Noble County Indiana Library - Whan Collection
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Obituaries - Bea
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Beach Eliza J, 63, of Johnson Twp, LaGrange County, died April 4. ^ 4-18-1877
Beach Inez, 90, of Montpelier, Ohio, died Jan. 19, 2004 at the Dilworth Center in Montpelier. A registered nurse, she had been employed at the former Williams County Hospital in Montpelier. She was born Nov. 11, 1913 in Salt Lick, Ky. to Clifford and Mae (Pierce) Hobbs. She was a graduate of Cromwell High School and Epworth School of Nursing in South Bend. Surviving are a daughter, Brenda of Wooster, Ohio; a brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Ada Hobbs of Ligonier; a sister-in-law, Dorie Hobbs of Michigan City. She was preceded in death by her husband, David A. Beach on Aug. 17, 1982; and 2 brothers, Lester and Arnold Hobbs. Graveside services Wednesday at Sparta Cemetery. ^ 1-20-2004
Beachey Clarence J, 69, died at his residence in Ontario Friday. He was born in Shipshewana March 21, 1897 to John J. and Delia Beam Beachey. He was married in Elkhart in February 1920 to Mary Emily Ingersoll. Surviving are his wife; three daughters, Mrs. R. G. (Caroline) Worland of Sturgis, Mich., her twin, Mrs. Wendell (Carol) Shultz of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Norman (Ella Joan) Grill of Glen Ridge, N. J.; nine grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Kathryn Brown of Bay Shore, Mich.; four brothers, Clinton A. of Shipshewana, Samuel of Bellevue, O., Simon of Indianapolis, and Paul of Raymond, N. H. Funeral at Shoup Funeral Home in Howe Monday. Burial, Riverside Cemetery, Howe. + 1966
Beadle Charles H, 24 years and 11 days, died March 1 of measles. He was the son of C. Beadle, 1 ½ miles southwest of this city. Funeral in the M. E. Church in this city Sunday. ^ 3-6-1879
Beadle Coleman was born in Farmington, Wayne County, N.Y. Jan. 9, 1828; died at his home near Kendallville Oct. 4, aged 65 years 8 months and 23 days. He was married to Adelaide Inman June 17, 1852. Eight children were born to them, six of whom are now living, 2 sons and 4 daughters. He resided for many years upon the farm in Allen Twp where he died. Funeral Saturday at the residence. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 10-13-1893
Beal Adella was born about 6 miles north of Albion on Oct. 1, 1868, the daughter of James and Hulda Johnson and was one of three children in the family. A brother died as an infant, and a sister at age 5. In 1890 she was married to Wilson Beal. Three children survive her, Norma Beal at home, Mrs. Claude Stienbarger of Elkhart Twp and Wilmer Beal, Ligonier; and one grandson, Theodore Stienbarger. She died on Feb. 11, 1944 being 75 years 4 months and 10 days old. As a girl she joined the Baptist Church at Cosperville. Services at the home on Feb. 14. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 2-?-1944
Beal Lucinda Severns was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, May 20, 1831 and married David Beal of Fulton Co., Ohio, in 1851. His death a number of years ago left her a widow with a large family of children. She came to Indiana about 16 years ago, making her home with her daughter and son, Wilson, a greater part of the time. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Adrian Hiliard, of this place, Dec. 10, 1900, aged 69 years 6 mo. and 19 days. She leaves 2 daughters, 6 sons, 25 grandchildren; 2 brothers and one sister. Three children also preceded her in death. Services at the M. E. Church. Burial, Osborn Cemetery. + Poppy Scrapbook
Beal Norma W, 84, R. 1, Wawaka, died Friday in Strawberry Village Nursing Home, Ligonier. She was a retired employee of Essex Wire Corp. and a lifelong Wawaka resident. She was born April 19, 1895, the daughter of William and Adella (Johnson) Beal. Surviving is one nephew, Ted Stienbarger, R. 1, Wawaka. One brother and one sister preceded her in death. She was a member of Wawaka Methodist Church. Funeral Monday in Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 4-?-1980
Beal Wilmer J, 82, a former Ligonier resident, was born April 27, 1892 in Brimfield, the son of Wilson and Della (Johnson) Beal. He married Vira Grimm Nov. 6, 1926 in Albion. He had lived in the Ligonier-Wawaka area and recently lived on R. 6, Goshen. Surviving are his wife; two stepsons, Elmer of Goshen and Earl of Topeka; one sister, Norma of Wawaka; 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Funeral Saturday from Ulrey Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Cosperville Cemetery. + 7-?-1974
Beal Wilson S was born Jan. 24, 1870 and died April 7, 1957. Services at Bonham & Miser Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 4-?-1957
Beale Alfred Parker, 86, a retired Methodist minister, died Monday (d. 4-25-1988) at his Albion residence. He was born Feb. 13, 1902 in Highbridge, England, the son of Alfred G. and Florence M. (Parker) Beale. On June 17, 1931 in Greensburg, Kan., he married Virginia Robertson. He began his ministerial career in 1932, retiring in 1967. He was a member of the North Indiana Conference of United Methodist Churches. Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Rivera, Indianapolis, and Charlene Laurent, Stevens Point, Wis.; 7 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. One brother preceded him in death. Services Thursday in Asbury United Methodist Church. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 4-25-1988
Beale Virginia, 89, of Albion, died Monday in Kendallville. She was a high school English teacher in Kansas, Kendallville and Avilla. Surviving are 2 daughters, Charleen Laurent of Stephens Point, Wis., and Elizabeth Payne of Indianapolis; and 7 grandchildren. Her husband, Rev. Alfred Parker Beale, died in 1988. Services Thursday at Asbury Methodist Church in Albion. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 6-7-1994
Beall William died in Sparta Twp Nov. 4, 1889. He was born in Franklin County, Ohio, April 15, 1818, and came to Noble County in 1834. ~ 6-12-1890
Beals Erwin A, 87, of Kendallville, died Sunday at his residence. He was born in Randolph, Wis., Jan. 6, 1902, the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Beals. On Jan. 3, 1930 he married Verna Bork, who died Aug. 20, 1972. He was a retired meat cutter. Surviving are a sister, Maude Williams of Dousman, Wis.; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A daughter, Joan Klopfenstein; one brother; and three sisters preceded him in death. Services Wednesday in Hite Funeral Home, Kendallville. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 4-16-1989
Beals Verna A, 67, R. 1, died Sunday in McCray Hospital. She was born Feb. 21, 1905 in Randolph, Wis., to Emil and Adolphine (Schmidt) Bork. She married Erwin Beals Jan. 3, 1930. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Parish Workers, and Second Time around Club. Surviving are the husband; a daughter, Mrs. Nathan (Joan) Klopfenstein, R. 3, Kendallville; and three grandchildren. One brother and one sister preceded her in death. Funeral at Hite Funeral Home Wednesday. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 8-?-1972
Beams James, 74, was found dead at his home north of Cromwell Monday by George Poyser, a neighbor. Surviving relatives are two sisters, Mrs. Ida Hursey of Cromwell, and a sister in Atlanta, Neb. + 2-?-1935
Beams Ruth E, 75, died Wednesday in Boswell Hospital, Sun City, Ariz. A former Fort Wayne resident, she was born in Wawaka. Surviving are her husband, Dr. Ralph Beams; a son, Dr. David Beams; two daughters, Diane Richards of Sioux City, Iowa, and Rebecca Tunis of Pepper Pike, Ohio; a brother, Raymond Loveless of Phoenix; a sister, Pauline Roebke of Phoenix; and seven grandchildren. Memorial services Saturday at Sunland Mortuary, Sun City. + 12-21-1988
Beanblossom Mary J, wife of Abram, aged 32 years, 8 months and 6 days, died Dec. 23, 1872 in this place. She was a member in good standing at one time of the Baptist Church, but for the last 4 years was not a member of any church. She was an early settler of this county having come to Rochester in 1835. A son and a husband are left to mourn. National Banner, Ligonier, 1-1-1873 Contributed by Judy Richter
Beane Frances M, 69, Noble County clerk from 1924 to 1932 and widow of William A. Beane, former Noble County Superintendent of Schools, died at her home in Albion Monday. Services were Thursday at Bonham & Miser Funeral Home with burial in Rose Hill Cemetery. ~ 1-11-1951 She was born April 26, 1883 and died Jan. 8, 1951. She had been employed at the Noble County Abstract Office and at the law firm of Fraze & Spangler. Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Georgia Erwin of Albion; a brother, John W. Copp of Pendleton, Oregon; and a nephew, Marion Erwin of Goshen. + 1-?-1951
Bear Esther H, 74, of R. 2, Churubusco, died Sept. 18, 1990 in Hicksville, Ohio. She was born in Merriam, Noble County to Jerry and Effie Perry Ott. On Feb. 24, 1940 she married George Bear. He died in 1988. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. James (Carol) Slattery of Hicksville; 2 sons, Ronald and Larry Bear of Fort Wayne; a brother, Chester Ott of Inglewood, Fla., and 9 grandchildren. Services last Friday at Sheets Funeral Home, Churubusco. Burial, Eel River Cemetery. + 9-18-1990
Bear Mary Jerusha was born in Leipsic, Putnam County, Ohio on May 18, 1862 died in Churubusco on March 24, 1905 at the early age of 42 years, 10 months and 6 days. During the autumn of 1875, her father, John Montooth, came to Albion where she attended Albion schools for three years, after which she taught school in Noble County for 13 terms. On May 10, 885 she married Charles Bear, and on Aug. 10 of the same year they came to Churubusco, where they have since lived. To them were born 2 sons, neither surviving infancy. The father and one sister also preceded her to the homeland. She was a member of the Churubusco United Brethren Church. She leaves her mother; 2 brothers, Alexander of LaOtto, and Everett of Kendallville; and 3 sisters, Mae of LaOtto, Mrs. Clara Hoagland of Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. Jennie Doubt of Angola. * 3-?-1905
Beard Elam, 37, died Tuesday from typhoid fever. He was employed by the Vandalia Railroad as car inspector. He leaves a wife and 5 small children. Funeral Thursday. Burial, Warcup Cemetery. ^ 9-15-1905
Beard Faye E Doll, 85, of Kimmell, died Tuesday in Kendallville Manor Health Care Center. She was born in Allen County Nov. 18, 1908 to Ralph and Leona Bower. Her first husband, John Doll, died in 1975, and her second husband, Bob Beard, died in 1980. She retired in 1972 from Atz Furniture Store in Ligonier and was a member of Sparta Church of Christ, Rebekah Lodge, Mothers Club of Kimmell and York Twp Ladies Society. Surviving are a daughter, Mary Jo Hodges-Brulez of South Bend; 3 grandsons, Noel, Thor and Jeramy Hodges; a granddaughter, Robin Holiday. A brother, Norman F. Gustin, preceded her in death. Funeral Thursday in Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 9-6-1994
Beard Jacob, a pioneer resident of Noble County, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, Jan. 8, 1834, and died at his residence in Albion, May 18, 1909, aged 75 years, 4 months and 5 days. April 4, 1858 he married Nancy Elser and they had three sons, Alphin E. dying in infancy, the two living children are Samuel M. of Palacios, Texas, Wilson H. of Los Angeles, Cal. In April 1865 he moved from Mahoning County, Ohio to Noble County, and located on a farm near Port Mitchell where he spent forty-two years of his life. In November 1907 by reason of his advanced age and impaired health, with his estimable wife, retired from active work on the farm and moved to Albion, Ind. In 1858 he united with the St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. He died as a result of a prolonged attack of rheumatism and Bright’s disease. He is survived by his wife; two sons, a foster daughter, Mrs. Alice Earnhart and five children of Elkhart, Ind.; two grandchildren of Palacios, Texas; one sister, Mrs. Herman Eichler of Bunker Hill, Ill. Final obsequies were Sunday from St. Mark’s Church. + 5-?-1909 ^ 5-14-1909
Beard Martha, a resident of Larwill, Whitley County, died Saturday at the home of her son, Fred, in Whitley County. She is survived by four children, all residing in Whitley County. Funeral at Larwill Tuesday. Burial, Albion Cemetery. + 12-?-1931
Beard Nancy (Elser) was born Aug. 4, 1834 in Mahoning County, Ohio, and died at Palacios, Texas, Feb. 4, 1913. She was married to Jacob Beard Nov. 6, 1858, who died May 13, 1906. In 1863 they moved to Noble County, where they resided till his death. She lived alone until her daughter-in-law, Mrs. S. M Baird went after her and brought her to her home in Palacios in August 1911. She was the mother of three children, one dying in infancy, the other two, Samuel M. of Palacios, and Wilson H., of Los Angeles, Cal., surviving her. She is also survived by one sister living in Ohio and one brother in Huntington, Ind. When a child she united with the Evangelical Church of which she was a member at the time of her death. Funeral was at the Baird home on the BYPU encampment grounds Sunday. Monday the remains, accompanied by the son, Mr. S. M. Baird, were shipped to the old home at Albion, where they were buried Wednesday. Palacios, Texas Beacon, February 21. + 2-?-1913
Beard Pauline M, 75, of R. 3, Wolcottville, died Wednesday at her residence. She was born Feb. 6, 1909 to John and Mabel (Geary) Hood. On Feb. 26, 1930 in Fort Wayne she married Harold E. Beard, who died Aug. 9, 1981. Retired from the former Nichols Tavern in Kendallville, she was a member of the Rome City American Legion Auxiliary, Kendallville VFW Auxiliary and Fort Wayne Eagles Auxiliary. Surviving are a sister, Margurette Franks of Wolcottville; a niece, Diane Williams of Fort Wayne; and two nephews, Larry Franks of Wawaka and Gerald Hood of Fort Wayne. One sister and one brother preceded her in death. Services Friday at Hutchins-Armes Funeral Home, Wolcottville. Burial, Greenlawn Cemetery, Fort Wayne. + 12-?-1984
Beard Robert F, 69, of Kimmell, died Wednesday in Whitley County Hospital. Born Dec. 4, 1910 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Robert P. and Emma (Zern) Beard. His first wife, Ruby, preceded him in death. He married Faye (Gustin) Doll Oct. 15, 1977. He had lived in Kimmell 28 years and was a retired farmer and owner of Sunset View Mobile Home Park in Kimmell. He was a veteran of WW II and a member of Sparta Christian Church in Kimmell. Surviving are his wife; three daughters, Beverly Blew, Nancy Baumgartner, Fort Wayne, and Judy Farlow of Sterling Heights, Mich.; a stepdaughter, Mary Jo Hodges of Churubusco; a son, Dennis Beard of Skidmore, Texas; three sisters, Verda Hillie, Elva Hillie and Pearl Bade, Fort Wayne; 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. One son and one brother preceded him in death. Services Saturday in Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Cosperville Cemetery. + 7-?-1980
Beard Ruby M, about 64, of R. 1, Kimmell, died March 7, 1973 at Elkhart General Hospital from cancer. She was born in Noble County on May 25, 1908, the daughter of William and Della Butz. She was married to Robert Beard in Fort Wayne on May 8, 1948. They had made their home at the present address for 27 years. She was a member of the Sparta United Church of Christ, Noble County Democrat Women’s Club and Extension Homemakers’ Club. Surviving are her husband; three stepdaughters, Mrs. George Dunfee and Mrs. John Baumgartner, Fort Wayne, and Judy Beard of Mt. Clemens, Mich.; two stepsons, Dennis, stationed with the U. S. Navy in Puerto Rico, and Paul, stationed with the U. S. Air Force in Germany; a sister, Mrs. Cleo Wolf of Albion; two brothers, Harold of LaGrange and Walter of Albion; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral Saturday at Sparta United Church of Christ, of which she was a member. Burial, Cosperville Cemetery. + 3-?-1973
Beard Ruth M, 74, died Sept. 6, 2003 at her home. She was a graduate of Goshen College and the University of Calif. at Berkley. She had earned her medical degree and her Ph.D. and had served as head of administration for the Texas Dept. of Health. She was born April 12, 1929 in Elkhart to Malcom and Mildred (Beard) Patterson and was adopted as an infant by Orlo and Doris (Ashville) Beard. Preceding her in death were a brother, Leonard Ashville; and 2 sisters, Daphyne Danner and Ruby Wagner. Graveside services Tuesday at Oak Park Cemetery. ^ 9-8-2003
Bearman Elmer F, 82, died Aug. 15 at his home in Monroeville. He was a lifelong resident of Monroeville and retired as a general foreman from International Harvester Co. in 1967 after 40 years’ service. Surviving are his wife; Pearl G.; four sons, Rev. Dean of Avilla, Lynn F. of Monroeville, Ned S. and Todd L., Fort Wayne; a daughter, Mary A. Drews of New Haven; a brother, Alvin of Fort Wayne; two sisters, Mildred Heckler of Fort Wayne and Marcella Luginbill of New Haven; 19 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Services Saturday in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Monroeville. Burial, Monroeville Memorial Cemetery. ~ 8-22-1989
Bearss Fanny Dingman, the mother of Mrs. Elizabeth Forker, Mrs. Ragan, Mrs. Jackson Iddings, Messrs. Adam, Chris and Jarrett Dingman, all now deceased, came to Noble County with her family as early as 1835 or possibly before. She was then a widow. She bought 80 acres of land in Section 33, Wayne Twp, now within the city limits of Kendallville and on the east side of Main St. She built the first or second frame residence within the present city limits and the building is yet standing in fair repair on the south side of Gold St. In those early days Mrs. Bearrs was much better known as "Aunt Fanny" and was in great demand as physician and nurse. She gave strict attention to all calls of sickness, oftentimes going many miles on horseback. When she decided to marry Mr. Bearss, which was several years after she came to Noble County, they had to travel on foot from her house to some place in LaGrange County not far from the Hawpatch in order to secure the services of a minister or magistrate to solemnize the wedding. ^ 10-11-1906
Beasley Dorothy C, 78, died March 6, 2002 at her daughter's home. She worked as a secretary for various attorneys, a state senator and a physician. She was a member of Boulevard United Methodist Church in Richmond. She was born July 28, 1923 in Richmond to Joseph and Dorothy (Cousins) Childrey. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Vickie and Dennis Herr in Kendallville; 3 granddaughters, Valerie Conkey, Michele and Stephanie Herr; a grandson, Corey Herr; a great-granddaughter, Lyndsay Conkey; a sister, Jean Owen of Richmond and a brother, Earl Childrey of Richmond. Graveside services Friday at Lake View Cemetery. ^ 3-7-2002
Beatty Rosa R Kreienbrink, 84, who lived near Avilla all her life until moving to the Kondas Nursing Home about three years ago, died Wednesday after about a month’s illness. She was the daughter of Fred and Laroma Fryer Borck. She is survived by three sons, Lucian Kreienbrink Fort Wayne, Robert, Sturgis, Mich.; three daughters, Grace Lobdell, Avilla, Beatrice Teders, Avilla, Roselyn Yeiser, Fort Wayne; one brother, Leo Borck, Avilla; one sister, Bertha Schmenk, Hudson, Mich.; 25 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was a member of the St. Mary’s Church where services will be held Saturday. Burial, St. Mary’s Cemetery. ~ 2-9-1961
Beaty Beverly A, 82, of Kendallville, died March 23, 2012, at Parkview Noble Hospital. She was born in Kendallville on August 20, 1929, to William and Cecil (Bloomfield) Odell. She graduated from Kendallville High School in 1947. She married Robert Beaty and he died December 8, 1966. She worked for Murphy’s Five and Ten in Kendallville for several years. After working for Murphy’s, she worked for the Belmont Store in Kendallville until she retired. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Avilla. Survivors include 2 daughters, Roberta Young of Kendallville and Sara and Chip Appleton of Kimmell; a son, David Beaty of Kendallville; 7 grandchildren, Stephanie Appleton, Jonathan Appleton, Joel Young, Jason Young, Daniel Young, Rebecca Sell and Emily Sprengelmeyer; 3 great-grandchildren; a sister, Marilyn Slater of Kendallville; and a brother, Bill and Kathleen Odell of LaGrange. She was also preceded in death by one son, Joseph Beaty; one brother, Bud Odell; and 2 sisters, Donnabelle Brickley and Carolyn Harmeyer. Funeral will be private family service.  Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 3-24-2012
Beaty Joseph Allen, 15-months old son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beaty, died Saturday in McCray Hospital of burns suffered Friday. Their only child, born Oct. 13, 1948, he was being given a bath by his mother and turned on the hot water faucet of the shower bath when his mother stepped from the room for a moment. Surviving are the parents; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Odell, Kendallville, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Beaty, Auburn. Services Tuesday at a funeral home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 7-?-1950
Beaty Pearl, 73, died Friday in the McCray Hospital. She moved from Fort Wayne to LaOtto several years ago. She was a member of the LaOtto Lutheran Church and the Trinity Chapter No. 576, O.E.S. Surviving are the husband, Charles, a retired railroad worker; a daughter, Mrs. Josie Crain, of near Fort Wayne; two sons, Clarence of Fort Wayne and Herbert of Van Wert, Ohio; a sister, Mrs. Anna Michaels; two brothers, Albert and Charles Schnavely, all of Altoona, Pa.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Services Sunday in the LaOtto Lutheran Church. Burial, Swan Cemetery. ~ 5-10-1956
Beaubien Alfred was drowned Tuesday while swimming in the Elkhart River four miles west of here. He had made his home with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Waldron. They had given the boy permission to go to the home of James and Hubert Hewitt nearby while they spent part of the day at Albion. The Hewitt brothers said they had accompanied Alfred to the river and that he dived in and failed to appear at the surface. They waited a considerable time at the river in hope that Beaubien would return and then decided to notify authorities. The body was moved to the Brown Funeral Home at Ligonier. + 6-?-1938
