Betty L. Drake, 75
A homemaker and native of Adams County, Betty L. Drake, 75, born at Decatur May 22, 1928 to Russell and Lola Swartz Baumgartner. Her marriage on Feb. 4, 1956 was to Robert J. Drake, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Carl (Becky D.) Fisher of Bluffton, Mrs. Steve (Cheri L.) Zimmerman of Fort Wayne and Mrs. Brett (Suzy D.) Brunner of Decatur; one son, Dennis Miller of Ossian; one brother, Jim A. Baumgartner of Decatur; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Services at 10 a.m. Wednesday will be at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur with Rev. Jeff Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Decatur Cemetery. Visitation hours at the funeral home are today from 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. A Women of the Moose service will be held at 8 p.m. today. Memorials to Mooseheart or to the donor’s choice.

Joseph C. Franscoviak, 89
Father of Pat “Voyle” Ledyard of Ossian, Joseph C. Franscoviak, 89, of Monon, born March 4, 1914 in Jasper County to Lottis G. and Mary Ann Stephani Franscoviak. His wife, Evelyn L. Norris Franscoviak, Cemetery at Monon. Calling hours at the funeral home will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Memorials to the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Fund.

June 18, 2003

Arthur R. May, 83
Funeral services for Arthur R. May, 83, retired Sterling Casting Corp. executive, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church in Bluffton. Visitation hours will be Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home. Mr. May born Dec. 31, 1919 to Clark and Kathryn Morrow May. His marriage at Lakewood, Ohio, on Aug. 9, 1947 was to Harriett Kramer, who survives. Other survivors are a son, John of Madison, Ind.; two daughters, Bonnie Swarner of Valparaiso, Ind., and Susan May of Richmond, Va.; a brother, Loyal May of North Olmsted, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A brother, John, is deceased. Rev. Robert Heimach will officiate at services Sunday and burial will be in Fairview Cemetery at Bluffton with graveside rites by American Legion Post 111. Memorials to Christian Care Retirement Community or to Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana.

June 20, 2003

Lois Virginia Cuellar, 83
A former resident of Ossian, Lois Virginia Cuellar, 83, of Deltona, Fla., born at Van Wert, Ohio, to Lawrence Harold and Ilo Blank Lee. Her marriage was to Pete H. Cuellar, who died Wednesday, June 18, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Born in Allen County Jan. 2, 1954, Mrs. Jackson was an outdoor enthusiast. Surviving, in addition to the brother at Zanesville, are her husband, James M.; a son, Michael of Fort Wayne; a daughter, Brandi Young of Fort Wayne; a sister, Judy Harmeyer of Huntington; three other brothers, Paul Lee of Tucson, Ariz., Dale Lee of Florida and Gene Lee of Yoder; and a granddaughter. Services at 1 p.m. Monday will be at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Home for Funerals, 6810 Old Trail Rd., Fort Wayne, with calling hours Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. Burial will be in Prairie Grove Cemetery.

Gene E. Watterson, 62
A retired industrial worker and farmer, Gene E. Watterson, 62, of Hartford City, born in Desoto, Ind., May 15, 1941 to Edmund and Ruby Rogers Watterson, both of whom are deceased. A brother also is deceased. Mr. Watterson was a life member of the National Rifle Association, Bassmasters, the Sons of the American Legion in Montpelier, and American Legion Post 156 in Montpelier. Surviving are his wife of 20 years, Penny Jones Watterson, the couple having married June 26, 1982 in Muncie; three daughters, Mrs. Rick (Janine) Caley of Huntington, Gail Watterson of Hartford City, and Paula Pinger of Montpelier; a sister, Peggy Walker of Anderson; nine grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be shared at 5 p.m. Saturday at 112 West Green St. in Montpelier. Memorials to the International Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Dr., Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607 or to donor’s choice. Glancy Funeral Homes, Walker Chapel, in Montpelier, is in charge of arrangements.

Elma E. Messick, 97
Elma E. Messick, 97, a resident of Meadowvale Health & Rehabilitation Center in Bluffton, born in Jay County Oct. 24, 1905, a daughter of James W. and Mary Elizabeth Stoner Campbell. Her marriage in Bluffton on June 22, 1929 was to Donald L. Messick, who Cemetery at Bluffton. Calling hours at the funeral chapel will be Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the Epworth United Methodist Church.

Mabel I. Wilhelm, 87
Mabel I. Wilhelm, of Huntington County, a former doctor’s office receptionist, born in Wabash County Oct. 31, 1915, a daughter of Fred and Florrie Turner Cozad Sr. Her marriage on Nov. 9, 1935 at Huntington was to G. Myron Wilhelm, who Interment will be in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Huntington County, Visitation hours at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel, 2901 Guilford St., Huntington, will be Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the church’s building fund.

