Obituaries

Terry J. Tyler, age 77, of Goshen, died at The Waters, Wakarusa, on Dec. 5.
He was born on April 18, 1948 to Alexander Joseph and Ardell Lucille (Hass) Tyler.
On June 7, 1969, he married Rebecca Jean Wasson in Craigville, Indiana. She preceded him in death on July 9, 2025.
Surviving are his sons, Jeremy (Jill)...

Phillip Lamar Hoover, age 69, of Syracuse, passed away on Dec. 1.
He was born on Sept. 16, 1956, in Goshen to Nelson and Lois Joan (Whetten) Hoover.
Born and raised in Syracuse, Phil spent his entire life in the community he loved.
Phil was previously married to Karen Sue Hoover, mother of his children, Christy...

Cheryl L. Kennedy, beloved wife, mother, and Oona, graduated to her heavenly home on Saturday, Nov. 29, at The Waters in Wakarusa after a valiant battle with Alzheimer's.
Cheryl was born on Aug. 23, 1952 in Goshen, Indiana to the late Willard and Dorothea Stutzman.
On Aug. 18, 1973, Cheryl married the love of her...

Donna Sutter, age 98, formerly of Wakarusa, died after a short, unexpected illness on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 1:35 p.m. in Goshen.
She was born on April 23, 1927 in Fulton County, Ohio to Earl and Clara (Borkholder) Beck.
Donna was a Pettisville High School graduate; and on Aug. 17, 1952, she married Omar D....

Germaine Sophie Burns, affectionately known as Germaine to her family and friends, passed away peacefully on Nov. 26, in St. John, Indiana.
Born on Oct. 28, 1936, in La Porte, Indiana, to the late Sylvester and Catherine (Mish) Tuholski, Germaine's life was marked by her generosity, love, and kindness, which touched...

Patricia Ann Battles, 88, of Goshen, passed away at her home on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
She was born on March 17, 1937, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, to Clarence and Martha (Lyonn) McClearn.
On May 2, 1956, she married Donald Lee Battles Sr. in Stoneboro, Pennsylvania. They shared 69 years of marriage.
Patricia is survived by...

Dennis "Denny" R. Stalter, 70, of Middlebury, died unexpectedly of natural causes at 10:05 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27, at his residence.
He was born on May 3, 1955, in Goshen, to Earl J. and LeAnna F. (Miller) Stalter.
He is survived by his three sons, John (Anna) Stalter of Indianapolis, Andrew Earl (Happiness...

John Joseph Smith, 68, died Thursday, Nov. 27, at The Waters of Wakarusa.
He was born on Oct. 27, 1957 in Goshen to Harry Dean and Carol Donnabelle (Zellinger) Smith.
Survivors include his partner, Carol Diane (Azbell) Smith; two daughters, Nicole Marie and Clarissa "Star" Cottey; a son, Ricky Smith; a nephew,...

Helen Bomberger of Goshen, IN passed away on Nov. 21.
Born on Aug. 31, 1927, in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, she grew up during the depression on her family farm that now is within Toronto's city limits.
She had to drop out of school to help on the farm but later earned her GED and attended Eastern Mennonite...

Carol Jean (Dunlap) Valencourt passed away on November 17, 2025.
She was born on September 29, 1929, in New Paris to Art and Belva (Martin) Dunlap. On July 2, 1949, she married Roy Valencourt, who preceded her in death in March 2004.
Carol is lovingly remembered by her four sons: René (Leslie) Valencourt, Joel...

Alice Smith, age 100, of Elkhart, passed away at home on Sunday, Nov. 16.
She was born May 19, 1925, in Goshen, to Lester and Mary Etta (Stuart) Volz.
Alice is survived by her four daughters, Joan Koppy of Zionsville; Sue (Don) Fowler of New Bern, North Carolina; Kathie Nichols of Elkhart; and Mary Molnar of...

Rebecca Louise Kilmer, 74, passed away peacefully at Goshen Hospital.
She was born on Jan. 17, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, to Joann (Yoder) Cole Kilmer and Orvin Kilmer. They preceded her in death.
Rebecca worked for 17 years in customer service at Walmart, where she served in various roles.
She was a member of...

