Obituaries

Santos Reyes

Jun 8, 2021

Santos Reyes, age 73, of Angola, IN passed away on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, IN.  Mr. Reyes was born on October 20, 1948 in Michoacan, Mexico to Cipriano Reyes and Estefana Anicua.  He completed his education in Mexico and then married his wife of 49 years, Procora Garcia.  Santos worked in...

Ruth Arlene (Gant) Crocker

Jun 7, 2021

Ruth Arlene Crocker, age 85, of LaGrange, IN formerly of Wolcottville, IN passed away on June 7, 2021, at her residence.  She was born on May 19, 1936, to Edward SR. and Mary (Frazier) Gant.  She married her husband of 40 years Tom Crocker.  Ruth worked in hotel management for Elkhart Motor Lodge.  She also worked as a dedicated...

Debra C. (Chapman) Smith

May 30, 2021

Debra C. Smith, age 65, of Middlebury, IN passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange, IN.  Mrs. Smith was born on June 6, 1955 in LaGrange, IN to Charles and Ida Kate (Ashbrook) Chapman.  Deb graduated from Burr Oak High School in Burr Oak, MI.   On June 2, 1984, she married Willard Van...

Gerald L. Hart Sr.

May 27, 2021

Gerald L. Hart Sr., 76, of Shipshewana, IN passed away on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, IN.  Mr. Hart was born on April 16, 1945 in Goshen, IN to Daniel and Clara (Kaiser) Hart.  In 1949, he went to live with his foster parents Alvin and Lizzie Meyers.  He graduated from Brighton...

Harold "Bruce" Sheehan

May 22, 2021

Harold Bruce Sheehan, 84, of Wolcottville, In. passed away May 22,  2021 at Parkview Regional Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Bruce was born April 28, 1937 to Harold and Margaret (Gepfert)  Sheehan. He graduated from Fort Wayne North Side High School, class  of 1955. He lettered in football, his favorite sport, and continued  meeting with high school friends...

Samuel "Sam" C Ringler

May 12, 2021

Samuel C. Ringler, age 77, of Howe, IN passed away on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at his residence surrounded by his family.  Mr. Ringler was born on June 11, 1943 to Chancy and Juanita Ringler.  On October 4, 1964, he married the love of his life Sharon M. Dunkle.  Sam worked for Morgan Olson for 20 years in Metal...

Gary D. Porter

May 12, 2021

Gary D. Porter, age 56, of Stroh, IN passed away on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at his residence.  Mr. Porter was born on March 17, 1965 in Garrett, IN.  He graduated from Prairie Heights High School.  Gary worked in production at Angola Wire Products for 29 years.  He was an Oldsmobile 442 and car enthusiast.  Gary enjoyed his solitude...

Douglas Randal Martin

May 10, 2021

Douglas "Doodle" Randal Martin, age 32, of LaGrange, IN passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, IN.  Mr. Martin was born on August 24, 1988 in Cleveland, OH to Daniel Raymond Martin and Lyn (Stemmerich) Miller.  Doug graduated from West Noble High School in Ligonier, IN.  He was employed at Red...

Robert E. Norris

May 10, 2021

Robert E. Norris, age 82, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Monday, May 10, 2021 at Northridge Village in Albion, IN.  Mr. Norris was born on September 14, 1939 in LaGrange, IN to the late Walter Mehl and Barbara A. (Gohn) Norris.  He graduated from Brighton High School in LaGrange County.  On December 22, 1957,...

Sherron Joyce (Yax) Bell

May 10, 2021

Sherron Joyce Bell, age 82, of LaGrange, IN passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.  Ms. Bell was born on April 10, 1939 in Ann Arbor, MI to Elwyn and Bernadine (Hutchinson) Yax.  In 1955, she graduated from Ann Arbor High School.  She continued her education at the University of Michigan. ...

