Herschel W. Kershner, 79
Herschel W. Kershner, 79, of Montpelier, died at 2:15 a.m. Thursday at Blackford County Hospital in Hartford City. He was retired from 3M Corp. in Hartford City and formerly had worked at Warner Gear in Muncie. Born in Harrison Township, Blackford County, April 20, 1922, to Alfred and Lena Spears Kershner, he resided in his early years in Wells County, attending Chester Center High School. He was married on June 18, 1940 to Opal Marie Norton and the couple had lived for many years at a lake cottage on Irish Lake. Mrs. Kershner died Jan. 17, 1992. Mr. Kershner was a veteran of the U.S. Marines during World War II, serving from March 2, 1944 to Nov. 29, 1945. Following his Marine service, he returned to Montpelier, where he lived most of his lifetime. Surviving are three sons, Jerry A. of Montpelier, Thomas W. of Nineveh, and Stephen of Cartersville, Ga.; two daughters, Mrs. Daniel (Sharon L.) Gelatt of Elkhart and Mrs. Jerry (Cathy E.) Craig of North Webster; two brothers, Alfred of Muncie and Paul of Hartford City; two sisters, Blanche Dennis of Muncie and Naomi Smith of Hartford City; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. A brother is deceased. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Glancy Funeral Homes, Walker Chapel, in Montpelier, with Rev. Frank Criswell officiating. Burial will be in Brookside Memorial Park in Montpelier with Montpelier American Legion Post 156 performing graveside military rites. Calling hours at the funeral chapel will be Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. There will be no visitation hours on Sunday. Memorials to Montpelier-Harrison Township Cancer Society.

Dorothy Beilke, 96
Mother of Mrs. Stan (Phyllis) Makowski of Bluffton, Dorothy Beilke, 96, died Thursday at the Golden Age Nursing and Rehab Center in Tomahawk, Wis. Mrs Beilke resided in Indiana from 1969 to 1988, when she returned to Tomahawk, where she was born and resided much of her lifetime. She was a former member of the Gray Ladies and the Book Review Club. From Tomahawk, she had moved to Wausau and to Minneapolis until 1962 when she retired and moved back to Tomahawk. Mrs. Beilke was born June 9, 1905 to James P. and Leta Smith. Her marriage in Waukegan, Ill., on June 18, 1923 was to Arthur H. Beilke, who died in 1969. Surviving, in addition to the daughter in Bluffton, are another daughter, Mrs. Jerry (Jean) Sadlon of Racine, Wis.; 26 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two nieces and two nephews. An infant brother and two sisters are deceased. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tomahawk with Rev. Edward Powell officiating. Interment will be in the Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau. Calling hours at the St. Mary’s Church Corpus Christi Center will be Monday from 9 a.m. until time for services. The Krueger & Sons Funeral Home in Tomahawk is in charge of arrangements.

Infant Donalee Jo Lathem
Infant Donalee Jo Lathem, daughter of Matthew Glenn and Amy Suzette Lathem of Muncie, died Wednesday at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. Surviving also are her grandparents, Allen L. and Donna L. Bole of Hartford City and Robbie Lee Lathem of Muncie; and her great-grandmother, Pauline Holeman of Selma. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Asbury Cemetery in Wells County. There will be no calling. Memorials to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Arrangements are by Keplinger Funeral Home in Hartford City.

Esther L. Pease, 75
Esther L. Pease, 75, a private instructor in piano and organ for many years who resided at 411 West Wiley Ave., died at 11:20 p.m. Friday at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne following a sudden illness. Mrs. Pease instructed numerous students of the community, sometimes as many as 40 to 60 per week. She also was the full time pianist and organist for First Baptist Church for more than 50 years, dating back to 1940. Born in Decatur, she had resided most of her life in Wells County. She was a homemaker and member of the First Baptist Church, Psi Iota Xi, and the Order of Eastern Star Crescent Chapter 48. She was born Aug. 22, 1925, a daughter of Harvey H. and Agnes Dutcher Ginter. Her marriage at Bluffton on April 14, 1946 was to John J. Pease, who survives. Other survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Noel (Gloria) Phegley of Columbia City and Mrs. Herb (Janet) Heyerly of Bluffton; a son, Tom R. of Carrollton, Texas; a sister, Mrs. Marjorie Myers of Bluffton; two grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren. A son, James Alan, died in 1963, and a brother, Irvin Ginter, in 1982. Services will be at First Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday with Pastor Bud Abrams officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Calling hours at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home are today from 1 to 8 p.m. and at the church Tuesday for one hour prior to services. Memorials to the church.

