This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Watters, Sheets, Ford, Ellenberger, Thornton, Elzey, Boltin, Fosnaugh, Cott,
Zuercher, Melton, Michel, Boulware, Garard, Thomas
Classification: Obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Ui.2ADI/3179
Message Board Post:
Obituaries courtesy of News-Banner Publications. Posted with permission.
Saturday, January 1, 2005 - Newspaper not published
Monday, January 3, 2005
Earl L. “Bud” Watters, 82
Earl L. “Bud” Watters, 82, of Bluffton, died at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1 at Christian Care
Retirement Community after having been in failing health the past few years.
A native and life-long resident of Bluffton, he was born on Nov. 3, 1922 to Chauncey E.
and Helen Mae Helms Watters. He married Maenette Johnson in Bluffton on July 6, 1947; she
survives.
After graduating from Bluffton High School in 1940, he served in the Army Air Corp during
World War II. His 33-year career in the U.S. Postal Service was capped off by being named
as the first merit-appointed Postmaster in Bluffton, a position in which he served for
four and one-half years.
He was a member of the First United Church of Christ and an active member of the Bluffton
Lions Club for more than 40 years, serving as president, treasurer and secretary. He also
served as Lions district treasurer during the district presidency of Dr. William Trubey
and was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, the Lions Club’s highest recognition for
dedicated humanitarian service.
Mr. Watters also served for many years on the Elm Grove Cemetery Association Board, and
served on the Wells County Alcoholic Beverage Commission during the tenures of Mayors
Flaningam, Faulkner and Ellis. He was also a 59-year member of the American Legion Post
111 and active in the Wells County Historical Society.
Other survivors include a son, David E. Watters of Sturgis. Mich.; two brothers, George D.
Watters of Daytona Beach, Fla. and Huston D. Watters of Bluffton; a sister, Mary Lou
Barger of Craigville; two granddaughters and two great-grandsons. He was preceded in death
by one sister, Lovina Mae Hunnicutt.
Calling hours are Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Thoma/Rich, Hewitt &
Chaney Funeral Home, with services there at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday with Pastor Neil Wilson
officiating. Military graveside rites will be conduced by the American Legion; burial in
Elm Grove Cemetery.
Preferred memorials to the church, Christian Care Retirement Community, or Family Hospice
of N.E. Indiana.
Maxine M. Sheets, 87
A resident of Warren, Maxine M. Sheets, 87, died at 6:05 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 2 at the United
Methodist Memorial Home.
She was a former employee at the Plumtree tomato factory and the Red Gold Corporation in
Warren. She was a 1935 graduate of Rockcreek High School in Huntington County and attended
the First Baptist Church in Warren.
Born Aug. 8, 1917 in Allen County to Adolph and Blanche Leonard Westrick, her marriage on
Oct. 24, 1936 in Huntington was to Gerald R. Sheets, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Ronny Sheets of Warren; three daughters, Carol Tribolet, Joyce
Buzzard and Deb Baker all of Warren; two sisters, Ruth Lawson of Wabash and Rita Shideler
of Warren; nine grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Joe Westrick.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Memorial Home
with Rev. Bob Bothast officiating and burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery at Warren. Calling
at the United Methodist Memorial Home will be Tuesday from 1 to 8 p.m.
Preferred memorials are to the First Baptist Church of Warren building fund or Family
Hospice of Northeast Indiana.
Funeral arrangements are in charge of Glancy Funeral Homes — H. Brown & Son Chapel in
Warren.
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Sarah Ruth Ford, 78
A retired former Franklin Electric employee who farmed in Chester and Liberty Townships,
Sarah “Ruth” Ford, 78, of rural Poneto in Chester Township, died at 8:15 p.m. Monday, Jan.
3, 2005, at the United Memorial Methodist Home in Warren, where she had been residing
since last September.
She was a lifetime homemaker in Wells and Blackford Counties and formerly attended the
First Church of Christ in Bluffton.
Born Feb. 28, 1926 in Blackford County, she was a daughter of Walter and Anna Murl Rix
Emshwiller. Her marriage was on Feb. 2, 1946 in Blackford County to Robert R. Ford of
rural Poneto, who survives.
Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Kenneth (Elaine) Scott of Poneto; a son, Duane Ford,
of Bluffton; a sister, Gladys Reed of Denver, Colorado; three brothers, Rev. Floyd
Emshwiller of Muncie, William Emshwiller of Clarksdale, Ariz., and John Emshwiller of
Petoskey, Mich.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were five sisters, Murl Schooley, Helen Myers, Agnes Daniels, Mary
Ford and Hulda Captain; four brothers, Woodrow, James, Warren and Walter Jr. Emshwiller,
and a grandson, Matthew Scott.
Calling will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the United Methodist Memorial Home in
Warren, where the funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday with Rev. Herbert Edwards
officiating. Burial will be in McFarren Cemetery, Bluffton. Glancy Funeral Homes-Walker
Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O Box
4204, South Bend, Ind. 46634.
Jerry L. Ellenberger, 57
Jerry L. Ellenberger, 57, of Geneva died at 7:42 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2 at Adams County
Memorial Hospital.
He was a 35-year employee at E.P.C. in Geneva.
Born Sept. 25, 1947 in Jay County to Herman and Flossie Calhoun Ellenberger, he is
survived by two daughters, Lisa Ellenberger of Fort Wayne and Susan Ellenberger of Lima,
Ohio; a son, Christopher Ellenberger of Pennville; five brothers, Stanley of Geneva; Mike
of Reiffsburg; Larry of Bryant; Loren of Beckley, West Va., and Clair of Claypool; four
sisters, Mrs. Melvin (Bonnie) Fear of Fiat; Mrs. Elwood (Carolyn) Rouch of Middlebury; Iva
Lou White of Hartford City and Betty Hackett of Mt. Morris, Ill. Also surviving are nine
grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Howard Ellenberger, and a sister,
Arlean Mantle.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home in Berne, where
calling will be Wednesday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. until time of
services. Burial will be in M.R.E. Cemetery in Berne. Preferred memorials are to the
family.
Jeanne C. Thornton, 81
Former owner of Limberlost Layers in Geneva, Jeanne C. Thornton, 81,of Greenwood, died at
11:45 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3 at Greenwood Village South.
Born April 22, 1923 in Adams County to Ray and Mabel Kerr Duff, her marriage in Portland
was to John Thornton, who died in 1998. She was a homemaker and had attended the New Hope
Church in Greenwood and the Geneva United Methodist Church.
Surviving are two sons, Phil Thornton of Greenwood and Greg Thornton of West Des Moines,
Ia.; a daughter, Jana Geryak of Fountaintown; a sister, Colleen Oden of Huntington; 11
grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Glenna
Lehman.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home in
Geneva,where calling will be Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. Rev. Howard Cress will officiate
services and burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Geneva.
Annabelle C. Elzey, 72
A sister of Margaret Redding of Liberty Center, Annabelle C. Elzey, 72, of North
Manchester died Dec. 30, 2004 at Parkview Huntington Hospital.
Born June 21, 1932 in Huntington to Rue H. and Goldie Feightner Hunnicutt, she was married
Sept. 5, 1981 to Robert L. Elzey, who survives.
She was a retired accountant and a member of the Fort Wayne Doll Club.
In addition to the sister in Liberty Center and the husband, other survivors include a
daughter, Christina Sharin of Fort Wayne; stepsons Terry Elzey of Muncie and Randy Elzey
of Geneva; stepdaughters Mrs. Jay (Sherry) Studebaker of Geneva and Mrs. Tim (Pamela)
Johnson of Portland; brothers Vaughn Hunnicutt of Columbia City and Max Hunnicutt of Costa
Mesa, Calif.; three other sisters, Ruby Bell of Syracuse, Eva Slusser of Marco Island,
Fla., and Luann Hughes of Thousand Island, Fla.; 10 grandchildren and three great
grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Gary Howard, and a brother.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9 at Bethel Baptist Church in
Pierceton, where the family will receive friends following the service. Arrangements are
by DeLaughter-McKee Mortuary, North Manchester Chapel.
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
Robert Boltin, 95
A native of Liberty Center, Robert Boltin, 95, of Ann Arbor, Mich., and formerly of Flint,
Michigan, died Dec. 30, 2004, at Arbor Hospice residence in Ann Arbor.