Beauchamp Paul Stanley, 10, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Beauchamp, residing near Bakertown, died Thursday at his home. Surviving in addition to the parents are a brother, Gregory Lee, and a sister, Chloe Ann at home, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Bradbury, R. R. 8, Fort Wayne. Services Sunday at Krider Funeral Home. Burial, Nine Mile Cemetery, southwest of Fort Wayne. ~ 4-30-1953
Beauchamp Sidney Herman, 47, of Bakertown, died Wednesday at the Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was advertising manager for the Tri-County Truth of Churubusco. Surviving are the widow, Geneva; one daughter, Chloe Ann, and one son, Gregory Lee, both at home; and one sister, Mrs. Mary Slagle, of Fort Wayne. The body was removed to the Krider Funeral Home in Churubusco, where services will be conducted Saturday. Burial, Nine Mile Cemetery, southwest of Fort Wayne. ~ 9-3-1953
Beaven Irene, 75, of Pierceton, died Sept. 4, 2005 at her home. She had been employed in cafeterias in Indianapolis schools and was a member of American Legion Post 484 Auxiliary in Millersburg. She was born July 1, 1930 in Indian Mound, Tenn. to James Herbert and Rosie (Gafford) Ezell. Surviving are 2 sons, Samuel Goodyear of Indianapolis and Kenny Goodyear of Cromwell; 3 daughters and 2 sons-in-law, Amy and Rocky Taylor of Wawaka, Sharon and Tim Foltz of Wilmot and Nancy Long of Indianapolis; 2 sisters and a brother-in-law, Doris and Bert Mays of Kingston Springs, Tenn.; 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Beaven; 2 sons, Thomas Goodyear and John Rittenberry; and a brother, Frank Ezell. Services Thursday at Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. ^ 9-6-2005
Beaver Rebecca, 68, died Sunday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Lash of Wayne Twp. She had been a resident of Fort Wayne for nearly 30 years. Since the death of her husband she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Ida Lash, who survives together with four sisters, Mrs. Lydia Miller of Newcastle, Mrs. Elmer Harr of Cleveland, Mrs. Emma Sordlett of Chicago, and Mrs. Theodore McDougall of Fort Wayne; and one brother, Theodore Rouse of Kaw City, Okla. Funeral from the Lash home Tuesday. Burial, IOOF Cemetery, New Haven. + 10-?-1928
Beavers Margaret, 89, (b. 12-3-1854 - d. 7-15-1944) died last night at the Wogoman Convalescent Home in Kendallville. Surviving are four children, Mrs. Jesse Ott, Albion, Joseph Lock, Albion, Mrs. Leyton Butt, Syracuse, and Carolus Locke, Ligonier. Services Tuesday at the Burr Oak Church. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 7-16-1944
Beazel Frances C died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Melvin Rogers, on Tuesday.  She is survived by 2 sisters, Mrs. George Greenawalt of Fort Wayne and Mrs. C. H. Walton of Hillsale, Ill; and one daughter.  Funeral from the home Friday.  Ligonier Leader 4-26-1922 Contributed by Judy Richter
Beazel Mildred (Mahon), wife of Howard A. Beazel, died at their home in Portland, Ore., Aug. 2. She was born in Rushville, Ind. and taught school there for 11 years before her marriage. She is survived by her husband; her father; and one sister, Mrs. Maurice Longenecker, Elkhart. The body is being returned to Elkhart and services will be there Aug. 9 at Westbrook Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 8-2-1956
Bechberger Clara nee Noecker was born Sept. 10, 1868 in Manistee, Mich. She was the daughter of John and Pauline Beight Noecker. When she was 3 her parents moved to Kendallville. On Sept. 29, 1889 she married John Bechberger. An abscess which was not alarming at first proved fatal when blood poisoning set in. She died Oct. 7 aged 36 years and 27 days. Her husband, mother and sister survive. Funeral at her home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 10-14-1904
Bechberger George, 49, died at his home in Berkley Heights, New Jersey, Monday. He was born July 7, 1921 in Kendallville to William and Dora (Misselhorn) Bechberger. He was married to Amelia Andrews and was graduated from Kendallville High School in 1939. While living here he was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church. He was a consulting engineer, a veteran of WW II, having served in the Air Force, and a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Mary Hill, N. J. Surviving are his wife; three sons, G. Randolph, Richard A., and Robert W.; and one daughter, Marcia Lynn, all at home and a sister, Mrs. Paul (Elfreda) Barth, Buffalo, N.Y. Graveside services Monday at Lake View Cemetery. + 7-?-1970
Bechtel Forda S, 72, a lifelong resident of the Ligonier community, died May 14 at his home three miles west of Ligonier. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and worked as a horseman and farmer most of his life. Surviving are three sons, Merle and Richard at home, and Morris of Middleburg; one sister, Mrs. Cora Harper of Ligonier; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services Sunday. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 5-?-1954
Bechtel Herald H, 25, died at his residence, 26 Woodbine, Friday of scarlet fever. He was born in Albion, May 10, 1894, son of Herbert E. and Flora M. Jacobs Bechtel. He has lived in Youngstown for two years and was employed as claim agent by the American Express Co. He was a member of St. Joseph Lodge, F & AM of South Bend, Ind., and belonged to St. John’s Commandery, Youngstown Chapter and Buechner Council in this city. Surviving are his parents and two sisters, Juanita at home, and Beatrice, Cleveland. Funeral was Saturday at the residence. Interment in Belmont Park Cemetery. Youngstown (O) Telegraph. + 4-?-1920
Bechtold Sanders S, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Bechtold of 203 N. Martin St., was killed Thursday when the semi-tractor truck in which he was riding went into a ditch on U. S. 6 just east of Bowling Green, Ohio. The driver of the truck, Harold H. Miller, is reported in fair condition. A graduate of Ligonier High School in 1964, he served in the Army from Jan. 1966 to Jan. 1968, 18 months of that time in Germany. He was born Aug. 19, 1946 in Whitley County. Surviving are the parents; one brother, Richard of Butler, Ind.; and a sister, Mrs. Thomas Spurling of Oceanside, Calif. Funeral Sunday in South Whitley at Miller Funeral Home. Burial, South Whitley Cemetery. + 7-?-1969
Beck - an old German who lived 3 miles north of this place, was in the city last Friday and while here a hernia became strangulated. He was taken into the rear room of Harris’ meat market and medical help called in, and was afterwards taken home by a son, the doctor promising to go out the next morning to operate on him if the means prescribed did not succeed in relieving him. Early next morning word was received that the old man had died during the night. He was buried on Sunday. ^ 1-28-1887
Beck Beulah, 47, died of paralysis Sunday in her home on the Angling Road northwest of Kendallville. Born in Allen Twp near Lisbon, she married William Beck in 1917. Surviving are her husband; her mother, Mrs. Mary Kresse of this city; two brothers, Merwin, near South Milford, and Charles of Kendallville; two sisters, Mrs. Emma Schultz, near Kendallville, and Mrs. Lyle Snow of Fort Wayne. Funeral Wednesday at the home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 11-?-1939
Beck Catherine, 98, of Syracuse, died of complications Friday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Milo D. Snyder of near Cromwell. A lifetime resident of the Syracuse community, she was born near Syracuse on Jan. 16, 1864, the daughter of John and Margaret (Rapp) Hinderer. She married Gottlieb Beck on Oct. 1, 1882, who preceded her in death 44 years ago. A daughter, Mrs. Margaret Correll, and a son, Walter, preceded her in death. She was a member of Calvary Evangelical United Brethren Church at Syracuse and the Ebenezer Ladies Aid. Surviving are three sons, John of Cromwell, and Charles and Calvin of Syracuse; one daughter, Mrs. Milo (Maybelle) Snyder of Cromwell; 17 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Services Tuesday in Calvary Evangelical U. B. Church. Burial, Byers Cemetery northwest of Cromwell. + 3-?-1962
Beck Charles E, 86, Syracuse, died August 27, 2002 at Goshen General Hospital. He was born December 24, 1915 to Calvin and Izel (Whitehead) Beck in Syracuse. He married Elizabeth Simpson in 1940. Surviving are his wife; 2 brothers, Richard of Pompano Beach, Fla., and Wendell of Avilla. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers; a sister; infant daughter, Susan Marie, and infant son, James Charles. He was a teacher, coach and administrator in Roann, South Whitley and Ligonier and retired from Fort Wayne Community Schools in 1976 after 37 years. Services Friday at Mishler-Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery, Ligonier. ~ 8-29-2002
Beck Charles W, one of Albion’s citizens, died Sunday. He was born in 1865 on the same lot where his residence now stands and died at the age of 68 years. For many years he had engaged in the wholesale produce business from which he retired several years ago. His wife was Fanny Schwab, who died in 1918. There are two daughters, Mrs. Pauline Ross of South Bend, and Mrs. Katherine Ralihan of Kendallville; and four sons, Dr. Forrest, Clarence, and Robert at home, and Dr. Charles of Upland; three grandchildren, Charles Beck Ralihan, Martha Jane Beck and John Robert Ross; one sister, Mrs. Melissa Smith; and one brother, M. C. Beck. He was a charter member of Albion Lodge No. 223 Knights of Pythias. Funeral Wednesday at the home. Burial, Albion Cemetery. + 6-?-1933
Beck Clarence K died July 8, 1958 of a heart attack in the yard of his home as he and his wife, Luceil, were preparing to leave on a month’s vacation trip in Michigan. A pharmacist and native son of Albion, he was a member of the Albion Rotary Club, Lodge 97, F & AM, Fort Wayne Consistory and Mizpah Shrine; Albion Chamber of Commerce and American Legion. He was a veteran of WW I. Surviving are the widow; two sisters, Mrs. Don Ross of South Bend, and Mrs. Katherine Ralihan of Chicago; and two brothers, Dr. Charles of Hartford City, and Robert of Albion. Last rites Thursday in Bonham & Miser Funeral Home. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 7-?-1958 (b. 5-29-1898)
Beck Elizabeth J, 91, of Ligonier, died June 29, 2010 at Avalon Village Nursing Home in Ligonier. She had retired after teaching for more than 30 years. She was a member of the Ligonier United Methodist Church. She was born Dec. 9, 1918 in Ligonier to James and Lucille (Hire) Simpson. She maried Charlie Beck in Oct. 1940. He died in 2002. She was also preceded in death by 2 infants and a sister, Barbara Spore. Funeral Saturday at Yeager Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. ^ 7-1-2010
Beck Etta E, 82, died Nov. 26, 1963 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Martin, Monroeville, with whom she resided after leaving Parkview Hospital Nov. 6. She was born Oct. 1, 1881 in Noble County, the daughter of Allen and Maria (Moore) Wright near Cromwell, and when a girl moved with her parents six miles north of Elkhart where she lived 18 years. On Dec. 23, 1906 she married John Beck, and two years later they moved to Syracuse where they resided 8 years. In 1914 they moved to their present farm home at Indian Village. She was a member of the Indian Village EUB Church, Ebenezer Ladies Aid, Sparta Twp Home Demonstration Club, and the Farm Bureau. Surviving are the husband; one daughter, Mrs. Martin; and four grandchildren. Funeral Nov. 29 from Ulrey-Sedgwick Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 11-26-1963
Beck Forrest S, 55, (b. 2-27-1896) native of Albion and a dentist there since 1919 died April 29, 1951, following a heart attack. He was a veteran of WW I, a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Indiana Dental Association, the American Legion, the Masonic Lodge, and the Knights of Pythias. Surviving are the wife, Naomi; two daughters, Mrs. James Girard, Plainfield and Miss Martha Jane at home; two sisters, Mrs. Donald Ross of South Bend and Mrs. Glade Ralihan of Chicago; and three brothers, Clarence and Robert of Albion, and Dr. Charles of Hartford City. Services Wednesday in the Bonham & Miser Funeral Home in Albion. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. ~ 5-3-1951 + 4-?-1951
Beck John, 86, died at Parkview Hospital Monday of a heart attack. He was born in Kosciusko County on May 17, 1883, the son of Gottlieb and Catherine (Hinderer) Beck, and lived most of his life in Kosciusko and Noble counties. He was married Dec. 23, 1906 in Elkhart to Etta Wright, who died Nov. 26, 1963. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. George (Lois) Martin of Monroeville; 4 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild; 1 sister, Mrs. Milo D. (Mabel) Snyder, Cromwell,; and two brothers, Calvin and Charles of Syracuse. Services Wednesday at Ulrey Funeral Home in Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 5-?-1969
Beck Josephine E, 43, was born near Columbia City Aug. 15, 1889, the daughter of Thomas and Parmelia Adair, both of whom are deceased. About 28 years ago she went to Toledo, O., where she married Fred Beck. He died several years ago. They had one daughter who died in infancy. She was one of nine children, seven of whom are still living: Mrs. Edith Wolfe, Kendallville, Mrs. John Kettlebar, Ligonier, Mrs. Fred Bennett, Whitley County, Gordon, Adrian and Hobert, near Albion, and John of Whitley County. She died Feb. 3. Funeral at Ormas Baptist Church Feb. 5. Burial, Thorn Cemetery. + 2-?-1933
Beck Mae, 88, died Sunday in the Betz Nursing Home at Auburn. She was a graduate of Valparaiso University and a retired school teacher. She was a member of the Poe Methodist Church. Surviving are two daughters, Mariam Bryant, Cincinnati, and Betty Gresley, Ossian; three brothers, Murray and Roy Emerick of Fort Wayne, and Arthur of Auburn; and four sisters, Mrs. Grace Dishion, New York City, Maude Shookman, Avilla, and Mrs. Katherine Welker and Mrs. Pearl Kile, both of St. Petersburg, Fla. Services Feb. 19 at Klaehn’s South Anthony Chapel. Burial, Poe Cemetery. ~ 3-1-1973
Beck Malinda P was born Dec. 2, 1836; died Aug. 10, aged 59 years 8 months and 8 days. She leaves a father and mother, one daughter and 2 sons. Funeral at the Evangelical Church. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 8-14-1896
Beck Martha E, 87, a resident of the Indiana State Veterans Hospital of Lafayette, died Wednesday in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lafayette. Born in Bunker Hill, Kan., May 29, 1892, she was the daughter of John W. and Ada (Frick) Steen. On March 5, 1932 in Joliet, Ill., she married Herman E. Beck and he died Dec. 27, 1978. A former resident of Kerr Island, Rome City, she was a retired private secretary for Carrollton Mfg., Carrollton, Ohio. She was a member of the Rome City United Methodist Church. Survivors are a brother, Lawrence Steen of Seminole, Fla.; and two nephews, Larry Steen of Okenos, Mich., and Tracy Steen of Seattle, Wash. Funeral Tuesday in Hutchins-Williams Funeral Home, Wolcottville. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 5-?-1980
Beck Martin C, 71, died at this home July 2. He is survived by the widow, Thella (Kimmell) Beck; one sister, Mrs. Melissa Smith; six nieces, Mrs. Maude Bowman and Mrs. Walter Bonham of Albion, Mrs. Leone Hicks and Mrs. Ray Dilgard of Auburn, Mrs. Pauline Ross of South Bend and Mrs. Glade Ralihan of Kendallville; and four nephews, Forrest, Clarence and Robert Beck of Albion, and Charles Beck of Upland. The son of Michael and Catherine Beck, he was born in Albion and spent most of his life here. He had been engaged in the drug business more than fifty years, most of the time in Albion, and engaged in the enlargement and beautification of the Albion cemetery, as chairman of the board. Funeral at the home Monday. Burial, Albion Cemetery. + 7-?-1938
Beck Michael was born Nov. 20, 1832 at Stien, Buckinghein, Germany. He was one of a family of six boys, four of them coming to this country. All have preceded him in death, excepting Martin of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He came to America in 1851 and located in Albion in March 1852, engaging in the blacksmithing business. He married Katherine Horn in July 1854. They had four children, Mrs. Isaac Frazure, Mrs. C. L. Smith, C. W. and M. C. Beck, all of whom reside in Albion. His wife died August 21, 1910. He joined the Masonic order in July 1868 and was a member until the time of his death Feb. 2, 1922, aged 89 years, 2 months and 12 days. He is survived by one brother; two sons and two daughter; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. L. Smith, Saturday. Burial, Albion Cemetery. + 2-?-1922
Beck Naomi, 93, of Albion, died Nov. 18, 1990 in the Sacred Heart Home, Avilla. Born July 22, 1897 in York Twp, she was the daughter of George and Martha (Peterson) Foote. On June 11, 1924 she married Forrest Beck. He died April 29, 1951. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, OES and American Legion Auxiliary, all of Albion. Surviving are 2 daughters, Martha Girard of Warsaw and Nancy Cole of Fort Wayne; a sister Marcelle Foote of Fort Myers, Fla.; 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Funeral Tuesday at Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 11-18-1990
Beck Robert J, 38, of R. 1, Huntertown, was dead on arrival at Parkview Hospital Jan. 6, apparently a heart attack victim. A Fort Wayne native, he had resided in Huntertown 10 years. He is survived by his wife, Jackie; a brother, Eugene, of Valdosta, Ga.; and three sisters, Mrs. Rita Ryan, Mrs. Donna Todd and Mrs. Nancy Eifrid, all of Fort Wayne. Services Jan. 9 in St. Charles Catholic Church and burial was in Catholic Cemetery. ~ 1-15-1976
Beck Robert M, about 61, of Albion, was found dead at his home July 25, 1968. He was a native of Albion, born Dec. 10, 1906 to Charles and Frances (Schwab) Beck. He had spent all his life here except for the time he was in college. He was employed by the Indiana State Highway Department as a landscape architect and had held this position for over 20 years. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Pauline Ross of South Bend and Mrs. Katherine Ralihan of Chicago; and one brother, Dr. Charles Beck of Hartford City. Two brothers, Dr. Forrest, a dentist, and Clarence, a druggist, both of Albion, preceded him in death. Final rites Sunday at Bonham, Miser & Brazzell Funeral Home. Burial in the family plot in Rose Hill Cemetery. + 7-?-1968
Beck Thella K, 86, pioneer resident of Noble County, died at McCray Hospital Tuesday. She was the widow of M. C. Beck, Albion druggist for many years and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Orlando Kimmell, York Twp. Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Edward Eagles, Albion; two brothers, Morton and Claude, both of Kimmell. The body was taken Thursday to the late home for services. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. ~ 8-30-1956
Beck William, 74, resident of Kendallville and vicinity for many years, died Sept. 12 at the state hospital at Richmond. The funeral was held at the Kendallville mortuary. Survivors are two brothers, Henry of near Kendallville, and John of Wittenberg, Canada. + 9-?-1940
Beckberger Betty Jo, 58, died unexpectedly at her home in Phoenix, Ariz. on Feb. 5, 1995. She was born in Noble County on Nov. 3, 1936 to Elza and Ella Edsall. She moved to Ariz. in 1973 where she had managed a restaurant and sold real estate. Surviving are five children:, Lloyd Beckberger, Yuma, Ariz., Barbara Nudd, La Crosse, Wis., Mark and Mike Beckberger and Cheryl Dickerson of Phoenix, Ariz.; 6 grandchildren; 4 brothers, Bud and Gary Edsall of Albion, Ben Edsall of Kendallville; Terry Edsall of Brimfield and Rodger Edsall of Kimmell; and 2 sisters, Gloria Grimm of San Diego, Calif., and Carol Williams of Fort Wayne. Memorial services in Phoenix on Feb. 7. + 2-5-1995
Beckberger Lloyd H, 79, died at his home in Phoenix, Ariz., Tuesday from a heart attack. He was born in DeKalb County Oct. 4, 1909. He married Pauline Shipe and they farmed in the Kendallville area for many years until 1976 when they retired and moved to Phoenix. Surviving are his wife; a son, Robert, and a daughter, Connie Owen, both of Phoenix; a sister, Hildred Moser; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A daughter, Bonnie Sage, preceded him in death. Memorial services Saturday in Mercer Mortuary, Phoenix, with final services pending. + 4-25-1989
Beckberger Pauline Ruth, 87, of Phoenix, Ariz. and formerly of Kendallville, died Oct. 26 in Phoenix. She was born Aug. 10, 1910 in South Milford to John Morton and Anna (Collins) Shipe. In June 1930 in South Milford she married Lloyd Beckberger. He preceded her in death. She was a retail sales clerk and a member of the United Methodist Church. Surviving are a daughter, Connie Owen Grossman of Phoenix; a son, Robert of Phoenix; 12 grandchildren, including Kim Bolen, Brad and Gary Sage of Kendallville; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Bonnie Sage, in May 1961. Funeral Nov. 14 in Lake View Cemetery. + 10-26-1997
Beckberger Robert L, 72, died May 24, 2003 at St. Joseph Hospital, Phoenix, Ariz. He was born in Helmer Feb. 6, 1931. He is survived by 2 daughters, Cheryl Dickerson of Phoenix and Barbara Nudd of La Crosse Wis., and 3 sons, Lloyd of Yuma, Ariz., Mark of Sun City, Ariz., and Mike of Scottsdale, Ariz.; 7 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Connie Grossman of Phoenix. Private memorial service Saturday. ^ 6-2-2003
Becker Allen, 83, died May 16, 2002 at Shepherd of the Hill. A farmer, he operated the former Kendallville Landfill on Waits Road and was a member of First Presbyterian Church and Kendallville Moose Lodge 1301. He was born June 2, 1918 in Kendallville to Norman and Dora (Bortner) Becker. He graduated from Rome City High School and married Mary M. Hoover May 8, 1941 in Columbia City. Surviving are his wife in Kendallville; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Terry and Katie and Jerry and Susan Becker of Kendallville; 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Carol Steeg and Pam and Dirk Renkenberger of Kendallville; a sister, Helen Kimley of Silver springs, Fla.; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Earl. Services Saturday at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 5-17-2002
