This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Neely, Sample, Pugh, Seavers, Bushee, Hitner, Gardenour, Herndon, Shutt, Tippie,
Beaman, Rape, Steffen, Mock, Shaw, Hildebrand, Brinneman, McCullough, Tippie-Beaman
Classification: Obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Ui.2ADI/2992
Message Board Post:
Obituaries courtesy of News-Banner Publications. Posted with permission.
Feb. 16, 2004
Estelle Neely, 83
A sister of Marie Siela of Bluffton, Estelle Neely, 83, of Knoxville, Tenn. died at her
home on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Other survivors include her husband, Calvin Neely; a son, Ed Neely; a brother, James
Johnson of Harriman, Tenn.; and three grandchildren.
Services were held Friday. Preferred memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 188,
Knoxville, Tenn. 37939.
Leonard R. Sample, 62
A brother of Margaret Whitsel of Bluffton, Leonard R. Sample, 62, Fort Wayne, died
Saturday, Feb. 14 at his home.
Born Dec. 18, 1941 to Leonard G. and Arnola A. Tudor Sample, he was a journeyman printer
for 33 years.
Other survivors include his wife, Leslie; two sons, Benjamin of Muncie and Richard of Fort
Wayne; two daughters, Edith Sample of Omaha, Neb. and Rachel Sample of Fort Wayne; another
sister, Shirley Paul of Wabash; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a
brother, Philip.
Visitation hours are Tuesday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine
Valley Park Funeral Home, with services scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral
home. Burial in Butler Cemetery. Preferred memorials to Cancer Services of Allen County or
the American Heart Association.
Alan G. Pugh, 58
A former teacher at Southern Wells High School, Alan G. Pugh, 58, Huntington, died at 5:30
p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Born in Hartford City June 18, 1945 to Cleo N. and Dorothea Miitsch Pugh, he married Carol
L. Martin on April 12, 1985 in Bluffton; she survives and lives in Huntington where she is
executive director of the Huntington County United Economic Development. She is a former
executive director of the Bluffton Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Pugh spent most of his career as a computer systems analyst and software designer, and
began Pugh Consulting Service in 1995.
Survivors include Garnett Martin, his mother-in-law, of Bluffton.
Services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Myers Funeral Home, Huntington Chapel.
Visitation hours will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Preferred memorials to United Way of Huntington County, Helping Paws Pet Haven, or the
Huntington County Humane Shelter.
Garland Seavers, 94 - Rites Pending
Arrangements are pending at Glancy Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel in Warren for
Garland H. Seavers, 94, Warren, who passed away at 2:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 at the United
Methodist Memorial Home.
Feb. 17, 2004
Peggy Nell Bushee, 73
Peggy Nell Bushee, 73, of Uniondale, died Monday, Feb. 16, at Fort Wayne.
Born March 19, 1930 in Bluffton to Homer and Nellie McAfee Harshman, she was a beautician
for 50 years and owned her own shop. She also was the Uniondale clerk/treasurer and worked
many years as a hostess at Bandido’s Restaurant in Waynedale. She was a member of St.
Mark’s Lutheran Church in Uniondale.
Survivors include two sons, Kevin of Tocsin and Karl of Uniondale; a daughter, Kristine of
Uniondale; two sisters, Madeline Brindle of Bluffton and Olive Hoag of Markle; a brother,
Tom Harshman of Fruita, Calif.; and four grandchildren.
There will be no calling or funeral services.
A memorial service will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in
Uniondale.
Memorials may be made to the church.
Garland H. Seavers, 94
A resident of the Warren United Methodist Memorial Home, Garland H. Seavers, 94, died at
2:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at the home.
Born Sept. 17, 1909 in Grant County to Samuel B. and Minnie Marshall Seavers, he was
married to the former Marie M. Wine, who preceded him in death.
A 1927 graduate of Upland High School, he lived in Upland until 1987 and moved to Albion
to be closer to his family. He had been a resident at the Methodist home in Warren since
1991.
He was a pressman for the Edward Cox Printing Co. and retired from 3-M Co. in Hartford
City in 1974. A member of the Upland United Methodist Church, he had been a member of
Asbury United Methodist Church while living in Albion.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Joel (Carole) Moore, Albion, six grandchildren and 16
great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Richard, who was a serviceman in the United States Air
Force.
Calling hours at the Methodist Home are Thursday, 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. time of
services. Officiating will be Pastors Austin and Nancy Fergusson and burial will, be in
the Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorials may be made to the Upland United Methodist Church or the Asbury United Methodist
Church in Albion.
Feb. 18, 2004
Cindy J. Hitner, 51
A native of Wells County and former owner of Shannon’s Shoes in Hartford City, Cindy J.
Hitner, 51, of 607 West Monroe St., Decatur, died at 11:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, 2004, at
her home.
