Alice Y. Sheley, 73
Mother of Dale Sheley of Markle, Alice Y. Sheley, 73, Lafayette Twp., Allen County, Cemetery in Ossian. Calling hours are 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at D.O. McComb & Sons Foster Park Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Monson Chapel.

July 23, 2004

Dr. J. Patrick Cripe, 58 — Rites Pending
Dr. J. Patrick Cripe, 58, of Ossian, died at 6 p.m. Thursday at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

James F. Ley, 63
A Wells County native, James F. Ley, 63, of Noblesville, died at 5:33 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 5 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. Born in Boone County on April 5, 1946 to Milford and Margaret Purdy Evans, he was a driver for New Apple Lines, farmed and worked on off-shore oil rigs. An Air Force veteran during the Vietnam War, he was a member of American Legion Post 10 and the BlufftonBowling League. Other survivors include his wife, Terri (Shinn)Evans of Hartford City; his mother, of Mulberry; another son, Ronald Evans of West Lafayette; two daughters, Tammi Lechner of West Lafayette and Jennifer Grammar of Boerne, Texas; three sisters, Marvel Albitz of Frankfort, Denzel Hanson of Russiaville, and Margaret Maddox of Montpelier; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two grandchildren. Services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Raven-Choate Funeral Home in Marion. Calling hours there are Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. and for one hour prior to the services Monday. Burial will be in Marion National Cemetery. Preferred memorials to the American Heart Association.

July 30, 2004

John P. Stroup, 72
A former mechanical engineer with Magnavox, John P. Stroup, 72, of Craigville, died Sunday, Aug. 1 at the Meadowvale Health Care Center. Born in Des Arc, Ark. on Oct. 24, 1906 to Frank and Jessie R. Carlson Matson, she married E. Carl Cash on Sept. 3, 1927 in Covington, Ky.; he died at 8:07 a.m. Saturday, July 31 at the Ossian Health & Rehabilitation Center. Born on August 11, 1914 in Fort Wayne to Fredrick E. and Orpha Ott Robinson, he married Helen M. Crow on Oct. 21, 1935 in Marion; she survives. A 1933 graduate of North Side High School in Fort Wayne, he also was a former Zanesville resident. He was a tool and die maker for the Bowser Pump Company for 25 years, and at the Magnavox Company for 16 years, retiring in 1977. He was a member of the Markle Church of Christ. Other survivors include a daughter, Donna Bradburn of Ossian; two sons, Fredrick Robinson of Christmas Island, Australia and Leslie Joe Robinson of Racine, Wisc.; a brother, Virgil Robinson of Paradise, Calif.; a sister, Esther Cunningham of Sun City, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Carsten. Calling hours are this evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Myers Funeral Home, Markle Chapel. Graveside services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Hoverstock Cemetery in Zanesville. Preferred memorials to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

August 3, 2004

Adelbert “Debbie” Conrad, 85
A retired Wells and Adams County farmer and milk hauler for 50 years, Adelbert “Debbie” Conrad, 85, of Decatur died at 5:25 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1 at Chalet Village in Berne. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, serving with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marines and receiving the Purple Heart. He was a member of Berne American Legion Post 468 and Geneva VFW. Born Oct. 28, 1926 in Marion to Archie and Gladys Dague Smith, his marriage on April 12, 1946 in Monroe was to Betty Christener, who pereceded him in death in 2003. Survivors include two sons, Steven Smith of Decaur and Fred Smith of Geneva; a daughter, Susan Rich of Atlanta; a sister, Wanda Lester of Little Rock, Ark., a half-brother, Larry Smith of Dectur, half-sister Norma Jean Harrington of Lansing, Mich., eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home in Berne with Rev. Keith Rupp officiating and burial in M.R.E. Cemetery. Calling at the funeral home will be today from 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday for one hour prior to services. Military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by Berne Post 468. Preferred memorials are to West Missinary Church.

August 4, 2004

John W. Barner, 66
Former Keystone postmaster, John W. Barner, 66, of Montpelier, died at 4:25 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2 at the Ossian Health Care Center. Born in Belmont, Ill. on Dec. 21, 1924 to Franklin and Ada Flick Hill, she worked at the Indiana State Development Center for 10 years, as well as the Indiana School for the Deaf and was a house mother for delinquent girls. She was a member of the Light House Free Methodist Church. Survivors include three daughters, LaVonne Smith of Markle, Beverly Denbo of Indianapolis, and Donna Lawrence of Dunedin, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. Services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home Winchester Rd. Chapel in Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Covington Cemetery. Preferred memorials to the church or to The Charis House.

