Noble County Indiana Library - Whan Collection
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Obituaries - Bi
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Bianski Frank, 64, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bianski, born in Albion, died at Sacred Heart Hospital in Garrett on Feb. 11 of heart disease. He was a machinist by trade and had worked in Garrett, Fort Wayne and Chicago, where his wife died last August, after which he came to Garrett to reside with his sister, Mrs. Augusta Schivell. Funeral was at St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was born in a small house on the lot now owned by Fletcher Butler in Albion. + 2-?-1943
Bianski Frank, 71, Swan Twp farmer, died at his home in Ege Wednesday. He was a native of Garrett and was born Nov. 5, 1891 to John and Petronela Konger Bianski. After completing his education at Ege School he was married January 28, 1918 to Leona M. Richards. The couple spent their married life at Ege with the exception of two years in South Bend and four years in Avilla where he operated a service station. He is a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ege. Survivors include the wife; four sons, Ralph and James of R. 1, LaOtto, Paul of Minneapolis, Minn., and Francis of Churubusco; two daughters, Mrs. Donald Miller of South Bend and Mrs. Russell Gienger of Avilla; 28 grandchildren; two brothers, Andrew of Mishawaka and John of Churubusco; two sisters, Mrs. Clem Riecke of Churubusco and Miss Mary Bianski, Fort Wayne. Funeral mass Saturday at the Immaculate Conception Church at Ege. Burial, Ege Catholic Cemetery. ~ 5-30-1963
Bianski Jeni Marie, 9-month old daughter of John and Sue (Landgraff) Bianski, R. 1, LaOtto, died Nov. 19 in Riley Children’s Hospital, Indianapolis. Born Feb. 19 in Kendallville, she is survived by her parents and a brother, Jakob at home. Other survivors are grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bianski, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Landgraff, Kendallville; great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Gatton, Zalrico, FL, Mrs. Marie Landgraff, Kendallville, and Arthur Boll, Churubusco. Private graveside services Nov. 23 in the Ege Cemetery. ~ 12-1-1983
Bianski Josef A, 2 ½, died Thursday at Lutheran Hospital of a rare illness. Surviving are his parents, John and Sue Landgraff Bianski of LaOtto; a brother, Jakob at home; a sister, Shannon at home; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bianski of LaOtto and Mrs. and Mrs. Joe Landgraff of Avilla; and his great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Gatton of Huntington and Mrs. Marie Landgraff of Avilla. Services Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ege. Burial, Ege Cemetery. ~ 11-28-1989
Bianski Leona M, 80, died Friday in McCray Hospital, Kendallville. She married Frank Bianski in 1918 and he died in 1963. She was the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Hollis) Richards and was born March 7, 1896 in Noble County where she had lived most of her life. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Ege. Funeral mass was at the church Monday. Burial was in the church cemetery. Survivors include four sons, Ralph and James, R. 1, LaOtto, Paul, Minneapolis, Minn., and Francis, Churubusco; two daughters, Mrs. Joan Gienger, Avilla, and Mrs. Catherine Miller, South Bend; 34 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. ~ 3-18-1976
Bianski Ralph F, 81, Ege, died May 20, 2005 at the family residence. He was born at Ege on September 5, 1923, a son of Frank Joseph and Leona (Richards) Bianski. He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during WW II. He married Mary Louise "Suzy" Happel at Ege on June 26, 1948 and they spent nearly all their married lives in Ege. Retiring as a supervisor in 1980 from Dana Corp., Fort Wayne, he was a Swan Twp farmer and Ege Cemetery sexton for 32 years. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Ege, Knights of Columbus in Garrett, its 4th degree Mother Theresa Assembly, and American Legion Post 499 in Fort Wayne. Surviving are his wife; 3 sons, Philip (Brenda) and John (Sue) Bianski of LaOtto; Nick (Yvonne) Bianski of Churubusco; 4 daughters, Tina (Dave) Macy, Jody (Stan) Ward, and Sara (Garry) Polakavic of LaOtto, Mariann Peters of Churubusco; 3 brothers, Richard "Paul" (Pat) of Wentzeville, MO, James (Phyllis) of LaOtto, and Francis "Jr" (Janet) Bianski; 25 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Helen Kostielney, Catherine Miller, and Joan Gienger. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Church. Burial, Ege Cemetery. ~ 6-2-2005
Bianski Richard Paul, 81, died June 3, 2008 in Mission, Texas. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Minneapolis in 1987. He was voted into the Minneapolis District American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in 1999. He served one tour on a submarine in the Navy in 1943 and was a member of Churubusco American Legion Post 157. He was born Dec. 1, 1926 in South Bend to Frank Joseph and Leona (Richards) Bianski. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Patricia (Jones); his children, Paula and Jim Kilmer, Richard and Penny Bianski and Julie Stone of the Minneapolis area; granddaughters, Amy Anderson, Sara Stapf and Lindsey Quinn; a great-grandson, Cameron Quinn; 2 brothers and 3 sisters-in-law, James and Phyllis of LaOtto, Frances "Jr" and Janet of Churubusco and Mary "Suzy" Bianski of LaOtto. He was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Helen Kostielney, Catherine Miller and Joan Gienger; and a brother, Ralph. Memorial services June 28 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Ege. ^ 6-17-2008
Bianski Rose A, 83, died June 23, 1993 at Miller's Merry Manor in Garrett. She was born Feb. 24, 1910 in Ege to Frank and Frances (Bloom) Schenher. She married John J. Bianski on May 8, 1935 in Ege. He died in 1965. She worked as a Pharmacy Aide at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne and was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church, Fort Wayne, and the Rosary Society at Immaculate Conception in Ege. Surviving are 2 daughters, Marilyn Feagler of Garrett and Shirley Fisher of Hagerstown; a brother, Robert Schenher of Churubusco; and 3 sisters, Catherine Markin of Venice, Fla., Agnes Grim and Clara Dafforn of Avilla; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Paul, Charles, Steve and Lawrence Schenher, and 3 sisters, Marcella Schenher, Helen Gladieux and Gertrude Bobay. Funeral Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church in Ege. Burial, Ege Cemetery. + 6-23-1993
Biberdorf Alma H, 91, of Forbisher, Sask., Canada, died Oct. 7. She was born Nov. 21, 1904 in Wilmer, Sask., a daughter of William and Lena Jesse. On Dec. 10, 1930 she married Eph Biberdorf. He died July 5, 1984. Surviving are 3 daughters, Inez Paap of Moosomin, Sask., Edna McHarq of Leduc, Alberta, Canada, and Laura Bearman of Avilla; 3 sons, Walter and Melvin of Frobisher, and Carl of Oxbow; a brother; a sister; 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral Oct. 10 in St. John Lutheran Church in Frobisher, Sask. ~ 10-10-1996
Bice Howard, Avilla Raceways Inc. owner, distraught over business dealings and pending indictments against him, committed suicide at his office at the east edge of Avilla Thursday. After conversing with his son, Dave, 26, about federal charges he would be facing, alone in the building overlooking the speedway, he placed a 38 caliber revolver to his head and pulled the trigger. He was born Dec. 6, 1935 in Hicksville, Ohio, the son of Stanley and Alice Bice, who survive in Riverside, Calif. He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of the Shoaff Park Baptist Church in Fort Wayne. Also surviving are his wife, the former Barbara J. Beselach; a daughter, Nancy of Fort Wayne; and two sons, David, Fort Wayne, and Michael S. of Avilla. Services Saturday at D. O. McComb Maplewood Park Funeral Home, Fort Wayne. Burial, Avilla Cemetery. + 6-29-1984
Bice Marc Christopher was born March 17, 1979 in Fort Wayne, the son of Howard and Barbara (Beselach) Bice. He died from injuries suffered in a lawn mower accident. Survivors include the parents at R. 2, Avilla; a brother, Michael at home; a half-brother, David Bice, Fort Wayne; a half-sister, Nancy Bice, Fort Wayne; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Bice, Homeland, Calif., Kenneth Beselach of Los Angeles, Calif., and Edna Burch of Dallas, Texas. Services at the Avilla Cemetery Saturday. ~ 10-15-1981
Bickel Beatrice, 80, died March 10 in her Auburn home. She was born April 11, 1907 in Cecil, Ohio, the daughter of Raymond and Cady (Deisler) Scott. She moved to Auburn in 1933, and in 1966 married Ray Bickel. He died later that year. She retired from her sales clerk position with Auburn City Hardware in 1982. She was a member of the First Christian Church, Auburn, the Women of the Moose Lodge No. 566 and the Auburn OES. She is survived by one son, Richard J. Zehner, Auburn; three stepsons, Ron and Eric Bickel of Garrett, and Randy Bickel of Calif.; two brothers, Cletus of Auburn, and Floyd of Florida; one sister, Arletta Walker of Avilla; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Services Monday in McComb, Dilgard & Cline Funeral Home, Auburn. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. ~ 3-27-1988
Bickel Bessie B, 85, 113 N. Lincoln St., Kendallville, died Monday in McCray Hospital. She was born June 1, 1890 in Goshen to Francis F. and Ellen (Mock) Richmond. She married William B. Bickel March 22, 1909 in Goshen. He died Jan. 31, 1956. A stepdaughter also preceded her in death. She had been a Kendallville resident since 1909, moving here from Goshen. She was a member of First Christian Church since 1909, Macabees, Lady Elks, Rebekah Lodge and Past Noble’s Grand Lodge. She is survived by one stepdaughter, Mrs. Minnie Fischer, 722 E. Mitchell St., Kendallville. Funeral at Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home, Kendallville, Thursday. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 4-?-1976
Bickel Charles, 88, a resident here for more than a half century, died Dec. 20 at Noble County Infirmary. For a number of years he was employed by McCray Refrigerator Co. Survivors are a sister and a brother. Funeral was Dec. 22. + 1-?-1941
Bickel Frederick P, 79, of Ligonier, died Wednesday in Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was born Nov. 15, 1911 in Ligonier, the son of George L. and Minnie (Entenman) Bickel. On March 2, 1935 in Burket he married Marceil Huff. He was a machinist for Wirk Garment Co. until it closed in 1960, then an engineer for Superior Sample Co., retiring in 1989. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and Ligonier Rifle Club. Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Bruce (Sally) Owen of Markleville; a son, Terry of Indianapolis; a sister, Grace Bickel of Ligonier; a brother, George of Edgerton, Ohio; 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Services Saturday at Orr Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 1-2-1991
Bickel George L, 59, of Ligonier, dropped dead at Eagle Lake Sunday. He had walked through the deep snow to the lake and became exhausted. While talking to another fisherman as he rested, he collapsed and died shortly afterwards. A lifelong resident of the community he worked at the Wirk Garment Factory and was a wood worker and cabinet maker. He was affiliated with the Elks and Eagle lodges. Surviving are the wife, Minnie; a daughter, Grace, at home; and two sons, Frederick, Ligonier, and George Jr., USN. Funeral Wednesday from Ulrey Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 1-?-1945
Bickel Grace Alice, 91, of Indianapolis, died Oct. 19, 2005 at Clarion West Medical Center, Avon. She was born Dec. 5, 1913 in Ligonier to George Lewis and Minnie Rosina (Entenmann) Bickel. She had been executive secretary at Wirk Garment Factory and was later employed by Ligonier Rubber. She was a member of Ligonier United Methodist Church and Ligonier BPW. Surviving are 2 nephews. She was preceded in death by 2 brothers and their spouses, Frederick and Marceil Bickel and George and Marylou Bickel. Services Monday at Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. ^ 10-21-2005
Bickel Jacob was born in Coshocton County, Ohio March 19, 1831; died at his home in DeKalb County Oct. 16, aged 73 years and 7 months. He was the second oldest of a family of 12 children, 6 of whom preceded him in death. He married Matilda Dickey Sept. 20, 1856, soon thereafter moving to DeKalb County and later to Noble County. They had 4 sons and one daughter, the daughter going to the spirit land in early childhood. His wife died Aug. 7, 1874. In 1875 he married Sarah Jane Shade. They had 3 children, one dying in infancy. His wife died Oct. 29, 1884. In 1885 he married Susan Wicuff, since which time he lived in DeKalb County and on the farm where he died. He was one of the early pioneers of the county and fought for the Union during the Civil War, having been drafted twice. He also followed threshing for more than 20 years. He leaves 5 sons, one daughter, 19 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, 3 brothers. ^ 10-28-1904
Bickel Jacob J, 86, living a half mile west of Ligonier, died Friday at his home from pneumonia. He was the father of Charles and William Bickel of this city. He was born in Germany in 1822 and when 12 years of age came to this country. In 1850 he married Louisa Peters. He leaves his wife, 2 daughters and 3 sons. Funeral at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ligonier Sunday. ^ 11-26-1908
Bickel Marceil I, 91, of Pendleton, died July 30, 2004 in Pendleton. She was retired from Superior Sample Co. and attended the Evangelical Church. She was born Jan. 18, 1913 in Noble County to Earnest and Nellie Duesler Huff. She married Frederick P. Bickel March 2, 1935 in Burket. He died Jan. 2, 1991. Surviving are a daughter, Sally Owen of Pendleton; a son, Terry of Indianapolis; 10 grandchildren, Susan and Jeff Julian, Linda and Tim Lawyer, Terri Owen, Jim Jackson, Michael and Missy Bickel, Todd and Stephanie Bickel; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by 3 brothers, Arlo, Elton and William Huff; and a sister, Vita. Graveside service Monday at Oak Park Cemetery. ^ 7-31-2004
Bickel Mary B, 80, died Thursday in Goshen General Hospital, suffering from a broken hip. She was born Nov. 17, 1890 in Albion, the daughter of Isaac and Mary E. (Fry) Dunlap, and was married in 1910 to Roy Bickel. He died in 1957. She was a lifelong resident of this community. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Ralph Moore, Cromwell; one half-sister; two half-brothers, including Fred Dunlap, Elkhart; 8 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Services Monday in Ulrey Funeral Home, Cromwell. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 10-?-1971
Bickel Minnie R, 87, Ligonier, died Monday. She was born in Wittenburg, Germany Aug. 19, 1889 to Fred and Fredricka (Schecterle) Entenman. On April 23, 1911 she married George L. Bickel in Swanton, Ohio. He died in 1945. She was a member of Ligonier United Methodist Church and had lived in Ligonier since 1908, coming from Swanton, Ohio. Surviving is one daughter, Grace, Ligonier; two sons, Frederick, Ligonier, and George, Edgerton, Ohio; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jacob, Wauseon, Ohio, and Fred, Toledo, Ohio; and one sister, Mrs. Howard (Anna) Vollner, Wauseon, Ohio. Funeral Thursday at Werker-Orr Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 4-?-1977
Bickel Phillip, 68, died last Friday from heart trouble and complications. He was a son of J. J. Bickel, born in Ohio and came with his parents to Noble County in 1877.  He was employed by the Ligonier Telephone Co. He is survived by the widow, one son, Willis, one daughter, Mrs. Allie Brubaker of Chicago, a sister, Mrs. Jennie Wolcott of Morenci, Michigan; and 2 brothers, Will and Charles Bickel of Kendallville. Ligonier Leader 5-10-1922 Contributed by Judy Richter
