Noble County Indiana Library - Whan Collection
For personal use only - May not be copied and published on other websites or hard copy records.

Obituaries - Lat
To Obituaries Index

Lathrop Terry Fullerton of Grant’s Pass Ore. died recently. The daughter of local manufacturer R. E. Fullerton and his wife, Mary, she attended Kendallville High School and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Her husband, Roy E.; one brother, Floyd R.; and one granddaughter preceded her in death. Survivors include one sister, Greta M. of Kendallville; three children, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. + 1-?-1985
Latimer Bessie Mae, 86, died Sept. 28, 1973, at the Whitley County Hospital in Columbia City. She was born Aug. 28, 1887 in Thorncreek Twp, Whitley County to James and Cathryne Smith McClintock. She was married to William Ward Latimer Sept. 5, 1917 at the home of Rev. Spohn in Columbia City. She spent most of her life in Noble County and attended the Christian Chapel on Merriam. Her husband died in Aug. 1968. One son, Olin H.; four brothers and two sisters preceded her in death. Surviving are a sister-in-law, Gennie Mangan of Albion. Last rites at J. A. DeMoney and Son Funeral Home. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 10-?-1973
Latimer John, 83, a farmer of near Merriam, died last Tuesday following an illness of influenza and pneumonia. He was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio on Dec. 4, 1845 to Mr. and Mrs. William Latimer, deceased, who were natives of Virginia. He came to Indiana 55 years ago, two years after his marriage to Martha Ward, which occurred on Dec. 16, 1856. He resided at Churubusco for two years and for 45 years on the farm where he died. Surviving are the widow; children, Mrs. Oliver Eyer, Goshen, W. W. at home, Mrs. Pat Mangan, Noble County; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, William of Hayesvile, O.; and one sister, Mrs. Amanda Thomas of Berea, Ohio. Funeral from the home Thursday. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 1-?-1929
Latta Dorothy, formerly of Kendallville was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, LaGrange. Funeral Monday at Feller Funeral Home, Waterloo. + No date
Latta Ellen M was stillborn Friday at Parkview Hospital. Surviving are her parents, Phillip Jr. and Mary (Cary) Latta of Avilla; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Cary, Avilla, Phillip Latta of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Carolyn Latta of Kendallville; great-grandmother, Marguerite Meyer of Avilla. Graveside services Monday at St. Mary’s Cemetery. ~ 8-13-1987 + 8-7-1987
Latta James T, 76, of Ligonier, former county treasurer and county councilman, died Saturday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Willard Slabaugh in Ligonier. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Slabaugh, and Mrs. James Sullivan of Grosse, Point, Mich.; 11 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; one brother, William of Lafayette; and two sisters in Calif. Funeral Monday at Ligonier U. B. Church. Burial, Ligonier Cemetery. + 4-?-1935
Latta Laura B, 90, 515 Mott St., died Tuesday in McCray Hospital. She was born Feb. 3, 1882 in LaGrange County, the daughter of Robert and Fame Allen. She lived in LaGrange County until 7 years ago. Her husband, George A., died in 1955. She was a member of Mount Zion Lutheran Church, LaGrange. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Glada Dillon, 515 Mott St.; two grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son Bruce in 1960, and 3 sisters and 4 brothers. Funeral Thursday in Berhalter-Preston Mortuary, Kendallville. Burial, Greenwood Cemetery. + 10-?-1972
Latta Mary L, 35, Avilla, died March 10, 2001 at Shepherd of the Hill nursing home, Kendallville. The lifetime resident of Avilla was an artist, an elementary teacher's aide at Avilla and a homemaker. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Avilla. She was born March 26, 1965 in Kendallville to John and Theresa (Meyer) Cary. They survive in Avilla. On April 12, 1986 at St. Mary's Church she married Phillip Latta Jr., who survives with 2 sons, Jonathan and Owen; a sister, Janet Bevis of Charlotte, N.C.; a brother, Tom Cary of Avilla; and a grandmother, Marguerite Meyer of Avilla. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Ellen M., in 1987. Services at Brazzell Funeral Home, Avilla. Burial, St. Mary's Cemetery. + 3-22-2001
Latta Phyllis J, 63, of Kendallville died November 7, 2012, at her home. She was born March 4, 1949, in Kentucky to Ballard and Sola (Tackett) Williams. She was a member of Little Flossie  Baptist Church. Survivors are 5 sons, Clifford and Kathy Hall, of Corunna; Paul Clauson of Fort Wayne; Jamey and Amy Clauson, of Rome City; Jason Clauson of Kendallville; and Clifton and Jessica Gamble, of Corunna. 3 daughters, Imogene and Earl Greer, of Kendallville; Angela Bentley of Fort Wayne; and Tina Clauson of Kentucky; 23 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren; 9 sisters and 5 brothers all from Kentucky including Clinton and Myrna Williams, Edgar and Lorraine Williams, Hank and Kay Williams, Paul and Carlotta Williams, Tracy and Michelle Williams, Patricia Williams, Audrey Stanley, Marie and Dean Daniels, Anna and Alex Atkins, Clara Williams, Palestine Williams, Emogene Music, Misty and Orville Tackett, and Kay and Anthony Greer.  She was preceded in death by a brother, Ballard Williams. Funeral Nov. 10 at Little Flossie Church. Burial, Orange Cemetery. ^ 11-9-2012
Lauder Maude Bause, 52, of Mishawaka, former resident of Cromwell, died Friday at St. Joseph Hospital at Mishawaka. Surviving are her husband, Al; and a sister, Mrs. Bess Clark of Los Angeles. Funeral Monday. Burial, Salem Cemetery near Wilmot. + 10-?-1941
Lauer Charles E, 65, Garrett, died Dec. 4 in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. He was born in Avilla Jan. 16, 1916, the son of Frank and Sethera (Diehm) Lauer. He married Golda Erdly March 24, 1948 in Fort Wayne. A disabled WW II veteran, he was a member of the American Legion. Surviving are his wife; two sisters, Mrs. Ralph (Anna) Keller, Avilla, and a sister in Battle Creek, Mich. Services Monday in McKee-Miles Funeral Home in Garrett. Burial, Lutheran Cemetery. ~ 12-10-1981 + 12-4-1981
Lauer Ford J, 59, Air Force colonel formerly of Wawaka, died Saturday in a veteran’s hospital in Texas. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Dan Lauer and was a graduate of Wawaka High School. Surviving are the widow, Marian; two sisters, Mrs. Enid Lampe and Mrs. Marguerite Mark, Sturgis, Mich.; and a brother, Merle in Fort Wayne. Full military honors at Fort Sam Houston Chapel, San Antonio, on Wednesday. + 7-?-1964
Lauer Frank J, 95, died Wednesday in the Kondas Nursing Home near Albion. A retired construction worker, he was an Avilla resident of Avilla for 60 years and for the past two years resided at the Kondas Nursing Home. He was born October 10, 1870 in Kouts, Ind., and on Feb. 3, 1905 married Sethera Diehm, who died in 1962. He was a member of the Avilla Immanuel Lutheran Church. Surviving are two sons, John, Fort Wayne, Charles, Garrett; two daughters, Mrs. Helen Osborne, Battle Creek, Mich., Mrs. Ralph (Anna) Keller, Avilla; four grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral Friday in L. E. Berhalter Funeral Home, Avilla. Burial, Avilla Lutheran Cemetery. ~ 5-26-1966 + 5-?-1966
Lauer Gary B, 61, of R. 1, Albion, died April 3, 1964 in McCray Hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Noble County and was employed as a salesman at Ben Glaser Motor Sales in Ligonier. He is survived by the widow, Hazel; two brothers, Col. Ford of Austin, Texas, and Merle of Fort Wayne; and two sisters, Mrs. Enid Lampe and Mrs. Margaret Mark of Sturgis, Mich. Funeral Monday at Bonham & Miser Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 4-?-1964
Lauer Hazel N, 87, died today in Kenney Health Care Center, Ligonier. She was born in York Twp, Noble County, Sept. 30, 1902, the daughter of Charles and Leona (Bordner) Peffer. She married Gary Lauer in November 1929. He died in April 1964. She was a retired school teacher in Wawaka and a member of Wawaka United Methodist Church. Surviving are 2 brothers, Charles Peffer of Ligonier and Earle Peffer of Albion. Services Monday in Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 2-2-1990
Lauer John P, 64, of Fort Wayne, died Friday in St. Joseph’s Hospital. A native of Avilla and retired General Electric Co. employee, he was a member of the GE Quarter Century Club and Wayne Lodge 25 F&AM. Survivors include his wife, Catherine; a brother, Charles of Garrett; and two sisters, Mrs. Ralph Keller of Avilla, and Mrs. Grant Osborn of Battle Creek, Mich. Services Aug. 14 at Klaehn Funeral Home. ~ 8-17-1972 + 8-?-1972
Lauer Leeann, 84, died July 7 in her Spencerville residence. She lived in Fort Wayne most of her life. She was born in Jackson, Ky. Her husband, Bernard, died in 1995. Surviving are 2 daughters, Kathy Pilkinton of Spencerville, and Ruth A. Szeman of Angola; 6 sisters, Dorothy Bickle of California, Ky., Opal Landsaw of Fort Wayne, Miranda Hatton of Blue Lake, Betty Staufer of Spencerville, Viola Murry of Garrett, and Opsy Terry of Auburn; 4 brothers, Carl, Ben and Orpheus Hatton of LaOtto, and George Hatton of Fort Wayne; 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Funeral Thursday at C. M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Home, Fort Wayne. Burial, Lindenwood Cemetery. ~ 7-10-1997
Lauer Marian (Talbot), widow of Col. Ford J. Lauer, former Noble County resident, died in Sequin, Texas, where she had made her home since the death of her husband in 1964. Funeral was Thursday and burial was in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio. She is survived by four sons, Hugh Talbot Lauer, Twin Falls, Idaho, Ford, New Brawnfels, Texas, Stephen, stationed with the U. S. Navy in Hawaii, and Richard, Santa Maria, Calif.; 7 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mrs. Kyrel Mark and Mrs. Richard Lampe, Sturgis, Mich., are sisters-in-law of the deceased. + 1-?-1973
Lauer Ruth M, 93, died March 31, 1992 in Kendallville Manor Healthcare Center. She was born in Orange Twp, Noble County, on July 29, 1898 to John and Emma (Strater) Rhea. In 1920 she married Merle Lauer. He died in 1965. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Jack (Glema) Resler of Wawaka; a son, Doyle of Phoenix, Ariz.; 4 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. A brother, Rolland Rhea, preceded her in death. Funeral Friday in Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 3-31-1992
Lauer Sethera, 78, Avilla, died Saturday at her home. She was born Aug. 20, 1883, a daughter of John and Mary Gienger Diehm, R. 1, Avilla. She was married to Frank Lauer 56 years ago. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church where she was a charter member of its Ladies Aid. Surviving in addition to the husband are two daughters, Mrs. Helen Starner, Battle Creek, Mich., and Mrs. Anna Keller, Avilla; two sons, John, Fort Wayne, and Charles, Garrett; five brothers and sisters, Miss Anna Diehm and Albert, Oscar, Edwin and John Diehm, all of Avilla; four granddaughters and nine great-grandchildren. The body was taken to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church for services Tuesday. Burial, Lutheran Cemetery. ~ 7-26-1962
Lauer Thella Mae, 65, died at her home in Cosperville Aug. 17. She was born in Sparta Twp and her first husband, John Zimmerman, preceded her in death, after which she married Dan A. Lauer. Surviving are the husband; two daughters; and one son. Funeral Wednesday at Cosperville Baptist Church. Burial, Cosperville Cemetery. + 8-?-1942 She was born Nov. 8, 1876. Surviving are the daughters, Mr. Harry Growcock and Mrs. Carl Growcock; one son, Harold Zimmerman of Elkhart. Ligonier Leader 8-20-1942 Contributed by Judy Richter
Laughlin Joseph Alton, 85, of Kendallville, died Monday in Kendallville Manor Health Care. Born in Rush County Feb. 23, 1904, he was the son of John and Ida (Barnes) Laughlin. On June 20, 1934 in Newport, Ky., he married Wilma Delight Laymon. He moved to Kendallville in 1942 from Rush County and was a farmer. Surviving are his wife; two sons, Jack of Fort Wayne, and Jerry of Kendallville; three sisters, Catherine Hood of Connersville, Pauline Whitcomb of Shelbyville, and Helen Martin of Huntsville, Ala.; a brother, Howard of Richmond; and two grandchildren, Jason and Nicole Laughlin of Fort Wayne. Six brothers and four sisters preceded him in death. Services Thursday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home, Kendallville. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 12-25-1989
