Ernest Keaton, 51, Nappanee, died at 10:11 p.m. Friday, April 7, 2023, at his residence. He was born Feb. 10, 1972. He is survived by his daughter, Sierra (Jon) McGowen, Elkhart; mother, Shirley Hunt, Nappanee; father, Earnest (Leann) Keaton Sr., Plymouth; and sister, Norma (Toby) Yoder, Nappanee. Thompson-Lengacher … Read More
↧
Earnest Keaton
↧
Catherine Hochstetler
Catherine Hochstetler, 93, Nappanee, died at 2:15 a.m. Sunday, April 9, 2023, at Signature Healthcare, Bremen.
She was born April 13, 1929. On March 16, 1950, she married Menno J. Hochstetler, who preceded her in death in 2017.
She is survived by her children, Clara Ulloa, Bremen, Harold Hochstetler, Bremen, Larry Hochstetler, Nappanee, Alan (Jeanne) Hochstetler, Bourbon, Marrietta (Charlie) Mullet, Nappanee, and Ruth (Jerry) Poole, Sarasota, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Helen Hochstetler, Goshen.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
↧
David A. Odiorne
David A. Odiorne, 80, Wakarusa, died at 12:16 a.m. Saturday, April 8, 2023, at his residence.
He was born Dec. 7, 1942. On Dec. 27, 1985, he married Cyndra “Cindy” Stutzman, who survives.
He also is survived by his sons, Doug Odiorne, Goshen, Derek (Jennifer) Odiorne, Wakarusa, and Brok (Emily) Odiorne, Wakarusa; six grandchildren; a great-grandchild on the way; and sister, Joyce Pack.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Wakarusa, is handling arrangements.
↧
Homer Eugene Schmucker
Homer Eugene Schmucker, 83, Milford, died at 2:04 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Elkhart General Hospital.
He was born Oct. 14, 1939. On June 30, 1961, he married Karen Erb, who survives.
He also is survived by his children, Rod (Norma) Schmucker, Los Fresno, Texas, Tim Schmucker, Albion, Lorraine Cole, Lyons, Ill., Lisa (Brian) Showalter, Tucson, Ariz., and Nancy Schmucker, Etna Green; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and siblings, Raymond Schmucker, Farmville, Va., Esther Miller, Millersburg, Oscar (Laura) Schmucker Jr., Nappanee, Vera (Ola) Yoder, Nappanee, Lamar (Lois) Schmucker, Ligonier, and Gary (Susan) Schmucker, Nappanee.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
Donna June Miller
Donna June Miller, 70, Tippecanoe, died at 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at her residence.
She was born Nov. 21, 1952. On March 1, 1974, she married Gary Miller, who survives.
She also is survived by a son, Shane (Shanda) Miller, Etna Green; and two sisters, Jeanie Parker, Nappanee, and Jane Combs, Jackson, Ohio.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
↧
Craig Peter Higley
Craig Peter Higley, 68, Nappanee, died at 10:26 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at home.
He was born Oct. 1, 1954. On July 28, 1979, he married Paula Inks, who survives.
He also is survived by four children, Jamie Holloway, California, Rachel Inks, South Bend, David (Jennifer) Higley, Lakeville, and Katie (Brandon) Lawson, White Lake, Mich.; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and four siblings, Dana Higley, Three Rivers, Mich., Deborah (Denny) Engel, Cassopolis, Mich., Susan (Jack) Rhinehart, Edwardsburg, Mich., and Jane (Bruce) McCrory, Elkhart.
Thompson Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
Lora Mae Yoder
Lora Mae Yoder, 71, Nappanee, died at 2 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2023, at home.
She was born Nov. 27, 1951.
She is survived by three sisters, Etta Fern (Henry) Bontrager, Topeka, Eva Miller, Nappanee, and Sue (Arlen) Miller, Nappanee; and two brothers, Lyle D. (Kathryn) Yoder, Nappanee, and Dr. Harley W. (Dr. Starla Graber) Yoder, Elkhart.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
Bryan J. Culp
Bryan J. Culp, 65, Wakarusa, died at 2:31 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Elkhart General Hospital.
He was born Feb. 9, 1958. In August 1977, he married Beverly Fisher, who preceded him in death in 2001. He later married Lisa Moyer, who survives.
He also is survived by his parents, Joyce and Mable Culp, Fort Myers, Fla.; his children, Bradley Culp, Sarah Culp, and Matt, Justin, Emily, Daniel and Allison Moyer; and his siblings, Bruce Culp, Cicero, and Betty Love, North Fort Myers, Fla.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
Janet A. Vardaman
Janet A. Vardaman, 86, Elkhart, died at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Hubbard Hill Healthcare.