Bickel Raymond R, 68, died of a heart attack April 7, 1957 at his Kimmell home. He was a retired Baltimore & Ohio Railroad section foreman and had lived in the Kimmell community for 47 years. He was a member of the Cromwell Masonic Lodge, Modern Woodman Lodge and the Kimmell Methodist Church. Surviving are the widow, Berniece; one daughter, Mrs. Ralph Moore of near Kimmell; one son, Raymond Jr. of Garrett; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother, Rolly of Goshen. Funeral Tuesday at a Cromwell funeral home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 4-?-1957
Bickel Raymond R, 49, Garrett, supervisor of the Chicago Signal Division, B&O Railroad, died of a heart attack Wednesday at his home in that city. Survivors include the wife, Beatrice; three sons, his mother, Mrs. Mary Bickel of Kimmell; four grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Ralph Moore, Cromwell. Services at McKee Funeral Home in Garrett Saturday. + 12-?-1966
Bickel Ronald A, 59, of Pleasant Lake, died Sept. 16, 2005. On June 29, 1946 in Willard, Ohio, he was born to Raymond and Valda (Growcock) Bickel. Surviving are his stepfather, Robert Heller of Pleasant Lake; 2 brothers, Eric Bickel of Angola and Raymond Bickel of Seaside, Calif.; 2 stepbrothers and 4 stepsisters. No services. Burial, later. ^ 9-17-2005
Bickel William, about 83, of Kimmell, died Tuesday at the Noble County Home at Albion. Surviving are two sons, Ray, Albion, and Rolland, Goshen; a daughter, Mrs. Earl Stutsman, Orrville, Ohio; and 10 grandchildren. Services Friday at Cromwell Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 3-?-1948
Bickley Caroline J, 53, of Wolcottville, died Monday in LaGrange Hospital. She was born Sept. 13, 1936 in Noble County, the daughter of Richard H. and Dorothy (Hodge) Targgart. On Oct. 17, 1982 in Wolcottville, she married Ralph Bickley. A lifetime area resident, she was a secretary and accountant for the U. S. Postal Service. She was a member of the Wolcottville United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary, National Rural Letter Carriers Auxiliary, DAU Auxiliary, Musical LaGrange, and a member of the general board of Global Ministries of United Methodist Church. Surviving are her mother and her husband; a daughter, Debra Gulley of LaGrange; a son, James R. Garver of LaGrange; two stepdaughters, Sue Ann Bickley of South Bend and Tina L. Schermerhorn of Howe; a brother, Duane of Wolcottville; and seven grandchildren. Services Thursday in Wolcottville United Methodist Church. Burial, Woodland Cemetery. + 10-31-1989
Bickley Goldia H, 84, of Wolcottville, died Sunday at Miller’s Merry Manor, LaGrange. She was born Feb. 5, 1901 in Noble County, the daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Lorhman) Rinehart. On March 5, 1920 in Angola she married Herbert V. Bickley, who died Aug. 5, 1974. She had resided in Wolcottville 10 years, moving from R. 2, Albion. Surviving are two daughters, June Likens of Fairfield Medical Care Facility in Centreville, Mich., and Juanita Braden of Albion; two sons, Herbert Jr. of Fort Wayne, and Ralph of Wolcottville; a sister, Freida Martin of Miller’s Merry Manor, Garrett; a brother, Carl Rinehart of Bronson, Mich.; 16 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Services Tuesday at Hutchins-Armes Funeral Home, Wolcottville. Burial, Woodruff Cemetery. + 11-1-1985
Bickley Herbert V, 73, R. 2, Albion, was pronounced dead on arrival Monday at McCray Hospital. He was born Aug. 21, 1900 in Kendallville. He married Goldia Rinehart. He was a retired auto mechanic. Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Mrs. June Likes, Waterloo, and Mrs. Juanita Braden, Albion; two sons, Herbert V. Jr., Kendallville, and Ralph, Wolcottville; 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Three sisters and one brother preceded him in death. Services Thursday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Woodruff Cemetery. + 8-?-1974
Bickley John, about 56, died at the county infirmary Tuesday from a complication of diseases. He had been acting as janitor of the Gawthrop Inn at Kendallville and was taken to the infirmary Tuesday in the Chappell ambulance where he expired a few hours after his arrival. He is survived by a widow; one son, Herbert of Kendallville; three daughters, Mrs. Louise Bell of Detroit, Mich.; Mrs. Barbara Beckstrom of Jackson, Mich., and Mrs. Arthur Schroeder of Kendallville. + 4-?-1920
Bickley Ralph S, 69, died July 5, 2003 at his home in Inverness, Fla. He retired as a rural mail carrier from the Wolcottville Post Office. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a former member of Wolcottville Lions Club and a member of Rome City American Legion Post and DAV. He was born in Noble County Sept. 14, 1933 to Herbert and Goldie (Rhinehart) Bickley. His first wife, Shirley (Cary), died in March 1973. He married Rosalee Johnson on June 8, 1991. Surviving are his wife; 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Sue Ann Bickley of Granger and Tina and Larry Schermerhorn of Howe; 5 stepchildren; a brother, Herbert Jr. of Fort Wayne; 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, June Likens. Services Friday at Frurip-May Funeral Home in LaGrange. Burial, Woodruff Cemetery. ^ 7-9-2003
Bickley Shirley, 36, was born Jan. 13, 1937 in Indiana to Clifford and Frieda (Heiman) Cary and was married June 8, 1957 to Ralph Bickley. Survivors include the husband; two daughters, Sue and Tina Louise, both at home; and a brother, John Cary, Avilla. Services today at the United Methodist Church. Burial, Woodruff Cemetery. ~ 3-22-1973
Bicknell Mrs, widow of the late Dr. T. P. Bicknell, died at her home in Garrett last Thursday. The Bicknells were former residents of this city having removed here from Lisbon in the early days of Kendallville. She was a daughter of Leonard Myers, now long since deceased, who was at one time a county commissioner and a prominent early settler. Dr. Bicknell died here 30 or more years ago. She is survived by 2 sons, Henry of Hammond and L. P. of Garrett. ^ 12-20-1906
Biddle A Keith, 58, of Tipp City, Ohio, died Friday in Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, where he had been airlifted following an auto accident Friday morning on Angling Road near Rome City. He was born in Noble County on Jan. 31, 1936 to Earl Hamilton and Olive Ruth (Gaerte) Biddle. He married Dona Gail Frymier in Merriam on May 8, 1955. She died April 22, 1993. A 1954 graduate of Kendallville High School, he had been employed by McCray Refrigeration and then Ingersol-Rand Inc. From 1986 until his death he had been a truck driver for American Burlington Freight. He was a member of Teamsters Union Local 710, Rosemont, Ill., Kendallville Moose and Elks lodges. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Dan (Arlene) Taylor of Kendallville; a son, Jeffrey of Tipp City, Ohio; 2 sisters, Mrs. Russell (Bonnie) DeCamp and Mrs. David (Nancy) Kline of Kendallville; 3 grandchildren, Tiffany, Tyann and Troy Taylor. A grandson, Tyson Taylor, died in 1983. Funeral Tuesday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 4-29-1994
Biddle Adrian L, 70, 1005 S. Cavin St., died Tuesday in Goshen Hospital. A native of Ligonier, he spent most of his lifetime here. He was born July 12, 1902 to Jesse and Allie (Growcock) Biddle and was married in Detroit Aug. 21, 1934 to Louisa King. He was a retired sales supervisor for American Crayola Co. and was a member of Presbyterian Church and Masonic Lodge. Surviving are the widow; a daughter, Mrs. Cornelis (Sandra) den Hartog, Chicago; a son, James, Fort Wayne; a brother, Arthur, Pompano Beach, Fla.; and 3 grandchildren. Funeral Friday in Ulrey Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 4-?-1973
Biddle Arthur B, 77, died Dec. 25 in Pompano Beach Fla. A 1923 graduate of Ligonier High School, he was a basketball player. He attended South Bend Business College and graduated from Wabash College. He was employed by Ligonier Refrigerator Co., which later became the Hussman Corp. He served as executive vice president with that firm in the St. Louis, Mo. office until his retirement. He was a member of the Ligonier Masonic Lodge, Presbyterian Church, Elks Lodge and Mizpah Shrine. Surviving are his wife, the former Sarah Bassett; one son, Tom; a daughter, Betty Alice; 5 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Graveside services Saturday in Oak Park Cemetery. He was cremated in Florida. + 12-25-1983
Biddle Audra Ellen, 78, of Fort Wayne, died Sept. 13, 2005 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. She was born Jan. 21, 1927 in Noble County to Dave and Fern (Crowell) Wilks. Surviving are 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Diana and Alan Richard and Cynthia Biddle of Fort Wayne; a sister and brother-in-law, Bunny and Jim Deck of Orlando, Fla.; 6 grandchildren and their spouses, Jamie and Rich Gilson, David, Michael, Emily, Christy and Daniel Richard of Fort Wayne; and 3 great-grandsons, Joseph and Callum Gilson and Marcus Richard of Fort Wayne. She was preceded in death by a son Harry L. Biddle. Graveside services Saturday at Woodruff Cemetery. ^ 9-16-2005
Biddle Betty Jane Maggart, 82, of Syracuse, died May 23, 2005 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. She had been a waitress and was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Cromwell and the Golden Girls. She was born Oct. 21, 1922 in Ligonier to Alvie and Dorothy (Chestnut) Vance. She had been married to Herbert Maggart and Norm Biddle. Surviving are 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Marsha Maggart of Cromwell and Tim and Fay Biddle of Ligonier; 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Penny Beerman of Fort Wayne, and Jody and Dave Franklin of Topeka; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and her former husband, Norm Biddle. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Herbert Maggart; and a sister, Helen Shearer. Services Thursday at Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. ^ 5-24-2005
Biddle Charles Winfield, about 88, died at Wolcottville in the home of his son, Elmer, Feb. 18, 1956. He had lived in Wolcottville with his son for the past three years. He was a native of South Whitley and had lived in the Albion community for a considerable length of time. Surviving are another son, Walter of Albion; a sister, Mrs. Rose Bullock of Lakeview, Ohio; 8 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral Tuesday at Lutheran Church in Albion. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 2-?-1956
Biddle Chester, 76, Cromwell, died Friday at his home. A native of Gas City, he was born Aug. 12, 1895, the son of Augusta and Ollie (Kidner) Biddle. He and Elsie Sarnow were married Jan. 7, 1923 in Goshen. She died in 1964. He had resided in Cromwell 52 years and was a retired restaurant operator and a veteran of WW I. Surviving are a son, Norman of R. 1, Ligonier; one sister, Mrs. Paul Noe, Fort Wayne; one brother, Howard of Bristol; and four grandchildren. Funeral Monday in Ulrey Funeral Home in Cromwell. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 1-?-1972
Biddle Dewey, 64, died last Thursday in Goshen General Hospital of a heart attack. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Kenneth (Eleanor) Barnum, Ligonier; two brothers, Chester of Cromwell, and Howard of Bristol; and a half-sister, Mrs. Paul (Wava) Noe of Ligonier. Funeral Saturday in Ulrey-Sedgwick Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 3-?-1963
Biddle Dona Gail of Tipp City, Ohio, and Adams Lake, Wolcottville, died unexpectedly Thursday in her Adams Lake cottage. She was born in Albion Aug. 13, 1933 to Edgar L. and Marguerite A. (Cunningham) Frymier. On May 8, 1955 in Blue River Church of the Brethren, Merriam, she married A. Keith Biddle. She was formerly employed by McComb Real Estate in Fort Wayne as a realtor. Surviving are her husband; a daughter, Arlene Taylor of Kendallville; a son, Jeffrey of Indianapolis; a brother, George Frymier of Michigan City; and 3 grandchildren, Tiffany, Tyann and Troy Taylor of Kendallville. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Tyson Taylor, Jan. 1983; and a brother, Clinton "Mack" Frymier on Sept. 27, 1990. Funeral Wednesday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 4-22-1993
Biddle Earl H, 56, R. 2, Waits Road, was electrocuted Saturday when a chain hoist on a crane touched a high voltage wire at Baker Rockledge Products Inc. at Ridgeville. Employed by Levin & Sons, Inc., in Fort Wayne, he was helping load scrap metal at the time of the accident. Born in Green Twp Feb. 10, 1915, the son of Harry and Emma Franks Biddle, he was a lifetime resident of Noble County and had lived in Kendallville the past 28 years. On March 31, 1935 he married Olive Gaerte, who survives. + 4-?-1971
Biddle Elizabeth, 69, wife of Charles Biddle of Jefferson Twp, died at her home April 13 of heart disease. She was a resident of that township for many years. Surviving are the husband; two sons, Walter at home, and Elmer, near Kendallville. Funeral at Albion Lutheran Church Thursday. Burial, Albion Cemetery. + 4-?-1937
Biddle Elma N, 87, died Monday at McCray Hospital. She was born to Charles and Blanche (Tucker) Targgart Aug. 20, 1897 in Noble County. On Feb. 13, 1917 in Albion she married Elmer Biddle. He died Aug. 30, 1978. A 45-year resident of Wolcottville, she had worked for the Wirk Garment Factory and was a member of the Wolcottville United Methodist Church and the Wolcottville American Legion Auxiliary. Surviving are four daughters, Marie Leins of Corunna, Mrs. William (Katherine) Blanchard of Osceola, Mrs. Lloyd (Patsy) Keller of South Bend, and Mrs. Dale (Mary) Christlieb of Butler; four sons, Jack of Grand Rapids, Mich., John of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Charles of Kendallville, and Robert of Wolcottville; a sister, Treadie Myers of Avon Park, Fla.; three brothers, Richard of Wolcottville, D. A. of Ligonier, and Charles of Arkansas; 38 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren. Five brothers preceded her in death. Services Thursday at Hutchins-Armes Funeral Home, Wolcottville. Burial, Woodland Cemetery. + 10-1-1984
Biddle Elmer J, 84, died today at his residence in Wolcottville. He was born July 14, 1894 in Wood County, Ohio. He married Elma Targgart Feb. 13, 1917 in Albion. She preceded him in death. He was a resident of Wolcottville since 1952, moving from Noble County. Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Roy (Marie) Leins, Corunna, Mrs. William (Katherine) Blanchard, Osceola, Mrs. Lloyd (Patsy) Keller, South Bend, and Mrs. Gilbert (Mary Ruth) Betz, Butler; four sons, Jack, Grand Rapids, Mich., John, Plantation, Fla., Charles, Avilla, and Bob, Wolcottville; 20 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Funeral Friday in Hutchins-Williams Funeral Home, Wolcottville. Burial, Woodland Cemetery. + 8-?-1978
Biddle Elsie, about 66, died Aug. 29, 1964 in Whitley County Hospital. She was born Nov. 11, 1897 at Elroy, Wisconsin. She was the wife of Chester Biddle, Cromwell restaurant owner, and had been a resident of the Cromwell community 43 years. She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church and the Cromwell American Legion Auxiliary. Surviving are the husband; a son, Norman of R. 1, Ligonier; four grandchildren; three brothers, Tony Sparrow, Beloit, Wis., and William and Henry Sarnow of Mauston, Wis.; and two sisters, Mrs. Marie Stagman of Elroy, Wis., and Mrs. Curtis Miller of Columbia City. Funeral Sunday at a Ligonier funeral home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 8-?-1964