Laughlin Nellie (Mann) died Saturday in Goshen Hospital. A native and lifetime resident of Syracuse, she was born March 20, 1902. She and Blair Laughlin were married in 1946. She was a member of the Methodist Church and a former member of the BPW. She had been in the employ of the Thornburg Drug Co. for 40 years. Survivors include the husband; a son serving in the U. S. Navy in Brunswick. Me.; a sister, Mrs. George Hire of Syracuse. A brother preceded her in death. Funeral Wednesday in Harris Funeral Home in Syracuse. Burial, Syracuse Cemetery. + 3-?-1965
Laughlin Wilma D, 100, died Dec. 2, 2005 at Shepherd of the Hill nursing home. She was a teacher, born Dec. 21, 1904 in Kendallville to Burton and Sara (Warner) Layman. She graduated from Kendallville High School in 1922 and graduated from Indiana University in 1926. She taught and coached at several schools, retiring from East Noble High School in 1970. She married Joseph Alton Laughlin on June 20, 1933 in Ky. He died Dec. 25, 1989. Surviving are 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Jack and Luci Laughlin of Fort Wayne and Jerry and Kathy Laughlin of Kendallville; 2 grandchildren, Jason Laughlin and Nikki Farmer and her husband, Steven of Louisville, Ky.; and 3 great-grandchildren, Collin, Travis and Lilly Farmer. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Donald Layman. Services Tuesday at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Orange Cemetery. ^ 12-3-2005
Laughman Onan H, 85, died Thursday in his daughter's home in Fort Wayne. A Garrett native, he worked for B&O Railroad for 10 years before transferring to International Harvester in Fort Wayne, where he retired in 1967 after 34 years. He also operated Laughman Fire & Safety Equipment Co. 1959-1987. Surviving are his wife, Opal; a daughter, Tahoma Jean Hutson of Fort Wayne; a half-sister, Arlene Eley of Auburn; 2 stepsisters; a stepbrother; 4 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Services Sunday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home of Columbia City. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 5-21-1992
Laughman Opal D, 56, died Friday at Parkview Hospital. She was born Aug. 21, 1908 in Walnut Twp, Marshall County, the daughter of Dallas and Iva May Coplin Fletcher. She was employed at Slusser's Ice Cream Co. and later the Red Motor Co. in Plymouth. She married Onan H. Laughman on Jan. 1, 1929. He died May 21, 1992. She was a member of Merriam Christian Chapel, OES and helped organize the Women's Auxiliary of the Thorncreek Twp Fire Dept. Surviving are a daughter, Tahoma Jean Krill, Fort Wayne; 4 grandchildren, Leonard, Darlene and Melissa Hutson; and 9 great-grandchildren. A brother and a sister preceded her in death. Funeral Monday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 3-17-1995
Launer Herbert, 67, died at his home in Edwardsburg, Michigan Saturday. Surviving are his widow, Izora; a brother, Harvey of South Bend; and two sisters, Mrs. Lulu Werker of Kimmell and Mrs. Grace Green, Ligonier. Funeral in Elkhart Monday. + 8-?-1960
Lavenburg Grace Owen was born at Otsego, Mich. on March 6, 1873. She died at Kendallville on March 3, 1894. + 3-3-1894 ^ 3-9-1894
Lavering William Mrs., 74, died from complications at the farm home near the Noble-Elkhart County Line. The husband survives. Funeral at the family home Friday. + 11-?-1933
Law Charles of Orange Twp was born in New Haven, Conn. July 27, 1817 and in 1839 came to Noble County where he spent the remainder of his useful life. November 11, 1841 he married Lucy Shears, a daughter of Deacon Shears, one of the first settlers of Orange Twp and who settled there in 1836. She is still living. He was the father of 6 daughters, 3 still living. Two reside in Norwalk, Ohio, and one in Englewood, Ill. From 1860 to 1869 he was one of the commissioners of this county. About 2 years before his death he was stricken with paralysis from which he never recovered. Several months ago he went to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Myers. He died May 18, 1892. Noble Co Democrat 6-29-1892
Law David was born in New Haven, Conn., Jan. 15, 1813 and died at Northport, March 20, 1881. When quite young he moved with his parents to Summit County, Ohio, where he spent five years learning the trade of carpenter. He married Sarah Root in 1834 and in 1836 they moved to Noble County, settling in Swan Twp. His wife died a short time later and in Jan. 1841 he married Lucretia Shears, a daughter of Deacon Shears who lived west of Northport near the old Herriman farm. His second wife died in 1859 and in 1861 he married Melvina Wright, who is still living. He had six children by these marriages. He held the office of justice of the peace in Orange Twp for 24 consecutive years. + 3-?-1881 > 3-24-1881 ^ 6-9-1881
Law Leo E, 85, of Wolcottville, died Monday at 519 E. Spring St., LaGrange. He was born July 18, 1898 in Wolcottville to Edgar and Alice (Dunsmith) Law. A member of the Wolcottville Masonic Ionic Lodge 380, Scottish Rite and Mizpah Shrine of Fort Wayne, he was a charter member of LaGrange County Shrine. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. One sister preceded him in death. Services Wednesday at Hutchins Armes Funeral Home, Wolcottville. Burial, Woodland Cemetery. + 12-19-1983
Law Lucy (Shears), widow of Charles Law, was born in New York in 1822; settled in 1837; died July 9, 1896; aged 73 years, 10 months and 6 days. + Clippings book. She was born in Milton, Saratoga County, New York Sept. 3, 1822. In 1826 they moved to western New York on what was called the Indian Reservation. When 14 she united with the Baptist Church. Her parents moved to Noble County in 1837. She married Charles Law Nov. 11, 1841 and moved to Swan Twp. They purchased a farm in Orange Twp, Noble County, where they resided until 1892 when on account of their failing health they rented their farm and lived with their children in Norwalk, O. and Chicago. Mr. Law died May 18, 1892; his wife following July 9, aged 73 years 10 months and 6 days. She leaves 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 2 brothers. Funeral was at the Baptist Church July 12 of which she was a member 58 years. She was laid beside her husband in the cemetery at Wolcottville July 12. ^ 7-17 & 24-1896
Lawbaugh Esther, 67, of Hammond, Ind., died at St. Margaret’s Hospital on April 15. She was born on Nov. 17, 1909 in Noble County and was married to Ernest Lawbaugh on June 2, 1929. Surviving are her husband; three sisters, Mrs. Orris Kalb, Bloomington, Mrs. Harold Voreis, Highland, and Mrs. Alvin Wilkinson, Cromwell; two brothers, Norman Rathke of Kimmell and Omar Rathke of Kendallville. Funeral April 18 in Fagen-Miller Funeral Home in Highland, Ind. Burial Chapel Hill Cemetery, Schererville, Ind. + 4-15-1977
Lawrence Caroline Mathias, 77, wife of David Lawrence who died on July 23, 1911, died Friday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Carl Buckles west of Wolf Lake. Death was caused from carcinoma. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Buckles and Mrs. Otis Nolton, Allen County; several grandchildren, brothers and sisters. She was a lifelong member of Methodist Episcopal Church at Munson Chapel in Allen County where funeral was held Monday. + 10-?-1929
Lawrence Richard W, 78, died Jan. 20, 2003 at Mariner Health of Belleair in Clearwater, Fla. He was a veteran of WW II, serving in the U.S. Army. He was former owner of Kendallville Fertilizer Co. from 1955 until retirement in 1988. He was a member of American Legion Post 86. He was born in Chesterfield, Ohio on March 18, 1924 to Kenneth and Elva (Croninger) Lawrence. He married Mary Quillet June 28, 1944 in Wauseon, Ohio. Surviving are his wife; 3 sons and daughters and sons-in-law, Perry and Diana, Gene and Janine and Marlin and Leslie Lawrence of Kendallville; 5 granddaughters, Lori, Amy and Janelle Lawrence, Lisa Wilson and Emily Gossett; 2 grandsons, Jordan and Scott Lawrence; 2 great-grandchildren, Samuel and Sarah Lawrence; one brother, Harlen of Wauseon, Ohio; and one sister, Leona Sherer of Waterville, Ohio. Services Saturday at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Orange Cemetery. ^ 1-23-2003
Lawrence Roy C, 93, a resident of The Lamplighter, died Tuesday at McCray Hospital. Born in Auburn Jan. 25, 1890, he married Eva Peigh on Jan. 25, 1955. She survives. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Hamilton Lake and was retired from General Electric, Fort Wayne. Preceding him in death were one brother and one sister. Funeral will be at Hite Funeral Home Friday. Burial, Roanoke Cemetery. + 3-1-1983
LaRowe Claude, 101, of LaOtto died Dec. 23, 2010, at Provena Sacred Heart Home in Avilla. He was a lifetime farmer. He was also a trim setter at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Company. He was the last surviving employee of the company. He was a member of the Huntertown Masonic Lodge and the Noble County Shrine Club. He was born May 2, 1909, in Greentown, to Frederick and Artitia (Warnock) LaRowe. He married Alvada Brown on April 19, 1930, in Auburn. She died Jan. 15, 2000. Surviving are three daughters and a son, Mary Jane Hamilton-Merritt of Connecticut, Shirley Chastain of Elkhart, James LaRowe of LaOtto, and Barbara LaRowe of Arvada, Colo.; six grandchildren, Charles Chastain, Harold Chastain, Curtis LaRowe, Kimberly Mishler, Daniel LaRowe, and Schuyler Fuller Merritt; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Merle Brown, and four brothers, Bill, Harold, Delbert and Clyde LaRowe. Services Dec. 28, 2010 at Feller & Clark Funeral Home, Auburn. Burial Woodlawn Cemetery, Auburn. ^ 12-26-2010
Lawshe James E, 81, R. 1, North Webster, died last Wednesday in Huntington. Born July 13, 1884, he was the son of Thomas and Amanda Daniels Lawshe. He was married Mar. 2, 1904 to Mary Miller. A minister of the Methodist Church, he served congregations at Avilla, Pierceton, Swayzee, Churubusco, Liberty Center and Sweetser. He was a Mason. Surviving in addition to the widow are two daughters, Miss Dortha of Avilla, and Mrs. Edward (Vera) Ninde, of Columbus, Ohio; two sons, Merlin, Wadsworth, Ohio, and Rev. Ernest of Huntington. A son, Wilson, preceded him in death. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral Saturday in North Webster. Burial, Avilla Cemetery. ~ 2-10-1966 + 2-?-1966
Lawshe Mary Mae, 82, of North Webster, mother of Miss Dortha Lawshe, Avilla, and widow of Rev. James Lawshe, former pastor of the Avilla Methodist Church, died last Friday in the Methodist Memorial Home at Warren. Surviving in addition to the daughter are another daughter, Mrs. G. E. Ninde, Columbus, Ohio; two sons, Dr. Ernest, Huntington, and Merlin, Wadsworth, Ohio; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one sister. Final rites Monday. Burial, Avilla Cemetery. ~ 3-24-1966 + 3-?-1966
Lawshe Wilson, 50, of Warsaw, was killed Saturday in Kosciusko County in a truck-train collision. A former Avilla resident when his father was pastor of the local Methodist Church, he apparently drove his truck onto the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks about one mile west of Atwood when the brakes failed. It was struck by an eastbound passenger train traveling 80 miles per hour, caught fire and burned. Born in Bemidji, Minn. on April 15, 1915, he was the son of Rev. and Mrs. James Lawshe, now residing in North Webster. He was married April 2, 1942 to Dixie Dykes. Also surviving are his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Thomas (Beverly) Foulkrod, Cedarville, Ohio; a son, Dewey, Warsaw; two brothers, Rev. Ernest Lawshe, Huntington, and Merlin of Ludsworth, Ohio; and two sisters, Mrs. Edwin (Vera) Nine of Columbus, Ohio, and Dortha, Avilla. Funeral Monday. + 9-?-1965