Wallace P. Smith, 82
Former mayor of Huntington, Wallace P. Smith, 82, died at 8 p.m. Friday at his residence in huntington. Mr. Smith served as Huntington’s mayor from 1976 to 1979. Prior to his election as mayor, he served for 20 years with the Huntington Police Department, holding the ranks of patrolman, detective and chief, the latter position served in 1956 under Mayor Roy Howell and from 1960 to 1968 under Mayor Robert Ambler. He was a 1939 graduate of Huntington High School and served with the U.S. Army during World War II in the Philippines and later in stateside service with the Military Police. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 77 in Huntington, secretary/treasurer of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2689, American Legion Post 7, Exchange Club and Huntington County Historical Society. He attended the East State Street Church of God. Mr. Smith was born in Huntington July 25, 1919, the son of Tine and Florence Snearley Smith. His marriage in Anderson on March 6, 1944 to Ila Mae Gorman, who survives. Additional survivors are a son, Wallace P. Jr. of Fort Wayne; two daughters, Gail Nix of Fort Wayne and Nolene Smith, who is serving with the Merchant Marines; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A brother is deceased. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel and interment will be in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery at Huntington. Visitation times at the funeral home are today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.. Memorials to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 77, Huntington.

Roscoe A. Rohrer, 87
A resident of Liberty Center most of his lifetime, Roscoe A. Rohrer, 87, died at 2:20 p.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Memorial Home in Warren. He was retired from Dana Corp. in Marion and had attended schools at Peru. Mrs. Rohrer was born at Peru Sept. 5, 1913 to Wayne and Cora Keller Rohrer. His marriage at New Haven on Jan. 2, 1943 was to Wahilla Merriman, who survives. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton with Pastor Herbert Edwards officiating. Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel, in Warren, is in charge of arrangements. There are no calling hours.

Cindy Lynn Jackson, 44
A nurse practitioner, Cindy Lynn Jackson, 44, died at 4:34 p.m. Friday at her residence in Fort Wayne, where she had resided 10 years. She was engaged as a nurse practitioner at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne and previously worked at Caylor-Nickel Hospital in Bluffton and at Huntington Memorial Hospital. Miss Jackson was a 1975 graduate of Huntington North High School and attended St. Francis School of Nursing in Fort Wayne. She was a member of ISNA, CAPNI and Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing. She was born in Blackford County May 23, 1957 to Wayne Lee and Mary Ann Hunnicutt Jackson, both of whom survive and reside at Warren. She never married. Surviving, in addition to her parents, are her maternal grandmother, Delores Hunnicutt of Montpelier; three sisters, Mrs. Dan (Peggy) Whinery and Mrs. David (Jo Ellen) Keller, both of Warren, and Cristina Jackson of Clearwater, Fla.; two nephews and two nieces. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel, in Warren, where calling hours are today from 4 to 8 p.m. Rev. Kathie Jones will officiate at services and burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Warren. Memorials to the Lutheran School or Nursing or to American Diabetes Association.

Tom E. Jackson, 54
Tom E. Jackson, 54, of rural Huntington, died at 5:40 p.m. Saturday at the Veterans Administration Northern Indiana Health Care Facility in Marion. He was a factory worker for Magneteck in Huntington and Wayne Metals in Markle. He was born in Fort Wayne March 26, 1947 to Frank and Eileen DePugh Jackson. His marriage in Fort Wayne on Nov. 17, 1979 was to Betty Leist, who survives. Additional survivors include his mother, Elaine Johnson of Fort Wayne; two brothers, Ray Jackson of Zanesville and Robert Jackson of Fort Wayne; two sisters, Rosie Jackson and Karen Mertz, both of Fort Wayne. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Edward. A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Myers Funeral Home, Huntington Chapel. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the Disabled American Veterans Association.