Phillip "Phil" Duane Stewart

May 1, 2021

Phillip "Phil" Duane Stewart, age 84, of LaGrange, IN passed away peacefully at his residence.  Mr. Stewart was born on November 24, 1936 in LaGrange, IN to Orville Earl and Rose Ilean (Witham) Stewart.  Phil attended LaGrange High School.  On June 7, 1958, he married his wife of 62 years Sharon M. Adams in Stroh, IN.  Phil worked in...

Mary "Granny" Elizabeth (Delaughter) Speicher

Apr 30, 2021

Mary "Granny" Elizabeth Speicher, age 72, of LaGrange, IN passed away on Friday, April 30, 2021 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.  Mrs. Speicher was born on April 25, 1950 in Richmond, IN to William "Bill" and Bessie (Baughman) DeLaughter.  In 1968, she graduated from Crown Point High School in Crown Point, IN.  She continued her education...

Sarah Jane (Baird) Ritchie

Apr 23, 2021

Sarah "Jane" Ritchie, age 63, of Hamilton, IN passed away on Friday, April 23, 2021 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN.  Mrs. Ritchie was born on December 24, 1957 in LaGrange, IN to Donald and Velma (Hileman) Baird.  She graduated from Lakeland High School in LaGrange.  On July 4, 1975, she married Donald L. Ritchie in LaGrange.  Jane...

Thomas James Soper

Apr 17, 2021

Long time distance runner Tom Soper broke from the starting line for his ultimate run on Saturday, April 17, 2021.  That the course is an out-and-back, a loop, or a point-to-point is not known at this time.  However, Tom told his support crew captained by his wife (and girlfriend forever) Lucy Ann Zimmerman that he had trained to stay...

Infant Wingard

Apr 16, 2021

Infant Wingard was born sleeping on Friday, April 16, 2021 at Parkview Hospital in LaGrange, IN.   Infant Wingard is survived by both parents, Larry and Marilyn Wingard of Middlebury, IN.

Private family services will be held.

Arrangements and care trusted to Hess Funeral Home and Cremation Services of LaGrange, IN.

Betty Lou Poirier

Apr 8, 2021

Betty Lou Poirier, age 70, of LaGrange, IN passed away on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at her residence.

There are no services scheduled at this time.

Arrangements and care trusted to Hess Funeral Home and Cremation Services of LaGrange, IN.

Larry D. Monroe

Mar 30, 2021

Larry "Shag" D. Monroe, age 83, of Ossian, IN formerly of LaGrange, IN passed away on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Bluffton Regional Hospital in Bluffton, IN.   Mr. Monroe was born on April 5, 1937 in Sturgis, MI to Charles and Faye Monroe.  Larry graduated from Sturgis High School in Sturgis, MI.  In May of 1991, he married Judith...

Lance O. Bergmann

Mar 26, 2021

Lance O. Bergmann, age 80, of LaGrange, IN passed away on Friday, March 26, 2021 at his residence.  Mr. Bergmann was born on November 3, 1940 in Binghamton, NY to Stanley Kolacowski and Eleanor (Stewart) Bergmann.  In 1961, he graduated from Binghamton North High School in Binghamton, NY.  Lance continued his education and obtained an Associate's Degree from Glen...

Irene C. (Szalay) Johnson

Mar 25, 2021

Irene C. Johnson, age 90, of LaGrange, IN passed away on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at her residence.  Ms. Johnson was born on April 8, 1930 in South Bend, IN to Joseph Peter and Emily Margaret (Kittell) Szalay.  She was employed at Vahala Foam in Shipshewana for 23 years.  During her employment, she wore several hats including, saw operator,...

Catherine B. (Laba) Ward

Mar 19, 2021

Catherine B. Ward, age 85, of Fort Wayne, IN passed away on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Visiting Nurse Hospice Home in Fort Wayne, IN.  Ms. Ward was born on May 7, 1935 in Flint, MI to the late Charles L. and Florence (McLaughlin) LaBa.  She graduated from Southside High School in Fort Wayne.  On June 11, 1955, she...