Kenneth D. Denny, 36 Monday, January 01, 2007

Kevin Wade Duncan, 19, passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at the University of Southern Alabama Medical Center in Mobile, Ala. He was born on Feb. 14, 1988 in Elwood to Jeffrey and Cathy (Cover) Duncan. He graduated from Oak Hill High School in 2006 and had recently completed his first semester of college at Ivy Tech Community College in Marion. Kevin loved the game of soccer and played for the Oak Hill Golden Eagles for four years. He enjoyed classic rock music and was a huge fan of the Tennessee Titans. He loved his dog Zoe, enjoyed sports and his Acura RSX-Type S car and dreamed of owning his own Ford Lightning. Survivors besides his parents in Swayzee include a sister, Michelle Duncan, Muncie; paternal grandparents, Homer and JoAnn Duncan, Swayzee; maternal grandparents, Fritz and Jean Cover, Swayzee; five aunts and uncles, Lee Ann and Victor Teumer, Fairhope, Ala., Bobbi and Tom Combs, Columbia City, and Michael Duncan, Slidel, La.; and several cousins. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Swayzee United Methodist Church, with the Reverends James Miller and Brenda Burnworth officiating. Burial will be in Thrailkill Cemetery, Swayzee. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at Needham-Storey-Wampner, Rybolt Chapel, 314 N. Washington St., Swayzee, and one hour prior to service Saturday at the church. Memorial contributions may be directed to Oak Hill Soccer Association, P.O. Box 185, Sweetser, IN 46987. Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.

Edwina M. Thompson, 88, Peru, passed away at 10:55 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at her residence. She was born Oct. 31, 1918 in Caldwell, N.J. to George and Helen Myers. She married Robert L. Thompson Oct. 10, 1942 in Muncie, and he survives. Thompson attended Shimer Junior College in Evanston, Ill., and graduated from Indiana University Bloomington. She was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church in Peru, the 19th Star Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Tri Kappa Sorority, Dukes Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Peru Art Collection Advisory Board, past president of the Peru School Board, a Red Cross volunteer, and very active in the PTA when her children were attending Peru Community Schools. Survivors besides her husband include a daughter, Helen Boys and husband Larry, Indianapolis; two sons, Todd E. Thompson and wife Feezela, Mill Valley, Calif., and Bruce R. Thompson and wife Wendy, Worthington, Ohio; five grandchildren, Stephanie Boys and Anna, Rebecca, Jeffrey and Justin Thompson. He was preceded in death by two brothers. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 W. Main St., Peru, with Pastor Steven Ailes officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Peru. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Main Street United Methodist Church.

Robert Eugene Lees, 77, Jamestown, N.C., passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at his residence. He was born May 14, 1929 in Peru to Floyd and Relna Murtha Lees. On March 11, 1951 he married Marion Durkes, his wife of 56 years, and she survives.

Lees was a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He also was a die cast engineer and was employed with Southern Die Casting for over 20 years as sales manager. He was very dedicated to his profession and received numerous awards in the aluminum die cast industry. He also was a member of the National Die Cast Society of America and held various offices in the organization. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in High Point, N.C. Survivors besides his wife include a son, David Lees and wife Marsha, High Point, N.C.; two grandsons, Thomas and Mike Lees; two sisters, Carolyn Rogers, Paris, Tenn., and Phyllis Gerhart, Kokomo; and 14 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark Edward Lees, in 1998. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Holy Family Chapel of First United Methodist Church by the Reverend Chris Fitzgerald. Inurnment in the church columbarium will be at a later date. The family will receive friends at Sechrest Funeral Service, 1301 E. Lexington Ave., High Point, N.C., on Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association, 202 Center Port Drive, Suite 100, Greensboro, NC 27409 or to the American Cancer Society, 4-A Oakbranch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407. Please share your thoughts and memories with the Lees family at www.mem.com.