Lawson Clarence "Woody", 66 died Wednesday in V.A. Medical Center in Reno, Nev. He was born Feb. 26, 1927 in Frenchburg, Ky., to Alvin and Mattie Belle (Hampton) Lawson. He married Laverne McKenna who died in 1968. He then married Patricia Thomas. He had lived in Ligonier prior to moving to Calif. in 1971 and had lived in Nev. since 1990. He was a machinist and operated Woody's Auto Repair in Ligonier and worked for Southern Pacific Railroad. He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. Surviving are his wife; 2 sons, Owen Lawson of Sparks and Richard Bickel of Arcata, Calif.; 2 daughters, Cindy Watson and Terri Massie of Sparks; a daughter-in-law, Diana (Todd) Lawson, formerly of Albion; 3 brothers, Oscar and Glen of Goshen and Marple of Seymour; 3 sisters, Gertie Mehl, Esther Blanchard and Irene Lengacher of Ligonier; 7 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Funeral Tuesday in Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 2-2-1994
Lawson Claude, 75, died Tuesday at his Fort Wayne residence. He was born Sept. 10, 1913 in Korea, Ky., and had been a minister and bishop in the First Pentecostal Church 1946-86. He retired in 1986. He served the Sweet Pentecostal Church in Albion 1943-46. Surviving are his wife, the former Dora A. Halsey; three daughters, Phyllis J. Weber of Bradenton, Fla., Carolyn I. Whitman and Nancy L. Cornett, Fort Wayne; a son, James C. Jr. of Fort Wayne; two sisters, Ella Werich of Waterloo, and Harriet Bowlby of Harlingen, Texas; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Services Friday in First Pentecostal Church, Fort Wayne. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 5-9-1989
Lawson Donita J, 41, of Fernadino Beach, Fl, died Oct. 4, 2010 in Fernadino Beach. She was born Aug. 16, 1969 in Fort Wayne to Donald and Delores (Winebrenner) Heingartner. Surviving are her father and stepmother of Albion; her mother and stepfather of Missouri; 2 sisters and a brother-in-law, Anita Plummer of Albion and Lori and Trevor Rice of Kimmell; a brother, Paul Plummer of Indianapolis; her grandmother, Evelyn Winebrenner of Columbia City. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, George and Geraldine (Beck) Heingartner and Merritt Winebrenner. Funeral Oct. 9 at Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. ^ 10-8-2010
Lawson Dorothy H, 77, Ligonier, died Friday at Goshen Hospital of a heart ailment. She was born July 29, 1904 in Wawaka, the daughter of Fred and Mary (Johnson) Zimmerman, and was a lifelong resident of Noble County. Her husband, Fred, died in 1972. She was a member of the Lighthouse Tabernacle at Kimmell. Surviving are four sons, Dwight of Houston, Tex., Wayne of Charleston, S.C., Fred of Indianapolis, and Kenneth of Churubusco; a daughter, Mrs. Carson (Barbara) Slone, Ligonier; 21 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Violet Mohr of Delta, Ohio. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mrs. Anna Mae McEvoy. Services Monday at Ulrey Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 4-23-1982
Lawson Dwight L, 74, died Jan. 20, 2002 at Applewood Health & Rehab in Fort Wayne. Born in Noble County, he had been employed as a government welder, retiring in 1987. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II. Surviving are 2 sons, Steve of Albion and John of Hagerstown; 2 daughters, Kathy Krider of Kimmell and Angie Lawson of Fort Wayne; 2 brothers, Kenny of Churubusco and Fred of Hobe Sound, Fla.; a sister, Barbara Slone of Ligonier; 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Services Wednesday at Tom Mungovan Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. ^ 1-21-2002
Lawson Eugene, 57, died Monday at his home in Swan. He was born in Copeland, Ky., and had lived most of his life in Fort Wayne. He was retired in 1986 as a road construction worker and was a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean Conflict. Surviving are his wife, Hazel; his father, Dennie of Fort Wayne; a daughter, Louan of Swan; a son, Ronald of Kendallville; two brothers, Samuel and Floyd of Fort Wayne; and 3 grandchildren. Services Thursday in Third Street Church of God. Burial, Lindenwood Cemetery. + 11-?-1988
Lawson Freda, 53,died Nov. 6, 2002 at her home. She was born Sept. 24, 1949 in Garrett, Ky. to Curtis and Martha (Coburn) Sells. She married Bill Lawson on Jan. 3, 1990 in Albion. Surviving are her husband; her mother of Kendallville; a daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Darell Ramey of Garrett; 3 brothers, Bill Mosley and Norman Sells of Kendallville and Herman Sells of Rome City; 5 sisters, Velma Thompson of Corpus Christi, Tex., Alice Hall of Georgetown, Ky., Zeda Hoover and Myrie Trueblood of Kendallville, and Lucretta Duncan of Hueysville, Ky.; and 2 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Marvin Sells. Services Saturday at Mt. Calvary United Baptist Church in Stroh. Burial, Orange Cemetery. ^ 11-7-2002
Lawson French Dorsey, 70, R. 1, died Sunday in Goshen Hospital. He was born Dec. 14, 1901 in Merribley, Ky to Richard and Nancy (Lawson) Lawson and resided here most of his life. His former wife is Dorothy Zimmerman Lawson of Ligonier. He is survived by four sons, Dwight, Albion, Wayne, Charleston, S.C., Fred, Goshen, and Kenneth, Churubusco; two daughters, Mrs. Annamae McEvoy, Rochester, and Mrs. Barbara Slone, Ligonier; four sisters, Mrs. Ella Warrick, Waterloo, Mrs. Harriet Bowdly, Elkhart, Mrs. Audrey Koleman, Bushnell, Fla., and Mrs. Emma Gilley, Middletown, Ohio; a brother, Claude, Fort Wayne; and 21 grandchildren. Funeral Tuesday in Ulrey Funeral Home, Ligonier. + 11-?-1972
Lawson Gloria D, 25, R. 4, Albion, died Nov. 26 in Parkview Hospital. She was born Sept. 18, 1950, the daughter of Dwight and Joan (Schlotterback) Lawson. She is survived by her mother and her father, a sister, Mrs. Jack (Kathy) Applegate; three brothers, Steve, Tony and John, all at home; a niece, Elizabeth Applegate; and her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Schlotterback, and Mrs. Dorothy Lawson. A brother, Kim preceded her in death Oct 22. Services Friday at Sheets Funeral Home, Churubusco. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. ~ 12-4-1975
Lawson Jerry O, 60, former Ligonier resident, died Saturday at Sacramento, Calif. Surviving are his widow, Mary; three sons, Stanley of Kendallville, and Larry and Mark of Sacramento; three daughters, Mrs. Charlene Murphy and Mrs. Nancy Tepin of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Anna Mae Askren of Kendallville; his mother, Mrs. Mattie Lawson of Ligonier; five brothers, Oscar and Glen of Goshen, Paul of Chicago, Marple of Courtland, Ind., and Clarence E. of Rio Linda, Calif.; and three sisters, Mrs. Gertie Mehl, Mrs. Irene Lengacher and Mrs. Esther Blanchard, all of Ligonier. + 2-?-1972
Lawson Jessica Rose, 4-year old daughter of Kathleen Gebhart and Steven R. Lawson of rural Kendallville, died Dec. 7 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. Surviving are her parents; a brother Ryan Lawson of New Haven; grandparents, Ed and Goldie Gebhart of Albion and Fred and Shirley Russell of Clearwater, Fla.; 4 aunts, Laura Gebhart and Mrs. Todd (Deb) Gross of Churubusco, Helen Gebhart of Albion and Michelle Gustin of Onawa, Iowa; and an uncle, George Gebhart of Albion. Mass and burial at Ege. ~ 12-11-1997
Lawson Joyce B, 68, died Sunday at McCray Hospital. The daughter of Asberry and Della (Richardson) Smith, she was born May 15, 1921 in Korea, Ky. She married C. Glen Lawson on Oct. 21, 1937 at Wolf Lake. They moved to Goshen from Chicago, Ill., in 1971. She worked for Northern Indiana Brass Co., Goshen Division, for 10 years before retiring in 1986. Surviving are her husband; two daughters, Bonnie Eysol, and Charlotte Lynch of Goshen; a son, Charles G. Jr. of South Bend; two sisters; Mrs. Lyle (Thelma) Hoffman and Mrs. Oscar (Artie) Lawson of Goshen; 4 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. Services Wednesday at Rieth-Rohrer & Ehret Funeral Home of Goshen. Burial, Violett Cemetery. + 12-17-1989
Lawson Karen, 55, of Wabash, died February 6, 2000 in Wabash County Hospital. She was born in Huntington to Robert E. and Mary L. (Polk) Davenport. Her parents survive in Wabash. A homemaker, she had lived in Kendallville. She attended Christ United Methodist Church in Wabash. Also surviving are 2 sons and a daughter-in-law, Robert E. and April Lawson of Kendallville, and Scott S. Lawson (they are the sons of Stan Lawson of Avilla); 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael and Rebecca Davenport of Wabash, and David and Melanie Davenport of Fort Wayne; and 2 grandchildren, Alexander and Ariel Lawson of Kendallville. Memorial services in Christ United Methodist Church in Wabash. ~ 2-24-2000
Lawson Kim L, 19, R. 4, Albion, died Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Fort Wayne. He was born April 19, 1956 to Dwight and Joann (Schlotterback) Lawson. A 1974 graduate of Central Noble High School, he was a freshman at Vincennes University. He was employed at the Valley Advance newspaper in Vincennes and had worked summers at Dana Corp. in Churubusco. He was a member of Merriam Christian Chapel. Surviving are his parents; three brothers, Steve, Tony and John at home; one sister, Mrs. Jack (Kathy) Applegate; his grandparents, Mrs. Dorothy Lawson, Ligonier, and Mr. and Mrs. Ira Schlotterback. Services at Merriam Christian Chapel Saturday. + 10-?-1975
Lawson Laverne M, 35, Ligonier, died at Goshen Hospital Friday of a blood clot following recent surgery. Born July 22, 1932 at Bayside, L.I., N.Y., the daughter of William and Marie (Hicks) McKenna, she had resided in Ligonier the past six years, moving from Chicago. She was married Nov. 10, 1952 to Clarence (Woody) Lawson. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ligonier, and of the Civil Defense Auxiliary. Surviving are her husband; her mother; a son, Owen J. 8; a daughter, Cynthia 11; 5 brothers, Larry, Cromwell, Richard, Pattenburg, N.J., and Eugene, William and Dennis, all of Long Island. Services Monday in St. Patrick’s Church. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 1-?-1968
Lawson Leroy, 85, of Churubusco, died June 2, 2011, at his home. He was born in Wolf Lake on May 11, 1926, a son of Homer and Blanche (Reed) Lawson. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He married Ruth L. Schroeder on December 26, 1947. He retired in 1988 as a construction foreman for Hagerman Construction. He was a member of American Legion Post 97 in Auburn and the Churubusco Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Turtle Post 3846,and was proud to be a part of the Cherokee Nation Northern Tsalagi tribe in West Virginia. His first wife died October 1, 1981. On November 13, 1983, he married Betty J. (Walker) McClure. Surviving are his wife; his children, Corrine Caulfield of Sarasota, Fla., Roy Lee (Cheri) Lawson of Auburn, Betty (Bill) Bridge of Kendallville, Gale (Michael) Kissinger of West, Texas, Joan (Creager) Smith of Fort Wayne, and Jay (Deb) Lawson of Kalamazoo, Mich; eight stepchildren; and a sister Geneva Wagner of Kendallville; 30 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Forrest Lawson; a sister, Odra Bailey; and by 2 grandsons, Jeremy Ray Hoffman and Jeffery Everage. Funeral June 6 at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco. Burial, Eel River Cemetery. ^ 6-3-2011
Lawson Mattie, 89, died Saturday at Fountainview Nursing Home, Goshen. Born June 8, 1892 in Menifee County, Ky., she was the daughter of Isaac and Loueica (Bach) Hampton. She married Alvin A. Lawson on April 20, 1909 in Middletown, Ohio. He died in 1953. She was a 53-year resident of the Ligonier and Kimmell communities and was a member of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church. Survivors include 3 daughters, Mrs. David (Gertie) Mehl, Mrs. Vern (Irene) Lengacher, and Mrs. Henry (Esther) Blanchard, all Ligonier; 5 sons, Rev. Oscar and Glenn of Goshen, Paul, Rock River, Wyo., Rev. Marple, Butler, and Clarence, Sacramento, Calif.; a half-brother; two half-sisters; a stepsister; 23 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren. A daughter and three sons preceded her in death. Funeral Tuesday at Sparta United Church of Christ, Kimmell. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 10-31-1981
Lawson Michael A Jr, 28, of Kimmell, died Sept. 23, 2006 at his home. He had worked in maintenance at Tenneco in Ligonier. He was born Feb. 2, 1978 in Columbia City to Michael and Vicky (VanMeter) Lawson. Surviving are his parents; a son, Dylan; 3 daughters, Destiny, Desiree and Diamond; and a grandmother, Betty Lawson of Big Lake. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, David Lawson and Mel and Martha Ottenburg. Services Wednesday at J.A. Brazzell-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. ^ 9-25-2006