Wayne O. Christner died peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 16 after a brief illness.
He and his adoring wife, Nancy, were longtime residents of Middlebury.
Throughout his life, Wayne thoroughly enjoyed sports. He was a top notch softball pitcher as well as a member of Maplecrest Country Club for over 50 years, winning...

Marietta Mishler, 94, Goshen, died at 11:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, at Waterford Crossing.
She was born on Nov. 23, 1930, in Goshen, to Mark & Mary Alice (Doud) Smoker.
On Aug. 20, 1982, she married Phillip G. Mishler; and he died March 5, 2007.
Surviving are her children, Greg Hooley, Ruskin, Florida, Timothy...

Barbara Lee (McAllister) Hay, 92, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away, Wednesday, Nov. 12, at her son's home surrounded by her loving family.
Barbara was born on Jan.14, 1933 in Coalinga, California to Edmund W. and Freddie (Wilkins) McAllister.
While attending Colorado College, Barbara met her future...

Sandra Yoder, aged 80, of Goshen, went home to be with the Lord and her husband Bernie on the morning of Nov. 12 due to heart complications.
She was born in Somerville, New Jersey, on Sept. 14, 1945, the second of three children to her parents, Arthur and Joan Pressman.
She worked in Customer Service at Miles...

Carolyn "Carrie" Joy McKee, 67, of Goshen, died at 10:08 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9, at The Restoracy of Goshen.
She was born on Aug. 1, 1958, in Goshen, to Clarence and Sylvia (Worley) Hershberger.
On Sept. 5, 2015, in Goshen, she married John McKee, who died on May 16, 2021.
She is survived by her son, Shawn...

Ronald D. Kehr, 103, Goshen, passed away Friday, Nov. 7, at Greencroft Healthcare.
He was born on March 20, 1922, to Jerry and Beulah (Bauer) Kehr in Harrison Township, Indiana.
On Nov. 5, 1950, he married Marilyn (Salee) Kehr.
Surviving are his wife, Marilyn, of Goshen; son, Ross (Marcia) Kehr of Goshen;...

Vernon Lee King was born on April 14, 1944 to Allen and Fanny (Yutzy) King, dairy farmers in Hutchinson, Kansas.
He learned the value of hard work at an early age, choring before the use of modern machinery.
From a one-room-school in Haven and high school at Hesston Academy in Kansas, Vernon went on to Goshen...

Mishawaka — John Lee Campbell, 54, died Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.
He was born May 29, 1971, in Goshen to Chester and Mary Ellen (Schrock) Campbell.
Survivors include spouse, Melissa Martin; daughters, Lilly Campbell and Brooke Campbell; and three grandchildren.
Also surviving are...

Amy Yoder, 75, of Goshen, passed away in her sleep on Saturday morning, November 1, at her home. She was born on January 6, 1950, in Elkhart County, to David and Amy (Troyer) Bontrager. On August 22, 1970, in Elkhart County she married Glenn Yoder. He died September 19, 2012. Surviving are two daughters, Liz (Nate)...

Larry Seabrook Landis, 79, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025.
Born in Princeton, New Jersey, on November 2, 1945, to Donald Edward Landis and Caroline "Sally" Magalhaes Landis, Larry entered the world just weeks after World War II ended while his father was serving in the Army. He grew up in Goshen,...

Sarah E. Friend, age 74 of Goshen, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Oct. 23, at her residence.
She was born on Jan. 31, 1951 in Bremen, to John and Matilda (Yoder) Miller.
Sarah was a lifelong resident of the Goshen area.
She worked in home health care and lovingly cared for many patients over the years. ...

Patrick Paul Rippey, 81, passed away on Monday, Oct. 20.
He was born on Dec. 23, 1943, to Paul and Nancy (Silliman) Rippey.
Patrick proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967 during the Vietnam War.
Following his service, he was employed with Goshen Manufacturing Company in the Blue...

Emma Borkholder-Moore, age 81 of Centreville, died Monday, Aug. 25, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Centreville.
She was born on Sept. 11, 1943 in Nappanee, a daughter of Jacob J. and Lizzieann (Borkholder) Borkholder.
Emma's family moved to Michigan in 1947; and she attended Nottawa Stone School &...

Dr. Darrel Devon Diener, beloved husband, brother, father, and doctor, passed away peacefully in his home on Oct. 18, after living with Parkinson's for over 20 years and dementia for 4 years. He was 83.
Darrel was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, on April 25, 1942, to Carrie and Daniel Diener, and moved to Middlebury,...