Sadie Lindsey, 56, Peru, passed away at approximately 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at her residence.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru.
Sadie Rae Lindsey, 56

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Sadie Rae Lindsey, 56, Peru, passed away at approximately 11 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at her residence. She was born on August 27, 1950 in Portland, Oregon to Leonard C. and Sadie P. (Elder) Lewis. On February 9, 1974, she married James Lindsey, who preceded her in death on December 10, 2000. Lindsey was a homemaker, former apartment manager, and talented artist. She is survived by one daughter, Tina Rae Finnegan Raider, Peru; grandkids, Nash, Austin and Clay Raider; and two sisters, Penny B. Finnegan, Rochester, and Peggy J. Owings, Rusk, Texas. Aside from her husband, Lindsey was preceded in death by her father on November 25, 1980, and mother on October 11, 1985; and a brother, Leonard Lewis. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday at 1:30 p.m. at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru, with Pastor Butch Troke officiating. Burial will be at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Rochester. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

Wilma M. Birk, 66, Roann, formerly of Plymouth, passed away Sunday May 13, 2007 her residence. Funeral arrangements are pending at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, Plymouth.

Robert “Dale” Jackson, 89, Peru, passed away at 4:15 a.m. Sunday, May 13, 2007 at Miller's Merry Manor Nursing Home. He was born Oct. 16, 1917 in Peru to Wayne and Jessie (Boxell) Jackson. He married Maurie E. Smythe June 8, 1940, and she survives. Jackson was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, and a C&O railroad-secretary to the train master. He was a member of First Christian Church, where he also served as deacon. In addition, he was a member of the American Legion, former member of the Phi Delta Kappa Sorority and a musician with the Peru Civic Band and Starlighters Orchestra. Survivors besides his wife include three daughters, Bonnie Sims Doran and husband Michael, Peru, Patricia Sarzynski and husband Donald, Mount Clemens, Mich., and Kathleen Lett and husband William, Huntingburg; a brother, Bill Jackson and wife Roberta, Peru; a sister, June Cooper and husband John, Columbus, N.C.; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mount Hope Chapel, Peru, with the Rev. George McCarty officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Peru. A military committal service at the cemetery will be conducted by the Miami County Military Rites Unit. Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru.
Wilma M. “Willie” Birk, 66

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Wilma M. “Willie” Birk, 66, Roann, formerly of Plymouth, passed away of natural causes at her residence at 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, May 13, 2007. A devoted mother, she was very proud of her children and grandchildren. Willie was born in Grovertown on Nov. 3, 1940. She was the daughter of Elvin Wesley Eads and Sylvia Reinholt Eads Skoog. She graduated from Plymouth High School with the class of 1958. On Oct. 1, 1960 in Plymouth, Willie and Robert L. Birk were married.

A homemaker, Willie was very creative and artistically skilled. She loved gardening and working with her lush flowers. She enjoyed sign language and playing games, including bingo. Willie appreciated all kinds of music. She was a member of the Peru Card Club and Delta Theta Tau philanthropic sorority. Survivors besides her husband include five children: three sons and two daughters. Her daughters and grandchildren are: Robin (Peter, “Chip”) VanBuskirk, and their children, Matthew and Megan, Las Vegas, Nev., and Rhonda (Greg) Dale and their children, Grant and Gracie, North Manchester. Her sons are: Rodney (Ann) Birk, and their children, Lindsay (Brian) Swihart, Braden and Bayli, Wabash, Randall and Estelle Birk and their children, Marissa and Jacob, Las Vegas, Nev., and Robert “Boo” Birk, Fort Wayne. Two sisters, Connie (Michael) Gardner, Bremen, and Vickie (Kim) Finkenbiner, North Webster; and two brothers, Arlie (Dorothy) Eads, Plymouth, and Eugene (Linda) Eads, Las Vegas, Nev., also survive. Willie was preceded in death by her parents; two granddaughters, Brittany Truss and Britain Birk; and a sister and brother-in-law, Cynthia and Carl Zimmerman. Funeral services for Willie will be held on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, with the Rev. Charles Krieg officiating. Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth. Friends will be welcomed by Willie's family to share memories and celebrate her life on Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial gifts in Willie's memory may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family through the funeral home's Web site: www.Johnson-danielson.com.
Jean "A.J." Mattice Nylin, 86

