Obituaries

Apr 24, 2021

Do not feel guilty for living

When I have passed away…

Keep smiling, laughing and playing,

And do this every day.

Quintessential grandma, unflappable humorist and prolific poet Donella Shirk passed away the morning of Saturday, April 24, 2021 at her Elkhart home following a bout of fragile health. She was...

Apr 22, 2021

Walter H. "Wally" Swetcoff, 58, of Bristol, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 22, 2021 in Jones, MI. He was born in Willard, OH on October 27, 1962 to the late Walter and Genevieve (Spears) Swetcoff.

He is survived by his loving wife, Amy Swetcoff; daughter, Brittany Mora; son, Dominick Swetcoff; brother, Timothy (Gena) Swetcoff; a sister;...

Apr 21, 2021

UPDATE: Graveside Services for Sandie will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, April 30, 2021 at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in the Liberty Garden (first left off the McKinley Avenue Entrance).

Sandra Kay "Sandie" (Squires) Holt, 73, residing in Osceola, passed away Wednesday evening, April 21, 2021 at the Elkhart Center for Hospice Care, surrounded by...

Apr 21, 2021

David D. Blagg, 72, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at his home.

David was born in Hammond, IN to the late Charles R. Blagg and Mary Ellen (Powell) Blagg. He is preceded in death by 6 siblings.

David is survived by many nieces and nephews, especially his close great niece, Winter...

Apr 18, 2021

Mary Maxine Smith, 95, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, April 18, 2021 at Greenleaf Health Campus. Mary was born on December 3, 1925 to the late Merle F. and Mary (Silveous) Kimes.

She married her true love Billy "Bill" Smith on September 3, 1948. Bill survives, as well as a son Gary L. (Sue)...

Apr 17, 2021

Russell "Russ" E. Gullett, 86, of Elkhart, passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Hubbard Hill Living Wisdom Community.

Russell was born on April 18, 1934 to the late Albert and M'ozelle Gullett. He was married for 65 years to the love of his life, Virginia (Rust) Gullet. She passed away on April 6, 2020. Russell...

Apr 16, 2021

Mr. Coty L. "Lee" Buelna, 33, of Elkhart, passed away Friday, April 16, 2021 at 5:15 pm at Indiana University Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis following a brief but courageous battle with Covid-19. He was born in Elkhart on August 5, 1987 to Frank Buelna and Tammy (Wirick) Lemak, both of Elkhart. On August 23, 2008, he married Lisa A....

Apr 16, 2021

Shirley L. Casselman, 78, of Elkhart, died Friday April 16, 2021 at Golden Living Center. She was born in Darlington, Indiana on September 17, 1942. Shirley married Eugene Casselman, Jr. on May 4, 1985 and he preceded her in death on April 22, 2003. She was a homemaker who enjoyed sewing, spending time with her family & friends, and...

Apr 15, 2021

Judy Kay Cole, 64, formerly of Elkhart and Kendallville, died Thursday, April 15, at Cardinal Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in South Bend.

Judy had survived covid one year ago but was in ill health from several illnesses and was in nursing care for several years.

She was born May 29, 1956, in Niles, Michigan, to...

Apr 14, 2021

Allen Duane Roberts II, 33, formerly of Elkhart, passed away on April 14, 2021 at his home in Charleston, WV.

Allen was born on August 13, 1987 to Allen D. Roberts and Jane Walters in Elkhart, IN. He is preceded in death by his father, Allen Roberts, grandparents, Josephine and H. Wayne Roberts, Densil Walters, and Uncle...

Apr 14, 2021

Jesse Lee Collins, 53, of Goshen, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at his residence. He was born in Elkhart on July 8, 1967 to the late Ernest R. and Patricia (Brown) Collins.

He is survived by his sons, Jesse (Ryanne) Randolph and Anthony (Brittany Elliott); grandchildren, Andrew and Hailey Randolph; brother, Ernest Collins; niece,...

Apr 13, 2021

Carol E. Wade, 75, of Elkhart, died Tuesday April 13, 2021 at Signature HealthCARE of South Bend. She was born December 24, 1945 in Hayward CA, the daughter of (the late) Alfred & Nina (Lesher) Hay. Carol married Daryl S. Wade in Elkhart on June 18, 1987; he survives after 33 years of marriage. Carol was a homemaker; she...

Apr 13, 2021

Harold "Dick" Comeau, 62, of Elkhart, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 in Mishawaka.

Harold was born on June 20, 1958 to the late John and Alice (Stockwell) Comeau in Plattsburgh, NY. He married Christine (Lampert) Comeau on May 23, 1997 in Mishawaka. He is preceded in death by a grandson, Josiah in 2011.

Apr 12, 2021

Virginia "Ginny" L. Lough, 81, of Bristol, passed away on Monday, April 12, 2021 at her home.

Virginia was born in Kendallville, IN on March 28, 1940 to the late Arthur L. Hostetler and Mary C. (Cornelius) Hostetler. She was married to the late David L. Lough on November 8, 1969 in Elkhart. She is preceded in...

Apr 10, 2021

Mrs. Hannah Yvonne Rose, 77, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 2:08 pm at Golden Living Center in Elkhart following an extended illness. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 13, 1943 and married Myron D. Rose on August 27, 1960 in Elkhart. He survives at home after 60 wonderful years together.

Apr 9, 2021

Carol J. Byrket, 90, of Wakarusa, passed away on Friday, April 9, 2021 at Miller's Merry Manor in Wakarusa. She was born on September 10, 1930 in Elkhart to the late Eldred D. and Ethel Mae (Mott) Dills.

Carol is also preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert "Bob" E. Byrket; sister, Lorraine Bender; and brother,...

Apr 7, 2021

Mrs, Vivian L. "Viv" Dayton, 65, of Elkhart, passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 8:14 am at Elkhart General Hospital following a recent cancer diagnosis. She was born in Westbrook, Maine on December 14, 1955 to the late Roland Lestage Sr and Beverly (Tilden) Lestage who survives in Coventry, Connecticut. On March 18th ,1989, she married Robert A....

Apr 5, 2021

Ronald "Ronnie" C. Rowland, 68, of South Bend, passed away suddenly on Monday, April 5, 2021 at South Bend Memorial Hospital.

Ronald was born on June 26, 1952 in Richmond, IN to John and Mae (Gambrel) Rowland. He was preceded in death by his parents. Ronnie is survived by many friends and his "Lutz" family.

...

Apr 5, 2021

Dorothy Jeanne Lundgren, 88, of Elkhart, passed away Monday evening, April 5, 2021 at Elkhart General Hospital, after an extended illness.  A native of Chicago, she was born on April 9, 1932 to the late Holger and Hilda (Cape) Rasmussen. She married her true love Fred W. Lundgren on December 27, 1952 in Chicago. Fred died on May 29,...

Apr 4, 2021

Keith E. Klopfenstein left his earthly home to be with his heavenly Father on Easter morning, Sunday, April 4, 2021. Keith was born in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska on November 1, 1933 to James G. and Mable Klopfenstein. He was the last surviving member of his siblings.

Preceding Keith were four brothers, Wayne of Colorado, Harry of Arizona,...