This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Ward, Spaid, Stockman, Knotts, Massman, Collins, Vaillancourt, Rogers, Houtz,
Erb, Crago, Shadle, Schwartz, Hiatt, Ash, Dwyer
Classification: Obituary
Message Board URL:
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Message Board Post:
Obituaries courtesy of News-Banner Publications. Posted with permission.
October 2, 2004
Charley “Junior” Ward, 74
A former resident of Bluffton, Charley “Junior” Ward, 74, died Wednesday, Sept. 27 in
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Born Oct. 13, 1929 in Decatur to Charley and Ester Stevens Ward, his marriage on Sept. 2,
1988 was to Dorothy Howe in Colorado Springs. She preceded him in death. He was a welder
for Perkey Steel and retired in 1994.
Survivors include a son, Robert Ward of Colorado Springs; a daughter, Sandra Jones of
Monogahela, Pa., a sister, Katie Ward of Decatur and two grandchildren. He was preceded in
death by a daughter, Waunita Ward and a sister, Helen Johnson.
A memorial service was held Friday at Pikes Peak Park Baptist Church with inurnment at
Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs.
October 4, 2004
Woodrow “Woody” Spaid, 91
Woodrow E. “Woody” Spaid, 91, Bluffton, died sudddenly at 8:20 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 at
his home.
Born in Whiting, Iowa on Sept. 25, 1913 to Ora C. and Kittie Spear Spaid, he married
Maxine L. Lesh in Dunkirk on Jan. 1, 1941; she survives.
A resident of Wells County since 1929, he graduated from East Union Center High School in
1931 and from International Business College in 1934. He was a life-long farmer and drove
a school bus for the Bluffton-Harrison schools for 20 years. He has been a member of the
First United Methodist Church since 1954 and sang in the church choir for over 35 years.
Other survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Jerome (Patricia) Christianson of Bluffton and
Mrs. Charles (Suzanne) Murray of Fort Wayne; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren;
and four step great granchildren.
Services will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral
Home with Rev. Gary Lewis officiating. Calling hours are today from 4 to 8 p.m. and for
one hour prior to the service Tuesday.
Burial will be in Six Mile Cemetery. Preferred memorials to the church choir.
James Stockman, 60
A native of Wells County, James E. “Jim” Stockman, 60, of rural Huntington, died at 11:45
p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 at his home.
Born August 30, 1944 to Frey D. and Nevah M. Maddux Stockman, he married Michelle McFadden
on Sept. 5, 1964 at Plum Tree; she survives.
A 1962 graduate of West Rock Creek High School, he attended IPFW and was an active member
of the Plum Tree United Church of Christ. He retired from General Electric, Fort Wayne in
2001 after 38 years; he was a member of the GE Quarter Century Club and the GE ELFUN
organization.
Other survivors include two sons, Michael Stockman and Brian Stockman, both of Fort Wayne;
two brothers, Jeff Stockman of Markle and John Stockman of Huntington. He was preceded in
death by a sister, Sharon Middleton.
Calling hours are Tuesday from 2 to 8 p.m. at Myers Funeral Home, Markle Chapel. A private
service is planned, with burial in the Markle Cemetery.
Preferred memorials are to the church’s building fund
Phyllis Knotts, 83
Phyllis J. Knotts, 83, Bluffton, died at 10:58 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1 at the home of her son
in Bryant.
Born in Elwood on June 26, 1921 to Herschel T. and Laura E. Cole Thornton, she married V.
Eugene Knotts on Nov. 11, 1941 in Frankton; he died July 29, 1984.
A 1939 graduate of Elwood High School, she was a resident of the rural Pennville area for
50 years before moving to Bluffton. She retired from Franklin Electric in 1983 after 25
years of service. She was a member of the Park United Brethren Church in Bluffton.
Survivors include a son, Kenneth Knotts of Bryant; a daughter, Mrs. Gene (Diana) Stotlar
of Uniondale; five grandchildren; seven great grandchldren; nine step grandchildren; 25
step great grandchildren; and one step great grandchild. She was preceded in death by a
sister, Lula Byus; and a brother, Meredith Thornton.
Calling hours are today from 2 to 8 p.m. at Glancy Funeral Homes, Walker Chapel in
Montpelier, with services there Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will be in Brookside Memorial Park in Montpelier. Preferred memorials to the Wells
County Cancer Society.
Josephine McPheeters Massman, 99
Josephine Massman, 99, a sister of the late Dr. James A. McPheeters of Bluffton, died at 4
p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, in Martinez, Ga.
Born July 14, 1905 in Paoli to Alexander N. and Edith Montgomery McPheeters, her marriage
on Jan. 31, 1929 was to Edward Massman of Seymour, who preceded her in death. She lived in
Bluffton during the 1960s and 70s.