Berneice McBride, 88
Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. today for Berneice McBride, 88 of Markle, with burial in Markle Cemetery. Mrs. McBride died at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Visitation hours were Sunday and the funeral service was at Myers Funeral Home, Markle Chapel. She had worked for Sealtest in Huntington, retiring in 1968. She was a graduate in 1931 of East Union High School in Wells County and was a member of the Markle United Methodist Church. Born in Wells County July 8, 1913, she was the daughter of Charles and Hazel Graham Folk. Her marriage in Huntington on July 20, 1935 was to Kenneth McBride, who survives. Other survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Larry (Judy) Mower of Markle; five sisters, Dorma Greene and Faye Wilson, both of Markle, Maxine Collins of Fort wayne, Margaret Furnas of Florida and Betty Rodenbeck of Huntington; two grandsons; five great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. Two sisters and a brother are deceased. Pastor Tim Dilley officiated at services. Memorials to the missions fund of the Markle United Methodist Church.

Frances L. Bradbury Freeland, 86
Frances L. Bradbury Freeland, 86, of Bradenton, Fla., a native of Wells County, died at 2:40 p.m. Saturday at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton. Mrs. Freeland was a homemaker and had worked at several odd jobs over the years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Oneco, Fla., and was a 1932 graduate of East Union Center High School in Wells County. She was born Aug. 20, 1914 in Wells County to Ira and Etta Farrell Smuts. Her first marriage on May 7, 1934 in Zanesville was to Edward R. Bradbury and her second marriage on May 7, 1978 in Bradenton was to Don O. Freeland. Both husbands are deceased. Surviving are two sons, Robert Bradbury of Parrish, Fla., and John Bradbury of Bradenton; a daughter, Louise Sadler of Uniondale; two brothers, Jake Smuts of Tyler, Texas, and Estal Smuts of Fort Wayne; a sister, Josephine Crowl of Bradenton; 11 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. A son, Thomas Bradbury, died the past May and eight brothers and sisters also are deceased. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Zanesville. A private burial service will take place at a separate time at the Hoverstock Cemetery at Zanesville. Arrangements are by Myers Funeral Home at Markle. Memorials to the church.

Robert A. Melching, 86
Robert A. Melching, 86, of Ossian, died today at the Bluffton Regional Medical Center. He was a retired general contractor and was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He was a member of Bluffton American Legion Post III and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Melching was born at Ossian June 13, 1915 to Alva and Ethel Roberts Melching. His marriage at Ossian on Oct. 4, 1942 was to Frances J. Mackey, who survives. Other survivors are two sons, Robert D. of Ossian and Douglas W. of Muskegon, Mich.; a brother, Dr. Harold W. Melching of El Paso, Texas; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother. Services at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Homes, Ossian Chapel, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with Rev. Lyle Ewing officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery at Ossian with military graveside rites conducted by Grover Sheets American Legion Post 111. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

Howard R. Smith, 89
A former resident of the Ossian area, Howard R. Smith, 89, died early today at the Shepherd of the Hills Nursing Home at Kendallville. A retired farmer, Mr. Smith formerly resided also in the Yoder and Fort Wayne areas. He was lifetime member of the IOOF Lodge in Fort Wayne and the United Methodist Church at Ossian. He was born in Allen County Sept. 11, 1911 to George H. and Elizabeth Middaugh Smith. His marriage at Ossian on March 12, 1938 was to Edna M. Vestal, who died July 5, 1999. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Roger (Connie E.) Lake of Wolcottville; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A brother, John, is deceased. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home, Ossian Chapel, with Dr. Robert Priest officiating. Burial will be in Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne. Visitation hours will be at the funeral chapel Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the Ossian United Methodist Church. Frances L. Bradbury Freeland—Memorial Service A memorial service will be conducted at 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 9 at the United Methodist Church in Zanesville for Frances L. Bradbury Freeland, 86, a native of Wells County who died July 28 in Florida. A private burial service will take place at a separate time at the Hoverstock Cemetery at Zanesville. Arrangements are by Myers Funeral Home at Markle. Memorials to the church.

