Rieth Rohrer Ehret Funeral Home, Goshen, is handling arrangements.
Bonnie Sue (Cox) Hall, 78, Claypool, passed away Feb. 24, 2022. She was born Jan. 27, 1944. She married Kenneth L. Hall Jr. who preceded her in death.
Bonnie is survived by her two children, Tina Hall of Claypool; Kenneth Hall of Warsaw; three grandchildren: Aaron (Lisa) Keffer of Claypool; Cassandra Hall (Fiancé Nick Hillman) of Fort Wayne; Daniel A Hall of Leesburg; and two great grandchildren, Claire Crovo and Bentley Hillman .
Arrangements were entrusted to Heritage Funeral and Cremation Services, Warsaw.
Michael E. Williams, 69, Claypool, passed away Saturday, April 2, 2022, at Parkview Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Arrangements are pending at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel.
To Sign the Guestbook or Send a Condolence go to www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
Michael Williams
Michael “Mike” E. Williams, 69, Claypool, passed away unexpectedly April 2, 2022, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.
Born Aug. 21, 1952, in Warsaw, to Ivory Williams and Julia Mae (Hopkins) Williams.
He attended North Manchester High School. Mike proudly served his country in the US Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. He received the National Defense Service Medal.
After he arrived home from the service, he went to work for Calhoun Lumber as a truck driver with 12 years of service. He went on to work for Dana and retired from there. Mike was a NASCAR fan. He loved country music and was a hopeless romantic, writing several poems to loved ones.
He is survived by friends Joe and Teresa Calhoun, Kara Calhoun, and a sister Tina Nelson.
He was preceded in passing by his parents, Ivory Williams and Julia Mae Williams, and two brothers, Rick Lee Williams and Richard Williams.
A visitation with friends and family will be held 1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. All other services are private.
Memorials can be made to: New Hope Pet Rescue 72555 Co Rd 29, Syracuse, IN 46567
To Sign the Guestbook or Send a Condolence go to www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
Michael “Mike” E. Williams, 69, Claypool, died April 2, 2022.
He was born Aug. 21, 1952.
He is survived by friends Joe and Teresa Calhoun, Kara Calhoun, and a sister Tina Nelson.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel handled the arrangements.
Dolores M. Gish, 91, Claypool, passed away April 16, 2022, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Dolores was born Jan. 29, 1931.
When Dolores was twenty-one, she married Orvel M. Gish on July 6, 1952. He preceded her.
The loving memory of Dolores Gish will be forever cherished by her son, Michael (Teresa) Gish, South Carolina; daughters, Diane (Larry) Cripe, North Manchester; and Phyllis (James) Flory, Lawrence, Kan.; ten grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren.
McKee Mortuary is in charge of final arrangements.
Neal Patrick Smythe, 49, rural Claypool, passed unexpectedly Sunday, April 17, 2022, at his sister’s residence.
Neal was born on Sept. 6, 1972, in Warsaw, to David and Rainelle (Davis) Smythe. Neal married on Feb. 14, 2010, to Elizabeth Francis in Gatlinburg, Tenn., she survives.
He was a graduate of Tippecanoe Valley High School in 1991. He then graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Teaching. During high school and college he worked part-time for Ace Hardware of Mentone and Da-lite Screen and Union Tool of Warsaw. After college he began working for R.R. Donnelley & Sons. Currently, he has been with the company for over 25 years, and most recently serving as a cylinder maker.
He loved all sports. He enjoyed golfing and all types of racing. Neal visited every NASCAR track, with the exception of Las Vegas. Since his childhood he was a fan of North Carolina Tar Heels basketball. He also became fond of the Miami Dolphins and had a Dan Marino autograph he cherished. He maintained a lot of lifelong friendships. He was a loving man and cared for his family.
He is survived by his wife Liz Smythe of Mentone; daughters: Kiera of Tippecanoe; and Grace of Mentone, mother, Rainelle and husband Terry Dowell of Mentone; father, David and wife Sandra Smythe of Tippecanoe; brother Skip and wife Kelly Smythe of Warsaw; sister, Keri Glennie of Claypool; niece and nephews Paige, Mason, Tanner, and Chase; and paternal grandmother Gertrude Smythe.
Neal was preceded in death by his special step father Dennis R. Overmeyer, maternal grandparents Richard “Dutch” and E. Joan Davis, and paternal grandfather Harrold Smythe.
A graveside service will take place at noon, Thursday, April 21, in the Palestine Cemetery, Palestine, with Pastor Butch Troke officiating.
A celebration of his life will also take place at a later date.
The arrangements have been entrusted to King Memorial Home 101 North Tucker Street Mentone.
Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the Beaver Dam United Methodist Church/Wheels on Fire.