Gary Lee Griffey was born in Grundy, Virginia; and he died peacefully at his home.
He was the son of Holland Griffey and Berniece (Hackney), and later Jetti (Taylor) Griffey, who helped raise him.
He is survived by his children, Don Griffey and Dusty Griffey; grandchildren, Dylan Back, Amber (Griffey) Coffman, and...

Russell D. Watson, 76, of Goshen, went to Heaven to be with Jesus on Oct. 15.
He was born on Jan. 17, 1949 in Toledo, Ohio.
Russell was celebrated in a private family ceremony held on Oct. 18, at Violett Cemetery in Goshen.
Russell was a faithful, loving husband to Cynthia L. Watson for 50 years and wonderful...

Lamar D. Malone, 86, of Bowling Green, OH passed away Tuesday, October 14 at Wood County Hospital. This kind, gentle, caring, and quiet man was born November 25, 1938 in Sturgis, Michigan to parents Robert and Cleo (Barton) Malone.

Lamar graduated from Ashley High School in Ashley, Indiana. He went on to earn a...

Verl Lamar Kauffman went to meet Jesus at the Maples at Waterford Crossing at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.
Verl was born in Millersburg, to Marvin and Susan (Bontrager) Kauffman on April 8, 1943.
He was a 1961graduate of Millersburg High School.
He married Miriam Ann Yoder on April 19, 1964.
He is survived by...

Susan P. Homes, 77 passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 11, at The Waters of Wakarusa, after a 10 year journey with dementia.
She was born on Dec. 28, 1947 in Goshen to Howard and Audrey (Prough) Wisler.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 41 years, Paul C. Homes; and her daughter, Amy...

Eric L. Ecklebarger, age 46, of Evansville, Wisconsin, formerly of New Paris, Indiana, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday, Sept.12.
He was born in Goshen, Indiana, on Nov. 29, 1978, the son of Lynn and Debbie (Rorabaugh) Ecklebarger.
After graduating from high school, he began his career with the power...

Esther Mae Plodowski (nee Zimmerman) raced into heaven and crossed the finish line on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
She joined her husband, Douglas Ray Plodowski; her parents, Dr. William H. Zimmerman and Gladys Opal Zimmerman; her brother, Benjamin; and aunts and uncles at the throne of the King. Her training kept her looking...

LaVerne "Verne" Gene Schirch died on Oct. 1, at the age of 89.
He was born on Aug. 9, 1936, in Bloomington, Illinois to Ernest Raymond Schirch and Opal Bluette (Stahly) Schirch. Reldon Dean (1934-2022) was his only sibling.
Verne grew up in a loving, hardworking family on a 160 acre farm in Chenoa, Illinois and...

Cynthia S. Yoder, 60, of Middlebury, left her earthly body peacefully at 7:38 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, at Center for Hospice Care, Esther's House, Elkhart.
She was born on Dec. 23, 1964, in Goshen, to Richard and Leri (Long) Miller.
On Oct. 16, 2004, in Bristol, she married Carlton Yoder. He survives.
Survivors...

Rosa Marie Cender, 94, passed away Saturday, Sept. 27, at Greencroft Healthcare.
She was born July 4, 1931 in Arthur, Illinois to Emory and Cora (Yoder) Beachey.
On July 28, 1956, she married Eldon Cender at Arthur Mennonite Church, Arthur, Illinois. He preceded her in death.
Rosa is survived by a daughter, Leanna...

Sharon L. George, age 83 of Bremen, died Friday afternoon, Sept. 26, at her residence after a battle with cancer.
The family feels blessed for the 14 months Sharon was with them after her initial diagnosis.
Sharon was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She especially loved spending time with her...

Donald was born March 2, 1929, in Albion, Michigan. He was the fifth of five children born to Frank and Verna (Pastor) Sibal, who had immigrated to the United States from Austria as young teenagers and later married in Chicago. On June 9, 1951, he married Bernice Zerfas at St. John's Catholic Church in Albion,...

Joe L. Yoder, 95, of Goshen, formerly of Middlebury, passed away peacefully at 1:20 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Waterford Crossing Health Center, Goshen.
He was born on Aug. 2, 1930, in Arcola, IL, to Levi D. and Elizabeth (Hochstedler) Yoder.
On Oct. 18, 1949, in Arthur, Illinois, he married Rebecca Miller. ...