Biddle Glenn Owen, 57, of Fort Wayne, died Saturday as a result of a motorcycle accident which occurred east of New Haven. He was born in Noble County to Arthur and Beretta (McNeil) Biddle. His father survives in Brownsville, Texas, and his mother in Ripley, Tenn. His wife, the former Jeanne Moore, also survives. He was a heavy equipment operator for Bercat Inc. and a member of Christian Motorcycle Association, Gold Wingers, STOP, and American Legion Post 377 in Woodburn. Also surviving are two daughters, Kay Fanning, Woodburn, and Rosalie Biddle, Fort Wayne; a son, Terry, Fort Wayne; a sister, Dorothy Domman, Brownsville, Texas; and five grandchildren. Services Tuesday in Elzey-Dickey-Haggard Home, Fort Wayne. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 7-17-1988
Biddle James, 73, of Zionsville and formerly of Ligonier, died unexpectedly January 25, 2009, at his home. He was born August 8, 1935, at Lake Wawasee in Syracuse to Adrian and Louisa (King) Biddle. He was a 1953 graduate of Ligonier High School. On September 2, 1955, he married Karen S. Ulrey in South Bend. She died May 21, 1999. He was the store engineer for Super Valu, where he designed many stores. He retired in 1994. He is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Mary Lou and Michael Gavin of Warsaw, and Amy Bennett of Zionsville; three grandchildren, Molly and Ben Gavin and Andy Bennett; and a sister, Sandra den Hartog of Milford. Funeral Jan. 30 at Ulrey-Renner and Brazzell Funeral Home. Burial Oak Park Cemetery. ^ 1-29-2009
Biddle Jesse L, 81, of Ligonier, died Wednesday in the Luckey Hospital, Wolf Lake. He is survived by his widow; two sons, Adrian of Ligonier, and Arthur of St. Louis, Mo.; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and two brothers. Services at Ulrey-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Ligonier Friday. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 3-?-1953
Biddle John E, 76, of Adrian, Ga. died July 17, 2008. A retired accountant, he was a Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was born Aug. 28, 1931 in Noble County to Elmer and Elma (Targgart) Biddle. Surviving are his wife, Retta (Hulen); a son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Marie of Melbourne, Fla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Steven Diehl of High Springs, Fla.; 2 sisters, Katherine Blanchard of Edwardsburg, Mich., and Mary Christlieb of Butler; 2 brothers, Jack of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Charlie of Kendallville; 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Patrick; 2 sisters, Marie Leins and Patsy Keller; and a brother, Robert. A family committal service will be in Wolcottville later. ^ 8-5-2008
Biddle Karen Suzette, 63, of South Twin Lake near Howe, died Friday in Vencor Hospital, after collapsing at home. She was born May 26, 1935 in Elkhart County to John and Mary (Tucker) Ulrey. On Sept. 2, 1955 in South Bend she married James Biddle. She had worked for United Way and Cancer Services of Allen County for many years. A graduate of Ligonier High School Class of 1953, she attended Indiana University. Surviving are her husband; her mother; 2 daughters, Mrs. Michael (Mary Lou) Gavin of Warsaw and Amy D. Bennett of Indianapolis; 3 grandchildren, Benjamin and Molly Gavin, and Andrew Bennett; a sister-in-law, Joanne Ulrey of Syracuse. She was preceded in death by her father in 1986; and a brother, Norman in 1980. Funeral Tuesday in Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 5-21-1999
Biddle Louisa died April 12, being 69 years, 2 months and 25 days of age. At Elmore, Ohio on Jan. 17, 1868, a daughter was born to John and Louisa Avers. She was named Louisa after her mother and was one of 7 children in the family. All with her parents have died except two brothers, John L., and Charles G., both of whom live in Oklahoma. In 1892 she was married to Charles Biddle, and while they still lived in Ohio they had three sons - Walter, Elmer and Roy. While her boys were small a brother of hers and his wife died, leaving 6 orphaned children. To these she became like a mother. The family moved to Noble County in 1906 and became residents of near Albion. In 1918 Roy’s death occurred in the Army of the World War. She became a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was the last remaining Gold Star Mother of Albion Chapter Post 246. Beside her husband and two sons, there are 8 grandchildren. Funeral at Lutheran Church in Albion Thursday. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 4-?-1937
Biddle Louisa C, 83, of Ligonier, died Monday in her home. She was born Nov. 8, 1910 in Whitley County to Volney and Bertha (McConnell) King. She married Adrian Biddle in 1934 in Detroit, Mich. He died in 1973. She was a secretary for Wirk Garment Co. and a member of Ligonier Presbyterian Church and Ligonier OES chapter. A former Girl Scout troop leader, she was active in the Republican party. Surviving are a son, James of Fort Wayne; a daughter, Sandra den Hartog of Milford; a brother, Isaac King of Ligonier; 2 sisters, Lucille Rhinehart of Ligonier and Evelyn Rimmel of Albion; 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Clayton King; and a sister, Mary Patton. Funeral Thursday in Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 11-29-1993
Biddle Martha A, 77, of Auburn, died Monday in DeKalb Hospital. She was born Feb. 22, 1910 in Noble County to Delbert H. and Mary Delilah (Emerick) Bowman. Both parents preceded her in death. On Feb. 22, 1927 in Kendallville, she married Otto Biddle. Surviving are her husband in Auburn; one son, Robert of Auburn; five daughters, Mrs. Arthur (Eileen) Cobbs of Auburn, Mrs. James (Doris) Trowbridge of Fort Wayne, Mrs. Lyle (Sherry) Holman of Butler, and Mrs. Robert (June) Fisher and Mrs. Edwin (Deloris) Houck, LaGrange; two brothers, Jay of Fort Wayne, and Delbert of Sherman, Texas; one sister, Delilah Boone of LaPorte, Ind.; 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were one son, Gerald; one grandson; three brothers and three sisters. She was a member of the Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren in rural Auburn. Services Thursday in Feller Funeral Home, Waterloo. Burial, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. + 1-18-1988
Biddle Norman J, 83, of Ligonier, died Oct. 31, 2009 at Goshen Hospital. He was born July 29, 1926 at Wolf Lake to Chester and Elsie (Sarnow) Biddle. He worked in plumbing and heating and previously owned Biddle's Restaurant in Cromwell. He graduated from Cromwell High School and served in the U.S. Army during WW II. He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church of Cromwell, American Legion Post 243 in Ligonier, the Forty & Eight, Eagles 1763 of Ligonier, Elks Lodge 1994 and Cromwell Masonic Lodge. Surviving are his children, Paula (Larry) Gingerich of Ligonier, Ken (Toby) Biddle of Pierceton, Jody (David Franklin of Syracuse and Tim (Fay) Biddle of Syracuse; 4 stepchildren; 21 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. Services Nov. 5 at Yeager Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. ^ 11-2-2009
Biddle Olive R, 59, was born in Noble County May 11, 1915 to Winfield and Elsie (Zumbrun) Gaerte. The widow of Earl Biddle, she resided at R. 2, Waits Road, Kendallville, and died Friday at McCray Hospital after suffering a heart attack while driving her car. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Russell (Bonnie) DeCamp and Mrs. David (Nancy) Kline, both of Kendallville; a son, Keith, Kendallville; one sister, Mrs. Frieda McCoy, Albion; four brothers, Curtis, Avilla, Dale, Wawaka, O. J., Columbia City and Jack, Wawaka; and six grandchildren. Services Sunday in the Blue River Church of the Brethren in Merriam, of which she was a member. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. ~ 2-20-1975
Biddle Ollie E, 80, of Ligonier, died Monday in Luckey Hospital, Wolf Lake after suffering a fractured hip in a fall at her home. Surviving are three sons, Chester of Cromwell, Howard of Bristol, and Dewey of Ligonier; a stepdaughter, Wava Noe of Ligonier; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Services Wednesday. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 10-?-1953
Biddle Patrick Scott, 48, died at his Kendallville residence. He was born in Kendallville on July 11, 1958 to John E. and Retta Ann (Hulen) Biddle. He had worked with his uncle, Dick Hulen, at Hulen's Landscaping and had worked at Newnam Foundry. Surviving are his parents in Adrian, Ga.; a daughter, Jessica Biddle of Harlan; a son, Patrick Jr. of Waterloo; a sister and brother-in-law, Cathy and Steve Diehl of Gainesville, Fla.; a brother and sister-in-law, Tim and Marie Biddle of Melbourne, Fla.; and a granddaughter, Aubrey Hensley. No services. ^ 3-15-2007
Biddle Phyllis O., 301 E. Hazel St., died today (d.12-16-1972) in Columbia City Hospital. Born May 9, 1900 in Whitley County to Charles E. and Effie A. (Bloom) Brumbaugh, she lived most of her life in Noble County. Until her health forced her to retire two years ago, she was a cook for the American Legion here. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. Surviving are the husband, Walter; a daughter, Mrs. Joan Bushong, Albion; a son, Robert Gatwood, Kalamazoo, Mich.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A brother preceded her in death. Services Monday in Bonham-Miser Brazzell Funeral Home. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 12-?-1972
Biddle Rebecca, 77, resident of Noble County 33 years and of Kendallville 12 years, died last Wednesday at Lakeside Hospital from pneumonia. She was born Sept. 9, 1861 in Gallia County, Ohio, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Jackson. For some time she resided in the Payne, O., community. March 22, 1881 she married Hiram H. Biddle, who died Sept. 4, 1926. They moved to Noble County in 1906, making a farm home near Albion. Later the family moved to farm near Lisbon. After his death, she moved to Kendallville where she since resided. She was a member of the Church of Christ many years, having joined in Ohio. Surviving are two daughters and three sons, Mrs. Clarence Crissman of Mendon, Mich., Mrs. Homer Hines of South Bend, Harry of Churubusco, Otto of South Boardman, Mich., and Everett at home; three brothers and a sister, J. M., of Middle Point, O., A. H. of Payne, O., R. D. of Adrian, Mich., and Mrs. F. W. McMichael of Paulding, O.; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral Friday. Burial, Wiltsie Cemetery, Payne, O. + 3-?-1939
Biddle Walter A, 73, 301 E. Hazel St. Albion, died Friday at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. Born May 23, 1902 at Elmore, Ohio to Charles and Louise (Avers) Biddle, he had resided in Albion most all his life. His wife, Phyllis, died Dec. 18, 1972. He was a retired mechanic, a veteran of WW II, and a member of the Albion American Legion and Eagles. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Joan Bushong, Albion; a son, Robert Gatwood, Kalamazoo, Mich.; and a brother, Elmer, Wolcottville; five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. One brother preceded him in death. Funeral Monday at Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 6-?-1975
Biddle Warren L, 67, died Sunday at the VA Medical Center, Marion. He was a retired chiropractor and Army veteran of WW II. Surviving are a daughter, Cheryl L. Hackett of Fort Wayne; five sons, Richard L., Phillip R., and Kevin L., all Fort Wayne, Leo W., Marion, and Danny E., Albion; two sisters, Evelyn Smith of Fort Wayne and LaVerne Butcher of Huntington; and 15 grandchildren. Services today in Fort Wayne. Burial, Oak Grove Cemetery. + 3-12-1989
Bidlack Abigail was born in Portage County, Ohio, June 3, 1811 and died in Rome City, July 2, 1894, aged 83 years and 29 days. She was married to David Bidlack Aug. 7, 1831, with whom she moved to Orange Twp, Feb. 9, 1836. Her husband died about 14 years ago. They had six children, three of whom survive. In 1852 they united with the M. E. Church at Rome City. Funeral at the M.E. Church. Burial, Osborn Cemetery. + 7-2-1894 ^ 7-13-1894
Bidlack David died at his home in Orange Twp Dec. 16, 1880. He was born in Chemung County, N.Y. on Jan. 9, 1809. He moved with his parents to Portage County, Ohio, when he was 18 and on Aug. 7, 1831 he was married there to Abigail Judson. They settled in Orange Twp, Noble County, Feb. 9, 1836, one of the first settlers in that township. His widow and two children survive him. He was a member of the M. E. Church + 12-?-1880 > No date ^ 12-23-1880
Bidlack John was born in Portage County, Ohio Aug. 28, 1833; died at Rome City Feb. 21, 1904, aged 70 years 5 months and 23 days. He came with his parents to Indiana in the fall of 1836. He married Minerva Waldron Jan. 11, 1859. They had 5 children, one dying in infancy. He leaves the wife, children Walter J., Mrs. R. J. Mack of Rome City; Mrs. S. H. Rendel of Cone, Mich., and Willis of Boyne Falls, Mich.; also a brother, William of Lake View, Mich.; and sister, Sarah Conklin of Marcellus, Mich.; and 6 grandchildren. Funeral at the M. E. Church. Burial, Osborn Cemetery. ^ 2-26-1904
Bidlack Minerva Melvina died Sunday from apoplexy. She was born in Elkhart Twp, Noble County, September 30, 1838 and died in her home in Rome City, Sept. 3, 1911, aged 72 years, 11 months and 3 days of age. She married John Austin Bidlack Jan. 11, 1859. They had 5 children, one dying in infancy. She is survived by 2 sons, Walter, who has made his home with his mother in Rome City, and Willis of east Brimfield; and 2 daughters, Mrs. R. J. Mack of Marcellus, Mich., and Mrs. Anna Rendel of Rome City; 3 sisters, Mrs. William Bortner of Indianapolis, Mrs. George Hilliard of Brimfield and Mrs. Horace Waldron of Nashville, Mich.; and a brother, Jacob Bidlack of Rome City. Funeral Wednesday at the M. E. Church of Rome City. Burial, Osborn Cemetery. + Poppy Scrapbook
Bidlack Willis J, about 76, died Nov. 20, 1946 at his home a half-mile south of Rome City, of a heart attack. He was a farmer but had been retired for some time. He is survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews. He had been active in public life, being a member of the Orange Twp advisory board at the time of his death. He was affiliated with the Masonic and Eastern Star Lodges. Funeral was Saturday at Rome City Methodist Church, wherein he had held membership. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 11-?-1946
Bidwell Charles, 76, a retired druggist, died Tuesday in St. Joseph’s Hospital. He resided at R. 1, Poplar Grove. Until 1952 he operated a chain of drug stores in Chicago. When he retired that year, he moved to a farm south of Sharon, in Leroy Twp and worked in drug stores in Woodstock and Harvard. He was born Feb. 18, 1892 in Albion, Ind., son of Nathan and Eliza Wertsbaugh Bidwell. He attended Albion schools and graduated from the University of Illinois School of Pharmacy in Chicago in 1917. He married Ester Rosenbach in Chicago on June 13, 1926. She died in 1953. He was a veteran of WW I, serving with the U. S. Army. He was a member of Leroy Grange. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Nancy Randall, R. 1, Poplar Grove; one brother, Corbin, Canton, Ohio; and two grandchildren. A sister, Grace Kettleborough; and two brothers, Wade and Murl, preceded him in death. Funeral Saturday in Witbeck-Wheeler-Sabien Funeral Home. Burial, Oakwood Cemetery, Sharon, Wis. + 1968
Bidwell Corbin 80, died Feb. 22, 1969. He was a former cashier of the Albion National Bank. Survivors include a son, Robert of Cincinnati; a daughter, Mrs. Jane Cross of Cleveland; three grandchildren; several nieces including Mrs. Robert Beckley of Albion and Mrs. Carlos Waldron of Kendallville. Services Feb. 25, 1969 at Spicker, Foster Funeral Home in Canton, Ohio. Burial, Forrest Hills Cemetery, Canton. + 2-?-1969