Survivors include a son, Dr. James E. Massman of Fallbrook, Calif., two grandchildren,
three great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
Burial will be at the Riverview Cemetery in Seymour Wednesday morning. Preferred memorials
are to the American Cancer Society.
October 5, 2004
Camellia “Cammy” Collins, 54
A 1968 graduate of Southern Wells High School, Camellia Kay “Cammy” Collins, 54, died at
her residence in Pittsfield, Maine, Saturday, Oct. 2.
Born March 17, 1950 in Fort Wayne to Z. Paul and Betty Lieurance, she was married to
Gerald B. “Jerry” Collins. He survives.
A 1972 graduate of Purdue University, she worked for 32 years as a teacher, day care
provider, administrator and mentor and was most recently the HomeStart manager for the
Kennebec Valley Community Action program in Maine. She was a member of the National
Association for the Education of Young Children and developed and implemented several
innovative programs.
Additional survivors include her mother of Warren; son Paul B. Collins, Chicago, Ill.;
daughter Dena K. Collins of Farmington and Pittsfield, Me., and a sister-in-law, Cindy
Lieurance, of Bluffton.
She was preceded in death by her father in 1971 and brother, Larry Lieurance, in 1990.
Calling will be at Crosby & Neal Funeral Home, Newport, Me., from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday
with services at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church, Pittsfield. Rev. William
Johnston will officiate. A life celebration will be held following services at Mystic
Masonic Lodge, Pittsfield.
Memorials may be made to HomeStart, Waterville, Me.
Shirley M. Vaillancourt, 62—Rites Pending
A resident of Bluffton, Shirley M. Vaillancourt, 62, died today, Oct. 5, at Bluffton
Regional Medical Center. Rites are pending at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral
Home.
A complete obituary will appear in Wednesday’s edition of the News-Banner.
October 6, 2004
Freida Quillen Rogers, 84—Rites Pending
A resident of Montpelier, Freida Quillen Rogers, 84, died at Ball Memorial Hospital in
Muncie Wednesday at 9:25 p.m. Rites are pending at Glancy Funeral Homes—Walker Chapel,
Montpelier.
October 7, 2004
Mary M. Houtz, 93
A resident of the Warren United Methodist Memorial Home, Mary M. Houtz, 93, died at 2:10
a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29 at the home.
Born Sept. 19, 1911 in Wells County to John and Laura Jackson HunNicutt, her marriage in
Muncie to John J. Houtz took place Jan. 17, 1934. He preceded her in death Jan. 11, 1997.
A member of the Boehmer United Methodist Church, Mrs. Houtz had been a resident of rural
Warren for 67 years. She was a member of the Willing Workers Circle, the W.C.S., and a
59-year member of the Rural Friendship Extension Homemakers Club of Huntington County.
A homemaker, she had worked at one time or another for Buckeye Grocery, Myers Department
Store, Mrs. Bonifeld’s Gift Shop, McCord’s Five & Dime and Coolman’s Drugs.
Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Carlton K. (Joyce) Dahlquist, and Mrs. Harold
(Betty) Parker, both of Warren, and Carol Watkins of Columbia City; nine grandchildren, 20
great-grandchildren, several step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, and step
great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by brothers Everett, Charles and Carl Hunnicutt; by sisters
Nettie Hunnicutt, Rosa Ruble, and Ida Collins and A great-granddaughter.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the home.
Services at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the home will be under the direction of Pastor Barry
Humble with burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Warren.
Memorials may be made to Boehmer United Methodist Church.
Glancy Funeral Homes-H. Brown & Son Chapel, Warren, is in charge of arrangements.
Deone Ethel Erb, 85
A resident of the Warren United Methodist Memorial Home, Deone Ethel Erb, 85, died at the
home Monday, Sept. 27, at 2:18 p.m.
Born in Van Wert, Ohio, March 27, 1919 to Ralph O. and Ethel S. Leiter McGinnis, her
marriage in Fort Wayne to Russell Edmund Erb took place Feb. 15, 1941. he survives.
A member of the Fort Wayne Women’s Club, she traveled widely around the world with her
husband on freighter trips from 1972-1994. She owned Deone E. Erb Realty in Fort Wayne and
was a resident of Fort Wayne from 1938-1987 before moving to Sun City, Ariz. She moved to
the United Methodist Home in 2000.
Survivors include a son, Thomas, of Lawrence, Kansas., and a daughter, Mrs. Mathew
(Marlene) Sopina of Huntersville, N.C.; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A brother, Doyt McGinnis, preceded her in death.
Viewing and services will be private.
Memorials may be made to the Greater Wayne St. United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne.
Arrangements are in charge of Glancy Funeral Homes-H. Brown & Son Chapel, Warren.