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Jean "A.J." Mattice Nylin, 86, Rochester, passed away at 4:17 p.m. Friday, May 11, 2007 at Howard Regional Health Systems, Kokomo. No services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to the Steven Bruce Mattice Memorial Scholarship through the Northern Indiana Community Foundation. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester. Online condolences may be sent to zimmermanbros@rtcol.com.

John A. Eltzroth, 80, Amboy, passed away at 7:03 a.m. Monday, May 14, 2007 at Colonial Oaks Health Care Center, Marion.

He was born Sept. 7, 1926 in Marion to Albert H. and Esther A. Guyer Eltzroth. He married Barbara Lentz Eltzroth Dec. 11, 1977 in Peru, and she survives. Eltzroth graduated from Amboy High School and was a retired Miami County farmer. He also was a member of the Converse Masonic Lodge 601, Peru Maennerchor, Eagles Lodge and Peru Moose Lodge. In addition, he loved sports, especially IU basketball, the Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Dodgers. Survivors besides his wife include a son, Keith Eltzroth and wife Linda, Kokomo; a daughter, Julia Vossler and husband Jeff, Converse; a step-son, Sam Jackson and wife Becky, Amboy; a step-daughter, Pam Hunt and husband Russell, Sweetser; four grandchildren, Eric Eltzroth and wife Melissa, Huntington, Courtney Henderson and husband Jeff, Swayzee, Nick Vossler, Converse, and Megan Vossler, Indianapolis; three step-grandchildren, David and Todd Jackson and Katie Hunt; and a great-grandchild, Austin Vossler. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Laird Funeral Home, 201 N. Main St., Amboy, with Pastor Carolyn Mikesell officiating. Burial will be in Bond Cemetery, Miami County. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with a Masonic service at 7 p.m.
Richard L. "Buzz" Remy, 52

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Richard L. "Buzz" Remy, 52, Kokomo, passed away on Friday, May 11, 2007 at his residence. He was born on Nov. 29, 1954 in Kokomo to Archie and Marion (Leisure) Remy. Remy served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1973. He later worked as a self-employed carpenter. He enjoyed bowling and playing pool and was an avid NASCAR fan. Richard leaves behind his care givers Donna and Larry Massey and several close friends and family. Funeral services will be at noon Wednesday at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, with the Rev. Joyce Brooks officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through Dr. Steele's office at 806 S. Berkley Road, Kokomo, IN 46901. Online condolences can be made at www.mem.com.

Charles D. Marburger, 58, Peru, passed away at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at his residence.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru.
Geraldine M. Wiltshire, 85

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Geraldine M. Wiltshire, 85, Miller's Merry Manor, Peru, passed away at 6:55 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2007 at her residence following an extended illness. Burial will be in St. Charles Cemetery, Peru. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru.

Earl M. Lees, 83, Peru, passed away at 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at Dukes Memorial Hospital, Peru. He was born Aug. 21, 1923 in Bunker Hill to Charles and Mae (Nichols) Lees. He married Geraldine "Gerri" Wilson Aug. 31, 1946, and she survives. Lees graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1942, Butler University in 1951 and Ball State University in 1958. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a retired school teacher. After retirement, he served as guidance counselor at Haworth High School in Kokomo. Survivors besides his wife include a daughter, Glenna Youngblood and husband Ron, Peru; a grandson, Aaron Youngblood and wife Debi, Marcelline, Ill.; a great-granddaughter, Madison Youngblood; two brothers, Ray A. Lees, Kokomo, and James Lees, Burlington; and two sisters, Louise Whybrew and Wilma Pearson, both of Bunker Hill. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Konda Lees; and four brothers, Elzie, Clyde, Donald and John Lees. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru, with Pastors Steve Fleck and George Dinkel officiating. Burial will be in Ever-Rest Memorial Park Cemetery, Cass County. A military committal service will be provided by the Miami County Military Rites Unit. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dukes chaplaincy.