Becker Beatrice S, 74, R. 3, Kendallville, died April 14, 1971 at McCray Hospital. She was born May 20, 1896 in Noble County to Wallace and Paulina (Kimmel) Lasho and had lived her entire lifetime in the county. She married Rolla Becker on June 21, 1917. He died Aug. 3, 1961. She was a member of the Church of God, the OES and the Sweet Ladies Aid. She had been secretary of the Noble County Tuberculosis for many years. She is survived by one son, Rolland Keith of R. 3, Kendallville; one sister, Mrs. Edith Jollief of 116 N. Riley St., Kendallville; one brother, Frank of R. 3, Kendallville; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services Friday at Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Sweet Cemetery. + 4-?-1971
Becker Berniece Alice, 68, of Shepherd of the Hill, died Saturday at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. She was born Jan. 26, 1923 in Battle Creek, Mich., the daughter of Charles and Sarah (Emerick) Nott. On Nov. 26, 1941, she married Thomas Becker. He died in 1976. A Kendallville area resident for most of her life, she retired as a housekeeper at Lutheran Homes and was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. Surviving are one daughter, Bonnie O’Connor of Phoenix, Ariz.; one son, Thomas Jr. of Fort Wayne; two sisters, Ruth Sayles of Kendallville, and Florence Hazelton of Wolcottville; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Three sisters preceded her in death. Services Tuesday at Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 3-?-1991
Becker Carl Robert, 50, Kendallville, died Oct. 1 at his home from cardiac arrest. He was born Nov. 27, 1936 in Convoy, the son of Paul and Emilie Becker. He married Nancy Boggs in Preble Jan. 26, 1976. He was an engineer at Dana Corporation in Fort Wayne, a member of Churubusco Rotary Club, and attended St. John Lutheran Church in Kendallville. Surviving are his wife; his mother; two stepdaughters, Kim Driscoll of Dayton, Ohio, and Tonya Taylor, a student at Ball State University, Muncie; three stepsons, Charles Taylor of Antwerp, Ohio, Thomas and William J. Taylor, Kendallville; a sister, Arlene Fuelling of Decatur; two brothers, William and Frank, Decatur; and seven grandchildren. Services Sunday in DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial, Green Hill Cemetery, Columbia City. ~ 10-8-1987
Becker Cecile J, 86, of R. 1, Wawaka, died Saturday at her residence. She was born Feb. 12, 1894 in Elkhart Twp, the daughter of Albert and Edna (Deffenbaugh) Ramer. On Dec. 30, 1916 in Chicago, Ill. she married Ray Becker, who died Oct. 15, 1968. A lifetime resident of the area, she was a member of Elkhart Twp Homemakers’ Club. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Edna Whitacre; and a son, Joseph A., both of R. 1, Wawaka; a sister, Mrs. Alberta Richards of Wawaka; a granddaughter, Mrs. Edward (Ginger) Stuff of rural Wolcottville; and a great-grandson. A brother and a sister preceded her in death. Funeral Tuesday in Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 9-?-1980
Becker Delila V, about 73, (b. 5-4-1874 - d. 4-24-1948) died following a heart attack last Saturday while in the office of Dr. Charles M. Bowman. The wife of Henry Becker, she had been a resident here for the past year and a half, coming from York Twp. Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Walter Gunder, Fort Wayne, Mrs. Dallas Noe, Willard, O., and Mrs. Fred Clouse, Albion; five sons, Norman, Rome City, Russell, Wawaka, Walter, Albion, Allen, Columbia City, and Arthur, Elkhart; 19 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mrs. Vern Stuff, Ironton, Ohio, Mrs. Jane Poulson, Elkhart, and Mrs. Bertha Claxton, Kendallville. Funeral Tuesday at Wawaka Church of the Brethren. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 4-?-1948
Becker Donald P, 21, 512 W. Union St., Ligonier, was killed in an automobile crash today on Elkhart County Road 50 three miles west of Ligonier. He was reported to have been traveling east at a high rate of speed and ran off the road. He was born March 11, 1953 in LaGrange to Paul and Lucille (Frick) Becker. A lifetime resident of the area, he worked with his father in a plumbing and heating business and was a member of Wawaka Church of the Brethren and the Air National Guard. Surviving are his parents; one sister, Mrs. Michael (Jackie) Sparks, Cromwell; and three brothers, Richard, Lyle and Terry, all of Ligonier. Funeral Saturday in Ulrey Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 7-?-1974
Becker Dora, 90, of Ocala, Fla., and formerly of Albion, died Monday at Ocala where she lived with her daughter. She was born Oct. 13, 1895 to Allen and Eva (Mathews) Bortner. In Albion in 1916 she married Norman Becker, who died August 1974. She moved to Florida two years ago and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Albion and a 50-year member of Orange Twp Homemakers’ Club. Surviving are her daughter, Helen Herendeen of Ocala; a son, Allen of Kendallville; 20 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. One sister and two brother preceded her in death. Funeral Dec. 5 at Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Sweet Cemetery. + 12-2-1985
Becker Earl, 55, R. 2, died Tuesday at his home of a heart attack. He was born Jan. 20, 1917 in Noble County, the son of Norman and Dora (Bortner) Becker. He was a lifetime resident of this vicinity and operated a sand and gravel business here for approximately 35 years. On July 3, 1965 he was married to Mary Ruth Shaffer. He was a member of the Mitchell Street United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 86 and the Moose Lodge. Surviving are the widow; the parents in Albion; one daughter, Mrs. Hal (Janet) Beck, Fort Wayne; one son, Warren, Albion; one sister, Mrs. Raymond (Helen) Herendeen, Angola; and a brother, Allen R., R. 1; and three grandchildren. Funeral Friday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 2-?-1972
Becker Edward L "Lynn", 51, Arlington, Va. died Oct. 31. He had lived in Kendallville and attended Kendallville High School before leaving the city in the 1940’s. He is survived by his wife, Mary A.; two daughters, Jaqueline and Jennifer, and a son Timothy, all at home; one brother, Wayne, Calif.; and one sister, Drucella Kunkle, Indiana. Services at Murphy Funeral Home, Arlington. + 11-?-1975
Becker Elmer W, 82, retired Allen Twp farmer, died today after suffering a heart attack in his home, 213 S. Sheridan St. A native of Albion, he was born March 2, 1875, a son of Peter and Sarah Jane Becker. He came to this city from his Allen Twp farm, where he had spent 40 years. He was married Feb. 20, 1901 in Albion to Katherine Faye Lybarger, who died in 1948. Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. June Trowbridge, Mrs. Joe E. Trowbridge, and Mrs. Cecil Feller, all of Kendallville, and Mrs. Arthur Kuckein, Fort Wayne; five sons, Walter, Ralph and Thomas, Kendallville, Warren, Hudson, and Kenton, Pleasant Lake; a brother, Henry, Albion; a sister, Mrs. Winnie Black, Albion; 40 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. One daughter, three brothers and two sisters preceded him in death. Services at A. J. Berhalter Funeral Home Wednesday. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 3-25-1957
Becker Eva Zimmerman, 82, of R. 1, died Thursday at the Kendallville Nursing Home. Born in Ligonier June 14, 1899 to Gene and Harriet (Nicholas) Billman, she married Clyde Zimmerman and Walter Becker, who are both deceased. She had lived in the area most of her life. Surviving are two sons, Max Zimmerman of Ligonier, and Robert Zimmerman of Sinton, Texas; 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. A son, James, died April 11, 1980. Services at Ulrey Funeral Home, Ligonier, Sunday. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 3-25-1982
Becker Evelyn Rose, 75, died Oct. 4, 2001 at home. A 1944 Ligonier High School graduate, she was retired from Starcraft and had worked in the Downtown Garment Factory in the 1940s and 1950s and the Indiana State House in Indianapolis. A painter, she was a member of LaGrange County Art Club, Wolcottville United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 243 Auxiliary of Ligonier and OES. She was born April 3, 1926 in Ligonier to Franklin Otto Fisel and Evangeline Ruth (Donley) Fisel Plummer. On Oct. 12, 1946 in Cosperville she married Virgil Norman Becker. He died Aug. 27, 1988. A sister, Marietta Renner, is also deceased. Surviving are 3 daughters and 2 sons-in-law, Pamela and Bill Mills of Columbia City, Diane and Doug Swinehart of Millersburg and Janet Flora of LaGrange; a brother, Richard Fisel of Ligonier; and 11 grandchildren. Services Monday at Orr Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. ^ 10-5-2001
Becker Fred E, 84, retired Polo (Ill.) farmer, died Wednesday (d. 6-21-1950) in his home at 505 W. Colden St. Services will be Saturday in Melvin Funeral Home, Polo. Burial, Union Cemetery. He was born in Kendallville, March 8, 1866, the son of John and Mary Steckley Becker. Following the death of his first wife, Fannie Woodin Becker, in 1920, he married Mrs. Olive Stover Bowers Dec. 1, 1928. She survives. He lived in the vicinity of Polo about 50 years and resided on a farm west of Polo before moving here in 1921. Also surviving are two half-brothers, Elmer, Kendallville, and John, Albion; and one half-sister, Mrs. Winifred Black, Albion. * 6-?-1950
Becker Geneva J, 95, of rural Kendallville, died July 10, 2011, at Parkview Noble Hospital. She was born in Fort Wayne August 20, 1915, to George and Bertha (LeVan) Bradbury. She graduated from Lafayette Central High School in Zainesville in 1933. She was first married to Sidney H. Beauchamp in August 1938 and he preceded her death in September 1953. She later married Keith Becker on November 23, 1955, and he also preceded her death on December 13, 1993. She worked with her daughter at Chloe’s Florist in Kendallville for many years. She was a past member of the Albion Wesleyan Church and the Jefferson Township Home Extension Club. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Martha Beauchamp of rural Kendallville; her daughter and son-in-law, Jeanette (Becker) and Albert Harris of Louisville, Kentucky; and 5 grandchildren, Theresa Frick, Susan Hicks, Rick Nesbitt, Joshua Beauchamp, and Kathryn Harris. She was also preceded in death by her son, Paul Beauchamp; her daughter, Chloe Nesbitt; a granddaughter, Amy Beauchamp; three brothers; and one sister. Funeral July 13 at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Sweet Cemetery. ^ 7-12-2011
Becker Henry N, 92, lifetime resident of Noble County, died yesterday (d. 11-4-1964) at his home in Albion. He was born in Elkhart Twp on Feb. 18, 1872, one of nine children of Sarah Jane Bloomfield and John Peter Becker. Five brothers and two sisters preceded him in death. His wife, the former Delila Zimmer, died in 1948. They were the parents of six sons and four daughters. Surviving are five sons, Norman of Rome City, Russell of Wawaka, Arthur of Elkhart, Walter of Albion, and Allen of Columbia City; two daughters, Mrs. Walter (Esther) Gunder, Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Fred (Jessie) Clouse, Albion, and a sister, Mrs. Winnie Black, Albion. He had 19 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 25 great-great-grandchildren. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. * 11-?-1964
Becker J Walter, 62, R. 1, Albion, died Jan. 21, 1968 at Goshen General Hospital from a heart ailment. He was born Aug. 9, 1905 near Albion, the son of Henry and Delila (Zimmer) Becker. He had lived in the Albion community all his life. He was married Nov. 3, 1945 to Eva Billman, who survives, together with three stepsons, Robert Zimmerman of Elkhart, Max Zimmerman of Ligonier, and James Zimmerman of Fort Wayne; 15 grandchildren; four brothers, Russell of Wawaka, Norman of Albion, Alan of Columbia City, and Arthur of Elkhart; two sisters, Mrs. Fred Clouse of Albion, and Mrs. Walter Gunder of Fort Wayne. Funeral Wednesday at Ulrey-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 1-?-1968
Becker Johanna M, 79, died Wednesday at her home. She was born in Germany Aug. 7, 1909, the daughter of Walter and Elizabeth (Vogel) Cristen. On Sept. 21, 1951 in DeKalb County she married Kenton E. Becker. She moved from Fort Wayne to the Pleasant Lake area in 1930, where she helped her husband with farming. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Corunna, and Ashley-Hudson Garden Club. Surviving are her husband; five daughters, Rose Steele of Hudson, Jean Becker and Mrs. Donald (Diana) Lebrun, both Anchorage, Alaska, Gail Holtzberg of Auburn, and Mrs. Ron (Debbie) Ensley of Rome City; two sons, Gustave Hanke of Kimmell, and Jerry Becker of Pleasant Lake; a sister, Hildegarde Morr of Kendallville; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services Friday in Kistler-Johnson Funeral Home, Hudson. Burial, Circle Cemetery, Hudson. + 10-12-1988
Becker John C, 47, former Noble County citizen, died at his home on E. Purl St. in Goshen one week ago last Saturday of Bright’s disease. He was a son of the late John Peter Becker of Elkhart Twp and was born near Kendallville. He married Elizabeth Woods in this city June 4, 1885. For several years he was located in Albion where he was engaged in the dray business. He subsequently located in Kendallville, where he was employed by the Beyer Bros. produce establishment. At one time he was candidate for the nomination for sheriff of Noble County before the Democratic convention. He moved to Goshen six years ago where he continued to be employed by Beyer Bros. He is survived by a widow, four sons, two daughters, and five brothers, William F. of Jefferson Twp, Joseph R. and Henry of Elkhart Twp, Elmer of Wayne Twp, and Fred of Polo, Ill.; two sisters, Mrs. Rollo Black of York Twp, and Mrs. Hattie Beach of Goshen. The remains were brought to this city last Monday, and the obsequies were held in the Presbyterian Church. Burial, Albion Cemetery. * No date 10-2-1909
Becker John Mrs of Kendallville, died Monday from a few days’ illness of pneumonia, aged probably 45 years. Funeral Friday at the Presbyterian Church, Kendallville. Burial at Albion. + 11-?-1920
Becker John P, 77, died July 23, 2002 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. He had been a supervisor at Goshen Rubber, where he worked for 34 years. He was a member of Ligonier Presbyterian Church. He was born Jan. 11, 1925 in Noble County to Russell E. and Stella (Long) Becker. In June 1943 in Wawaka he married Jane Schmuhl. Surviving are his wife in Kendallville; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Russell and Patricia of Ligonier and Daniel and Brenda of Goshen; 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Connie and Ray Hicks of Fort Wayne and Barbara and Jerry Miller of Sullivan; a brother, Paul of Sebring, Fla.; a sister, Emma Bortner of Rome City; 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. A brother, Virgil, preceded him in death. Services Saturday at Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. ^ 7-25-2002
Becker John P W died at his home in Elkhart Twp November 27, 1904, aged 77 years, 4 months and 8 days. He was the son of John and Margaret Becker, both natives of Germany, where the father died, and where he was born July 19, 1827. The deceased was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in infancy. In 1853 he came to America, accompanied by his mother, and located at Kendallville, afterwards locating in Orange Twp, this county, where the mother died. In 1860 he married Mary Stoekle, a native of Wurttemberg, Germany, and they had four sons, John, Joseph, William and Frederick, all of whom are living. In 1869 Mr. Becker and family moved to Elkhart Twp, on the farm where he continued to reside until his death. In 1870 his wife died. His second wife was Sarah J. Bloomfield, who was the daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth Bloomfield. Mrs. Becker was a native of Ohio, and came with her parents to Orange Twp in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Becker had five children, Lillie, Henry, Hattie, Winnie and Elmer, all of whom survive the father, except Lillie, who preceded him in death. He was baptized in the German Baptist (Dunkard) Church in 1875. He is survived by a wife, six sons and two daughters. * 1904
Becker Joseph A, 64, R. 1, Wawaka, died in Ligonier Wednesday of injuries received when he was struck by a train as he had been attempting to walk his bicycle across the Pigeon Street crossing. He apparently walked around the barricades. He was born Oct. 1, 1917 in Wawaka to Ray and Cecile (Ramer) Becker. His only immediate survivor is a sister, Edna B. Whitacre of R. 1, Wawaka. There will be no services. + 6-19-1982
Becker Joseph R was born in Wayne Twp, December 2, 1867, and died in Elkhart Twp October 31, 1909, aged 41 years, 10 months and 29 days. He was the son of the late John Peter Becker of Elkhart Twp and the earlier part of his life was spent in the common schools where he obtained a good practical education. He determined to follow farming as a vacation and in this he was successful in no small degree. He married Naomi Huff October 27, 1894, and they had two sons. He is survived by a wife; two sons, Joseph Ray 14, Howard C. 10; four brothers, William F. of Jefferson Twp, Fred E. of Polo, Ill., Henry of York Twp; one sister, Mrs. Rollin Black of York Twp; one stepmother. Obsequies were held at the late residence last Tuesday. Burial, Wright’s Cemetery. * 10-?-1909 He committed suicide Sunday by jumping from Duke’s bridge into the Elkhart River. About 2 years ago he submitted to an operation in one of the Fort Wayne hospitals and has been in poor health since. ^ 11-1-1909
Becker Josephine O, 80, died Nov. 2, 2002 at LaGrange Community Hospital. She worked at Duo Therm in LaGrange for 25 years, retiring in 1984. She was born in Noble County on Oct. 31, 1922 to Carl and Lola (Miller) Kline. She married Robert Bruce Becker on July 22, 1939 in Kendallville. He died Dec. 8, 1987. Also preceding her in death were a daughter, Janice in infancy; and 3 brothers, Carl, Billy and Oscar Kline. Surviving are 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Elaine Becker of Kendallville, Robert and Radonna Becker of Wolcottville, and Ronald and Mary Becker of Kendallville; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Raymond Kline of Brimfield and Frank Kline of LaGrange; and 2 sisters, Barbara Owsley of Wolcottville and Patricia Scofield of Howe. Services Wednesday at Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 11-4-2002
Becker Katherine F, 69, 213 Sheridan St., a resident of this city and community most of her life, died yesterday while visiting in the home of a neighbor, Mrs. Claude Thomas, 620 Mott St. She suffered a heart attack and died within a few minutes. She was born in Ashland County, Ohio, a daughter of Ezekiel and Martha Lybarger. (b. 6-8-1879 - d. 8-24-1948) She came to this area at the age of six and had since been a Noble County resident. She married Elmer Becker, who survives, in 1901. Other survivors are four daughters and five sons, Mrs. June Trowbridge, Mrs. Ruth Trowbridge, Mrs. Frances Feller, Tom, Kenton and Walter Becker, all of this city, Mrs. Ruby Kuckein, Fort Wayne, Ralph Becker, Ashley, and Warren Becker, Hudson. Also living are two brothers, Charles Lybarger of this city and Ed Lybarger, California, along with 37 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Among the grandchildren is Patty Zinn, who made her home with Mrs. Becker many years. One daughter and one brother preceded her in death. Services Friday in A. J. Berhalter Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. * 8-?-1948
Becker Kathryn Ann, 54, of Kendallville, died Aug. 23, 2006 at her home. She had been the dietary manager at Kendallville Manor Healthcare and had worked in bookkeeping at Campbell & Fetter Bank. A 1970 graduate of East Noble High School, she was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. She was born Nov. 5, 1951 in Kendallville to Arthur and Anita (Antrup) Kammerer. She married Marion Becker on May 19, 1973 in Kendallville. Surviving are her husband; a son, Andrew and Amanda Hodge of Kendallville; a daughter, Brittany Becker of Kendallville; 2 stepchildren; a sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Jim Huffman of Granger; a brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Pam Kammerer of Kendallville. She was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Jack and Don Kammerer. Services Saturday at St. John Lutheran Church. Burial, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Corunna. ^ 8-25-2006
Becker Laurel A, 70, 109 Elm St., Albion, died Friday (d. 11-19-1971) in the Lutheran Hospital at Fort Wayne. A native of Woodruff in LaGrange County, she was born Feb. 3, 1901 to John and Ulilla (Sigler) Cary. In 1920 she married Lloyd Becker, who died Aug. 25, 1951. She had lived in Noble County since 1920. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Beverly) Ream, 209 S. Main St., Avilla, and Mrs. David (Betty) Kline, R. 3, Kendallville; a brother, Kenneth Cary, Grosse Point, Mich.; two sisters, Mrs. Chester (Dorothy) Coe, R. 3, Kendallville, and Mrs. Mary Kuhn of Wolcottville; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Two brothers and two sisters preceded her in death. Funeral Monday at Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church. Burial, Sweet Cemetery. ~ 11-25-1971
Becker Lloyd D, about 53, who resided about six miles east and north of Albion in Jefferson Twp, died Aug. 25, 1951 at McCray Hospital. Surviving are the wife, Laurel; two daughters, Mrs. David Kline and Mrs. Robert Ream, both Kendallville; four grandchildren; and one brother, Rolla of Kendallville. Funeral Tuesday at Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church, of which he was a member. Burial, Sweet Cemetery. + 8-?-1951
Becker Marjorie - See Violet Whitford.
