Ballard William Wood, 54, Columbia City, died at 9:03 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at home. He was born April 1, 1971, in Columbia City. His wife, Gretchen (Douglas) Wood, whom he married July 23, 1989, survives. He also is survived by his children, Chasity Puckett, New Mexico, … Read More
Miranda Lynn Kinion, 34, North Manchester, died at 12:19 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born Dec. 30, 1991, in Columbia City. On Dec. 30, 2009, she married Matthew Kinion, who survives. She also is survived by her children, Levi … Read More
Petra Elizabeth Van Gessel, 1, Kendallville, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. She was joined in death by her mother, Emily Franks, and brother, Edward Van Gessel. She was born Aug. 20, 2024. She is survived by father, Todd Van Gessel, Kendallville; grandparents, Troy and Cara Franks, Larwill, and … Read More
Edward Franklin Van Gessel, 3, Kendallville, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. He was joined in death by his mother, Emily Franks, and sister, Petra Van Gessel. He was born Oct. 4, 2022. He is survived by his father, Todd Van Gessel, Kendallville; grandparents, Troy and Cara Franks, Larwill, … Read More
Emily Grace Franks, 31, Kendallville, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. She was joined in death by her son, Edward Van Gessel, and daughter, Petra, Van Gessel. She was born Oct. 4, 1994, in Columbia City. She is survived by her fiance, Todd Van Gessel, Kendallville; parents, Troy and … Read More
Mary Ellen (Miller) Neher, 71, Columbia City, died at 12:25 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Park Place, Fort Wayne. She was born June 6, 1954. Her husband, Lee Neher, whom she married Oct. 4, 1974, survives. She also is survived by her children, Greg Neher (Melissa Knecht), … Read More
Jack L. Keller, 86, Columbia City, died at 1:10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at Miller’s Oak Pointe, Columbia City. He was born on Jan. 9, 1939, in Covington. On March 9, 1963, he married Barbara Roberson, who survives. He is survived by his children: Tina (Michael) DeLong, … Read More
David Michael Sauers, 84, Columbia City, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. He was born May 2, 1941, in Wolf Lake. On Feb. 26, 1961, he married Sharon R. Jones, who survives. He also is survived by his children, Doug (Kathy) Sauers, Greg (Jan) … Read More
Rolland Dean Fraley, 83, Columbia City, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, at Parkview Noble Hospital. He was born Feb. 11, 1942, in Hamilton. On Sept. 26, 1981, he married Deborah Hinman, who survives. He also is survived by children, Donald (Mindy) McKean, Angella (Todd) Hoeffel and Rebecca (John) … Read More
William Phillip “Bill” Woyak, 78, South Whitley, previously of Fulton, Wis., and Grand View, Wis., died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Columbia City. He was born May 26, 1947, in Burlington, Wis. His wife, Judith “Judy” (Hyland) Woyak, whom he married Aug. 8, 1998, survives. He also is … Read More
Jo Ann Handlin, 84, Columbia City, died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, at home. She was born Oct. 15, 1941. In 1966, she married George Handlin, who survives. She also is survived by her children, Kimery Metzger and Steven Handlin; a granddaughter; siblings, Gene Shannon, Russell (Wanda) Shannon, Tommy … Read More
Ann Adair Roth, 77, Columbia City, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at Peabody Memorial Home, North Manchester. She was born Feb. 27, 1948, in Noble County. She is survived by her siblings, David (Deb) Roth, Michael Roth and Mary (Bo) Walker; and three nieces, a nephew and their … Read More
Patricia Nanette Chapman, 97, Bonita Springs, Fla., died Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at her daughter’s home in Columbia City. She was born Aug. 1, 1928, in Hammond. On Oct. 25, 1947, she married Robert E. Chapman, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter, Lynn … Read More
James Oliver Blair, 69, South Whitley, died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. He was born Sept. 23, 1956, in Columbia City. He is survived by his children, Dusty (Tammy) Blair and Terra (James) McCrory; nine grandchildren; sisters, Reggie (Mark) Renz and Carol (Jay) Crow; and several nieces and nephews. … Read More
Geneva “Jenny” Gayheart, 77, Larwill, died at 9:40 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at home. She was born Sept. 12, 1948, in Bryant’s Store, Ky. On Dec. 19, 1964, she married Shermon Gayheart Sr., who preceded her in death. She is survived by a son, David Gayheart, Larwill; … Read More
Geneva “Jenny” Gayheart, 77, Larwill, died at 9:40 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at home. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City.
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