at home surrounded by family and friends. She was born in Butler, Pa., to Oscar L. "Big-O" and Shirley Ann (Sekela) Massart. She is survived by her mother, Shirley Ann (Dave) Adams; one brother, Terry M. (Lori) Massart; three sisters, Tracey L. Massart, Tricia A. Massart and...

Jeanne L. Brandon

Jeanne L. Brandon

Oct 19, 2014

Jeanne L. Brandon, 86, of Goshen, passed away following a sudden illness at I.U. Health Goshen Hospital on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014 at 6:20 pm. She was born in Elkhart on Oct. 31, 1927 to the late Roy and Iris (Ganger) Cripe, and later married Louis J. "Lou" Brandon in 1947 in Elkhart.  He preceded her in death just over...

Christine A. Simmons

Christine A. Simmons

Oct 19, 2014

ELKHART- Christine A. Simmons, 56, of Elkhart, passed away Sunday, October 19, 2014 at Elkhart General Hospital. She was born April 1, 1958 in Williamstown, Mass to Harry L. and Sylvia C. (Flanders) Orell. On November 3, 2003 she married James S. "Jim" Simmons. He survives at home. Other survivors include 1 sister, Linda Sullivan of East Bridgewater, Mass; 2...

Alvin Paul Zunkel

Alvin Paul Zunkel

Oct 19, 2014

ELKHART — A celebration of life service is scheduled Alvin P. Zunkel at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1732 Garden St., Elkhart. Alvin Zunkel, 84, breathed his last breath and transitioned to the next place Oct. 19, at Miller's Merry Manor in Wakarusa. ELKHART — Alvin P. Zunkel, 84, breathed his last breath and transitioned to...

Nancy J. Ulrey

Nancy J. Ulrey

Oct 18, 2014

OSCEOLA — Nancy Jo Ulrey, 76, of Osceola, passed away Saturday, Oct. 18, in her residence. She was born May 25, 1938, in Elkhart, to Clifford W. and Marjorie A. (Horne) Johnson. Survivors include two daughters, Nanette (Timothy) Frank and Lari Jo Schultz, both of Elkhart; three sons, Paul II (Angela) Platz of Granger, Jeff (Janet) Ulrey of Elkhart and...

James "Uncle Jim" Wright

James "Uncle Jim" Wright

Oct 17, 2014

ELKHART — James F. "Uncle Jim" Wright, 67, of Elkhart, passed away in his home following an extended illness Friday, Oct. 17. He was born in Mexico, Mo., on July 16, 1947, to the late George and Helen (Turner) Wright. He married Nancy C. Bennett on Nov. 26, 1988, in Elkhart. She survives at home. Also surviving are his children,...

Clareen J. Colclesser

Clareen J. Colclesser

Oct 15, 2014

ALPENA, Mich. — Clareen J. "Sis" Colclesser, 91, of Alpena and formerly of Elkhart, Ind., passed away from natural causes Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Tendercare of Alpena. She was born in Rugby, N.D., on Feb. 16, 1923, to the late Roscoe and Margaret (Clark) Weaver. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Colclesser; two infant daughters; nine brothers;...

Thomas "Tom" E. Rife

Thomas "Tom" E. Rife

Oct 13, 2014

ELKHART- Thomas E. "Tom" Rife, 61, of Elkhart, passed away Monday, October 13, 2014 at Elkhart General Hospital after an extended illness. He was born October 22, 1952 in Elkhart to Leroy and Anna (Billey) Rife. Survivors include his wife, Kathy J. Rife of Elkhart; 3 daughters, Emily (Andrew) Pigeon, Elizabeth (Cody) Voss, both of Florida and Pheadre Abrell of...

Robert "Guido" W. Bishop Jr.

Robert "Guido" W. Bishop Jr.

Oct 13, 2014

Robert W. "Guido" Bishop Jr., 51, of Elkhart, passed away early Monday, October 13, 2014 at Elkhart General Hospital. Bob was born on October 14, 1962 at Camp Lejeune, N.C. to Robert W. and Emma (Scharff) Bishop. He married Vicki L. Hunt on December 8, 2007 in Cassopolis, Mich. Vicki survives, as well as his children, Mike and Elizabeth Bishop...

Mary "Jean" Barnes

Mary "Jean" Barnes

Oct 11, 2014

ELKHART — Mary J. "Jean" Barnes, 75, of Elkhart, passed away from natural causes at Riverside Village in Elkhart at 12:35 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. She was born in Elkhart on Sept. 29, 1939, to the late George E. and Florence (Hayes) Main. She later married James R. Barnes in 1983 in Elkhart. He preceded her in death as well...

George E. Welch

George E. Welch

Oct 10, 2014

ELKHART- George E. Welch, 64, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully with his wife at his side on Friday, October 10, 2014 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Ft. Wayne after an extended illness. He was born March 24, 1950 in South Bend to Leonard "Gene" Welch and Delores J. (Eggleston) Bryant. On November 17, 1989 he married his wife of...

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