Becker Martha Marie, 39, of Kendallville, died Thursday in McCray Hospital. She was born in Kendallville on July 20, 1954 to Maxine (Day) and Olin Showalter Jr. She married Ronald Lee Becker on Nov. 30, 1984 in the First Christian Church in Kendallville. A 1972 graduate of Prairie Heights High School, she had worked for 9 years at Machine-Rite Products in LaGrange. She was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Surviving are her husband; her father in Kendallville, her mother, Maxine Weber, at Lake of the Woods; 2 stepdaughters; a brother, David Showalter; 8 stepbrothers and 8 stepsisters. Funeral Saturday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 1993
Becker Mary, 68, wife of Joseph Becker residing on Minor St., died last evening from a complication of diseases. She had resided in this city for 27 years. She leaves her husband and 3 children, Mrs. Joseph Weber of this city, Mrs. Abbie Ganser of Mishawaka, and son Joseph of this city; and 2 grandchildren. ^ 2-7-1911
Becker Mary Ann, one-half mile east of Corunna, died last Sunday, aged 19 years 5 months and 12 days. Funeral was at Corunna and burial in the Sixteen Cemetery. She was 5 ft. 10 inches high and weighed 385 pounds at her death. The coffin which was made at Berhalter establishment, this city, is the largest perhaps ever manufactured in northern Indiana. ^ 9-29-1881
Becker Mary E, 81, died Nov. 26 in St. Joseph Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born July 31, 1917 in Kankakee to Wilber and Zoah (Blue) Ross. On April 12, 1936 in Valentine she married Everett E. Becker who died Aug. 28, 1994. She lived most of her life in this area and was previously employed by Holabird Mfg., Kendallville. Surviving are 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Nancy Becker of Kendallville, Tommy and Mitzi Becker of Fort Wayne, and Marion and Kathy Becker of Kendallville; 9 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and 3 sisters, Juanita Warner of Warsaw, Bertina Knafel of Rome City and Celia Myers of Avilla. She was also preceded in death by her parents and 2 brothers, James and Jack Ross. Services in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home, Kendallville. Burial, Fairfield Center Cemetery. ~ 12-3-1998
Becker Mary M, 92, of Kendallville, died Nov. 26, 2011, at Lutheran Life Villages, Kendallville. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kendallville. She was born in Wawaka on June 15, 1919, to Charles and Lulu (Ritter) Hoover. She married Henry Becker on March 8, 1941, in Columbia City. He died May 16, 2002. Surviving are 2 sons, Terry and Katie Becker of The Villages, Fla., and Jerry and Susan Becker of Kendallville; 2 daughters, Carol Steeg of Fort Wayne and Pam and Dirk Renkenberger of Kendallville; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren.; and a sister, Evelyn Kitchen of Kendallville. Funeral Wednesday at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 11-29-2011
Becker Miriam Alice, 98, of Kendallville, died Feb. 27, 2009 at her residence. She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church and was employed as a nurse with Kendallville Lutheran Home for 20 years, retiring in 1976. She was born March 6, 1910 in Kendallville to Lemmon and Emma (Kurrle) Warble. She married Ralph Becker on Nov. 13, 1929. He died March 13, 1970. Surviving are 5 daughters and 3 sons-in-law, Katherine and Hugh Mullen, Cotopaxi, Colo., Jannis and James Tuttle, Auburn, Rozanne Becker, Fort Wayne, Linda and Fred McWhinney and Victoria Becker, Kendallville; a son and daughter-in-law, Ralph and Sandra Becker, Fort Collins, Colo.; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by 3 daughters, Marjorie Becker, Nancy Simon and Miriam Coil; a son, Richard Becker; a great-granddaughter, Rebecca Coil; and 2 sisters, Lucille Twitchell and Dorothy Mathews. Memorial services Saturday at Faith United Methodist Church. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 3-2-2009
Becker Norman A, 81, Albion, died Sunday at his residence. Born Oct. 25, 1892 in Wawaka, he was a retired farmer. A lifelong resident of Noble County, he moved to Albion nine years ago from Rome City. He married Dora Bortner Sept. 23, 1915 in the United Brethren parsonage, Albion. He was the son of Henry and Delila Zimmer Becker. Surviving are his wife; one son, Allen, R. 1; one daughter, Mrs. Helen (Raymond) Herendeen, R. 4, Angola; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Allen, Columbia City, and Arthur, Elkhart; two sisters, Mrs. Esther Gunder, Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Jessie Clouse, Albion. One son, Earl, one sister and two brothers preceded him in death. Services Tuesday in Brazzell Funeral Home. Burial, Sweet Cemetery. + 8-?-1974
Becker Opal, 92, of Kendallville, died Sunday in Sacred Heart Home in Avilla. She was born Jan. 9, 1902 in DeKalb County to Charles and Katie (McCloughen) Helmer. She married Clifford Barker Sept. 8, 1920. He died July 1, 1949. In Jan. 1952 she married Raymond Shaffer. He died in Oct. 1959. She married Walter Becker Nov. 11, 1961. He died Aug. 25, 1976. She was a bookkeeper for G.A. Coffey Olds & Cadillac and Parker Nivens Chevrolet for many years. She was a member of Mitchell Street United Methodist Church. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Jack (Pat) Reed of Avilla; a son, Richard Barker of Kendallville; a brother, Kenneth Helmer of Columbia City; 5 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Cyrus Helmer; a sister, Lucy Wolf in 1993; and a great-grandson Eric Reed. Funeral Wednesday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 1-16-1994
Becker Paul R, 87, formerly of Ligonier, died Nov. 1, 2005 at the Palms of Sebring, Fla. He was the founding president of Paul R. Becker & Sons electrical contractors in Ligonier. He had also retired in 1967 from the U.S. Postal Service. A graduate of Wawaka High School, he was a U.S. Navy veteran of WW II and the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Ligonier American Legion Post, Lions Club and Wawaka Church of the Brethren. He was born in Albion to Russell E. and Stella (Long) Becker. On Oct. 26, 1939 he married Lucille Frick. She died Oct. 13, 1997. On May 16, 1999 he married Kathryn Bontrager. Surviving are his wife; 3 sons and 2 daughters-in-law, Richard and Tana of Ligonier, Terrill of Mesa, and Lyle and Nancy of Syracuse; a daughter and son-in-law, Jacqueline and Michael Sparks of Ligonier; 4 stepchildren; 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by a son, Donald; a sister, Emma Bortner; and 2 brothers, Virgil and John. Services Wednesday at Wawaka Church of the Brethren. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. ^ 11-4-2005
Becker Ralph C "Jack", 61, Kendallville, died Friday at his home. Mrs. Becker discovered her husband’s body when she returned home from work. A lifelong resident of the Kendallville area, he was born Aug. 18, 1908 in Noble County, the son of Elmer Walter and Katherine Faye (Lybarger) Becker. He and Miriam A. Warble were married on Nov. 13, 1929. A member of Faith United Methodist Church, he was employed as a maintenance man for Kraft Foods and had been employed there for 20 years. Survivors include the wife; seven daughters, Mrs. Hugh (Katherine) Mullen, 121 S. Morton St., Mrs. Linda Treesh, Kendallville, Mrs. Malcolm (Louise) Coil, Fort Wayne, Mrs. James (Jannis) Tuttle, R. R. Auburn, Mrs. Allan (Nancy) Simon, R. 1, Avilla, Rozanne, San Francisco, Calif., and Victoria Lynn, at home; two sons, Ralph Jr., Glenn Falls, Colo., and Richard E., U. S. Army, Fort Benning, Ga.; two sisters, Mrs. Arthur (Ruby) Kuckeim, Fort Meyers, Fla., and Mrs. Cecil (Frances) Feller, Kendallville; four brothers, Walter and Thomas, Kendallville, Warren, Hudson, and Kenton, Pleasant Lake; one great-uncle, Ed Lybarger, Sacred Heart Home, Avilla; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A daughter and three sisters preceded him in death. Services Monday at Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home in Kendallville. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ~ 3-19-1970
Becker Ray, about 72, (b. 10-20-1895) died Oct. 15, 1968 as the result of an accidental gunshot wound. He resided at R. 1, Wawaka and was a retired farmer. He was born Oct. 20, 1895 and had resided in Noble County all his life. Surviving are the widow, Cecile; one son, Joseph of Cannelton, Ind.; and one daughter, Mrs. Edna Whitacre of Wawaka; and one granddaughter. Funeral at Bonham, Miser & Brazzell Funeral Home in Albion Oct. 18, 1968. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 10-?-1968
Becker Reuben T - Funeral services were Wednesday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Fairfield Cemetery. + 11-?-1970
Becker Richard E, 62, died July 21, 2006 at his home in Ethel, W.Va. He was born Jan. 19, 1944 in Kendallville to Ralph and Miriam (Warble) Becker. A U.S. Army veteran of Vietnam, he received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart and was a member of American Legion Post 19 in Logan, W.Va., VFW Post 4523, Disabled American Veterans and Vietnam Veterans. Surviving are his mother in Kendallville; 6 sisters and 3 brothers-in-law, Katherine and Hugh Mullen, Victoria Becker and Linda and Fred McWhinney of Kendallville, Janice and James Tuttle of Auburn and Miriam Coil and Rozanne Becker of Fort Wayne; a brother and sister-in-law, Ralph Jr. and Sandy of Fort Collins, Colo. He was preceded in death by his father and 2 sisters, Marjorie Ryder and Nancy Simon. Memorial services Saturday at Faith United Methodist Church. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 8-8-2006
Becker Richard W, 65, died Nov. 12, 2007 at his Kendallville home. He had worked at both Redman Mfg. in Topeka and Jayco in Middlebury. He graduated from Wolcottville High School in 1960. He was born in Kendallville on Aug. 6, 1942 to Robert and Josephine (Kline) Becker. He married Elaine McKissack-Treft on May 8, 1989. Surviving are his wife; children and stepchildren, Randy Becker, Richard and Shantel Treft, Renee Treft, Michelle and Shawn Meaker; grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Corey and Trinity Treft, Tim Branham, Gary Cooley, April Magnus, Joey Cullender and Amanda Meaker; 2 brothers and a sister-in-law, Bobby Becker of Wolcottville and Ron and Mary Becker of Kendallville; and his first wife, Georgiana Becker of Kendallville. He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Jr. Services Saturday at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 11-14-2007
Becker Richard Wayne Jr, 42, of Ligonier, died Nov. 26, 2006. He was born Nov. 3, 1964 in Kendallville to Richard and Georgiana Becker. He worked in the recreational vehicle industry until he was disabled in 2005. On Aug. 29, 1992 he married Donna Branam. Surviving are his wife; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Timothy and Katherine Branam of Boise, Idaho and Gary and Julianne Cooley of Fort Wayne; a daughter and son-in-law, April and Jonathan Magnus of Ligonier; 2 brothers, Randy Becker and Rick Treft of Kendallville; 2 sisters and a brother-in-law, Renee Treft of Kendallville and Michelle and Shawn Meaker of Austin, Texas; and 2 grandchildren. Memorial service Saturday in The Cross Walk at Ligonier United Methodist Church. Graveside service later. ^ 11-29-2006
Becker Robert Bruce, 66, of Eve Lake near Wolcottville, died Tuesday at his residence. He was born April 7, 1921 in Kendallville, the son of Reuben T. and Lulu (Guthrie) Becker. On July 22, 1939 in Kendallville he married Josephine O. Kline. A lifetime area resident, he was a retired pipe fitter for a Fort Wayne union for more than 30 years. Surviving are his wife; three sons, Richard, Robert, and Ronald, all Kendallville; a sister, Ersyl Dukes of Kendallville; a brother, Fred of Dallas, Texas; and seven grandchildren. Services Friday at Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home, Kendallville. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 12-8-1987
Becker Rolla Franks, 72, a farmer residing in Jefferson Twp, died Wednesday in his home. He was born April 28, 1889 in Elkhart Twp, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Becker. A lifelong resident of this area, he had lived in the present location for 44 years. He was married June 21, 1917 to Beatrice Lasho, who survives, with a son, Rolland Keith, and a granddaughter. He had been a member of the Kendallville Masonic Lodge since 1915. Services Saturday. Burial, Sweet Cemetery. + 8-?-1961
Becker Royal G, 60, a native of Kendallville, died Sunday at the home of his brother, Hal of Goshen. His death followed a short illness from blood poisoning. Surviving are three brothers and two sisters, including Hal, Goshen, Tim, Kendallville, Robert, Tarrytown, N.Y., Josephine, and Mrs. Lawrence Cramer, Waterloo, Ia. Funeral Tuesday from Berhalter Home, Kendallville. Burial, Becker family lot, Albion Cemetery. + 1933
Becker Sarah Elnora, 66, wife of W. F. Becker, died at her home in Jefferson Twp Thursday. Death was due to dropsy. Born in Wayne County, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1864, the daughter of John and Sarah Franks, she came to Noble County with her parents when she was a year old, the family living near Wawaka. She married William F. Becker, Oct. 6, 1887. The couple resided near Wawaka for a time but lived on the farm where she died for the past thirty-one years. She was a member of Kendallville Chapter 122 OES. Surviving are the husband; two sons, Rolla and Lloyd; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; one brother, Albert of Elkhart Twp; and two sisters, Jennie and Susie of Albion. Services Sunday at Sweet Church. Burial, Sweet Cemetery. + 4-?-1931
Becker Sarah Jane, the daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth Bloomfield, was born June 16, 1848 in Morrow County, Ohio. She died at her home in Wawaka, November 11, 1928. When a small girl she moved with her parents to Noble County where she has always made her home. In 1870 she married John P. Becker. They had five children, Lillie having preceded her in death. She leaves four children and 2 stepsons, 26 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren. The surviving children are Hattie Bowen of Goshen, Henry Becker and Winnie Black of Albion, Elmer and William of Kendallville, and Frederick of Polo, Ill. There were 13 children in her family. All have proceeded her in death except 3 sisters, Amanda and Cordelia Swogger, Anna Couts, all of Kendallville. Funeral at her home November 13. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. * 11-?-1928
Becker Stella M, 81, a lifetime resident of Ligonier, died today at her residence. Born in Noble County Oct. 9, 1900, she was the daughter of Charles and Emma Jane (Bassett) Long. On Dec. 22, 1917 in St. Joseph, Mich. she married Russell Becker, who died in 1969. She was a member of the Wawaka Church of the Brethren. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Maynard (Emma Jane) Bortner of Kendallville; three sons, Paul of Mesa, Ariz., Virgil of Wolcottville, and John of Ligonier; a sister; two brothers; and 14 grandchildren. Services Saturday at Ulrey Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 1-28-1982
Becker Susan, daughter of Henry Becker of Corunna, died aged 19 years, 5 months and 12 days. ^ 9-29-1880
Becker Terrill Dean, 62, of Mesa, Ariz., died Jan. 3, 2006 at his home. While in Ligonier he had been a partner with Paul R. Becker & Sons. In Ariz. he was associated with Honeywell Boeing, Westin Engineering and TRW Safety Systems. Most recently he was a facilities engineer with Arizona State University. A U. S. Army veteran, he had been a member of the Army band. He was a member of the First Church of the Brethren in West Phoenix, Millersburg American Legion and Ligonier JCs. He was born Oct. 17, 1943 in Kendallville to Paul R. and Lucille (Frick) Becker. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Terrill D. Jr. and Kelli of Bristol; a daughter and son-in-law, Judith and Dick Rohrer of Millersburg; 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard and Tana of Ligonier and Lyle and Nancy of Syracuse; a sister and brother-in-law, Jacqueline and Michael Sparks of Ligonier; 4 step-siblings; 4 grandchildren, Eva and Kane Rohrer, Conner and Kellan Becker. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald. Services Wednesday at Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. ^ 1-13-2006
Becker Virgil N, 65, R. 2, Wolcottville, died Saturday at home. Born Dec. 24, 1922 in Brimfield, he was the son of Russell E. and Stella M. (Long) Becker. On Oct. 12, 1946 he married Evelyn R. Fisel in Cosperville. He had resided at Witmer Lake since 1977, moving from Ligonier. He was a retired mail carrier in the Ligonier area and was a WW II Army veteran. He was a member of the Ligonier Masonic Lodge 185, Ligonier OES 325 and West Noble American Legion Post 243. Surviving are his wife; three daughters, Mrs. Bill (Pamela) Mills of Columbia City, Mrs. Douglas (Diane) Swinehart of Millersburg, and Mrs. Thomas (Janet) Flora of LaGrange; a sister, Mrs. Maynard (Emma Jane) Bortner of Kendallville; two brothers, Paul of Mesa, Ariz., and John of Ligonier; and nine grandchildren. Funeral Tuesday at Orr Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 8-27-1988
Becker Walter E, 70, R. 1, died today at his home from a heart attack. He was born June 12, 1906 in Wayne Twp to Elmer and Katherine (Lybarger) Becker. He married Opal Shaffer on Nov. 11, 1961 in Kendallville. He was a lifetime resident of this area. He was retired after working for Olds-Cadillac Garage, Newnam Foundry and Steckley’s Mill & Hatchery. He was a member of the Mitchell Street United Methodist Church. Survivors include one stepson, Richard Barker, R. 1; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Jack (Patricia) Reed, R. 1; one sister, Mrs. Ruby Kuckein, Fort Meyers, Fla.; two brothers, Warren, R. 1, Hudson, and Kenton, R. 1, Pleasant Lake. Services Saturday at Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 8-?-1976
Becker Warren E 61, of Albion died December 15, 2012, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. He was born in Kendallville February 7, 1951, to Earl Becker and Betty J. (Easterday) Johoski. He retired last year from Graves Trucking after 40 years of service.  Survivors include, 2 daughters, Tracy Walburn of Kendallville and Melissia Greene of Columbia City; a son, Timothy Earl Becker of Plymouth, Ohio; 4 grandchildren, Randy Ritchie, Devin Walburn, Tyler Becker Zane Greene; and a sister, Janet Beck of Fort Wayne.  Funeral Dec. 18 at Hite Funeral Home. ^ 2-17-2012
Becker Warren F, 82, of rural Hudson, died at his home Nov. 4, 1992. He was born Aug. 19, 1910 in Noble County, the son of Elmer and Katherine (Lybarger) Becker. He married Leona Prentice in DeKalb County Sept. 23, 1940. A retired farmer, he was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, had served as Salem Twp trustee for the past 26 years and was an organizer of the Angola Sheltered Workshop. Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Phyllis Casselman of Kendallville; 5 sons, Floyd of Fort Wayne, Lloyd of Charleston, S.C., Wayne of Pleasant Lake, Jim of Kendallville and Dennis of Hudson; a brother, Kenton of Pleasant Lake; a sister, Ruby Kuckien of Fort Myers, Fla.; 18 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Services Saturday at Prince of Peace Church. Burial, Prince of Peace Cemetery. + 11-4-1992
Becker Wayne Meredith, 85, died Oct. 15, 2001 in Calif. A Kendallville High School graduate, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps before accepting scholarships to study art in Fort Wayne and the Herron School of Art in Indianapolis. He married Hazel Virginia Donat and moved to Los Angeles in 1941 where he founded the company Imagineering. He was born Aug. 16, 1916 in Kendallville to Timothy Peter and Grace (Weaver) Becker. surviving are his wife; a son, Wayne M. of San Francisco; a daughter, Cindi Lemkau; and a granddaughter, Heather Lemkau. ^ 11-20-2001
Becker William F, 70, native and lifelong resident of Noble County and a Jefferson Twp farmer, died Monday. He was born in Orange Twp, Sept. 7, 1864, a son of John and Mary Steckley Becker. His wife, the former Sarah Elnora Franks, whom he married Oct. 5, 1887, died April 9, 1931; and a daughter, Mrs. Audra May Myers, died May 2, 1923. He was a member of Kendallville Lodge No. 316 IOOF. Surviving are two sons, Rolla S. and Lloyd D. of Jefferson Twp; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three brothers, Fred E., Polo, Ill., Henry, Wawaka, Elmer, Allen Twp; and one sister, Mrs. Winnie Black, York Twp. Funeral Wednesday at Jefferson Union Church. Burial, Sweet Cemetery. + 9-?-1934 ^ 9-4-1934
Becker Willie, son of J. H. Becker, living on the bank of Bixler Lake, was missed by his family last evening. It was known that he had sharpened his skates preparatory to a New Year’s skate. The track of his skates was followed to where ice packers had removed the thick ice. Here the thin ice was found broken for several feet and a glove belonging to the young man. He was about 17 years of age. His body was recovered at this morning. ^ 1-1-1886
Becker-Coil Mariam Louise, 76, of Fort Wayne, died Feb. 20, 2008 at her residence. Born June 5, 1931 in Kendallville, she was the daughter of Ralph and Miriam (Warble) Becker. She was a nationally awarded Christian poet, and an amateur line drawing and watercolor artist. Surviving are her mother of Kendallville; 3 sons, Stephen and wife Victoria Coil of Huntington, Mark of Fort Wayne and Malcolm and wife Lynn Coil of Sycamore, Ohio; 4 grandchildren, Misty and Jesus N. Arellano and Jessica Updike of Huntington, Levi J. Stires and Caleb Coil of Sycamore, Ohio; 5 sisters and spouses, Katherine and Hugh Mullen, Victoria Becker, and Linda and Fred McWhinney of Kendallville, Janice and James Tuttle of Auburn and Rozanne Becker of Fort Wayne; one brother and spouse, Ralph and Sandy Becker of Fort Collins, Colo.; brother-in-law, Allan Simon of Avilla. She was preceded in death by her father; 2 sisters, Marjorie Ryder and Nancy Simon; one brother, Richard Becker; and a granddaughter, Rebecca Coil. Service Tuesday at D.O. McComb & Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. Fort Wayne Journal Gazette 2-23-2008
Beckes Bertha, 80, a resident of the Lutheran Home, died Wednesday in McCray Hospital. She was born Feb. 18, 1893 in Indiana, a daughter of George and Amelia (Lahmeyer) Fink. Her husband, John, died in 1934. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, OES in Rome City and Auxiliary of Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Walter (Mercedes) Donat, Rome City; a son, George, Danville, Ill.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral Saturday in Williams Funeral Home in Wolcottville. Burial, Lindenwood Cemetery. + 7-?-1973