Bidwell Eliza Jane, daughter of William and Amanda Wertsbaugh, was born at Wolf Lake, Dec. 26, 1857, and died at her home in Albion, Dec. 6, 1919, aged 62 years, 11 months and 11 days. She married Nathan B. Bidwell, Dec. 31, 1874, and they had five children, Grace, wife of William Kettleborough, Wade, who died in infancy, Murl who died Jan l4, 1903, Corbin E. and Charles. Her husband died March 19, 1898. She also leaves eight grandchildren; two sisters and one brother. She had been a member of the United Brethren Church of this city for a number of years. The obsequies were held at the home Tuesday. Burial, Albion Cemetery. + 12-?-1919
Bidwell Ethel A, 89, mother of Donald J., Kendallville, died Tuesday in Fort Wayne Health Care Center. She was born Dec. 3, 1893 in Ashley and was the widow of Jay H. Bidwell. Surviving with her son are a daughter, Loreta I. Foy of Fort Wayne; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Services Friday at C. M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Home, Fort Wayne. Burial, Lindenwood Cemetery. + 8-23-1983
Bidwell Frank was born in Wayne County, Ohio July 1834 and died at his home in Albion on March 30, 1901. He came to Fort Wayne with his father as a youngster and served as a water boy for construction workers on a portion of the canal that was to have run from Rome City to the Wabash & Erie Canal near Fort Wayne. He next lived in Kendallville for a while, married Margaret Hoffman in Fulton County, Indiana, and then came to Albion in 1862. They had nine children and six were living, Mrs. S. E. Alvord, Mary Bidwell, Mrs. Grant Skidgel and George, Hattie and Fred Bidwell. He constructed the brick building that later housed New Hope Hospital in Albion. He name it the "Hoffman House’ after his wife’s family name, but it was not mentioned when it was constructed. + 3-30-1901
Bidwell Frank Harrison was born at Albion, February 15, 1875, died April 9, 1896, aged 21 years, 1 month and 24 days. He leaves parents, four sisters, two brothers. He was baptized on March 20, 1896. His last night up town was on February 13, the first night Albion was lighted with the electric lights. What a patient sufferer was Frank. He wanted to get well, taking his medicines when it seemed his poor sore throat would not allow him to swallow. His last breakfast he could hardly eat, yet he made the greatest effort to do so, and called for his medicine up to the last. + 4-9-1896
Bidwell Fred C, 63, native of Albion and resident here during his boyhood days, son of Franklin and Margaret Bidwell, died Aug. 26 at his home in South Bend where he has lived 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Ollie; two sisters, Mrs. Miranda Alvord, Chicago, and Miss Harriet, Albion. Funeral Wednesday in South Bend. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 8-?-1945
Bidwell George W, son of Francis and Margaret Bidwell, was born in Albion, Sept. 17, 1877, and died Feb. 8, 1915, aged 37 years, 4 months and 21 days. A wife, two brothers, one sister, and a father having preceded him, he leaves a mother, one son, one brother, four sisters to mourn his demise. The obsequies were held in Methodist Episcopal Church. Burial, Albion Cemetery. + 2-5-1915
Bidwell Harriet E, about 75, a lifelong resident of Albion, died March 26, 1948 at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne of apoplexy. She had been residing at the home of a nephew, Raymond Bidwell, Fort Wayne. She had been a teacher in the grades of the Albion Public School until she retired some years ago. She was a member of the Methodist Church, the Rebekah Lodge, The Eastern Star and Pythian Sisters of Albion. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Miranda Alvord of Chicago. Services Sunday at Bonham & Miser Funeral Home. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 3-?-1948
Bidwell Hazel, 49, wife of Ezra Bidwell of near Rome City, died Thursday at a South Bend hospital. Surviving are her husband; one son, LaOmer of near Rome City; one daughter, Mrs. Marcella Hodge of near Rome City; one grandchild; her mother, Mrs. Ida Stevenson of near Wolcottville; and one brother, Roy Stevenson of near Wolcottville. Funeral Sunday at Wolcottville Evangelical Church. + 11-?-1939
Bidwell Louisa died June 4 at the family home, 2324 S. Wayne Ave., Fort Wayne. She was born June 15, 1845 near the Allen Chapel in Allen Twp, and at the time of her death was 70 years, 11 months and 19 days old. She was the youngest of 13 children, and her entire family has died with the exception of two sisters, Mrs. Martha Lehr, Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Hannah Dodge of Abilene, Kansas. Her father, Charles Isbell, born in Vermont in 1794, and her mother, Adah Tryon Isbell, born in Maine in 1800, came west and located at the birthplace of the deceased early in the last century. Mr. Isbell suffered the misfortune of contracting rheumatism and for a period of 18 years sat helpless in his chair. He bore his affliction with great fortitude and often under these circumstances occupied the pulpit at Allen Chapel. He died at the close of the Civil War, his wife having preceded him 13 years. The early years of her life were spent in and near Kendallville. She was married May 16, 1866 to William Bidwell of Albion, and resided here for a number of years. In 1882 with her husband and son, she moved to Fort Wayne and had resided there continuously since. For a number of years she held active membership in the Woman’s Relief Corp., the auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. From childhood she had been a sufferer from stomach trouble, which was ultimately the cause of her death. She leaves her husband and son and the two sisters. About the year 1862 she became a member of the Church of Christ in Kendallville. Later her letter issued May 10, 1863 was deposited with the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne. Funeral was June 7 at Methodist Protestant Church,. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 1916
Bidwell Margaret, a longtime resident of Albion, died at the home of her daughter, Mr. W. T. Weber at Garrett, Ind., March 21, 1928, age 85 years, 10 months, 20 days. She was born near Mansfield, Ohio May 1, 1842 and with her parents she moved to Fulton County, Ind. when quite young. On December 25, 1860 she married Francis Bidwell and soon after moved to Albion. They had nine children, four of whom, with the husband, preceded her in death. She was a member of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ here for more than 40 years and a member of the Ladies’ Aid Society. She leaves five children, Mrs. Miranda Alvord and Fred Bidwell of South Bend, Mrs. W. T. Weber of Garrett, Mrs. N. G. Skidgel of Syracuse, and Miss Harriet of Albion; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren. Funeral at Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Friday. + 3-?-1928
Bidwell Moses was born Dec. 13, 1849 and died Nov. 16, 1944. Services at Bonham & Miser’s Funeral Home Nov. 20. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. + 11-?-1944
Bidwell William S, 87, a veteran of the Civil War, died Wednesday at the home of his son, William P. Bidwell, 324 S. Wayne Ave. after an illness of a complication of diseases. He had been a member of Sion S. Bass and Bass-Wayne Post G.A.R. for more than forty years, and for several years was a member of the post’s sick committee. He was born Oct. 16, 1839 at Monroe, Mich., and came here with his parents when a boy. His father worked for a time on the rebuilding of the Wabash and Erie canal aqueduct across the St. Mary’s River and then the family moved to Noble County and later to Fulton County. He enlisted as a private in Company D, 29th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry Aug. 16, 1861 and was mustered out Dec. 2, 1865 at Marietta, Ga., with the rank of Orderly Sergeant. He served in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge and skirmishes at Corinth, Lavergne, Trsiune, Liberty Gap and Decatur. After the war he returned to Albion and was married May 16, 1865 to Louisa Lucina Isbell, who died 10 years ago. He moved to this city in Feb. 1882 and engaged in carpenter contracting from which work he retired 15 years ago. Surviving are his son, William, and one brother, Moses V., near Columbia City. Funeral Saturday at the home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + No date
Bieber Ruth V, 87, died Aug. 3 in the Kramm Healthcare Center, Milton, Pa. She was the mother of Guy Mausteller, former mayor of Butler, Ind. She was born June 8, 1901 near Mifflinburg, Pa. to Foster and Jennie (Musser) Oberlin. They are deceased. Her first husband, Irland Mausteller, died in 1942. Her second husband, Ezra Bieber, died in 1985. Also surviving are a daughter, Martha Coup of West Milton, Pa.; three brothers, Marvin of Penns Creek, Pa., Guy Oberlin, West Milton, Pa., and Bertram Oberlin of Hemlock, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren, including Ron Mausteller of Butler, Kathleen Prentice of Kendallville, and Jim Charles of Auburn; several great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. She was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in McEwensville, Pa. Services Saturday at Dale Ranck Funeral Service, Milton. Burial, Harmony Cemetery, Milton. + 8-3-1988
Biebesheimer William was born at Nordhelm by Worms in Hessen Darmstadt where his aged parents, Johannes and Maximilian Biebesheimer are still living. When 9 years old he entered a primary private school at Frankenthal Pfulz; from there he went to the college at Darmstadt. After graduating he was entitled to enter the army as "one year volunteer" which he did April 1, 1868 in the Second Camp 1st Infantry, Leibgard regiment No. 11. He took part in the German-Franco War, 1870, in the battles of Gravelotte, Metz and Orleans where on Dec. 4 he was wounded. He entered into business for himself at Bingfen which was not a success so he came to this country in 1879. He came first to Chicago; from there to Newton County, Kansas; then Toledo where he married Oct. 4, 1883 Wilhelmina Carrell. In 1885 he visited his old home in Germany. In 1886 he removed with his family to Kendallville to take charge of the Grasser & Brand Brewing Co. agency where he stayed until his death April 10. He was buried at Lake View Cemetery April 12. He leaves his wife and 5 small children. ^ 4-26-1895
Biedrzycki Helen, 87, died Sunday in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Garrett. Surviving are the husband, John; four sons, Paul, at home, Anthony, Miles City, Theodore, Chicago, and John, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and three daughters, Mrs. Fred Schlotterer of Avilla, Mrs. Robert Nixon of Garrett and Sr. M. Cassimira, Minster, Ohio. Final rites Wednesday in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Garrett. Burial, Calvary Cemetery. ~ 1-15-1959
Bieghler Rollie, 74, R. 1, Cromwell, died June 28 in Goshen General Hospital. A retired employee of the Norfolk & Western Railroad, he was born in Frankfort, Ind. on March 4, 1903. He had lived at the Cromwell address since 1963, moving to the area from Huntington. He was a member of the Cromwell United Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife, the former Coral Bright, whom he married in December 1924; three sons, Ralph J., and William R., Huntington, and Richard, Cromwell; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a brother, Raymond, Camden, Ind. One daughter and three brothers preceded him in death. Funeral June 30 in Harris Funeral Home. Burial, Lancaster Cemetery, south of Huntington. + 6-28-1977
Biehl Dora E, 90, of Miller’s Merry Manor West, Wabash, died Thursday. Born Dec. 15, 1888 in Huntington County, she was the daughter of Joseph and Matilda (Urschel) Rupley. She married Walter Biehl March 12, 1914 and he died Dec. 7, 1961. She had been a Huntington County resident most of her life. Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Glenn (Ruby) Raber of R. 3, Kendallville, and Mrs. Lawrence (Audra) Koch of Wabash; six grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. A daughter, Donita Marie,; three brothers; and six sisters preceded her in death. Funeral Saturday in Bailey Mortuary in Huntington. Burial, Fairview Cemetery in Servia. + 9-?-1979
Bierwirth Tilla - Mr. and Mrs. Louis Busch attended the funeral of the former’s sister, Mrs. Tilla Bierwirth, at Mishawaka Saturday. She was a former resident of this community, having been born and reared on the old homestead three miles northwest of Avilla. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Beulah Simmon, of Mishawaka; a granddaughter, Mrs. Arville McGowen of Peru; three brothers, Louis of Avilla, Arthur of Mishawaka and Earl of Fort Wayne; and two sisters, Lewertha Busch of Chicago and Mrs. Emma Rockstroh of South Bend. ~ 12-29-1960
Bigelow Donald W, 77, of R. 3, Kendallville, died today in Sacred Heart Home, Avilla. Born in Reading, Mich., March 17, 1903, he was the son of Loren P. and Carrie (Ellsworth) Bigelow. On Oct. 7, 1923 in Reading he married Gertrude Barnhart. He was a retired branch auditor for McCray Refrigerator Co. where he had been employed 45 years. He was a 57-year member of Trinity Church United Methodist and the Odd Fellows. Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Warren (Dorothy) Sexton of Kendallville; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services Wednesday in Trinity Church United Methodist. Burial, Maplewood Cemetery, Reading. + 7-?-1980
Bigelow Gladys, 31, died Friday at her home southwest of Avilla from tuberculosis. Surviving are the husband, Edward; her father, Charles Weller; and a sister, Mrs. Freeman Kelham of Avilla. Funeral was Monday. + 12-?-1934 ^ 12-29-1934
Biggerstaff Brett R, 17, of Birchwood, Wis., and formerly of Buffalo Grove, Ill., died Tuesday in Luther Hospital, Eau Claire, Wis., from injuries received in an automobile accident July 22. Surviving are his father and stepmother, Russell and Betty Biggerstaff of Buffalo Grove; two sisters, Debra Simon of Wawaka, and Gloria Dorn of Birchwood. He was preceded in death in 1972 by his mother, Marilyn Biggerstaff. Services Friday at St. John’s Catholic Church, Birchwood, with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery there. + 8-7-1984
Biggs Arthur F, 65, judge of the Noble-Whitley Circuit Court, died last Friday at the hospital of Dr. F. W. Black in Ligonier. He was born in Kosciusko County, the son of Judge and Mrs. Hiram Biggs. He became a partner with his father in the law business in Warsaw after attending the Michigan University. In 1920 he was elected and became judge of the thirty-third judicial circuit composed of Noble and Whitley Counties. Surviving are the widow; one daughter, Mrs. Graham Lyons of Ligonier; his mother of Warsaw; one sister, Mrs. Mabel Tucker of Warsaw; and a brother in Ariz. Funeral Sunday at Ligonier Presbyterian Church. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 7-?-1931
Biggs Ella M, about 83, widow of the late judge Arthur Biggs, died at her Ligonier home March 9, 1951 of a heart ailment. She was a native of Warsaw but had lived at Ligonier about 40 years. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, the King’s Daughters and the Senior Ladies Aid. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. L. W. Meridith of Chicago; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral Sunday. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 3-?-1951
Biggs Joe Emerson, 37, of 360A Ashton Dr., died Sunday in McCray Hospital of a heart condition. Born in Williamsport on Sept. 7, 1943, he was the son of Robert L. and Lorna (Wallace) Biggs. On June 15, 1966 in Fort Wayne, he married Joetta F. Baker. He had resided in Mongo until moving to Kendallville several years ago. He was a machinist and member of Hillcrest Baptist Church of Angola. Surviving are his wife; three daughters, Michelle Lynn 13, Deborah Eileen 7, and Christine Sue 6, at home; a stepdaughter, Rosetta Oneona Baker 17, of Attica; and a sister, Mrs. Forrest Benadict of Ambie. Services Wednesday in Frurip-May Funeral Home in LaGrange. Burial, Knights of Pythias Cemetery, Mongo. + 8-23-1981
