Obituaries

Mar 26, 2021

Mr. Jeffery L. "Jeff" Coullard, 67, of Elkhart, passed away Friday, March 26, 2021 at 2:45 pm at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart following an extended illness. He was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on June 5, 1953 to the late Eugene V. and Irene (Lalonde) Coullard and is survived by his long-time friend Joann McCune...

Mar 25, 2021

Miss Jessica Nichole "JJ" Dawson, beautiful daughter, sister, niece and friend, passed away Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 10:35 am at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. She was 25.

JJ was born in Elkhart on September 14, 1995 to Dennis Dawson of Phoenix, AZ and Judy A. DeFord of Elkhart;...

Mar 25, 2021

Joyce A. Strintz, of Wakarusa, passed away on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at Miller's Merry Manor. She was born on January 11, 1928 to the late Austin L. and Edna O. (Fischer) Kiefer.

Joyce is also preceded in death by her husband, Charles Strintz; brother, Ed Kiefer; and sisters, Elaine Essig, Phyllis Crosby, and Pat Hamilton. She...

Mar 23, 2021

Jane (Boner) Manahan, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at her residence, at the age of 101. Jane was the middle child of nine, born on November 17, 1919 in Mishawaka to the late Frank and Grace (Long) Boner. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Raymond Manahan, and Joseph Crowl, as well as...

Mar 21, 2021

Ms. Casey Lee "Sparkles" (Kile) Butler; beautiful daughter, mom, sister and friend, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 2:28 am from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident just outside of Niles, Michigan. She was 35. Casey was born in Elkhart on October 4, 1985 to Stephen D. "Steve" and Dixie L. (Casey) Kile of Edwardsburg, Michigan and...

Mar 20, 2021

Deltha Howard, 87, of Elkhart died Saturday March 20, 2021 at East Lake Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Deltha was born on April 6, 1933 in Paynesville, WV, the daughter of (the late) Columbus & Nancy Jane (Compton) Vance. On July 5, 1952, she married Gale G. Howard in Elkhart; Gale preceded her in death on August 26, 2001 after...

Mar 19, 2021

Michael Owen Andrews, 71, of Granger, died Friday March 19, 2021. He was born in Bremen on July 14, 1949, the son of (the late) Owen L. and Jean (Zentz) Andrews. Mike served his country proudly in the US Marine Corps. during the Vietnam Conflict and was a Purple Heart recipient; he was a member of the American Legion...

Mar 19, 2021

Ms. Patricia S. "Patti" Wright, 73, of Goshen, passed away peacefully at the Edwardsburg, MI home of her sister surrounded by family following a brief but courageous bout with cancer on Friday, March 19, 2021 at 12:12 am. She was born in Leonardtown, MD on May 14, 1947 to the late Samuel J. and E. Lucille (Dunbar) Wright.

Mar 18, 2021

Christie L. Davidson, 55, of Elkhart, died Thursday March 18, 2021. She was born in Elkhart on November 26, 1965, the daughter of Bonnie (Shelt) Davidson Miller and (the late) Clifton B. Davidson, Jr. Christie graduated from Concord High School with the Class of '84. She cherished the time she spent with her family & friends and loved all...

Mar 17, 2021

Jeremy A. Schuh, 45, formerly of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at his home in Shipshewana.

Jeremy was born on April 3, 1975 in Plymouth, IN. He married his sweetheart, Heather (Shafer) Schuh on November 4, 1996 in Walkerton, IN.

Jeremy is survived by his wife of 24 years, Heather; their children,...

Mar 17, 2021

Sonja K. Cassady, 73, passed away peacefully on March 17th, 2021.

Sonja is survived by her brother, Rick Cassady of Georgetown, GA, niece Morgan Gaines of Adel, GA, and great nephew Rhett Gaines. She was loved and adored by her "kids", Nicholas, Amanda, and Katelyn Falcone, and Taylor Freedline.

Sonja was born in Portage, Indiana....

Mar 16, 2021

Amber R. Wiley, 31, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born in Elkhart on September 16, 1989 to Herman and Charisse Wiley who survive at home.

Amber is also survived by her son, Tinell Stephens Jr.; daughter, Amari Giles; brother, Brandon (Caitlyn) Wiley; sister-in-law,...

Mar 14, 2021

Howard E. Klett, Jr., 81, of Elkhart, died Sunday March 14, 2021 at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born in Detroit on September 16, 1939, the son of (the late) Howard E. and Lulu (Bish) Klett. Howard proudly served his country in the US Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict and was stationed in Guam. On February 16, 1963,...

Mar 14, 2021

Mr. Ronald G. "Ron" Pletcher, 55, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 12:50 am following some health issues. Ron was born in Elkhart on January 6, 1966 to Richard (Sharli) Pletcher of Elkhart and the late Eunice (Green) Pletcher Hillman. On June 17, 2006 Ron married...

Mar 13, 2021

John E. Calvert, 92, of Elkhart, passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Greenleaf Health Campus. He was born in Elkhart on July 1, 1928 to the late Leroy and Rose (Cosby) Calvert.

Preceding John in death were his loving wife of 60 years, Marguerite "Margo" W. Calvert (2013) and sons, James E. "Jim" (2012) and...

Mar 12, 2021

Mr. Larry D. "Papa" Ward, 76, of Edwardsburg, MI, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family following some health issues on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 10:13 am. It is rumored that he accepted the groundskeeping position they had open in Heaven and is now happily mowing the OTHER "perfect" lawn. Larry was born in Peru,...

Mar 11, 2021

Ms. Nancy C. Templeton, 77, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at Greenleaf Health Campus in Elkhart following an extended but courageous battle with an extended illness on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 6:20 pm. She was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey on November 9, 1943 to the late Clarence and Emma (Bidewell) Templeton.

Surviving is her daughter,...

Mar 11, 2021

Myrl P. McFarland, 86, of Elkhart, passed away on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at his residence. He was born in Elkhart on February 1, 1935 to the late Harry and Ada (Smith) McFarland.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon McFarland; sons, Steven (Ruby) McFarland and Roger (Lilly Argualla) McFarland; grandchildren, Royal DelaCruz and Christopher McFarland;...

Mar 6, 2021

Gary L. Myers, 82, of Elkhart, passed away on Saturday, March 6, 2021. He was born on August 31, 1938 in Elkhart to the late Carroll and Gwene (Klingensmith) Myers.

Gary is survived by his daughters, Rebecca (James) Meehan of Pittsburgh, PA, Kathleen (Bob) Escolme of Over Kellet, England, and Deanna (Bill) Soost of Pittsburgh, PA; grandchildren,...

Mar 5, 2021

Jeffrey A. Berkshire, 66, of Elkhart, passed away on Friday, March 5, 2021 at his home.

Jeff was born on December 27, 1954 to Norman and Mary (Maple) Berkshire in Elkhart, IN. He is preceded in death by his parents and his stepson, Shaine.

Jeff is survived by his son, Eric (Kimberly) Berkshire of Elkhart;...