Beckley Arcella, wife of McClure Beckley of Avilla, died Oct. 12 of heart disease. Formerly she was a frequent contributor to the different papers of the county and doubtless many can recollect her able poetical productions over the name of Arcella Prentice. The remains were taken to Cromwell, her former home, for interment on Oct. 13. > 10-19-1876
Beckley Brian D, 45, died March 7, 2010 at Indianapolis. He was born in Kendallville on Aug. 20, 1964 to Kenneth D. and Connie L (Kitchen) Doutt. He was employed as a welder in Greenwood, Ind. Survivors include his father and his mother; a sister, Carie Beckley; his grandmother, Evelyn Kitchen of Kendallville. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Doyne Kitchen and his grandparents, Robert and Louise Beckley. Graveside services March 20 at Rose Hill Cemetery. ^ 3-17-2010
Beckley Charles Lee, 16, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beckley, Albion, and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. O. K. Beckley, died Sunday in the McCray Hospital, Kendallville, where he had been taken following a one-vehicle accident at approximately 10:30 a.m. Surviving besides the parents are two brothers, Kenneth and Robert at home; the maternal grandfather, William Kettleborough, Fort Wayne. Services in the EUB Church at Albion Wednesday. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. ~ 9-19-1957
Beckley Earl C, about 50, died at his home on R. 1, Albion Dec. 16, 1970. He was born April 15, 1920 in Avilla, a son of Orland and Nellie (Irons) Beckley. He married Margaret Davidson in Albion on Sept. 14, 1941. A lifelong resident of this area, he was employed at Monsanto in Ligonier for five years. He was a WW II veteran, a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Albion and the Brimfield Lions Club. Surviving are the widow; one daughter, Mrs. George Campbell of Ligonier; a son, Richard, R. 1, two brothers, Robert and John of Albion; and two grandchildren. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 12-?-1970
Beckley John W, 82, of Albion, died April 18, 1997 in McCray Hospital. He was born December 26, 1914 in Avilla to Orland K. and Nellie (Irons) Beckley. On June 20, 1936 in St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Albion he married Mildred Walker. He was the retired co-owner of John and Mid's Restaurant in Albion 1952-1981. He also worked for the Noble County Highway Dept. and at the Noble County Courthouse. He was named 1995 Citizen of the Year, was a 4-H leader; and was a member of the Albion Volunteer Fire Dept., Albion Lions Club and St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Albion. Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Bill (Barbara) Gibson of Milwaukee, Wis.; and 2 grandchildren, John Gibson of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Erica Gibson of Milwaukee. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Earl and Robert. Memorial services Tuesday in St. Mark's Church. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 4-18-1997
Beckley Kenneth D, 67, Albion, died December 11, 2010, at 8:25 a.m. at his residence. He was born August 18, 1943, in Kendallville to Robert L. and Louise (Kettleborough) Beckley. On May 22, 1998, in Round Up, Montana, he married Carol K. Fisher. He retired as an over-the-road truck driver and in the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Carie Beckley of Brimfield; and a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Teri Beckley of Albion. He was preceded in death by a son, Brian Beckley; and a brother, Charles Beckley. Per his request there will be no services and cremation will take place. ^ 12-14-2010
Beckley Lodema E, 87, a resident of Noble County for a half century, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Orpha Anderson of Avilla, May 23 of complications incident to senility. She was born in Morrow County, Ohio. For thirty-two years she resided on a farm in Swan Twp and moved to Avilla sixteen years ago following the death of Mr. Beckley. Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Lulu Kelham of Avilla, Mrs. Gertrude Weaver, Brea, Cal., Mrs. Inez Schutt, Swan Twp, Mrs. Almeda Moore, Indianapolis; and one son, O. K. of Albion. Funeral Friday from Evangelical Church, Avilla. + 5-?-1933
Beckley Louise K "Bee", 95, Albion, died May 6, 2009 at Parkview Whitley Hospital. She was born Dec. 4, 1913 in Albion to William and Grace (Bidwell) Kettleborough and married Robert E. Beckley. He died in December 1991. She was a cook for several years for the Noble County jail and the Country Club in Rome City. She was a member of the Noble County Historical Society. She is survived by 2 sons and their spouses, Kenneth and Carol Beckley and Robert and Terry Beckley of Albion; 6 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren and one sister, Josephine Jahn of Fort Wayne. She was also preceded in death by a son, Charles, in 1957; one brother and 4 sisters. Funeral May 9 at Albion Wesleyan Church. Burial Rose Hill Cemetery. ^ 5-8-2009
Beckley Margaret Aileen, 82, of LaGrange, died April 3, 2004 at Life Care Center of LaGrange. She had worked at Essex Wire for 22 years and had retired from Wolf Lake Products. She was born Jan. 16, 1922 in Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Thomas and Alvena (Peterson) Davidsen. She married Earl C. Beckley on Sept. 14, 1941 in Albion. He died Dec. 16, 1970. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Patty Beckley of LaGrange; 2 brothers, Robert Davidsen of Cromwell and Harold Davidsen of New Paris; 5 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Huff, in 1949. Services Saturday at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in LaGrange. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. ^ 4-16-2004
Beckley Mildred C (Walker), 95, of North Port, Fla., and formerly of Albion, died March 23, 2012, in Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, John W. Beckley. Surviving are her daughter, Barbara (William) Gibson of North Port, Florida; her grandchildren, John (Julie) Gibson, and Erica (Todd) Miller; and great-grandchildren, Devin and Tyler Miller. She was born May 8, 1916, in Albion, and resided there until 1997 when she moved to Wisconsin and later to Florida to reside with her daughter. In 1951 she started and managed the hot lunch program at Albion-Jefferson School. In 1953, she and John purchased their first restaurant. John and Mid’s Restaurant. She retired and the restaurant closed in 1981 after 28 years in business. A celebration of her life and an internment at Rose Hill Cemetery in Albion will take place in August 2012. ^ 3-28-2012
Beckley Nellie M, about 58, (b. 10-28-1886) died at her Albion home Oct. 13, 1944. Surviving are the husband, Orland K.; three sons, John and Albert of Albion, and Private Earl C., with the U. S. Army in England; and four grandchildren. She was born Nellie M. Irons and was an active member of Albion United Brethren Church where funeral was held Monday. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 10-?-1944
Beckley Orland K, 76, longtime custodian of the Noble County courthouse, died at his home Sunday. He was a native of Noble County, the son of James M. and Lodema Kelly Beckley. He is survived by three sons, Robert and John, Albion, and Earl, R. 1, Kimmell; five grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Almeda Moore, Indianapolis, and Mrs. Lulu Kelham of Avilla. Services Wednesday at EUB Church. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 9-?-1963
Beckley Robert L, 79, of Albion, died Dec. 3, 1991 in Goshen Hospital. Born Jan. 14, 1912 in Albion, he was the son of Orland K. and Nellie (Irons) Beckley. On Nov. 24, 1936 in Fort Wayne he married Louise "Bee" Kettleborough. He was retired from Noble County REMC and was a retired Albion firefighter. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Albion and the Noble County Historical Society. Surviving are his wife; 2 sons, Kenneth and Robert of Albion; a brother, John of Albion; and 7 grandchildren. A son and a brother preceded him in death. Services Thursday in Trinity United Methodist Church. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 12-3-1991
Beckley Wilson died in this place (Avilla) April 7, 1886. Funeral in the Evangelical Church Friday. * 4-14-1886
Beckman Charlotte, one of the pioneer residents of Kendallville, died at her home on S. State St. last evening from an attack of catarrhal pneumonia. Had she lived until today she would have been 63 years old. She came to this city with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brust, in 1864, her father establishing a merchant tailoring shop. In 1867 she married Louis Beckman, the jeweler. They had 4 children, Dr. H. F. of Indianapolis, Ed W. of Mishawaka, Charles and Lillie of this city. She also leaves 3 brothers and one sister, Mrs. G. H. Lohman of this city. Funeral will probably be Thursday. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 2-7-1911
Beckman Joseph, 73, Wolf Lake, died Sunday of a gunshot wound to the head. His body was discovered Sept. 4 when employees of the B&K Restaurant were alarmed by his failure to report for work. He owned the restaurant. Noble County sheriff’s deputy Don Leitch found him lying on a bed in his trailer next to the restaurant. + 9-11-1977
Beckman Louis C E, 13, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. L. Beckman of this city, died the 21st of diphtheria. He was born in the city of Kendallville Jan. 31, 1868. Funeral took place at the Lutheran Church yesterday. ^ 11-24-1881
Beckman Lucile C, 75, of Fort Wayne, died Sunday at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Fort Wayne. She lived in Fort Wayne and was a teacher in the Fort Wayne Community Schools Corp. and the East Allen Community Schools Corp. She retired in 1967. She was born Nov. 7, 1910 to the late Charles and Edna Cline in Kendallville, where she lived about 60 years. She married Walter H. Beckman. She was a member of several community organizations and was past president of the Retired Teachers Association. Surviving are her husband Walter; a daughter, Marcia Giraldo, Fort Wayne; a sister, Gertrude Brinkmeyer, Huntington; and one grandchild. Mass will be Wednesday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Fort Wayne. Burial, Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne. + 8-17-1986
Beckman Mary A, 96, died Sunday at her residence. She was born in Avilla Aug. 21, 1880 to Sumner and Loretta (Stahl) Randall. She married Wallace Earl Wheeler, who preceded her in death, and then married Charles G. Beckman in 1917. He died June 29, 1956. They operated Beckman’s Jewelry Store in Kendallville. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Lawrence B. (Catharine) Sizer, Habert, Mich.; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Ralph (Margaret) Elston, Fort Wayne; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Services were Oct 6 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kendallville, of which she was a member. Burial, Avilla Cemetery. ~ 10-7-1976
Beckman Ruth Sholte, 90, Fort Myers, Fla., died Saturday in Fort Myers. She was born in Johnstown, Pa., Sept. 3, 1898, the daughter of Howard and Mahalah (Prisk) Conley. She first married Dr. A. H. Sholte, and in 1977 married Walter F. Beckman. Both preceded her in death. She moved from Angola to Florida in 1972. The Sholtes were missionaries in Japan several years and later served several Methodist churches, including Faith United Methodist in Kendallville. During WW II, she was pastor of a church in Twelve Mile and was in charge of the freshmen girls’ dorm at Indiana Central, Indianapolis. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Carl (Sylvia) Priest of Athens, Ga.; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Graveside services Monday in Mt. Zion Cemetery near Angola. + 10-20-1988
Beckner Barbara M, 58, of Ligonier, died Tuesday in Goshen General Hospital. She was born July 4, 1931 in Elkhart County, the daughter of Eli and Lizzie (Miller) Hershberger. On July 9, 1949 in Ligonier she married Marion Beckner. A lifetime area resident, she was a member of North Eighth St. Mennonite Church. Surviving are her husband; a son, David of Ligonier; and two brothers, Manes of Middlebury, and Leon of Tice, Fla. A daughter preceded her in death. Services be Friday in Orr Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 7-25-1989
Beckner Frankie M, 43, of Ligonier, died Saturday in Goshen Hospital. She was born Nov. 5, 1948 to Donald and Phoebe (Longcor) Stouder. She married Doug Beckner on March 15, 1970 in Ligonier. She was an instructional assistant in the West Noble School Corp. and was a member of Ligonier Presbyterian Church. Surviving are her husband; her father; a daughter, Michele of Ligonier; a son, David of Columbia City; 2 sisters, Marcia Byall of Kimmell and Carol Allman of Syracuse; a brother, Mickey Stouder of Ligonier; and one grandson. Funeral Tuesday in Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 8-29-1992
Beckner John F, 79, Ligonier, died Thursday at Goshen General Hospital. He was born in DeKalb County on Dec. 6, 1895 to William and Emma (Miller) Beckner. On June 17, 1961, he married Phyllis Martin in Goshen. He had been self-employed. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Doris Gard, Ligonier, Mrs. Paul (DeMaris) Musser, Cosperville; three sons, John F., Jr., Wawaka, Marion, Ligonier, Rickie, Ligonier; two sisters, Mrs. Juanita Grimes, Cromwell, Mrs. Vada Snider, Lansing, Mich.; 16 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Funeral Sunday at Werker Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 10-?-1975
Beckner John F Jr, 75, of Wawaka, died Jan. 28, 2000 in Kingston of Ligonier. He was born Nov. 8, 1924 in Ligonier to John and Ruth (Ritter) Beckner. On Jan. 29, 1949 he married Gloria Leatherman in Goshen. He had been a machinist with Essex Wire for many years and retired from Monsanto Co. in Ligonier. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WW II. Surviving are his wife; 2 sons, Doug and Mark of Ligonier; 2 daughters, Rosemary Mawhorter of Albion and Marcelyn Harman of Rome City; a brother, Rick of Ligonier; 2 sisters, Doris Gard of Ligonier and Demaris Musser of Cosperville; 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers. Services Tuesday in Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery with military rites. + 1-28-2000
Beckner Marion G, 72, of Ligonier, died Wednesday in Oak Leaf Village. He was born March 22, 1927 in Ligonier to John and Ruth (Ritter) Beckner. On July 9, 1949 in Ligonier he married Barbara Hershberger. He retired in 1989 as a tube mill operator for Goshen Rubber Co. Surviving are a son, David of Ligonier; 2 sisters, Doris Gard of Ligonier and Demaris Musser of Cosperville; 2 brothers, John Jr. of Wawaka and Rickie of Ligonier. He was preceded in death by his wife. Funeral Monday in Orr Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 6-2-1999
Beckner Norman E, 49, R. 3, Ligonier, died Tuesday in Goshen General Hospital. Born Feb. 12, 1930 in Ligonier, he was the son of Adrian and Martha (Kreager) Beckner. On Oct. 15, 1952, he married Novilla Swickard. He was a lifetime resident of the Ligonier area and was employed by Ride-On Custom in Cromwell. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. Survivors are his parents in Phoenix, Ariz.; his wife; a daughter, Debra, Ligonier; and two sons, Tom, Ligonier, and Tim of Cromwell; two sisters, Mrs. Mike (Marilyn) Kassow of Houston, Tex., and Mrs. Jim (Joan) Myrick of Phoenix; and three grandchildren. Funeral Saturday in Orr Funeral Home in Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 3-13-1979
Becktell Albert M Jr., 63, died Aug. 14, in Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. An Allen County native and WW II veteran, he was employed as an inspector at Dana Corp. Surviving are his wife, Donabelle; four sons, Timothy D. of Laguna Beach, Fla., and Darrell, Steven and Thomas, all Fort Wayne; three daughters, Vivian Brady, Rome City, and Lana and Lisa, both Fort Wayne; his mother, Mary, of Avilla; a brother, Argent of Fort Wayne; three sisters, Neva Trackt, Toledo, Ohio, Nondis Gordon of LaOtto, and Mary Agnus Ware of Fort Wayne; 11 grandchildren. Services Monday in Oak Grove Church of God, Columbia City. Burial, church cemetery. ~ 8-21-1986
Beconovich Gordon, 2, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Beconovich, Chisholm, Minn., died at the Chisholm Memorial Hospital on Sept 1. He was born Sept. 21, 1953 and is survived by his parents; a brother, Robert Michael; a sister Milana Leone; his grandmother, Mrs. Stana Beconovich of Chisholm, and his grandfather, Frank Hursey of Cromwell, Ind. Funeral in St. Vasiliji Servian Eastern Orthodox Church. Burial, Chisholm Cemetery. + 9-1-1952
Beddall Theresa F, 79, of Avilla, died Saturday in McCray Hospital, Kendallville. She was born to William and Ann (Moser) Forster and in 1929 married Edward Beddall, who died in 1979. She moved to Avilla in April 1985 from New Bloomfield, Pa. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Surviving are a daughter, Ann Kayan of Charlottesville, Va.; two sisters, Ursula Galic of Avilla, and Catherine Sheaffer of Tamaqua, Pa.; two brothers, William of Tomaqua, and Alvin of Newton Falls, Ohio; and one grandchild. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews, including Rev. Bernard Galic of Avilla. Services at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, Tomoqua. Burial, Odd Fellows Cemetery. + 6-29-1986
Beebe Alene of Long Island, N.Y., died Saturday in Glen Gariff Nursing Home, Glen Cove, Long Island. She was born in Kendallville Nov. 26, 1907 to Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Gaskill. She was a graduate of Kendallville High School and had done clerical work for McCray Refrigeration Co. In 1932 she married Mulford Beebe, who died in 1968. She had lived on Long Island most of her life since her marriage. Surviving are two sons, Allan of Setauket, Long Island, and Phillip of Kenmore, N.Y.; a brother, Joseph of Bloomington; three grandsons and one granddaughter. A brother, Winfred "Bud" Gaskill, and a sister, Lois Jones, preceded her in death. Services Tuesday in St. James Funeral Home. Burial, Wassau Knolls, Port Washington, Long Island. + 10-18-1986
Beebe Clara A, 85, of Kendallville, died July 13 in Shepherd of the Hill nursing home in Kendallville. She was born July 3, 1912 in Fort Wayne to John and Cecelia (Fox) Schnurr. On Sept. 15, 1932 she married Roy Decker. He died Dec. 21, 1975. In Jan. 1980 she married Arthur Beebe. He died in 1985. She had lived in Noble County more than 60 years, coming from Fort Wayne. She worked as a finisher at Gurney Casket Co., Kendallville, and McCray Hospital. Surviving are 2 daughters, Carolyn Schutt of Avilla and Phyllis Donnelly of Jackson, Mich.; 6 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Funeral Tuesday in Brazzell Funeral Home, Avilla. Burial, St. Mary’s Cemetery. ~ 7-24-1997
Beeber Cleo A, 80, died Thursday in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield, WI. He was born Dec. 30, 1902 in Garrett, the son of Edgar and Maude (Metzger) Beeber. He married Hilda Miller Oct. 30, 1934 in Garrett. She died Nov. 26, 1979. He was a retired engineer from the B&O Railroad in 1968 after 49 years service. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Garrett, and the Knights of Columbus. Survivors include three daughters, Janice Kapple, Garrett, Mary Ruth, Marshfield, WI, Naomi, Fort Wayne; two sons, Joseph, Fort Wayne and Thomas of Avilla; two sisters, Ruth Welch, Auburn, and Esther Slater of Garrett; and 13 grandchildren. Services Monday in St. Joseph’s Church, Garrett. Burial, Christian Union Cemetery. ~ 10-20-1983
Beeber Jacki Lynn, one-day old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Beeber, 615 Water St., Avilla, died. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Ed J. Teders of Avilla, and Mrs. Dudley Brooks of Kokomo. The paternal grandfather, Arthur J. Beeber, is deceased. Graveside services Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery ~ 5-4-1972
Beeber Judith Kay, 42, Fort Wayne, died December 14 at Lutheran Hospital. She was born January 14, 1940 in Williams County, Ohio, the daughter of Richard and Alice (Bauer) Reeves. She married Joseph E. Beeber April 20, 1963 in Garrett. Survivors include her mother at Garrett; her husband in Fort Wayne; a daughter Beth Ann, Notre Dame University; a son Bradley Jay 12, at home; one brother, Rick, Reed City, Mich.; two sisters, Mrs. Ron (Kathie) Kock, Auburn, and Mrs. William (Laurie) Muzzillo, Lafayette; and a grandmother, Mrs. Sylvia Bauer, Montpelier, Ohio. She owned and operated the Type Right of Fort Wayne, a medical transcription service. She was a graduate of Elkhart University in medical transcription. Services Thursday in Mungovan Funeral Home, Fort Wayne. Burial, Christian Union Cemetery. ~ 12-23-1982
Beeghley Michael S was born Aug. 5, 1830 near Meyersdale, Pa., and died at Aurelia, Iowa, Oct. 25, 1920, aged 90 years 2 months and 20 days. Early in life he united with the Church of the Brethren and was a faithful member until his death. In 1855 he married Caroline Mohler, and they made their home in Wayne County, Ohio, until her death in 1862. They had two children, Mary A. and C. C. In 1863 he and his children moved to Waterloo, Iowa. On Jan. 25, 1866 he married Sarah Myers. They had two daughters, Sarah C. and Lillie M. In 1883 they came to Aurelia, Iowa, where she died on Nov. 26, 1891. Since her death he has made his home with his son, C.C. He leaves three children, Mrs. G. W. Royer of Kingsley, C. C. Beeghly of Aurelia, and Mrs. M. A. Cornwall of Stanley, Wis.; one daughter, Mrs. S. J. Montz having preceded him in death; seventeen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren; two brothers and one sister. Funeral at the home Wednesday. Burial, Pleasant Hill Cemetery. +10-25-1920
Beer, Myrtus W.,sank while swimming in deep water at Bixler Lake due to weakness of right arm and leg caused by recent sickness from diphtheria, according to Dr. Robert C. Luckey, Noble County Coroner on July 24, 1934. He went swimming with a brother, Walter Beer; his sister Miss Mary Beer; his wife, Emma and his two little children all of this city. Surviving are the widow; a daughter Maxine aged 4; a son, Wayne, aged 2; the parents Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Beer of Milford; two sisters, Mary of this city and Mrs. Elmer Haab of Milford; three brothers, Walter and Samuel of this city and Donald of Milford. Mr. Beer was manager of the Orange Bowl, confectionery at 1012 S. Calhoun Street. The body was brought to Chalfant-Cutshall Funeral Home and will be taken to the parents; home at Milford. Funeral services will be Friday at Milford. + July 1934
Beers Alice, 91, of Kimmell, died April 1, 2000 in Goshen Hospital. She was born Feb. 1, 1909 in Noble County to Wallace and Lulu (Launer) Werker. On Dec. 16, 1933 in Greentown she married Charles Laurence Beers. He died March 29, 1985. A Cromwell High School graduate, she attended International Business College in Fort Wayne. She was a member of Sparta United Church of Christ and Kimmell Mothers Club. Surviving are 2 daughters, Mrs. Robert (Mary Lou) Eames and Jeanette Wilcox of Kimmell; 3 sons, Alan of Kimmell, Charles of Cromwell, and David of Sun Prairie, Wis.; 17 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Ruby Knepper. Services Saturday at Sparta United Church of Christ. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 4-1-2000