Services were Monday, Jan. 3, 2005, at Muehlig Funeral Chapel there with Pastor Michael
Wentzel officiating. Burial was in Washtenong Memorial Park there.
He was born June 15,1909 in Liberty Center of Wells County to Fred and Ava Ware Boltin.
His marriage was on June 21, 1931, to Ruth Reinhart at Toledo, Ohio. She preceded him in
death.
Mr. Boltin retired on Dec.1, 1973, from the General Motors V-8 Plant where he was a
production supervisor with 45 years of service. He was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran
Church and the Masonic Lodge at the Michigan location.
Surviving are a special niece, Denise Gnodtke, and several other nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death, in addition to his wife, were a brother, Ralph, and five sisters,
Murial, Mildred, Mary, Margaret and Esther. Memorials to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Ann
Arbor.
Betty H. Fosnaugh, 85 -- Rites Pending
Arrangements are pending at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home in Geneva for Betty H.
Fosnaugh, 85, who died at 6 a.m. today, Jan. 5, 2005, at Swiss Village in Berne.
Alfred K. Cott, 79 --Rites Pending
Alfred K.Cott, 79, of Geneva, died at 10:36 p.m.Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005, at Parkview
Huntington Hospital. Arrangements are pending at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home,
Geneva.
Thursday, January 6, 2004
Viola S. “Peggy” Zuercher Melton, 93
A resident of Ossian, Viola S. “Peggy” Zuercher Melton, 93, died at her residence
Wednesday, Jan. 5.
Born July 4, 1911 in Wells County to C. J. and Mary Dressal Graft, she was preceded in
death by her first husband, Elmer Zuercher, and her second husband, Hollis Melton.
A clerk at the Ossian Locker for 15 years she also worked as a clerk at Cress Grocery in
Fort Wayne. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of rural Ossian.
Survivors include three daughters, Luella R. Wilson, Ossian, and Mrs. John (Mary Lou) Hay
and Mrs. Richard (Lou Ann) Hensol, both of Fort Wayne; a step-son, Vernon Melton of
Hartford City; a step-daughter Mrs. Herman (Ann) Hans of Fort Wayne; 11 grandchildren, 12
great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters.
Services at 2 p.m. Sunday will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with burial to follow
at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Ossian.
Calling hours are 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral
home, Ossian Chapel, and one hour prior to services Sunday at the church.
Memorials may be made to Oak Lawn Cemetery, Ossian.
Betty Helen Fosnaugh, 81
Mother of David L. Fosnaugh of Uniondale, Betty Helen Fosnaugh, 81, died at Swiss Village
Retirement Center in berne, at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5.
Born in Fort Wayne Aug. 22, 1923 to Edward and Lillian Cox Thurman, her marriage to Don E.
Fosnaugh took place at Union Chapel, Geneva, Sept. 4, 1945. He preceded her in death May
2, 2000.
A member of High Street United Methodist Church in Geneva, Mrs. Fosnaugh was a resident of
Geneva until she moved to Swiss Village last year. A housewife, she was a graduate of
Hartford School in Adams County.
In addition to the son in Uniondale, she is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Nelson (Donna A.)
Clark of Berne, a sister, Virginia Mosser of Monroe, three grandchildren and a
great-granddaughter.
A son, Michael Fosnaugh, and a brother, Dale Thurman, preceded her in death.
Services at 2 p.m. Sunday will be held at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home in Geneva
under the direction of Edwin L. Clark. Burial will follow at Westlawn Cemetery in Geneva.
Calling hours are 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday and one hour prior to services Sunday at the
funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the High Street United Methodist Church or to the Arthritis
Foundation, Indiana Chapter.
Alfred K. Cott, 79
Former owner of Allen Laboratories in Geneva, Alfred K. Cott, 79, Huntington, died at
10:36 p.m. Tuesday at Parkview Huntington Hospital.
Born in Fort Wayne May 2, 1925 to George L. and Mary B. Burris Cott, his marriage to the
former Velma Belle Bonando took place in Syracuse July 6, 1947. She preceded him in death
March 29, 2004.
