Obituaries

Jul 25, 2025

Mr. David "Dave" D. Wood, Sr., 81, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the afternoon of Friday, July 25, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., surrounded by the familiar comforts of the home he built with his own hands and filled with love over a lifetime. He had been in declining health, but remained ever-stoic and strong-willed, just...

Jul 25, 2025

Denise A. Fergison, 58, of Elkhart, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 25, 2025, at her residence. She was born in South Bend, IN on June 5, 1967, to the late Harvey and Judy (Betzer) Fergison.

Denise is also preceded in death by her sister, Susan Fergison. She is survived by her children, Stephanie (Burton) Boyd and...

Jul 24, 2025

Mr. Ralph William Butler, 95, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 5:23 a.m., in the comfort and serenity of his own home.

Born on November 16, 1929, in Elkhart to the late Ralph W. and Margaret Butler, Ralph lived a life rooted deeply in family, faith,...

Jul 22, 2025

Lisa Charlene Treece, 65, of Goshen, formerly of Florida, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Majestic Care of Goshen. She was born in Charleston, South Carolina on January 22, 1960, to Claude "Lee" Stroup and Cindy Lou (Witt) Dubose, who preceded her in death.

Lisa is survived by her husband of 17 years, Douglas...

Jul 22, 2025

Palma Rosa Balzano, 91, of Elkhart, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at her residence. She was born in San Giovanni Di Gerace, Italy in the Region of Calabria on March 25, 1934, to the late Salvatore and Maria (Muratore) Iemma.

Palma is also preceded in death by her husband,...

Jul 22, 2025

Ms. Beth Anne Montana, 73, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at Northwoods Village at Edison Lakes Assisted Living Facility in Mishawaka on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 8:35 pm.

Beth was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on March 3, 1952 to the late A. Bruce Arbogast and Barbara A. (Houle) Arbogast Victor and is currently survived by her...

Jul 19, 2025

Mr. Alva Ray "Al" Cleavenger, age 76, of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away peacefully in the comforting care of the Center for Hospice on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 2:15 p.m., with his loving wife close by and his faith firmly in hand.

Al was born on January 13, 1949, in the scenic hills of Philippi, West Virginia,...

Jul 18, 2025

Daniel L. Taylor, 63, of Elkhart, passed away on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Esther's House in Elkhart. He was born in Spencer, West Virginia on March 13, 1962, to the late Arnold Lee and Hermie Francis (Nichols) Taylor.

Daniel is also preceded in death by his wife, Kelly Abrell; brother, James "Jamie" Allen Talor; and nephew,...

Jul 18, 2025

Bruce Eugene Ducat, 67, of Elkhart, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the University of Chicago Medicine. He was born in Bowling Green, OH on January 15, 1958, to the late Burnell and Lola (Capelle) Ducat.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Deborah (Gonder) Ducat; his children; Kristopher, Kimberly, Annie, Raia, and Taylor; 4...

Jul 12, 2025

"You can't have an up without a down, a right without a left, a back without a front, — or a happy without a sad. This is the price you pay for a full life. You get the wonder, the joy, the tender moments, and the tears in the end too. " Our beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and...

Jul 11, 2025

Preston Lee Joy, age 56, of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away suddenly but peacefully on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 1:31 p.m. at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart, with loved ones nearby and music in his heart—a fitting farewell for a man whose life was defined by creativity and quiet strength.

Born on October 25, 1968,...

Jul 9, 2025

Steve D. Hale, 65, of Elkhart, spent his remaining time with cousin Tony, friend Jeff and his family by his side.

Steve was born on September 11, 1959 to the late, Edward and Shirley (Hummel) Hale in Elkhart.

He is preceded in death by his brothers, Kenneth and Michael; sister, Frances; and cousins, Francine, Theresa...

Jul 7, 2025

Brandon Scott Kaercher, 53, of Elkhart, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born in Elkhart on March 16, 1972, to Richard (Julie) Kaercher and Katherine Robinson, who both survive him.

Brandon is also survived by his son, Richard (Emily) Willard; daughters, Kaya Kaercher and Aiyana Kaercher; grandchildren, Lilliana, Victoria,...

Jul 7, 2025

Franklin "Frank" Geene Herington, 55, of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away on the evening of Monday, July 7, 2025, at 8:25 p.m., from internal injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident just two miles from the home he cherished. Though his departure was sudden, it was also fitting in its own rugged way—Frank was a man who lived fast, loved deeply,...

Jul 6, 2025

Larry Dean Wheeler, 89, formerly of Elkhart, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Cassopolis, MI surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Elkhart, IN on November 26, 1935, to the late Russel David Wheeler and Virginia (Juday) Wheeler.

Larry is also preceded in death by his brothers, James and Ralph Wheeler; his former...

Jul 6, 2025

Ronald "Ron" Dean Bond, 85, of Union, MI went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family.

Ron was born on April 19, 1940 in Ida Grove, IA to Willard and Mary (Christianson) Bond. He married the love of his life Patricia Carr.

He...

Jul 5, 2025

Janie Pauline Feather, 74, of Bristol, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025 after a brief stay at East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Janie was born on November 29, 1950 to James West and Helen (Treat) Shelton in Springfield, MO. She married the love of her life, Custer Reed Feather on July 19, 1987 in Springfield, MO...

Jul 4, 2025

Joyce Arleen Freeman of Elkhart, beloved mother, wife, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt passed away on July 4th, 2025.

Joyce was born to Gladys and Orville Opelt in South Bend, Indiana on November 14, 1939. She graduated from South Bend Central in 1957. She married Gary Odell Freeman on October 14, 1961 and had two children:...

Jul 3, 2025

Thomas "Ed"  Krotzer, 78, of Elkhart, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in his home surrounded by his loved ones.

Ed was born in Kendallville, IN on April 20, 1947 John Krotzer and Gladys (Helzel) Krotzer.

Ed is preceded in death by parents, John and Gladys.

Ed is survived by his daughter,...

Jun 30, 2025

Sandra "Sandy" Siddons, 77, of Elkhart, passed away on Monday, June 30, 2025 at Greenleaf Health Campus.

Sandy was born on November 10, 1947 in Harvey, IL to the late, Milo and Ellen (Hatfield) Stoces. She married the love of her life, George V.  Siddons on April 3, 1965.

She is preceded in death by...