Beers Annabel, 10-year old foster daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Beers of Kimmell, died last Friday after five weeks’ illness from influenza. Surviving are the foster parents and a brother. The funeral was held Sunday. + 8-?-1929
Beers Barbara Ruth, youngest daughter of John and Barbara Moore Kiester, was born June 5, 1890 in Noble County and died at her home in Cromwell June 26, 1935, aged 45 years, 21 days. She married Melvin J. Beers December 5, 1908, and they had a son on June 26, 1911 but he died at birth. A foster daughter, Annabel, died August 23, 1929. Surviving are the husband; two foster children, Mary Jane and Russell,; two grandchildren; five sisters; and three brothers. She was a member of the Kimmell M. E. Church, the Eastern Star and Rebekah Lodge. Funeral, Saturday at Kimmell M.E. Church. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 6-?-1935
Beers Charles, 74, Noble County resident, died Thursday (d. 2-15-1951) at his home following an illness of one year. Surviving are his wife, the former Mary Kiester; and a son, Laurence; five grandchildren; two sisters in Oregon; and a brother in Colorado. His parents were Thomas and Belle Prickett Beers. He had always resided on the farm where he died. He was a member of the Christian Church at Kimmell, the Masonic Order at Cromwell, and the IOOF at Etna. Services Sunday at Sparta Christian Church. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 2-?-1951
Beers Charles "Laurence", 76, of R. 1, Kimmell, died Sunday at McCray Hospital. He was born Oct. 12, 1908 in Whitley County, the son of Charles F. and Mary (Kiester) Beers. On Dec. 16, 1933 in Greentown he married Alice Werker. A lifetime area resident, he retired from farming in 1978. Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Mary Lou Eames and Jeannette Wilcox, both Kimmell; three sons, Alan of Kimmell, Charles of Cromwell, and David of Spencerville; 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Services Wednesday at Orr Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 3-?-1985
Beers Dale L, 86, formerly of Wolf Lake, died Sunday at his home in Billings, Mont. He was born in Noble County and worked at and later owned Empire Heating and Cooling. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, and daughter, Linda Puttmann. Surviving are 2 daughters, Sandra Sadowski and Debby North of Tucson, Ariz.; 2 sons, Kent Beers of Houston and Greg of Billings; 9 grandchildren; and a sister, Edna DeBrular of Burke, Val. Services in Billings today. ^ 9-18-2002
Beers Isabelle, 77, died Dec. 17 at her home in Washington Twp, following an illness of pneumonia. She had been a lifelong resident of Noble County, having been born on a farm near the one which she died. She was a member of the Baptist Church at Ormas. Surviving are five sons, William of Billings, Mont., Roy of Mancos, Colo., and John W., Charles and Nelson, all of Kimmell; two daughters, Mrs. A. W. Metzger of Gresham, Ore., and Mrs. William H. Hamilton of Eugene Ore. + No date
Beers John, 72, for more than 40 years a resident of Whitley County, died last Saturday at his home in Etna Twp on the Noble County line from heart trouble. Born in Shelby County, Ohio Sept. 20, 1837, he grew to manhood there. He was a member of Co. B. 152nd Indiana Volunteers. In 1874 he married Amanda Rider of Noble County, and his widow with 4 children survive, Thomas Beers of Noble County, Ruth Beers at home, Mrs. Arby Hodge and Mrs. Emma Long, both of Noble County. One sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Himmen; 3 half-brothers, James, Thomas and Frank of Noble County; and 2 half-sisters, Mrs. James Connett of Etna Twp and Mrs. Marvin Baugher of Noble County also survive. ^ 12-6-1909
Beers Lester Dell, 86, a lifetime resident of Washington Twp, was found dead in his home Wednesday by a neighbor, Dale Hontz, who noticed lights burning in the Beers home throughout the night Tuesday. He was an apparent suicide, the shotgun blast having torn into his left side. The gun was at the side of his body. His death was placed at about 10:00 o’clock Feb. 5. He was born in Washington Twp on Jan. 11, 1877, the son of James Beers and wife. He first married Hazel Fetters, who died in 1936. In 1952 he was married to Flora Horn of Pierceton, who died about 1957. Surviving is an adopted daughter, Mrs. Harold (Maradel) Garver of Elkhart. Funeral in Harris-Troxel Funeral Home, North Webster Saturday. Burial, Salem Cemetery. + 2-?-1963
Beers Margaret, 48, of Fort Wayne, the wife of Orvas E. Beers, Allen County Republican chairman, died in Parkview Hospital. She had been manager of the Allen County GOP headquarters for eight years and was a member of the Fort Wayne Zoological Society and the Legal Ladies Society. Her surviving husband is a Noble County native, growing up in the western party of the county; and Mrs. Margery Beers, Cromwell, is her mother-in-law. Services Tuesday in Trinity Episcopal Church. Burial, Greenlawn Cemetery. + 7-?-1970
Beers Mary, about 75, (b. 1-27-1881) died October 6, 1956 at her home at Kimmell. She is survived by one son, Laurence of Kimmell; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lee Kiester of Wolf Lake, and Tom Kiester of Kimmell; and two sisters, Mrs. Claude Kimmell of Kimmell, and Mrs. Carl Surfus of Wawaka. Services Tuesday at Sparta Christian Church. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 10-?-1956
Beers Melvin J, 53, rural mail carrier here, died Jan. 5 at his home from influenza. Surviving are one daughter, Mary Jane; one son, Russell of Cosperville; two grandchildren; four brothers; and two sisters. Funeral today at Methodist Church at Kimmell. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + No date 1-5-1941
Beers Orvas E, 83, of Fort Wayne, died Oct. 28, 2001 at home. Born Aug. 11, 1918, the Wolf Lake High School graduate was a U.S. Army captain in WW II and an attorney for Beers, Mallers, Backs & Salin for 32 years. He was a powerful political leader in northeastern Indiana and a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. Surviving are his wife, Patricia: a son, Richard of Fort Wayne; 3 stepchildren; a brother, Dale of Billings, Mont.; a sister, Edna DeBrular of Burke, Va.; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret. Services Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne. Burial, Greenlawn Memorial Park. ^ 10-30-2001
Beers Russell O died this week at Pawating Hospital, Niles, Mich. Surviving are his wife, Ruby O.; a daughter, Mrs. Pat Deehr, Berlin Heights, Ohio; two sons, Gary, Montgomery, Ala., and Bill, Niles. Graveside services Friday in Cosperville Cemetery. + 1-?-1975
Bessecker Delilah Alice was one of 3 children born to William and Catherine Easterday. One sister, Alma, died in June 1940; and one brother, W. A. Easterday of Colorado Springs, Colorado, survives. She was born Dec. 4, 1862 on the farm where she died Nov. 6, 1941, almost 79 years old. She married Charles Beseecker. He died in May 1926. She was a member of Rehoboth Lutheran Church were funeral was conducted Nov. 9. Burial, Rehoboth Cemetery + 11-6-1941
Beesecker Lona was one of two children born near Warsaw, Ind. to Martin and Emma Sherwood March 14, 1862. There were also 2 half-sisters in the family, one of whom, Mrs. Lillie Winzer, of Augusta, Kansas, survives, the brother and one half-sister, with the parents, having died. On May 30, 1882 she married William R. Beesecker, and he died Dec. 7, 1931. They had 3 children. Roy died at the age of 29 years. Two daughters survive her, Mrs. Forrest Addis, and Mrs. William Addis, both of near Wolf Lake. There are 4 grandchildren surviving. She died August 7, 1937, past 75 years of age. Funeral at the Forrest Addis home on August 9. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 8-?-1937
Beesecker William L, long a resident of Noble Twp, died Dec. 7 after an illness of only about 4 hours with apoplexy. For about 20 years, Mr. and Mrs. Beesecker had lived on their farm east of Wolf Lake, and for the last 13 years they have lived in Wolf Lake where the family is well-known. On next May 31 it would have been 50 years since he married Lona Sherwood. They had three children. Mrs. Clara Addis and Mrs. Rose Addis both survive him. In 1919, during the influenza epidemic, a son, Roy, died while visiting at Brookfield, Ohio. Two grandchildren have died also, Ora and little Ruth, children of Mr. and Mrs. William Addis. He is survived by 4 grandchildren, Guy and Opal, son and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Addis, and Roy and Ray, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Addis. He was born in Montgomery County, Ohio on Oct. 9, 1858, the son of Noah and Elizabeth Beesecker. One brother, Charles, died only a few years ago. There is only one of the old family left, a sister, Harriet Beesecker of Albion. He was 73 years, 1 month and 28 days. old. For a number of years, he was identified with the bank at Wolf Lake, being a vice president. Funeral at the home Wednesday. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 12-?-1931
Beezley Delle P, 91, of R. 3, Churubusco, died Nov. 13 at the Allen County Health Center. She had resided in the community several years after moving here from Kimmell. She was a member of Ormas Baptist Church. Survivors include 2 sons, George of Payne, Ohio, and Donald of Nappanee; one daughter, Gayle Kyle of Fort Wayne; 3 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Services at Krider-Bair Funeral Home Nov. 17. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. * 11-?-1973
Beezley Dorothy May, 33, Washington Center, died Tuesday at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Crusen in Ligonier. Death was caused by carcinoma. She was born Sept. 24, 1916 at Sherman, Calif., but had lived in Indiana since 1917, residing in LaGrange and Noble Counties. She was married to George Beezley Aug. 21, 1933 at LaGrange. Surviving are her parents; her husband; a son, James, and 2 daughters, Janis and Judith; and one brother, James T. of Buchanan, Mich. Funeral today at Ligonier Methodist Church. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 10-25-1949
Beezley James T, 36, was found dead in his car of carbon monoxide fumes at Bunker Hill Air Force Base at Peru. His death was judged a suicide. He was born March 19, 1934 at Topeka and had served in the Air Force for 14 years. Prior to that he had lived in the Cromwell and Kimmell communities. He married Sheila Wedd in England in 1963. Surviving are his wife; a son, Larry and daughter Joan, at home; his father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. George Beezley of Payne, Ohio; two sisters, Mrs. Janice Michaels of Cromwell, and Mrs. Judith Slusher, now living in Cromwell; his grandmother, Mrs. Dell Beezley of Churubusco, and grandfather, James Crusen of Arizona. Last rites Wednesday at Ulrey-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Ligonier. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 3-?-1966
Beezley Jeanette, 89, of Albion, died December 31, 2006 in the Beverly Health Center in Fort Wayne. She was a lifetime member of the Noble County community and retired from Essex Wire Co. in 1982 after 25 years of service. She was a member of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church in Merriam, a life member of the VFW in Wolf Lake and the Pythian Sisters. She was born July 18, 1917 in Wolf Lake, a daughter of Nicholas and Etta Mae (Addis) Herron. A graduate of Wolf Lake High School, she married Raymond Beezley on May 10, 1942. Surviving are her children, Linda (George) Mitchell of Fort Wayne, Brenda Martin of Albion, Thomas (Joyce) Beezley of Churubusco and Janice (Dan Chupp) Snider of Fort Wayne; 2 sisters, Martha Land of Fort Wayne, Mary Jane Paulus of Columbia City; 21 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Lore Lee Sherman; son-in-law, Lester Sherman; 2 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; 3 brothers, Max, Floyd and Kenneth Herron; and one sister, Pauline Utley. Funeral today in the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. Churubusco News 1-3-2007
Beezley Mae, 63, died last Saturday in LaGrange County Hospital. Surviving are the husband, Orris; a daughter, Mrs. Glenn (Dorma) Click; and two grandchildren. Funeral Monday in L. H. Moore Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 9-?-1960
Beezley Orris J, 82, Port Orange, Fla., died Monday in a nursing home in Daytona, Fla. He was born March 24, 1894 in Noble County to John and Estella (Wilson) Beezley. He married Mae Shearer, who died in June 1960. He later married Mary Weaver. He lived in Port Orange, Fla., the past five years. Before then he lived in Cromwell and Kalkaska, Mich. He was a retired farmer. He was a member of United Methodist Church, Port Orange. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Glenn (Dorma) Click, Cromwell; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Weldon (Helen) Hodges, Grand Rapids, Mich.; one sister, Mrs. Frank (Opal) Kreager, Fort Wayne; 2 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral Friday in Ulrey Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 5-?-1976
Beezley Paul, 94, Civil War veteran, died Christmas at his home in Wilmot, Noble County. Death occurred after a short illness of complications resulting from a fractured hip in a fall. He was an uncle of Lloyd Douglas, noted author, a native of Columbia City. Survivors include six sons, 3 daughters and 52 grandchildren. Funeral Saturday at Wilmot Church of God. Burial, Wilmot Cemetery. + 12-?-1941
Beezley Raymond R "Buck", 62, Wolf Lake, died March 24, 1977 at his residence. He was born in Whitley County to Thomas Long and Alice Fetters Beezley. On May 10, 1941 he married Jeanette Herron and they lived all of their married life in Noble County. He was a self-employed truck driver and had hauled marl. A member of the Wolf Lake Fire Department and Gun Club, he was a veteran stock car race driver on area tracks during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Surviving are his wife; a son, Thomas, Churubusco; 4 daughters, Mrs. Lester (Lore Lee) Sherman, Mrs. Linda Mitchell, Brenda Bloom and Janice Beezley, all Fort Wayne; a brother, Thomas Jackson, Goshen; 3 sisters, Mrs. Ford Bitting, Merriam, Mrs. Wayne Ridgley, Mrs. Harold Garver, Elkhart; 19 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral Sunday at Sheets Funeral Home, Churubusco. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 3-?-1977
Behm Edward Erwin, 68, died April 14, 2003 at his daughter's Ligonier residence. He was employed as a meat cutter for Marsh Super Market in Muncie and Warsaw. He was a volunteer for the Big Lake Fire Dept. After graduating in 1952 from Cowan High School in Muncie, he attended Ball State University one year. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and was discharged in 1962. He was born in Jackson, Mich. July 6, 1934 to Edward and Thelma (Koontz) Behm. He married Carolyn Sue Farmer on July 17, 1955 in the Lutheran Church in Muncie. Surviving are his wife in Albion; 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Cathy L. Smith of South Bend and Jeni and Steve Weigold of Ligonier; 3 sons and daughters-in-law, David and Polly, Dane and Joanne, and Dennis and Karen Behm of Columbia City; a brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Willa Behm of Muncie; a sister, Marti Ayres of Tucson, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death was a brother, Fred. Services Friday at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home. Burial, Thorn Cemetery. ^ 4-16-2003
Beidelman Charles, an old resident of Orange Twp, met his death in the terrible accident on the Pennsylvania line near Altona last Friday. He was born in York County, Pa. Feb. 1, 1821 and emigrated to this county in 1851, settling on his present farm in Orange Twp. In 1875 he removed to Brimfield. He was a member of the M. E. Church. His wife, to whom he was married in 1846, died but a short time since, and he will be buried by her side at Brimfield. ^ 6-3-1887
Beight Elias, 23 years, 4 months and 20 days, died Oct. 5 at the residence of Peter Parr of this township from typhoid fever. He had been married six months. Funeral at Hartman Chapel Tuesday. ^ 10-9-1879
Beight John, 88, died Tuesday in the Noble County infirmary near Albion of a heart ailment. Born near Kendallville, he was married to Wilda Sleightman, who died 30 years ago. He moved to Kendallville in 1910 and resided there continuously until 1934. + 12-?-1940
Beight Samuel, residing 3 miles east of the city, died suddenly Tuesday morning from apoplexy and was buried yesterday in the German Lutheran Cemetery north of the city. He was in his 82nd year. * Kendallville Standard 11-2-1894 Contributed by Margaret Ott
Beights Arthur H, 79, of Kendallville died Saturday at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. He was born Sept. 13, 1891, in DeKalb County, the son of Henry and Fredericka (Engeler) Beights. He was married in 1921 to Nora Gordon, who survives. He was employed by Standard Oil for 25 years and founded the Beights’ Cities Service 18 years ago. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, a veteran of WW I, and a member of Barracks 238 of the VFW and the American Legion. Surviving besides the widow are one daughter, Mrs. Myron (Jeannie) Fenstermaker, R. 1, and one son, Howard, R. 3, Kendallville; two sisters, Miss Hilda, a resident of the Sacred Heart Home, Avilla, and Miss Metha, Kendallville; and one brother, Walter, Kendallville. Five grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survive. Funeral Tuesday at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ~ 12-24-1970
Beights, Delilah, 69, died Jan 14, 1925 at her home on South Oak Street. She was a pioneer resident of this community. Death resulted from tuberculosis of the spine. She was born in Starke County, OH, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kammerer, coming to this community at an early age with her parents who located on the Kammerer homestead, 3½ miles east of the city. She married George Beights 50 years ago. She was the mother of 8 children, two having died in infancy. Surviving are six children: Mrs. H. Smolinske of near Albion; Milo of Toledo, OH; Oscar of this city and Miss Ida and Elmer at home. One brother at Live Oak, FL and eight grandchildren survive. Funeral services at Methodist Episcopal church, the Rev. R. R. Detweiler officiating. Interment Lake View Cemetery + Jan 1925
Beights Fredericka, 82, DeKalb County native and resident here for 14 years, died Sunday at her home. She was born in Fairfield Twp. In 1887 she married Henry Beights, who died 10 years ago. She had been a resident of this city since 1926. Surviving are two sons, Walter and Arthur; and two daughters, Hilda and Metha, all of Kendallville; two brothers, Edward and Henry Ziebell; and two grandchildren. Funeral Tuesday at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 1-?-1941
Beights, George, died February 18, 1925. Services at St. John Lutheran school auditorium conducted by Rev. M. F. Kretzmann. Interment Lake View cemetery. Immediate relatives from out of the city attending were Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Kanous, Flint, MI; Sol Beights, South Bend; Mrs. H. Kammerer and Mrs. Nathan Kammerer and daughter of Garrett. + Feb 1925
Beights Hilda E, 78, 730 Mott St., died Sunday at Sacred Heart Home, Avilla. She was born Jan. 7, 1893 at Fairfield Center to Henry and Fredericka (Engeler) Beights and resided in Kendallville 50 years. She was employed for 37 years by Indiana Bell Telephone Co. and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and Telephone Pioneers of America. She is survived by a sister, Metha, 730 Mott St., and a brother, Walter, 522 N. State St. A brother, Arthur, died in Dec. 1970. Funeral Tuesday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 5-?-1971
Beights Howard E, 77, of Kendallville, died Saturday in Parkview Hospital. He was born in Kendallville April 24, 1922 to Arthur and Nora (Gordon) Beights. On Aug. 24, 1943 in Oakland Calif., he married Lureign Casselman. He owned and operated Beights Oil Co., retiring in 1981. He served in the Coast Guard 1942-46 and was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and American Legion Post 86. Surviving are his wife; a daughter and son-in-law, Sheryl and Doug Slessman of Sturgis, Mich.; a son, James H. of Key Largo, Fla.; a sister, Jeanne Fenstermaker of Kendallville; and 3 grandchildren, Scott, Daniel and Stacy Slessman. Funeral Wednesday in St. John Church. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 6-19-1999
Beights Leroy, 85, died today at Lutheran Home, Kendallville. He was born Feb. 10, 1892 to Samuel and Elizabeth (Browand) Beights in Kendallville. He married Mary Englebrecht, who died Sept. 13, 1961. He was one of former owners and operators of the Capital Service Station, corner Park Ave. and Dowling St., Kendallville, and a member of St. John Lutheran Church. Survivors include one son, Dr. Raymond Beights, Fort Wayne; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral Wednesday at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 5-?-1977
Beights Lureign M, 90, of Kendallville, died August 2, 2012 at Provena Sacred Heart Home, in Avilla. She was born in Dekalb County April 2, 1922 to Walter and Rebah (Vian) Casselman. She graduated from Kendallville High School in 1940 and married Howard E. Beights on August 24, 1943 in Oakland, California. He died June 19, 1999. She and Howard owned and operated Beights Oil Company in Kendallville for 30 years before retiring in 1981. Survivors include a daughter, Sheryl and Doug Slessman of Empire, Michigan; son, James and Kathy Beights of Chickamauga, Georgia; 3 grandchildren: Scott and Heidi Slessman; Daniel Slessman; Stacy and Mike Pasche; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Harold Salty Casselman of Kendallville and Jerry and Judy Casselman of Decatur; sister, Nancy Streich of Kendallville.  She was also preceded in death by 3 brothers, Rex, Doyne and Richard Casselman. Funeral Aug. 6 at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. Hite Funeral Home 8-4-2012
Beights Metha A, 92, of Kendallville, died Saturday in McCray Hospital. She was born in DeKalb County Aug. 12, 1897, the daughter of Henry and Fredricka (Engler) Beights. She had been employed by Flint & Walling Mfg. and was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. Surviving are a niece and nephew. Two brothers and a sister preceded her in death. Services Tuesday in Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 6-2-1990