Pauline V. Rogge, 97
A native of Wells County, Pauline “Polly” V. Smith Rogge, 97, of Lafayette, died at 2:14 p.m. Monday in the emergency room of St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lafayette. She retired in 1974 as a librarian from Bryan, Ohio, Junior High School after 15 years. She had attended Bluffton High School, DePauw University, Indiana University and the University of Utah, Mrs. Rogge was born at Poneto Feb. 4, 1904. A first marriage in 1926 was to Hubert F. Smith, who died in 1962; her second marriage in 1979 was to Howard W. Rogge, who died in 1987. Mrs. Rogge was a member and served as a deacon and elder in the First Presbyterian Church at Bryan and was a member of the Bryan Fortnightly Study Club, Kappa Kappa Gamma National Sorority, Williams County Panhellenic Association and Ohio Library Association. Surviving are a son, Dr. Keith V. Smith of West Lafayette, and two grandchildren. A private family service will be conducted by Rev. James Dunn and burial will be in Elm Grove Cemetery at Bluffton. Memorials to Westminster Village Foundation in West Lafayette.

Marjorie J. Holmberg, 69
Marjorie J. Holmberg, 69, retired telephone operator, died Sunday at Community Care Center in Huntington. Born in Fort Wayne, she retired in 1992 from General Telephone as an operator after 19 years and also had worked at Indiana Bell Telephone for 13 years. Surviving is a son, Robert I. Holmberg II of Ellisville, Mo. Services at 1 p.m. Thursday will be at Bailey-Love Mortuary in Huntington, where calling hours will be for two hours prior to services. Burial will be in Markle Cemetery. Memorials to Girlstown USA.

Marion B. Urschel Jr., 65
A Huntington County farmer, Marion B. Urschel Jr., 65, died Monday at his residence in the Bippus area. In addition to farming, he was a maintenance man with Huntington County Farm Bureau Co-op for 27 years and also had worked in maintenance at Norwood Nursing Center in Huntington for 10 years. Surviving are his wife, Susan A.; two sons, Chris and Eric, both of Bippus; a daughter, Amy Frick of Zanesville; and three grandchildren. Services at 10 a.m. Saturday will be at St. John’s United Church of Christ at Bippus with visitation prior to services. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials to the church or to Huntington County Hospice & Home Health Care. DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary in North Manchester is in charge of arrangements.

Kevin P. Reinhold, 46

A former resident of Bluffton, Kevin P. Reinhold, 46, son of former Wells County Extension agent Hubert “Hugh” Reinhold, died Tuesday at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne. A resident of Angola, he was a lineman for Northern Indiana Public Service Co. and was a native of Indianapolis. Mr. Reinhold lived in Bluffton with his parents, Hubert P. and Marie P. Reinhold, while his father served from 1958 to 1964 as Purdue Extension Service agricultural agent for Wells County. Surviving are his parents, who reside at Goshen; his wife, Cheryl; four sons, Michael, Daniel, John and Paul, all of Angola; two daughters, Sarah and Anna Reinhold, both also of Angola; a brother, Mark of Mishawaka; and a sister, Rachelle Sattler of Two Harbors, Minn. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Fairview Missionary Church at Angola. Burial will be in Circle Hill Cemetery at Angola. Calling hours at Weicht Funeral Home in Angola will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to Reinhold Education Fund in care of Cheryl Reinhold.

Mildred A. Welch, 89
Funeral services for Mildred A. Welch, 89, of Hartford City, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Glancy Funeral Homes Walker Chapel in Montpelier. Mrs. Welch died at 5:50 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at Blackford County Hospital in Hartford City. Calling hours at the funeral chapel are today from 4 to 8 p.m. Mrs. Welch was a member of the Pleasantdale United Methodist Church and its Ladies Aid and a graduate of Goodboo School in Blackford County. She was born in Blackford County Dec. 10, 1911 to Scott and Margaret Cale Shannon. Her marriage on June 9, 1937 was to Ney E. Welch, who died Nov. 1, 1980. Surviving are a son, Terry Welch of Hartford City; a sister, Helen Buckland of Warren; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A sister is deceased. Rev. Robert Davis will officiate at services and burial will be in Hartford City Cemetery.

