COLUMBIA CITY — Janet A. Thompson, 67, South Whitley, passed away at 1:20 p.m. Dec. 23, 2016, at her home surrounded by family.  Born Jan. 3, 1949, in Warsaw, she was the daughter of William Harrison and Wilma Marie Fear Warren. She graduated from Warsaw High School with the Class of 1967. On April 26, 1969, she married Rick Thompson at the Warsaw United Methodist Church. She had w

Yvonne “Melanie” Freel Ottenhausen, 53, Warsaw, passed away at 11:55 p.m. Dec. 25, 2016, at Mason Health & Rehabilitation Center, Warsaw.  Arrangements are pending at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.

FORT WAYNE — Lou Ann Merkler, 64, passed away Dec. 25, 2016, at her home in Warsaw.  Born in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Mary Beaver.  She earned an associate degree in business from Indiana Purdue University Fort Wayne. She worked for Lincoln Life for 41 years prior to her retirement.  She absolutely loved "L

NAPPANEE — Rose Mast, 81, Nappanee, died at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 24, 2016, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Wakarusa.  She was born March 24, 1935, in Niles, Mich., to Charles and Lucy Kirk Richardson. On Feb. 19, 1956, she married Winifred Mast in Niles. He died Dec. 14, 2007.  Family and friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, and one hour prior to the 10:30 a.m. funeral service Thursday at First Mennonite Church, Nappanee. The Rev. Janet McFall- Brown will officiate.  Burial will follow at South Union Cemetery.  ***** Memorials to First Mennonite Church, Nappanee. Online condolences may be given at www.tlyfh.com.

MENTONE — Doris Grubbs, 89, Bourbon, died at 7:37 p.m. Dec. 26, 2016, at the Visiting Nurses Home, Fort Wayne. Arrangements are pending at King Memorial Home, Mentone.

— Mary Irene Rager, 97, formerly of rural Akron, passed away Dec. 25, 2016, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, where she had resided for six years.

Charles A. Lagoni, 83, Silver Lake, passed away at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 2016,  in Autumn Ridge Rehabilitation Center, Wabash. He was born Sept. 11, 1934, in Chicago, Ill., to Christian and Stella Bertronski Lagoni. He was a Silver Lake resident for 13 years and was formerly of the Chicagoland area. He was united in marriage to Elfriede J. Popp on Feb. 14, 1973, in Chicago. She preceded him on Oct. 6, 2013. He retired as a postmaster in Techny, Ill., with 40 years of service with the United States Postal Service. He faithfully served his country in the United States Navy as a radioman third class aboard the destroyer USS H.R. Dickson during the Korean conflict from June 1953 to June 1957.  He was an avid fisherman and a longtime fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears.

AKRON — Mary Irene Rager, 97, formerly of rural Akron, died at 12:05 a.m. Dec. 25, 2016, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester. Arrangements are pending at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron.

MENTONE — Paul D. Blue, 76, Warsaw, died at 10:31 a.m. Dec. 24, 2016, at Meadows Care Center, Warsaw. Arrangements are pending at King Memorial Home, Mentone.

Rex D. Smith, 81, Warsaw, died at 10:56 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, at Kosciusko Community Hospital.

On Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, Joseph Nelson Dillon was taken to be with his heavenly father who made him because of his belief in Jesus Christ, who died for his sins.

Patricia R. Dean, 83, Goshen, died at 8:13 p.m. Dec. 21, 2016, at Greencroft Healthcare.