Beights Nora E, 91, of Kendallville, died Wednesday in McCray Hospital. She was born in Whitley County Sept. 21, 1897, the daughter of Sanford and Alice (Richey) Gordon. On June 30, 1920 in Kendallville, she married Arthur H. Beights, who died Dec. 19, 1970. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Myron (Jeanne) Fenstermaker of Kendallville; a son, Howard of Kendallville; four sisters, Mary Crabill and Amy Faber, Fort Wayne, Laura McCoy and Iva Gorsuch, Churubusco; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Six brothers preceded her in death. Services Saturday in Hite Funeral Home, Kendallville. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 8-5-1989
Beights Pauline A, 95, died today in the Lutheran Home. Born in Kendallville June 6, 1884, she was the daughter of John and Magdalena (Hess) Kaiser. She married Walter Beights who died in May 1972. She had been employed by Kimes Music Store years ago. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church. Survivors are several nieces and nephews, including Walter Kaiser, Kendallville. Two brothers and two sisters preceded her in death. Funeral Thursday in Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 12-?-1978
Beights Walter C, 82, 522 N. State St., died Tuesday in McCray Hospital of a heart condition. He was born June 10, 1889 in DeKalb County to Henry and Frederick (Engeler) Beights and was married in 1923 to Pauline Kaiser. He was a lifetime resident and was retired from McCray Corp. where he was employed in the payroll department for more than 30 years. He was a member of McCray 25-year Club and St. John’s Lutheran Church. Surviving are the widow and a sister, Metha, 730 Mott St. One brother and a sister preceded him in death. Funeral Friday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 5-?-1972
Beiswanger Belinda S, 55, of Kendallville, died May 26, 2011. She was born July 6, 1955, in Wabash to G. Wendell and Edna Bryant. She graduated from Whitko High School in 1973 and Purdue University in 1977 and then completed her Master of Education from Indiana University. She was an elementary school teacher for 22 years, teaching for the past 12 years at Wayne Center and previously at Wolf Lake and schools in Whitley County. She married Lee T. Beiswanger in Warsaw on July 7, 1984. She was a member of the South Milford Church of Christ for 27 years. She is survived by her husband; her daughter, Kelly, and her son, Benjamin, all of Kendallville; her mother, Edna Bryant of Pierceton; her brother, Bruce (Lisa) Bryant of Kokomo; her sister, Angie (Mark) Green of Zionsville; her brother, Jim (Susan) Bryant of Libertyville, Illinois. Her father preceded her in death in 2005. Funeral May 31 at South Milford Church of Christ. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 5-28-2011
Beiswanger Daniel J, 67, of Fort Wayne, died December 14, 2011, at his residence in Fort Wayne. He was born in Kendallville on November 20, 1944, to Arden and Iris (Myers) Beiswanger. He served in the U. S. Air Force. He was a truck driver and employed with U.S. Food Service and Central Supply. He was a member of the Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. Survivors include his sons, Dan Jr. and Staci Beiswanger of South Whitley, Jason Beiswanger of Fort Wayne, Michael Beiswanger of Fort Wayne, Isaac Beiswanger of Fort Wayne and Tyler Beiswanger of Fort Wayne; his daughters, Rhonda Beiswanger of Indianapolis and Jennifer and Tim Derr of Fort Wayne; his grandchildren, Braydan Beiswanger, Dayne Lewis, Autumn, Madison, and Hunter Derr, C.J. Beiswanger, Lauyren and Brody Beiswanger; two sisters, Deb Pattee of Kendallville and Cherree and Dan Kelley of Columbia City; and two brothers, Rick and Deb Beiswanger of Kendallville and Kim and Patti Beiswanger of Kendallville. Funeral December 19 at Hite Funeral Home. Military honors by the honor guard teams from the Kendallville VFW Post #2749 and the Rome City American Legion Post #381. ^ 12-17-2011
Beiswanger Eldon, 80, of Kendallville, died Oct. 18, 2005 at The Lamplighter. He graduated from Kendallville High School in 1943 and was a member of South Milford Church of Christ. A veal farmer, he was also employed for 18 years with Farm Credit Services and was branch manager of the Federal Land Bank Association of northeastern Indiana until 1980. Since 1968 he was a real estate broker and employed with Schrader Real Estate and Auction Co. in the past. Born in South Milford on March 25, 1925, he was the son of Fred and Edna (Thomas) Beiswanger. He married Shirley Ellen Liebing Walker on June 29, 1980. Surviving are his wife; a son, David of South Milford; a daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Glenn Stutzman of Goshen, the children's mother, Berneta Ruth (Wittkamper) Beiswanger of South Milford; a sister, Jean Aungst of Kendallville; a brother and sister-in-law, Leroy and Lou Beiswanger of Kendallville; 2 stepchildren; 6 grandchildren, Dane Beiswanger of Portland, Drew Beiswanger of Wolcottville, Brandon, Bradley and Brady Stutzman, and Danielle Beiswanger; 2 great-grandchildren, Dorane and Zion Beiswanger. One son, Dorane, died in 1997. Memorial services Saturday at South Milford Church of Christ. Burial, later, at South Milford Cemetery. ^ 10-20-2005
Beiswanger Emma B Wenner, 90, Kendallville Lutheran Home, died Monday in McCray Hospital. Born May 6, 1887 in Wabash, she was the daughter of Jacob and Katherine (Baumbear) Hettmansperger. She married Fred Beiswanger July 13, 1958 in Kendallville. He died May 22, 1969. She was a resident of Kendallville 27 years, moving from Elkhart. She was a member of the First Christian Church. Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Charles (Zelma) Price, Kendallville, Mrs. Frank (Gertrude) Swank, Ligonier, Mrs. Burt (Bonnie) Chapman, Azusa, Calif., and Mrs. Wilma Carlson, Kokomo; one son, Charles Wenner, Elkhart; 7 stepchildren; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Two brothers and four sisters preceded her in death. Funeral in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home Thursday. Burial, Salem Cemetery. + 10-31-1977
Beiswanger Iris J, 82, died June 17, 2006 at Provena Sacred Heart Home. She was born in New Haven on September 25, 1923 to Homer J. and Sarah E. (Schimpf) Myers. She married Arden Charles Beiswanger in October 1939. He died in April 1979. Surviving are 3 sons and 2 daughters-in-law, Dan of Fort Wayne, and Rick and Deb and Kim and Patti of Kendallville; 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Deb Pattee of West Liberty, Ohio, and Cherree and Dan Kelly of Columbia City; grandchildren and their spouses, Dan Jr and Stacey Beiswanger, Rhonda Beiswanger, Jennifer and Tim Derr, Jason and Tracey Beiswanger, Isaac and Tyler Beiswanger, Jill and Ken Furniss, Chris and Stacy Pattee, Stephan and Viviana Kelley, Joel and Bridgett Kelley, Ryan and Misty Beiswanger, Brett and Stacy, Kyle and Megan Beiswanger, Aimee and Tom Balyeat, Lucas, Amanda and Zachary Beiswanger; and 25 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Heather Pattee; and a brother, Bud Myers. A homemaker, she was a member of South Milford Church of Christ. Services at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Fairfield Center Cemetery, Corunna. ~ 6-29-2006
Beiswanger Leroy, 86, died Oct. 22, 2007 at Shepherd of the Hill nursing home in Kendallville. He had been employed in janitorial maintenance with East Noble School Corp. 1955-1986. He was a member of South Milford Church of Christ. He was born in Milford on Feb. 22, 1921 to Fredrick and Edna (Thomas) Beiswanger. He married Luella Mae Bean on July 1, 1972. Surviving are his wife in Kendallville; a daughter and son-in-law, Susie and Robert Conrad of Kendallville; 3 stepchildren; a sister, Jean Aungst of Kendallville; 2 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Arlo, Arden, Paul and Eldon; and 3 sisters, Marian Beiswanger, Irene Gage and Lucille VanWagner. Services Thursday at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 10-23-2007
Beiswanger Luella M, 84, of Kendallville died December 7, 2010, at Lutheran Life Villages in Kendallville. She was born in Logansport on January 31, 1926, to Schuyler L. and Nellie Ola (Azbell) Bean. She first married Wilton R. Kotterman on April 23, 1945, and he died February 12, 1972. Later she married Cyrus LeRoy Beiswanger on July 1, 1972, in Kendallville and he died October 22, 2007. She was a member of the South Milford Church of Christ and she worked for many years in downtown Kendallville as a bookkeeper for the Seagley Hardware and Gift Shop. Survivors include two daughters, Jackie and Harold Kline of Kendallville and Connie and Mike Crist of Kendallville; a son, Jeff and Pam Kotterman of Kendallville; a stepdaughter; her nine grandchildren, Julie and Steve Blankenship, Jean Ann Potts, Chad and Cassandra Crist, Shane and Maila Crist, Ryan and Monica Crist , Nathan Kotterman, and Emily and Nate Shamp; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Marybelle Bell of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and a brother, William Bean of Texas. She was also preceded in death by her sister, June Lowe, and brother, Ray Bean. A private celebration of Lou’s life will held for the family at South Milford Church of Christ. ^ 12-9-2010
Beiswanger Paul Thomas, 57, R. 1, Wolcottville, died July 16 at Parkview Hospital following a fall from a ladder at the Avilla School June 26. He was employed by the East Noble School Corporation in the maintenance department. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of the South Milford Church of Christ. He was born in Milford Twp in LaGrange County June 23, 1927, the son of Frederick W. and Edna C. (Thomas) Beiswanger. He married Veryle "Susy" Uhl June 12, 1948 in Kendallville. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Lang F., Indian Head Park, Ill., Lee T., R. 3, Kendallville, and Lew S., at home; three sisters, Irene Gage, Shipshewana, Lucille VanWagner, Wolcottville, and Jean Aungst, Kendallville; two brothers, Leroy and Eldon, Kendallville; and one grandchild. Two brothers and one sister preceded him in death. Services July 19. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ~ 7-26-1984
Beiswanger Thelma J, 84, of Kendallville, died Nov. 1, 2010 at Lutheran Life Villages, Kendallville. She owned and operated the Majic Mirror Beauty Shop in Kendallville for 10 years and had worked as a bookkeeper for Wible Realty in Auburn. She was a member of Tri Kappa Associate Chapter. She was born Dec. 8, 1925 in Allen County to Charles and Emelia (Habig) Myers. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Bob Conrad of Kendallville; 2 grandsons, Tracy and Troy and Michele Conrad; and 4 great-grandchildren, Ali, Dylan, Brooke and Ty Conrad. She was preceded in death by a son, Michael, in 1959; a brother, Paul Myers, and a sister Helen Krider. Funeral Thursday in Young Family Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 11-2-2010
Beitler Margaret, 66, Fort Myers, Fla., and a former Kendallville resident, died in her home Friday. She was born Feb. 18, 1914 in Monroe to J. Forrest and Lessie (Watkins) Ray. She was married Oct. 25, 1930 to Harry Beitler. She was a former employee of the McCray Hospital and the Decatur Industries Co., a member of Monroe United Methodist Church and St. Joe Athletic Club, Fort Wayne. Surviving are the husband; two daughters, Mrs. Harold Arnold, Monroe, and Mrs. Michael Haney, Kendallville; a son, Robert, Pendleton; two sisters, Mrs. Wayne Hershing, and Mrs. Lee Parrish, Monroe; two brothers, Frederick, Fort Wayne, and Harold, San Diego; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A granddaughter preceded her in death. Services Monday in Winteregg-Linn-Haggard Funeral Home, Decatur. Burial, Spring Hill Cemetery south of Monroe. + 2-?-1981
Beitz Jade C died Sept. 25, 2007 at Parkview Noble Hospital. She was born Tuesday to Garrison and Jennifer (Lockridge) Beitz. They survive in Waterloo with a brother, Noah Bowers; a sister, Brooke Bowers; grandparents Perry and Victoria Chorpenning of Waterloo, Bill and Cindy Parker of Kendallville; great-grandparents, Bill and Mary Blackford of Fort Wayne. Private services today at Lake View Cemetery. ^ 9-27-2007
Beitz James A, 51, of Wawaka and formerly of Fort Wayne, died Thursday at Parkview Hospital. The Fort Wayne native was a technician with American Telephone & Telegraph Co. for 29 years. Surviving are his wife, Mary Jane; a daughter, Cindy A. of Kendallville; a son, Jeffrey A. at home; two sisters, Leslie McCarthy of Kokomo, and Lois G. Gaiser of Fort Wayne; a brother, Donald of Fort Wayne; and one grandson. Services Saturday at Klaehn’s Wayne St. Chapel, Fort Wayne. Burial, Concordia Gardens. + 1-16-1986
Beitz Nathaniel Allen, 4, of Kendallville, died Sept. 26, 2000 in his home. He was born Dec. 20, 1995 in Auburn to Jeff and April (Brown) Beitz. Surviving are his parents; grandparents, Bill and Mary Jane Blackford of Fort Wayne, Bill and Joyce Woods and Steve and Kathleen Brown of Anderson; great-grandparents, Mansel and Lucille Brown and Ruth Randol of Anderson, and Richard and Janice Talbert of Frankton. He was preceded in death by a grandfather, James Beitz, and a grandmother, Beatrice Brown. Services Friday in the First Church of God. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 9-27-2000
Belcher Billy Jack, son of Jack Edward and Ossie (Mosley) Belcher of 421 W. Mitchell St., Kendallville, was stillborn Sunday in McCray Hospital. Survivors include the parents; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Mosley and Mr. and Mrs. Homer Belcher, all Kendallville. Funeral Tuesday in Free Will Baptist Church north of Corunna. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 6-?-1979
Belcher Irene, 62, died June 5, 2001 at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. She was born June 9, 1938 in Rockfork, Ky., to Adolph and Nora (Bolen) Collins. Surviving are a son, Donald Lewis of Garrett; 4 daughters and a son-in-law, Mary Stanley of Garrett, Kathy Lewis and Faye Manns of Kendallville, Jeannie and Billy Felder of Shipshewana; 6 sisters, Josephine Bailey of Montgomery, Mich., Mary Bolen of LaGrange, Betty VanHoozer of Wolcottville, Annie Kessler of Kendallville, Nannie McPherson of Garrett and Helen Chriswell of Waterloo; 2 brothers, Ray Collins of Wolcottville and Roy Collins of Rome city; 10 grandchildren, Jason, Stanley, Christopher and Brandon Knox, Angie Taylor, Renee Charles, Cassandra Albright, Melissa Clevinger, Chasity Jeffers, Nathan and Jonathon Wilcox; and 16 great-grandchildren. A sister, Geraldine; and a brother, Sonny, preceded her in death. Services Friday at Zion Baptist Church, Valentine. Burial, Orange Cemetery. ^ 6-7-2001
Belcher Jack E, 57, of Garrett, died May 29, 2013. He was born in Logan, W.Va., on Feb. 10, 1956, to Omar Belcher and Thelma (Browning) Belcher. Surviving are 5 sons, Scott Belcher Thompson of South Whitley, Dakota Belcher Thompson of South Whitley, Floyd Belcher of Michigan, James Belcher of Kentucky and Anthony Belcher of Kentucky; 2 daughters, Abigail Belcher Thompson of South Whitley and Priscilla Belcher of Kentucky; 2 brothers, Sonny Belcher of Kendallville and Charles Belcher of West Virginia; and 3 sisters, Little Belcher of Garrett, Lena Collins of Kendallville, and Barbara McDonald of Kendallville. He was also preceded in death by a son, Billy Belcher; 2 brothers, Willie Belcher and Bunny Belcher; and sister, Pearl Belcher. Funeral, Monday at Bread of Life Tabernacle. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 6-1-2013
Belcher Jesse L, 74, died June 13, 2007 at Northridge Village in Albion. He was a retired farmer and truck driver. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was a member of Rome City American Legion Post 381, FOE 2455 in Albion and Augusta Golf Course. He was born Dec. 20, 1932 in English, Ind. to Charles and Iva Hammond Preston Belcher. He married Nancy Keister on Sept. 30, 1961 in LaGrange. Surviving are his wife; 2 daughters, Debra K. Davis of Albion and Melinda A. and Tracey Lash of rural Avilla; 5 brothers and 3 sisters-in-law, Glen Belcher of Fairmount, Timothy and Tammy Belcher of Jonesboro, Charles and Caroline Belcher of South Bend, Loren Stevenson of Las Vegas and Felix and Glenna Belcher of White Pine, Tenn.; 2 brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Raymond Keister, Jane Keister, Linda and Jay Keck; and 5 grandchildren, Duston Lacey, Destyne and Danyele Davis, Jessica and Jaryn Hoffelder. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Billy and Charles; and 2 sisters, Murrel Belcher and Crystal Logan. Services Monday at Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Sweet Cemetery. ^ 6-15-2007
Belcher Thelma L, 65, of Kendallville, died Wednesday at the home of a son. She was born in Erling, W.Va., Oct. 17, 1925 to Robert and Bessie Browning. On Aug. 18, 1948 she married Omer Belcher. She was a member of Freewill Baptist Church in W.Va. Surviving are her husband; 4 daughters, Alice Messer of Logan, W.Va., Lena Collins of Stroh, Beatrice Hurd of Garrett and Barbara McDonald of Kendallville; 4 sons, Sonny Ray of Corunna, Jack and Willie of Kendallville and Robert of Logan, W.Va.; 2 sisters, Mammie Clark and Ines Jude of Logan, W.Va.; a brother, Sebert Browning of Lauraville, Ohio; a stepsister, Lenora Arnold of Kendallville; 26 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. A daughter, Bunny, a brother and a sister preceded her in death. Services Saturday in Willie Belcher's residence. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 6-?-1991
Belcher Willie George, 52, died in a single-car accident March 17, 2007 on U.S. 6 near Wawaka. He was born in Earling, W.Va. on December 16, 1954 to Omer F. and Thelma L. (Browning) Belcher. He married Deanna Kay Gibson on August 3, 1974 in Kendallville. Surviving are his wife; 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Suzette and Eric Stitt of Waterloo and Joyce and Jamie Hall of Kendallville; 3 brothers and a sister-in-law, Sonny Belcher of Corunna, Jack Belcher of Waterloo and Robert and Brenda Belcher of W.Va.; 4 sisters and brothers-in-law,Alice and Andy Messer of W.Va., Lena and Kern Collins of Kendallville, Beatrice and Ben Hurd of Wabash and Barbara and Eddie McDonald of Kendallville; a half-sister and her husband, Mary and Alex Karst of Kendallville; and 6 grandchildren, Michael and Tyler McClelland, McKenzie Ritter, Shawn, Ethan and Nathan Hall. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bunny. Services Tuesday at the True Church of God in Lisbon. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 3-19-2007
Belile Emilie C, about 80, widow of James Belile, died at her Wawaka home Feb. 3, 1944. There are no immediate relatives other than nephews. Funeral Sunday at the residence. Burial was at Remington. + 2-?-1944
Bell Bernard, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. Milford Bell of Scio, Oregon, died Wednesday of a heart attack at his wife’s parents home in Scio. He and his parents were former R. 1, Avilla residents for many years and he attended the LaOtto School. He is survived by his parents; his wife, Karen; 2 brothers, Raymond and Donald; 2 sisters, Mary Ann Podrabsky and Janet Long; grandparents, Mrs. Addie Henderson, and Mr. Al Wilks; aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Delucenay. ~ 8-8-1963 Born June 6, 1937 at LaGrange, he married Karen Marie Roner, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Roner, on September 4, 1960. ~ 9-5-1963
Bell Clarence E "Ding", 62, was found dead in his R. 1, Rome City home. It was determined that death occurred on Wednesday from a heart ailment. An insurance adjuster, he was born March 1, 1920 in Indiana, the son of Milo and Jennie (Elliot) Bell and was a lifetime resident of the Rome City area. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Gary (Joyce) Allen and Mrs. Terry (April) Kemerly, Avilla, Mrs. Craig (Kathy) Linthicum, Kendallville; a son, John of Fort Carson, Colo.; four stepdaughters, Mrs. Kathy Donaldson, Palm Beach, Fla., and Mrs. Jeri Schohl, Mrs. Kitty Morgan and Mrs. Deanna Klein, all of Fort Wayne; two stepsons, John Thompson, N.D., and Donald Thompson of Lima, Ohio; and 12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother. Burial, Circle Cemetery, Hudson. ~ 6-10-1982
Bell Esther Lucinda, 74, died July 3, 2001 at Kendallville Manor Health Care Center. A 1946 graduate of Kendallville High School, she worked at Star Dry Cleaners. She was born April 18, 1927 in Kendallville to Mathella Masten. On June 2,1946 in Kendallville she married Paul Bell. He died in March 1974. Surviving are 2 sons, Rickie of Angola and David of Cleveland, Ohio; 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Rose and Larry Gillespie and Diane Pastor of Kendallville; 3 sisters, Goldie Dunkel of Kendallville, Doris Heileman of South Milford and Nancy Musser of Indianapolis; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. No Services. ^ 7-5-2001
Bell Frank H, 64, died at the Luckey Hospital Wednesday. He is survived by his wife Viola, two daughters, Mrs. Laurence Truelove of Albion and Mrs. Woodward Weeks of Jefferson Twp and three grandchildren. He was born and raised on a farm west of Avilla and lived there the greater part of this life. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Avilla. The body will be taken Friday to Mt. Pleasant Church for the service. Burial, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. ~ 4-28-1949
Bell Harold J "Fritz", 57, of Miami Beach, Fla., died Sunday at his residence after suffering a heart attack. Born in Stroh Nov. 9, 1921, he was the son of Milo G. and Jennie M. (Elliott) Bell. He had lived in Miami Beach the past 13 years, moving from Rome City, and was a veteran of WW II. The only immediate survivor is a brother, Clarence, R. 1, Rome City. Funeral Thursday at Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Circle Cemetery, Hudson. + 9-?-1979
Bell Harry, 83, a former sheriff of Noble County, died June 23 following an attack of pneumonia and complications. He died at his home north of Wawaka. Surviving are the widow and three daughters. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 6-?-1937 The widow, Della; and 3 daughters, Mrs. Eugene Stannard of South Bend, Mrs. Harley Long of Cleveland and Mrs. Irvin Cobb of Cosperville, survive. * 1937
