This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Fravel, Schlagenhauf, Garrison, Biberstine, Rodenbeck, Bannister, Phillips,
Purkhiser, Voris, Zimmerman, Crouch, Stepp, Brown, Shutt, Rush, Sonnenberg
Classification: Obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Ui.2ADI/3189
Message Board Post:
Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005
Rosella M. Fravel, 72
A native of Wells County, Rosella M. Fravel of Geneva died Thursday, Feb. 3 at Lutheran
Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Born Sept. 21, 1932 to Joel and Lillie Schwartz Schaefer, her marriage on March 25, 1950
in Portland was to Charles E. Fravel, who survives.
She attended school in Wells County and had owned and operated with her husband “The Hub”
in Geneva for many years.
In addition to the husband she is survived by three sons, Lonnie D. Fravel of Geneva, Gary
L. Fravel of Bobo and Brian G. Fravel of Decatur; three daughters, Mrs. Patrick (Karen S.)
Height of Scottsville, Ky.; Cindy L. Gunter and Teresa G. Fravel-Cox, both of Geneva, and
a sister, Mary Jane Fosnaugh of Decatur.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Glen, Donald and Gerald Schaefer, a sister,
Mildred Baumgartner and one grandchild.
Funeral serevices will be held at 1 p.m.Monday at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home in
Geneva with Robert Farris officiating and burial in Riverside Cemetery in Geneva. Calling
at the funeral home will be Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. until time of
services.
Preferred memorials are to the donor’s choice.
Monday, Feb. 7, 2005
Lawrence L. Schlagenhauf, 85
Lawrence L. Schlagenhauf, 85, of Bluffton, died at 7 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 at Christian Care
Center in Bluffton.
Born on April 22, 1919 in Wells County to Henry and Eva Gottschalk Schlagenhauf, he
married Kathleen I. Hannie on Oct. 5, 1940 in Linn Grove; she survives.
A farmer, he also was retired from Bluffton-Harrison Schools, driving a school bus for 36
years. He was a member of Living Water United Methodist Church, a former member of the
Rotary Club and was active in the 4-H Club of Wells County.
Other survivors include two sons, Larry Schlagenhauf of Indianapolis and Rex Schlagenhauf
of Clarkston, Mich.; and four grandchildren.
Services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Living Water United Methodist Church,
with Steve McPeek and Ralph Klinker officiating. Calling hours are Tuesday from 2 to 8
p.m. at the Goodwin Memorial Chapel and Wednesday for one hour prior to the service at the
church.
Burial will be in the Old Salem Cemetery. Preferred memorials are to the Hospice of N.E.
Indiana or the church’s building fund.
William G. Garrison, 51
William “Wild Bill” Glenn Garrison, 51, of Fort Wayne, died at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5
at his residence.
Born in Toledo, Ohio on June 19, 1953 to Junior and Elaine Rogers Rose Garrison, he was
raised in Bluffton by his grandparents, Paul and Martha Garrison. He married Debra DeFord
on Oct. 31, 1976 in Fort Wayne; she survives.
He attended Bluffton and Kendallville high schools and worked for Levin and Sons
(OmniSource) in Fort Wayne for 20 years. Most recently he was an engineer for Norfolk
Southern Railroad Corp. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1970 to 1973.
Other survivors include three sons, Joshua L., Tim W. and Cody A. Garrison, all of Fort
Wayne; a brother, Bob Garrison of Andrews; and two aunts, Joan and Norma Garrison, both of
Bluffton.
Services will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral
Home with Rev. Walter Graeflin officiating. Visitation hours are from 5 p.m. Wednesday
until the time of the service. Preferred memorials are to the family.
Morris Biberstine, 78
A native of Bluffton, Morris L. Biberstine, 78, Wren, Ohio, died at 4:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb.
6 at his residence.
Born June 20, 1926 in Bluffton to Edward and Martha Michael Biberstine, he married Nellie
Foust on Dec. 20, 1947; she survives.
A veteran of World War II, he was a member of American Legion Post 11 in Bluffton. He
owned and operated Wren Hardware, Heating and Sheet Metal.
Other survivors include two sons, Terry of Convoy, Ohio and Steve of Ohio City, Ohio; a
daughter, Sandy Towell of Bryant; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one
sister, Vera Hinderer and two brothers, Gene and Richard Biberstine.
Services will be held Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur,
with visitation there Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 5 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Six Mile
Cemetery southeast of Bluffton with graveside military rites by the American Legion.
Preferred memorials are to the Van Wert County Hospice.
Althea Rodenbeck, 78
The mother of Michael Rodenbeck of Ossian, Althea C. Rodenbeck, 78, Fort Wayne, died
Sunday, Feb. 6.
Born in Fort Wayne on April 25, 1926, she was a member of Trinity English Lutheran
Church.