Biglow Wilburn O, 85, Avilla, died June 30, 2001 at St. Joseph Hospital, Fort Wayne. The former resident of Wilmot was a retired yard man for Penn Central RR and a veteran of the U.S. Army in WW II. He was born October 13, 1915 in Flemingsburg, Ky. to William and Emma Biglow. Surviving are 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Charlotte and Clarence McCormick of Avilla and Carolyn Wietfeldt of Larwill; 2 sons, Randy of North Webster and William of Avilla; a sister, Tansy Bishop of Fowlertown; 2 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. A sister, Edna Hepner, and 2 brothers, Clifton and Raymond, preceded him in death. Services at Orr Funeral Home, Churubusco. Burial, Salem Cemetery with military graveside rites. ~ 7-12-2001
Bilger Christina, 67, died Thursday at her home near LaOtto. She is survived by her husband, Andrew, and one daughter, Mrs. Minnie Smith of Noble County. Funeral Sunday at Lutheran Church, LaOtto. Burial at Huntington. ~ 4-29-1929
Bilger Edna F, 85, R. 1, LaOtto, died May 13, in Whitley County Hospital. She was born Sept. 4, 1883 on R. 1, LaOtto and had resided there her entire lifetime. She was the daughter of George and Matilda Bilger. Survivors include two brothers, Ralph, R. 3, Fort Wayne, and Virgil, Mission Viejo, Calif.; and two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Cramer, R. 1, Avilla, and Mrs. Grace Jordan, R. 2, Avilla. Services Friday in McKee Funeral Home, Garrett. Burial, Swan Cemetery. ~ 5-22-1969
Bilger Elizabeth, the remains of a Mrs. Bilger who died in Goshen were taken through our city to LaOtto, her residence, for interment on Monday. ^ 11-26-1886
Bilger George, resident of Swan Twp who was so seriously injured on Jan 8 when he fell out of a tree, died Monday at the St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne. He underwent an operation Sunday to relieve the pressure caused by the bad fracture of the skull but failed to rally from the ordeal, as the brain at that point had become infected, and he died the following morning. He had been a resident of Swan Twp all his life, was a farmer. He was about fifty-five years of age and is survived by the widow; three daughters, Mrs. Mabel Badger, and Edna and Grace at home; two sons, Ralph and Virgil, also at home; two brothers, Andrew and Jesse of Swan Twp, and one sister, Mrs. David Karrick of Daytona, Fla. Funeral from the home north of LaOtto Thursday. ~ 1-26-1916
Bilger Matilda, 84, died at the family home a mile north of LaOtto Monday. Since the death of her husband 32 years ago, she had resided with her daughter Edna. Two other daughters survive. They are Mrs. Joe Cramer and Mrs. Leslie Jordan of near here. Also two sons, Virgil of LaOtto and Ralph of Wallen. The funeral was held from the McKee & Clark Funeral Home here Wednesday. Burial, Swan Cemetery. ~ 9-23-1948
Bilger Minnie (Heauck) was born in the province of Mecklinburg, Schwerin, Germany, Oct. 12, 1859, and died Jan. 23, 1930 at her home in LaOtto at the age of 70 years, 3 months and 11 days. At the age of 12 years she came with her parents to America and settled on a farm near Auburn, Ind. April 14, 1886 she was married to Jesse Bigler. They had 4 children, Orris of Topeka, Kansas, Mrs. Jesse McCurdy of Port Huron, Mich. (appears to be a line missing) She is survived by a husband, 2 sons and 2 daughter and 5 grandchildren. Two sisters and one brother preceded her in death. Funeral at the Wesleyan Methodist Church at LaOtto. Burial, Huntertown Cemetery. > No date
Bilger Ralph, 84, died in Covington Manor Nursing Home, Fort Wayne, July 21. He was born August 30, 1898 in Noble County, the son of George and Matilda (Sands) Bilger. He married Elizabeth Jordan September 10, 1929. He and his wife had lived all their married life in Allen County, where he was a farmer and had worked for Railway Express Agency in Fort Wayne. Surviving are his wife; two sons, Clem, Fort Wayne, and David of Columbia City; and a brother, Virgil of LaJolla, Calif.; seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Graveside service in Highland Park Cemetery. ~ 7-28-1983
Bilger Virgil M, 85, Garrett, died Jan. 9 in DeKalb Hospital. He was born in LaOtto May 20, 1902, the son of George and Matilda (Sands) Bilger. There are no immediate family survivors. He was preceded in death by one brother, Ralph, and three sisters, Mabel Cramer, Grace Jordan and Edna Bilger. Services Wednesday in McKee-Miles Funeral Home in Garrett. Burial, Swan Cemetery. ~ 1-19-1988
Bilile Emilie C was born Aug. 5, 1863 and died Feb. 3, 1944. Services at the home Feb. 6. Burial at Remington. + 2-?-1944
Bilile James A, son of Lewis and Matilda Bilile, was born in St. George, Ill., Aug. 28, 1861 and died at his home in Wawaka Sept. 3, 1942, being 81 years and 6 days of age. There were 12 children in the family, all of whom have died except one brother, Fred, now living at Ceresco, Ill. In 1887 he was married to Emilie C. Hooks and they lived together for almost 55 years. One son born to them, Royal A., died at the age of 4 months. About 30 years ago the family came to Noble County and resided on their farm near Pleasant Hill until moving to Wawaka. Funeral at the residence Sept. 6. Burial, Remington, Ind. + 9-?-1942
Biller Helen Baker, 70, Milford, former Ligonier resident, died Saturday in Goshen General Hospital. She was born in Ligonier Jan. 24, 1913 to Otis C. and Nella Fisher. In 1934 she married William Baker who died in 1958. She then married Ralph Biller. He was a retired personnel manager of Essex Wire in Ligonier and a member of Milford Christian Church. Surviving are her husband; three daughters, Mrs. Jack (Nancy) Frieder of Elkhart, Patricia Bryant of Goshen, and Mrs. Douglas (Becky) Koher of Warsaw; three sons, Jack L. and Dean, both of Milford, and Richard of Blackman Lake, South Milford; and a stepson, Greg Biller, of rural Goshen; two sisters, Mrs. Ralph (Faye) Callender of Allegan, Mich., and Mrs. Edward (Jean) Vannette of Ligonier; two brothers, Frank C. Fisher of Ligonier and Maurice Fisher of Bourbonnais, Ill; 19 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Services Tuesday in Milford Christian Church. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 4-9-1983
Billings James M died December 23, 1902 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Padgitt. He was a veteran of Co. K., 152 Reg. Indiana Volunteer Infantry. * 1-1-1903
Billingsley Ella, 63, of Davis St., died yesterday at St. Joseph’s Hospital of a cerebral hemorrhage on the sixteenth anniversary of her husband’s death. She was born in Clifton, W. Va., where she was married to Ben Billingsley, formerly in charge of the pudding department at the rolling mills here. She lived in W. Va. and Mich. for about 20 years before coming to Fort Wayne with her husband about 35 years ago. She was active in the Democratic party and was serving her second term as precinct committeeman in the fifth ward. She was a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Surviving are two brothers, Richard and George Barrett of this city; three sisters, Mrs. Harry Farmer and Mrs. Lloyd Brice, both of this city, and Mrs. Judd Gawthrop of Catchewana Bay, Can.; and an aunt, Mrs. Catherine Sullivan of Cincinnati, O. Funeral Friday at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Burial, Lindenwood Cemetery. + No date
Billman - son of J. C. Billman, died of scarlet fever Saturday. Funeral took place at the M. E. Church Monday. Burial, Springfield Cemetery. ^ 2-5-1886
Billman Adrin Forry, son of George and Sadie Billman of Rome City, died March 29, 1888, aged 1 year, 10 mo. and 29 days. Funeral was at Springfield Sunday last. + 3-29-1888
Billman Charles T, 82, of 521 Stadium Dr., died Saturday in Kosciusko County Hospital. Born Aug. 21, 1904, he was the son of Charles and Edith (Nott) Billman. He married Gertrude Likens, who died in 1964. He later married Betty Lemons, who died in 1983. He moved from Noble County to Fort Wayne in 1952 and was retired from Phelps Dodge. He was a member of the First Pentecostal Church in Fort Wayne. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Sidney (Doris) Bryant of Warsaw; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Three brothers also preceded him in death. Services Tuesday in the Apostolic Church, Albion. Burial, Sweet Cemetery. + 8-1-1987
Billman Garnet L, 76, of Columbia City, died Feb. 27, 2006 at her home. She was born July 2, 1929 in Wells County to Marion and Mae (Mutall) Gray. She married Bernard F. Ellison on March 1, 1947. He died June 30, 1975. She married Guy Melvin Billman on Aug. 30, 1985. He died May 25, 1980. Surviving are 2 daughters, Margaret Young of Hartford City and Deborah Young of Smalley Lake; 2 sons, Randall and Jerry Ellison of Albion; 6 grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Katy Macy; 2 brothers, Merle and Marvin Gray; and 3 sisters, Evelyn Kimmell, Romain Fear and Ardith Able. Graveside services Friday at Thorn Cemetery. ^ 3-1-2006
Billman George, 76, a pioneer resident of Elkhart Twp, died at his home north of Wawaka Aug. 3. Prior to his death he had been blind seven months. Surviving are the widow and a half-brother, Albert Allen of Toledo, Ohio. Funeral Thursday at the home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 8-?-1937
Billman Guy M, 68, of High Point Drive, Big Lake, died May 25, 1989 from injuries suffered in an automobile accident on U. S. 30 near Flaugh Road in Allen County. A native of Fort Wayne, he served in the U. S. Navy during WW II. After his discharge he lived in New Jersey and was employed as a truck driver. Aug. 10, 1985 he was married to Garnet Ellison. Surviving are his wife and her two sons, Jerry and Randall of Nebraska; stepdaughters, Mrs. Deborah Young, R. 1, Kimmell, and Mrs. Margaret Young, Columbia City; half-sisters, Amy Sampson and Joanne Oberkiser, Fort Wayne; a brother, Estil Leroy (Roy), R. 1, Albion. Services Monday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home. Burial, Wolf Lake Cemetery. + 5-25-1989
Billman Hattie E, about 75, of Goshen, died March 22, 1957 at McCray Hospital. She formerly resided at Ligonier and is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Walter Becker of Albion; and one son, Paul, R. 2, Ligonier; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three sisters. Funeral Monday at a Ligonier funeral home. + 3-?-1957
Billman Henrietta was the daughter of James Bailey, known to all the early settlers upon the Hawpatch. She was born in Pickaway County, Ohio on June 25, 1813 and was married to John Billman. Shortly after her marriage they removed to Noble County in 1835 where she lived until her death on Oct. 8, 1881. She was the mother of 7 children, of whom 4 are living. Her husband died about 10 years ago. She was a member of the M. E. Church. > No date ^ 6-15-1882
Billman Israel was born in Noble County Jan. 1840. Member of 30th Regiment, Indiana Volunteers from Sept. 1861 to the close of the Rebellion. Returned to the farm of his nativity and tilled its soil in peace and died there under the flag of an unbroken Union, May 31, 1897, aged 47 years and 4 months. + Clippings book
Billman Mary Lucretia was born near Wawaka March 29, 1849, the daughter of William and Eliza Rose. On the evening of Sept. 3, she and Miss Mary Gill started to accompany Mrs. Ollie Peters a short distance on her way home, when the entire party was struck by a westbound train, killing Mrs. Peters and Miss Gill instantly. Mrs. Billman died a short time later, being carried to her nearby home. She married Wilson S. Billman May 21, 1868 and they had one son, John; and 3 daughters, Ollie (Peters), Ida and Nellie. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Wawaka. She leaves a husband; a son; 2 daughters; 2 grandchildren; 2 brothers and 2 sisters. A triple funeral was held in the Freewill Baptist Church in Springfield September 5, 1903. The Wawaka High School attended the funeral as an escort of honor. + Poppy Scrapbook
Billman Minnie B, 87, widow of Otis A. Billman, Ligonier, died last Thursday in Kondas Nursing Home. Surviving are three sons, Guy Calbeck, Ligonier, Ernest L. Calbeck, Cromwell, and Joe Calbeck, Coloma, Mich.; one daughter, Mrs. Mildred Miller, Fort Wayne; 11 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral Saturday from Ulrey-Sedgwick Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 9-?-1962
Billman Otis A, 87, of 100 S. Main St., Ligonier, died Monday in Luckey Nursing Home in Wolf Lake. He was a retired well driller born July 30, 1880 in Noble County. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Forrest Clawson of Ligonier, Mrs. June Broeman of Elkhart, and Mrs. Gladys Tillman of Vista, Calif. Funeral Wednesday from Ulrey Sedgwick Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 3-?-1968
Billman Paul Worth, 74, 907 S. Tenth St., Goshen, died from complications Thursday at Peterson’s Nursing Home. He was born in Syracuse on Feb. 14, 1901, a son of Eugene W. and Hattie (Nicholas) Billman. He married Evelyn L. Miller on Oct. 9, 1937 in Goshen. He was a lathe operator with Goshen Rubber Co., retiring in 1966. He had been a member of the Goshen Moose Lodge for 26 years and was also a member of the Goshen Eagles Lodge. Surviving are the wife; two children, Mrs. Karim (Loretta) Tavakol, Grenada Hills, Calif.; a son, John C., at home; and a sister, Mrs. Eva Becker, Albion. Funeral Saturday in Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret Funeral Home. + 6-?-1976
Billman Richard who moved to Elkhart last Thursday from Ligonier and accepted employment with the Lake Shore Railroad Co. was killed this forenoon by being run over by an engine. He is a married man and well known in the western part of Noble County. ^ 1-4-1910
Billman Rocco J, son of George and Sadie Billman, died at his grandparents’ home in Rome City June 27, 1894, aged 10 years 4 mo. and 19 days. He was born at Wawaka, Feb. 8, 1884. He received an injury to his spine when quite a small child, which doomed him to the life of an invalid. Funeral at Freewill Baptist Church. Burial, Osborn Cemetery. + 6-27-1894
Billow Kathryn K, 91, Kendallville, died September 18, 2003 at Kendallville Manor nursing home. She was born January 4, 1912 in Fort Wayne to Fred and Elenora (Roehm) Koenig. She spent most of her life in Kendallville. Her husband, Russell Billow, died October 24, 2002. Surviving are a daughter, Rita Wineland of Avilla; 5 grandchildren, Larry, Fred and Steven Wineland of Avilla, Sharon Horton of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Melanie Strack of Monroeville; 19 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were a sister, Jane Milholland, and 3 brothers, Milton, Howard and Edward Koenig. She was a professional seamstress and was employed by Bendix as a draftswoman during WW II. Services at Brazzell Funeral Home, Avilla. Burial, Lutheran Cemetery. ~ 9-25-2003
Billow Russell L, 89, Avilla, died October 25, 2002 at Parkview Noble Hospital. He was born April 8, 1913 in Bryan, Ohio to George F. and Viola M. (Mavis) Billow. He married Kathryn K. Koenig on December 25, 1936 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in LaOtto. Surviving are his wife in Kendallville; a daughter, Rita Wineland of Avilla; 2 brothers, Denver Billow of Bristol and Virgil Billow of Claire, Mich.; 2 sisters, Anna Beebe of St. Joe and Elenora Figy of Wauseon, Oh.; 5 grandchildren; 19 grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren. He worked as a television repair man for Comforth Store in Phoenix, Ariz., where he lived from 1966 to 2000, when he came to Avilla. He was a WW II Navy veteran and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Avilla. Burial, Lutheran Cemetery, Avilla. ~ 11-7-2002
Bills Caroline, about 52, of R. 3, Ligonier, died Nov. 20, 1967 at her home. She was born in Detroit on May 6, 1915 and married William Bills March 4, 1947. He is employed by the Noble County Highway Department. Survivors include a son, James; four daughters, Sarah, Sandra and Betty at home, and Margaret, Ligonier; one sister, Mrs. Laura Yorman of Wauseon, Ohio,; and one brother, Elmer Lawton, San Jose, Calif. Funeral at Bonham & Miser Funeral Home in Albion Friday. Burial, Cosperville Cemetery. + 11-?-1967