Ruth A. McNamara, 91, Peru, passed away at 6:40 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at St. Vincent's Hospital, Indianapolis. She was born Aug. 6, 1915 in Peru to James P. and Lenice (Crume) McNamara. A graduate of St. Charles High School in the class of 1933, she was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, and a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. Survivors include her cousins, Barb Day and husband Bud, Chili, Penny Burns and husband Lee, Denver, Elaine Labrocca and husband Ron, Plainview, N.Y., Judy Henderson and husband Don, Nashville, Steve Crume and wife Mindy of Paulsbo, Wash., and Jim Crume and wife Cindy of Anderson. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Jane Ringle. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Charles Catholic Church, 58 W. Fifth St., Peru, with the Reverend Francis I. Kilcline III officiating. Burial will follow in St. Charles Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 W. Main, Peru, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the St. Charles Catholic Church.

Carol A. Damron, 57, Rochester, passed away at 3:22 a.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at her residence. She was born in Rochester April 24, 1950 to Ronald L. and Nilah G. (Edwards) Baber. She was a 1967 graduate of North Miami High School. During high school she attended school in Guam for several years, while her family was stationed there. She enjoyed extensive traveling in the Far East during her high school years, and after graduation she traveled throughout Europe. On April 17, 1971 she married David P. Damron at the Macy United Methodist Church, and he survives. Mrs. Damron had been a distribution clerk, field record clerk and service technician for Northern Indiana Public Service Company. She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, and enjoyed reading, boating, flowers, fix-it projects, traveling and spending time with her family.

Survivors besides her husband include her son, Kyle Damron and wife Megan, Somerset, Ky.; a brother, Rick L. Baber and wife Teresa, Rochester; a sister Barbara Brown and husband Ed, Kokomo; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Grace United Methodist Church, Rochester, with the Reverend Rick Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Plainview Cemetery, Macy. Friends may call today from 4 to 8 p.m. at Zimmerman Brothers Funeral Home in Rochester, and one hour prior to service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Hospice of Fulton County or to Grace United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to zimmermanbros@rtcol.com.
Mary I. Dillon, 68

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Mary I. Dillon, 68, Kokomo, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at St. Joseph Hospital, Kokomo. She was born Nov. 4, 1938 Pangburn, Alaska, to George and Gurthy (Hollman) Glosser. She married Leonard Dillon March 3, 1956, and he survives. Mary enjoyed spending time as a homemaker. Survivors besides her husband of over 50 years include three daughters, Linda Pickens, Knoxville, Tenn., Judy Mace, Kokomo, and Marie Muntz, Maynardville, Tenn.; three brothers, Charles Glosser, Peru, George Glosser, Bunker Hill, and Albert Glosser, Whiteville, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Daniel Pickens, Sarah Pickens, Heather Pickens and Christine Pickens, all of Knoxville, Tenn. She was preceded in death by her parents and her twin sister's passing at birth. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today at Ellers Mortuary Webster Street Chapel, 3400 S. Webster St., Kokomo, with the Rev. Harold Williams officiating. Burial will be in Albright Cemetery Kokomo. Calling will be from noon to 2 p.m. today at the Webster Street Chapel.

Margaret V. Young, 97, formerly of Gilead, passed away at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2007 at Miller's Merry Manor, Peru. Funeral arrangements are pending at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron.