Colleen J. Beghtel, 73
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Roanoke for Colleen J. Beghtel, 73, who died Tuesday, Sept. 25, at her home in Roanoke. Calling hours are today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Roanoke Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery at Roanoke. Born in Hartford City, Mrs. Beghtel retired from Wayne Feeds in Fort Wayne. She was a past president of American Legion Post 160 Auxiliary at Roanoke. Surviving are her husband, George; a sister, Joyce Mickley Worster of Warren; and her parents, Ruth Schmidt and Harry Schmidt, both of Warren. Memorials to Christ United Methodist Church.

Patricia L. Sutherby, 64
Patricia L. Sutherby, 64, of rural Warren, died at 10:49 a.m. Saturday, Sept 29, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. A homemaker, she was the widow of David Sutherby, who died this past July 14. She had resided in the area since her marriage in 1963. Mrs. Sutherby was a member of the Mt. Hope Lutheran Church in Dearborn, Mich. She was born at Angola March 13, 1937 to Paul and Pauline Peters Homen. Her marriage to David Sutherby took place Nov. 26, 1963 in Lincoln Park, Ill. Mrs. Sutherby is survived by two sons, David Beers of Bluffton and Lance R. Sutherby of Warren; four daughters, Mrs. Terry (Roxanne) Christianson of Bluffton, Sherry Lou Sutherby of Huntington, Mrs. Don (Sherrie) Motes of Charksville, Tenn., and Crystal Henderson of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; a sister, Sue Jenkins of Fort Wayne; a brother, Richard P. Homen of Oakview, Calif; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Goodwin Memorial Chapel in Bluffton with Rev. Scott Meier officiating and burial will be in Six Mile Cemetery. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel are today from 2 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the family.

Myrl L. Fyson, 95
Myrl L. Fyson, 95, in ill health the past five weeks, died at 11 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at her rural Bluffton residence. She was a clerk at the former Burger Milk Store and was a member of the Prairie Church and a past president of the USFW Women’s Organization. Born in Huntington County, she had resided in Wells County since 1941. She was born Dec. 10, 1905 to Joseph D. and Arminda M. Smith Creviston. Her marriage at Huntington on Feb. 17, 1925 was to Ralph K. Fyson, who died April 20, 1986. Surviving are two grandsons, David Mason of Fort Wayne and Randy Mason of Bluffton; two granddaughters, Mrs. Marvin (Joyce) Crull of Poneto and Mrs. Cary (Judy) Stewart of Bluffton; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Larry (Betty) Arnold of Bluffton; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. A son, Carl, died in 1981. She was preceded in death by a sister and two brothers. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home with Pastor Lenny Springer officiating. Burial will be in Elm Grove Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday for one hour prior to services. Memorials to Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana or to Home Health Care.

Harmon D. Wiley, 85
Harmon D. Wiley, 85, a retired bank manager, died at 5:50 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at the United Methodist Home in Warren. He was a manager at Merchants National Bank Indianapolis before retiring in 1981. After retirement, he worked for 10 years in real estate for Meid Compton in Indianapolis. Mr. Wiley was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving from April 10, 1942 to Nov. 8, 1945. He was a graduate of Warren High School and Indiana University and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Warren and American Legion Post 34 in Indianapolis. He also enjoyed flying a Piper-Tri Pacer and a Mooney aircraft. Mr. Wiley was born in Huntington County March 11, 1916 to Fred R. and Ada Day Wiley. His marriage on Jan. 1, 1945 at Amboy was to Joan Lamb, who survives at Warren. Additional survivors are a son, Rex Wiley of Indianapolis; a sister, Jeri Daugherty of Marion; a brother, Richard Wiley of El Segundo, Calif.; and a granddaughter. A sister and four brothers are deceased. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel, in Warren, with Rev. John Bellante officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Warren. Calling hours at the funeral chapel will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the Eye Bank of Indianapolis.