August 5, 2004

Phyllis E. Stowe, 78
Phyllis Elaine Stowe, 78, of Ossian, died in 1974. She was a member of the Ossian First Presbyterian Church and Eastern Star. She worked at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne as a payroll clerk for nearly 20 years, retiring in 1974. Survivors include three daughters, Jill Sheehan of West Dundee, Ill., Penny Ruder of Park Ridge, Ill., and Patti Jo Foy of Brocton, N.Y.; one stepson, Minor Stowe, Jr. of North Pole, Alaska; and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister and a brother. Calling hours are Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home in Ossian. Services will be held there on Saturday at 10 a.m. with Rev. Lyle Ewing officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Ossian. Preferred memorials to the church.

Hunter McKenzie Page Byers, 8
The eight-year-old daughter of Robert and Nicole (Collett) Byers of Portland, Hunter McKenzie Page Byers, Cemetery south of Redkey. Calling hours will be from noon to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at M.J.S. Mortuaries-Redkey Chapel. memorials may be made to the Jay County Cancer Society or the First Baptist Church of Morning Side.

August 13, 2004

Floyd Runyon - Rites Pending
Arrangements are pending at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home for Floyd A. Runyon of Bluffton, who died at 3:40 p.m. Friday at Laurels of Shane Hill in Rockford, Ohio. Born in Wells County Oct. 23, 1906 to Brent and Ida Captain Chalfont, she married Hugh D. Reynolds Dec. 24, 1926 in Wells County. He preceded her in death Oct. 6, 1973. She was a homemaker and worked part-time at K&S Frosty Zip. A member of the Willshire United Methodist Church, she was also a member of United Methodist Women and the Eastern Star Beth Chapter 25. She also served on the Willshire City Council for four years. Survivors include one son, Leon, of Brunswick, Ohio; a daughter, Mrs. Larry “Dean” (Kathleen) King of Willshire; five grandchildren; five step-grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Wendell Chalfont, a sister, Lois Bauer, and twin sons Jack and Gene Reynolds. Services at 10 a.m. Tuesday will be at Zwick Sefton and Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, with Rev. Bill Simms officiating. Burial will follow in Six Mile Cemetery. Calling hours are 1-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are to the Willshire United Methodist Church or Willshire/Wren EMS.

August 9, 2004

Vernon (Garth) Welches, 78
Vernon (Garth) Welches, 78, rural Markle, born on April 6, 1926 to Harry L. and Alma Ellen Volmar Welches and married Phyllis Terhune in Redkey on June 22, 1952; she survives. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army’s 136th Infantry in the Philippines and Japan. He managed several Kroger stores for 27 years, including stores in Bluffton, Montpelier and Decatur; he then worked for City Market in Ossian as a meat cutter for 15 years, retiring in 1992. He was a member of the Markle Barbershoppers, Promise Keepers, and attended Faith Fellowship Church in Tocsin. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Eric (Susan) Springer of Uniondale; two sons, Joseph D. of Zanesville and Steven D. of Garrett; three sisters, Juanita Walker of Columbia City, Arlene Brown of Homer, Alaska, and Marcella Cunningham of Denning, N.M.; seven grandchildren; and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia Welches in January of 1953; one brother, Kenneth Welches; and a sister, Wava Jockisch. Calling hours are today from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home in Bluffton. Services will be held there at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, with Rev. Michael Wertenberger and Rev. Tom Datema officiating. Burial will be in Six Mile Cemetery. Preferred memorials to the American Cancer Society.

Thelma C. Jennings, 97
Thelma C. Jennings, 97, Warren, died Oct. 17, 1993. A graduate of Whitewater High School, she was a homemaker. She and her husband moved to the United Methodist Memorial Home in Warren from Angola in 1986. She was a member of the United Methodist Church there. Survivors include a son, Martel Jennings of Tippecanoe; a sister, Irene Jennings of Warren; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Warren Wright. Services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Memorial Home in Warren with Rev. John Wallace officiating. Visitation will be held there on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery in Warren. Preferred memorials to the United Methodist Memorial Home. Arrangements are being handled by the Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel in Warren.