Survivors include her husband, Wilbur Rodenbeck of Fort Wayne; another son, Steven
Rodenbeck of Fort Wayne; two sisters, Betty Moessner in Iowa and Elaine Aniloski in
California; and three grandchildren.
Services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home in
Waynedale. Visitation hours are Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and for one hour prior
to the service on Wednesday. Burial will be in Lindenwood Cemetery. Preferred memorials to
Visiting Nurse & Hospice.
David J. Bannister, 51
David J. Bannister, 51, Fort Wayne, died Saturday, Jan. 22 in Warren.
He was born Nov. 3, 1953. There will be no visitation. A private burial will be held at
Mitchell Cemetery in Warren on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Arrangements are being handled by Glancy
Funeral Homes, H. Brown & Son Chapel in Warren.
Dr. John Phillips, 84
A former physician with Caylor-Nickel Clinic, Dr. John F. Phillips, 84, OF Fort Wayne,
died at 2:20 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4 at Parkview Hospital.
He was also a physician at Fort Wayne Cardiology, maintained a private practice and was an
assistant professor at I.U. School of Medicine.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, of Fort Wayne; four sons, John F. Jr., Robert and Mark,
all of Indianapolis, and Michael of Pittsboro; a daughter, Julie D. Phillips of Granger;
four stepchildren, David Sorg of Denver, Colo., Michael Sorg of Bonn, Germany, Mary
Mansell of Algonquin, Ill., and Barbara Ingermann of Moscow, Ida; a sister; Rose Marie Fry
of Zionsville; 22 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by
his first wife, Rosemary, and a son, David.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church, 300
W. Wayne St. in Fort Wayne, with calling from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at McKay Hall at the
church. Arrangements are being handled by the Northeast Indiana Cremation Society.
Laverne Purkhiser, 84
A former Bluffton resident, Laverne Purkhiser, 84 of Port Hope, Mich., died at her home on
Saturday, Feb. 5.
Born Jan. 13, 1921 in Louisville, Ky., to Orville and Emma Humphrey Schardine, she and her
husband, Robert, owned and operated the Purkhiser Rustic Cottages near Lighthouse Park
from 1972 to 1989. She was a former member of the Order of Eastern Star and BPW in
Bluffton. Survivors include her husband; a son, Jay Purkhiser of Auburn; and two
grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert, who died in 1982.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach, Mich.
Calling is today from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in New River
Cemetery in Huron City, Mich.
Mary Voris, 81 - Rites Pending
Arrangements are pending at Goodwin Memorial Chapel for Mary Voris, 81, Bluffton, who died
Sunday at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005
Betty M. Zimmerman, 79
A retired Franklin Electric employee, Betty M. Zimmerman, 79, formerly of rural Bluffton,
died at 1:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7 at Swiss Village in Berne.
Born Sept. 21, 1925 in Wells County to Clinton and Grace Warner Studebaker Sr., her
marriage on Nov. 3, 1956 in Bluffton was to Bernard E. Zimmerman, who survives in Berne.
She was a 1943 graduate of Bluffton High School and was employed at Franklin Electric for
37 years, retiring in 1985. She attended West Missionary Church in Berne where she helped
with Bible and church Sunday schools.
Surviving are a son, Clarence Zimmerman of Bluffton; three brothers Hugh Studebaker and
Robert Studebaker of Bluffton and Max Studebaker of Grand Haven, Mich; a sister, Mrs. Mae
Taylor of Bluffton and one grandchild.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Clinton Jr., and a sister, Alice
Schaefer.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Goodwin Memorial Chapel with Keith Rupp
and Walter Graeflin officiating. Burial will be in M.R.E. Cemetery in Berne.
Calling at the funeral home will be Wednesday from 2 to 8 p.m. Preferred memorials are to
Swiss Village.
Mary M. Voris, 81
Mary M. Voris, 81, of Bluffton, died at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 at St. Joseph Hospital in
Fort Wayne.
She was a 1942 graduate of Liberty Center High School and was formerly employed at Kitco
and as a private housekeeper. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Born July 9, 1923 in Liberty Center to Steve and Julia Ann Kostyal Lukacko, she is
survived by a son, Paul Voris of Fort Wayne.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Fr. Dale
Bauman officiating and burial in Fairview Cemetery.
Calling at Goodwin Memorial Chapel will be Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Rosary will
be recited prior to calling at 4 p.m. Calling also one hour prior to services at the
church.
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005
Wilma L. Crouch -- Rites Pending
Wilma L.Crouch of Warren died at 6:40 a.m. today, Wednesday, February 9, 2005, at the
Warren United Methodist Memorial Home, Warren.