Share a Memory or send an Online Condolence at: www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com
David Everly, 58, passed away unexpectedly at his residence in Claypool on April 23, 2022.
Titus Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Warsaw, is handling arrangements.
Lyle J. Metzger, 83, Claypool, died Friday, Aug. 27, 2021.
He was born Jan. 14, 1938.
Lyle is survived by his wife, Alice Feck Metzger and his beloved daughters; Wende (Patrick) Corcoran, JoDeane (Carl) Knowles; one granddaughter; four great-grandchildren; sister, Norma Kirkwood; and brother, Leroy (Ruby) Metzger.
Arrangements handled by Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw.
Donald Eugene “Don” Shively, 100, Claypool, died at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022.
Don was born March 6, 1922.
He married Frances Arlene “Fran” Neff Feb. 14, 1944.
Don is survived by three sons; Dave (Sherry), John (Peggy) and Tom (Gail) Shively, all of Claypool; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements handled by Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw.
Lyle Metzger
Lyle J. Metzger, 83, Claypool, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021.
He was born on Jan. 14, 1938 in Claypool, to Joseph and Mamie (Yonts) Metzger.
Lyle graduated from Silver Lake High School, Silver Lake, in the class of 1956. He joined the Army after high school, where he contracted polio. After fighting and winning an 18-month polio battle, he went on to work at Miller & Sons, Wholesale Electric Company, Ace Hardware and then on to one of his favorite passions (cars), selling automobiles at Munson’s Chevrolet. However, his main occupation was selling insurance at C.V. Yeager and then went on to start his own independent insurance business.
Lyle was the “energy” in the room and his liveliness was infectious. He was the dad that made sure he had the “fun house” in the neighborhood by pulling everyone around on Halloween in a hay cart, building snow ramps on the hill for sledding and clearing out the furniture in the family room for dance parties.
Lyle had a passion for classic Coke machines and classic cars and restored many of them over the years, winning two garages full of trophies at numerous car shows, including a special invitation from DisneyWorld to participate in a classic car parade. He loved his family, dancing, the outdoors, swimming, fishing, boating, mushroom hunting, making his famous “mush and eggs” for breakfast, spending time with his “buddies” and did someone say ’50s music? Lyle loved to play it in his cars, dance to it anywhere and reminisce about the “good ol’ days” while it played.
Lyle lived life to the fullest, and as one song says, he “owned every second that this world could give” and with every challenge life threw his way, he survived and found passion in his hobbies and joy in people.
Lyle is survived by his adored wife, Alice Feck Metzger; his beloved daughters, Wende (Patrick) Corcoran, JoDeane (Carl) Knowles; a sister, Norma Kirkwood; a brother, Leroy (Ruby); a granddaughter, Eileen Knowles (Scott) Nicola; and four great-grandchildren, Mason, Jackson, Dalton and Cameron.
He had one brother, Harold (Pauline) Metzger; he proceeded him in death.
A celebration of life open house service will be held in Lyle’s honor 1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2022, at the Robin Hood Community Center, 1436 Camelot Drive, Winona Lake. A private family graveside service will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022, where he will be laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery, Claypool.
If you would like to make a memorial contribution in Lyle’s name, the family request donations be made to one of his favorite causes, the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kan., 66675.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at Redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
Donald Shively
Donald Eugene “Don” Shively, 100, Claypool, died at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Warsaw.
Shively was born March 6, 1922, the son of Ernest and Hazel (Ellis) Shively. He was a 1940 graduate of Claypool High School.
He married Frances Arlene “Fran” Neff Feb. 14, 1944, at San Louis Obispo, Calif. He was a lifetime resident of the Claypool area.
He served in the United States Army from 1942–1946, spending the majority of his service in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. His loyal service earned him several promotions. Upon his discharge from service, Shively was offered a contract by scouts of the Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Club but turned it down to be with Fran and raise their family.
Don was employed for more than 30 years by the Standard Oil Company, delivering gas and oil to area residents and farmers. He was known to be dependable, honest and reliable in serving his customers. He later worked for Schrader’s Automotive in Warsaw, LaSuer Industries of Claypool and enjoyed delivering buses for Kerlin Bus Sales in Silver Lake. Don was a member of the Claypool United Methodist Church, spent hundreds of afternoons at Wrigley Field in Chicago and was a devoted fan to the Claypool Knights and Warsaw Tigers Basketball teams.
A special moment in his latter years occurred when Don was honored as a World War II veteran on the field at Wrigley prior to a Cubs game in August of 2019. The Cubs organization, and in particular Joe Maddon, were very appreciative of Don for his service.
Don could be seen, even at the age of 99, mowing his lawn on the property west of Claypool.