She was born Jan. 23, 1937. On June 10, 1961, she married Keith Vardaman, who preceded her in death in 2017.
She is survived by her son, Kurtis (Lisa) Vardaman, Nappanee; two granddaughters; a great-granddaughter; and son-in-law, Michael (Lisa) George, Dewart Lake.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
↧
Charlotte Faye Gary
Charlotte Faye Gary, 63, Nappanee, died at 11:55 p.m. Thursday, May 4, 2023, at home.
She was born April 17, 1960. On May 20, 1982, she married Charlie Gary, who survives.
She also is survived by two children, Kyle (Mary) Gary, Nappanee, and Tiffany Gary, Cromwell; five grandchildren; her mother, Thelma Fields, Sweetser; three sisters, Debbie (Lloyd) Smith, Holton, Wanda (Eric) Eppert, Warren, and Brenda (Bryan) Nutt, Denver, Ind.; and a brother, Tom Fields, Anderson.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
Janet E. Walters
Janet E. Walters, 83, Kempner, Texas, former Nappanee resident, died at 5:36 a.m. Friday, May 5, 2023.
She was born Aug. 8, 1939. On Feb. 2, 1958, she married Richard G. Walters, who survives.
She also is survived by three children, Bruce J. (Angela) Walters, Kempner, Texas, Jeri (Kevin) Hand, Milford, and Kris D. (Christine) Walters, Edwardsburg, Mich.; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; five sisters, Delores Baker, Fort Myers, Fla., Marlene (Dean) Gilkerson, Ligonier, Kathlene Thibos, Beverly Hills, Fla., Sherry (Dave) Chapman, Chattanooga, Tenn., and Bonnie (Tom) Kapla, Fort Myers, Fla.; and four brothers, Royal “Zeke” Secor, Plainfield, Larry (Jan) Secor, Newton, Kan., Glen (Karen) Secor, South Bend, and Wendell (Theresa) Secor, Fort Smith, Ark.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
Joan Marie Knepp
Joan Marie Knepp, 87, Nappanee, died at 3 a.m. Monday, May 8, 2023, at the Raclin House at the Center for Hospice Care in Mishawaka.
Joan Marie Knepp
Ms. Knepp was born Nov. 8, 1935, in Bremen, to Clarence and Bernice (Berger) Knepp. Growing up she attended Bremen schools before graduating from Nappanee High School in 1953.
She went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from North Central College in Naperville, Ill., and her master’s degree from Central Michigan University. She also studied at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago.
After college, Joan spent time living in southern California before working in medical missions. During her lifetime, her missionary work took her to Española, N.M., Vietnam and Pakistan.
While serving in Vietnam, Joan adopted her son, Keith, in 1970. They remained in Vietnam for a year before moving back to New Mexico for 12 years. In August 1983, Joan and Keith returned to Nappanee to help care for her ailing parents. Joan worked as a medical technologist in hospitals in New Mexico and Indiana, and was proud of her work. She faithfully attended Valley View United Methodist Church in New Mexico and Nappanee United Methodist Church.
Joan enjoyed traveling and seeing the world. Experiencing different cultures was a passion of hers. New Mexico was special to Joan. She loved the mountains, culture and food of the region.
She had many friends all over the world from her time living and traveling in different regions. No matter where she went, people gravitated to her because of her kind and caring personality. These traits led to long-lasting friendships with many.
Most of all, Joan loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She is survived by her son, Keith (Collette) Knepp; and three grandchildren, Caitlin, Bryce and Alexander Knepp, all of Nappanee.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Dean Knepp.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home in Nappanee, and again from 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, at the Nappanee United Methodist Church. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church with Pastor Kevin Reed officiating. Burial will take place in Bremen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joan’s name can be given to Center for Hospice Care, Mishawaka, or the Nappanee United Methodist Church.
↧
Donald ‘Rick’ Purcell
Donald “Rick” Purcell, 78, Nappanee, died Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at home.
He was born June 11, 1944. On July 8, 1967, he married Jean Schultz, who survives.
He also is survived by three sons, Benjamin Purcell, Louisville, Ky., Steven (Kyna) Purcell, Billings, Mont., and Christopher (Laura) Purcell, Houlton, Maine; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and four siblings, Nate (Carolyn) Purcell, St. Joseph, Ill., Greg Siegelman, Bowling Green, Ky., Susan (Albert) Sommers, Pinedale, Wyo., and Pam (John) Allen, Akin, S.C.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
↧
Richard L. Neff Sr.