Melissa K. Roberts, 46, known by many simply as “Missy,” passed away on Dec. 17, 2016, as the result of a car accident near her home in Albany. She was born May 20, 1970, to Ward T. and Sally M. Williams Ladd. She was a native of Kosciusko County, having graduated from Tippecanoe Valley High School in 1988.  On Nov. 23, 1996, she wa

Mary Jo Hite Seitner, 82, passed away at 5:49 p.m. Dec. 19, 2016, in Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born Feb. 9, 1934, in Grantsville, W.Va. She was born to Lee and Merrell McCartney and later adopted and raised by Charles and Mildred Johnson.  She married Carl Seitner on Jan. 7, 2004, in Warsaw. She was a homemaker and a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County. She was a member of the Early Apostolic Bible Training Center. She loved to fish and to attend garage sales. She especially loved her children and grandchildren. Survivors include a daughter, Linda (spouse Ron) Smith, Palestine; a son, Mike (spouse Maria) Seitner, Warsaw; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; many stepchildren, stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren; two sisters, Marilyn While, Texas, and Debbie Sutton, New Paris; a half sister, Doris Puckett, Claysville, Ohio; and a brother, Darrell McCartney, Leary, Ohio. She was preceded by her husband, Carl Seitner, May 17, 2009; a son, David Seitner, April 14, 1990; two sisters, Nylene McKenna and Dean Cunningham; and two brothers, Raymond McCartney and Leon McCartney. Services were planned for 11 a.m. today at Titus Funeral Home, with Pastor Dean Ealey of Early Apostolic Bible Training Center officiating.  Burial will be in Palestine Cemetery. ***** Memorials in memory of Mary Seitner c/o Titus Funeral Home.

Bob Inman, a longtime resident of the Warsaw area, died on Dec. 20, 2016, in Georgetown, Ga. He was 89 years of age.  His angel wife, Grace, preceded him in death in October 2011. He was a lifetime member of Rozella Ford Golf Course since 1964. At last count, each round cost him 23.2 cents. He says goodbye to all his many friends, golfing buddies and one enemy. If you're eligible, let's tee up on the other shore!

Jeffrey “Jeff” Rostochak, 56, Leesburg, passed away at 1:01 p.m. Dec. 21, 2016, at his home.  He was born July 22, 1960, in Columbia City, to Michael T. and Wilma I. Werstler Rostochak.  He graduated in 1978 from Whitko High School, South Whitley, and in 1982 from Huntington College. He was married Aug. 17, 1985, in Howe, to Molly D. Walter, who survives. 

County Jail Bookings  The following people were preliminarily charged and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail: • 3:52 p.m. Thursday – Nicholas Reed Colquitt, 18, of 105 EMS T26B Lane, Leesburg, arrested for possession of child pornography. Bond: $250,250. • 6:18 p.m. Thursday – Keith Vuittonet, 30, of Old Road 30, #41, Warsaw, arrested for theft. Bond: $600. • 10 p.m. Thursday – Ryan Ray Jarrrell, 29, of 8266 E. CR 250S, Pierceton, arrested for battery. Bond: $600. • 10:45 p.m. Thursday – Jacob Miller, 43, Fort Wayne, arrested for battery with a bodily injury and criminal mischief. Bond: $600. • 11:21 p.m. Thursday – David Edward Anderson, 43, of 711 E. Main St., Warsaw, arrested for operating a motor vehicle and possession of marijuana. Bond: $700.  • 11:25 p.m. Thursday – Eric Francisco Hernandez, 20, of 311 N. West St., Warsaw, arrested for illegal consumption by a minor. Bond: $400. • 11:50 p.m. Thursday – Douglas Lee Powell, 20, of 17 Ynonne St., Leesburg, arrested for illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Bond: $700.  • 1:18 a.m. today – Jimmy Ray Patrick, 60, of 8140 S. Packerton Road, Claypool, arrested for disorderly conduct. Bond: $500.

Duane Austin Kemper, 81, Warsaw, passed away at 2:25 p.m. Dec. 20, 2016, in his residence. On May 3, 1935, he was born in Ladysmith, Wis., to Karl and Mary E. Oungst Kemper. He was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Owen on Aug. 30, 1980, in Winona Lake. She survives.

Mary Jo Hite Seitner, 82, passed away at 5:49 p.m. Dec. 19, 2016, in Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born Feb. 9, 1934, in Grantsville, W.Va., to Charles and Mildred McCartney Johnson. She married Carl Seitner on Jan. 7, 2004, in Warsaw. She was a homemaker and a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County. She was a member of the Early Apostolic Bible Training Center. She loved to fish and to attend garage sales. She especially loved her children and grandchildren.

