Obituaries

Jul 16, 2022

David Alonzo "Dave" Herron, 65, of Elkhart, passed away unexpectedly at his home on the morning of Saturday, July 16, 2022. Lovingly known as "Papaw" by his multitude of grandchildren, Dave was born in Mishawaka on April 5, 1957 and was the son of the late James Ellis and Oneida Willodean Herron. He is survived by his lovely wife,...

Jul 15, 2022

Mr. Monte W. Fisher, 74, of Elkhart, passed away quietly at Elkhart General Hospital on Friday, July 15, 2022 at 7:36 in the morning. Monte's arrival in Heaven, on the other hand, was joyous and loud; reportedly forcing the Devil to send up a message requesting for them to keep the noise down! Born in Sturgis, Michigan on April...

Jul 14, 2022

Johnny Thomas, 72, Elkhart, passed away Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Elkhart General Hospital. Johnny was born on February 1, 1950, in Lilbourn, Missouri to the late Andrew Thomas and Ether (Gamble) Thomas. Johnny was a 1968 graduate of Elkhart High School, where he excelled in sports. He retired from Miles Laboratories (Bayer Health-Care Corporation) with over 30 years...

Jul 13, 2022

Urcel R. Merritt, 88, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born on June 2, 1934, in Mammoth, WV to the late Urcel and Eutha (Coble) Merritt.

Urcel was also preceded in death by his wives, Glenna Merritt, who passed away in 1979 and Mildred B. Merritt, who passed...

Jul 11, 2022

Rose Mary (Balzano) Nisley, 67, of Elkhart, passed away unexpectedly, Monday evening, July 11, 2022 at her home. Rose was born on August 16, 1954 in the province of Reggio Calabria, town of Gioiosa Ionica, Italy to Giuseppe Joseph Balzano and Palma Rosa (Iemma) Balzano.

Rose was preceded in death by her father Giuseppe, brother Rocco Balzano...

Jul 11, 2022

Susan Marie (Rounds) Johnson, 70, peacefully passed away on Monday, July 11 2022 in her home, surrounded by dear family and friends.

Susan was born June 13th 1952 to Harold Burton Rounds and Lois Marts Rounds.

Susan grew up in Ashville, New York and attended Ashville Elementary and Panama Central Schools, graduating in 1971. Susan...

Jul 11, 2022

Marie Frances Bertch Bender, 96, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 11, 2022 at Elkhart Place Assisted Living. Marie was born on August 2, 1925 in Vandalia, Michigan to the late John Minor Gebhard and Edna (Leich) Gebhard. She married Milo "Mike" Bender on July 18, 1964 in South Bend. Mike passed on December 3, 2009.

Jul 9, 2022

Cristina L. "Cristy" Bails, 55, of Mishawaka, passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Goshen Hospital. She was born on February 28, 1967, in Elkhart to the late Jerry L. Bloxson and the late Judith F. (Gibson) Bloxson.

Cristy is survived by her loving husband, Charles "Charlie" D. Bails; son, Braden Bails; daughter, Breanna Bails; and...

Jul 8, 2022

James Dean "Jim" Burleson, 62, of Elkhart, passed away on Friday, July 8, 2022 at his home.

Jim was born on August 21, 1959 to J.L. Burleson and Doris (Smith) Burleson. He is preceded in death by his mother, Doris Burleson.

Jim is survived by his two children, Casey and Heather Burleson; his beloved dog,...

Jul 7, 2022

Kelli Beth Hostetler, 48, of Elkhart, passed away after a lengthy battle with Cancer on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at her home.

Kelli was born in Union Town, Pennsylvania. She married Joshua A. Hostetler on August 1, 2014 in South Bend, IN. Kelli is preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Michelle Hostetler on February 10, 2021.

Jul 6, 2022

Joan I. Smith, 92, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Elkhart Meadows. She was born in Elkhart on October 27, 1929, to the late Robert Earnhart and the late Irene (Ruch) Pattee.

Joan is also preceded in death by her stepfather, Louis Pattee; loving husband who passed away on February 19, 2014, Glenn...

Jul 6, 2022

Willie Haywood Lovelady, 77, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at Valley View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Willie was born on June 7, 1945 in Sikeston, MO to the late, Plez Lovelady Sr., and Edna (Richardson) Lovelady. He is married to Dorothy (Walker) Robinson in 2012. Willie is preceded in death by his parents;...

Jul 5, 2022

Jodi Elaine (Dorrier) King, 55, of Cassopolis, MI passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at Elkhart General Hospital.

Jodi was born on March 5, 1967 to James and Joyce (Benson) Dorrier in Elkhart, IN. She is married to her loving husband, George King.

Jodi is survived by her husband, George of Cassopolis, MI;...

Jul 4, 2022

Ms. Crystal Diane "Tetal" Corpe, 36, of Elkhart, passed away quietly but quite unexpectedly at her home on Monday, July 4, 2022 at 2:19 pm. She was born in Elkhart on February 17, 1986 and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eric S. and Anna M. (Humphrey) Corpe, who reside in Elkhart.

Also surviving Crystal are...

Jun 28, 2022

Ray Bean Sr., 85, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday afternoon, June 28, 2022 at Elkhart General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Ray was born on October 3, 1936 in Calhoun County, Miss. to the late Bill Bean and Elvie (Welch) Warner. He married the former Ruby J. Chester on June 29, 1963 in South Bend. Ruby passed on...

Jun 28, 2022

Donald "Don" E. Davis, 89, of Goshen, passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at Miller's Merry Manor of Wakarusa.

Don was born on January 9, 1933 in Richland Twp., Indiana to the late Thomas and Marie (Whiteman) Davis. He was married to the love of his life, Elizabeth "Betty" (Jensen) Davis on January 10, 1953 in...

Jun 27, 2022

Kenneth "Ken" W. Jones, 70, of Elkhart, passed away to be with the Lord on Monday, June 27, 2022, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born on July 25, 1951, in Harrisburg, Arkansas to the late Vernon Lee and Betty Jo (Jenkins) Jones.

Ken is survived by his loving wife, Pam Jones; children, Geoff (Cassie), Kevin (Kelly),...

Jun 27, 2022

Mrs. Joyce E. Main, 79, of Elkhart, passed away quietly at the Hubbard Hill Retirement Community healthcare facility on Monday, June 27, 2022 at 5:28 am. She was born in Dunlap on September 29, 1942 and was the daughter of the late Loyal and Ruby (Snell) Smeltzer. On May 2, 1964, she married Carl C. Main in Elkhart, who...

Jun 25, 2022

Jay Allen Merryfield, 63, passed away Saturday afternoon, June 25, 2022 at Memorial Hospital of South Bend, after a sudden illness, surrounded by love and family. Jay was born on January 3, 1959 in Elkhart to Elgie Richard Merryfield and Margaret Jane (Sidney) Merryfield. Jay was preceded in death by his mother Margaret J. Merryfield, brother James R. "Jim"...

Jun 20, 2022

Rose Marie Bailey, 95, of Elkhart, passed away Monday evening, June 20, 2022 at Elkhart General Hospital. Rose was born on February 6, 1927 in Elkhart, to the late John Robert "Bob" Johnson and Pauline Albertine (Newman) Johnson. She married Leslie E. Bailey on June 4, 1950 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Leslie passed away on January 22, 1997 after...