William S. Bourne, 59
William S. Bourne, 59, who formerly worked for the Hickory Hills Golf Course in Bluffton, died Saturday afternoon, Sept. 29, at his rural Pennville residence following a long illness. He was a 1959 graduate of Pennville High School and a member of the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church and Sons of the American Legion, both in Hartford City, and the Moose Lodge in Portland. Mr. Bourne had lived in Hartford City from 1995 to 1998 before moving to the Pennville area. He was born in Portland Sept. 30, 1941, the son of Sanford and Cora Denney Bourne. His marriage on Dec. 17, 1995 was to Nancy L. Zelonis, who survives. Additional survivors are his parents, who reside in rural Pennville; a son, Tait Byrd of Bluffton; two daughters, Mrs. Tim (Melanie) Illig of Dallas, Texas, and Mrs. Jerry (Maria) Coleman of Portland; a sister, Mrs. Jim (Linda L.) Crockett of St. Louis, Mo.; and five grandchildren. Services at the Pennville Chapel of Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday with Pastor Dan Porter officiating. Burial will be in Brookside Cemetery at Montpelier. Calling hours are today from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Memorials to the Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana or to the Jay County Cancer Society.

Leslie J. ‘Bud’ Cargar, 86
A retired Rockcreek Township, Wells County, farmer, Leslie J. “Bud” Cargar, 86, died at 12:50 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the home of a daughter in Marion following an extended illness. Mr. Cargar, who formerly resided in Huntington, worked for many years at Caswell-Runyon and for Memcor, both in Huntington. He was a 1932 graduate of Rockcreek High School in Wells County and attended both the Trinity United Methodist Church in Marion and the Westview Wesleyan Church in Jonesboro. He was born Nov. 11, 1914 in Wells County, a son of Jesse R. and Elnora Burley Cargar. A first marriage on June 24, 1938 at Ludlow Falls, Ohio, was to Helen I. Eubank, who died June 7, 1969; his second marriage in Liberty Center on June 20, 1970 was to Edith Stickler, whose death occurred Sept. 9, 2000. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Gerald (Cheryl) Edris of Marion; a stepson, Larry Smith of Mooresville, Tenn.; three grandchildren and two stepgrandchildren. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel with Rev. Charles McCallum and Rev. Ermal Wilson officiating. Interment will be in Sparks Cemetery in Wells County. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel are today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the Grant County Cancer Society.

Linda ‘Kay’ Lassiter, 55
Formerly a resident of Ossian, Linda “Kay” Lassiter, 55, of Inverness, Fla., died Sept. 20 in Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness. She had moved from Ossian to Inverness in 1982. Mrs. Lassiter was born in DeFuniak Springs, Fla., a daughter of Alvis and Ella Lee Gillman. The mother survives and resides in Inverness. Surviving also are her husband, Wayne; a son, Keith A. Lassiter, a daughter, Sheila K. Lassiter, and a brother, Donald Gillman, all of Inverness; a sister, Barbara Cecil of Peninsula, Ohio; and a brother-in-law, James Lassiter of Ossian. A memorial service was held Sept. 25 at Heinz Funeral Home in Inverness. Memorials to Hospice of Citrus County, Fla., or to Key Training Center. Arrangements locally were handled by Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Homes Ossian Chapel.

Kenneth W. Saalfrank, 78
Father of Kathleen J. Brehm of Ossian, Kenneth W. Saalfrank, 78, of Fort Wayne, died Saturday, Sept. 29, at Riverbend Health Care Center at Fort Wayne. Born in Fort Wayne, he retired in 1984 as a lineloader from General Electric Co. after 42 1/2 years. Mr. Saalfrank was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Surviving, in addition to the daughter at Ossian, are his wife, Gwendolyn; a son, Douglas L. of Lawton, Okla; another daughter, Julie Obunger of Chandler, Ariz.; two sisters, Ruth Plummer and Lois Kokosa, both of For Wayne; a brother, Howard C. of Dearborn, Mich.; two stepsons, Jerry Pieper and Joseph Pieper, both of Fort Wayne; two stepdaughters, Judi Krider of Fort Wayne and Janet Leatherman of Avilla; three grandchildren; 16 stepgrandchildren; and 17 stepgreat-grandchildren. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church, 2313 South Hanna St., Fort Wayne, where calling hours will be for 90 minutes prior to services. Burial will be in Concordia Cemetery Gardens. Visitation hours also will be Wednesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Rd., Fort Wayne. Memorials to the church or to Turnstone Center for Disabled Children and Adults.

