Obituaries

Jul 15, 2006

ELKHART -- Friends of Austin J. "Spike" Shank may call one hour prior to today's 10 a.m. funeral service at Hillcrest United Methodist Church. Pastor Davis Cross of Hillcrest will officiate with burial to follow at the New Paris Cemetery. Military graveside honors will be rendered by the Goshen Veteran's Honor Guard Services as well as the U.S. Military...

Jul 14, 2006

ELKHART -- Cynthia M. "Marla" Ishmael, 46, of 28197 Fieldhouse Avenue, died at 12:26 a.m. Friday (July 14, 2006) in Elkhart General Hospital after a sudden illness.

She was born May 19, 1960, in Elkhart to Samuel W. and Virginia D. (Norment) Hill.

Her parents survive along with four sons, Charles O. "Charlie" (Chasity) Henderson III of...

Jul 8, 2006

Phyllis J. DeJaegher, 72, died at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in Elkhart General Hospital. Survivors include two daughters, Debbie Rose and Beth A. Nesbitt, both of Elkhart; a son, Daniel of Elkhart; and a sister, Janet Lolmaugh of South Bend. There will be no services. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday in Billings Funeral Home.

Jul 7, 2006

ELKHART -- Shane Ryan Miller, 19, of 23067 Scottswood Court, died at 3:07 a.m. Friday (July 7, 2006) in Elkhart General Hospital, after a brief illness.

He was born Feb. 9, 1987, in Elkhart, to David B. and Lorinda K. (Weber) Miller, who survive in Elkhart, along with one brother, Brett Miller of Elkhart; his grandparents, Leah...

Jul 6, 2006

ELKHART -- Anna M. Byrket, 77, of 26275 Lakeview Drive, died at 5:20 p.m. Thursday (July 6, 2006) in her home after an illness.

Survivors include her husband, Dick E.; a daughter, Jennifer Chamberlain of Elkhart; a son, Jeffrey of Jimtown; two sisters, Hattie Lewis of Manistee, Mich., and Ruth Tucker of Cadillac, Mich.; and a brother,...

Jul 6, 2006

ELKHART -- Anna Belle Pappas, 80, of LaRue Street, died Thursday (July 6, 2006), at 11:45 a.m. after an illness in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend.

Survivors include three daughters, Pam Allard and Sherry Allard, both of Elkhart, and Connie Shellen of South Bend; two brothers, Harold Ellsworth and Robert Ellsworth, both of Elkhart; four...

Jul 5, 2006

ELKHART -- Edna Jean Craig, 73, of 54964 San Jose Blvd., died at 10 a.m. Wednesday (July 5, 2006) at home.

She was born Nov. 19, 1932, in Goshen to Floyd and Belle (Dunham) Wortinger.

She married Victor Robert Craig on Nov. 21, 1953. He died Dec. 26, 1984.

She is survived by...

Jul 5, 2006

ELKHART -- Joan A. Cassella, 73, of 23680 Greenleaf Blvd., passed away at 3:55 p.m. Wednesday (July 5, 2006) at her home on Greenleaf Boulevard.

Joan was born Aug. 3, 1932, in Gloversville, N.Y., to Adam and Molly (Mezza) Gargiulo. She married Frank Joseph Cassella Sr. on Sept. 11, 1955, in Little Falls, N.Y. He passed away...

Jul 4, 2006

OSCEOLA -- Isabelle Irene "Izzy" Beechler, 78, of 209 E. Walnut St., died at 6:17 p.m. Tuesday (July 4, 2006) in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, after an extended illness.

She was born Jan. 22, 1928, in McArthur, Ohio, to Tom and Irene (Miller) Fry. She married Harry L. Beechler on April 27, 1949, in Maysville,...

Jul 4, 2006

BRISTOL -- Juanita Jeanette Gullotta, 78, of 21765 Knob Cone Court, Bristol, formerly of 3600 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, died at 7:37 a.m. Tuesday (July 4, 2006) at the home of her daughter, Gaetana Eades, with whom she lived, after an extended illness.