Lawson Nancy, 59, of near Broadway, died Friday. She is survived by her husband, R. D. Lawson; 5 daughters, Mrs. Elda Weirick of Kendallville, Mrs. Cyril Coleman of Avilla, Mrs. James Bolby of Elkhart, Mrs. J. C. Lee of near Kimmell, and Mrs. Ray Gordon of Ligonier; 3 sons, Claude and Arley of Kimmell and French at home; 4 brothers and 2 sisters, Mrs. Charles Igoe of Wellington, Ky., Mrs. Fred Alberts of Dayton, Ohio, J. L. Lawson of Germantown, Ohio, Al Lawson of Cincinnati, Henry of West Va., and Alvin of Payne, Ohio; 24 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Funeral at Sparta Christian Church Monday. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. * 1938
Lawson Nancy Ann, 75, died at her Fort Wayne home July 11. A native of Saldee, Ky., she had lived most of her life in Fort Wayne. She retired in 1980 after 14 years with Wayne Asphalt. Surviving are her husband, Dennie; three sons, Eugene of LaOtto, and Samuel and Floyd of Fort Wayne; four sisters; one brother; and 7 grandchildren. Services Thursday in Third St. Church of God. Burial, Lindenwood Cemetery. ~ 7-19-1988 + 7-10-1988
Lawson Nora C, 101, widow of Dr. I. H. Lawson and former Kendallville resident, died today at the Town House Health Care Center in Fort Wayne. She was born in Spencer, Mass. Sept. 30, 1881 to Joseph Emmett and Tressa (Cambell) Leahy. On Dec. 4, 1915 she married Dr. Lawson, who died July 17, 1966. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kendallville. In the 1930’s Dr. and Mrs. Lawson purchased a 300-acre area known then as the Whitford woods. Following his death, she put the area into the custodial care of ACRES Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving natural areas in northeastern Indiana. On May 2, 25 acres of the land was formally dedicated "Spirit of the Woods" - Lonidaw Nature Preserve, as a state natural preserve. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Katherine, in 1942; one brother and two sisters. Services Thursday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 10-19-1982
Lawson Patricia J, 59, died Oct. 25, 2000 in Reno, Nev. She was born Oct. 7, 1941 in Hickman, Ky., to Nolan and Bessie (Stutzman) Thomas. She married Alvin Lengacher Feb. 22, 1963. He died in 1967. She married Clarence "Woody" Lawson on March 20, 1968. He died in 1994. She had been employed at Raley's supermarket in Reno and was a member of the Lions Club. Surviving are 2 sons and one daughter-in-law, Richard Bickel of McKinleyville, Calif., and Owen and Diane Lawson of Reno; one daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and George Blackbern of Reno; and 7 grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by one sister, Carolyn. Services Tuesday at Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 10-28-2000
Lawson Paul T, 69, of Hanna, Wyo., died Sunday at his residence. He was born Oct. 24, 1919 in Middletown, Ohio, the son of Alvin and Mattie (Hampton) Lawson. He had resided in Ligonier until moving to Wyoming in 1974. He was a semi driver for Eastern Freight Lines. His wife, the former Neva Mae Yoder, preceded him in death. Surviving are two daughters, Sharon Lee Emerick of Texas, and Kathy Peterson of Waldron, Colo.; three sons, Paul Jr. of Texas, Verna A. and Tony of Rollins, Wyo.; three sisters, Irene Lengacher, Gertie Mehl and Esther Blanchard of Ligonier; four brothers, Oscar and Glen of Goshen, Woody of Sacramento, Calif., and Marple of South Bend; and 4 grandchildren. A son, Steve; a brother and two sisters preceded him in death. Services in Stryker Funeral Home, Laramie, Wyo., with burial in Laramie. + 2-10-1989
Lawson Rodger W was killed Nov. 21 in South Vietnam from fragments of an artillery round. The fourth Noble County youth to be killed in Vietnam, he had been in the fighting 13 months and a soldier for the past six years. Born April 2, 1937 in Kimmell, he spent his boyhood in Cromwell. He married Sharon Byrd Oct. 17, 1958 and joined the service in 1960. His survivors include the widow; a son, Kirby Ray 7; a daughter, Karen Sue 3; his parents, Mrs. Dorothy Lawson and French Lawson, Ligonier; four brothers, Dwight, Albion, Fred, Goshen, Wayne, Charleston, S.C., and Kenneth, Fort Wayne; and two sisters, Mrs. James McEvoy, Marion, and Mrs. Carson Slone, Ligonier. Funeral Tuesday from Ulrey-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Ligonier. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 11-21-1966
Lawson Steven Paul, 30, died Saturday at the Fort Wayne State School Hospital. He had been a resident there 22 years. Born Aug. 11, 1943 in Wolf Lake, he was the son of Paul T. Lawson, Sauk Village, Ill., and Mrs. Betty (Grimes) Reed, Cromwell. Surviving are two sisters, Kathy at home, and Mrs. David (Sharon) Emrick, Garrett; three brothers, Paul Jr., Vern and Anthony all at home; grandmothers, Mrs. Juanita Grimes, Cromwell, and Mrs. Mattie Lawson, Ligonier. Funeral Tuesday in Ulrey Funeral Home, Ligonier. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 1-?-1974
Lawson Susan K, 64, of Sherwood, Ohio, died Aug. 5, 2008 at the Community Health Partners Inpatient Hospice of Defiance. She had worked at Red Angel Pizza in Sherwood, Pizza Hut in Bryan and at Joyce & Sue's Pizza which she owned. She attended Sunrise Community Church in Ney, Ohio. She was born Sept. 25, 1943 in Kendallville to Kenneth and Caroline (Parker) Brady. She married Jimmie L. Lawson on Sept. 26, 1964 in Kendallville. Surviving are her husband; 3 daughters and sons-in-law, Lori and Scott Leichty of Sherwood, Melissa and Richard Burns of Mark Center and Kathy and David Pessefall of Sherwood; 7 grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Sherry Brady of Kendallville; 4 sisters and 3 brothers-in-law, Marge Caldwell of LaGrange, Nancy and Scott Becker and Sandy and Jack Cogan and Diane and Bob Sturgis of Kendallville. She was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Richard and Danny Brady. Services Saturday at Sunrise Community Church. Burial, Sherwood Cemetery. ^ 8-6-2008
Lawson Tony A, 25, Hagerstown, died Nov. 6 at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. He was born March 7, 1960 in Noble County the son of Joann Weber of Hagerstown and Dwight L. Lawson of Fort Wayne. He was employed as a mechanic at Peterbilt Truck Sales in Indianapolis. Surviving with his parents and stepfather, Vaughn Weber, are one sister, Kathy Krider, Kimmell; two brothers, Steve R., Albion, and John A., Hagerstown; his maternal step-grandmother, Lila Schlotterback, Columbia City. One brother and one sister preceded him in death. Graveside services Saturday at Christian Chapel Cemetery. ~ 11-14-1985 + 11-6-1985
Laycox Deborah died Sunday from bowel trouble with complications at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. L. Dole, aged 76 years, 5 months and 19 days. She was the last of a family of 7 children. She was born near Chesterfield, Morrow County, Ohio, Feb. 27, 1832. Here she grew to womanhood and on June 18, 1850 married Joseph Laycox. They had 2 sons and a daughter, Orland B., who died in infancy; Ora S., now Mrs. E. L. Dole; Herbert D. of Kansas City, Mo. Her husband was a soldier of the Civil War and died Aug. 20, 1864 at Fort Williams, near Washington D.C. Funeral will take place from the house Tuesday. The remains will be taken on the Pennsylvania train to Mt. Gilead for interment beside her husband in the family lot in Mt. Gilead Cemetery. > 9-16-1908
Layman Burton, 102, died at Sacred Heart Home May 5. He was born in 1875 at Rome City to William and Phoebe (Shoup) Layman. He married Sadie S. Warner in Wolcottville Oct. 8, 1898. She died April 15, 1969 after nearly 70 years of marriage. He had been a Noble County resident all his life with the exception of a few years when he worked at Studebaker plant in South Bend. He worked for McCray Refrigeration, had been a farmer and had owned a sheet metal business. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Joseph (Wilma) Laughlin, R. 3, Kendallville; one son, Donald C., Decatur, Mich.; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Three brothers, one sister and three half-sisters preceded him in death. Services May 7 in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home, Kendallville. Burial, Orange Cemetery. ~ 5-12-1977 + 5-?-1977
Layman Donald C, 83, of Decatur, Mich., died Thursday. He was born in Kendallville June 13, 1901 to Burton and Sadie (Warner) Layman. He married Mary Hauserman Nov. 29, 1928 in Chicago. Surviving are his wife; 2 daughters, Mrs. James (Joanne) Laughlin and Mrs. Thomas (Sara) Ryan of Kansas City, Mo.; one sister, Mrs. Joseph (Wilma) Laughlin of R. 3, Kendallville; and 10 grandchildren. One daughter preceded him in death. Services Monday in Decatur Catholic Church, Decatur, Mich. + 3-21-1985
Layman Earl L, 94, died June 24, 2002 at Lutheran Home in Fort Wayne. Before retiring in 1976, he worked at Lincoln National Bank for 6 years and as a rural mail carrier for 41 years. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. He was born Dec. 23, 1907 in Kendallville to Ernest E. and Lalah M. (Forker) Layman. He married Hilda A. Berkes on June 11, 1931. Surviving are his wife; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Vickie Layman of Fort Wayne; a daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Stan Williams of Fort Wayne; 6 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ellen Lash of Avilla. Services Saturday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne. Burial Concordia Gardens. ^ 6-26-2002
Layman Ernest E, 93, Kendallville, died Saturday. On June 30, 1878, he was born to William and Phoebe (Shoup) Layman. As a lifelong resident of Noble County, he had resided in Kendallville since 1960. A retired farmer, he had been a director on the Noble County Fair Board since 1925. He was also a member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Avilla. He and his wife, Lalah May Forker, who preceded him in death Aug. 3, 1966, were married Jan. 26, 1907. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Thurlow (Mary) Axel and Mrs. Harold (Ellen) Lash, both of Kendallville; one son, Earl L. of Fort Wayne; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one brother, Burt, R. 3, Kendallville. Two brothers and one sister preceded him in death. Services Tuesday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home. ~ 7-8-1971 + 7-?-1971
Layman Hilda A, 96, of Fort Wayne, died September 5, 2006 in Markle Health Care Center. She was born October 28, 1909, the daughter of William and Laura (Weimer) Berkes. She married Earl L. Layman at Immanuel Lutheran Church on June 11, 1931, then moved to Fort Wayne. Surviving are a son, Robert; daughter, Beverly Williams; 6 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and 2 brothers, Norman and Walter Berkes. She was a member and organist at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Avilla in the late 1920s. She was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, where services were held. Burial, Concordia Cemetery. ~ 9-21-2006
Layman Lalah May, a lifelong resident of Noble County, and of Allen Twp for many years, died at her home at 427 S. Oak St., Kendallville, where she and her husband, Ernest, had resided in the past six years. Surviving in addition to the husband are a son, Earl, Fort Wayne; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Axel and Mrs. Ellen Lash, of Kendallville; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a brother. She was born in Orange Twp March 31, 1883, the daughter of John J. and Emma Strater Forker. She was married Jan. 26, 1907. She was a member of Avilla Calvary Methodist Church and Allen Twp Home Demonstration Club. Funeral Saturday in Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home at Kendallville Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ~ 8-11-1966 + 8-?-1966
Layton Kathryn L "Tot", 88, died Oct. 12, 2001 at Life Care Center of LaGrange. She was born in Fort Wayne on July 26, 1913 and was employed for 35 years by Wayne Knitting Mills and then served as housekeeper at St. Gaspar parsonage, Rome City. She married Leo H. Layton in 1942 and he preceded her in death. Surviving are nieces and nephews; a brother, Clyde A. Burton Jr. of Fort Wayne. A sister, Elizabeth Ann Zurbrick, preceded her in death. Services Tuesday at St. Gaspar Catholic Church, Rome City. Burial, Orange Cemetery. ^ 10-14-2001