Richard L. Neff Sr., 82, Nappanee, died at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Brookdale Senior Living, Granger.
He was born April 30, 1941. On July 21, 1984, he married Karel E. Hollingsworth, who preceded him in death in 2012.
He is survived by his son, Richard (Martha) Neff Jr., Nappanee; two grandsons; and a brother, Michael (Kathy) Neff, Sarasota, Fla.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
Jacob A. Beechy
Jacob A. Beechy, 67, Etna Green, died at 5:37 a.m. Thursday, May 25, 2023, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.
He was born May 2, 1956. On Dec. 7, 1978, he married Ruth Elizabeth Chupp, who survives.
He also is survived by eight children, LorAnna (Levi) Helmuth, Milford, Marion (Edna) Beechy, Etna Green, Karen (Lyle) Yoder, Millersburg, Aaron (Marlene) Beechy, Nappanee, Doris (Carl) Kuhns, Etna Green, Mary Ruth (Jesse) Schwartz, Bourbon, John Mark (Kathryn) Beechy, Etna Green, and Norma (Willard) Lehman, Etna Green; 32 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, LeAnna (Harvey) Miller, Pardeeville, Wis., Mary (Harvey) Raber, Millersburg, Katie (Ivan) Helmuth, Middlebury, Lydia Mae Beechy, Topeka, Ella (Marvin) Hochstetler, Topeka, Edna (Ezra) Miller, Newaygo, Mich., and Wilma (Ervin Jr.) Bontrager, Topeka; and brothers, Elmer (Annie) Beechy, Hillpoint, Wis., Noah (Barbara) Beechy, LaGrange, and Daniel Beechy (special friend Martha Hershberger), Millersburg.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
Barbara A. Huffer
Barbara A. Huffer, 82, Elkhart, died at 11:03 p.m. Sunday, May 28, 2023, at Elkhart Place Senior Living.
She was born March 12, 1941. On Feb. 12, 1976, she married Stanley Huffer, who preceded her in death in 2007.
She is survived by a stepdaughter, Penny Huffer, Nappanee; stepson, Patrick (Julie) Huffer, Goshen; step-grandsons, Daniel and Russell Rhamey; and a nephew.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
Ruth Ann DeFrancisco
Ruth Ann DeFrancisco, 69, Nappanee, died at 1:10 a.m. Saturday, May 27, 2023, at home. She was born Feb. 23, 1954. She is survived by her son, Ron C. Russin Jr., Nappanee; grandson, Ron E. Russin III; and sisters, Rita (Tim) Lewis, Louisville, Ky., and Deborah Kohnke. Thompson-Lengacher … Read More
↧
↧
Mary Ellen Miller
Mary Ellen Miller, 85, Nappanee, died at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at home.
She was born Dec. 30, 1937. On Jan. 1, 1957, she married Freeman Miller, who preceded her in death in 2016.
She is survived by her children, Darlene (Dave) Mishler, Wakarusa, Donita Miller, Nappanee, Diane (Elmer) Yoder, Nappanee, and Deralyn (Mike) Tolson, Pierceton; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Darlene (Dave) Miller, Fort Wayne.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
Janna Rose Borkholder
Janna Rose Borkholder died shortly after birth Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Bremen Hospital.
She is survived by her parents, Devon and Wilma (Farmwald) Borkholder; siblings, Jeffrey Dale, Joas Devon, Jeremiah Daniel, Jamima Dawn, Julie Esther, Jalen Duane and Jase Lamar, all at home; grandparents, Glen Devon and Ida Mae (Schmucker) Borkholder, Nappanee; Merle Ray and Anna Marie (Borkholder) Farmwald, Nappanee; great-grandmother, Dorothy Borkholder, Nappanee; and great-grandparents, Rudy and Mary Schmucker, West Union, Ohio.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧
Lowell B. Martin
Lowell B. Martin, 91, Nappanee, died at 3:36 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2023, at home.
He was born Feb. 27, 1932. On Oct. 4, 1953, he married Mary Alice Shaum, who preceded him in death in 2022.
He is survived by three sons, Lavon Martin, Ronald (Rita) Martin and Elverne (Lauretta) Martin, all of Nappanee; 17 granddaughters; three grandsons; 53 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Carl Martin, Goshen, Robert (Elsie) Martin, Snover, Mich., and Dean (Marciel) Martin, Nappanee; and one sister, Mable Martin, Goshen.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is handling arrangements.
↧