She was born Feb. 23, 1952, in Wells County to Kenneth E. and Phyllis JoAnn Meyer Shannon.
Kenneth Shannon is deceased but Phyllis Joann Shannon survives at Decatur.
In addition to owning and operating Shannon Shoes, Cindy Hitner also worked during her
career in sales for Kohls and Wal-Mart.
Surviving in addition to her mother are two sons, James R. Hitner and Nicholas S. Hitner,
both of Ohio; three daughters, Shellie Eyanson of Kentucky, Christina Eyanson of Monroe
and Rebecca Eyanson of Decatur; two brothers, Richard L. Shannon of Mendon, Ohio, and
Patrick E. Shannon of Decatur; three sisters, Debra L. Shannon, Mrs. Eddie (Rita) Combs
and Carri A. Shannon, all three of Decatur, and several grandchildren, nieces and
nephews.
Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Haggard & Sefton Funeral Home in
Decatur with a life appreciation service at 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials to the family.
Mary Jane Gardenour, 79
Mary Jane Gardenour, 79, died Monday, Feb. 16, 2004, at Haines City Health Care in Haines
City, Fla.,
Born in Three Rivers County, Michigan, on March 21, 1924, the daughter of Arthur and
Margaret Hetherington Carls, she was a professional secretary and tax accountant in her
career service.
In addition, she was active with Eastern Star/Star of the East #514, Fort Wayne, Ladies of
the Scottish Rite, Goose Lake Home Owners Association, and a member of the First Baptist
Church in Poinciana, Fla.
Surviving are her husband, Robert Gardenour of Kissimmee, Fla.; three daughters, Mrs.
Edward (Monette) King and Mrs. Gary (Carol Ann) Ferree, both of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Jon
(Barbara) Collette of Kissimmee, Fla.; a step-daughter, Kay Strater of Fort Wayne; two
sisters, Florence Anderson of Waterford, Mich., and Evelyn Lincoln of Willcox, Arizona; a
step-daughter-in-law, Carol Gardenour of Fort Wayne; 10 grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren and relatives of her husband in the Wells County area.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Kenneth Beery in 1967 and a step-son,
Robert L. Gardenour.
Calling will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside
Funeral Home in Fort Wayne, where services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be in
Maplewood Cemetery at Decatur. Memorials to Daybreak Children’s Shelter, Fort Wayne, or
Good Shepherd Hospice Care, Haines City, Fla.
Rose Marie Herndon
Rose Marie Herndon, mother of Mrs. Richard (Bennie Jo) Mettler of Bluffton, died Monday,
Feb. 16 in Clearwater, Fla.
Mrs. Herndon spent her formative years in Cumberland, Ky., where she married Ben F.
Herndon, who preceded her in death.
She was retired from GTE in Fort Wayne.
In addition to the daughter in Bluffton she is survived by a son, James Herndon of
Atlanta; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two
sisters and a brother.
Calling will be Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Covington Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home
at 8408 Covington Rd. in Fort Wayne, where funeral services will be held at 1 p.m.
Monday.
Agnes C. Shutt Tippie-Beaman, 93
Rites are pending at Glancy Funeral Homes H. Brown & Son Chapel in Warren for Agnes C.
Shutt Tippie-Beaman, 93, who died at 4 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 at the United Methodist
Memorial Home in Warren.
Feb. 19, 2004
Elsie Mae Mock—Rites Pending
Funeral rites are pending at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home for Elsie Mae
Mock, a former Bluffton resident who died in Maryland Monday, Feb. 16.
Agnes C. Shutt Tippie-Beaman, 93
A resident of the Warren Methodist Home, Agnes C. Shutt Tippie-Beaman, 93, died at 4 a.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the home.
Born Dec. 6, 1910 on a farm in Lancaster Twp., Huntington County, to John P. and Catherine
Chamness Shutt, she married George William Tippie in 1935. He died in July of 1976. She
married J. Walter Beaman in 1990. He died in 1994.
A 1928 graduate of Lancaster High School in Huntington County, she furthered her education
with a degree in 1932 from the Purdue University School of Home Economics.
Survivors include a son, John William Tippie of Lafayette, a grandson and several nieces
and nephews.
She was preceded in death by sisters Jessie Meyers, Winifred Stech, Hermia Paul, Mildred
Goodmiller and Mary Moore, and brother David Shutt.
There will be no visitation.
Funeral services at 1 p.m. Sunday will be held at the Methodist home. Rev. John Bellante
will officiate and burial will be in the Lancaster Cemetery in Huntington County.
Memorials may be made to the American heart Association, Midwest Affiliate.
Nina Rape, 94
A resident at Chalet Village Health Care Center in Berne, Nina Yoder Rape, 94, died at
2:43 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the center.