Layton Leo H, 55, died Thursday in McCray Hospital. Born Nov. 16, 1916 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Lyman and Anna (Coil) Layton. He married Kathryn Burton Aug. 8, 1942 in Fort Wayne. He was a retired employee of General Plating, Fort Wayne, and a member of the St. Gaspar Catholic Church and the Eagles Lodge, Fort Wayne. Surviving are his wife; three sisters, Mrs. Madaline Ebbings and Mrs. Betty Wittee of Fort Wayne, Mrs. Mary Smith, Dunedin, Fla.; and two brothers, Charles of Fort Wayne, and Madison of Cochrane, Fla. Services Saturday at St. Gaspar Church. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 8-?-1972
Lazar Ruth, 25, R. 1, Avilla, died last Wednesday in McCray Hospital where she had been a patient since her accident of May 26. She had been critically injured then in a head-on crash of two cars on the Lima Road, one-half mile north of Kendallville. She was born in Hindman, Ky., April 16, 1942, the daughter of Ivan and Nannie Sloan, and was married to Kenneth Lazar on Dec. 27, 1958 in Kentucky. She had been a resident of R. 1, Avilla, since 1960. Surviving in addition to her husband and parents of R. 1, Avilla, are two sons, Timothy, 6, and Michael, 3; two daughters, Deborah, 5, and Nancy Carol, 2, all at home; one brother, Joseph; and one sister, Mrs. Edward Payne, Albion. Services at the Old Regular Baptist Church at Lisbon. Burial, Avilla Cemetery. ~ 7-27-1967 + 7-?-1967
Lazenby Ruth Lane, 71, a former Garrett resident, died Monday in Sacred Heart Home. She was a retired employee of Indiana Bell Telephone at Kendallville. She was born Jan. 18, 1906 in Portsmouth, Ohio. She married James S. Lazenby on Feb. 17, 1962. He died April 27, 1973. Survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Glen Jay, Garrett; and five grandchildren. She was a member of the OES in Kendallville, the Indiana Bell Pioneers and the United Presbyterian Church of Garrett. Funeral Thursday in McKee Funeral Home, Garrett. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 9-?-1977
Leach Freida E, 73, died March 7, 2007 at her Garrett home. She was born February 8 1934 in Albion, the daughter of Dallas and Mary (Kesling) Leitch. She married Melvin E. Leach on November 12, 1954 in Fort Benning, Ga. He died in 1977. She was a member of the Living Waters Baptist Church in Garrett, and the Garrett post of American Legion. She was an Army veteran, serving with the W.A.C. division. Surviving are 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Rosemary and Ernest and Kathy Leach of Garrett; a daughter, Cynthia L. Schroeder of Fort Wayne; 5 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 4 brothers, Willard Leitch of Shreveport, La., Ray of Danville, Iowa, Dick of Spencerville, and Danny of Ocala, Fla.; and 2 sisters, Marcille Leatherman of Albion and Rosalie Johnson of Elkhart. She was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Jimmy, Wilmer and Leo Leitch; and 2 sisters, Mary Leitch and Joann Houser. Services Saturday in Thomas Funeral Home, Garrett. Burial, Christian Union Cemetery with graveside military rites by Garrett posts of the American Legion and VFW. ^ 3-9-2007
Leader Mary, nee Muller, was born in Homistdorf Herzorgothum Mecklenburg Schewerin Dec. 4, 1801; was married to Theodore Leader Aug. 1827. She came with her husband to America in 1862 and settled in Kendallville on Christmas of the same year. She died at 9 a.m. April 14. She leaves a husband; one son and one daughter; 20 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Three children preceded her. ^ 4-30-1886
Leake Harry W, 64, died Monday at his cottage at Rome City from heart trouble. He and his wife came there 13 years ago from Montpelier, O. She survives. Funeral Wednesday from the home. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 7-?-1934
Leaman Delia, 79, Churubusco, died Thursday at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Fort Wayne. A resident since 1908 of the Wolf Lake area, she moved last Nov. to Churubusco. She was born Aug. 5, 1896, Kingman to Oliver and Lella (Easter) Ratcliff. She married Riley Waters Nov. 13, 1913. They lived on a farm in Noble County until he died in 1941. Nov. 10, 1945 she married Russell Leaman. Their residence was at Wolf Lake. He died June 8, 1969. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. James Lamb, Wichita, Kan., and Mrs. Kenneth Wolf, Columbia City; four sons, Richard and John Waters, Fort Wayne, Riley Waters, Oxford, Mich., and Rex Waters, Brooklyn, Mich.; one sister, Nellie North, Leslie, Mich.; one half-sister, Mrs. Ronald Hull, Columbia City; 16 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters. Services Sunday at Smith Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 7-?-1976
Leaman Lena H, 76, of R. 4, Albion, died today at Whitley County Hospital. She was born Dec. 19, 1910 in Inwood, the daughter of Thomas and Bertha (Metz) Samuels. She married Clarence "Bus" Leaman in Columbia City on Sept. 22, 1927. She moved to Whitley County when she was a young girl. With her husband, she lived in Columbia City, Nappanee and Fort Wayne. Since 1953 they have lived at Bear Lake. She was retired from Wolf Lake Products Co. Surviving are her husband; a son, James of R. 1, Hamilton Lake; a daughter, Mrs. Gerald (Anita) Pensinger of Bear Lake; three sisters, Blanch Dinius of Fort Wayne, Juanita Taylor of Churubusco, and Wacilo Mast of Warsaw; a brother, Conda, Columbia City; 6 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. Services Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home in Columbia City. Burial, Oak Grove Cemetery. + 4-30-1987
Leaman Pauline E, 56, died Sunday at her Albion residence. She was born to Paul and Lucille (Sherman) Fulk on Oct. 18, 1942 in Kendallville. She married William R. Leamon on Sept. 25, 1998 in Albion. She was assistant principal at West Noble High School before retirement in 1998. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Gamma Lambda Chapter and Indiana Association of School Principals. Surviving are her husband and 6 stepchildren. Funeral Wednesday in Ligonier United Methodist Church. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 1-31-1999
Leamon Albert B Jr, 64, of Kendallville, died Nov. 14, 2008 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. He was a sales representative for Prairie Farms in Fort Wayne for 36 years, retiring in 2004. He was born in Kendallville on June 3, 1944 to Albert and Edna Hougendobler Leamon. He graduated from Kendallville High School. Survivors include 2 sons, Scott and Leslie Leamon of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Jeff Leamon of Boynton Beach, Fla.; 1 daughter, Alyssa Sanford of Kendallville; 8 grandchildren, Gabriel Leamon, Erica, Samantha and Shanna Sanford, Seth Kalb, Melissa, Jeremey and Natalie Lewandowski; and a sister, Carolyn Conner of Sturgis, Mich. He was preceded in death by a sister, Marjorie Lynch. Memorial services Wednesday at Hite Funeral Home. ^ 11-17-2008
Leamon Albert Berl, 72, R. 1, White Pigeon, Mich., died Tuesday in Sturgis Hospital. Born in Noble County, Dec. 16, 1905, he was the son of Charles and Artie Leamon. He had lived in White Pigeon the past 8 years, moving from Kendallville. He retired from the Goshen Rubber Co. in 1971. He had previously worked at Kendallville Foundry for many years. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Kendallville. Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Elmer (Carolyn) Conner, Sturgis, and Mrs. Duane (Marjorie) Lynch, Goshen; one son, Albert B. Jr., Kendallville; and 12 grandchildren. Two brothers, Iris and Bernard, preceded him in death. Funeral Friday in Foglesang Funeral Home, Sturgis. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 5-?-1978
Leamon Arthur "Bud", 78, of Cromwell, died May 4, 2002 in V.A. Northern Indiana Health Care System at Marion. He was a machine repairman at Dana Corp. He graduated from Cromwell High School and served in the U.S. Army during WW II. He was a member of American Legion Post 243 in Ligonier and Cromwell Fire Dept. He was born July 8, 1923 in Noble County to Harrison and Edna (Deardorff) Leamon. He married Mable Hackworth on March 25, 1947 in Prestonsburg, Ky. Surviving are his wife; a son and daughter-in-law, Arthur "Butch" and Carol Leamon of Ligonier; a brother, Max of Syracuse; a sister, Thelma Hickman of Albion; 2 grandchildren, Chris and Shawn Leamon. He was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Pat, Terrel, Keith and Lloyd; and 3 sisters, Louise Mains, Myrill Burns and Bennie Joesuch. Services Tuesday in Orr Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. ^ 5-5-2002
Leamon Catherine Elizabeth, 81, of Syracuse, died May 5, 2006 at Goshen Hospital. She had retired as a cook after 24 years at West Noble School Corp. and had worked at the former Wirk Garment Factory in Ligonier. She was born Aug. 1, 1924 in Cromwell to Ernest and Luella (Clayton) Calbeck. On Oct. 16, 1945 in Millersburg, she married Lloyd (Dago) Leamon. She was a member of Cromwell United Methodist Church, OES, Lions Club, 101 Club and AARP National. Surviving are 3 sons and a daughter-in-law, Robert of Cromwell, Joseph of Jacksonville, Fla., and Sherman and Juliet of Syracuse; 3 daughters and 2 sons-in-law, Cynthia and Leemon Ward of Dunkirk, Mellissa Leamon of Cromwell and Beverly and James Moseman of DeWart Lake; a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Ed Koher of Goshen; 15 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her husband in 1995; a son, Martin; 2 sisters, Ellabelle Robbins and Barbara Brandt; and one granddaughter, Laura Leamon. Services Tuesday at Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. ^ 5-11-2006
Leamon Charles E "Bill", 62, 821 E. Mitchell St., died today at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Fort Wayne. Born in Cromwell Sept. 17, 1910, he was the son of George F. and Elnora (Campbell) Leamon. He married Margaret Florence Baughman Sept. 5, 1936 in Kendallville. He retired from International Harvester Jan. 31, 1972 after 36 years employment. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and LOOM 1301. For 31 years he played Santa Claus for the athletic association and for several years for local businesses. Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Nancy Renkenberger, Kendallville; five sons, Ted Butler, Robert L. Butler and Dave Leamon of Kendallville, William Leamon, Bluffton, and Tom Leamon, Grand Rapids, Mich.; a sister, Cecil Vanette, Ligonier; two brothers, John F and Kenneth of Fort Wayne; and 15 grandchildren. Two sisters preceded him in death. Services Sunday at Hite Funeral Home. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 3-?-1974
Leamon Charles Jerry, about 19, of Noble Twp was fatally injured March 17, 1952 when he lost control of the motorcycle he was riding and it overturned on him on state Road 109 about a mile and a quarter south of Wolf Lake. He was a native of Noble County and had been employed at a gasoline service station in Columbia City. The accident happened as he was returning home from his employment. Surviving are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Leamon; his wife, Virginia; a brother, Larry; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Leamon, all of Noble Twp; Adam Hill of Wolf Lake and Mrs. Paul Longsworth of Celina, Ohio. Funeral Friday at DeMoney-Hollingsworth Funeral Home in Columbia City. Burial, Thorn Cemetery. + 3-?-1952
Leamon Charles Leslie, about 82, retired farmer and resident of Noble Twp, died at Whitley County Hospital Nov. 6, 1960. Surviving are two sons, Albert of R. 3, Kendallville, and Bernard of R. 4, Albion; 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Funeral at a Columbia City funeral home on Nov. 9. Burial, Thorn Cemetery. + 11-?-1960
Leamon Dora Mae, 65, Cromwell, died Wednesday at her residence. She was born July 3, 1905 in Noble County to George Franklin and Elnora (Campbell) Leamon. She has lived all her life in the Cromwell area. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Cecil Vanette, Ligonier; and three brothers, W. K. and John Franklin, Fort Wayne, and Everett Charles, Kendallville. Services Monday at Ulrey Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 6-?-1971