Bills Caroline, 64, wife of Joseph Bills, deceased, died at her home near Summit Monday of Bright’s disease. Her husband died about 7 years ago and she is survived by one son William, two daughters and an infant son having died many years ago. Funeral at Mr. Pleasant today. Burial, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. ~ 1-21-1912
Bills Elizabeth Jean, 44, R. 1, Rome City, died Friday in her home. She was born Nov. 21, 1930 in Ashland, Wis. and married Robert Bills Nov. 22, 1950 in Ironwood, Mich. They moved to Rome City 18 years ago. She was employed as a nurse and medical secretary at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. Survivors include her husband; one daughter, June Alex Bills, Kendallville; one sister, Mrs. William Denocenti, Ironwood; and one brother, John Sandsten, San Fernando, Cal. Funeral Monday at Messiah Lutheran Church north of Wolcottville. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 12-?-1973
Bills Eva J, 85, lived at R. 3, Ligonier and died Monday in the Kendallville Nursing Home. She was born in Noble County Jan. 17, 1891 to Asa and Elizabeth Conklin McCreary and was preceded in death by her husband William. Survivors include three sons, William, Ligonier, Robert, Kendallville, and Ronald, LaGrange: two sisters, Mrs. Hazel Owen, Avilla, and Mrs. Martha Mapes, Kendallville; two brothers, Floyd, Elkhart and Leslie, Fort Wayne; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Services Wednesday in Brazzell Funeral Home in Albion. Burial, Cosperville Cemetery. ~ 7-15-1976
Bills Gracie Maud, one year and 15 days, daughter of Richard and Frankie Bills, died in Kendallville Sept. 13. ^ 9-18-1879
Bills Myrtle Viola, 83, of Virginia Beach, Va., and formerly of the Wawaka and Ligonier areas, died Tuesday in a Virginia Beach hospital. She was born in April 1912 in Muncie. She married Garrett Walton, who died in 1969. She married William Bills, who died in 1987. She was a member of Cosperville Baptist Church. Surviving are a son, William Walter of Virginia Beach; 2 stepsons; 5 stepdaughters; 25 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Funeral Tuesday in Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 9-18-1995
Bills Robert, 57, of R. 2, Howe, died Tuesday at the VA Hospital, Fort Wayne. Born May 27, 1928 in Noble County, he was the son of John William and Eva Jane (McCreary) Bills. His first wife, Betty Jean, preceded him in death. On June 12, 1976 in Rome City, he married Betty Jean Denocenti. A U. S. Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict, he was employed by Brighton Mushroom Farm. Surviving are his wife and a daughter. Cremation will take place in Riverview Crematory, South Bend. + 6-11-1985
Bills William was born May 22, 1882 and died Aug. 14, 1945. Services at Cosperville Baptist Church Aug. 16. Burial, Cosperville, Cemetery. + 8-?-1945
Bills William R, 73, of 304 E. Union St., Ligonier, died Thursday in Kenney Health Care Center. Born Oct. 21, 1913 in Noble County, he was the son of John and Eva (McCreary) Bills. He first married Caroline Lawton, who died in 1967. In 1974 he married Myrtle Ritcheson. A lifetime area resident, he had worked for the Noble County Highway Department and was a member of the Cosperville Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife; four daughters, Margaret Miller and Sarah Jane Shuey, Elkhart, Sandra Witham of Wolcottville, and Betty Garrison of Seneca, Ill.; a son, James R. of Albion; one stepdaughter, June Peak of Ripley, Miss.; two stepsons, William Walton of Virginia Beach, Va., and James Walton of Kokomo; a brother, Ronald of Shipshewana; 12 grandchildren. One brother preceded him in death. Services Monday in Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Cosperville Cemetery. + 6-11-1987
Bingham George A, 76, Fort Wayne, died Wednesday in his home. A native of White Horse, Okla., he had resided in Fort Wayne since 1966 and was a member of the Westfield Presbyterian Church. Surviving are his wife, Mabel; a son, Harold of Sacramento, Calif.; a daughter, Mildred Oswalt of Fort Wayne; a brother, Elson of Churubusco; and two sisters, Gladys Elzinger and Gertrude Bice, Fort Wayne. Services Friday in C. M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Home in Fort Wayne. Burial, Lindenwood Cemetery. ~ 2-3-1983
Bins Thomas W, 75, of Avilla, died July 19, 2004 at Provena Sacred Heart Home. He was a native of Houghton, Mich., and a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Surviving are his wife, Dorothy; 5 daughters and 4 sons-in-law, Nancy Pollard of Fort Wayne, Margaret and Jeff Anderson of New Haven, Catherine and Michael Leonard of Butler, Mary and Paul Fritz of Anderson and Teresa and Gene Lash of Ashley; 2 sons and a daughter-in-law, Paul and Shelly Bins of Clearwater, Fla., and John Bins of Sanford, N.C.; a sister, Sr. Vera Chester of St. Paul, Minn.; 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He had served as vice president of marketing at Magnavox Corp. for 25 years before retiring in 1988. Services at Provena Sacred Heart Home. Burial, Catholic Cemetery. ~ 7-29-2004
Binz Joseph R, 41, died Thursday in Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. He was a teacher in the Garrett Public Schools. He was born in Avilla May 12, 1947, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Binz. His mother preceded him in death. He is survived by two daughters, Michele, Kendallville, and Carla, Auburn; one son, Bradley, Auburn; three brothers, James and Michael, Garrett, and John, Fort Wayne; and one grandchild. Services Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Garrett. ~ 10-25-1988
Birch Albert, 87, of R. 4, Albion, died April 21, 1990 at his residence. He was born in Noble County to Edward and Stella Pritchard Birch. On Nov. 22, 1929 he married Margaret M. Stewart. She died March 4, 1978. He was a Noble Twp farmer. Surviving are daughters, Mrs. Jerry (Norma Jean) Bolinger and Mrs. Jack (Roberta) Pritchard of Columbia City; 6 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, May Geiger of Cromwell. Funeral Tuesday at Hollingsworth Memorial Chapel, Columbia City. Burial, Thorn Cemetery. + 4-21-1990
Birch Brenda K, 14-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Birch, Kimmell, died Nov. 28, 1955 in her home after an illness of one day. She was born in York Twp. Surviving are the parents; the grandparents, Mrs. Maude Fisel, Ligonier, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Birch, Kimmell, and great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Shifler, Ligonier. Services Thursday in Sparta Christian Church. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 11-?-1955
Birch Charlene, 48, of R. 2, Ligonier, died Monday at the Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis. She was born July 8, 1937 in Marshall, Mich., the daughter of Harry and Violet (Rice) McDonald. On Aug. 12, 1955 in Kimmell she married Jack Birch. A lifetime Ligonier resident, she was a receiving clerk for Coachmen Industries and a member of Ligonier United Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband; her mother and stepfather, Violet and Lester Smith; three sons, Randy of Bluffton, Ric of Arlington, Va., and Jack; three sisters, Ardith Keister of Albion, Kathy Holsinger of Ligonier, and Jeannine Ostrognai of Fort Wayne; a brother, Pat of Angola; and two grandchildren. Services Friday at Ligonier United Methodist Church. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 1-5-1986
Birch Charley, 69, Kimmell, died Saturday at Goshen Hospital following surgery. Survivors are the wife, Susie; 6 sons; 3 daughters; 19 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister. Services at Sparta Christian Church Tuesday. + 11-?-1965
Birch Dale V, 55, of 708 Grand St., Ligonier, died Wednesday in Goshen Hospital. Born Nov. 4, 1924 in Kimmell, he was the son of Charley and Susie (Rarick) Birch. He married Mary Gorsuch Nov. 17, 1950 in Cromwell. He had lived in Ligonier 30 years, moving from Kimmell. He was an employee of Goshen Rubber Co. and a veteran of WW II. He was a member of Kimmell VFW. Survivors are his wife; his mother in Kimmell; two daughters, Mrs. Deborah Bair and Mrs. Vickie Davies, Ligonier; three sisters, Mrs. Walter (Genevieve) Bailey of Lima, Ohio; Mrs. Franklin (Mildred) Ross of Howe; and Mrs. Charles (Phyllis) Smith of Wawaka; five brothers, Ralph, Gerald and Jack, Ligonier, Orville of Kimmell, and Gary of Fort Wayne; and one grandchild. Funeral Sunday in Ulrey Funeral Home in Ligonier. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 11-?-1979
Birch Edward R, 74, of near Wolf Lake, was fatally burned last week in a kerosene explosion in the kitchen of his farm home. A lifetime resident of Noble County, he is survived by the widow; two sons, Lawrence and Albert, both near Wolf Lake; two daughters, Mrs. Lawrence Addis of Noble Twp and Mrs. Adrian Geiger of near Kimmell; a sister, Mrs. Anna Geiger, Noble Twp; a brother, Virgil, Richland Twp, Whitley County; 6 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. + 3-?-1952 3-12-1952
Birch Gerald E, 84, of Ligonier died June 12, 2011 at Parkview Noble Hospital. He was born to Charlie & Susie (Rarick) Birch in Wolf Lake. He married Violet “June” Poff in 1963. She died in 2005. He later married Jean Parks in 2008. He served in the U.S. Army during WW II and retired from Monsanto in Ligonier after 26 years of service. He was a member of Moose Lodge #836 in Goshen. He is survived by his wife; 8 children: Michael (Crystal) Birch of Ligonier, Cathy (Fred) Ratcliff of Goshen, Linda Wertman of Goshen, Gary Birch of Fort Wayne, Michael (Paulette) McDonald of Millersburg, Colleen McDonald of Syracuse, Tammy McDonald of Ligonier, and Bill McDonald of Ligonier; 4 stepchildren; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one brother and one sister. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Gary Ratcliff, and 6 siblings. Funeral June 16 at Yeager Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. ^ 6-14-2011 Birch Kathleen, 88, of Ligonier, died May 1, 2006 at her home. She had retired from Monsanto and was a member of OES Chapter 178. She was born Nov. 28, 1917 in Ligonier to Reed H. and Maude (Shisler) Fisel. She married William Ralph Birch on Dec. 24, 1939 in Wolf Lake. He died Dec. 19, 2000. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda; and 2 brothers, Robert and Herbert Fisel. Graveside services Friday at Sparta Cemetery. ^ 5-3-2006
Birch Lawrence, 69, of R. 4, Albion, died May 2, 1973 at Whitley County Hospital after suffering a heart attack at home. He was born May 18, 1904 in Noble Twp, a son of Edward and Stella (Pritchard) Birch. He married Lucille Snell Sept. 28, 1921 at Charlotte, Mich. Except for the years 1932 to 1937 when he resided in Columbia City, he had spent his entire lifetime in Noble County, where he was engaged in general farming. He was a member of the Noble County Farm Bureau. Surviving are his widow of R. 4, Albion; a son, Paul V. of R. 6, Columbia City; two grandchildren, Rebecca and Ethan; one brother, Albert of R. 4, Albion; one sister, Mrs. Mary Geiger of R. 1, Kimmell. One son, Robert, and a sister, Marie Addis, are deceased. Funeral at DeMoney & Son Funeral Home, Columbia City Saturday. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 5-?-1973
Birch Lucille, 80, R. 4, Albion, died July 13, 1983 at Whitley County Hospital. She was born in Noble Twp, the daughter of William Harry and Fannie Geiger Snell. On Sept. 28, 1921 in Charlotte, Mich. she married Lawrence Birch. They lived in Columbia City from 1932 to 1937 and after that in Noble Twp. She was preceded in death by her husband on May 2, 1973, and by a son, Robert, in 1937. She is survived by a son, Paul V., R. 6, Columbia City; and two grandchildren, Rebecca and Ethan. Services July 15 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbia City. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 7-13-1983
Birch Margaret M, 72, R. 4, Albion, died March 4 at Whitley County Hospital. She was born in Noble County to Charlie and Mary Egolf Stewart and on Nov. 22, 1919 she married Albert Birch. Survivors are her husband; two daughters, Mrs. Jack (Roberta) Pritchard, R. 6, Columbia City, and Mrs. Norma Jean Hursey of Columbia City; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Gladys Ebey of Wolf Lake, Mrs. Gordon (Evelyn) Newsome, R. 4, Albion, and Mrs. Owen (Virginia) Harting of Wolf Lake. Services March 6 at Hollingsworth Memorial Chapel, Columbia City. Burial, Thorn Cemetery. + 3-?-1978
Birch Mary Joanne, 81, of Ligonier, died Jan. 10, 2009 at Avalon Village in Ligonier. She was born July 13, 1927 to Kenneth and Henrietta (Walton) Gorsuch. On Nov. 17, 1950 she married Dale Birch. He died Nov. 22, 1979. She worked for Monsanto in Ligonier as a finisher for 30 years and was a member of the Ligonier Church of the Nazarene. Surviving are 2 daughters and one son-in-law, Deborah Callahan of Ligonier and Vicki and Rich Leming of Goshen; 4 grandchildren, Mandy and Jamie Callahan and Kris and Aaron Leming; 3 great-grandchildren, Jaden, Amaya and Cheyene; 2 brothers and one sister-in-law, Gene Gorsuch of Indianapolis and Dave and Lora Gorsuch of Albion; 2 sisters and one brother-in-law, Bertha and Dave Zawadzke of Wolcottville and Lou McClanahan of Florissant, Mo. Funeral Jan. 16 at Ulrey-Renner and Brazzell Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. ^ 1-13-2009
Birch Orville P, 86, of Kimmell, died Jan. 28, 2006 at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was a retired self-employed barber and a U.S. Army veteran. He served as a swim instructor at Cole Center Family YMCA in Kendallville. He was born Nov. 27, 1919 in Noble County to Charlie and Susie (Rarick) Birch. Surviving are 3 brothers, Jack and Jerry of Fort Wayne and Gerald of Ligonier; a sister, Phyllis Smith of Wolcottville. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Dale and Ralph; and 2 sisters, Genevieve Bailey and Mildred Ross. Graveside services Tuesday at Sparta Cemetery. ^ 1-30-2006
Birch Sarah B, 36, of 6101 Wilmarbee Dr., Fort Wayne, died Wednesday. Born in Pulaski, Tenn., April 17, 1944, she was the daughter of Ernest and Louise (Seibold) Rains. She married Jerry Birch. She had resided in Fort Wayne 18 years and was a former Ligonier and Kimmell resident. She had been a secretary for the Indiana State Police, Fort Wayne, for seven years, and was a member of the Anthony Wayne Church of God. Surviving are her husband and her father; two daughters, Gina and Sonia, and two sons, Todd and Andrew, all at home; two brothers, Truman, Pulaski, and Thomas, Albertsville, Ala.; and a grandmother, Bess Seibold, Guntersville, Ala. Services Friday in Anthony Wayne Church of God. Burial, Covington Memorial Gardens. + 4-?-1981
Birch Susie E, 91, Kimmell, died Sept. 18, 1990 in Kenney Health Care Center, Ligonier. She was born in Noble County to William and Cora Fry Rarick. On June 4, 1915 in Noble County she married Charley Birch. He died in 1965. Surviving are 3 daughters, Mrs. Walter (Genevieve) Bailey of Lima, Ohio, Mildred Ross of LaGrange, and Mrs. Charles (Phyllis) Smith of Wawaka; 5 sons, Ralph and Gerald of Ligonier, Orville of Kimmell, Jack of Goshen and Jerry of Fort Wayne; a sister, Lucy Clark of Columbia City; 23 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Dale, and 2 grandchildren. Services last Friday at Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 9-18-1990
