Obituaries

Jul 27, 2022

Daniel "Dan" L. Marker, 77, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at his home.

Daniel is born on March 3, 1945 to the late Donald and Erma (Kipfer) Marker in Elkhart, IN. He married the love of his life, Carol (Robinson) Marker in Elkhart on June 12, 1993.

Daniel is preceded in...

Jul 24, 2022

Mr. Ray Michael "Mike" Cramer, 75, of Goshen, passed away peacefully but unexpectedly at his home on Saturday afternoon, July 23, 2022.  Mike was born in Elkhart on February 20, 1947 and was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ray and Gladys (Adams) Cramer, who precede Mike in passing along with a sister, Melanie Como. He is...

Jul 24, 2022

Joan E. Spry, 78, of Elkhart, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, July 24, 2022, at her residence. She was born in Three Rivers, MI on November 19, 1943, to the late Thelma Wait.

Joan is survived by her children, Kevin (Debra) Spry and Elizabeth (Thomas Thompson) Ontiveros both of Elkhart; grandchildren, Dayna,...

Jul 24, 2022

Suyapa Antonia Castro Portillo, 21, of Elkhart, passed away at home on Sunday, July 24, 2022.

A Visitation for Suyapa will be held on Monday, August 1, 2022 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, IN 46514.

Burial will be in El Salvador at a later date.

Billings...

Jul 23, 2022

Mr. Michael A. "Mike" Malkowski, 42, of Goshen, finally made peace with his personal demons and quietly slipped into the hands of his Saviour sometime prior to Saturday, July 23, 2022. He was born in Munster, Indiana on April 25,1980 and was the son of the late Robert Malkowski, Sr. and Kathleen (McCormack) Malkowski Flanagan, who precede Mike in...

Jul 19, 2022

Joan R. Smeltzer, 89, of Elkhart, passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at her home.

Joan was born on May 23, 1933 in Elkhart to the late, Raymond W. Leatherman and Pauline P. (Basse) Leatherman. She was married to the late, Vance O. Smeltzer on November 22, 1958 in Elkhart....

Jul 16, 2022

Cynthia (Cindy) Marie Lippincott left this earthly realm on July 16th, 2022, after a long battle with cancer. Cynthia was born on May 14th, 1970, to Walter and Mildred Lippincott in Neptune, New Jersey. She shared her adult life with her partner, Leo Mansfield and their dog Freckles.

Cynthia is survived by her daughters Virginia (Devin) Mills...

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;...