Leamon Dorothy M, 81, died March 10, 1995 at Goshen Hospital. She was born Sept. 6, 1913 in Kimmell to Amos and Elva (Campbell) Magnuson. On Jan. 26, 1932 in Kimmell she married Terral C. Leamon. He died in 1992. She was a 1931 graduate of Cromwell High School and retired in 1977 as a supervisor for Superior Sample Co. in Ligonier. She was a member of Cromwell United Methodist Church. Surviving are 2 daughters, Mrs. Jerry (Judith) Casselman of Decatur and Mrs. William (Joyce) Gilbert of Wawaka; 3 sons, A. Rex Leamon of Montgomery, Al., Kermit of Goshen and Kenneth of Granger; 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. A son, A. Ray Leamon, died in 1965 and 2 brothers, 2 sisters and 2 grandchildren also preceded her in death. Funeral March 13 at Orr Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 3-10-1995
Leamon Edna M, 94, Cromwell, died Friday at the Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Ligonier. She was born Sept. 17, 1888 in Millersburg, a daughter of Casper and Arie (Gaff) Deardorff, and was married Sept. 5, 1909 in St. Joseph, Mich., to Harrison Leamon. He died in 1959. Surviving are six sons, Terrel of Ligonier, Lloyd, Arthur and Patrick of Cromwell, Keith of Elkhart, and Max, Rock River, Wyo.; three daughters, Mrs. Thomas (Marniece) Gorsuch and Mrs. Louise Main, Cromwell, and Mrs. Hugh (Thelma) Hickman, Albion; 29 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by two daughters. Services Monday in the funeral home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. * 1983 + 6-24-1983
Leamon Edna B, 90, died Aug. 9, 2002 at Heartland Health Center, Three Rivers, Mich. She had been employed at Freeman Mfg., Sturgis, and retired from Monsanto Co., Ligonier. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Kendallville. She was born June 4, 1912 in Whitley County to Jacob and Lottie (Knafel) Hougendobler. In 1931 she married Albert Leamon in Whitley County. He died May 23, 1978. Also preceding her in death was a daughter, Marjorie Lynch. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Elmer Conner of Sturgis; a son, Albert Leamon Jr. of Kendallville; 2 sisters, Lucille Shew of Columbia City and Ilene McNeil of Decatur; 11 grandchildren, Terry, Dennis, Craig and Kevin Conner, Sharon Todd, Scott and Jeff Leamon, Alyssa Sanford and Deb, Lynn and Mike Lynch; and 12 great-grandchildren. Services Tuesday at Hackman-Foglesong Funeral Home, Sturgis. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. ^ 8-12-2002
Leamon Elnora, 86, died Thursday at her Cromwell home. Born March 25, 1879 at Nappanee, she had spent most of her life in the Cromwell community. She was married Nov. 24, 1898 at Albion to George F. Leamon, who died in August 1951. Surviving are 3 sons, Kenneth and Franklin of Fort Wayne, and Charles Everett of Kendallville; two daughters, Mrs. Cecil Vanette, Ligonier, and Miss Dora at home; 25 grandchildren; and 59 great-grandchildren. Services Saturday at Ulrey-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Cromwell. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 3-?-1966
Leamon Ezra, about 60, was electrocuted at his home here this afternoon when he came in contact with an electric light wire carrying 110 volts. He was attempting to string an extra electric light line through a tree and was descending a ladder in the tree with the bare wire in one hand. He had been a lifelong resident of this community and owned and operated a small farm in the northeast part of Cromwell. He is survived by a widow; a stepdaughter, Mrs. O. B. Galloway of this place; and four brothers, Lewis of Cromwell, James of Ohio, Meade of South Bend, and Lemuel of Goshen. + 9-?-1951
Leamon George Franklin, 76, died this morning in McCray Hospital. Surviving are the widow, Elnora; three sons, Kenneth and Franklin of Fort Wayne, and Everett of Kendallville; two daughters, Mrs. Cecil Vanette of Ligonier, and Dora at home; 25 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Charles of Wolf Lake. He was born Dec. 27, 1874 and spent his entire life in this community. Funeral Saturday at L. H. Moore Funeral Home in Cromwell. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 8-16-1951
Leamon Harrison C "Babe", 71, died in his home Saturday following a stroke suffered three days previous. A retired truck driver, he was born in Cromwell on Nov. 29, 1888, the son of Lewis and Melissa (McMann) Leamon. He married Edna Deardorff in 1909. Surviving are his wife; four daughters, Mrs. Marniece Gorsuch, Mrs. Louise Main and Mrs. Myril Burns of Cromwell, and Mrs. Thelma Smith of Albion; six sons, Terral, Lloyd, Arthur and Pat of Cromwell, Keith of Elkhart, and Max of Milford; 27 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Services Monday at L. H. Moore Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 12-?-1959
Leamon Jean Michelle, 26, died Friday at University Hospital, Indianapolis. She was a Dearborn, Mich. native and spent much of her life in Richmond. She had been a student at Indiana University East. Survivors include a son, Hunter; her mother, Mary June Leamon; and two brothers, James and John, all of Richmond; her father, Rex of Nashville, Tenn.; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Terral Leamon of Ligonier, Mrs. and Mrs. Orville Clann of Wabash; great-grandmother, Mrs. Harrrison (Edna) Leamon of Ligonier. Services Tuesday at Doan & Mills Funeral Home in Richmond. Burial, Earlham Cemetery. + 2-18-1983
Leamon John, 85, retired farmer of the Cromwell community, died at his home there last Thursday. Surviving are four sons, Frank of Cromwell, Charles and Audley of Wolf Lake, and Melvin of Union City, Mich.; three brothers, James of Ohio, Lewis and Meade of Cromwell. Funeral at Henney & Henney Funeral Home Saturday afternoon. Burial, Thorn Cemetery. + 11-?-1936
Leamon Lewis, 86, of Cromwell, died Sunday at McCray Hospital. He is survived by a son, Harrison; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral Tuesday. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 1-?-1948
Leamon Lizzie (McClintic), 56, died at her home in Cromwell of a heart attack Sept. 25. Surviving are her husband, W. D.; and two sisters, Mrs. Emanuel Click of Cromwell, and Mrs. Ed Larson of Pierceton. Funeral at Cromwell Methodist Church Sunday. Burial, McClintic Cemetery. + 9-?-1941
Leamon Lloyd D "Dago", 78, died Wednesday in Goshen Hospital. He was born Dec. 28, 1916 in Cromwell to Harrison and Edna (Deardorff) Leamon. On Oct. 16, 1945 he married Catherine Calbeck. A lifetime Cromwell resident, he was a WW II U S. Navy and U.S. Army and National Guard veteran. He retired in 1978 as an auto mechanic for Bob Wysong Chevrolet in Cromwell. He was a member of West Noble American Legion Post 243 and served on Sparta Twp Volunteer Fire Dept. for 16 years. Surviving are his wife; 4 sons, Robert, Joseph and Martin of Cromwell and Sherman of Syracuse; 3 daughters, Mrs. Cynthia Ward of Dunkirk, Mellissa Leamon of Cromwell and Mrs. James (Beverly) Moseman of Syracuse; 4 brothers, Keith of Elkhart, Max of Wright, Wyo., and Arthur and Patrick of Cromwell; a sister, Mrs. Hugh (Thelma) Hickman of Albion; 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral Sunday in Orr Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 7-26-1995
Leamon Margaret F, 74, of Kendallville, died Wednesday in Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. She was born in Kendallville Feb. 9, 1912 to Albert and Ada (Deibele) Baughman and on Sept. 5, 1937 married Charles "Bill" Leamon. He died March 15, 1974. A lifetime Kendallville resident, she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Women of the Moose, McCray Hospital Auxiliary, all of Kendallville, and Noble County Training Center Association. Surviving are a daughter, Nancy Renkenberger, Kendallville; five sons, Theodore Butler and David Leamon of Kendallville, Robert Butler, Urbana, Ohio, William Leamon, Bluffton, and Thomas Leamon, Grand Rapids, Mich.; two brothers, Richard "John" and Merle of Kendallville; 16 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. One brother and one sister preceded her in death. Services Friday in Hite Funeral Home, Kendallville. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 9-24-1986
Leamon Martin L, 35, died Wednesday in McCray Hospital, Kendallville. He was born Dec. 31, 1961 in Goshen to Lloyd and Catherine (Calbeck) Leamon. He was employed by Hilger's Farm Restaurant and had been a lifetime Noble County resident. He attended Cromwell United Methodist Church. Surviving are his mother; 3 brothers, Robert and Joseph of Cromwell, Sherman of Syracuse; and 3 sisters, Mrs. Leamon (Cynthia) Ward of Dunkirk, Mellissa Leamon of Cromwell, and Mrs. James (Beverly) Moseman of Syracuse. Funeral Saturday in Orr Funeral Home. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 4-?-1997
Leamon Patrick Leroy, 65, died Saturday in St. Joseph's Medical Center, South Bend. He was born May 10, 1931 in Cromwell to Harrison and Edna (Deardorff) Leamon. On Dec. 31, 1949 in Ligonier he married Barbara Chrisman. A lifetime Cromwell area resident, he was head custodian for West Noble School Corp, retiring after 23 years. He had been Cromwell town marshal for 13 years. He was a member of Cromwell United Methodist Church; had been on Sparta Twp Fire Dept. 37 years; served on the Cromwell town board and Ligonier Cemetery board; a member of Cromwell Masonic Lodge, Fort Wayne Scottish Rite and Mizpah Shrine. Surviving are his wife; 2 sons, Mark of Cromwell and Tim "Buck" of Ligonier; a daughter, Diane Grotrian of Millersburg; 2 brothers, Max of Moorecraft, Wyo., and Arthur of Cromwell; a sister, Thelma Hickman of Albion; and 7 grandchildren. Funeral Tuesday in Ulrey-Renner Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 9-7-1996
Leamon Ray, 31, a native of Noble County, died in the Fort Wayne VA Hospital. Born June 7, 1934, he lived his entire life in the Ligonier community until 4 years ago. He was an office manager for Interstate Finance Co. On June 15, 1958 he married Charlene Preston in Ligonier. He was a member of the Ligonier EUB Church and a veteran of the Korean Conflict. Surviving are the wife; two sons, Marty and Monty; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Terral Leamon, Cromwell; three brothers, Rex, Richmond, Kenny of Cromwell, and Kermit of Ligonier; and two sisters, Mrs. Jerry Casselman, Decatur, and Miss Joyce, Cromwell. Services Saturday in Ligonier EUB Church. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 12-?-1965
Leamon Terral C, 79, died March 21, 1992 in St. Joseph Medical Center, South Bend. He was born March 17, 1913, the son of Harrison and Edna (Deardorff) Leamon. On January 26, 1932 in Kimmell he married Dorothy M. Magnuson. A lifetime area resident, he retired in 1976 as a mechanic and parts manager for Ben Glaser Inc. of Ligonier. He was a member of Cromwell United Methodist Church and Masonic Lodge No. 705. Surviving are his wife; 2 daughters, Mrs. Jerry (Judith) Casselman of Decatur and Mrs. William (Joyce) Gilbert of Wawaka; 3 sons, A. Rex of Montgomery, Ala., Kermit of Goshen and Kenneth of Granger: 2 sisters, Marniece Gorsuch of Ligonier and Mrs. Hugh (Thelma) Hickman of Albion; 5 brothers, Keith of Elkhart, Max of Wright, Wis., Lloyd, Arthur and Patrick of Cromwell; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A son, A. Ray, 3 sisters and 2 granddaughters preceded him in death. Services today in Orr Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 3-21-1992
Leamon Virginia Elizabeth, 46, of Elkhart, died Monday in Elkhart Hospital. She was born Jan. 31, 1922 in Elkhart. She married Keith Leamon July 11, 1942 in Elkhart. Surviving are her husband; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lester F. Snyder; her grandfather, Samuel Gibson; a sister, Mrs. Albert Bolero, all of Elkhart; two brothers, Robert C. of Elkhart, and Lawrence J., Chicago. She was a member of St. Thomas Church and Women of the Moose. Services Thursday in St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Burial, Rice Cemetery. + 1-?-1969
Lear Virginia L, 93, formerly of Rome City, died Aug. 9, 2008 in Forest Glen Health Campus in Springfield. She was a Sister of the Precious Blood and a 5th and 6th grade teacher at numerous Catholic schools, teaching by the name of Sister Ann Thelma. She was born Nov. 22, 1914 in Wapakoneta, Ohio to George and Philomenia Lear. Surviving are nieces and a nephew. Services Wednesday in St. Gaspar Catholic Church, Rome City. Burial, St. Gaspar Cemetery. ^ 8-12-2008
