Obituaries

Feb 26, 2026

Jay Scott "Jbird" Smart, 71, of Kendallville, Indiana died Thursday, February 26, 2026, at his residence with his family at his side.

He was born February 11, 1955, in Kendallville to John and Ruth (Iddings) Smart.

On June 25, 1977, in Kendallville he married Charlene Gibson.

Jay had worked as a forklift driver...

Feb 25, 2026

Skye Elizabeth (Terry) Gibson, 39, of Kendallville, Indiana, died unexpectedly Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

She was born June 22, 1986, in Kendallville, Indiana.

Skye was known for her bright mind and outgoing spirit. She had a way of making friends wherever she went and was the kind of person who could strike up a conversation...

Feb 23, 2026

Daniel Eugene "Dan" Faulkner, 76, of Dallas Lake, Wolcottville, Indiana died unexpectedly Monday, February 23, 2026, in the emergency room at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville.

He was born December 7, 1949, in Kendallville to Donald E. and Marie L. (Krotzer) Faulkner. They preceded him in death.

On January 9, 1971, at Stroh Church of...

Feb 20, 2026

Gerald "Jerry" Schoenle, age 87, of Wolcottville, Indiana peacefully entered eternal life on February 20, 2026, after complications from cancer. Born on March 16, 1938, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jerry lived a life centered on his faith, family, and friendships.

Jerry is survived by his wife Janie (Mayers) whom he married On October 20, 1960, at St....

Feb 20, 2026

Naomi Fay Watson, 85, of Kendallville, Indiana, formerly of Marshall, Michigan, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2026, at Parkview Noble Hospital.

Naomi was born on September 13, 1940, to Kernie and Leatha Watson, who preceded her in death.

Naomi graduated from Marshall High School in Marshall, Michigan, with the Class of 1959. Throughout her...

Feb 17, 2026

John R. Saylor, 72, of Wolcottville, Indiana died unexpectedly Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at his residence.

He was born January 22, 1954, in Cincinnati, Ohio to Billy and Lou (Wade) Saylor.

He married Judith Ann Davidson in August of 1977.

John retired from the maintenance department of Kraft Foods in Kendallville after 29...

Feb 11, 2026

Zeda S. Hoover, 76, of Kendallville, Indiana died Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne with her family at her side.

She was born September 24, 1949, in Garrett, Kentucky to Curtis and Martha (Coburn) Sells.

She married Granvil Hoover. He preceded her in death on January 1, 1999.

Feb 9, 2026

With broken hearts and deep love, Brodee L. Hart and Samantha M. Howard of Howe share the passing of their precious baby girl, Harper Elaine Hart who was born silently and carried straight to Heaven on Monday, February 9, 2026.

Harper Elaine was a quiet and unexpected miracle, unknown to her parents until the moment of birth....

Feb 7, 2026

Paul John Oliver, 73, of Albion, Indiana died Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.

He was born August 15, 1952, in Hamtramck, Michigan to John Paul and Mary Benjamina (Namiotka) Oliver. They preceded him in death.

On July 7, 2017, at Big Lake in Albion, he married Rhonda Harris....

Jan 31, 2026

Carolyn Sue Hicks, 75, of Kendallville, Indiana died Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville.

She was born March 22, 1950, in Shop Fork, Floyd County, Kentucky to Herbert and Daisy (Chaffins) Slone. They preceded her in death.

Carolyn retired from Pent Products in Rome City.

She was a member...

Jan 29, 2026

Karen Stroman, 89, of The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2026.

Born on August 3, 1936, in Kendallville, Indiana, Karen lived a full and purposeful life marked by compassion, dedication, and service to others.

She graduated from Kendallville High School in 1954 and married her high school sweetheart Darol Stroman on January...

Jan 23, 2026

Steven Michael Clements, age 68, of LaOtto, Indiana, passed away Friday, January 23, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 23, 1957, to Ronald D. Clements and Norma J. (Goodwin) Clements in Flint, Michigan.

Steven graduated from Carmen Ainsworth Senior High School in Flint, Michigan, in 1975. He met the love...

Jan 20, 2026

Bruce Compton, 59, of Corunna, Indiana died unexpectedly Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at his residence.

He was born February 25, 1966, in Kendallville to Gary Hansel and Birdie Mae (Knox) Compton. They preceded him in death.

Bruce's life was defined by curiosity, kindness, and a deep love for the people around him. Whether he was...

Jan 16, 2026

Larry Wayne Collins, 85, of Brimfield, Indiana, died Friday, January 16, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born June 29, 1940, in Muncie, Indiana, to Wayne and Nila G. (Snodgrass) Collins.

On July 27, 1966, in Lisbon he married Loretta Gaye Woody.

Mr. Collins retired from Walker Manufacturing...

Jan 16, 2026

Orain L. Gary, 88, of Angola, Indiana, died Friday, January 16, 2026, at his residence.

He was born October 20, 1937, in Hillsdale, Michigan, to Orain and Orpha (Ford) Gary.

On August 7, 1982, in Angola he married the love of his life Joyce M. Gleason.

He honorably served in the U.S. Navy...

Jan 13, 2026

Joseph James Reiter, 82, of Kendallville, Indiana, died Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.

He was born November 25, 1943, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Richard L. and Marie M. (Rauch) Reiter.

He honorably served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. He was proud of the fact...

Jan 10, 2026

Rita Kay Martin, 74, of Rome City, Indiana, died Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Orchard Pointe Health Campus in Kendallville.

She was born March 1, 1951, in Martin, Kentucky, to Roy A. and Eunice M. (Hughes) Hurst.

She retired from Colwell Industries in Kendallville.

Rita enjoyed reading, going to craft shows and flea...

Jan 9, 2026

Barbara Ann (Gehring) Eickholtz, 87, of Kendallville, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2026.

She was born on Jan 22, 1938 in Kendallville, Indiana. On June 6, 1959 she married Henry Eickholtz in West Lafayette, Indiana. He was her best friend and a wonderful partner and supporter throughout their 48 year marriage. He preceded her...

Jan 9, 2026

Ronald Jay Conrad, 67, of Wolcottville, Indiana, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.

Born March 28, 1958, in Three Rivers, Michigan, Ron was the son of Dale Eugene Conrad and Patricia J. (Barnett) Goff, both of whom preceded him in death.

From an early age, Ron carried...

Jan 6, 2026

Roselea "Rose" Caldwell, 85, of Kendallville, Indiana, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, leaving behind a life rooted in love, quiet strength, and devotion to her family.

She was born February 7, 1940, in Silver Lake, Indiana, to Andrew and Mary Blanche (Saunders) Shepherd.

On September 4, 1976, she married Paul...