MENTONE — Donald M. Waggoner, 82, Etna Green, died at 7:28 a.m. Dec. 20, 2016, at Miller’s Merry Manor, Warsaw. He was born March 12, 1934, in Kosciusko County, to Paul and Eva Miller Waggoner. On Oct. 5, 1963, in Warsaw, he married Alice E. Feldman, who passed on March 17, 2005.

Duane Austin Kemper, 81, Warsaw, passed away at 2:25 p.m. Dec. 20, 2016, in his residence. On May 3, 1935, he was born in Ladysmith, Wis., to Karl and Mary E. Oungst Kemper. He was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Owen on Aug. 30, 1980, in Winona Lake. She survives.

NORTH MANCHESTER — Diana P. Bechtold, 70, North Manchester, died at 9:15 a.m. Dec. 20, 2016, in Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. She was born Dec. 2, 1946, in Huntington County, to J. Eldon and Jessie L. Brodrick Stephan. On July 23, 1966, she married Larry W. Bechtold. He survives. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at McKee Mortuary, 1401 Ind. 114W, North Manchester, with Alan Seipker officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Servia. Calling is from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday and an hour prior to the service Tuesday at the mortuary. ***** Memorials to Parkview Supportive Care Unit, 2200 Randalia Drive, 3rd floor State Tower, Fort Wayne, IN 46805. Condolences may be shared at mckeemortuary.com.  

ROCHESTER — Dorothy Lavon Jackson, 98, Rochester, passed away at 1:15 p.m. Dec. 20, 2016, at Life Care Center, Rochester. She was born Oct. 16, 1918, in Marshall County, to Jonas and Cora Dudgeon Stockberger. On Dec. 5, 1941, in Logansport, she married Clarence Jackson, who died June 5, 1984.  A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. Chaplain Jason See will officiate.   Burial will follow in the Richland Center IOOF Cemetery. ***** Expressions of sympathy may be made to her family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.  

James A. Hudgins, 68, went to his rest trusting in God’s mercy and provision on Dec. 9, 2016, after a long illness, surrounded by family and loving caregivers at Shelby Baptist Hospital, Alabaster, Ala. A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Bessemer, Ala. He was born in Matthews, Va., in 1948, to James Sr. and Betty Lou Forrest Hudgins. The grandson of a  Panama Canal pilot, he retired from work as a supervising dredge operator, maintaining the canal. After beginning work there at 17, he was one of the last Americans to work on the Panama Canal. Those skills transferred well to his time in the Navy during the Vietnam War when he was serving as a SeaBee doing infrastructure work in Thailand.  After retirement, he and his wife, Estrella (and daughters Maria de Guadalupe and ?Maria Jose) settled in the Birmingham, Ala., area, where he continued to use his skills operating the largest cranes available.  He was active with the local American ?Legion post, which he enjoyed doing with his eldest daughter, Maria, a drill sergeant with the Army. As an accomplished guitar player, he volunteered his playing and singing for his local Catholic parish, even singing at the EWTN Chapel in Irondale, Ala. He was a lover of a long conversation and a good joke, and many will miss his company and his large and generous heart. In addition to his family in Alabama, he is survived by his sons, David and Daniel, and their mother, Diane Hudgins; stepmother, Rose Hudgins; sisters, Elena (spouse Greg) Kiley, Debra (spouse ?John B.) Lowe and Lisa Correira; stepfather, Don Correira; and six grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and beloved brother, Billy Hudgins, who shared service in the Vietnam War as a highly decorated veteran.  

 Hazel L. McKenzie, 58, Claypool, passed away at 6:35 a.m. Dec. 19, 2016, in IU Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis. On Dec. 2, 1958, she was born in Warsaw to Edward and Faye Minnix Owens. She was united in marriage to Tony McKenzie on May 24, 1987, in Warsaw. He survives.