Don is survived by three sons, Dave (Sherry), John (Peggy) and Tom (Gail) Shively, all of Claypool; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by wife, Fran Shively; his parents; and five siblings: Merle, Albert “Ab,” Pauline Lowery, Irene Davis and Jeanette Sadler.
Titus Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. A graveside service with military honors will be held at noon Saturday, May 14, in Claypool’s Graceland Cemetery. Following the graveside, a memorial service will be held at Claypool United Methodist Church, 302 E. Section St., Claypool. A time of gathering and fellowship will take place after the memorial service.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Claypool U.M.C, Claypool. Written condolences may be left for the family at www.TitusFuneralHome.com
William Shepherd, 74, Claypool, died Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.
He was born March 27, 1948.
He is survived by his children, Suzie (Charlie) Bloom and Jason Shepherd; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Barb, Tammy and Pat.
Arrangements handled by Titus Funeral Home.
Geraldine “Gerry” Manns, Claypool, went home to be with her Lord and Savior at 1:08 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Mason Health Care Center in Warsaw at the age of 89.
She was born on Aug. 25, 1932, in Half Mountain, Salyersville, Ky., to Slyvania (Wireman) Miller and Jake Miller. On May 10, 1949, in Magoffin County, Ky., Gerry married Eugene “Gene” Manns. They shared a lifetime of memories throughout their 68 years of marriage together before he passed away on Nov. 20, 2017.
Geraldine ‘Gerry’ Manns
Gerry was always at her husband’s side as a helpful farmer’s wife and homemaker. She also worked for 17 years for Kimble Glass in Warsaw, but her favorite job was simply being Mom, then Grandma.
She will be remembered for the wonderful pies she loved to bake. She loved to read and enjoyed her word searches. Gerry was always up for a road trip and loved to travel. She especially loved her shopping trips to Shipshewana with her sister-in-law, Irene.
Gerry enjoyed the fellowship of her church family for 30 years at Pentecostal Lighthouse Church in Warsaw and as a member of Living Hope Ministries in Warsaw for 17 years. For the past five years, she was a member of New Beginnings Church and World Outreach in Warsaw. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many. She will be dearly missed.
Gerry leaves behind two daughters, Diana (Dennis) Yoder, Warsaw, and Janet (Pastor Ronnie) Patrick, Claypool; and her son, Ronald Manns, Akron. Also surviving are eight grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; sister Shelby (Jim) Reed, Winamac; brother Jake Miller Jr., Pennsylvania; two sisters-in-law, Della Leckrone, Warsaw, and Irene Manns, Warsaw; and her brother-in-law, Duane Spangle, Claypool.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter Patricia Ann Manns; five sisters; and three brothers.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. Gerry’s life will be celebrated with a funeral service at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home officiated by Pastor Ronnie Patrick. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in North Manchester.
Memorial gifts may be made to New Beginnings Church and World Outreach, P.O. Box 913, Warsaw, Indiana 46581, and would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
John F. Williamson, of Claypool, died on Friday, June 3, 2022, at Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw.
Funeral arrangements are pending with McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.
John Williamson
John F. Williamson, 78, Claypool, died peacefully Friday, June 3, 2022. He was born April 2, 1944, in Moline, Illinois, to Hugh Sydney and Elizabeth (Farrell) Williamson.
John was preceded in death by his parents and also his brother, Paul Williamson. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Williamson, and his English family, Wendy, Alan, Mam and Jill, whom he visited often.
John spent two years with the 101st Ordnance Battalion. He worked in hotel liquidation and retail sales until his retirement; he then started working for Cardinal Center where he fell in love with the clients at Glad Street. On April 16, 1989, John married his best friend, Carolyn Little. They lived in Virginia and after a few months moved back to Indiana.
John loved classic cars and Lincolns; he attended the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival for many years. He also enjoyed reading biographies and architectural magazines. A special highlight was his reconnecting with childhood friends after 52 years. John loved his cats and had a special love for his rescue dogs. John will be missed by his many friends.
Cremation was arranged through McHatton Sadler Funeral Chapel, 2290 Provident Court. There are no services scheduled. The family’s preferred memorial is the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County. Donations can be made online at www.awlwarsaw.com or by mail at 1048 South 325E, Pierceton, IN 46562. To share a remembrance of John or to offer condolences to his family, please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
Octavia Eilee Licata
Octavia Eileen Licata, the beautiful daughter of Heather Nicole (Collier) and Caleb Ryan Licata of Claypool, was born on May 14, 2022, in Columbia City.