Born Dec. 10, 1909 in Wabash Twp., Adams County, to Noah and Roseanne Meshberger Yoder,
her marriage to Charles A. Rape took place Dec. 24, 1926 in Adams County. He preceded her
in death Sept. 23, 1968.
A lifetime resident of the Geneva-Berne area, she retired in 1975 after having worked at
the Chew Garment Co., Jay Garment Co., Schaffer Glove Co., and Berne Furniture. She was a
member of the American Legion Post #43 Auxiliary.
Survivors include two nieces and two nephews.
She was preceded in death by brothers Clifford, Dennis, Ralph and Tillman Yoder and
sisters Mabel Curts, Effie Smitley and Clesta Suffuth.
Calling at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home, Geneva, will be held Saturday from 11 a.m.
until time of services at 2 p.m. Pastor Randall Luther will officiate and burial will be
in Riverside Cemetery in Geneva.
Infant Christopher Terry Steffen
Infant grandson of John and Etta Steffen of Bluffton, Christopher Terry Steffen died
Saturday, Feb. 14, at Dupont Hospital in Fort Wayne.
In addition to the paternal grandparents, he is survived by his parents, Christopher and
Kelly Steffen of Fort Wayne and maternal grandparents, Terry and Susan Clark of Fort
Wayne.
Graveside services were held Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Concordia Cemetery Gardens in Fort
Wayne. Arrangements were through D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home.
Feb. 20, 2004
Elsie Mock, 94
Former Bluffton resident Elsie Mae Mock, 94, of Mt. Rainer, Md., died at 10:00 a.m.
Monday, Feb. 16 at the Larkin Chase Nursing Home in Bowie, Md. after an extended illness.
Born on Dec. 2, 1909 in Illinois to Charles and Jessie Harbaugh Davis, she was a teacher
in the Prince George’s City School system in Maryland for many years.
She is survived by a son, Charles R. Mock of Bowie, Md. and was preceded in death by a
son, James E. Mock and her husband, Ernest L. Mock on Sept. 16, 1983.
There will be no calling or services. Arrangements are being handled by Thoma/Rich, Hewitt
& Chaney Funeral Home in Bluffton.
Margie M. Shaw, 90
Services for Margie M. Shaw, 90, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Goodwin Memorial
Chapel in Bluffton. She died at 3:40 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16 at Columbus Regional Hospital in
Columbus.
Born Oct. 9, 1913 in Indianapolis to Walter and Linnie May Long Crail, she formerly lived
in North Vernon and Indianapolis and worked as a bank teller and retail clerk. She married
Perry E. Shaw on July 1, 1930 in Indianapolis; he died Nov. 24, 1997. She was a member of
the First Baptist Church in North Vernon.
Survivors include a daughter, Betty Burnell of Greenwood; three grandchildren, including
Mrs. David (Shirley) Goodwin of Bluffton; and six great grandchildren. She was also
preceded in death by one grandson.
There will be visitation for one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Forest Lawn
Memory Gardens in Greenwood.
Mildred Hildebrand, 90
Services for Mildred C. Hildebrand, 90, Decatur, will be held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the
Salem United Church of Christ in Magley. She died Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Adams County
Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include two sons, Robert Hildebrand of rural Decatur and William Hildebrand on
Stafford, England; three grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; two great grandchildren
and two step-great grandchildren.
Visitation hours are Saturday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Zwick and Jahn Funeral
Home in Decatur and Sunday for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Feb. 21, 2004 - None
Feb. 23, 2004
Barbara J. Brinneman, 62
Barbara J. Brinneman, 62, Bluffton, died at 4:10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 at Bluffton Regional
Medical Center after having been in failing health the past four years.
Born in Fort Wayne on Jan. 26, 1942 to David and Eva Mae Fisher Bowers, she graduated from
Chester Center High School in 1960 and lived most of her life in Wells County, working at
Memcor E-Systems and Pretzels, Inc.
Survivors include a son, David R. Shepherd of Bluffton; five sisters, Jacklyn Isaacs of
Fort Wayne, Joann Wolf of Willow Street, Pa., Sherry Rhodes and Kathy Longsworth, both of
Leesville, La., and Judi Stratton of Lexington, Ky.; three brothers, Bill Wise, Sr. and
Ron Wise, both of Fort Wayne, and Jim Bowers of Williamstown, N.J.
There will be no calling or services. The body will be cremated. A family gathering to
celebrate her life will be held at a later date. Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral
Home is in charge of arrangements.
Gerald D. McCullough, 72
Gerald D. “Nim” McCullough, 72, Geneva, died at 4:50 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 at Lutheran
Hospital in Fort Wayne. A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday from 2 to 8 p.m. at St.
Mark’s United Methodist Church in Decatur. Arrangements are being handled by Downing &
Glancy Funeral Home, Geneva.