Birch Violet J, 70, of Ligonier, died July 8, 2005 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. She was a member of Millersburg Church of Christ. She was born March 9, 1935 in Three Rivers, Mich. to George and Helen (Kisler) Poff. On Sept. 8, 1963 in Fort Wayne she married Gerald Gene Birch. Surviving are her husband; 4 sons, Michael McDonald of Millersburg, Gary Birch of Fort Wayne, Bill McDonald of Cromwell and Michael Birch of Syracuse; 4 daughters, Valerie McDonald of Syracuse, Tammy McDonald of Ligonier, Cathy Ratcliff of Goshen and Linda Wertman of Goshen; 19 grandchildren 24 great-grandchildren; and her mother, Helen Wiles of Ligonier. Preceding her in death were her father; 2 sisters, Sona Whalen and Carol Cook; a daughter-in-law, Debbie McDonald; and a grandson, Gary Ratcliff. Services Tuesday at Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. ^ 7-10-2005
Birch William R, 82, died Dec. 19, 2000 in his Ligonier home. He was born Dec. 30, 1917 in Ormas to Charley and Susie Rarick Birch. On Dec. 24, 1939 he married Kathleen Fisel at Wolf Lake. Surviving are his wife; a sister, Phyllis Smith of Ligonier; 4 brothers, Gene of Ligonier, Jack and Jerry of Fort Wayne, and Orville of Kimmell. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda Birch, on Nov. 28, 1955; a brother, Dale; and 2 sisters, Genevieve and Mildred. He was a member of Cromwell Masonic Lodge No. 705 and Fort Wayne Scottish Rite and Shrine. Services Friday at Orr Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 12-20-2000
Bireley G Marie, 93, of Huntertown, died Sunday at Byron Health Care Center in Fort Wayne. She was employed for 28 years at the power plant at the former Irene Byron Sanitarium and retired as a clerk at Tepe's in Fort Wayne in 1986 after 12 years of service. She was a member of Huntertown United Methodist Church and graduated from Huntertown High School in 1930. She was born April 11, 1911 in DeKalb County to Charles and Goldie (Meese) Pepple. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel E. Birely, in 1974; a daughter, Rozanne Preston, in 2001; 2 sisters, Ruby McDougall and Rowene Warner; and 2 brother, Wilbur and Walter Pepple. Surviving are 2 grandsons, Brent E. Preston and Steven R. Preston and his wife, Sandy. Services Thursday at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home. Burial, Highland Park Cemetery, Fort Wayne. ^ 6-29-2004
Birge Gary L, 14, son of Mrs. Herbert Hilbert of LaOtto, apparently was stricken by a cramp while swimming at Bixler Beach, drowning swiftly and unnoticed to bring a tragic conclusion to a Sunday picnic dinner. Surviving besides Mrs. Hilbert is the father, Elmer L. Birge; two sisters, Shirley Ann and Linda Ilene Birge; the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Emery Brindle of LaOtto, and Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Birge of Fort Wayne. Born in Fort Wayne, he lived with his parents in St. Louis, Mo. twelve years, then moved to LaOtto 18 months ago. Services Wednesday in the LaOtto Lutheran Church. Burial, Huntertown Cemetery. ~ 7-3-1947
Birkhold Clinton J, 81, of Kimmell, died Tuesday in Goshen Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Susan of Kimmell. Funeral Friday in L. H. Moore Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 4-?-1960
Birkhold Susan M, about 83, died Aug. 28, 1960 at Goshen Hospital. She resided in Kimmell with her brother, Harold Stewart, who is her only close survivor. Services were Aug. 31 at Cromwell Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 8-?-1960
Bisbee Marguerite A, 74, died November 30 at her home in Fostoria, Ohio. She was raised west of Avilla and was a former resident of Altona. She was born January 11, 1907 in Columbia City, the daughter of Andrew and Rhuea Judd Gregory. She married Louis Bloom, who preceded her in death in 1956. She was then married to John Bisbee, and he died in 1960. She is survived by her mother, Rhuea Sominis in Fort Wayne; a son, Wilbur Bloom of Fostoria, Ohio; four daughters, Mrs. Mary Schauer of Jerry City, Ohio, Mrs. Calvin (Ilien) Tarlton of Garrett, Ind., Mrs. Wallace (Joan) Tyson of Wayne, Ohio, and Mrs. Fred (Jean) Wobser of Ashland, Ohio; 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter. Burial, a Van Buren, Ohio cemetery. ~ 12-17-1981
Bish Andrew M, 6 months and 24 days old, R. 3, Ligonier, was found dead Friday in a crib where he had been put a short time before. Born June 19, 1972 in Goshen, he was the son of Michael and Elizabeth (Rose) Bish. Survivors include the parents; a sister, Valerie Sue; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Bish, and Mr. and Mrs. John Rose, all R. 1, Wawaka; great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Bish, R. 3, Ligonier, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wysong, R. 1, Wawaka, and Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Tredway, Goshen. Funeral Sunday in Ulrey Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 1-?-1973
Bish Clyde, 79, R. 3, Ligonier, died Saturday at his residence from an apparent coronary. He was born Dec. 26, 1900 in Upland, the son of George and Mary Elizabeth (Lacey) Bish. He was married July 8, 1922 to Vivian Fought in Albion. He had lived in the Ligonier area since November 1925 and was a farmer. He was a member of the Gleaner Lodge, Wawaka Grange, and was North Elkhart Twp Democratic precinct committeeman. Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Elmer (Betty) Ramer of LaGrange, and Mrs. Carl (Frances) Myers of Kendallville; three sons, George of Cromwell, Donald of Wawaka, and Robert of R. 3, Ligonier; 18 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Funeral Tuesday in Ulrey Funeral Home. Burial, Salem Cemetery. + 4-?-1980
Bish Don A, 84, of Wawaka, died December 31, 2013 at his home. He was born March 26, 1929 to Clyde and Vivian (Fought) Bish in Topeka On August 4, 1956 he married Mary Ellizabeth Tredway. He graduated from Wawaka High School in 1947 as valedictorian of his class. He had worked as a dispatcher and truck driver at Frick Services in Wawaka, IN. He attended Wawaka Church of the Brethren. Surviving are his wife; 4 children, Pamela Whitford of Houston Texas, Michael Bish of Goshen, Donald Bish of Brimfield, Cindy McGill of Albion; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Bish of Wawaka, and a sister, Frances Myers of Albion. He was preceded in death by a brother, George from Syracuse, a sister Elizabeth from LaGrange, and a grandson Andrew Michael. A private cremation committal will take place at a later date. ^ 1-2-2014 
Bish Dustin, 3-month old son of Donald and Rebecca Weiker Bish, both of Ligonier, died Saturday. He had been ill since birth. Surviving are his parents; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Weiker, Ligonier, and Mr. and Mrs. Donald Bish, Wawaka; one sister, Michelle. Graveside services Sunday. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 3-21-1976
Bish George E, 55, R. 1, Cromwell, died Aug. 27 in Goshen Hospital from an apparent coronary. Born Dec. 2, 1924 in Indianapolis, he was the son of Clyde and Vivian (Fought) Bish. On July 1, 1955 in Wawaka he married Collette Reed. He was a lifetime Ligonier area resident employed by Frick Transport, Wawaka. He was a WW II veteran and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Surviving are his wife; his mother at R. 3, Ligonier; a daughter, Mrs. Tom (Rosie) Brock of Goshen; a son, Stephen Reed of LaPorte; two sisters, Mrs. Elmer (Betty) Ramey of LaGrange; and Mrs. Carl (Frances) Myers of Kendallville; two brothers, Donald of Wawaka, and Robert of R. 2, Ligonier; and four grandchildren. Services Aug. 30 in Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 8-27-1980
Bish Vivian I, 87, of R. 3, Ligonier, died Sunday in Heritage Manner Health Care Center. She was born Sept. 23, 1902 in Noble County, the daughter of Elza and Emma (Nelson) Fought. On July 8, 1922 in Albion she married Clyde Bish, who died in 1980. A lifetime area resident, she was a homemaker and member of Elkhart Twp Extension Homemaker’s Club and Arbor of the Gleaners Lodge. Surviving are two daughters, Elizabeth "Betty" Ramer of LaGrange, and Mary Frances Myers of Wawaka; two sons, Don of Wawaka, and Robert of Ligonier; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. A son, George, and three brothers preceded her in death. Services Wednesday in Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Salem Cemetery. + 10-8-1989
Bishop Annie J, about 73, formerly of Jefferson Twp, died June 25, 1949 at the Noble County Farm. She is survived by two sons, Robert of Kendallville, and Charles of Santa Rosa, Calif.; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Ed Larkin of Crystal Lake, Ill. Funeral Monday at Bonham & Miser Funeral Home. Burial, Rehoboth Cemetery. + 6-?-1949
Bishop Austin "Doc", 80, Springfield, Ohio, died Friday in Springfield. He retired as a shop manager at International Harvester in 1965. Prior to moving to Springfield, he worked at the Fort Wayne Harvester plant for 33 years and before that was a chiropractor in Kendallville. He is survived by his wife, Doris Walter; a daughter, Charlene of Columbus, Ohio; a brother; and two grandchildren. Services Monday at Jackson-Lietle Funeral Home, Springfield. + 10-1-1982
Bishop Connie, 75, died February 9, 2011 at her residence in Kendallville. She was born in Montclair, New Jersey on April 28, 1935 to Louis and Helen (Rinebolt) Conklin. She graduated in 1953 from Kendallville High School. She attended Bowling Green State College in Ohio, Defiance College and Indiana/Purdue at the Fort Wayne campus. She married Arthur Bishop and he died in 1968. Connie was a teacher's aide with the East Noble School Corporation. Survivors include a son, Mark Rensberger of Kendallville; a daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Shawn Way of For Wayne; a grandson, Bobby Way; a brother, Phillip L. Conklin. Funeral Feb. 12 at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. Hite Funeral Home 2-10-2011
Bishop Doris G, 65, of 240 Angling Road, died Wednesday at Kendallville Nursing Home. She was born in Chicago July 1, 1918. On July 9, 1960 in Elkhart she married Robert Bishop. She had been employed as a saleslady in a department store in California and was a member of the Women of the Moose. Surviving are her husband; two daughters, Janet Fike of Calumet City, Ill., and Judy of Calif.; two stepdaughters, Louise Smart of Kendallville, and Mrs. Arnold (Jean) Perkins of R. 3, Wolcottville; two stepsons, Larry Bishop of Kendallville, and Gary Bishop of Ligonier; 24 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Services at Hite Funeral Home Friday. Burial, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. + 10-12-1983
Bishop Frances, 66, of Rome City and Mrs. Lydia Ray of Toledo, O., sisters, died within a few hours of each other last night. Mrs. Bishop, a lifelong resident of this place, died at her home here. A few hours after her death, Mrs. Ray, a former resident of Rome City, died at Toledo. Mrs. Bishop was the wife of Joseph W. Bishop, Orange Twp trustee and former postmaster. Surviving are the husband; three sisters, Mrs. May Joslin and Mrs. Maggie Joslin of Rome City, and Mrs. Mernie Malle of South Milford; and two brothers, Claudsley Holden of near Kendallville, and Jacob Holden of Goshen. Funeral Friday at L. E. Berhalter & Son Funeral Home. Mrs. Ray is survived by two daughters and a son. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 6-?-1931
Bishop Jane, 97, mother of Mrs. Fannie Haines, Mrs. Teegarden and Mrs. Abbie Preston of this place and vicinity, died at York, Ohio, December 27. Mrs. Teegarden and Mrs. Preston, who are at York, will return tomorrow. ~ 11-29-1888
Bishop John E, 32 of 316 N. Detroit St., LaGrange, died Tuesday in Indiana University Hospital, Indianapolis, from complications following a heart transplant Dec. 3. He was born Sept. 26, 1956 in Lansing, Mich., the son of Fred and Mary Bishop. His father died Oct. 11, 1978. His mother and stepfather, Mary and James Baldwin, survive in LaGrange, as do two sons, Travis and Dillon at home; two sisters, Mrs. Michael (Pamela) Farber of LaGrange, and Patricia Jenkins of Dayton, Ohio; a brother, James of Fremont; and grandmother, Cecile Massoch of Farwell, Mich. Services Saturday in Mt. Zion Lutheran Church. Burial, Greenwood Cemetery. + 1-18-1989
Bishop Joseph W, 84, Democratic leader of Noble County, died April 12. He was trustee of Orange Twp at the time of his death and was a former postmaster of Rome City. The schools of Brimfield and Rome City closed, and teachers of Orange Twp, as a body, attended the funeral Thursday. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 4-?-1938
Bishop Josephine, 97, died Friday in McCray Hospital. She was born in Illinois. Jan. 29, 1877 and married Edgar C. Bishop Aug. 27, 1893. He died Dec. 22, 1929. Surviving are three sons, Ralph, Star City, Frank, Lakeville, and Harold, Fort Wayne; one daughter, Effie Fields, Wawaka, with whom she lived for 17 years before moving to the Lutheran Home; seven grandchildren, including Rev. Robert Fields, Kendallville, and Mrs. Carol Studebaker, Wawaka; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Med Patnaude, Fowler; and two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Cyr, Michigan City, and Mrs. Leah Doyle, Lafayette. Services at Fry-Lange Funeral Home, Winimac. + 1-?-1975
Bishop Ruth I, 73, died June 17 in Miller’s Merry Manor, Garrett. She retired in 1984 with 12 ½ years of service as a nurse’s aide at Sacred Heart Home, Avilla. She lived most of her life in Garrett. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Garrett and a 1942 graduate of Waterloo High School. She was born Dec. 10, 1923 in Brimfield to Carl and Hattie (Hofferman) Ackerman. She married Earl Bishop on Feb. 14, 1946 in Garrett. Surviving are the husband; one son, Scott A. of Garrett; one brother, Dale of Hamilton; 2 sisters, Ethel Kandel of Auburn and Rosie Peachy of Kendallville; 2 grandchildren, Scott and Amanda Bishop; and one great-grandson, Andrew Bishop. A mass of the resurrection was Friday in St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial, Christian Union Cemetery. ~ 6-26-1997
Bitner Dorothy J, 88, of Cromwell, died June 28, 2004 at Avalon Village Healthcare Center. She was a member of Indian Village United Methodist Church. She was born Nov. 29, 1915 in Kosciusko County to Chester and Flora (Wilkison) Swenson. She married Don Harlan and he died in 1953. She married Howard Bitner and he died in 1991. Surviving are 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph and Connie Harlan of Cromwell, John and Esther Harlan of Ligonier, and Michael and Diane Harlan of Victorville, Calif.; a stepson; 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Also preceding her in death were a brother, Dwight Swenson; a sister Mary Swenson; and a grandson, Mark Harlan. Services Thursday at Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. ^ 6-29-2004
Bitner Duane L, 10, of near Cromwell, was drowned Sunday at Harwood Lake near Three Rivers, Mich. He jumped from a boat into 10 feet of water and attempted to swim to shore. He was born Nov. 19, 1950, the son of Howard and Margaret (Randall) Bitner. He attended the Cromwell School and was a member of the Cromwell Methodist Church. Surviving are his father and a brother, Larry at home. His mother died May 31, 1958. Services Wednesday at the Methodist Church in Cromwell. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 6-?-1961
Bitner Harold Jr, 87, of Syracuse, died May 3, 2011, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Syracuse. Friday at Wawasee Lakeside Chapel, Syracuse. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. ^ 5-4-2011
Bitner Harold W, 73, R. 1, died Sunday in Goshen Hospital. He was born in Elwood Oct. 10, 1900, a son of Milbert and Dema (Noftsher) Bitner, and was married in Kimmell Jan. 20, 1923 to Lois Reeve. They came to the community in 1927 and were members of Cromwell United Methodist Church. He was a retired farmer. Surviving are the widow; a daughter, Mrs. Marvin (Laveta) Phares, R. 3; one son, Harold Jr., R. 1, Cromwell; two sisters, Mrs. Clyde Kelver, South Bend, and Mrs. Roy Wilkinson, Syracuse; three brothers, Raymond and Herschel, Syracuse, and Howard, Ligonier; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral Wednesday in Cromwell United Methodist Church. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 10-?-1973