Lola M. Gray, 81 -- Rites Pending
Lola M. Gray, 81, of Huntington died at 5:40 p.m. Friday at Christian Care Retirement Community where she had resided for the past three years. She was employed for 22 years in the pharmacy at Caylor-Nickel Medical Center until her retirement in 1976. She was long active in the United Methodist Women’s Organization. Born Oct. 15, 1912, in Adams County, she was a daughter of Harry W. and Myrtle A. Frantz Daniels. Mrs. Lobsiger graduated from Pleasant Mills High School in 1930. She attended the Fort Wayne Lutheran School of Nursing. Her marriage was on June 20, 1933 at Decatur to Paul G. Lobsiger, who preceded her in death on Jan. 30, 1994. Mrs. Lobsiger moved from Pleasant Mills to Monroe in Adams County in 1943. She became a Bluffton resident in 1992. She was a member of the Monroe United Methodist Church. Surviving, in addition to the daughter and son are a sister, Mrs. Gehard (Helen) Schultz at Swiss Village in Berne, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Daniels and Bryce Daniels. Calling hours are from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Thoma-Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services Tuesday at the church. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Monroe United Methodist Church with Rev. Phil Latz officiating. Burial will be in the Ray Cemetery at Monroe. Preferred memorials are to the Monroe United Methodist Church.

June 16, 2003

Bentley Gene Spears, 43
A worker in construction and landscaping, Bentley Gene Spears, 43, born in Huntington Jan. 18, 1960, a son of Jerry D. and Lois J. (Roberts) Spears, who survive and reside at Warren. Additional survivors are a sister, Mrs. Ron (Linda) Chan of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; a brother, Michael of Huntington; and a fiancee, Dea K. Mauger of Huntington. Services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel, in Warren, with Rev. Bill Fisher officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Warren. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana or to the Huntington County Cancer Society.

Robert R. Shaw, 44
A brother of Alvin Shaw of Ossian, Robert R. Shaw, 44, born Jan. 13, 1959 in Wells, Minn. Surviving, in addition to the brother at Ossian, are his wife, Rose Shaw of Fort Wayne; his mother, Irene Shaw of Fort Wayne; two sons, Zachary Shaw and Shannon Marquart, both of Fort Wayne; two daughters, Heather Byrd of New Haven and Joy Marquart of Fort Wayne; another brother, Gilbert Shaw of Fort Wayne; and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Waynedale Park on Elzey St. in Fort Wayne. Memorials to the Zachary Shaw Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Home for Funerals, 6810 Old Trail Rd., Fort Wayne.

Robert E. Brandyberry, 76
A graduate of Ossian High School, Robert E. “Bob” Brandyberry, 76, of Lafayette, born in Fort Wayne April 28, 1927, the son of Ervin and Catherine Brandyberry. His marriage at Ossian on June 18, 1949 was to Patricia Lou Yager, who survives. Surviving also are a son, Mark A. Brandyberry of West Lafayette; a daughter, Mrs. Todd (Susan) Wilson of Claredon Hills, Ill.; a sister, Mrs. Dale (Barbara) Wilburn of Huntington; three brothers, David Brandyberry of Fort Wayne, Thomas Somers of Ossian and Howard Somers of Florida; twin grandsons; and a granddaughter. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Richards-Loy & Clapper Lafayette Funeral Home, where calling will be Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the American Heart Association.

Mabel C. Alexander, 93
Mabel C. Alexander, 93, a medical/dental assistant, born in Hamilton County Feb. 19, 1910 to Claude and Elsie Arnett Alexander. Surviving are two cousins, Mrs. Jim (Linda) Nelson of Alexandria and Herschell Arnett of Fortville. Services at 4 p.m. Tuesday will be at the Warren United Methodist Memorial Home, where calling will be for two hours prior to services. Pastor Herbert Edwards will officiate and burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery at Warren.

Daisy M. Murray, 99
Daisy M. Murray, 99, died in 1996. She was a homemaker and assisted her husband on the family farm. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. John (Wanda) Blair of Muncie; three grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Claude and Harry Walker; and one sister, Helen Goodspeed. Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home in Bluffton. Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Dr. Joe Baker officiating. Burial will be in Stahl Cemetery. Preferred memorials to the American Cancer Society.