Patricia B. Crago, 73
Mother of Mrs. Jon (Teresa) Jennings of Warren, Patricia B. Crago, 73, died at the Hospice
Home of Northeast Indiana in Fort Wayne at 7:25 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29.
Born in Huntington Feb. 9, 1931 to Floyd and Nina Bell Pardue Braden, her marriage March
16, 1952 in Huntington was to Charles William Crago. He survives.
A 1949 graduate of Huntington High School, she was an Avon representative for 18 years.
She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Floral Chapter #75 and the Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post #2689 Women’s Auxiliary.
Also surviving are a son, Thomas L. Crago, of Huntington; a second daughter, Mrs. Chris
(Jean) Cain of Huntington; three step grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Floyd Braden Jr.
Services Saturday at 2 p.m. will be at Myers Funeral Home, Huntington Chapel, under the
direction of Bishop Elzie Spencer. Burial will follow at the Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery in
Huntington.
Calling at the funeral home will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday.
Memorials may be made to the Huntington Police Athletic League Club.
T. Mae Shadle
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday for T. Mae Shadle, Bluffton, who died
at 12:40 a.m. today, Sept. 30, at Bluffton Regional Medical Center.
Calling hours will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Glancy Funeral Homes-Walker Chapel in
Montpelier.
A full obituary is scheduled to appear in Friday’s edition of the News-Banner.
October 8, 2004
Freida Quillen Rogers, 84
Freida M. Quillen Rogers, 84, Montpelier, died at 9:25 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Ball
Memorial Hospital in Muncie.
Born in Blackford County on July 16, 1920 to Harmon and Bessie O. Havens Rains, she was a
1938 graduate of Montpelier High School and a member of the Pleasantdale United Methodist
Church.
Ms. Rogers was the owner/operator and cook for several restaurants in Blackford County,
including The Point, Hoosier House and Hideway restaurants in Montpelier. She also
attended St. Johns Catholic Church in Hartford City.
She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. James (Patricia) Trant of Montpelier. She was preceded
in death by three husbands, including Delma L. Quillen and C. Joe Rogers; three sisters,
Mable Dawson, Marie Futrell and Elsie McDirmit; and two brothers, Leonard Rains and Harry
L. Rains.
Calling hours are Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m. at Glancy Funeral Homes, Walker Chapel in
Montpelier. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with Pastor
Darren Williams officiating and burial in the Twin Hill Cemetery in Pennville.
Preferred memorials are to the Pleasantdale U.M. Church or the Montpelier-Harrison
Township Cancer Society.
Brayden Schwartz
Brayden James Schwartz was stillborn at 2:25 a.m. this morning, Oct. 8, at Bluffton
Regional Medical Center.
Survivors include the parents, Elmer and Emille J. Smith Schwartz of rural Bluffton; a
brother, Caleb Schwartz at home; and grandparents, Larry & Madge Smith of Berne and
Marvin & Irene Schwartz of Geneva.
A private family service will be held Saturday with Pastor Larry Sprinkle officiating.
Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home in Bluffton is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Riley Childrens Hospital.
Thomas L. Hiatt, 79
Graveside services for Thomas L. Hiatt, 79, will be held Saturday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. at
Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton. Mr. Hiatt died Sept. 23 in Vista, Calif.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a retired civil engineer.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Jane (Hamilton) Hiatt; two sisters, June Keisler
of Bloomington and Rebecca Powell of Goodhue, Minn.; and a brother, Dr. William Hiatt of
Germantown, Wis.
American Legion Post 111 will be in charge of the services. Arrangements are being handled
by Goodwin Memorial Chapel in Bluffton.
John C. Ash, 81
A former Franklin Electric employee, John C. Ash, 81, Fort Wayne, died Monday, Oct. 4 at
Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.
A native of Quincy, Mass., he was Product Manager with Franklin for 20 years, retiring in
1986.
Survivors include his wife, Sue, Fort Wayne; four sons, Richard and Jonathon, both of Fort
Wayne, Bradford of Columbia City and David of Columbus, Ohio; five sisters; one brother;
10 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
Arrangements are being handled by D.O. McComb & Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home.
Memorials to the Hospice Home.
William Wright
The former owner of Wright’s Golf Range (now Bobick’s Golf) in Fort Wayne and well known
in Wells County, William W. “Bill” Wright, died Aug. 28 in Venice, Fla.
A PGA member since 1943, he owned and operated the popular golf business on Bluffton Rd.
from 1950 to 1973.
Survivors include his wife, Bessie of Venice, Fla.; two daughters; two sons; stepchildren,
grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Burial was in Wauchula, Fla. on Sept. 2.
Lois Dwyer, 87 - Rites Pending
Arrangements are pending at Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel in Warren for
Lois R. Dwyer, 87, of Warren, who died at 6:50 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7 at the United
Methodist Memorial Home in Warren.