Ralph Edward Jacobs, 75
A retired U.S. mail carrier, Ralph Edward Jacobs, 75, of Ossian, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, at Ossian Health Care. Mr. Jacobs was a U.S. armed forces veteran, having served in both World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the Church of Christ at Markle and American Legion Post 111 at Bluffton. He was born in Centralia, Ill., Feb. 14, 1926. Surviving are his wife, Alice; two sons, Robin Jacobs of Wolf Lake and David Jacobs of Craigville; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A daughter, Susan Renea, is deceased. Services at 2 p.m. Saturday will be at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home in Ossian, where calling hours will be Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Horeb Cemetery near Uniondale. Memorials to Heartland Hospice.

Dean L. Landrum, 80
Dean L. Landrum, 80, of Wabash, formerly of Bippus, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Wabash County Hospital in Wabash. Mr. Landrum retired in 1983 after 54 years as a farmer. During that time he also worked at Bippus Farm Supply for more than 20 years. He spent 22 years, from 1977 to 1999, during the winter months, in Tucson, Ariz. He was a 1939 graduate of Lancaster High School in Huntington County and was a member of the St. John’s United Church of Christ and the Bippus Lions Club. Mr. Landrum was born in Huntington County Aug. 12, 1921 to Raymond and Lilly Burnworth Landrum. His marriage in Huntington County on Dec. 23, 1945 was Beulah M. Colclesser, who survives. Additional survivors are a son, Gerald of North Manchester; a daughter, Mrs. Bill (Janet) Cantrell of Wabash; three brothers, Paul of Huntington, Wayne of Old Town, Fla., and Myron of Warren; a sister, Mary Louise Rich of Huntington; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A sister and a grandson are deceased. Services at 2 p.m. Saturday will be at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel with Rev. William Hainstock officiating. Interment will be in Shock Cemetery in Huntington County. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the St. John’s United Church of Christ.

Richard ‘Roy’ Fields, 99
Richard “Roy” Fields, 99, a retired farmer, school bus driver and seed salesman, died at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at Swiss Village in Berne. In addition to farming, Mr. Fields was a bus driver for Hartford Schools for 20 years, and a salesman for Funks G Seeds and Swift Fertilizer Co. He was a former member of the Adams County Farm Bureau. He was born in Adams County Feb. 11, 1902 to David and Lucinda Snyder Fields. His marriage in Adams County on Feb. 9, 1922 was to J. Nema Runyon, who died in 1992. Surviving are a daughter, Jean “Norma Jean” Aspy of Bryant; three sons, Robert of St. Louis Park, Minn., David of Gaston, and Richard of Geneva; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Two brothers and two sisters are deceased. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home in Berne with Rev. Randall Luther officiating. Burial will be in Alberson Cemetery at Linn Grove. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until time for services. Memorials to Swiss Village, to Cross United Church of Christ Assistance Fund or to Adams County Community Foundation’s Heart Fund.

Gladys A. Becker, 99
Gladys A. Becker, 99, of Markle, died at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26 at the Markle Health Care Center. Mrs. Becker worked as a receptionist/clerk for 25 years at the Markle Drug Store. She attended the United Methodist Church at Markle. She was born in Markle Aug. 4, 1902, a daughter of Douglas and Lillian Kelsey Lesh. Surviving are a sister, Hilda Lesh of Fort Wayne, and two nephews, Douglas LeMaster of Howe and Charles LeMaster of Fort Wayne. A sister, Lucille LeMaster, and a nephew are deceased. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Myers Funeral Home Markle Chapel and interment will be in Horeb Cemetery near Uniondale. Visitation hours at the funeral chapel will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials to the Markle Park Foundation or to the Markle United Methodist Church.

Mildred A. Welch, 89 -- Rites Pending
Mildred A. Welch, 89, of Hartford City, died at 5:50 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Blackford County Hospital in Hartford City. Arrangements are pending at Glancy Funeral Homes Walker Chapel at Montpelier.