Arrangements are pending at Glancy Funeral Homes -- H. Brown & Son Chapel, Warren.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Wilma L. Crouch, 76
A former Jackson Twp. resident, Wilma L. Crouch, 76, died at the Warren United Methodist
Memorial Home at 6:40 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9.
Born July 5, 1928, to Leland “Lee” and Belva Garrett Palmer, her marriage to James A.
Crouch took place in Fort Wayne June 2, 1973. He survives.
A 1946 graduate of Jackson Center High School, she and Mr. Crouch operated the Dillman
Upholstery Shop in Dillman for 15 years. She was a member of the Dillman United Brethren
in Christ Church.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, David Lacey, of Bristol; a daughter,
Donna Runkle of Warren; a step-son, Richard Crouch and a step-daughter, Cynthia Brooks,
both of Tucson, Ariz.; two brothers, John Palmer of Marion and Robert Palmer of van Buren;
a sister, Martelle Palmer of Van Buren; two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and
seven step-grandchildren.
A son, Timothy Lacey, and a grandson, Mark Runkle, preceded her in death.
Services at 11 a.m. Saturday will be held at Glancy Funeral Homes-H. brown & Son
Chapel with Pastor Dick Case officiating. Burial will follow at the Van Buren Cemetery.
Calling hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
memorials may be made to the Van Buren Cemetery.
Aleda Gene Stepp, 90
Services were held Tuesday, Feb. 8, for Bluffton native Aleda Gene Stepp, 90, who died
Feb. 5 at National Health Care in Loretto, Tenn.
A graduate of Chester Center High School, she was retired from civil service with the U.S.
Army at Fort Harrison.
Survivors included her husband, George of Loretto, a son, Robert, of Lawrenceburg, Tenn.;
a brother, Louis Edgar Millikan of Florida; five grandchildren and seven
great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Stephen M. Stepp, and three brothers, Chester, Lyle
and Charles Millikan.
Friday, February 11, 2005
David D. Brown, 62
David D. Brown, 62, of Zanesville, died unexpectedly at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10 at
Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Born in Bluffton to Delbert S. and Agnes Sutton Brown on Nov. 10, 1942, he married Luanne
Lenwell on May 11, 1962 at the Chester Center Church in Wells County; she survives.
A 1960 graduate of Chester Center High School, he had worked for Meridian of Huntington
and was currently employed at Majestic of Huntington. He was a member of the Fellowship
Missionary Church in Fort Wayne, the Zanesville Lions Club and was a referee for Upward
Basketball.
Other survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Gary (Kelly) Short and Mrs. Rod (Deb)
Grover, both of Markle, and Mrs. Mike (Donna) Deam of Fort Wayne; two sisters, Betty Jane
Howell of Bluffton and Mrs. Bob (Pat) Glessner of Huntington; and six grandchildren. He
was preceded in death by a brother, Harry (Bud) Brown.
Services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at Fellowship Missionary Church in Fort Wayne.
Calling hours are Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home
and on Monday for one hour prior to the services at the church.
Burial will be in Hoverstock Cemetery in Zanesville. Preferred memorials are to the
church’s building fund.
Hattie M. Shutt, 100
Hattie M. Shutt,100, formerly of Ossian, died Saturday, Feb. 5 at Swanee Health Care
Center in Live Oak, Fla.
Born in Wells County on April 29, 1904 to Emmett and Maryetta Valentine Archbold, she
married Fred Shutt on Jan. 8, 1925 in Ossian; he died Jan. 21, 1977. She was a member of
the Ossian United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a son, Robert L. Shutt of Fort Wayne; a daughter, Mary M. Bragg, The
Phillippines; five grandchildren, including Brian Shutt of Ossian; seven great
grandchildren; and eight great-great grandchildren.
Services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at the Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home in
Ossian, with visitation there two hours prior to the service. Burial will be in Oak Lawn
Cemetery. Preferred memorials are to the church.
Frances Rush, 77
Frances J. Rush, 77, Ossian, died Thursday, Feb. 10 at her residence.
Born in Ossian on May 18, 1927 to Gail and Wuanita Smith Patten, she married Don Rush on
Nov. 17, 1945; he died June 23, 1984.
She was a cook at Ossian Elementary School and also retired from the former City Market in
Ossian after 17 years.
Survivors include a son, Terry Rush of Ossian; a daughter, Mrs. Milt (Patsy) Gallmeyer of
Ossian; a brother, Raymond “Butch” Patten of Columbia City; a sister, Mrs. Daniel (Nancy)
Confer of Ossian; five grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
Services will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home in
Ossian, with calling there Saturday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Preferred memorials to Family Hospice of N.E.
Indiana.
Robert D. Sonnenberg, 85 — Rites Pending
Robert D. Sonnenberg, 85, of Ossian, died Thursday, Feb. 10. Rites are pending at
Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home in Ossian.