Frances K. Miller, 92
Frances K. Miller, 92, of Decatur , died in 1971. She was a homemaker and a member of the St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, the Rosary Society and the Catholic Ladies of Columbia. She is survived by one son, Leo C. Miller of Fort Wayne; two daughters, Anna Marie Callow and Elizabeth Kintz, both of Decatur; two sisters, Mary Schirack and Margaret Lengerich, both of Decatur; eleven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, and two grandchildren. Visitation hours are 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Haggard & Sefton Funeral Home in Decatur; the Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Friday, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Preferred memorials to St. Joseph School or the Women of St. Mary, Project Posey.

Aug. 7, 2003

Ross O. Way, 84
A Wells County native and father of Mrs. Ted (Lou Ann) Williams of Keystone, Ross O. Way, 84, of Frankton Cemetery in Alexandria. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Johnís Hospice.

July 31, 2003

Lowell L. Schultz, 74
Lowell Lee Schultz, 74, formerly of Hartford City and a retired educator who once worked in special education in Adams and Wells counties, died May 7 at her home in Mulberry, Fl. She was died in 1993; a daughter, Gloria Rainey; a sister and a brother. Services were held May 11 in Mulberry, with burial at Willow Oak Cemetery in Willow Oak, Fl.

Joseph A. Friedman, 69
Joseph A. “Andy” Friedman, 69, Huntington, Interment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Huntington. Preferred memorials to Hospice Home of Northeast Indiana.

August 4, 2003

Elmer J. Isch, 95
Elmer J. Isch, 95, of Bluffton, died March 11, 2000. He was a life-long farmer and founded Isch Seed Co., and was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church. He is survived by a son, Perry L. Isch of Bluffton; two daughters, Mrs. Galen (Joyce) Baumgartner and Mrs. Mike (Cheryl) Gerber, both of Bluffton; a brother, Harold; a sister, Dorothy Frank; 11 grandchildren; and 24 great grandchildren. Services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Apostolic Christian Church East. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Goodwin Memorial Chapel in Bluffton and for one hour prior to the services at the church. Preferred memorials are to Christian Care Retirement Community or the Family Hospice of NE Indiana.

Dennis D. Stuck, 57
Dennis D. Stuck, 57, of Ossian, died at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1 at the Bluffton Regional Medical Center. Born May 14, 1911 in Peru to Orville and Anna Hentgen Erb, he was married o Esther M. Worden on Nov. 30, 1933 in Rochester. She Interment will be at the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Huntington County. Prefered memorials are to the United Methodist Memorial Home in Warren or to the donor’s choice. Arrangements are being handled by the Myers Funeral Home, Huntington Chapel.

Betty V. Wright, 76
The mother of Mrs. Joy (Debra) Penrod of Keystone, Betty V. Wright, 76, of Hartford City Cemetery in Pennville. Preferred memorials to the Family Hospice of Northeast Ind. in Berne.

Norman D. Van Meter, 68
The father of Barb Cullar of Uniondale, Norman Dean Van Meter, 68 of Lima, Oh. died Sunday at 1 p.m. at Timbercrest Healthcare Center in North Manchester. Born May 12, 1923 in Bluffton to Joseph and Christine Leimgruber Strain, he married Marjorie Ilo Gay in Camp Swift, Texas in 1943; she died in 1991. He worked at Ace Hardware, North Manchester since 1948 and owned the store from 1979-1997. He was a World War II US Army veteran. He is survived by a son, Dennis Strain of Warsaw; two daughters, Penny Fierstos of No. Manchester and Prudence Strain-Gamso of Columbus; a stepson, Rick Deckena of So. Whitley; three stepdaughters, Amy Lybarger of No. Manchester, Vera Crockett of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Carol Holliday of Bippus; a sister, Theresa Croy of Fort Wayne; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by a brother.. Services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Roberts Catholic Church in No.Manchester. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Grandstaff-Hentgen, Bender Chapel in No. Manchester. Preferred memorials to the American Lung Assoc.

August 5, 2003

Bernard B. Hickert, 77
The father of Dianne Witwer of Bluffton, Bernard B. Hickert, 77, of Wichita, Kan. died suddenly Friday, Aug. 1 at his home. Born Aug. 16, 1925, one of 11 children of John W. and Mary L. Fink Hickert, he was married to Beatrice Schandler on Oct. 23, 1948. She survives. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Military Academy in Hays, Kan., he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and returned to be a life-long farmer and stockman in the Lenora, Kan. area. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Almelo. In addition to his wife and his daughter in Bluffton, he is survived by six other daughters, four sons, four brothers, five sisters, and 22 grandchildren. A memorial service is being held this evening at the St. Joseph Parish Center in New Almelo, with a Mass of Resurrection scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. There will also be graveside military rites with burial in St.Joseph Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Parks Funeral Home in Oberlin, Kan. Preferred memorials to Benedictine College, Atchison, Kan.