All Obituaries

Arthur L. Gilbert, 87, North Manchester passed away June 26, 2019 at 2:30 a.m. at Timbercrest Healthcare Center. Arrangements are pending at McKee Mortuary.

Jenae Colleen (Allen) Renz, 50, North Manchester, IN passed away June 24, 2019 at Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw, IN. On April 20, 1969, Jenae was born to Marvin and NeVonna (Bowers) Allen in Wabash, IN. Jenae worked as a certified medical assistant with KCH Lutheran Health Network for three years as well as in various other medical positions. Jenae was a vibrant ray of sunshine who instantly became the life of any room she entered. Loving and kind by nature, she always delighted in...

Rebecca Brightbill “Becky” Waas, 94, passed away January 5, 2019 at Timbercrest Healthcare Center. Becky was born September 22, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois to Alvin F. and Mae Esther (Good) Brightbill. She attended Manchester College. Becky was a member or the P.E.O Chapter DK of North Manchester, e Manchester Community Club, and Manchester Church of the Brethren. Having a love for music, she founded and directed the Timbercrest Choir for 20 years and was also a member of the...

Anna Madonna (Petterson) Bender, 86, North Manchester, Indiana unexpectedly passed away at 3:01 a.m. on Monday, June 24, 2019 at her Timbercrest home with her loving husband by her side. Madonna was born to farmers, John C. and Esther J. (Darby) Petterson on February 22, 1933 in Converse, Indiana. She was the 7th of 8 children and loved spending time with her brothers and sisters. In 1951 Madonna graduated from Peru High School. After graduating, she worked as an executive...

Kent Allen Workman, 57, of Peru died on Friday, June 14, 2019 in a car accident. Kent was born on October 23, 1961 in Wabash County to L. Richard and Peggy D. (Baker) Workman. He was raised in North Manchester, baptized at First Brethren Church and graduated from Manchester High School. He earned his teaching degree from Manchester College. Kent was a math teacher for Maconaquah High School for 33 years, retiring in 2017. He was dedicated to his students and known for injecting humor into...

John Watkins, age 77, died on June 13, 2019, at his home in Sandy Beach (North Manchester), Indiana. He was born on September 5, 1941. He enjoyed woodworking and spending time with family and was a steel worker for 10 years at Singer Controls retiring when they closed. John was preceded in death by his wife Oneta “Bonnie” (Sizemore) Watkins. He leaves behind a stepson, Gerondia “Ronnie” (Jackie) Adams of Detroit, Michigan and several step grandchildren. He was the...

Dean Duane Abbott, 74, North Manchester, Indiana passed away in his residence with his family by his side at 6:15 p.m. on June 11, 2019. One of four children born to Glenn R. and Elizabeth (Price) Abbott, Dean was born on December 17, 1944 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Dean was the first person and part of the first class to graduate from Northfield High School in 1963. On June 5, 1970 Dean married his best friend Carol Reust. The two were married for 49 wonderful years. Dean was a man of many...

Ansel E. Lahr, 76, North Manchester, Indiana passed away at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester on June 5, 2019 at 7:55 a.m. The son of Ervin F. and Ruth J. (Lassiter) Lahr, Ansel was born on June 13, 1942 in Huntington County, Indiana.   Ansel retired from Heckman Bindery at North Manchester, Indiana after 49 years of service.  He attended Bippus School and graduated from Clear Creek High School and was an avid basketball fan.  He was a member of North Manchester...

Mabel M. Coble, 96, departed this life on May 30, 2019 at 4:50 a.m. She was born February 7, 1923 in Wabash County, Indiana. She was the daughter of J. Calvin and Bessie (Kendall) Hippensteel. Mabel graduated from Chester High School in 1942. On September 22, 1943 Max E. Coble and Mabel were united in marriage in North Manchester. He preceded her in death January 6, 2013. They were married for 69 years. A lifetime resident of Wabash County until 2012, when she moved to Fort Wayne to be near...

Ermah E. Sparks, 68, North Manchester, passed away at 4:40 a.m. on April 27, 2019 at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Daughter of William A. and Gladys M. (Walker) Strasser, Ermah was born on June 15, 1950 in Wabash, Indiana.  For many years, Ermah worked as a CNA for various nursing homes in Wabash County, Indiana, Michigan and California. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ermah was a member...