Bitner Herschel L, 81, died Tuesday in Elkhart Hospital. He was a Noble County farmer and retired machinist for Dana Weatherhead Corp. He also formerly owned Bitner Antiques at North Webster. Surviving are a daughter, Barbara Miller of Syracuse; a son, Richard of Osceola; 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral Friday in Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 3-5-1998
Bitner Howard F, 78, of Cromwell, died July 19, 1991 at his home. He was born Dec. 5, 1912 in Kosciusko County to Milbert and Dema (Noftsher) Bitner. He married Margaret Randall who died in 1958. He then married Dorothy Swenson Harlan. A 50-year Noble County farmer, he was a member of Cromwell United Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife; a son, Larry of Indianapolis; 3 stepsons; a sister, Katie Wilkinson of Syracuse; a brother, Herschel of Syracuse; 2 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Services Tuesday in Cromwell United Methodist Church. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 7-19-1991
Bitner Kathy Lou, 41, of Belton, Texas, died Thursday in Temple Hospital, Temple, Texas. She was born March 30, 1949 in Wolf Lake to Harold Jr. and Norma (Cole) Bitner. She was a safety specialist at Olin Teague Hospital and a member of Cromwell United Methodist Church. Surviving are a sister, Lori Reynolds of Ligonier. A brother, Wendell, died in 1967. Local arrangements are pending at Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home, Ligonier. + 3-?-1991
Bitner Lois, 75, R. 1, Ligonier, died at Goshen Hospital Friday. She was the wife of the late Harold Bitner, who died in 1973. They were married in Kimmell on Jan. 20, 1923. She was born on April 13, 1902 in Streeter, Ill., the daughter of Charles and Emma (Nickerson) Reeve. She lived in the Ligonier area for 50 years. She was a member of the Cromwell United Methodist Church and the Ebenezer Club. Surviving are a son, Harold Jr., Cromwell; a daughter, Mrs. Marvin (Laveta) Phares, Ligonier; a sister, Mrs. Dale Gorsuch, and a brother, Charles, both of Kimmell. Services at Cromwell United Methodist Church, Monday. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 9-24-1977
Bitner Margaret, 40, a lifetime resident of the Cromwell community, died following surgery Saturday in Goshen Hospital. She was born in Ligonier July 20, 1917, the daughter of Lawrence and Zelda (Folck) Randall. In 1937 she married Howard Bitner. She was a member of the Cromwell Methodist Church, the WSCS and the Ebenezer Ladies Aid. Surviving are the husband; two sons, Larry and Duane at home; and one sister, Mrs. Malcolm Baker of Albion. Funeral Tuesday from Cromwell Methodist Church. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 5-?-1951
Bitner Norma M, 80, died Dec. 5, 2007 at her Ligonier residence. She retired in 1995 from West Noble High School as an English teacher after 20 years of service. She was a member of Cromwell United Methodist Church. She was born on April 3, 1927 in Syracuse to Harvey and Ruth (Lung) Cole. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Dan Reynolds of Ligonier; and 2 grandsons and their wives, Ryan and Kelly Reynolds of Columbia City, and Nathan and Erica Reynolds of Ligonier. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy; and a son, Wendell. Services Sunday at Owen Family Funeral Home, Syracuse. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. ^ 12-6-2007
Bitner Raymond L, 77, R. 2, Syracuse, died Friday at Goshen Hospital. Born in Elwood Sept. 18, 1898, a son of Milbert and Dema Noftsher Bitner, he spent most of his life in the Syracuse area and was a retired farmer and a member of the Calvary United Methodist Church. His marriage to Elva Vorhis took place Dec. 22, 1920. She survives with three daughters, Mrs. Gaylord (Evelyn) Jones, Syracuse, Mrs. Raymond (Fredonna) Custer, Milford, and Mrs. Clair (Phyllis) Archer, Cromwell; a son, Gerald, Syracuse; 13 grandchildren; two brothers, Herschel, Syracuse, and Howard, Ligonier; and two sisters, Mrs. Hilda Kelver, Osceola, and Mrs. Katie Wilkinson, Syracuse. Two brothers and a sister preceded him in death. Funeral from the church Sunday. Burial, Syracuse Cemetery. + 11-?-1975
Bitner Virginia (Wolfe), 78, of Syracuse, died Wednesday in Elkhart General Hospital. She formerly owned Bitner's Antiques south of North Webster. Surviving are her husband, Herschel; a daughter, Barbara Miller of Dewart Lake; a son, Richard Bitner of Osceola; 2 half-sisters, Leona Roos of Fort Wayne and Mary Prucinsky of Wolf Lake; 2 half-brothers, Eugene Wolfe of Huntertown and Jerald Wolfe of Leesburg; 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Graveside services Saturday in Oak Park Cemetery. + 10-30-1996
Bitner Wendell, 16, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold B. Bitner Jr., was killed when his body came into contact with a 7,200 volt electric power line at the farm of his parents on R. 1, Cromwell, July 22, 1967. He and Ervin Lambright, 33, R. 1, Ligonier, who was injured in the accident, were moving a portable irrigation sprinkler in a corn field near Bitner’s home. One arm of the sprinkler came into contact with the 7,200 volt line, and when Bitner saw the sparks fly he jumped to the ground, landing on a fence. The electric power line broke, falling also onto the fence. He was born April 9, 1951 at Wolf Lake and is also survived by two sisters, Kathy and Lori at home; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bitner, R. 1, Ligonier, Mrs. Ruth Weaver, R. 1, Cromwell, and Harvey Cole, Irvington, N.Y. Funeral at Cromwell Methodist Church Tuesday. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 7-?-1967
Bittikoffer John, 46, had resided in Kendallville since 1865. His funeral took place at the M. E. Church Friday. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ^ 1-25-1883
Bittikoffer Otto F was born in Kendallville May 27, 1869; died March 9, 1916, age 47 years, 9 months and 12 days. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bittikoffer, early residents of this city. He spent most of his life in Kendallville, where at an early age he learned the barber trade, which he followed as long as health permitted. He was married to Cora E. Newman Dec. 16, 1888. One son, Hugh, was given them, who, with the widow, two brothers, John and Louis; two sisters, Rosa Richards and Lillian Tyrilla are left. For many years he suffered with the dread disease asthma. He united with the Christian Church several years ago. + 3-9-1916
Bitting Benjamin F "Frank", 88, R. 8, Columbia City, died at his home Aug. 29, 1985. A native of Noble County, he was the son of Henry George Grant and Arena Elizabeth Zeigler Bitting. His formative years were spent on the Bitting farm in Section 35 of Noble Twp, whose entire northeast corner was owned by Bittings. He was educated in the nearby Wildcat School. He graduated from Columbia City High School in 1914 and attended college at Winona Lake. Sept. 1, 1920 he married Ruth Ott at Winona Lake and they established their first home on the Bitting homestead. Three years later they moved to a farm near Cresco in Whitley County, and in 1931 moved to their present farm eight miles north of Columbia City on SR 9. He was a member of Merriam Christian Chapel. He is survived by his wife, a resident at Columbia City Nursing Home; two sons, Dale O. of Bradenton, Fla., and Lee F. of South Whitley; a daughter, Mrs. Alfred (Jane) Gradeless, R. 4, Columbia City; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Funeral Sunday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home in Columbia City. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 8-29-1985
Bitting Ford, 69, of 311 N. Main St., died Saturday in Parkview Hospital. He was born July 27, 1912 in Noble County, the son of S. Claude and Etta Ziegler Bitting. He married Emeline Thorn August 15, 1936. They lived in Merriam until moving to Churubusco in 1977. He had been an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad for 24 years. In 1972 he retired from Carson’s Bottle Gas Co. of Wolf Lake. He was a member of the Blue River Church of the Brethren. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Mrs. Frank (Mary) Powell of Napa, Calif.; Mrs. Coleman (Barbara) Lockett of Clearwater, Kans., Sally Bitting of San Diego, Calif.; one son, Clifford of R. 2, Albion; and three grandchildren. Services Monday at Sheets Funeral Home, Churubusco. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. ~ 9-24-1981
Bitting Henry - Last Wednesday the remains of Henry Bitting and wife reached this city from Grand Haven, Mich. On the 15th they met the cold realities of death by the foundering of the propeller Ironsides on Lake Michigan four miles southwest of Grand Haven, and had formerly lived in Noble Twp, this county, whither the bodies were taken for interment. ^ 9-24-1873
Bitting Ruth, 87, of R. 8, Columbia City, widow of Benjamin F. Bitting, died Sept. 13 at Columbia City Community Care Center. She was born in Noble Twp on June 26, 1898, a daughter of Abraham and Jane Harlan Ott. After being educated in the Little Lake School, she was married on Sept. 1, 1920 to Benjamin Bitting at Winona Lake by Rev. R. W. Page. They established their home on the Bitting farm in Noble Twp. In March 1923 they moved to a farm near Cresco and after eight years moved to R. 8, Columbia City, eight miles north of town on Ind. 9. She was a member of Christian Chapel at Merriam and Thorncreek Extension Club. Surviving are two sons, Dale O. of Bradenton, Fla., and Lee E. of South Whitley; a daughter, Mrs. Alfred (Jane) Gradeless of R. 4, Columbia City; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Four sisters, Dica, Ethel, Agnes and Sula; and three brothers, Levi, John and Harlan are deceased. Funeral Monday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 9-13-1985
Bitting Sally K died April 28, 2011, at Northridge Village Nursing Home in Albion. She was a daughter of Ford Z. and Mary Emeline Bitting, born April 17, 1954. She was a 1972 graduate of Central Noble High School. She spent most of her adult life in San Diego working for a branch of the federal government. She is survived by her mother; sisters, Mary Castle of South Bend and Barbara Lockett of Wichita, Kansas; and her brother, Clifford (Charla) Bitting of Albion. Memorial serviceApril 30 at Cornerstone Wesleyan Church in Merriam. ^ 4-29-2011
Bixby Edna Maye, 65, died June 6, 1991 at home. She retired in Oct. 1990 after 10 years at Magnavox. Her husband, Charles P., died in 1972. Surviving are 3 daughters, Patricia Ebetino of Monroeville, Phyllis Bixby of Palatine, Ill., and Laura Eckert of Fort Wayne; 3 sons, Charles P. of Fort Wayne, Darrel L. of Blue Springs, and Michael A. of Hamilton; a sister, Mary Herendeen of Avilla; 5 brothers, Charles, Robert and George Kirkpatrick of Albion, and John and Frank Kirkpatrick of Churubusco; and 9 grandchildren. Services Monday in Klaehn, Fahl and Meton Wayne St. chapel, Fort Wayne. Burial, Lindenwood Cemetery. + 6-6-1991
Bixler Andrew, 58 years, 7 months and 18 days, died Aug. 24. His remains were interred in the cemetery at Fairfield Center on the 20th. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1820. He, with his parents, emigrated to Noble County in 1836 and settled on the farm now known as the Henry Moyer property in the eastern part of Kendallville. At the age of 21 he was married to Elizabeth Slatey, who survives him. He lived in Kendallville for some time and then moved on his farm south of Lisbon, residing there up to the year 1867 when he sold and bought at Stone’s Corners, DeKalb County, at which place he lived at the time of his death. He was the father of 13 children, 9 of whom survive him. He became a member of the church at the age of 19. ^ 9-4-1879
Bixler Eliza (Beagle) was born in Stafford County, Virginia May 12, 1807 and in 1828 became the wife of Nicholas Bixler. Moved to Indiana in 1836 and died in Avilla at the home of her daughter June 15, 1887. She was the mother of 11 children, 3 of whom survive her. She was a member of the M. E. Church over 40 years. She leaves 3 children, 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral at the M. E. Church on June 17. Burial at the old cemetery. + 6-15-1887 ^ 7-24-1887
Bixler Elizabeth, 78, was the widow of Andrew Bixler who resided many years in Allen Twp but later moved to Steuben County. ^ 3-21-1902 She was born in Marion, Ohio Dec. 22, 1824 and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Nancy Hovarter, at Custer, DeKalb County, March 18. She was the daughter of Elder John and Susannah Stealy and came with her parents and 3 brothers and 6 sisters to Steuben County at the age of 11. She married Andrew Bixler June 24, 1841 and they had 13 children, 7 of whom survive. They are Mrs. Nancy Hovarter of Custer, Mrs. William Smith of Dover, Mich., Mrs. William Gindlesparger of Kendallville, H. O. Bixler of Toledo, and Mrs. E. Shipe, Mrs. John Shore and Sumner Bixler of Angola. She was a member of the Free Baptist Church under the preaching of her father who was then the pioneer preacher of Steuben County. She later joined with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Funeral at Custer M. E. Church March 20. Burial, Fairfield Center. ^ 3-28-1902
Bixler Harriet E, wife of John H. Bixler, died at her home in Albion last week of cerebral apoplexy, aged 38 years 5 months and 14 days. She is survived by a husband and 2 children. ^ 2-2-1906
Bixler Lemuel L, 77, died in his home near Avilla Saturday. Born in this community, he had resided here all his life. He prided himself that he had never missed attending the Noble County Fair from the first one 54 years ago. He is survived by his widow and two daughters, Mrs. Mabel Rawles of Rome City and Mrs. Walter Albertson, near here. Funeral was Tuesday. Burial, Avilla Cemetery. + 12-?-1938
Bixler Myra Bell, 82, native and lifelong resident of Noble County, died August 20, suddenly of a heart attack at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Flossie Albertson. She was born west of Avilla, the daughter of Homer and Helen Goodrich. Her husband, Lynn Bixler, died in 1938. Surviving in addition to Mrs. Albertson are another daughter, Mrs. Lawrence Rawles of Wolcottville; four grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Frances Gappinger of Albion; two nephews; and a niece. Services at Clark Funeral Home Sunday. Burial, Avilla Cemetery. ~ 8-26-1954
Bixler Noah, 75, son of David Bixler, an early settler in this city, died Sunday at his home on E. Grant St. He is survived by 2 sons, one of whom lives in Chicago and the other in this city. Funeral will be at the residence Tuesday. Burial, Lake View. ^ 7-30-1908 He was born in Ohio Sept. 22, 1832; died in Kendallville July 26, aged 75 years 6 months and 26 days. He moved to Kendallville somewhere about 1840. He was married twice, and there was born to the first wife a son and daughter. The son is dead. The daughter is living in Chicago. To the second wife were born 2 sons, Berton and William, both surviving. He leaves one brother residing in Calif. whose son Gilbert accompanied the sons to the burial at Lake View. ^ 8-6-1908
Bixler Olive Georgiana, 5 months and 5 days, only daughter of F. A. and F. E. Bixler, died Oct. 3. ^ 10-10-1877
Bixler Wallace W, 38, formerly of this place, died at his home in Elkhart on May 10, 1887 of pneumonia. He was a native of this place. He was an engineer by occupation. He leaves a wife (Mr. Tish’s daughter) and three sons. The funeral at the M.E. Church was announced for Thursday 10 a.m. but delayed until afternoon to accommodate friends from Elkhart, a large number of whom come on the 2:15 train. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 5-10-1887 ^ 5-20-1887

Noble Notes: There is nothing wrong with having nothing to say, unless you insist on saying it.