A member of the High St. United Methodist Church in Geneva, he was a 1943 graduate of
Geneva High School. He lived in the Geneva and Berne areas for many years and had resided
in Huntington the last four months. He was a retired United States Postal Mail carrier
after 33 years of service. A WWII veteran he served from April 21, 1943 to March 2, 1946
in the U.S. Navy.
Survivors include a son, George, of Lithia, Fla.; two daughters, Faye Cott and Mrs. Allen
(Elaine) Goebbert, both of Huntington; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Lois Miller, and a brother, Norris Cott.
Services Saturday at 10:30 a.m. will be at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home, Geneva,
under the direction of Mr. Cott’s son-in-law, Pastor Allen Goebbert. Burial will follow at
Riverside Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Geneva Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post #6751.
Calling hours at the funeral home are 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Memorials may be made to The High Street United Methodist Church.
Robert G. Michel, 72
Step-father of Mrs. Michael (Lisa) McPherson, Uniondale, Robert G. Michel, 72, died Jan. 3
at the Florida South Hospital in Orlando, Fla.
Born March 17, 1932 in Huntington to Herbert and Pauline Kennedy Michel, his family moved
to Washington Twp. in Whitley County when he was seven. He was married to the former
Patricia A. Leist June 28, 1953. She preceded him in death Nov. 18, 1985. He married the
former Carole Luton Larson July 15, 1989. She survives.
A farmer, he was a member of the Columbia City United Methodist Church and a former member
of the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department. A veteran of the Korean War, he
served from Nov. 12, 1952 to Nov. 12, 1954.
Additional survivors include his mother; two sons, David of Huntertown and Rick of
Columbia City; two daughters, Mrs. John (Vicki) Bowers of Fort Wayne and Mrs. Jim (Mary
Kay) Walters of Goodyear, Ariz.; a second step-daughter, Mrs. Rick (Laurel) Gorney of
Fishers; two step-sons, Jeff Binkley of Danville and Peter Binkley of Tucson, Ariz.; two
brothers, Don of Muncie and Dick of Huntington; two sisters, Joyce Ann Butler and Becky
Puckett, both a Columbia City; 12 grandchildren, nine step grandchildren.
Two brothers preceded him in death, Loren and Lyle Michel.
Services at 3 p.m. Sunday will be held at Columbia City United Methodist Church with Rev.
Jack Scott officiating. Burial will follow at South Whitley Cemetery.
Calling from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday will be held at Smith & Sons Funeral
Home, Columbia City. Calling will also be one hour prior to services Sunday at the
church.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Fund.
Friday, January 7, 2005
Betty J. Boulware, 76
Services for Betty J. Boulware, 76,of Fort Wayne, who died Jan. 5, will be at 11 a.m.
Monday at D.O. McComb & Sons Covington Knoll Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, with
burial in Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton. Calling at the funeral home will be Sunday from 2
to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Retired from Indiana & Michigan Electric Co., after 20 years of service. she is
survived by her husband, Ernest R. Boulware, seven children, 15 grandchildren and 15 great
grandchildren.
Blaine I. Garard, 89
Blaine I. Garard, 89, of Hoagland died Thursday, Jan. 6 at Ossian Health Care. Born June
14, 1915 in Decatur to Benjamin and Blanche Marvin Garard. He was preceded in death by his
wife, Violet M. Garard.
A resident in the Fort Wayne area most of his life, he was owner of Maumee Weldments steel
fabricating. He is survived by a daughter, Bonita Baker of Hoagland, three grandchildren
and three great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday at 10 a.m. at Frurip-May Funeral Home in LaGrange, where
calling will be Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in
LaGrange.
Pamela Thomas, 53
A worker at Peyton Northern in Bluffton, Pamela K. Thomas, 53, Decatur, died at 9:43 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 6 at Adams Memorial Hospital in Decatur.
Survivors include her mother, Norma Shelton, Decatur; three sons and two brothers, all of
Decatur; one grandson and three step grandchildren.
Services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Haggard & Sefton Funeral Home in
Decatur. Calling hours are Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for one hour prior to the
service on Monday. Preferred memorials to the Zion United Church of Christ or to Hospice
of Northeast Indiana.