Learned Abigail (Darling) died March 13, aged 88 years 1 month and 7 days, leaving one daughter, 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She was born in Sanbornton, Strafford County, New Hampshire, Feb. 5, 1813. Was married to Jonathan W. Learned March 1, 1831. Moved from Ohio to Noble County in Oct. 1837. They had 2 boys and 2 girls, the boys dying in infancy. The first, Favor B. was buried in the East. The second, George W., died April 18, 1838, aged 18 months and was buried in the Milford Cemetery. The oldest daughter, Olivia E., died April 23, 1900. Husband died March 4, 1882. Since his death she has made her home with her youngest daughter, Mrs. John Milks. She was the last of the very old settlers in this vicinity. Funeral at the Baptist Church in South Milford March 14. ^ 3-22-1901
Learned Samuel, 67 years and 11 months, died at his residence in DeKalb County Feb 15. He was born in New Hampshire Feb. 29, 1812 and died after long and useful life, over 44 years of which was spent in this and the adjoining county. He was a brother of J. W. Learned of this county and came to this country in 1836 with barely sufficient means to enter 80 acres of land, but at the time of his death was the possessor of between 3 and 4 hundred acres. He held the office of justice of the peace in his township for many years. He was elected assessor under the law when there was but one assessor for each county. His son has been his successor as justice of the peace for several years. ^ 2-26-1880
Leas Ina M, 86, of South Bend and formerly of Kendallville, died early today at Medco Center, South Bend. She was born in Noblesville on Aug. 16, 1901 to Eli and Maude (Stephenson) Abney. In 1929 she married Ralph B. Leas who died in August 1985. She had been associated with her husband in Hamilton County Abstract Co. until their retirement in 1962. She was a member of Sunny Side Presbyterian Church, South Bend, and OES Radiant Chapter 200, Noblesville. Surviving are a son, Rev. Robert D. Leas of South Bend; a brother, Raymond Abney of New Carlisle; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. One grandchild preceded her in death. Services Saturday in Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Noblesville. Burial, Crownland Cemetery, Noblesville. + 12-10-1987
Leas Lestie E, 85, 421 N. Main St. was buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Services Wednesday. + 12-?-1973
Leatherman Adie D, 46, of Rome City, born in Noble County, died Sept. 7 at Lakeside Hospital of complications. She is survived by her husband; Lowell; three sons, Luther of Rome City, Hubert of Howe, and Lowell at home; two sisters, Mrs. Mae Gaff of LaOtto, and Mrs. Ruth Campbell of Avilla; and one granddaughter. Two daughters are deceased. Funeral at Miser Funeral Home Sunday. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 9-?-1939
Leatherman Alton Leroy died Oct. 7 in Santa Rosa, Calif. from lung cancer following surgery. Born Aug. 20, 1926 in Chicago, Ill., he was the son of George and Nellie (Baker) Leatherman. He was a resident of Noble County before moving to Calif. 10 years ago. Survivors are the parents at R. 4, Albion; a daughter, Sue Ann Birch, Calif.; two sisters, Mrs. Mack Pratt, R. 2, Ligonier, and Mrs. John Beckner, R. 1, Wawaka; two granddaughters. A memorial services was held Oct. 11 in Calif. followed by cremation. + 10-?-1978
Leatherman Barbara I, 72, died April 10, 2001 in Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne from an injury received in El Reno, Oklahoma. She was born in Churubusco on July 13, 1928 to Arthur and Edith (Stroh) Bonar. She graduated from Kendallville High School in 1946 and married Donald C. Leatherman on Sept. 19, 1947 in Albion. She retired from the Albion License Branch and had worked at the Noble County Court House. She was a past matron and a 53-year member of OES, a member of Tri Kappa and of Asbury United Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband of Albion; 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Sheri and John Auld of Albion and Karen and Curt Mundon of Kendallville; one son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Cindy Leatherman of Albion; 2 sisters, Phyllis Carter of Albion and Joyce Thomas of Channelview, Texas; 4 brothers, J. C. and Stan Bonar of Albion, Dale Bonar of Loveland, Col., and Mike Bonar of Seattle Wash.; grandchildren, Marc Leatherman, Jamie Worman, Krista and Karlea Auld, Rhonda Dean, Cyra, Jace and Konrad Mundon, Rose Brown, Janene Kruse and Sr. Airman Michelle Bellinger; great-grandchildren, Sharlina and Camilla Dean, Devareaux and Kimberly Brown, Ryan Worman and Camryn Leatherman. She was preceded in death by a sister, Louise. Services April 14, 2001 in Asbury United Methodist Church. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. Albion New Era 4-18-2001
Leatherman Blanche V, about 55, (b. 9-15-1900) died Nov. 19, 1955 at McCray Hospital after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage at her home in Albion. A native of Albion, she was a member of the First Methodist Church and the Rebekah Lodge. Funeral was Tuesday at the church. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. Surviving are 7 sons, Joseph, Melford and Keith at home, Ernest and Donald of Albion, and Lee stationed in Japan with the Army; three daughters, Mrs. Bernard Bushong and Mrs. Lester Cardinal of Albion, and Mrs. Walter Muesing of Copperas Cove, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Charles Sieber of Albion, and Mrs. Ann Harvey of Costa, California. + 11-?-1955
Leatherman Cheryl Lynne, 59, of Albion, died February 19, 2005 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Fort Wayne. She was born July 23, 1945 in Kendallville to Wray and Linda (Kross) Matteson. On July 20, 1963 she married Keith S. Leatherman. Surviving are her mother; husband; son, Ron and Faye of Albion; daughter, Lori of Avilla; grandchildren, Taylor Courtney and Brett Matteson. She was preceded in death by her father and a brother-in-law, Bernard Bushong. She was involved with the Noble County Saddle Club, Humane Society of Noble County and Noble County 4-H. Service at Trinity United Methodist Church Friday. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. ~ 2-24-2005
Leatherman Daniel T, 56, (b. 7-1-1894 – d. 10-1-1950) a Noble County Highway Department employee, died Sunday in the Billings General Hospital, Fort Harrison, Indianapolis. Surviving are the wife, Blanche; seven sons, Ernest, Donald, Lee, Joseph, Milford and Keith and three daughters, Mrs. Bernard Bushong, Helen and Faunda, all of Albion; two grandchildren; two brothers, Lowell of Rome City and George, Albion and a sister, Mrs. John Medley of Columbia City. He saw overseas service in WW I and was a sergeant in Battery A, 137th Field Artillery, was a member of Post 6413, VFW, and Post 246, American Legion at Albion. Services Tuesday in United Brethren Church. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. ~ 10-5-1950 + 10-?-1950
Leatherman Donald C, 81, died Sept. 30, 2007 at Avalon Village Nursing Home in Ligonier. He was the former facilities manager for Group Dekko; owner of Trail Haven RVs and co-owner of Leatherman Brothers Garage. A graduate of Albion High School, he served in the U.S. Army during WW II and the Navy Reserve Seabees, serving in the military more than 37 years. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church; Albion Rotary Club and American Legion Post 246. He was born January 1, 1926 in Garrett to Daniel and Blanche (Hardendorf) Leatherman. He married Barbara Bonar on July 13, 1947 at First United Methodist Church in Albion. She died April 10, 2001. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Cindy Leatherman of Albion; 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Sheri and John Auld of Albion and Karen and Dude Holbrook of Kendallville; 3 sisters, Helen Cardinal and Joan Bushong of Albion and Faunda Muesing of Haw River, N.C.; 11 grandchildren and their spouses, Rose and Bob Brown, Rhonda and Dallas Dean, Janene Kruse, Michelle and Leigh Bellinger, Krista Auld, Karlea and Ryan Cook, Marc and Amy Leatherman, Jamie and David Worman, Cyra and Kevin Kline, Jace Mundon and Konrad Mundon; and 10 great-grandchildren. Services Thursday at Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 246. ^ 10-2-2007
Leatherman Esther L, 71, of Albion, died June 23, 2005 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. She graduated from Avilla High School in 1952 and was an administration clerk for the USDA. She was born Feb. 2, 1934 in Columbia City and was raised by her uncle and aunt, Denver and Velma (McClain) Winebrenner. On July 30, 1966 in Columbia City she married Lee Leatherman. Surviving are her husband; and a sister, Edna Genth of Columbia City. Services today at Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. ^ 6-25-2005
Leatherman George, 82, R. 4, Albion, died Oct. 7, 1982 at Goshen Hospital. He was born in Okla. to Daniel and Martha (Shipley) Leatherman and on May 10, 1923 married Nellie Baker in Dayton, Ohio. She died Feb. 14, 1982. A retired millwright, he had lived in Indiana for the past 38 years. He was the first charter member of the Albion Eagles Aerie. Surviving are two daughters, Mr. William (Betty) Pratt of Ligonier, and Mrs. John (Gloria) Beckner, Jr. of Wawaka; 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Services last Saturday at Ulrey Funeral Home in Ligonier. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. + 10-7-1982
Leatherman Grace E, 86, Albion, died March 3, 2013, at the Parkview Noble Hospital.  She was born on January 16, 1927 in rural Jay County, Indiana, to Russel and Artreese (Bickel) Armstrong. She graduated from Fort Recovery High School in 1944. Her first job was at the Home Telephone and Telegraph Company in Fort Wayne. She starteed Albion Printing and Photo Service in 1971 from which she published several local history books and provided invitations and photography for over 240 weddings. She was also a member of the North Star Rebecca Lodge. She married Everett Leatherman in 1947 in a ceremony officiated by her grandfather S.A. Armstrong. Together they enjoyed 5 children and 10 grandchildren. She is survived by her husband; sons and daughters-in-law, Duane and Nona, Dan, Dean and Jane, Dennis and Lori Leatherman, all of Albion; a daughter and son-in-law, Deb and Keith Adkins of Albion; her grandchildren, Tommy Leatherman, Michael Leatherman, Ethan Leatherman, Hope Adkins, Ben Leatherman, Paige Adkins, Jonah Leatherman, Meleah Leatherman, Olivia Adkins and Dulcie Adkins.  She was preceded in death by a daughter, Marsha Ann in 1949; her brother, Junior Armstrong. Funeral March 8, 2013 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Albion. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. ^ 3-6-2013
Leatherman Hubert H, 64, a retired school principal of Newport-Mesa Unified School District and longtime resident of Lucerne Valley, Calif., died at St. Mary Desert Valley Hospital. He was born in Albion and had lived in Lucerne Valley 7 years where he was active in a number of community organizations. He was a WW II veteran. He had lived in California the past 28 years. Surviving are his wife, the former Elaine W. Witzke, formerly of Kendallville; four daughters, Glenda Leatherman of San Francisco, and Deborah Engelking of Oceanside, Calif., Julianne Leatherman of Mannheim, West Germany, and Leslie Leftwich of Adelanto, Calif.; two brothers, Luther of Rome City and Lowell of Columbia City; and four grandchildren. Memorial services at Lucerne Valley Community Church. Burial, Riverside National Cemetery. + 2-1-1985
