All Obituaries

Essie Jean Johnson, age 78, of Howe, IN passed away peacefully on Friday, March 3, 2023 at her residence.  Mrs. Johnson was born on June 16, 1944 in Bevinsville, KY to Cann Bates and Mary Jane (Mullins) Nemore.  On December 22, 1961, Essie married Tommy Johnson in Kentucky.  Essie worked as a machine operator at CTS in Middlebury, IN for 9 years.  Prior to CTS, she was employed by Brighton Mushroom Farm near Howe, IN.  Essie loved tending to her garden, flowers, and...

Betty Jo Carney, age 77, of Howe, IN passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, IN.  She was born on December 2, 1945 in Wolf Lake, IN to Harold and Mildred (Butts) Gard.  After High School, she married Jon Carney on December 6, 1963 in LaGrange, IN.  Betty was cafeteria manager for 35 years at Parkside Elementary School in LaGrange.  Betty loved cooking, eating, and going to dinner with her spouse.  She always had her...

Gerald Thomas Martin, age 68 of Howe, IN passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at his residence.  Mr. Martin was born on September 3, 1954 in South Bend, IN to Gerald Francis and Beverly Mildred (Longacre) Martin.  He graduated from Penn High School in Mishawaka, IN.  Gerald served his country honorably with the United States Marines.  He worked as a supervisor for 9 years at Kirsch Manufacturing.  He also was previously employed at Dodge Manufacturing for nearly 6...

James Thomas Springer, age 81, of Sturgis, MI formerly of LaGrange, IN passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023 at Parkview Randallia Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN.  Mr. Springer was born on June 8, 1941 in Morehead, KY to George W. and Lida Mae (Pendland) Springer.  Jim attended High School in Flemingsburg, KY and then served his country honorably with the United States Army.  For nearly 20 years, Jim worked as a driver and salesman for AB Abrasives in Sturgis, MI.  Jim was...

Dolpha Gayheart, age 74, of Howe, IN passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at his residence.  Mr. Gayheart was born on May 23, 1948 in Martin, KY to Reford and Dove (Blevins) Gayheart.  Dolpha loved to help people and had a pure heart of gold.  He enjoyed yard work, house work, and making trips to the mailbox.  Dolpha was known for his caring and genuine intentions and will be missed by those who loved him.   Survivors include: Sister, Esta Moore of Howe,...

Nancy Ruth (Hart) Billman, age 75, of LaGrange, IN passed away on Friday, February 3, 2023 at The Waters of LaGrange.  Mrs. Billman was born on November 19, 1947 in Sturgis, MI to Fred W. and Golda I. (Marchand) Hart.  Illness and physical affliction were well known to her especially in her early youth.  All her life, she was indebted to the friends, who encouraged her parents and assisted them in her admission to the Shriners’ Crippled Children’s Hospital in...

Estill Alfred Johnson, age 60, of Whitehouse, OH passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Blue Creek Healthcare in Whitehouse, OH.  Mr. Johnson was born on April 5, 1962 in Tampa, FL to Alfred Johnson and Diane VanHorn.  Estill graduated from Bronson High School in Bronson, MI and later attended college in Kalamazoo where he majored in Nursing.  Mr. Johnson served his country honorably with the United States Army as a medic.  Estill was a...

Rhonda J. O’Brian (Pranger) age 67 of Wolcottville, IN passed away peacefully at her residence surrounded by her loving family.  Rhonda was born on December 22, 1955 to Richard and Alice Pranger who preceded her in death.  Rhonda is survived by her husband of 40 years, Richard “Doc” O’Brian, her sisters; Rosanne Good, Rita (Doug) Sutton, Reinette Arbogast, Rochelle Pranger, and Randi (Glen) Turner, brothers; Rex (Sue) Pranger, Rod (Chris) Pranger, Reed...

Shawn Charles Denny, age 40, of LaGrange, IN passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at his residence.  Mr. Denny was born on June 23, 1982 in Framingham, MA. In 2000, he graduated from Lakeland High School in LaGrange, IN.  He then continued his education at Tri-State University in Angola, IN.  Shawn served his country honorably with the United States Army National Guard during Operation Iraqi Freedom for 8 years in active duty.  He was formerly employed by Lake Park...

Jody K. Green, age 62, of Elkhart, IN passed away on December 13, 2022 at Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart, IN.  Mr. Green was born on January 17, 1960 in Kendallville, IN to James Ray and Betty Lou (Ritter) Green.  He graduated from East Noble High School in Kendallville, IN.  He worked as a fabricator for Double T Manufacturing in Elkhart, IN.  Jody enjoyed cooking and fishing.  He was an animal enthusiast and loved cats and dogs.     Survivors...