Gertrude Menter, 64
Gertrude Menter, 64, Preble, died a 1:35 p.m. Saturday, Aug. at the Bluffton Regional Medical Center. Born in Van Buren on June 30, 1943 to Marion F. and Vivian M. McDonald Flemming, Sr., he married Virginia C. Bogan on June 3, 1967 in Speedway; she survives. A 1961 graduate of West Rock Creek High School, he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. A farmer and truck driver, he also worked for several years at Jet Components in Bluffton where he served as the president of the local union. Additional survivors include a daughter, Janelle Harrison of Zanesville; three brothers, Terry Flemming of Marion, Richard Flemming of Van Buren, and John Flemming of Warren; eight sisters, Carlotta Tackett of Claypool, Linda Flemming of Muncie, Wanda Hinen of Fort Wayne, Cornelia Johnson of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Vianna Johnson, Patty Whitney, Mary Randall and Phyllis Herring, all of Huntington; and two grandsons. Visitation hours are Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Myers Funeral Home in Huntington. Services will also be held there at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Preferred memorials to the Wells County Home Health Care or to the Disabled Veterans Association.

Jean McIlrath, 74
Services for Jean Ann McIlrath, 74, Huntington, will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Myers Funeral Home in Huntington. She Interment will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Huntington.

Mary Alice Knox, 79
A resident of the University Nursing Center in Upland, Mary Alice Knox, 79, died unexpectedly at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne at 11:28 a.m. Monday, Aug. 9. Born Jan. 9, 1924 in Adams County to Samuel and Nora Frank Hamrick, she married Robert D. Luginbill Nov. 7, 1942 in Adams County. He survives. A homemaker, she was a member of the Mt. Hope Church of the Nazarene. She also served as the board secretary of the Decatur Church of the Nazarene for 35 years. In addition to her husband, she is survived by three sons, Jeff of Decatur, Mike of Kankakee, Ill., and Greg of Enon, Ohio; three daughters, Connie Wilson of Decatur; Mrs. Randy (Kathy) Reynolds of Decatur, and Mrs. Gary (JoEllen “Jody”) Lengerich of Berne; two sisters, Mrs. Lindy (Norma) Lybarger of North Manchester and Mrs. Tom (Carolyn) Baker of Celina, Ohio; four brothers; Charles Hamrick of Decatur, Paul Hamrick of Monroe and Clarence and Duane Hamrick, both of Willshire, Ohio; 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. One brother, Victor Hamrick, preceded her in death. Services at 10:30 a.m. Thursday will be at the Mt. Hope Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Greg Clark officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery. Calling will be from 1-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Mt. Hope Mission Fund.

Mary Ellen Hirschy, 80
A resident of rural Bluffton in Adams County, Mary Ellen Hirschy, 80, Cemetery in Monroe. Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at Haggard & Sefton Funeral Home in Decatur and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Cross United Church of Christ Tape Ministry or the Heartland Hospice.

Mary Alice Knox, 79
A resident of the University Nursing Center in Upland, Mary Alice Knox, 79, died at the home at 5:40 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10. Born in Bangor, Mich., Oct. 11, 1914 to William Nicholas and Mary Alice Sheridan Pifer, she married Rexferd D. Freestone Aug. 19, 1936 in Bangor. He survives. She and her husband moved to Warren from Muncie in 2002. They had previously resided in Bangor and Niles, Mich. Survivors include two sons, Richard of Bangor and Robert of Muncie; two daughters, Mrs. Don (Kathleen) Gugliotta of Sparks, Nev., and Mrs. David (Alyse) Keyworth, of Grand Rapids, Mich. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, in Bangor (located about 20 miles west of Kalamazoo) at the Simpson United Methodist Church. Rev. James McNary will be officiating. Local arrangements are in charge of Glancy Funeral Homes-H. Brown & Son Chapel, Warren.

August 12, 2004

Dwight “Hap” E. Kehrn, 82
A lifelong farmer in Wells County, Dwight “Hap” E. Kehrn, 82, of rural Craigville, Cemetery in Ossian. Preferred memorials are to the donor’s choice.