She was born March 18, 1928, in Elkhart to Harold H. and Corin Jeanette...

Jul 1, 2006

ELKHART -- Evelyn Griswold, 78, of 2600 Morehouse Ave., died at 4:45 p.m. Saturday (July 1, 2006) in Elkhart Rehabilitation Center, after an extended illness.

She was born Feb. 12, 1928, in Solsberry, Ind., to Merrell and Nellie (Hostetter) Griswold. She is survived by one son, Morris D. (Suzette) Eastham of Elkhart; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two...

Jun 29, 2006

ELKHART -- Jean Mansholt, 73, of 1623 Garden St., died at 3:22 p.m. Thursday (June 29, 2006) in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

She was born Oct. 27, 1932, in Decatur, Ill., to Perry and Ruby (Hughes) Duncan. She married Edward J. Mansholt on May 30, 1987, in Elgin, Ill.

He survives, along with four sons,...

Jun 28, 2006

ELKHART -- Karen Lynn Deak, 64, formerly of 58869 Sunrise Lane, died Wednesday in Elkhart General Hospital, after a brief illness.

She was born Jan. 22, 1942, in Clinton, Iowa, to Vernon and Ruth Slemmons. She married Karl L. Deak on June 14, 1974, in Elkhart.

He survives, along with a daughter, Michelle (Ronnie) Bailey...

Jun 27, 2006

ELKHART -- Mary Ruth Kesler, 77, of 1807 New York Ave., died at 6:12 a.m. Tuesday (June 27, 2006) in Elkhart General Hospital, after a brief illness.

She was born Oct. 20, 1928, in South Bend to Temple and Lucille (Turner) Clifford. She is survived by one daughter, Cyndi L. (Bernard U. Jr.) Robbins of Elkhart; one...

Jun 26, 2006

GOSHEN -- Jenny Monroe, 81, formerly of Elkhart, died at 6:55 p.m. Monday (June 26, 2006) in Greencroft Healthcare Center in Goshen.

She was born Jan. 1, 1925, in Philadelphia to Stanley and Helen (Sikorska) Ostrowski. She married James Herold Monroe on Feb. 12, 1945, in New York City. He died Feb. 2, 2005.

Surviving...

Jun 26, 2006

ELKHART -- Glenn L. "Red" Thompson, 79, of 54253 Southwood Drive, died Monday (June 26, 2006) at his home.

He was born July 22, 1926, in South Bend to Harvey L. and Mable (McCarthy) Thompson.

He is survived by one sister, Ilene (Erwin) Wright of Osceola. He was preceded in death by two brothers and...

Jun 24, 2006

ELKHART -- Jack L. Taylor, 85, of 26251 Lake Drive, died Saturday (June 24, 2006) in Elkhart General Hospital.

He was born May 1, 1921, in Elkhart to Charles and Mildred (Carlyle) Taylor. He married the former Lois L. Boyer on April 16, 1943, in Elkhart, at the former Simpson United Methodist Church.

She survives...

Jun 19, 2006

LaGRANGE -- A memorial service for Lenora W. Gragg will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday (June 28, 2006) at the Bristol Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 53505 C.R. 27, Bristol. Tim Bryant will officiate. Cremation has taken place.

Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is in charge of arrangements.

Ms. Gragg, 88, of...

Jun 18, 2006

ELKHART -- Mary Lou Wright, 72, of 22167 C.R. 6 E., passed away at 4:30 a.m. Sunday (June 18, 2006) at her residence on C.R. 6 East, after a brief illness.

She was born July 10, 1933, in Millersburg, to Harold and Thelma (Denny) Miller. She married Clayton Wright. He passed away Nov. 30, 1995, in Elkhart....

Jun 17, 2006

ELKHART -- Maria R. Neff, 85, of 855 E. Mishawaka Road, died at 2:45 p.m. Saturday (June 17, 2006) at Rosewood Terrace.

She was born Dec. 23, 1920, in Pompey, Italy, to Salvaro and Marguarite (Mendato) Auricchio. She married Chauncey A. "Curly" Neff on March 16, 1946. He preceded her in death on July 14, 1976.