Leatherman Lowell Lavern "Vern", 67, died Wednesday in his Columbia City residence. He was born Sept. 19, 1926 in Albion to Lowell Nelson and Adie (Kuhns) Leatherman. On June 9, 1951 in Kneipp Springs Chapel, Rome City, he married Phyllis Ann Racht. He moved to Whitley County in 1961 and was employed by Irmscher Builders in Fort Wayne from 1969 until retirement in 1988. He was then trustee and maintenance person for the VFW Post in Columbia City and a part-time carpenter. He was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Church in Columbia City, VFW Post 5582, American Legion Post 98, Columbia City, No. 1427 40&8 and Grand Voiture, Carpenters Local 232. Surviving are his wife; 4 daughters, Theresa Ann Mason of Fort Wayne, Ann Adell Stults of Bippus, Mariann Lee Streseman of Churubusco and Michelle Ann Pulley of Big Lake; a son, Stephen E. of Zulu; a brother, Luther of Rome City; and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Hubert, and 2 grandsons, Gabriel Leatherman and Michael Mason. Funeral Monday in St. Paul of the Cross Church. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 10-6-1993
Leatherman Lowell N (b. 10-2-1890) of Rome City died Oct. 20, 1966 at McCray Hospital. He was a widower, a carpenter, and was born at Kinley, Kansas. He came to this vicinity very early in life and was a lifetime resident here. His wife, Adie, died in 1939. He is survived by three sons, Luther of Rome City, Vern of Columbia City, Hubert of Costa Mary, Calif.; and 11 grandchildren; a brother, George of Albion; a sister, Mrs. Georgia Medley of Fort Wayne. Funeral Sunday at Bonham & Miser Funeral Home. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. + 10-?-1966
Leatherman Luther Leon, 75, died November 9, 1993 at Elkhart Hospital. He was born May 25, 1918 in Albion, the son of Lowell Nelson and Adie Del (Kuhns) Leatherman. He lived in Rome City 48 years. He was a truck driver and worked in construction. He also worked for Seagly Gas Co., Kendallville. He was a member of OES, Rome City, Rome City Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite, Fort Wayne. He married Josephine Wilma Stienbarger June 19, 1937. Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Carl (Susan Fay) Fischer, Avilla; a son, Luther Jr., Madison, Wisc.; 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. A daughter, Mary Jane, died in 1942, and 2 brothers, Hubert and Vern preceded him in death. Funeral Friday at Rome City United Methodist Church. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 11-9-1993
Leatherman Mary Jane, 3-year old daughter of Mr. and Mr. Luther Leatherman of Rome City, died Friday at the Kendallville hospital shortly after an emergency appendectomy was performed. She was born May 22, 1939. Her grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Steinbarger. Funeral from Rome City Methodist Church Monday. + 5-?-1942
Leatherman Mattie Adeline was born in Madison County, Ind. Nov. 21, 1962. While spending a few days in the home of her son, Daniel, she was stricken with paralysis which caused her death on March 19, 1923. Her age was 60 years, 4 months and 28 days. She was the daughter of Nelson and Leah Shipley and was the youngest of a large family of children. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and four sisters. June 19, 1888 she married Daniel Leatherman, and they had five sons and one daughter. Her husband died April 30, 1902. For several years she has been a resident of Albion. Sixteen years ago she united with the United Brethren Church while living in the south. She is survived by three brothers, George of Elwood, Ind., Robert of Manchester, Tenn., Lincoln of Monks Corner, S.C.; and three sisters, Mrs. Cynthia Boyden of Anderson, Ind., Mrs. Ruth East of Alexandria, Ind., and Mrs. Mary Ludwig of Poplar Bluffs, Mo.; children, Daniel of Avilla, Lowell and George of Albion, Robert of Chicago, Ill., and Mrs. Georgia Medley, northeast of Avilla. Funeral from the Evangelical Church in Avilla Thursday. Burial, Avilla Cemetery. + 3-?-1923
Leatherman Morris Dell, child of Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Leatherman of Jefferson Twp, died last Friday at the age of 4 months. The funeral was held at the late home Sunday. Burial, Noblesville Cemetery. ~ 11-12-1925
Leatherman Nellie M, 76, R. 4, Albion, died Feb. 14, 1982 in Goshen Hospital. She was born in Owensville to Benjamin and Minnie Flora (Schoeny) Baker and had lived in the Albion area since coming from Chicago 37 years ago. On May 10, 1923 she married George Leatherman in Dayton, Ohio. She was retired from Essex Wire Corp. in Ligonier. Surviving are her husband; 2 daughters, Mrs. William M. (Betty) Pratt, R. 1, Ligonier, and Mrs. John F. (Gloria) Beckner, R. 1, Wawaka; 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. A son, Alton L., preceded her in death. Funeral at Ulrey Funeral Home in Ligonier. Burial, Sparta Cemetery. * 2-?-1982
Leatherman Nolen, 67, died Oct. 18 in McCray Hospital. He lived at R. 2, Avilla. He was a lifetime area resident and retired six years ago from Flint & Walling where he had been employed 18 years. He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church. He was born May 20, 1912 in Oakwood, Ohio, the son of Perry and Bessie (Harter) Leatherman. He married Wilma Heltzel Nov. 11, 1933. Surviving are his wife; a son, Robert, R. 2, Avilla; two brothers, Perry, Fort Wayne, and Lester, Angola; and two grandchildren. Services Saturday in Mt. Pleasant Church. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. ~ 10-25-1979 + 10-18-1979
Leatherman Phyllis A, 65, died Saturday in Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. She was born November 20, 1929 in Fort Wayne to Eugene Edward and Pansye Mae (Cook) Racht. On June 9, 1951 at Kneipp Springs Chapel in Rome City she married Lowell Lavern "Vern" Leatherman, who died October 6, 1993. She was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church. Survivors include 4 daughters, Theresa Ann Mason of Fort Wayne, Ann Adell Stultz of Bippus, Mariann Lee Stressmann of Churubusco and Michelle Ann Pulley of Columbia City; one son, Stephen E. Leatherman of Zulu; 2 brothers, Gerald Racht of Palos Verdes, Calif., and Eugene Racht of Dallas, Texas; and 6 grandchildren. Services Wednesday in St. Paul of the Cross Church. Burial, Christian Chapel Cemetery. ^ No date + 11-4-1995
Leatherman Virginia M, 86, of Albion, died February 22, 2012, at North Ridge Village in Albion. She was born in Jefferson Township on the Bushong farm in Albion on December 25, 1924, to Dale & Edna (Bower) Bushong. She married Ernest Eugene Leatherman on March 21, 1943 in Albion. She worked at Flint & Walling making products for the Army, at the Halferty Drug Store in Albion and Essex Wire in Ligonier until 1956. Virginia then entered beauty college. She remained a beautician with her own shop in Albion until 1977. After closing her shop, Virginia joined Leatherman Bros. Ford Sales in the Parts & Service Department and then Ernie Leatherman Sales until entering the nursing home in 2002. She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Albion. Survivors include her husband, 2 sons, David Leatherman of Albion and Kenneth Leatherman of Syracuse; one daughter, KayAnn (Lynn) Rice of Albion; two sisters, Phyliss and Fulhart of Arizona and Mary (Nash) Konger of Fort Wayne; 10 grandchildren; Scott (Mindy) Leatherman and their two children, Lindsay Leatherman, Dustin Leatherman of Albion; Amy (Jim) Cavendar of North Webster and their 3 children, Robert (Beth) Leatherman and their 3 children; Matt Leatherman of Ligonier and his children, Christopher (Wendy) Steffe of Albion and their 4 children, Annette (Bill) Luke of Albion and their 5 children and their grandchild, Alesha Rice of Fort Wayne and her 2 children, and Leslie Rice of Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma, and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Glade, Bernard, William and Donald Bushong; and a great-grandson, Brayden Steffe. Funeral Feb. 27 at Asbury United Methodist Church in Albion. Burial, Rose Hill Cemetery. ^ 2-24-2012
Leatherman Wilma I, 80, died Sunday at McCray Hospital, Kendallville. She was born in Kendallville on June 24, 1914 to Jesse and Leona (Pollock) Heltzel. On Nov. 11, 1933 in Auburn she married Nolen Leatherman, who died Oct. 18, 1979. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Avilla. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Janet Leatherman of Avilla; and 2 grandchildren, Lisa Chester and Ladena Faulkner. Funeral Wednesday in Immanuel Lutheran Church. Burial, Lake View Cemetery. + 1-2-1994
Leathers Richard L, 74, died Wednesday in the emergency room of McCray Hospital. He was born in Cambridge, Md. on Dec. 7, 1918 to Chauncey and Edna (Ringwald) Leathers. On Sept. 7, 1940 in Burlington, Ky., he married Oleta Spridgeon. He was retired from Food Marketing in Fort Wayne and was a member of American Legion Post 246 in Albion. Surviving are his wife; 3 daughters, Sharon Leitch and Toni Lemish of Albion and Ginger Peckart of West Unity, Ohio; and 4 grandchildren. Funeral Saturday in Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne with military graveside rites by American Legion Post 246. + 5-13-1993
Leathers William H, 54, former Rome City resident and most recently of Temple, Mich., died Wednesday in Clare, Mich. He was born May 24, 1929 in Lansing, Mich. to Francis and Grace (Lownsbury) Leathers. On June 25, 1948 he married Georgia M. Challenger who died Dec. 8, 1971. On Aug. 8, 1973 he married Lillian Ruth Fry. A retired truck driver, he moved to Temple 12 years ago. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of Harrison American Legion Post in Harrison, Mich. Surviving are his wife; his mother in Temple; two daughters, Brenda Rodger of Temple, and Lonan Chaffee of Rome City; five sons, John of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., Roy of Hudson, Mich., Paul of Wolcottville, and Duane and Rex of Ligonier; a sister, Carol Guinnup of Chula Vista, Calif.; a brother, Douglas of Grandville, Mich.; and 14 grandchildren. Services Saturday at Hutchins-Armes Funeral Home, Wolcottville. Burial, Greenwood Cemetery. + 10-1-1983
Leavitt Georgia H, about 72, (b. 4-19-1877) died Nov. 10, 1949, at the home of her son, Edgar L. Milner, from a heart ailment. The son is the only survivor. Funeral Saturday at Bonham & Miser Funeral Home in Albion. Burial, Cosperville Cemetery. + 11-?-1949
Leavy Joseph, 68, Rochester, died there Sunday. He was born Nov. 27, 1903 in Goshen and was a resident of Ligonier 44 years before moving to Rochester 10 years ago. He was a member of the Ligonier Elks, Rochester KFC and served for 35 years as organist of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, of which he was a member. He was employed for 44 years at Wirk & Master Garment Co. and was employed as a bookkeeper by Topps Garment in Rochester. The only survivor is a sister, Mrs. P. W. Miller in Fla. Funeral Wednesday in Ulrey Funeral Home. Burial, Oak Park Cemetery. + 1-?-1972
Leazier Charles L, 74, of Columbia City, died Nov. 5 at home. He was born in Fort Wayne. He was a WW II Navy veteran and a 50-year resident of Big Lake. He retired in 1986 from Falstaff Brewery and previously worked at South Whitley Trailer and as a bartender at Hill Top Inn. Surviving are his wife, Mary; a son, Edwin of Wolf Lake; a brother, Glenn of Fort Wayne; 2 sisters, Deloris McCarty of Fremont and Joan Krimple of Huntertown; his stepmother, Mildred Leazier of Churubusco; a stepbrother, James Leazier of Churubusco; 2 stepsisters, Bonnie Kimmel of LaOtto and Peg Lemish of Churubusco; and 2 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Toni Lee. Services in Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial, Thorn Cemetery. ~ 11-18-1999
Leazier Eloise E, 80, died Thursday in Kendallville Manor Health Care Center. She was born Sept. 1, 1913 in Fort Wayne to Harry and Rossi (Putman) Olinger. In Fort Wayne in June 1937 she married Virgil E. Leazier. She had worked at General Electric during WW II and had lived at Waldron Lake 20 years, most recently living in Albion. Surviving are her husband; a daughter, Mrs. Allan (Cynthia) Biddle of Kendallville. A sister, Evelyn Klenk, preceded her in death. Funeral Monday in Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Orange Cemetery. + 1-13-1994
Leazier Virgil E, 91, died March 6, 2003 at his daughter's home. He worked for Allen County Motors in Fort Wayne for 45 years. He was a veteran of WW II, serving in the U.S. Army, and was a member of Disabled American Veterans and American Legion Post 381 in Rome City. He was born in Fort Wayne Jan. 12, 1919 to George E. and Mary (Driver) Leazier. He married Eloise E. Olinger May 28, 1938 in Fort Wayne. She died Jan. 13, 1994. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Alan Biddle of Kendallville. Services Monday at Brazzell Funeral Home, Albion. Burial, Orange Cemetery. ^ 3-7-2003