Janell Avon O'Dell February 4, 1936 - September 11, 2025

Janell Avon O'Dell, age 89, a 52-year resident of Middlebury, IN and for the past three years of New Palestine, IN, passed away on September 11, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her parents Elmer Nisen and Rose Jeanice Krysko, her brother Don Heiska, her...

Carol M. Wogoman, 79, Elkhart, died 11:06 a.m., Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Riverside Village. She was born December 18, 1945, in Goshen, to Milton Eugene & Jean (Stutsman) Wogomon.
Surviving are her brothers, Philip Ernest (Alice) Wogoman, Sydney, Ohio & James Richard (Sherrie) Wogomon, Goshen, sisters, Mary...

Thelma Joan (Smeltzer) Elion, 92, Goshen, died at 9:50 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, at Greencroft Healthcare.
She was born on Feb. 1, 1933, in Madison Township, St. Joseph County, to John & Ida (Culp) Smeltzer.
On Dec. 2, 1966, she married Charles Kent Elion; and he died on April 5, 1999.
Surviving are her 2 children,...

Steve Kauffman, 85, of Goshen, passed away on Sept. 21.
He was born June 27, 1940, in Sturgis, Michigan, to Alfred and Arie (Slabach) Kauffman.
On Dec. 20, 1959, he married Nila Ramer, who survives.
Steve is also survived by one son, Barry (Lynette) Kauffman of Goshen; one daughter, Gail (Bob) Maas of LaGrange; five...

Karen Sue looker, 86, Bristol, died peacefully at home, on Sept. 11.
She was born on June 11, 1939 in Goshen, to Everett and Thelma (Prough) Campbell.
On June 27, 1961 she married James Looker in Goshen.
She is survived by her loving husband; and 4 children, Chuck (Amy) Looker of Goshen, Tony (Jennifer) Looker of...

Maryann S. Zerbe, 79, of Goshen, Indiana, passed away on September 18, 2025 surrounded by family. She was born April 12, 1946, in Elkhart to Charles and Mary (Yoder) Bailey.
A graduate of Concord high school in 1964 she also attended Manchester College where she met her husband John.
On June 19, 1966, she married...

Robert J. Lambright, 90, of Shipshewana, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 17, following a brief illness.
He was born on Sept. 15, 1935, to Cleo and Orpha (Hostetler) Lambright.
He married Shirley Herschberger on Sept. 21, 1958, in Topeka, Indiana.
Bob is survived by his wife, Shirley; son, Bruce of Columbia City,...

Gerald L. Miller, M.D., age 88, passed peacefully into the arms of God on Sept. 10.
Gerald was kind-hearted, conscientious, and unflappable; a civic-minded physician much loved by family, friends, former medical colleagues, and former patients.
His life passion was to serve God by serving others; and that desire...

Ernest "Ernie" Leroy Miller, 81, of Middlebury, passed away unexpectedly at 6:37 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at his residence.
He was born on Feb. 22, 1944, in LaGrange County, to Tobe and Elizabeth (Yoder) Miller.
With his first marriage to Mary Ann Roderick, Ernest shared the joy of raising their four children....

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Susan Ruth Ferguson (Ruenpohl) on Sept. 6, at the age of 78. She passed away peacefully at her home in Wakarusa, surrounded by her loving family.
Sue was born in St Louis, Missouri on Aug. 20, 1947 to Henry and Ruth Ruenpohl. She moved to Indiana after marrying...

Katie A. Miller, 92, of Goshen, died at 8:11 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Waterford Crossing Health Center, Goshen.
She was born on Dec. 15, 1932, in LaGrange, to Irvin and Mary (Lee) Weaver.
On May 7, 1950, in Kempsville, VA, she married Lloyd D. Miller. He died June 19, 2012.
Surviving are two children, Mary...

Shaun Jason Gingerich, 45, of St. Pete Beach, Florida, passed away unexpectedly at 10:21 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at his parents' home in Wolcottville, Indiana.
He was born Dec. 28, 1979, in Goshen, Indiana, to Ron and Kathy (Yoder) Gingerich. They survive.
Survivors in addition to his parents are three brothers,...