She was dearly loved, hugged, kissed and held for all of the days she brought joy into the hearts of her family for the past three weeks. Sadly, she passed away at 1:50 a.m. Thursday, June 9, 2022, at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. She wasn’t long for this world and she left a huge footprint on the hearts of those who are left behind. Octavia was a gift from God whose memory will be forever cherished.
She will be lovingly remembered by her parents, Heather Nicole (Collier) and Caleb Ryan Licata, and her three big brothers, Mason, Spencer and Declan. Also surviving are her grandparents, Mark Collier, Pierceton and Steve and Jenni Licata, Gastonia, N.C.; great-grandmothers, Dolores Sturgis, Warsaw and Gertrude Dunham, Gastonia, N.C; two aunts, Michelle (Austin) Salesman, South Whitley and Alicia (Michael) Evans, Pierceton; and three uncles, Matt Licata, Gastonia, N.C., Josh (Rose) Licata, Madison, N. J. and Alex Licata, Guam.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Pam Collier in 1994, great-grandparents, Charles and Valda Collier, and her uncle Lane Collier in 2020.
Octavia’s family will mourn her passing privately with a graveside service at Hillcrest Cemetery in Pierceton, officiated by Pastor Bud Winstead. Thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.
Eleanor “Ellie” Bailey
Eleanor M. “Ellie” Bailey, 81, Akron, died at 3:29 p.m., Monday, June 27, 2022, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Warsaw.
Ellie was born May 29, 1941, in Allegan County, Michigan, to the late Lonnie and Elizabeth (Stine) Hopkins.
She owned and operated The Den, Akron, for over 40 years. Ellie’s life was her work. She always enjoyed being around her family and going to gatherings, especially family reunions in Michigan.
She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Harshman, Claypool, Karin (Chuck) Fowler, Richland Center, Barb (Terry) Heisler, Claypool and Linda Fetrow, Pierceton; son, Rob (Stacy) Bailey, Greeley, Colo.; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; a sister, Lorraine Thompson, LaFontaine; and a brother, Dwayne Hopkins, Wabash.
Ellie was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Catherin; a granddaughter, Caitlin Heisler; and sisters, Linda Kelly, Sandra Mitchell and Reta Bahney.
Memorial visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron.
A private interment will take place in the Akron Cemetery, Akron.
Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to the Fulton County Animal Adoption And Education Center 1540 N Wentzel St., Rochester, IN 46975 or to the Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.
Peggy D. (Baker) Workman, 90, North Manchester, died June 28, 2022, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.
She was born Aug. 7, 1931.
She married Richard ‘Dick’ Workman on June 8, 1952; he preceded her in death.
She is survived by her son, Kyle (Teri) Workman, Claypool; daughters, Kathy (Stanley) Singpiel, Wabash and Kim (William) McKenzie, North Manchester; brothers, Buford Baker, North Manchester and James Baker, North Manchester; sisters, Judy (Dennis) Carlson, Middlebury, Linda (Michael) Sumpter, Warsaw and Debbie Gay, Columbia City; eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
McKee Mortuary Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
George Herman Schuster, 91, formerly of Claypool, passed away at 8:36 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at Miller’s Merry Manor of Warsaw.
He was born Jan. 16, 1931, in Gary, to Edna (Theil) and John Schuster. He was lovingly raised by his Aunt and Uncle, Ruth and William Schuster. He married the love of his life and best friend, Eileen Edith Jaeger, Feb. 1, 1956. They were blessed with three children and experienced the joy of becoming grandparents throughout their 66 years of marriage together before he passed away.
George graduated from Horace Mann High School in Gary in 1949 and then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Dec. 29, 1950. He proudly served until his honorable discharge Dec. 1, 1954, as a Korean War Veteran. He later attended Ball State, Purdue and Tri State and earned his associate degree. George worked in his family business, Schuster Sheet Metal, for many years prior to working for Lyon Metal in Aurora, Ill. He was the facilities engineer at Lyon Metal and was a reliable hardworking employee and retired in 1994.
George was a member of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Auxiliary in Illinois. He loved traveling, bowling, crossword puzzles, crafts and of course, he enjoyed teasing everyone. George was a big-hearted man who loved his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be dearly missed.
He leaves behind his wife, Eileen Edith Schuster, Claypoo; son, William (Theresa) Schuster, Claypool; two daughters, Ruth Carpenter, Claypool, and Lynda Schuster, Warsaw. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Megan (Tim) Snodgrass, Bryanna (Matt) Sullenger, Dylan Carpenter, Trevor Callahan, Michael Schuster, Parker Kelley; three great-grandchildren, Lucas, Bailey and Lincoln; and his brother, John Schuster.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, two sisters and two great-grandchildren.
George’s life will be celebrated by the family with a private graveside service at a later date at Cleveland Township Cemetery in South Whitley.
Arrangements handled by Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