Bell Jack W, 70, of Albion, died February 10, 2011, in Lake County, Florida. He was born July 26, 1940, in Wolcottville to Samuel R. and Alta Winona (Brown) Bell. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard. He graduated from Kendallville High School in 1959 and married Sally (Palmer) Bell on September 1, 1962. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kendallville; and served as the Wayne Township trustee. He is survived by a daughter, Melissa Smith of Denver, N.C.; three grandchildren, Nathan, Andrew and Kiersten Smith; two brothers, Sam Bell of Wolcottville and Daryl Bell of Kendallville; three sisters, Donna Newcomb of Crocker, Missouri, Della Rhinesmith of Mongo, and Jeannie Tropp of Wolcottville. He was preceded in death by his wife; a brother, Jim Bell; and a sister, Bonnie Bell. A Celebration of Life will be Feb. 26 at the South Milford United Methodist Church. ^ 2-15-2011 Bell James R, 56, of South Milford died Friday in the VA Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Born in Noble County May 25, 1929, he was the son of Samuel R. and Winona (Brown) Bell. His father preceded him in death December 1977. On June 22, 1963 he married Dianna Jo Wert. A lifetime area resident, he was an Army veteran and retired employee of quality control at Starcraft of Topeka. He was a member of South Milford United Methodist Church and a past member of the LaGrange VFW. Surviving are his mother in Wolcottville; his wife; three daughters, Mrs. Clint (Linda Sue) Michealove of Forest City, N.C., Mrs. Richard (Cathy) Blue of Kendallville, and Mrs. Joseph (Jennifer) Osborn of South Milford; two sons, Dan L. of Baton Rouge, La., and James R. of Portland, Mich.; three sisters, Mrs. Jack (Donna) Reade of Crocker, Mo., Mrs. Ernest (Della) Rhinesmith of Mongo, and Mrs. Stanley (Jean) Tropp of Wolcottville; three brothers, Samuel L. of Wolcottville, and Jack and Daryl, both Kendallville; and seven grandchildren. One sister, Bonnie, preceded him in death in December 1945. Services today in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home, Kendallville. Burial, South Milford Cemetery. + 7-12-1985
Bell John A, 66, of Lehigh Acres, Fla. and formerly of Kendallville, died Jan. 26, 2008 at his home. He retired as a first sergeant after 29 years of service with the U.S. Army. He then retired from the Lehigh Acres Post Office. Survivors include 3 sisters, Joyce Allen of Sarasota, Fla., Kathy Linthicum of Auburn and April Kemerly of Kendallville. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy; and his parents, Clarence and Betty (Hart) Bell. Military services Feb. 22 at Lee Memorial Park Cemetery at Fort Myers, Fla. ^ 2-14-2008
Bell Jonas E, a retired farmer living at Kendallville, died Saturday in McCray Hospital. He was born Oct. 24, 1875 in Nebraska to Mr. and Mrs. William Bell, and was married to Minnie May Smith, who died in May 1957. He lived for 30 years west of Avilla and moved to Kendallville from Fort Wayne two years ago to make his home with a niece, Mrs. Maurice Browand. Other survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Orphia Henning of Fort Wayne and Mrs. Doris Spore of Ludington, Mich.; one son, Rufus E. of Stroh; three grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Tom Casteel of Miller, Mo. Funeral Monday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Huntertown Cemetery. ~ 1-4-1962
Bell Letha A, 50, daughter of William and Millie Axtell, was born in Jefferson Twp, on July 13, 1886, and passed away at her home, February 7, 1937. She married Frank H. Bell, March 31, 1907. They had two daughters, Mrs. Carol Truelove and Mrs. Lucy Weeks. In her early life she became a member of the Summit M. E. Church and later years attended the Mt. Pleasant Church services. She was a member of the Avilla Chapter Eastern Star. She leaves the husband and two daughters; three grandchildren, Wanda Lee, Kay and Darlene Truelove; one sister, Mrs. Minnie Feightner of near Albion; one brother, Foy Axtell of Auburn; two nieces, Dorothy VanOlson and Doris Axtell; two nephews, Carlyn and Edwin Axtell. The funeral took place after a short service at the home at the Mt. Pleasant Church on February 10 and she was buried in the nearby cemetery. * 1937
Bell Lucy M Linn, 84, died Wednesday at Vencor Hospital in LaGrange. She was born Nov. 27, 1908 in Buckley, Ill. to Herbert and Daisy (Wilson) Bailey. She married Everett Linn in 1930. He died in 1985. She married Lewis Bell in 1986. She was a member of Sparta United Church of Christ. Surviving are her husband; a son, Delbert Linn of Cromwell; a sister, Ina Braun of Fort Wayne; 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Three sons and 2 grandchildren preceded her in death. Services Saturday at Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 7-7-1993
Bell Milford, 72, from Albany Ore., died Thursday after a short illness. He was a farmer and had lived many years at South Milford and Avilla. They left Avilla for Oregon about 27 years ago. He was a brother-in-law of Mrs. Kathryn Delucenay. He was the son of Robert and Della Bell and married Virginia Wilks, who survives. Other survivors include two sons, Raymond and Donald; and two daughters, Mrs. Marianne Podrabsky and Mrs. William Long; two brothers, Forrest, LaGrange, and Sam, South Milford; one sister, Ruby Alleshouse, Orland. Services Monday in Albany. ~ 7-29-1976
Bell Minnie, 82, died Tuesday in her home at Fort Wayne. She had been well-known in this community, having lived for a number of years west of Avilla. She was the wife of Ted Bell, who survives, along with a son, Rufus at Stroh; two daughters, Doris Spore, Ludington, Mich., and Aphid Henning of Fort Wayne; three sisters, Ellen Smith of Avilla, Hattie Irelan and Etta Forker of Kendallville; two nieces, Mrs. Maurice Browand, Kendallville, and Effie Coates, Walnut Grove, Mo.; and one nephew, Charles Hostetter. Services Friday in D. O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home. Burial, Huntertown Cemetery. ~ 5-23-1957
Bell Nora Naomi, 72, R. 1, Cromwell, died Monday in Goshen General Hospital. A native of Hastings, Mich., she was born Sept. 27, 1904, a daughter of Joel and Anna (Holmes) Demond. She lived in Goshen before moving to Cromwell six years ago. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. She married Lewis Bell Dec. 15, 1951. Surviving are her husband; three brothers, Della, Tampa, Fla., Rollin, Martin, Mich., and Roy, Hickory Corners, Mich. Funeral June 16 in Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. Burial, Yellow Creek Cemetery. + 6-?-1977
Bell Paul J, 49, died at his home at Kendallville Friday of a heart attack. Born Aug. 14, 1924 in Branch County, Mich. to John and Minnie (Brooks) Bell, he married Esther Hoffmeyer June 2, 1946. He was employed at Steckley’s Mill & Hatchery, Kendallville. He is survived by his wife; his mother; two daughters, Mrs. Rose Gillespie and Mrs. Diane Mae Pastor, both Kendallville; two sons, Rickie Joe, R. 2, Orland, and David Lee at home; three sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Wood, Drayton Plains, Mich., Mrs. Rosa Wilson, Angola, and Mrs. Orpha Hochstetler, Elkhart; and six grandchildren. Services Monday at Hite Funeral Home, Kendallville. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 3-?-1974
Bell Sally S, 66, of Skinner lake in Albion, died March 23, 2010 at her residence. She was born in Kendallville on May 6, 1943 to Chester and Neva (Davidson) Palmer. She graduated from Kendallville High School in 1961. She married Jack Bell on Sept. 1, 1963. She was a secretary at McCray Hospital for 8 years, the Northeastern Center for 3 years and the City of Fort Wayne 19 years, retiring in 2004. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kendallville. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Melissa Smith of Charlotte, N.C.; and 3 grandchildren, Andrew, Nathan and Kiersten Smith. She was preceded in death by a brother, David Palmer. ^ 3-24-2010
Bell Samuel R, 69, South Milford, died Wednesday at his residence. Born in Kalkaska, Mich., Sept. 11, 1909, he was the son of Robert and Della (Bricker) Bell. He married Winona Brown Sept. 11, 1928 in Albion. He had been a resident of South Milford 57 years, coming from Kalkaska. He was retired from Newnam Foundry and was a member of the South Milford United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Mrs. Jack (Donna) Reade, Crocker, Mo., Mrs. Ernest (Della) Rhinesmith, Mongo, and Mrs. Stanley (Jeanne) Tropp, Wolcottville; four sons, James, Ligonier, Samuel L., Wolcottville, Jack and Daryl, Kendallville; one sister, Mrs. Ruby Alleshouse, Howe; one brother, Forrest, LaGrange; 19 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. One daughter, one sister and one brother preceded him in death. Funeral Saturday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, South Milford Cemetery. + 12-?-1977
Bell Sarah, 74, wife of Albert Bell, died Wednesday at her home west of Lisbon. Funeral Saturday from Sweet Church in Jefferson Twp. Burial, Sweet Cemetery. ~ 5-13-1926
Bell Virginia Elizabeth, 93, of Scio, Oregon, died November 24, 2006 in Salem. She was born in Kendallville, the daughter of Albert J. and Addie M. Wilks. She grew up in Indiana and married Milford Ray Bell of South Milford. In 1938the family moved to Newberg, Oregon with their 4 small children, pulling all their belongings in a trailer behind their 1935 Ford car. They farmed for a few years and then moved back to Indiana in 1941. Their 5th child was born and the family farmed near Avilla. Milford's asthma continued to plague him so in 1949 they moved back to Oregon. To subsidize the farm income, she worked at the Stayton Cannery for 25 years. She was preceded in death by a son, Bernard in 1963; husband in 1976; 2 sisters, Albert Lewis of Sequim, Wash., and Kathryn Delucenay of Avilla; and granddaughter, LuAnn Long of Salem in 2004. She is survived by children, Raymond and Edna Bell of Phoenix, Oregon, Janet and William Long of Salem, Marianne Scharping of Seattle, and Donald and Phyllis Bell of Scio; 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren. Memorial service at Scio Christian Church. ~ 11-30-2006
Bell Winona A, 85, of South Milford, died Wednesday in Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. She was born in Green Twp Aug. 17, 1911 to James R. and Amanda (Leitch) Brown. On Sept. 11, 1928 in Albion, she married Samuel R. Bell. He died Dec. 28, 1977. She was a member of South Milford United Methodist Church. Surviving are 3 daughters and sons-in-law, Della and Ernest Rhinesmith of Mongo, Donna and Harold Newcomb of Crocker, Mo., and Jeannie and Stan Tropp of Wolcottville; 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Samuel Jr. and Joyce Bell of Wolcottville, Jack and Sally Bell of Skinner Lake, and Daryl and Sharon Bell of Kendallville; a sister, Avis Dickey of Kendallville; a brother, Otto Biddle of Auburn; 18 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, James; a daughter, Bonnie; a sister, Marceil Rowe; and a brother, Leo Brown. Funeral Saturday in South Milford United Methodist Church. Burial, South Milford Cemetery. + 9-11-1996
Bellinger Jeffrey D, 31, Kendallville, died March 5, 2000 in an automobile accident in Noble County. He was employed by the Budd Co. in Kendallville. He was born June 23, 1969 in Angola to James and Judith Jean (Richie) Bellinger. They preceded him in death. Surviving are a daughter, Destynie Jean of Kendallville; 2 brothers, Joe of Waterloo and James of Avilla; and his ex-wife, Dawn Kammerer. Graveside services Thursday in Christian Union Cemetery. ~ 3-9-2000
Bellinger Horace was born at Centreville, Mich. Feb. 16, 1868. Died at Rome City Jan. 7, 1902. He leaves a wife and a number of relatives. Last July he and wife went to Arkansas where he thought he could find more employment and better secure a livelihood, but while there he contracted the malarial fever and was sick a long while. He finally came here last December and lived a short time. Funeral at the F.W. B. Church. Burial, Osborn Cemetery. ^ 1-10-1902
Bellis Arie A, 79, Angling Road, died Thursday at McCray Hospital. She was born north of Kendallville Nov. 27, 1893, the daughter of Frank and Lillie (Owen) Strater. Her husband, Thomas E. Bellis, died in 1966. They resided in Pontiac, Mich., and came back to Kendallville in 1959. She was a member of Christian Church. She is survived by a stepson, Lee Bellis, Lykens, Pa., a sister, Alice Lasho, U. S. 6. Funeral Sunday in Berhalter-Preston Mortuary, Kendallville. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 1-?-1973
Bellman Elmer A, 66, Ligonier, died Sunday of an apparent heart attack at his home. He was the owner of Bellman’s Restaurant. He moved to the Ligonier area from Syracuse 29 years ago. He was a member of the Ligonier Masonic Lodge, Elks Club, Ligonier Eagles, Scottish Rite and Mizpah Shrine of Fort Wayne. The son of William and Eva (Abair) Bellman, he was born on July 30, 1915 in Bremen. He married Helen Stefanowski on Sept. 30, 1939 in Rockford. Surviving are the wife; one brother, William Jr., R. 3, Nappanee; and a sister, Mrs. Evelyn L. Warren, Mishawaka. Funeral Wednesday in Ulrey Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 12-6-1981
Bellman Helen, 78, of 705 Grand St., Ligonier, died Thursday at her residence from an apparent heart attack. She was born Oct. 29, 1908 in Calumet City, Ill. to Ludwig and Tiofila (Drozdowski) Stefanowski. On Sept. 30, 1939 in Rockford, Ill., she married Elmer Bellman, who died in 1981. She and her late husband owned and operated the Bellman Restaurant for many years. She had lived in Ligonier since moving from Syracuse 34 years ago. The only survivor is a brother, Phil of Waukegan, Ill. Graveside services Saturday in Oak Park Cemetery. + 11-28-1986
Bellows Veda M, 88, died April 21, 2009 at Provena Sacred Heart Home in Avilla. She was born July 5, 1920 in Fort Wayne to George and Maime (Bunch) Baysinger. She married Melvin Freeman on Aug. 23, 1937 in Garrett. He died Dec. 26, 1957. She married John Bellows on July 23, 1961 in Garrett and he died Aug. 19, 2005. She taught at Ravenscroft Beauty College from 1959 to 1973 and was the owner of Veda's Beauty Shop from 1957 to 1999. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Lee Christlieb of Avilla; grandchildren, Jonie and Matt Blomeke, Darwin Christlieb, Dina and Scott Teders, Adam and Brian Bock; 7 great-grandchildren, Andrea, John and Joe Christlieb, Jeremiah Blomeke, Brennen Aubrey and Jared Teders; several great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Cline of Fort Wayne. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Bock, and a sister, Grace Bright. Memorial graveside service April 25 at Embry Cemetery. ^ 4-22-2009
Belschner Fred M, 84, R. 1, Rome City, died Monday in VA Hospital, Fort Wayne. A Fort Wayne native and retiree of Kunkle Valve Co., Fort Wayne, he was a veteran of WW I. Surviving are a son, Robert G., Wolcottville; a brother, Raymond, Fort Wayne; and four sisters, Mrs. Jack Lewis, Fort Wayne, Mrs. Helen Brade, Rome City, Mrs. Alfred Leuders, Offerle, Kan., and Mabel Lieberanz, Huntertown. Services Wednesday in Klaehn’s Wayne St. Funeral Home, Fort Wayne. Burial, Prairie Grove Cemetery. + 4-?-1975
Belt Edwin Andrew, son of Rev. Wesley and Henrietta McMillan Belt, was born in Licking County, Ohio, May 13, 1855. He died in Albion, Dec. 13, 1929, aged 74 years and 7 months. When a young man he came to Indiana and settled on the farm northeast of Albion where he was to reside throughout the active part of his life. He married Eugenia Kline March 11, 1880. She died in February 1925. Seven children were born to them, five of whom survive. They are Edwin K. of Kalamazoo, Mich., Mrs. Bertha Black of Albion, Mrs. Henrietta Cass and Mrs. Edith Baughman of South Bend, and Mrs. Ethel Lemmon of Albion. One daughter died in infancy and another, Mrs. Katie May Babcock of Chicago, died May 4, 1928. He is also survived by three sisters, Mrs. W. D. Kinney and Miss Delia Belt of Granville, Ohio, and Mrs. E. A. King of Petersburg, Va.; and one brother, Ben C., also of Granville, Ohio; and nineteen grandchildren. The grandson of a Methodist minister and the son of a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he in early life united with the church. Funeral at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry Black, Monday. + 12-?-1929
Belt Eugenia Elizabeth, only daughter of John W. and Louis Kline, was born in Jefferson Twp, Oct. 3, 1855, and when a small child moved to the present homestead where she died Feb. 18, 1925. When a girl she attended the Albion High School and afterwards taught school for a number of years. On March 11, 1880 she married Edwin A. Belt of Newark, Ohio. They had seven children, one son and six daughters. The firstborn, a daughter, died in infancy. She is survived by the husband; the son, Edwin K. of Kalamazoo, Mich.; and five daughters, Bertha E. Black and Ethel H. Lemmon of Albion, Kate M. Babcock of Chicago, Ill., Henrietta L. Cass and Edith E. Baughman of South Bend; and eighteen grandchildren. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the WCTU. + 2-?-1925
Beltz Conrad H, 70, died at McCray Hospital Saturday following a cerebral hemorrhage. Services for the lifetime resident of LaOtto, were in McKee Funeral Home in Garrett Wednesday. He is survived by the widow, the former Josephine Gorrell, LaOtto, whom he married in 1912. Also surviving are eight children, including William H., Donald and Mrs. Mahlon Hart, all of LaOtto; Mrs. Wallace Vendrely, Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Mrs. Myron Wappes and Mrs. Richard Horn, both of Fort Wayne; Robert, Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. Edwin Persons, Florissant, Mo. One sister, Mrs. Anna Eastman, Elkhart; 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren also survive. He was a member of the Huntertown Masonic Lodge and the Pennsylvania Railroad Veterans. He retired as a track foreman in April 1959. Burial, Cedar Chapel Cemetery. ~ 7-18-1963
Beltz Donald P, 83, of Kendallville, died December 13, 2000 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. He had lived in Kendallville for 11 years, coming to the city from LaOtto. He retired as an engineer after 17 years with the Penn Central Railroad, later Conrail. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Avilla, Huntertown Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite of Fort Wayne, and the Retired Railroaders Association. He was born October 8, 1917 in LaOtto to Conrad and Josephine (Gorrell) Beltz. On September 3, 1939 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Avilla, he married Mildred Diehm, who survives in Kendallville. Also surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Rick Aldrich of Albion; 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Sandy Beltz of Hanover, Pa., Jerry and Connie Beltz of Hamilton, and Gary and Kathy Beltz of Springfield, Ohio; 3 sisters, Juanita Hart and Margaret Persons of Kendallville, and Martha Horn of Fort Wayne; a brother, Robert Beltz of Danville, Calif.; 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Mary Jane Vendrely and Joan Wappes; and a brother, William Beltz. Services at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Avilla. Burial, Lutheran Cemetery. ~ 12-21-2000
Beltz Josephine, 80, a LaOtto resident most of her life, died Dec. 16 in McCray Hospital. She was born near Garrett Dec. 3, 1896 to Winfield G. and Margaret (Dudley) Gorrell. She married Conrad H. Beltz Dec. 12, 1912 in Kalamazoo, Mich. He died July 13, 1963. A registered nurse, she was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, LaOtto, the Avilla OES and the American Legion Auxiliary. Survivors include three sons, William and Donald, both LaOtto, and Robert, Portland, Ore.; four daughters, Mrs. Mahlon Hart, LaOtto, Mrs. Wallace Vendrely, Newberry Park, Calif., Mrs. Richard Horn, Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Edwin Persons, Florissant, Mo.; one brother, Harry Gorrell, Auburn; and 25 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Services Sunday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Burial, Cedar Chapel Cemetery. ~ 12-23-1976
Beltz Margaret "Peggy", 82, LaOtto, died February 25, 2000 in Provena Sacred Heart Home at Avilla. She was a lifetime resident of LaOtto before entering Provena Sacred Heart Home in July 1999. She was a supervisor at Magnavox in Fort Wayne for 32 years and a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in LaOtto and the LaOtto Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She was born November 4, 1917 in Uniontown, Pa., to Joseph and Mary Dunay. On December 24, 1937 in Fairmount, W. Va., she married William H. Beltz. He died in 1988. Also preceding her in death were her parents and 2 sisters, Mary Brown and Helen Blackstone. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Dody and Larry Hershberger of LaOtto; a granddaughter and her husband Kim and Tim Diehm of Avilla; a grandson and his wife, Troy and Lisa Hershberger of Warsaw; 5 great-grandchildren, Brittney and Brandon Diehm of Avilla, and Chelsea, Cameron and Conner "Cocoa" Hershberger of Warsaw; 2 brothers, Paul Dunay of Georgia and Joe Dunay of Fairmount, W. Va.; and 2 sisters, Betty Richmond of Covington, Ga., and Elizabeth Wheele of Fairmount, W. Va. Services in Thomas Funeral Home, Garrett. Burial, Cedar Chapel Cemetery. ~ 3-9-2000
Beltz Mildred M, 93, of Kendallville, died February 5, 2013 at the Northridge Village Nursing Center in Albion. She was born on December 26, 1919, in Avilla, the daughter of Elmer and Edna (Wolf) Diehm. She graduated from Avilla High School in 1938 and also attended beauty school. She married Donald P. “Tubby” Beltz in Avilla on September 2, 1939. He died on December 12, 2000.  She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Avilla. Surviving are 3 sons, Larry L. (Polly) Beltz of Palm Bay, Florida, Jerry L. (Connie) Beltz of Hamilton, and Garry P. Beltz of St. Paris, Ohio; a daughter, Sharon K. (Rick) Aldrich of Albion; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and her sister, June Diehm of Kendallville. She was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Weimer. Funeral, February 9, 2013, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Avilla. Burial, Lutheran Cemetery. ^ 2-7-2013
Beltz Sharon D, 55, McSherrystown, Pa., died Nov. 14, 2001 at the Hanover Hall Nursing Center, Hanover, Pa. She was born July 30, 1946 in Noble County to John and Novella (Ober) Diehm. She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hanover. Surviving are her husband, Larry; 2 sons, Daren of Aberdeen, Md., and John of Grand Bay, Ala.; and one grandchild. Services Monday at St. Matthew Church. Burial, private. ^ 11-17-2001
Beltz William H, 75, died Friday at his home in LaOtto. He was born July 7, 1913 in LaOtto to Conrad and Josephine (Gorrell) Beltz. He and Margaret (Peg) Dunay of Morgantown, W. Va. were married December 24, 1932. Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Dody Hershberger, LaOtto; two brothers, Donald, LaOtto, and Bob of California; four sisters, Jane Vendrely, Calif., Juanita Hart, Swan, Martha Horn, Fort Wayne, and Margaret Persons, Kendallville; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one sister, Joan Wappes. He was an engineer on the Penn ConRail Railroad where he retired in 1977 after 32 and one-half years of service. He was a member of the LaOtto Emmanuel Lutheran Church, LaOtto Volunteer Fire Dept., United Transportation Union, and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Services Monday at McKee-Miles Funeral Home, Garrett. Burial, Cedar Chapel Cemetery. ~ 10-11-1988

Noble Notes: Genealogy is not fatal, but it is a grave disease.