Charles D. Marburger, 58, Peru, passed away at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at his residence. He was born on March 13, 1949 in Rochester to Willis D. ‘Bud' and Joyce (Dillman) Marburger, who both survive in Peru. The 1967 graduate of North Miami High School enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, cars and just being outdoors. Marburger was the former vice-president of Marburger Ready Mix, as well as worked for D & B Ready Mix and Irving Materials prior to his retirement in 1994. He was a member of the Denver Baptist Church. Aside from his parents, Marburger is survived by daughter, Jessica Shannon and husband Mike, Logansport; two sons, Jason Marburger, Peru, and Jeff Marburger, Mexico; grandson, Conner Shannon; and brother, Michael Marburger and wife Kyletta, Peru. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru, with Pastor Stephen Bates officiating. Burial will be at Ever-Rest Memorial Park, Cass County. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wabash-Miami County Home Health Care and Hospice, American Cancer Society, and/or Muscular Dystrophy Foundation.

Catherine H. Boyd, 83, of New Port Richey, Florida passed away on Friday, May 4, 2007 at Gulfside Regional Hospital in New Port Richey. She was born in Mercer County, Ohio and moved to Florida in 1956. Boyd retired as a teacher in Ohio and Pinellas County, Florida, and was later a homemaker. From 1965 to 1983 she was an organist at the Palm Grove Reform Church. She was an active member of the Christian Women's Club and a member of the Living Word Church of New Port Richey. Survivors include her husband of 62 years, William W. Boyd; a son, William L. Boyd, Lake City, Florida; a daughter, Susan Cullen, Trinity, Florida; a brother, Elmer Hisey, Bellevue, Washington; four sisters: Mary Hablitzel, Aurora, Colorado; Alice Gassidy, Van Wert, Ohio; Betty Moser of Peru; and Carol Rude, Green Valley, Arizona. She is also survived by five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Thomas Dobies Funeral Homes, Seven Springs Chapel, New Port Richey was in charge of arrangements.

Earl M. Lees, 83, Peru, passed away at 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at Dukes Memorial Hospital, Peru. He was born Aug. 21, 1923 in Bunker Hill to Charles and Mae (Nichols) Lees. He married Geraldine "Gerri" Wilson Aug. 31, 1946, and she survives. Lees graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1942, Butler University in 1951 and Ball State University in 1958. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a retired school teacher. After retirement, he served as guidance counselor at Haworth High School in Kokomo. Survivors besides his wife include a daughter, Glenna Youngblood and husband Ron, Peru; a grandson, Aaron Youngblood and wife Debi, Marcelline, Ill.; a great-granddaughter, Madison Youngblood; two brothers, Ray A. Lees, Kokomo, and James Lees, Burlington; and two sisters, Louise Whybrew and Wilma Pearson, both of Bunker Hill. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Konda Lees; and four brothers, Elzie, Clyde, Donald and John Lees. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru, with Pastors Steve Fleck and George Dinkel officiating. Burial will be in Ever-Rest Memorial Park Cemetery, Cass County. A military committal service will be provided by the Miami County Military Rites Unit. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dukes chaplaincy.

Ruth A. McNamara, 91, Peru, passed away at 6:40 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at St. Vincent's Hospital, Indianapolis. She was born Aug. 6, 1915 in Peru to James P. and Lenice (Crume) McNamara. A graduate of St. Charles High School in the class of 1933, she was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, and a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. Ruth was Deputy Recorder for Miami County from 1941 to 1986. Survivors include her cousins, Barb Day and husband Bud, Chili, Penny Burns and husband Lee, Denver, Elaine Labrocca and husband Ron, Plainview, New York, Judy Henderson and husband Don, Nashville, Steve Crume and wife Mindy of Paulsbo, Washington, Jim Crume and wife Cindy of Anderson, and Rita Cook and husband Dan, Peru. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Jane Ringle.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Charles Catholic Church, 58 W. Fifth St., Peru, with the Reverend Francis I. Kilcline III officiating. Burial will follow in St. Charles Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. at Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 W. Main, Peru, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the St. Charles Catholic Church.